#Chapter 13 - The Contract

My eyes harden as I stared at Elijah. "I won't let you down. However, to be on the safe side, I have an idea to tell you..." I hoped that my plan made sense to him. "What are you trying to say?" Elijah asked. “What is your idea?”

"I was thinking, maybe I can have plastic surgery and change my face." I said nervously. "In this way, I think it will be less likely that someone will reveal my true identity."

It was a good idea not only for my past issues but also for my present problems. Since wolves did not have a heighten sense of smell in the human world. Anyone from Jacob's pack or anyone hired to search for me would be looking for my face.

"Oh, it's not necessary." Elijah flatly refused. "Did you know that you look very different from when you were a child, and even your pupil color has changed."

“Really?” I was amazed that I had changed that much.

Is that so? Had my appearance really changed that much?

That may have been because I started shifting about ten years ago and had my wolf by my side since then. Perhaps the arrival of Tide had redeveloped my appearance. So factoring in my ability to shift and the growth with puberty I could see what Elijah meant.

I was not that cute Little Aviator anymore.

"Anyway, you don't have to think about it. I'll deal with your data and history," he said. I grew amazed at Elijah's abilities in the industry the more we talked. He was in his element even though he neve lost his gentle tone or his patience with me.

"I don't know how to thank you anymore..." I said. “This is truly incredible.”

"Oh, it's not too early to be happy.” Elijah said dashing a bit of my enthusiasm.

“I just have some capital, but the most important thing in the film and television industry is money, you know? While you are an investment to myself and my company you have to be savvy in your endeavors. The point is, you have to fight for resources and roles for yourself,” Elijah said.
My eyes hardened with determination. "No doubt." I had learned that the hard way through the competition. I realized that no one was going to help me; if I wanted it I had to make it happen myself.

I had to improvise my entire way though the competition. I had to revise my lines for the audition portion for days on end. I even designed a unique costume. I even had three days to prep when the girls around me had over two weeks.

“I know that I can do this! I learned a lot through your competition. And I know that I can carry that along with me as experience while I work with your company.” I was excited to say the least.

”Then I wish you the best of luck, Ava. This is our contract and the commission is 20%. That's very generous for a newcomer." Elijah said becoming more smug before my eyes as he handed me the contract.

I briefly scanned the contract quickly looking at all the details that were laid out for me as well as the company. A lot of the contract was straightforward but I did notice there was ironclad details that I could not ignore.

"It says the contract is for three years.” Most of the contracts that I worked on with an agency was a year minimum at the max a year and half or two years.

"But I feel that we will not only cooperate for three years, but years to come. After three years, we still have your first right to renew the contract." Elijah said.
He seemed very confident in this agreement. “If we can get to that far." I unfortunately was still a bit of a realist. I did not want to be pessimistic with a deal of a lifetime in front of me.

"Very good, we are in agreement, but there is more." I left the floor open for Elijah to explain the contract even further.

Elijah's tone returned to a business-like tone. “We control everything from the imported food you eat to the men you sleep with. If I say you can't fall in love, you can't love.

“If necessary, we will even go deep into marriage and childbirth, who you marry, when and how to give birth, these are all under the control of the company. If you have an opinion, speak out now."

I understood this request, the human world is always very harsh on the private life of public figures. To be honest I was more surprise that it stayed the same since she lived in the were world.

Love and marriage.

I had left my lover in another world. Did I really need to tell Elijah that though? My feelings in this matter where still uncertain.

I hesitated but I knew I needed to have some clarity if I was going into business with Elijah and his company.

"I was in a previous relationship, but I've mostly left."

Elijah gave me a look. "Oh, clean it. If there's a sex tape, bring it back now and destroy it."

He then asked, "Is there any other information you are hiding from me? From your life experience, to the past, to what little-known eccentricities? I hope you can tell me in advance.
This is the basis of our trust, and it is also the basis of our trust in the future. If anything happens, we can prepare for it in advance.”

I didn't speak. What can I say? That I was a werewolf? That I was also a Luna from the werewolf pack? I knew that even if I had said it, Elijah would only think I was joking. Hell, he might even think that I was insane.

In the end, I said, "I believe we can work together happily in the future."

Elijah curled his lips "I hope so." Then the man looked down at his watch. "Now, get back on stage and clean up your mess, miss."