Stella’s Story

Born into a family with three girls, Whitney found herself in the shadow of her parents' unfulfilled desire for a son. As the middle child, she often felt overlooked, a circumstance that granted her the freedom to slip away from the watchful eyes of her strict parents. At the age of 17, her world took a grim turn when her father, a construction worker, suffered an injury, plunging the family into overwhelming debt.

Stella was a California girl through and through. Born and raised in the vibrant State, she had always possessed a keen eye for capturing moments in time. Her camera was her best friend, her most trusted companion, and her ultimate ticket to the world of fame and glamour. As a photographer for celebrities, she had the privilege of witnessing the lives of the rich and famous up close. But behind the glitz and glamour, there were secrets that even her best friend Daisy couldn't fathom.

Daisy and Stella had been inseparable since their college days. They shared their dreams, their fears, and their deepest desires. Stella's career was flourishing, but her life had taken an unexpected turn. Late at night, she would secretly sneak out to a dimly lit strip club, where she danced and occasionally took on clients as an escort. Stella hid this part of her life from her family, especially her overprotective mother. She felt like she was leading a double life, one that was a far cry from the glamorous world of celebrity photography she portrayed to the outside world.

Amidst the glitz, there was a dark cloud in Stella's life. A certain celebrity, Lisa Monroe, had taken it upon herself to make Stella's life miserable. She belittled Stella, constantly reminding her that she would never reach the same level of success. The constant taunting and harassment left Stella feeling vulnerable and shattered.

Stella sought solace in her sorority, where she found a lifeline to escape the harsh reality of her world. It was there that she learned about The Talent Growth Collective (TGC), an organisation designed to help individuals further their careers. Stella decided to join, hoping that TGC could be her way out of the tangled web she had woven for herself.

Stella's personal life was marred by a dark secret, one she was too ashamed to share with anyone. Behind closed doors, she was into financially dominating men, known as finsubs. It was a realm of power and control that was entirely separate from her work as a photographer. One day, things spiralled out of control when one of her photography clients unexpectedly saw her in a hotel with one of her finsubs. The client, shocked and appalled, couldn't resist sharing this scandalous revelation with their common friends, leading to Stella losing a significant number of clients and her reputation in tatters.

Without her business and on the verge of despair, Stella felt her world crashing down. One fateful day, she was at a pivotal moment in her life, about to attend a business meeting that could have been the turning point she desperately needed. She was set to photograph one of the most important fashion conventions in the city, a project that could potentially fix her life for good. But as the meeting concluded, her hopes were shattered as they informed her that she did not get the project. Tears welled up in her eyes, and her heart ached.

Desperate and drowning her sorrows in vodka and tonic, Stella sat at the bar. That's when a mysterious figure, known only as The Recruiter, approached her. With a knowing smile, the stranger slipped a black card into her hand, whispering words of hope and transformation. Stella looked at the card, confused and intrigued. The card bore a simple phone number and a logo that said ‘TGC’.

Stella contemplated her options. Her life was in shambles, and she felt like she had hit rock bottom. The TGC card held the promise of a new beginning, a chance to escape her troubled past and reclaim her dreams. With a newfound determination, she dialled the number.