Revealing Kane

8 - Uncovering Reality

John

I am lost without Allison. I miss her so much it hurts. Only Renee's departure hit almost as hard as this. But this... This is agony. And I use my old tactics to numb the pain. Drugs. Alcohol. I'm a drowning man without her.

I want to know where she has moved to so very badly. I need to see her. I'm glad she didn't go back to the States, as that would make it impossible to find her. But here, I can possibly run into her. Or maybe I'll get in contact with her the way I did with Renee. I'll call her agency.

I've decided just to take the leap and show up at Models One. Perhaps I'll see Allison in the halls there. Or maybe I'll tease a feature out of them if they include Allison. The thought of working with her sends my heart racing. I just want to behold that beautiful face.

I step into the foyer of the agency, and the smiling receptionist greets me. While I can acknowledge that this woman is pretty, Allison far outshines her. I ask if I could speak to the agency president, and the receptionist immediately picks up her phone. After a hushed conversation, she leads me back a photo-lined hall to an open door. I check the photos hanging as I pass, but none are of Allison. Yet. The woman motions me into the office, and I thank her as I step over the threshold.

"John Taylor. So good to see you," the agency head says as she approaches me with her hand outstretched. She introduces herself, we shake hands and then sit on opposite sides of the desk.

"What brings you here? Want to model for us?" she taunts, and I give her a smile.

"I'm actually here because I'm interested in one of your models. I was hoping that maybe you could get us to work together," I say, laying on the charm.

"You must be talking about Allison Kane. We were just talking about you this morning," Diane informs me, and I sit forward, intrigued.

"Were you? Why?" I ask, scrutinizing her face for a reaction.

Diane says nothing, just picks up an envelope, and pulls papers from it.

"I shouldn't show you this, but," she says, handing over the papers.

I smile as I take the pile from her, but when I look down, my heart stops. Allison looks gorgeous but achingly sad. It only shows in her eyes, and I know it's because of me.

"When were these taken?" I ask as I flip through the other pages.

"Last week. She's beautiful, isn't she? A real natural," Diane says, and I have to agree. "There will be an accompanying article. And that's where you come in. The writer informed me that you and Allison dated. Is that true?"

"Yes, we did date," I say as I stare at a near-naked picture of Allison. Her bits are only covered by some artfully draped fabric. She looks stunning.

"What happened? If you don't mind me asking."

I sigh and hand the pages back to her.

"I'm an idiot and overreacted. It's the real reason I'm here. I need to see her, but I can't find her. Can you help me?" I implore, and Diane nervously shifts in her seat.

"I don't know. Allison tells a different tale. She says she's too immature for you. I don't want to betray her trust, but I will tell you there was something off about her today," Diane says, and I sigh.

"We broke up about a fortnight ago. I'm not alright about it, but Allison has gone into hiding. I can't reach her, and it's driving me mad," I confide in her, and she nods in sympathy.

"Let me make some calls. Allison is a hot commodity right now, and everyone is dying to photograph her. Would you be willing to work with her? Do an interview?" Diane asks, and I immediately agree.