Chapter 7

“Trinnie, what is wrong?”  Nick asked suspiciously.

“Nick, I think we need to talk.” she replied softly.

Nick turned away, afraid of what he was about to hear.  “I know what you are going to tell me Trinnie, so just save it.  I don’t really even want to know.” he said  as he stomped off across the room.

“Nick, if you just give me a chance to explain!” she cried.

“Explain?  Did I just hear you say you would EXPLAIN?!”  Nick yelled, now very hurt by what was going on.

Kyla stood there, wondering what to say.  She knew that she couldn’t keep the secret from Nick any longer.  Her past was coming back to haunt her, and now, the one person who should be helping her was pushing her away.

“Nickolas, you need to sit down so that I can explain it all.  It is not what you think, honest.” she said softly, her eyes begging for forgiveness.

Nick looked at her for a moment, and then decided it was probably best to at least hear her out.  “Make it quick…” he snapped.

“Fine…about three years ago, when I was still in high school and trying to get a book deal, Jack took me in under his wing.   He knew I was talented, but figured that most publishers wouldn’t take me seriously.  I was too young…a risk for most publishers.” she paused, looking for some sort of a reaction.  To her surprise, there wasn’t one.

“Anyway, Jack took me in and helped me get a deal.  He offered to be my editor, and would be paid after the book sold and made some money.  I thought it sounded too good to be true.  I mean, here he was, helping me out…and not asking for payment until we found out if the book was worth any money.  I couldn’t turn it down, so I told him ‘yes’.”

“And so you said yes…” Nick said sarcastically, but more afraid to hear what had happened.

“Nick, let me tell you…then you can speak.  Okay?”  Kyla interrupted.

“Fine.”

“Finally after several months of begging and pleading…I got a publisher to accept my book.  They soon found out that my book was far more worthy than they thought…and I was an instant success.   It all came so fast that I didn’t have time to think.  Jack told me that my book was a hit…and I would be rich.  Now, to a high school girl, who had nothing…it was the best news in the world.  We watched as my book shot straight to the number one position on the New York Best Sellers list.  It was like you having a #1 song on the Billboard Charts.  Do you see what I am getting at here?” she questioned softly.

All Nick did was slowly nod his head.

“Finally, it was time for me to pay Jack for all his services.  However, I had never made formal contracts with him…so I was in for a huge surprise.  Jack told me that because of his services, he should make 40% of the gross sales from the first book.  I knew it was outrageous.  Once the publishers were paid, and the materials and promotions for the book were paid for…that left me with less than 50% of the sales left.  Once I was to pay off Jack for his services, I would only be left with 10% or less.   That was hardly even enough for me to pay my own bills.” she started to cry.

Nick slowly walked over to where she was standing and held her.  “I am sorry…I know exactly how you feel.” he whispered as he wrapped his gentle arms around her waist.

“Nick, there is more.  Because I refused to pay Jack 40% of the sales, he offered me a better solution.  It is something that I have never talked about to anyone…not even my own parents.  Jack liked me…and more than just a co-worker and client.  He wanted more from me than I was willing to give.  But, because I could not pay him what he wanted…he would be compensated some other way.” she began to sob even harder.

Nick looked scared.  “What did he do to you baby?  Did he hurt you in any way?  Because I swear to God, if he even harmed one hair on your head, I will personally kick his ass into the next Millennium.” Nick swore.

“Nickolas…it was just a deal that I would be an escort to all the public functions.  But, it started turning out to be more.  One night, after a public function that we had attended…our limo arrived to pick us up.  Once in the limo, he and I started talking about the next book.  Suddenly he leaned in to kiss me.  When I pushed him away…he grabbed me roughly by the hair and started to kiss me forcefully.  It was all I could do to just get away from him.  Here he was…trying to put the moves on me…when I didn’t even want him.  The next thing I know, he was ripping my cocktail dress off and forcing himself on me.” she sank to the ground and started to shake.

Nick stood there, totally stunned.  The anger in him fumed…and without thinking, he picked up the phone and started dialing.  For a split second, his anger raged so bad within him, that he almost was ready to get on a plane to New York, to go and kill Jack with his bare hands.