Chapter 1

Oh how she hated the Internet, this new means of modern technology that allowed information to spread swiftly across the masses. Only six months ago, Rachel Greene had been gracing the covers of some of the world's most illustrious fashion magazines. Barely 24 years of age, this pretty brunette already had close to 25 contracts under her belt. She was in demand and her modeling career was right on track.

But all that came crashing down when she received her first photo shoot assignment with Massimo Milano. Rachel had at first welcomed the chance to shoot with this well know Italian photographer, whose name was associated with some of the biggest models and fashion houses this side of Manhattan. But things started going wrong when she refused the repeated advances of Massimo. He had taken no pains to hide his sexual fascination with her and she had to endure the endless hours of torment and torture during his photo shoots. But had managed always to tacitly evade his lewd advances.

Rachel suspected that quite a few girls in the industry had become victims of this perverted monster. She was advised by her friend Monica that this was a usual seedy trademark of the high fashion industry. It was not the face that launched careers, but the photographer behind the face and body who could make or break a promising talent.

But she had not heeded Monica's advise. She simply could not, the very sight of the fat balding middle-aged Italian filled her with disgust and revulsion. The crunch came 3 months ago when she responded to a last minute assignment by the agency for a swimwear shoot. Rachel suspected nothing unusual when she walked into the deserted studio. However her suspicions were immediately raised when she found herself alone with Massimo. She refused to change into the very skimpy G-String type bikinis and declined the cocktails he offered her. Finally, she simply walked out of the studio ignoring his threats and vulgarities.

The next thing she knew, nude and pornographic pictures of her were flooding the websites. She made a report to the authorities but they were never able to trace the actual origin of the pictures. But she recognized his handy work. These were not the product of amateurs photographers, they even fooled playboy and penthouse who vouched for the authenticity of the pictures.

The contracts were swiftly cancelled as prestigious brands and fashion houses tossed her like a used rag doll, wanting to distance their immaculate brand names from her soiled public image. It did not matter that the pictures were false, Rachel Greene was damaged goods and had lost her public appeal.

Low on cash and desperate for an assignment, Monica referred her to a secluded modeling agency known simply as "Cleo's". She soon found out that the agency itself was a front and only maintained a surreal existence on the internet. There was no actual business address, phone lines, fax numbers etc. In fact, the agency prided itself on its discreteness. Perspective models e-mailed their portfolios and resumes to an internet web page together with their contact details. It was the agency who short listed the models and initiated first contact.

This arrangement seemed highly unusual to Rachel as she had thought that any aspiring modeling agency would be hungry for publicity. But Monica told her the reason behind this cloak of secrecy.

Additional to the usual modeling contracts, Cleo's also doubled as an escort agency. Rachel's heart sank when she heard this but Monica assured her that Cleo's looked after all of their models, many of whom were top models like herself who have wondered off the wayward path. And Cleo's was no ordinary escort agency either. It maintained an exclusive clientele which would forever be beyond the reach of the average man on the street. This agency catered to royalty, celebs and the filthy rich. Small wonder that discretion and anonymity were the order of the day.

Monica herself confessed that she had accepted several well paid assignments and found the experience quite enjoyable. Seeing her hesitation Monica had prompted that she accepts the agency's invitation for a phone interview. She would speak with Madame Tussard, who basically ran Cleo's. And now she sat anxiously as she waited to receive the impending phone call. As if reading her mind, the phone rang shrilly, jolting her out of her reverie. Rachel's heart pounded as she allowed the phone to ring for long seconds, still having reservations about this agency. Finally she snatched the cradle up and breathlessly answered the phone;

Rachel: "Hello"

A soft spoken soothing feminine voice greeted her on the phone: "Why hello, is this Rachel Greene, Madam Tussard here."

Rachel: "Yes this is her, er I mean me... I am Rachel Greene."

Madame Tussard: "My, you do sound tense tonight Rachel, but don't worry, Monica has told me a lot about you and that is why we are having this call tonight, to let you know a little more about Cleo's and its operations."

Rachel: "Oh, so you have spoken to Monica already, I hear she accepts contracts from your agency."

Madame Tussard: "Yes, Monica is one of our more popular young ladies, she has lovely blonde hair and ocean blue eyes and appeals naturally to the camera."

Rachel: "So she has accepted only modeling assignments? And not the more er... discreet jobs?"

Madame Tussard: "Well let me start from the beginning and tell you how we run Cleo's. Cleo's is first and foremost a modeling agency. Our models are featured in glamour magazines. The girls are young and beautiful and we look after them very well as they are our prized assets. Without the models, there is no Cleo's!!" she laughed easily.

Rachel: "Well that's very re-assuring to know and I am ready and willing to accept modeling assignments, you have seen my portfolio and resume..."

Madame Tussard: "Yes we have and we are very impressed. Your birth cert says you turn 24 this February and already I have seen your face on so many covers. And you have the perfect model's figure, long luscious black hair, 5'4 tall, 100lbs and a very supple and delicate 33C-24-34, with almond brown eyes and ivory white skin. Its no wonder that the public adores you so."

Rachel: "Yes, but as you probably also no, there was that ugly internet scandal... I have not been given another lucrative assignments since."

Madame Tussard's tone was encouraging: "That's a minor set-back. You are very young, and the public has a very short memory. We can restart your career, this is what Cleo's specializes in. We help less fortunate young ladies like yourself who were exploited by the industry, back on their feet."

Rachel took heart and she felt herself more at ease with Madame Tussard: "Oh that's so good to hear, so when can I begin my first assignment."

There was a pause before Madame Tussard answered: "That's really up to you. You can even start tonight if you are up to it, but before that I must brief you on the other services that Cleo's offers."

Rachel: "Yes I can start tonight, tell me more."

Madame Tussard: "One reason Cleo's has been so successful over the years is the contacts we maintain with our exclusive clientele. These are not the fashion houses and tabloid magazines I refer to. These are the top celebrities, royalty, the CEOs of huge companies, oil tycoons, ministers, people whose names and faces appear in Forbes and Fortune magazine."

Rachel was confused: "Er do you mean they finance and sponsor the agency's operations?"

Madame Tussard thought for awhile: " That's one way to see things. The rich and famous are constantly at the mercy of the press. They have an image to maintain and they also have their personal needs, which quite often conflict with their public image. Cleo's plays the very delicate and vital role of maintaining the balance between these two needs."