* * *
The drive over wasn’t long. Hell, he probably could’ve made it in less than fifteen minutes given the way he was driving before the bump. Or he could’ve been wrapped around a light post. Nothing was worth dying over.
C’mon. Get your head on straight. Focus had never been his problem. He wanted something. He got it. But never in a spoiled, selfish way. He worked at it, broke down its defences, and claimed victory. Whether it was an opponent or anything else in life. There was nothing he wanted more than the title. If his dad thought this was the best way to get there, with his integrity intact, Owen was all for it. So he had to shake a few hands, pose for a few pictures. Big deal. The fact he hated it wasn’t the point.
People were out there struggling to make ends meet. Like Con from last night. Those were the real fans. The ones that had nothing to offer Owen except thanking him for a brief moment of his time to chat. The little kids that wanted so badly to hug him they sprinted from their parent’s hands and crushed his legs with their bodies, wrapping their arms around them like he was Santa. Those were the people he was excited to meet. The people he wanted to help if possible.
What he had told Tegan was the truth. He didn’t want to believe his own hype or the love people had for him. He didn’t ask to be a role model or a hero. If people thought he was, that was their business. The day he started behaving the way other people expected him to, he might as well throw himself to the wolves. He had to be himself. Always. He owed himself and any fan of his that. What you saw was what you got.
His dad was right about a lot of sponsors. Owen wasn’t a puppet. He wouldn’t dance unless he heard music. He wouldn’t throw a fight for money. He gave his best. In the ring and outside it. Whatever happened after that was out of his control.
Owen stepped inside the gym where Robert and... whoever this was, were waiting for him. He was introduced by Robert.
“This is Mr Dominic Damascus.”
Owen shook his hand, thankful to find it firm. “Sorry I was late. Damn traffic,” Owen said with an air of annoyance.
Dominic waved it off. “No matter, my friend. Just as long as you are alright. Just a few bumps and bruises, aye?”
Owen smiled and nodded before Robert interjected, “Let’s have a seat.”
All three sat at a makeshift table. At the moment his arse hit the seat, a tray of glasses and a huge bottle of water were brought over. Girls dressed in sports bras and tight shorts attended to them, all with an imprint of Damascus’ name on the legs of their shorts. “Do you have a cheer squad when you leave the house, mate?”
Dominic grinned. “They are your cheer squad actually. Your co-stars for the commercials.”
“Oh OK. What are their names?”
Dominic laughed. “Oh, I don’t know. They’re new. Anyway. We have done research, and you rate more popular with women than men, but the numbers are quite close. We believe in equality between the sexes. Women and men buy cars for themselves and each other. Owen Gasnier and beautiful women, selling our cars. Best of both worlds… speaking of...” Dominic turned and clicked his fingers. A few seconds later a young girl, who looked no more than nineteen, brought forth some stapled pages. What Owen presumed was his contract. As the girl turned to leave, Dominic gave her several light taps on the arse as her dismissal.
“Now, it’s all quite simple...” Dominic stated, but Owen wasn’t listening. He looked at the three girls that had served them their bottle of ridiculously expensive looking water and now had retreated to facing them, their backs to the mirrored wall of the gym. So, this was equality between the sexes?
“Excuse me...” Owen said, interrupting him.Clicks his fingers? Taps her fucking arse?He rose and walked over to the girls, starting from left to right. “Hi, I’m Owen. Who are you?”
Her eyes went slightly wide, a delighted tone in her voice as she replied, “Julia.”
He took her hand and held it. “Hi, Julia, nice to meet you.” One by one he introduced himself the same way. He stepped back and looked from one to the other. “Ladies, I’m delighted to work with you. Would you please have a seat?”
“But there’s no chairs,” Julia said.
“Well, you’re more than welcome to mine. I’m sure the other gents would offer you theirs. There is water too; believe it or not.”
The girls hesitated for a moment, but Robert rose quickly, gesturing to his seat. Though it took a few more seconds, many more, Dominic eventually stood. When he did, finally, and all the girls had sat, Robert poured the water in the glasses for them. Dominic didn’t seem pissed by Owen’s interruption, or if he was, he hid it well.
“So, once everything is filmed and set, you will receive the full amount via wire to your chosen account.”
“If I may ask, what do the girls get?”
“They’ll get a set amount per hour.”
Owen gave a ‘hmm’ sound. “That doesn’t seem right.”
“You are the face of the campaign and you will be paid according to that.” Dominic looked to Robert as if asking if his son was well in the head.
“Owen...” Robert said.
Owen closed his eyes briefly. Maybe he was making something out of nothing. The clicking of the fingers had really rubbed him the wrong way, plus that they were made to stand there and not speak.
He shook his head.Sign the fucking thing.Get it done. Make Robert happy and stress less. It’s for the title. All roads from here lead to your dream.