When the curtains close

4.

They already seemed to have the unspoken agreement of acting like they didn't acknowledge each other's presence.

It was Monday morning and they were back in that waiting room, unsurprisingly this time, they all had been given the appointment for the same time. Exactly like the week before, they passed the time with their eyes glued to the screens.

"Yes they are here, and they are acting exactly like last time" Mr. Jones informed someone on the other side of the phone while sitting nicely behind his desk.

He nodded understanding what the other person was saying. "Usually two months" he explained and resumed nodding as the person kept talking. "So, basically you want me to make the process last longer and not the regular two months, correct?" He double-checked that he'd understood correctly.

"Okay, and also more meetings?" He asked writing something down and listening carefully.

"Yes, because plan A of making them show up at the same time didn't work at all. No, and neither plan B. Yes, I canceled the meeting but they left separately". He explained to the other person and nodded again a few times.

"Yes, exactly. At this time starting the process seems the best solution. We will go slowly but we have to start." He agreed with the other person and wrote something else down.

"Don't worry. It's a pleasure my dear, as I told you If we manage to make this work, I'll have more work, you know more contracts to write and stuff" He explained giggling.

"But you know", he resumed talking, "I've worked with them for years. I'm not doing this just for my personal gain. First of all, you are a dear friend and secondly, I really hope that they can fix their problems, they were magical together".

After ending the call he informed the girls that he was ready for the meeting. The lawyer smiled when he saw the three women walking into his office. After greeting them, he gestured to take a seat.

"So, I arranged this first meeting where I wanted all of you to be present, so I can explain how the whole process will take place" he started explaining and observed how the girls nodded understanding.

"The process will take about six months; It's a long time but you know me, I want to be precise and make sure that everything is done correctly"

"Okay, that's fine" Leigh replied understanding.

"I will start with preparing the whole documentation, I will have a few meetings with your label and management to make sure I have all the information I need. But we will also have a few meetings between us, so I'll be able to explain what is happening and how the process is going. Is it alright?"

"It's not ideal but I'm okay with it" Jade replied seriously.

The man went on explaining everything in the smallest details, wanting the girls to understand everything that would have happened in the following months.

"So ladies" the man started talking, taking some papers and giving them to the girls. "I need you to sign these, please read them carefully", he said and gave each of them the time to fully comprehend what there was written. He put a sad smile when they gave them back signed.

"Okay, so the legal process to disband has officially started. In a few months Little Mix won't exist anymore, the companies that you own and share will be closed, the remaining funds on your joint bank accounts will be equally distributed, and-" the man stopped when Perrie interrupted him.

"About this, I would like to give up my share; you can split the money into two, I don't want it" Perrie explained. She knew that neither of the three was in need of money, they all had success in those years, and that amount, even if high, wouldn't have changed their lives at all. But to Perrie giving it up was important, it was her way of acknowledging her past mistakes.

"Don't be silly Perrie" Leigh said looking at her and then at Jade in the hope that she would help convince the blonde. Jade sighed. Yes she was upset and their relationship had drastically changed, but deep inside she was still the same. The same person that wouldn't sit right with an agreement that wasn't equal for everyone, especially if it involved her bandmates, or now almost former bandmates.

Jade looked at her fellow Geordie and for the first time her gaze wasn't so cold, her eyes seemed gentle. "She is right Perrie, you don't have to give anything up. If we earned that money is thanks to the work of all of us. I don't want you to give that up" Jade explained seriously but nicely and Perrie nodded.

"Okay so, the funds will be divided equally between the three of you" the man resumed talking, "As I was saying you'll disband but you'll still own the name Little Mix, so none will be able to use it. Is it correct?"

"Yes"

"Okay ladies, If you don't have anything else to add, we are done for today. I'll start working on this process and contact you for our next meeting" He concluded and the girls nodded standing up, saying goodbye, and then walking away.

Perrie looked at them as they were gathering their things and putting their coats on. Maybe what had just happened inside that office was the sign that something in their relationship could still be saved. She started mentally analyzing whether it was better to talk or just leave things as they were. When she finally found the courage to speak someone else had preceded her.

"Ummm girls", Leigh said catching their attention and sighing when they started looking at her. She had thought about it the whole week, they needed it, they need to talk to at least remove that weight that they all had on their chest.

"I think we should talk. I know we all need it" She said and immediately observed how Jade started shaking her head.

"No, It doesn't make any sense now" the brunette replied looking at her.

"As you said the other day, this is the end, we are done. What can we lose?" She asked now directing her gaze toward Perrie who nodded slightly smiling.

"I agree, we don't have anything to lose. It's just a talk and I think it's finally time for it to happen" Perrie replied and observed how Jade's expression started to soften up.

"I don't know" Jade replied sighing; she knew that they were right but she didn't quite know whether she was ready.

"Jade it's seriously just a talk; we can grab something for lunch if you want" Perrie tried to convince her.

"Please Jade" Leigh basically begged

"Fine" Jade finally gave in rolling her eyes and the two smiled happily. Everyone took their things and then they left together. 

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Hi everyone, here's chapter 4. What do you think? 

Things are slowly starting to change, a lot will still happen...

As always, since there is a little bit more info: 
- What do you think happened?
- Which one of the three is right? Is someone of the three right?
- What do you think we'll happen next?

Please vote and please please comment, so I know if you are liking the story so far, your suggestions, and theories. 

Thank you for taking the time to read, 
Anna ❤️