Page 117 of Back Room Host

He was right about me getting the wrong impression from the brief clip I had seen. Even though the footage was taken without my consent, he had shown me every bit of respect he could in those fifteen minutes. Through this film, he had given me a voice, speaking for so many young men who worked as callboys. My words were never accusatory. And I never whined. I simply told it like it was, and had I known he was filming, Iwouldn’t have been able to. “Write a concept for it, then you’ll have your degree.”

Surprised, Luca propped himself up on one elbow. “Really? You’re giving me permission for that?”

“I’d be an idiot not to. After all, you’ve really done good work. It’s far from me to sabotage you in that regard.”

“Oh man! You’re just the best!”

Luca’s kiss was so loving that I melted again. Just for that, I would have been willing to give my consent for many more films.

Once again, we forgot about time for a while and kissed. We caressed each other and exchanged tender gestures. I had no idea how much my body had longed for this. It was as if I had a lot of catching up to do.

When Luca traced his thumb over the scar on my neck, he sighed. “I’m so sorry I wasn’t there for you when those assholes …”

“It’s okay,” I said.

“No, it’s not. They hurt you. Did you know those guys?”

My thoughts drifted back to the evening that sent shivers down my spine repeatedly. “I don’t know. One voice sounded familiar. The guy who booked me paid me through the app. And one of the other two … The memories are distorted. I almost caught everything, but their faces were like masks. The last few days, I’ve been waking up from nightmares. There was this guy with a spiky haircut. This Billy Idol look-alike.”

“What? The guy from the Gothic Party who almost threw you down the stairs?”

I couldn’t bring myself to face Luca anymore. Instead, I sat up and rubbed my face in shock. “His name’s actually Frank. He booked me last fall, but … The dude’s into sick stuff. The first time, he didn’t exactly rape me, but he violated almost every one of my rules. So I blocked him. That seriously hurt his twisted ego, and he developed a desire for revenge.”

“If you know who the guys were, you should report them.”

“I don’t stand a chance against them. They’re bankers and insurance guys. Rich jerks who can afford expensive lawyers. It’s okay. Let’s just leave it.”

With that, Luca got up, slipped into his boxers, and threw on a T-shirt.

“What are you doing?” I asked, alarmed.

“Getting my phone. It’s in the living room. I’ll call Hector.”

“What?”

As Luca actually left the room, I jumped out of bed, put on boxers and a sweater, and ran after him.

“No! Are you crazy?”

Luca handed his phone to me. “He’s a lawyer. He’ll know what to do. I can just ask him.”

“You can’t do anything! So just leave it! Please!”

“What’s going on?” Alex asked from the kitchen.

“I’m calling a lawyer,” Luca said matter-of-factly. “These guys can’t just get away with it.”

“But that’s how it goes,” I tried to explain to Luca. “Besides, the guy paid me. They’re going to get away with it anyway.”

“Not with Hector.”

“Please, Luca. I’m begging you. The whole thing is humiliating enough. I can’t even present any evidence. So just leave it.”

“Yes,” Alex suddenly interjected. “There is evidence.”

“What?” My heart sank, I felt dizzy, and I stared at him pale-faced.

“I photographed you that night after it happened. Don’t you remember? You consented. You said, ’Take the damn photos and leave me alone.’”

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