Temptation

44 - Madden

I usually am unbothered by most people on set, minus Josephine who can talk for hours and everyone's coffee boy who always asks me my order. I am so unfamiliar with this world, so I always refuse to let this young man fetch coffee for me.

Today, Hero is filming a lengthier scene and as I wait in his chair, Allen approaches me. Allen strides with large steps, acting as if he owns the place; his hair red and face covered in freckles, wearing less than professional clothing. "Hey darling," he spites out with a country twang. I am too nice to ignore him, but I remember the warning once given to me by Josephine. I provide him with a simple hello. "What's a model like yourself doing on my set?" He acts as if he isn't aware of whom I'm here with and tries to use flattery to get my attention. I am stern with my response, "Hero, I've been accompanying him the last few days." He then takes my hand in his and although he is a total creep, he is bold to be doing this in the same room as Hero. I try to pull away, but his grip is forceful. "Hero, huh." There is so much distaste from this man when he says Hero's name, "Is there a problem?" I ask him to be as forward as possible. "I was thinking I could make you rich, get you a gig in modelling. You have the tits for it and—" I'm thrown back by his words and my only reaction is to cover myself with my free arm. He then pulls my hand and holds both tight in his, "Don't fight it." He says. My heart is racing; this man is holding me against my own will, in public and I cannot seem to speak or move. His large dry hand now holds both mine and he uses his free hand to grab my right breast; this is when the adrenaline kicks in and I jump from the chair knocking it over. "DON'T FUCKING TOUCH ME!" I shout. Filming stops, everyone is staring, and I am in absolute shock.

Hero comes running first, followed by DJ, Josephine and Mara. Hero stands between me and Allen, Josephine and Mara by my side and DJ protector of all. "What the fuck do you think you are doing?" Hero snaps at Allen, fists ready to swing. No words come from my mouth just tears I don't notice fall from my face and my body trembling. "I want to play too. Seems like you've been having fun since you've kept her around." Hero is not impressed; actually no one witnessing this is. Before Hero can act on his anger, DJ intervenes, his voice deep and strict: "Time for you to leave Allen." Allen begins shouting, "This is my set!" Behind DJ, Hero screams out, "You will be hearing from my lawyer!" "FUCK YOU TOMLIN!"

Once Allen is out of Hero's sight, he turns to me and reaches his hand out. The events that took place clearly affected me because as soon as his hand touches my shoulder, I back away nodding my head no. Hero takes a step back, shock painted on his face. Mara signals Hero to let us be, and her and Josephine lead me out to Josephine's trailer.

In her trailer, Josephine tells me what happened between her and Allen, trying to express to me that she understands what I'm feeling right now.

Josephine and Allen first worked together on the Ever movie and throughout the first half of filming, he'd demand for her to show herself shirtless so he could decide based on her figure for that day what he wanted her to wear for the scene, he'd always smack her ass and make sexual comments towards her but because she was new to the business, she never spoke up. "There was an after party when after we finished the final scene and I was pretty drunk and just lying on the couch at Allen's home. He was over me, in front of everyone and dry humping me. It wasn't until Hero came to push him off that he stopped." Hero helped her. She takes a gulp and continues, "I know Hero was a jerk back then and still will argue he is now, but he truly saved me in that moment." I'm thankful that Hero was there for her. "Why do you continue to work with him?" I spit out. "Believe it or not, I spoke up about it but because we're in this line of business and because of who he was, there was no way around it. He never touched me again, doesn't even talk to me outside of work." She is stuck in a loop being reminded of this night every day when she sees his face. "Let Hero be there for you. It will drive him crazy if he can't help you." Mara touches my shoulder, making me turn my head to face her, "You need support from your loved ones, and you have us girls, but Hero will and is with you 100%."

I never doubted Hero, I wasn't even really aware of my reaction when he tried to bring me close to him. The shock in my body has settled and all I want right now is to be in his arms. All I can feel is Allen's hand cupping my breast and I need that to go away with Hero's touch.