As I look around the room, I realize that I’m the only one who was hesitant to take the new phone; everyone else looks excited about having this model before release and grateful to Dad for the opportunity.
“Dinner will be served in one hour,” Dad reminds us. “You’re all dismissed. Go back to your work, or play with your new phones. See you at dinner.”
I rise from my chair, looking forward to a much needed shower, but he stops me in my tracks.
“Bex, can I have a word with you?”
Fuck. Dad is smiling, but I know it’s for everyone else’s benefit because it doesn’t reach his eyes.
“What was that?” he asks when Helga closes the door behind her, leaving us alone.
“Sorry, Dad, I—” I don’t know what to say. I’m not really sorry. I don’t like that he can access all our private messages and conversations. But I know that speaking my mind won’t change his actions. All I’m going to get is probably a fine and a long lecture.
“I always do what’s best for each of my clients.” He bites out, his tone hard. “Both academically and when it comes to your chosen sport or artistic career.”
I hang my head. “I know, I?—”
“That sometimes might mean accessing personal stuff, and you all signed contracts with a clause that allowed me to do so when you moved in. I would only utilise that prerogative in extreme cases, of course. Do you have any idea how it looks to have my own daughter question my actions and my integrity when no one else raised any concerns?”
He isn’t wrong that it might look bad. But at the same time, I still think that having access to everything we do through our electronic devices is too invasive.
When I stay quiet, Dad takes it as a sign of agreement. “We are more than just agent and clients.Pure Shine’s elite clients are like a big family, and as the head of that family, I set the direction and the standards you all need to follow to succeed in your fields. You should take people like Kurt as the perfect example of how far you’re going to go if you follow my lead without question. Kurt got a very lucrative contract with the NHL team of his dreams, and he didn’t even have to wait for the draft. He won’t be sent to a farm team either. I negotiated a clause that bounds the Heroes to give him a certain amount of ice time during his rookie season, or they’ll lose the right to extend him and he’ll become a free agent. I predict that under my guidance, Kurt will win a Stanley Cup within two years of his debut on NHL ice.”
Kurt is the apple of Dad’s eye right now because his contract must have meant a huge commission for Dad as his agent.
I know I should keep my mouth shut, but the words tumble out before I can think better of it. “That’s amazing, Dad. But Kurt isn’t the only one with a NHL contract. I spoke to Luke last night. He got signed by a NHL team in New York. He’s staying in school like Kurt, but he’s going to head to New York after graduation.”
The fact that Dad isn’t surprised by the news should set off alarm bells in my head. I can’t help but wonder if he knows because he keeps tabs on his son, despite pretending he doesn’t exist, or if he knows because he’s spying on my conversations.
“Sit down, Bex.” He orders.
His tone is ice cold, and I obey without even realizing it until my ass hits the chair.
“Your brother made this choice to leave his family in favor of his lifestyle two years ago.”
I shake my head. “Dad, I know how you feel about Luke. But he’s still your son. Being gay isn’t a choice, he?—”
“He’s a deviant, an abomination. HE ISN’T MY SON! He made his choice when I offered him the help he needed to fix his problem, but he slapped the hand I extended to him. As far as I’m concerned, I have only one child. And I would do you a disservice if I watched you go down a similar path of self-destruction.”
What is he talking about? “Dad, being gay isn’t a disease, and it isn’t contagious. Hanging out with Luke won’t change my sexuality.”
He flinches at the word “sexuality.” He has always been uncomfortable with these kinds of topics and when Mom was alive, she was in charge of the birds and the bees’ subject.
However, he doesn’t focus on the last thing I just said. “Hanging out? Have you been seeing your brother behind my back?”
His gaze is laser sharp, and I squirm in my seat, my palms suddenly clammy.
“Rebecca,” he uses my full name. That’s never a good sign. “When I cast your brother out of our lives, I did it to protect you. Success comes to those who keep a pure heart and body. If you want to make it as a dancer in today’s world, you need to be flawless inside and out. Success is inextricably tied to fame, and social media is a fundamental part of that journey.”
I’ve heard this before. He called his agencyPure Shinebecause he believes that the key to be truly successful is to be mentally and physically pure. That’s why our contracts included a “no sex clause.”
“Dad, I know. And I’ve been following your rules to the letter. What does Luke have to do with my career?”
Dad shakes his head. “Did you hear one word I just said? How are you going to keep your heart and soul intact and pure if you let your brother’s choices soil your spirit? And further more. You’ve come a long way since we moved into this house. Your following has grown exponentially. Do you know what’s keeping you from becoming a true viral sensation?”
I know it’s a rhetorical question, so I stay quiet, waiting for the answer.
“If you haven’t gotten it so far, we might need to introduce a new guideline for all my elite clients. Hard work and keeping a pure mind and body aren’t enough to make it big. Success requires total focus. That means cutting out the fat.”
