Nude Model?
Ave almost choked on her own saliva. She turned to Roxie, who then spoke.
"I told you, you would not like it," she said as she stood.
"Let me get you something to eat. We cannot just both be ignoring your stomach growls," she added, walking to the fridge to get some creamy pasta she had prepared last night.
Ave's thoughts were still on what Roxie had said—that the pay was good. If she handled herself well, they would live a happy life. But she couldn't do that. She had never stripped in front of anyone, and now she couldn't even imagine herself stripping in front of a stranger just to be drawn.
The decision was so hard.
She pressed her lips together as she stood, walking to the dining table to sit while Roxie put the food in the microwave. Rodie took a glass cup and poured juice into it. Avelina accepted it, and as Roxie sat at the table, she took a sip—then began gulping it down quickly like she was inna drink contest.
Roxie laughed, then spoke.
"At first I thought you had changed your lack of etiquette ways, but I was fooled. You haven't at all." She laughed again, but Avelina couldn't help it—she was hungry.
"About the job… must I strip naked?" she asked. Roxie shook her head.
"You could only show your back. The pay for that is five hundred. You have such a beautiful back—you can do that. You don't have to show your front or anything," she explained.
Even though she knew that the pay was huge, she would not want her best friend painted naked to be sold to some rich men to see.
Avelina nodded. Five hundred was huge for her, and weekly too.
Avelina had a rare body shape: a slim-thick figure, a very small waist, a curvy backside, and perfectly large breasts. She was average height, which made things extra perfect. But she didn't like that. That was why she wore baggy clothes—to avoid unwanted attention.
"Is it okay if I wear a mask as well?" she asked. Roxie nodded. She then stood, turned off the microwave, and removed the plate, dishing it into another one. Roxie's small kitchen in her room was very organized.
She walked back, speaking as she dropped a bottle of water and the pasta on the table.
"Thank you," Ave said with a smile. Roxie nodded as Avelina began eating.
"Yes, it is possible. The artist would not know you, and it is safe as well."
Avelina nodded with a smile as she thought of it. She could only show her back, after all. People these days wore backless gowns—the only difference between her and them was that she was getting paid. A soft sigh left her lips.
"I'm not saying you should choose right now, think about it and get back to me. No pressure, and if you don't want to, that's okay. Whatever you decide will be final." Roxie assured her.
Ave nodded, she moved her spoon to eat, the pasta was so good she couldn't stop herself from eating faster.
"Calm down. Do not forget to chew," Roxie teased, and Avelina simply glared at her.
Knowing how Ave was when she ate—all her focus on the food, Roxie then spoke.
"The reason why the pay is that high is because they sell those paintings exclusively to the wealthiest. And they pay a lot."
Avelina realized it wasn't really a bad idea.
"I want to apply," she suddenly said which surprised Roxie.
"Really?"
Avelina nodded. It was just her back, and that place wasn't that bad. At least she wasn't stripping.
Who knew—if she wasted time, someone else might grab the opportunity.
"Great! I would apply for you," she said as Avelina nodded.
"I will bring the papers, and you have to read them carefully before signing."
Avelina nodded, though her heart began to race as she realized something. She had not read the contract she had signed last night—oh lord, she hadn't read it. She had been too rash.
"Avey, are you okay? If you don't want, I can—"
"No, no," Avelina immediately interrupted, then added, "I signed a contract yesterday and… did not read it."
Roxie's eyes flew wide. She was in law school and wanted to be a lawyer, so most things like this she took very seriously.
"What do you mean? Tell me—did they force you? Were you under pressure?" she asked. Avelina shook her head, now feeling even more scared.
"Don't tell me the person who gave you this money also gave you a contract to sign."
Avelina's heart began to pound as she nodded. She noticed the way Roxie's face paled, and that made her fear triple.
"It was a fake signature… Xie, is that okay?" she asked, searching Roxie's face for reassurance. Roxie smiled faintly.
"I don't…" She paused, then asked calmly, "So what kind of contract was that? Did you know what it was about? Maybe that would help me understand."
Avelina nodded.
"It is a marriage contract," she spoke. Roxie's eyes flew wide.
"Tell me you're joking, Avelina," she asked. Avelina shook her head, looking even more worried.
"You have to divorce him tonight," Roxie said. Avelina nodded, thinking maybe it was better if she went to the reverend school—it was still better than marrying a stranger she didn't know.
"Avelina… how about your ex-husband?"
Immediately, those words left Roxie's lips, and Avelina's body stiffened.