Darien's Secret by: Sailor SwiftHeart Rating: PG ~PART THREE~ Darien could hardly believe that he was actually on his way to The Starfish Modelling Agency, a week after Monique had called him and offered him a job there. A modelling job.... a modelling job modelling men's bikinies! Darien was so unsure about this one.... the only thing he WAS sure of was the money. He'd be making a thousand dollars a week, plus two hundred dollars for every photo used in a magazine. He needed the money, being that Raz-Ma-Taz was slowly going to go bankrupt. Darien called Erin just the other day to tell her that he quit. She didn't sound surprised one bit. She didn't even bother asking him to stay. Darien figured that she must've realized that she couldn't afford to pay models anymore and that her line of clothing was becoming yesterday's news. Even the make-up artists and hairstlists had quit to find other jobs. Darien wondered if he'd ever see any of them again. This new job would help Darien buy a red sports car he had been eyeing at an automobile lot for weeks now. Since he had earned his driver's liscense, he wanted to get himself a nice car and have enough money to look after it. Plus, he was sick of taking the smelly bus or having to walk to desired destinations in the city. If he didn't get a car soon, his driver's liscense would be a waste. Darien finally arrived at the Starfish Modelling Agency. It was a larger building than Raz-Ma-Taz, and there were mannequins in the window sporting neon bikinies and matching beach towels. Darien blushed at the thought of himself wearing the same thing. He walked through the doors and went straight to the front desk. "My name is Darien and I am here to see Monique." he told the receptionist. "May I see some ID, please." she requested. Darien was confused at this, but pulled out his driver's liscence and handed it to her. She studied it for a long time before handing it back to him. "Have a seat and I'll get Monique for you." the receptionist said. Darien took a seat in the waiting area and flipped through a magazine while he was waiting for Monique. He smiled in spite of himself when he came across his picture in an add for Raz-Ma-Taz jeans. He stared at the picture and came to the realzation that he wasn't bad looking at all. And after working out at the gym in which Erin had given him a free membership to, he was looking more muscular and not so lanky. He'd have to continue exercising if he wanted to stay that way. "Darien?" a tall woman with long curly black hair asked, suddenly, breaking into Darien's thoughts. Darien put down the magazine and stood up. He shook the woman's hand as she introduced herself. "I'm Monique," she said, "If you'll just follow me, I've got some things for you to sign and fill out." Darien followed Monique to a conference room where he went through the same process of signing papers as he had with Niles and Erin. This time, he was alone with Monique. And this was a whole new ball game. Darien had to be put on a strict diet, so that his gut wouldn't sag. His menu consisted of low-fat yogurt and pudding, skim milk, steamed vegetables, vegetable stir-fries, rice cakes, cheese and whole wheat bread. He wasn't allowed to eat meat of any kind or any junk food. Fast food retauraunts were out of the question and he couldn't even have an occassional beer. "One beer and it shows." Monique told him, when Darien questioned the menu he was to follow, "For this type of modelling, you have to be very conscious of whether or not you're in good shape." "But I go to a gym regularly." Darien pointed out, "Doesn't that help?" "What do you do there?" Monique asked, "Do you excercise or lift weights?" "Mostly lift weights." replied Darien. Monique shook her head. "There's no need to go there anymore," she informed him, "You just need to exercise at home. You know, go running, jogging, go for a walk, do push-ups, sit ups, leg stretches." she listed. Darien looked at the menu and highly doubted he'd even have the energy to do all of that. Then he read about the wages and the menu and exercises no longer bothered him. After he was finished signing and reading, Monique took him to the second floor where the photo shoots were set up. The change rooms were across the hall. Monique introduced Darien to the photographer, Tom and to the hair and make-up artists Dawn, Elsie and Wes. Then she brought him to his personal change room, placing a sticker with Darien's name on it on the outside of the door. Darien found heaps and heaps of men's bikinies in all different shapes, colours and patterns. Then there was a closet full of men's cover ups and a box full of beach towels. The accessories consisted of whistles, towels, sunglasses, fanny packs, surfboards, sandals, visors, and some sporty beach bags. "Okay, put one of them on." Monique told him. Darien picked up a leopard print bikini and stared at it in disbelief. It looked barely big enough to even cover half of his head. "Good choice!" Monique expressed. Darien was very apprehensive. He wasn't sure if he had enough to put into the bikini. "Monique, I really don't know about this," Darien admitted, timidly, "I don't know if I.... if I.... measure-up for these." "What do you mean, Darien?" she inquired, "You told me you take a large in swim suits. These are all large." Darien took a deep breath, before trying to explain his concern again. "What I mean is.... I.... I don't think I'm.... BIG enough.... you know, down THERE to sport such... skimpy bikinies!" He blushed bright red. Monique laughed. "Oh is that what you're worried about!" she chuckled and said it like it was nothing, "Don't be ridiculous, young man! I am sure you are more than big enough to look good in these suits. Don't sell yourself short. Now put them on and come into the tanning studio next door." she ordered. Without giving Darien a chance to protest, she left the room. Darien just stood there, reluctant to change. Darien looked around his change room, ridiculously making sure that nobody was in there with him. He then stood in front of the full length mirror, removed all his clothing and looked at himself, fully naked. Then he looked at that one particular part of his anatomy that he was worried about. He was 17... nearly 18 and fully grown in all ways. But Darien thought he wasn't all that big and would probably look ridiculous in a tight bikini. He had seen ads for Speedos before and took note that the models had "equipment" that measured up. "Probably a whole lot bigger than me, too." thought Darien. Again, he looked at himself. Low self-esteem about his body crept into his head, filling it with insults about himself. The truth was, for an almost 18 year old man, Darien was larger than most guys. But he would never have believed it. Sighing, he slipped into the leopard print swim suit and looked at himself again. He still felt he didn't measure up, although the front of the suit displayed a very large bulge, almost stretching the bikini to its limits. "Well, she'll probably laugh at how small my equipment is, " Darien told himself, preparing for the humiliation of laughter, "But at least the rest of me doesn't look too bad." Darien grabbed a black robe and wrapped himself in it, tying the sash tightly around his waist, as if that would prevent him or anyone else from being able to take it off. He went next door to the tanning studio, where Monique was waiting impatiently for him. "Well, that took you long enough!" she spat, a little angry at being kept waiting. "I'm sorry," Darien apologized, "I am still very unsure about this." Monique rolled her eyes. "Never mind," she sighed, "Let's get on with this. Remove your robe, Darien, let's see what you've got." Darien didn't move. How could she say that? She was going to look at him.... look at his parts...... and laugh. Darien couldn't do this. He'd just have to tell her that this wasn't the job for him. "Monique, I can't do this," Darien told her, "It's just not for me. I can't be a model for these swim suits. Please understand. This is the most embarrassing thing I've ever done in my whole life. And I just can't." he admitted, looking down at his bare feet. Monique's eyes narrowed. "Must I remind you of the three month contract you signed?" she smiled, almost wickedly, "You have to stay with us for three month. You signed it, you do it. That is a legal conract. The only way to get out of this is to die." she retorted and walked up to him. She swiftly undid the sash of the bathrobe and let it drop to the floor. Darien closed his eyes, waiting to be humiliated. He heard her laughter, at last and he just felt like screaming. "You are CRAZY, young man!" she cried, "Look at you! You fill out that suit perfectly! In fact more perfect than any of the models I've seen." Darien's eyes shot open. He stared at her in surprise. "For someone who has been a model for quite sometime, you sure have low self-esteem," Monique commented, "I haven't seen a nicer body since my visit to Lake Eerie!" They shared a laugh. "Thank-you," said Darien, "I just thought I was too small. I've always thought that." His cheeks displayed a light pink. Monique smiled at him reassuringly. His embarassment and shyness slowly started to melt away. "I was going to have you sit under the tanning lamps for an hour, but I see you already have a perfect natural tan," she commented, thoughtfully, "And not from the sun, either. Why, that is your natural skin colour, isn't it?" she inquired. Darien nodded. "I sure picked him," she muttered to herself, "Shall we get to the photo shoot, then?" Darien followed Monique to the photo shoot room, where he got his hair and make-up done. Elsie, the hair stylist, put an overwhelming amunt of gel in Darien's hair, sleeking it back, away from his face and letting a few tendrils fall over his left brow. "We're always going for the wet, natural look." Elsie explained, "That's why we use so much gel. But don't worry, it washes away nicely with this shampoo." She handed him a bottle of shampoo and told him to use it in the shower. "It well help restore your hair's natural curl and softness." she declared. Next was the pictures. Darien must've worn a thousand different suits that day along with every beach accessory available for a man. By the time he was finished, he was starving. He could've gone for a burger, milkshake and fries, but Monique reminded him of his diet before he left. At home, he made himself a veggie stir-fry and served it over rice. He washed it down with a glass of skim milk. *** Darien had been with Starfish for over three months and was now, finally, eighteen. He felt great. He was making more than he had thought he would make and was able to buy the red sports car he'd wanted so badly. Now he was cruising the city streets with a cool car and a job that most guys would kill for. Darien was through with his low-self esteem and depressing thoughts. He had at last outgrown it. He had matured a lot emotionally and mentally. Silly thoughts left his mind and he was starting to focus on more important things. Like women, for instance. Although he didn't have a steady girlfriend, he had dated several beautiful and interesting girls. A lot of them had seemed very interested in his bed, but he kept that out of his relationships. He didn't want to do anything he'd regret later, or risk being a tabloid picture boy. Plus, he wanted a girl who would love all of him and not just his body. He knew that the fact that he modelled men's bikinies and now, more often, G-Strings, a lot of the girls only dated him for his popularity and for his body. Not that it really mattered much. Darien couldn't honestly say that he had ever loved any of the girls he went out with. Darien arrived at work one afternoon and found the photo shoot room filled with unfamiliar faces. Darien entered the room wearing a robe over one of the latest swim suit creations. "Is this him?" a man asked Monique, pointing to Darien. The man was at least 6 feet tall with brown hair and blue eyes. A man you would say was devilishly handsome. "Yes, that would be Darien," Monique replied as Darien approached the group. There were several young girls hovering around the tall man, all dressed in short skirts and skimpy tops. They were all slim and curvy and Darien could've sworn that they were barely even 18 yet. "Hi, Darien," said the man, extnding a hand, "My name is Dan Symon. Perhaps you've heard of me?" "I don't believe so." Darien told him, shrugging. Several of the girls gasped, but Dan just laughed. "Allow me to educate," he 'mused, "I'm the owner of the Playboy Mansion and I am here to invite you and Monique here to this weekend's pool party!" He grinned and added in a whisper, "It will do some good if you wear a few of those great suits you've been modelling. A lot of entrepenuars, stock holders and stininking rich young fellas will be there and they might just take an interest in Starfish Swimwear. What do ya say, young man?" he insisted. Darien was flattered about being invited to the Playboy mansion by the owner himself. But he had hears a lot of rumours about the mansion and what went on behind the walls. Darien was about to say thanks, but no thanks, when he saw the pleading and hopeful look in Monique's eyes. If these rich guests took an interest in the Starfish Swimwear Darien would be sporting at the pool party, it would help the business a lot. He'd do it for Monique and for the business. "Sure, count me in." Darien agreed and everyone was overjoyed. "Say, would you mind if my ladies and I hung around to watch your photo shoot?" Dan asked, "We could choose the suits we want you to wear to the party. Trust me, young man," he added, "I know what these rich bastards like." "Yes, of course, Mr...uh...." Darien seemed to have forgotten Dan's last name. "It's Symon, but just call me Dan." he told Darien. "Symon?" Darien repeated the name he knew and had heard before, "Say, I used to model clothing for an Erin Symon. Any realtion?" he asked, curiously. "Ah, so the old bitch is still kicking around, eh?" Dan laughed, "I would've thought she'd killed herself by now. My sister," he answered Darien's question, "A real bitch if you ever knew one. Couldn't design to save her soul." he stated. Darien said nothing. What did he mean by that? He had SEEN and WORN Erin's designs himself, and they were quite popular for a while. Dan must've noticed the look on Darien's face, for he told him, "Don't tell me you thought SHE designed the clothes you modelled for Raz-Ma-Taz!" he forced a laugh, "She doesn't design any of that shit. She hires people to think for her. She just walks around trying to be Miss High and Mighty. She gets a real power trip out of being in charge. The old bag." he added, bitterly. Darien just shrugged. This Dan person was a strange man. But if he could help Monique's business, he was all for him. *** During the photo shoot, Dan told Darien which suits he should wear to the pool party and Darien put those ones aside. The girls that followed him around like a pack of trained puppies couldn't keep their mouths closed at the sight of Darien, in a new bikini every 5 minutes. Not that Darien cared. He wasn't intrested in those girls. He was actually disgusted at the thought that Dan was with them, for he had to be close to 40. But they flocked around him like geese. "Probably just after his money," thought Darien. Afterwards, Dan complimented Darien countless times on his abilities. "Very impressive, young man, very impressive indeed," he said, shaking Darien's hand, "I hope Monique here is paying you what you're worth." "I believe so." Darien answered. He had no intention of telling Dan how much he made. He didn't care if he was the King of England. It was none of his business. "We'll see you on Saturday then," Dan said, starting to leave, "And if those rich bastards don't buy a thing from you, I'll buy all your newest swimwear at twice the amount you're selling them for!" Monique gasped at the offer and waved good bye to Dan. Darien waved too. "He must be pretty sure these suits will sell to promise an offer like that." Darien mentioned. "I know!" Monique exclaimed, "Isn't this exciting! It's all thanks to you, Darien! You look so fantastic in everything, you really made an impression on Dan! To be invited to his Mansion's Annual Pool Party... do you what an honour that is?" Monique went on and on about the party and started instructing Darien on how he should act, what he should wear, what to say to people. Darien didn't think he would have much fun at the party if he couldn't be himself. But he would definitely do it. Especially after Monique offered to give him three hundred dollars extra for every suit and/or accessory they sold. *** Dan was in his office at the mansion, talking to one of the girls that had been with him at Darien's photo shoot. He had a few pictures of Darien which Monique had given him. "So what do you think of this Darien character, Missy?" he asked the girl. "He's perfect," she answered, "Look at how well he fills out the front of the G-Strings and even the looser fitting bikinies." she observed, "He's definitely got to be a feature. I just hope I can convince him or trick him somehow." She tapped her long nails on Dan's desk. Dan pulled Missy onto his lap and kissed her neck. "Do what you have to do, Babe," he told her, "We've just got to get him." *** What is Dan talking about? Find out in the FINAL part of Darien's Secret.... Email me at SwiftHeart@v-wave.com