Meeting Marshall Mathers: The Slim Shady Era

Chapter 95

"I've invited Paul round" Marshall announced over dinner, stopping me from eating a mouthful of my salmon,

"Oh? How come?" I put my fork down to take a sip of wine,

"You'll find out wont you" he looked at me as he shovelled chicken in to his mouth,

"I'll find out? Is it benefiting me?"

"Us" he chewed,

"You know I don't like surprises" I cleared my throat,
"Why are you smiling?" I observed him from across the dining table,

"I just uh... you look good" he sat back from his empty plate,

"Right, somethin' fishy's going on" I folded my arms,

"You're the one with the salmon on your plate" he raised his brows,

"Marshall.." I grinned,

"Get up" he got off his chair, I watched him walk up to me,

"Who says I'm finished with dinner?" I protested,

"You said you wanted to know why Paul was coming?"

"I do.."

"Yea well then get up" his hands settled on the back of my chair, pulling it away as I arose, "Go down to my study, he should be here around about now" he looked up at the clock on the wall,

"Fine okay" he kissed me on the cheek as I left him to it.
I had a very odd feeling as I walked down the hall by myself, I'd never really been invited in on a cosy chat between Marshall and Paul before, in fact I was feeling rather nervous and more uncomfortable as I approached his office.
I waited for a while but then I heard the sound of Em and Paul laughing. I then saw Marshall open the door wider, Paul briefly smiled at me as he walked over to sit on the arm chair across from the sofa I was sat on,

"So Em, what can I do you for?" Paul watched Marshall take a seat by my side,

"Well man, I been thinkin'..." He stared into the space in front of him,
"About like.. the situation between me and Jodie and our... engagement"

"Marshall?" I looked at him in shock,

"What?" He questioned me back,

"Em..." Paul got us back on track,

"I think we're ready to out it, you know" Em shrugged and rubbed his hands together, showing his nerves,

"I don't think that's a wise choice. Really, I don't" Paul shook his head, looking Marshall square in the eyes,

"Why? It's no secret that we're dating. I don't see how this is gonna effect us all that much"

"We've talked, I told you that this is not gonna work in your favour. I'm sorry but I don't want you to come out about this. Not whilst you have these albums underway"

"Well that's bullshit" Marshall sighed,

"I like you two together, she's good for you but as your manager I have to look out for your careers best interests. Look at this way, you're gonna be that busy you're not gonna be stopping, but you come out with this then the tabloids they are gonna be all over your shit and delay you. It's gonna distract attention from your work, you'll both be all over the papers, the good, bad and ugly and they're gonna criticise, and knowing what they can make up what if that break you two up? I'm not prepared to put you at that risk when you need to have your head buckled down for your music Em"

"I can't believe this shit" he stood up, rubbing the back of his neck,

"Look, all I'm saying to s wait a bit longer, you're working hard right now and I don't want any extra weight put on your shoulders. Put it on the line if you want, but I thought you was a professional. Jodie I'm sorry" Paul looked at me after twisting Marshall's brain. He walked out of the room and left us to decide alone. I felt so uncomfortable as I watched Marshall plonk himself down into the armchair, rubbing the top of his head in stress,