Shayera

In a book heavily influenced by the movie “Pretty Woman”, Shayera would be the Julia Roberts character in this story.

 

I didn’t set out to make a direct copy of the movie (because that would be plagiarism lol), but I did want to keep that same energy of a love story when it came to the main characters, and that struggle to keep things professional. I believe I was able to capture that and more with Shayera. In the story, we get a background of the character and see how she was introduced to the lifestyle at an early age. Parts of the story are tragic, but a lot of it stems from her surroundings, which makes her future profession inevitable.

 

As the headmistress of the program, she’s created something that makes her feel fulfilled as it’s not just about satisfying men’s lust for her and her ladies, but also fixing what’s wrong in their marriages, making them work on their shortcomings, both sexually and beyond. Everything with her is professional as she sees herself as more of an instructor than a sex worker and can offended when looked upon as such. She’s been prosperous and has never swayed from her professionalism, that is until she meets Asante.

 

Initially, she thinks Asante is a goofball, and tries to weed him out as a man there only for sex. He doesn’t fall for her attempts to remove him from the program, but she does fall for him as the two have a connection during their sessions. Even though Asante isn’t married, Shayera doesn’t know and tries to keep things professional, no matter what her heart is telling her. Her friends Terri and Samantha warn her that she’s getting too close, but she doesn’t heed their warnings.

 

I believe I was able to mold the character the way I wanted and show the struggle within her heart. I love her backstory and the loyalty she shows her friends. What begins as a typical session brings her to her wit’s end as she never expected to fall for a client like she has with Asante.

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"First off, I’m not a f*cking prostitute! Second, who are you to judge me?! I’m here trying to help you fix your f*ckin’ marriage, and you insult me like I’m some forty-dollar b*tch on the curb?! Who the f*ck do you think you are?!” Shayera's response when told that she's essentially a prostitute by Asante.

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