Agree to whatever Jake wants to do...

After Hours Video back room, Millbrook, at 4:50 PM on Monday October 16th, 2023

You feel your shoulders slump as the weight of your situation crashes down on you. The rent notice taped to your apartment door flashes through your mind, along with the balance in your checking account that wouldn't cover even half of what you owe. Your voice comes out smaller than you intended. "I... okay. Whatever you think we should do, Jake. I can't lose this job. I literally can't afford to."

Jake's expression shifts immediately, something flickering behind his dark eyes that you can't quite read. Relief, maybe? Or something else. He steps even closer, and you can feel the heat radiating off his body in the confined space between the metal shelving units.

"Yeah? You're sure?" His voice drops lower, more intimate. "Because this could get pretty... intense. I mean, we're talking about adult content here. Real explicit stuff. The kind of material that sells."

You nod, your throat tight. "I don't know anything about making videos or... any of that. So you'll have to tell me what to do."

A slow smile spreads across Jake's face, transforming his anxious expression into something more confident, almost predatory. "Don't worry, Daisy. I'll handle everything. Dad taught me how to use all the equipment when I was sixteen. I know exactly what angles work, what lighting to use, all of it."

He moves to one of the boxes and pulls out a blank DVD case, turning it over in his hands. "Here's what I'm thinking. We start simple, build up a basic library fast. Solo stuff first—easier to shoot, less complicated. Then maybe we move into partner content if we need more variety." His eyes meet yours again. "The question is whether we hire people off Craigslist or... handle it ourselves. Hiring costs money we don't have, and there's always the risk they'll flake or cause drama."

Jake sets the case down and leans back against the shelf, crossing his arms over his chest. The pose makes his biceps visible through the polo shirt fabric. "If we do it ourselves, we control everything. No outside drama, no payment hassles, and we can shoot whenever we need to. Plus..." He pauses, his gaze traveling down your body again, lingering this time. "We'd know the content is actually hot. Real chemistry sells better than some awkward strangers fumbling around."

Your heart hammers in your chest as the full implications sink in. He's talking about you. About filming you.

"So what do you say, Daisy? You want to do this the safe, expensive way and hope we can find reliable people? Or do we take control and guarantee we get exactly what we need?"