“The fat?” I ask, confused.
He nods. “Anything unnecessary. We all surround ourselves with things and people who don’t add any real value to our lives. With their questionable moral choices, their debauched way of life, with their mere presence, they’re nothing but static noise. A distraction from your true self. Cut out the fat, Rebecca. Anyone outside this house is an obstacle on your path to success.”
He can’t expect me to cut Luke out of my life. “But he’s my brother.”
His laugh hurts more than if he had physically hit me. “He stopped being your brother when he chose to live an impure life over me. Over you. Family is often the biggest obstacle to reaching our full potential. From now on, every occupant of this house will be asked to cut out the fat.”
Dad has always had strong beliefs and a tendency to give orders.
This, however, is crazy. “You can’t ask everyone to cut out their families and friends.”
His expression hardens. “All your contracts state that you’re bound to the house rules without exception. Penalty for breaking any of those rules is the immediate eviction from this house and the exclusion from the elite program.”
This time I can’t bite my tongue. “Maybe this isn’t the worst thing that can happen. You dictate a lot of things in mine and in your elite clients’ lives. But this is too much, Dad. People won’t follow this rule.”
It would make sense if he yelled. But his reaction surprises me. He smiles.
“Each person who signed the elite contract did so by their own free will. And no one is a prisoner in this house.”
He points to the door, and I rise from my chair, thinking he’s dismissing me.
“Sit.” He snaps. “You, and every other client, can leave if you don’t like my rules. But of course that will trigger clause 11-B.”
I have no idea what he’s talking about. “Come again?”
“You’ve all agreed to be paid into a high interest account with the option to withdraw interest once a year when it’s accrued.” He smiles.
“Yeah, it makes sense. Those accounts offer the highest interest rate on the market.” That results in the amounts being paid into our personal accounts being minimal, especially after we pay our rent and board in this house and the situation gets worse if we get fined for breaking a rule, or losing followers. But agreeing to those conditions is a no brainer. We live in luxury and we don’t really need to spend out of pocket. Our college tuition is comped because of the prestige we bring to Bridgeport.
“Do you know what’s in clause 11-B, Rebecca?” Dad’s smile widens. “Anyone who is evicted from the house for breaking the rules or leaves voluntarily, forfeits the entirety of the sums in their high interest account. Furthermore, leaving voids your agency contract. And triggers an automatic expulsion from Bridgeport, since each of you is a student here.”
I stand up, feeling utterly disgusted. “Fine. We might forfeit what we earned so far, but if we’re free from the agency, then what we earn from the moment we leave should be paid into our personal accounts, right?”
Dad’s laugh seems to indulge I’m wrong. “Every sponsorship, every endorsement, every deal you signed is betweenPure Shineand the counterpart. You’re then appointed by me.”
That can’t be possible. “So every sponsor signs a contract with the agency?”
Dad’s tone is triumphant. “You’re correct. Even the Heroes agreed to it, because they have the guarantee that Kurt will be disciplined and not cause any trouble for his coaches. They don’t really care who they pay, as long as the contract is fulfilled.”
Fuck. We are prisoners unless we follow Dad’s crazy rules.
He has us all by the balls, and he knows it. “Cut the fat, Rebecca. Don’t make me say it again.”
Chapter6
The Unbearable Lightness Of Forgiveness
Bex
If Luke told me to fuck off, I would totally understand.
My twin brother looks at me for a long moment. “So that’s why you stopped taking my calls and you ended up blocking me from all your social media.”
It isn’t a question.
“Yes.” I don’t want to cry. If he hates me, I deserve it. “Luke, I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to make it up to you. I know apologizing is not enough, and I understand if you don’t have it in you, to give me a second chance. I’m so sorry. For everything.”
Luke arches a perfectly shaped eyebrow. “Everything?”
