Tessa's P.O.V:
"Miss Black." I look up from the gossip magazine I was reading and find the desk lady to this studio standing in the door way.
"Can you belive that they actually think i'm going out with Justin Timberlake..." I laugh as I close the magazine and push it away. "What's up?" I ask leaning back.
"Your manager, Mr Tatum is having a little meeting with another artist and he wants you to join." She says walking in. Sighing I shake my head, I take a look at her name on her name tag before I speak.
"Lucy, could you tell him that I won't be attending this meeting." I say standing up and picking up my phone from the table.
"Yeah, he said that you would say that." She sighs. "Sorry...Orders are orders and he pays me not you!" The lady mumbles as she pulls out her cell phone.
"Wait, What are you doing-" I start but she starts to talk on the phone.
"Hi. Mr Tatum. It's Lucy...Yep...She doesn't want to come." She says.
Did she have to call him?
After a little argument over the phone with my manager, he finally persuades me to come to the meeting. Saying something like 'It's going to help me as a celebrity..' What ever the hell that means!
I'm a singer. The most famous people I have worked with are Jay z, Left eye, Nas, LL cool J, Janet Jackson, Lil kim and a few other top artist and girl groups. I was seen as the perfect golden girl, I had an amazing fan base, I judged on a few talent shows and had worked on a few movies. I was happy.
Until my friend Karla found out she has cancer. I went crazy, I was loosing my best friend. Every time I would see her she would look weaker. She started to loose hair which just broke me down. I had a huge break down and the paparazzi got a good video of that from the CCTV footage. This was in 2002.
On September of 2002 which was seven months ago I got divorced. So now to the world i'm some kind of freak who attacks the paparazzi, who hates her family and talks bad about them, who had a bad childhood, who overdosed on drugs and now who's called a bad celebrity. I'm pretty fucked up but hey, i'm only human.
After 20 or so minutes my driver parks up in front of the building. I look up and read the sign on the building. Shady records? Why does he want me to meet him here.
"We here?" Karla asks looking up from her phone. Karla's hair was growing back again, she had on a bandana covering the bottom of her hair where she had patches, she looks beautiful.
"Yep. Looks like it." I sigh, my driver gets out and opens the door for us. I mumble a 'thanks' as I get out. I link arms with Karla as we walk inside the building.
"Wait...Shady records....Eminem is going to be here!" Karla says her eyes going wide.
"Fuck my life.." I mumble. Just a couple of months ago Eminem had mentioned in a couple of interviews, where he said he wants to 'fuck me hardcore' I stayed quiet and he kept on saying all that shit. I still haven't replied and it's been a couple of weeks now.
"Can I help you?" The receptionist asks. We walk over to her and give our names and she tells us what floor we should go to.
We take the lift up to floor 37 and look for room 23. This building was huge and had records and pictures of artist hanging up on the wall. Karla knocks on the door and we hear our manager shouting for us to come in.
"Karla!" He smiles and stands up to hug her.
"Hey Leroy." She smiles and they hug. I look around to see a bold headed man with a beard leaning back and watching my every move.
"Hi Leory, what's all this about?" I ask as we hug.
"You'll see. This is Paul Rosenberg." He says gesturing to the bold headed man.
"Nice to meet you." I mumble as we shake hands.
"Likewise, take a seat Tessa." Paul says, well he seems to know me. I take a seat between Karla and my manager Leroy and Paul sits across from me
"So why are we here?" I ask Leroy and then look at Paul.
"Well, we're here to make a deal." Paul says.
"What deal?" I frown, was my manger signing me off to shady records?
"Well-" Leroy starts but we get cut off with the door opening behind Paul. The one and only Eminem walks in. He was dressed in his signature white top and grey sweats and had his hair bleached blonde.
"What in the actual fuck.." Karla whispers, her mouth drops open.
"What's up man." Eminem says clapping hands with Paul. He looks at my manager Leroy and they shake hands.
"What's up man, My names Leroy Tatum." My manger says as they shake hands.
"I'm Marshall." Eminem replys. His eyes go towards Karla. "What's up." He smirks and reaches over to shake her hand.
"Er...H-hey." Karla stutters as she shakes his hand.
"What's your name?" Eminem bites on his bottom lip as he looks at her up and down.
"Karla." She smiles. Marshall nods in response.
"Why the fuck would you bring me to him?" I whisper to my manager.
"Take of your sun glasses..." He hisses back, I roll my eyes and throw my sunglasses on the table. Eminem turns to me and his smirk grows wider once he recognises me.
"Tessa Sanchez Black." He smirks. "You taking up my offer on hardcore sex?" He smirks, my mouth drops open as Paul mumble a 'Marshall' and groan.
"Why am I here...Cause there's no way i'm working with this fucking prick." I say turning to my manager. He knows i'm going to act like a bitch now, he covers his face in frustration.
"Man, I ain't taking her bull shit, the fuck is this about Paul?!" Eminem shouts.
"Marshall sit down, Tessa can you wait inside the room Marshall just came out from." Paul asks.
"Alright." I huff and walk past Eminem with Karla right behind me.
"Ayo, you better not steal any of my stuff." Eminem says pointing to us. I give him the finger and slam the door behind me.
"Why the hell am I here?" I ask Karla and check my reflection in the mirror.
"No idea..But we just met Eminem!! He's so fucking hot!" Karla says as she drops down on the leather couch making me roll my eyes.
"He's a jerk!" I frown and turn around.
"Just hear them out, Tess." Karla says.
"I don't want to work with him." I say picking up a photo frame of Eminem standing next to a friend, Proof I think his name is.
"Karla!" We hear my manager shout.
"Why's he calling me?" Karla asks as she stands up.
"Beats me." I shrug. Karla fixes her bandana before she walks out. It's been over 15 minutes and they're still talking.
I look around the room, which has cream coloured walls and brown wooden floor boards. There are a few files and notepads laying around, I was guessing this is Marshall's personal room. I walk over to a desk and pick up a silver frame with two little cute girls sitting on a swing. They must be his daughters.
"You mind?" I hear Eminem says. I look up to see him close the door behind him. He walks over to me and takes the frame from my hands and puts it back down on the desk.
"Oh, sorry." I say clearing my throat. He just gives me a stare and takes a seat. I walk over to the door.
"They're discussing some shit...They want space." Marshall says before I have a chance to walk out.
"Oh." I mumble and take a seat on the couch. "Look you don't even know me and yet you're being a jerk. I don't remember saying anything about you in interviews but if I did then I apologise but-" I say and get cut off in the middle.
"Call me Marshall." He says. Okay, I was expecting this dickhead to apologise.
"Do you know why i'm here?" I say, he turns to me when he notices the anger in my voice.
"No fucking clue." Marshall says and looks away. The door opens and Marshall's friend Proof walks in. He bro hugs Marshall and then turns to me.
"You lost? Cause by the looks of things Marshall doesn't really want you here?" Proof laughs.
"Uhmm. I'm Tessa." I say taking out my hand.
"Tessa Sanchez Black. I know who you are." He smirks and shakes my hand.
"Oh." I smile.
"I'm Proof." He says and takes a seat on the single couch across me.
"I know who you are." I nod.
"Cool. But why are you here?" Proof asks.
"I'm still trying to work that out." I say.
"Me too." Marshall adds.
After a few awkward minutes Paul walks in with Leroy and Karla. Karla sits down next to me on the couch and keeps looking at Marshall, she's in deep thought as she stares at him, i'm guessing Paul and Leroy have filled her in with the plan that they have.
"So...Myself and Leroy-" Paul starts but I cut him off.
"Sorry...But who the hell are you?" I ask. Marshall and Proof smirk as they look at Paul and then me. Okay, so I guess I could have asked in a nicer way...
"Uhr, Paul Rosenberg. Marshall's manager." Paul says gesturing towards Marshall. I nod in response.
"Okay, Tess. Let us explain the contract that we're talking about." Leroy says.
"I haven't agreed to anything, so there isn't a contract!" I frown at Leroy.
"Tessa. Can we just explain." Paul says. I shrug in response and lean back. "So as you know you two are the biggest artist in the music industry so far." Paul begins.
"But we want you to be bigger!" Leroy says. Marshall's eyebrows nit together in confusion as he leans foward and places his hand under his chin. I gotta admit he looks pretty hot sitting there. I turn to Karla who's still watching him closely.
"Damn, creepy much.." I whisper to her, she looks at me and mumbles a 'my bad' and then gets back to listening to what Paul and Leroy are saying. I kind of drift off until they call for me.
"Yeah?" I turn to look at them.
"This is going to help your career big time!" Leroy says. I need all the help I can get right now.
"Okay, Shoot." I shrug.
"We want you and Marshall to get engaged.." Paul says. My mouth drops open and Marshall's eyes go wide.
"A f-fake e-engagement..." I stutter in disbelief.
"Yeah, but you have to make the world think it's real." Leroy says as if it's that simple.
"Man, what the fuck is this shit Paul!" Marshall says standing up.
"Look! Both of you are going to relase an album soon! And both of your careers are going down hill so you need this." Paul says talking with his hands.
"How the fuck is my career going down hill!" Marshall snaps.
"With the protests and with the gay community!" Paul argues. Marshall sighs and sits down again.
"Can't we just work together or something." Marshall suggests.
"No, we need something big." Leroy says.
"You'll probably win a grammy or two if you do a collaboration which won't really help much. Think about it..You two get engaged and you'll be all over the papers, it's gonna help your careers out." Paul persuades.
"Yeah. The wedding can last for like a year or a half." Leroy says.
"Wait there's going to be a wedding too?" Marshall shouts.
"Em. Think about it. By 2005 or 2006 you'll both be over and can tell the world that your getting a divorce." Paul explains.
"It's only 2003 Paul..." I state, this might be some kind of sick joke! I stand up and grab my brown jacket from the couch. I walk towards the door and open it.
"Where are you going?" Leroy asks.
"I'm going for a walk...I need time to think about this." I sigh.
"You don't know your way around Detroit." Leroy argues.
"If you need space, just go to Marshall's studio. It's right next door." Paul offers, I nod in response and close the door behind me.
I walk out the room that Paul and Leory were sitting in and then walk into the room on the right. This was a really nice studio. It made you feel at ease and at home. It had cream walls and brown flooring just like Marshall's personal room.
Sighing I take a seat on the chair infornt of the mixing board and start to swing around on it as I think.
This was the craziest idea ever, but then again my career was going down hill and I needed this. I pick up a magazine that had Marshall's face across it on the front page. I lean back in my chair and stare at the photo.
I wonder what it would be like to be married to Marshall. I mean, he mentioned his past relationship in his songs. What if I say yes..
Would that be crazy? Will we get along? Will it be easy or hard? Would I have to move in with him? Will he make diss tracks about me after we break up? Will he introduce me to his family? Will we have to do interviews about our relationship on live tv? Would I have to wear a ring? Would he agree to it?
So many damn questions!!
"Oh..Hey." A man walks out from the recording booth.
"Er. Hi." I smile. "Sorry if i'm disturbing or anything. Paul told me the room was free...So I just..." I explain but he cuts me off.
"Na, don't sweat it. I was just about to leave." He smiles, I return the smile and watch him as he makes his way towards the closed door. I look down at the magazine again as the man makes his way out.
"Sup man." The guy says making me look up, he claps hands with Marshall. They talk for a few seconds and then Marshall walks into the studio.
"They're wondering where you went." Marshall says pointing at the door with his thumb.
"Just needed a minute to think it through." I shrug and place his magazine by the mixing board. He walks over to me and takes a seat across me on one of the chairs.
"Why look at the magazine photo when you got the real deal right infornt of you." He smirks, I chuckle and shake my head.
"What do you think about this fake engagement?" I ask changing the subject he sighs and leans back.
"I think it's bull shit.." He shrugs.
"So, you don't want to go through with it?" I question.
"Yo. I think it's bull shit but it's gonna help our careers big time." Marshall says talking with his hand. I let out a huge breath and lean back.
"Do I have to live with you?" I ask.
"That's what Paul said. He says it gonna make it more realistic." Marshall replys.
"But i'm from California." I say. "After my last concert next week, i'm going back home." I add.
"Yeah. So when we call it off we can tell everyone that the reason we broke up was because you wanted us to move to California and I wanted to stay in Detroit." Marshall explains. "Paul's idea.." he adds. Tge door opens and I watch Karla as she closes walks in amd closes the door behind her.
"You decided yet?" She asks walking over to us.
"Yeah.." I nod. "But I always ask for your advice so right now I need it." I smile, Karla smiles and looks down at her feet.
"I think you should go for it. It's going to help your career Tess." Karla says calling me by my nickname.
***
It had been a week since Leroy had asked me to make a deal with Marshall, eventually I decided to do it. I mean yeah, i'll get more fame. But maybe this whole engagement/marriage thing might fix things with my family. I don't give a shit about my career, I just want my family back.
The driver parks the car across shady records and cover my face as paparazzi starts to snap photo's of me once I step out the car. Sighing I push through the crowd and run into the building.
I take the lift up and see Marshall as I step out of the lift. He was dressed in his normal baggy grey sweats and a white baggy top as he was talking to Proof. Proof smiles once he notices me and I watch as Marshall follows Proof's gaze which lands on me.
"So are we gonna do this?" I ask Marshall as I walk towards them. He sighs and thinks for a moment.
"I guess we are." He finally says.
"Cool. Paul and Leroy are waiting for you." Proof smiles and we follow him down the hall to the room I was in last week, I feel like i'm going to throw up any second, godamn it i'm so nervous!
"You decided?" Paul asks.
"Yeah. I'm in." I sigh.
"Me too." Marshall nods as he takes a seat next to Proof. I stay standing and lean against the door.
"There's a contract." Leroy says.
"God I hate contact's." I mumble. Paul chuckles and takes it out.
"It's a simple contract. All it says is you won't tell anyone about the contract or deal. That you won't leak each other's music, stuff like that." Paul explains.
"Where do I sign." Marshall says.
"Wait, wait, wait!" I say frustrated. "Can I just have a minute." I ask. They all nod and get up apart from Marshall who stays seated.
"I thought you were gonna go through with it." Marshall asks once everyone's out of the room.
"I am. But I need some rules of my own." I say walking over to the coffee table infront of him and taking a seat.
"Okay...Shoot!" Marshall shrugs leaning back.
"I don't want you to mention me in any of your songs." I say.
"No diss tracks. Okay." Marshall says trying to hide his smirk.
"I don't want you hanging with other women in public whilst your with me." I say.
"Why, it's not like we're in a actual relationship." Marshall frowns.
"I don't want to look like a push over Marshall!" I sigh.
"Alright, Okay. Anything else you wanna add?" He asks.
"That's about it for now." I shrug.
"I have two things to add on the contract aswell." Marshall says. Oh boy! "I don't want you releasing anything personal about me and I don't want you releasing photos of my daughters." Marshall says in a serious tone.
"Okay..Shake on it." I say taking out my hand.
"What are you a kid?" Marshall smirks.
"Just do it." I roll my eyes he sighs and we shake hands. He picks up the pen and before he signs it he looks up at me for a few seconds in deep thoughts and then signs it.
"Here.." He mumbles and hands me the pen, I take it and read it for a minute.
"We're really doing this?" I ask. Marshall nods in response and I bite on my lip as I sign the contract.