Wonderful Life?
Chapter 1
The photo shoot had been going on for two hours. Elizabeth Summers still looked radiant despite the chilly weather and the frigid water she was emerged in. She laughed and frolicked in icy water clad only in a skimpy bikini as if it were a hot July afternoon. The photographer William Wright shouted his approval as he continued to capture the brilliant young girl with every click of his camera. Elizabeth, or Buffy as her close friends new her, was the most sought after model of the day. She was so easy to photograph with her long blonde hair and emerald green eyes wide as saucers. Her face was so forgiving and radiated her genuine sweetness and beauty. She'd only been modeling for one year and already she had magazines and photographers clambering to get her booked for their next shoot. "Bollocks," William shouted, "Sorry love out of film. Take a break." Buffy smiled gratefully and stepped out of the freezing pool of water. Immediately a tall sandy haired boy sprung to her side wrapping her in a large fluffy towel.
Riley Finn was tall muscular and dated the hottest model to hit the stands in years. He was also her manager of sorts. He had been interning at his father's company when he had discovered Elizabeth in one of his classes. He'd talked his father into giving her a shot and she had hit big. Naturally Riley felt he deserved to be her manager. His father still made the large and tough decisions, but Riley dealt with the day to day of it. "I thought it was going to be heated," Buffy gritted out through chattering teeth. William walked up to the couple, "Are you ready love? You're freezing what the hell!" William quickly made his way over to his tech group. "The damn pool is suppose to be heated. Are you trying to kill my model!," he screamed at his group and watched in glee as they scrambled to remedy the problem. William briskly walked back over to the couple. "Love you should've said something go get warmed up will ya," he said sympathetically to the young girl. Riley rubbed the towel up and down her arms. "Lets get this over with already she's fine," Riley stated. Spike snorted and threw his hands up and walked away as Buffy nodded her head in agreement.
Buffy slid back into the frigid water and took only a moment to steady her chattering teeth. William began to photograph once more. Only stopping long enough for the make up artist to touch her up to perfection. After an hour William stopped, "Let's break love." Buffy breathed a sigh of relief and began to venture out of the icy water. "No finish now!," Riley yelled then turned and glared at Buffy. Seemingly inexplicably Buffy slid back into the water and began to pose again. William snapped a few more photos, but began to notice her lips turning blue. "She's freezing! Let's do lunch then we'll continue," William said as he began to pull his camera off the tri-pod. Buffy didn't budge from where she sat. Her lips turning blue her teeth chattering silent tears beginning to flow from her eyes. "I want this through with before lunch," Riley challenged as he puffed out his chest in a show of machismo. William ignored him flying past him to the pool and sticking his hand out towards the shivering girl in the frigid water. Tentatively Buffy took it and let him help her out. Riley immediately rushed to his girlfriend and pulled her close to him. "I said it needs to be down before lunch," Riley growled. William snorted at the man before him. "And I'm not going to bloody film the poor girl while she's freezing to death," William said icily. Riley pulled Buffy closer to him, "Fine we'll be in the trailer when you're ready."
Buffy timidly picked up a towel and wrapped it around herself not saying a word as she was lead to the trailer. Riley appeared to be draping his arm protectively around the girl who only stood 5' 2" and weighing in at only 103 pounds. Actually he was seething in anger and was biding his time until they entered the trailer. Immediately after entering the small enclosure Riley roughly pushed Buffy on the bed. "You little bitch! Don't you ever defy me again," he seethed angrily. Buffy cringed in fear, but she knew he wouldn't hit her in the middle of a shoot. "I'm sorry," she croaked out tears threatening to spill, "I'm so cold." Riley's face softened somewhat as he made his way to her and wrapped her in a blanket. Soon a timid knock could be heard at the door. Riley flung the door open barking out a what at the poor girl on the other side. "You're lunch order sir," she stumbled out as she handed him a box. Riley pulled the box from her and slammed the door in her face.
Buffy's face fell when she realized what he had ordered her. Plain chicken broth with tasteless wheat crackers. She licked her lips slowly as she stared at Riley's medium rare steak, baked potato, and steamed vegetables. Slowly she sipped her broth and munched her crackers. Finally she could stand the rumbling in her stomach no longer. "May I try yours?," she asked hopefully. Riley scowled at her, "Three more pounds baby." Buffy felt the tears stinging the back of her throat, but fought to keep them back. Resigning she continued to sip her broth and eat her crackers. After nearly an hour William came knocking on the door. Riley answered it glaring at the bleach blonde before him. If it weren't for this mans success Riley would never have let him film his beauty. "We've got the heater fixed whenever you're ready," he stated then turned away muttering, "you bloody abusive poof." Riley motioned for Buffy to follow him out. She quickly stood and grabbed some of the steak from the table popping it in her mouth chewing it furiously.
Buffy breathed a sigh of relief as she sunk into the now warm water. For nearly two hours they photographed. William singing his praises at the beautiful girl. Finally finishing up William clapped his hands and walked towards the pool. "Wonderful love I look forward to our next shoot. Sorry about the technical difficulties," he apologized as he helped her out of the pool. William quickly grabbed a towel from his assistant and wrapped it around the petite blonde. Riley lay passed out on a beach chair under an umbrella so William took the opportunity to speak to her alone.
"When's your next shoot love?," he asked.
"Not for a week, I think in Barbados," she revealed.
"Love are you alright?," he asked concerned for her.
"I'm fine William," she chuckled nervously.
"Take my card love, if you need anything at all, call me. I mean it," William said handing her a small card with his personal cell on it.
"Thank you, bye, it was a pleasure," she said.
The car ride home had been silent except for the constant growling of Buffy's stomach. Buffy didn't dare say anything at all. She had a week until her next shoot, which meant a week for any bruises to heal. Finally they arrived back at the hotel. Riley grabbed onto her arm and lead her to the elevator roughly. Tears were already fighting to be released. Her emerald pools were already wet with fear. Quickly Riley jabbed the penthouse button. Slowly the elevator made it's ascent stopping here and there to let people on and off. The doors opened at the very top of the building. As soon as the doors opened Riley pushed the small girl into the hall. Buffy tripped and fell slamming into the wall. Riley paid her no mind as he slid the magnetic key card and opened their door. "Get inside," he growled at her. Buffy grabbed onto the wall to steady herself then slowly walked inside resigning to her fate.
