Beautifully Damned

seventeen: behind the scenes

                     part of me (acoustic) by katy perry

(A/N: Okay this one is a heavy one. TW: SA. I don't want this book to be all bubbles and smut. Imogen and Yasmin are models and I want to shed light on the real issues that entertainers as a whole go through, and have to put on a show. I love you guys, you can skip if you'd like)

Imogen.

I made myself some tea and sat on my couch, staring out in the night sky. I replayed today's events over and over again in my head. I'm not gonna lie, this isn't something that hasn't happened before but today it was different. Things had been going so well for a long time that I forgot how disgusting the world could be.

I zoned out before I heard Yasmin speak, "Gen, how're you holding up? I knew that guy was a creep when I saw him"

I shrugged, "I'm okay" I dismissed

"I called Max, he's on his way" She said causing me to turn my head

"I figured, I just don't know what to say, this shit happens all the time" I told her

She sat with me taking my hands in hers, "What if he doesn't look at me the same? " I asked her

"Just pace yourself, whenever you're ready, I'll be right here. If you want space, i'll send him away, whatever you need babe" She said causing me to lay on her shoulder

Yasmin has experienced numerous pervs in the industry, that's why the agency hired security. Yasmin was resilient, every scumbag she came across, she made sure they got what they deserved. I on the other hand brushed it off and pushed past it. You know how easy it is to say 'she's just an angry black woman', especially in the entertainment industry.

The door knocked and I got up to get it, looking back at Yasmin who was behind me. I opened the door to reveal a rather frantic Maxime. I gave a tight lipped smile as she walked out past Max.

"What the hell happened?" He asked

I walked away leaving the door open, going back to the couch to sit down.

He followed, now standing in front of where I sat, "Imogen, please. What happened?" He asked again

I looked out the window and let out a sigh, "The photographer was inappropriate, it's no big deal" I brushed it off

"No big deal? Imogen I need you to tell me exactly what he did" He said now sitting next to me

I sighed, "He'd been very creepy when I got there, making me uncomfortable with the things he said. I had just put on my final look and went to change, when I saw him peeking into my dressing room" I felt water dripping down my face and let out a breath to continue.

"I was about to leave and he grabbed my arm, pushing me into the wall in an empty hallway and started groping me, I told him to stop and tried pushing him off. He squeezed my arms hard, restricting my movements and tried kissing my neck. Yasmin and Felix rushed out and screamed, then started beating the shit out of him" I said now full on crying with my my hands connected to my silk scarf on my head as I cradled myself.

"Imogen....let me see your arms" He spoke with a shaky voice

I pulled up my sleeves to reveal dark finger prints on both my wrists. Max got this dark look in his eyes that I had never seen before

"I'll kill him" He spoke now standing

"Max don't. Just let it be" I spoke drying my eyes

"Imogen this guy tried to hurt you, what was his name?" he asked

"Um, I think it was Zachary Ursils" I lowly whispered before looking out the windows

Max rushed to my feet and bent down, "Look at me" he said but I didn't respond

"Imogen, look at me" He repeated causing me to turn my head to look down

"I will never let anything like this happen again. I will take care of him" He said now kissing my bruises

"Don't kill him, please" I asked him

"He deserves worse than death" He said now looking up at me

His stare longed causing me to look down at him, to find his eyes watering. It was such a strange sight, Maxime starting to cry. I grabbed his hands and set them on my knees, before taking my hands and placing them on the sides of his face.

"Don't worry about me, this is just life in the fast lane as they say. I signed up for it" I said now pushing his hair back

"Stop, it wasn't your fault chérie, don't ever think that. You didn't sign up for this, nobody signs up to be taken advantage of. People are just pigs, he will be dealt with. I promise" He spoke

He sat next to me and I snuggled into his body, putting my head on his chest, eyes still leaking, as he ran his hands down my scarf. Soon enough I fell asleep
————

"Yes, okay good. And another thing, I need more security for Imogen. Mmhmm, okay, great thanks" I heard as I woke up

I woke up in my bed to see Maxime pacing around my room. He was talking inaudibly on the phone with a someone I assumed worked for him. I sat up and caught his attention

"Great, give me any and all updates, merci" He concluded before hanging up his phone

"Hi" I said wiping my eyes

"Good morning, my love. How're you feeling?" He asked now walking over to me

"I'm good, who was that?" I asked pointing to his phone

"Just one of my men. I've gotten you tight security and have taken care of the photographer" He bet to give me a kiss

I blocked my mouth, "Morning breath" I said

"Chérie, let me kiss you" He put my hand down and delivered a kiss to my lips.

"What do you mean you took care of him?" I asked

He sighed and sat down next to me, "Well I had my men find and rough him up a bit. But he was fired and blackballed. I made sure his name and reputation were all in the gutter. Turns out he had other reports of assault and is now being transported to prison" He concluded

"Shit" I said

"Yeah, well it's not even half of what he deserves" He said

"Okay the show is tomorrow and I have today to myself to prepare, what does my boyfriend want to do?" I asked him

He looked baffled and raised his brow, "Max it's been 4 days, I'm not gonna let him drain me down, I want to live and enjoy my life. So what do you want to do?" I breathed out

"Well, we could go to a very nice spa or whatever you'd prefer my love" He said now squeezing my leg

I smiled, "Come on, I'll make you breakfast" He stood to kiss my forehead, before walking out.
******

This one was heavy. If you or anyone you know is a victim to assault, please don't be afraid to reach out to me or anyone really. It is never your fault, do not be manipulated to take the blame

I love you guys