Limited Hate

Chapter 2: Backstage Arguments

         
          Sweating and panting, I step back onto the platform. Two hours of dancing and singing in front of thousands of people is something I will never get used to, or forget. This was my second to last big concert on my world tour, and I am glad that I did my best. The crowd still continues to shout, even as the platform begins to lower. The screens presenting me are starting to dim, and with the last few seconds, I smile at the spectators and make a heart with my fingers. I stand in the same position for another thirty seconds before I am fully underground again.

I immediately rush to the changing rooms, grabbing leggings and a sweater before closing the door behind me. My vision begins to go blurry as I collapse onto the floor. Holding my head in my hands, I inhale and exhale deeply for a few seconds before looking up again. Did I mention I've been living off of an extremely unhealthy sleep schedule? No? Didn't think so, that's how foggy my brains been. My eyelids begin to feel way too heavy, and I consider going to sleep right here.

          No, I can't. I still have way too much work to do and there is no time for sleep, not even for a few minutes. I can list out every single thing I need to do, from song writing to music set ups to filming, to contracts and other overwhelming things. Slowly standing up, I shake my head to get rid of the tiredness and change out of my uncomfortable outfit and into the one I grabbed. I then scrub off all the eyeshadow and concealer using a makeup wipe from my bag. Groaning, I open the door and my crew almost immediately congratulates me when I come out, but I am too tired to do anything but smile and thank them for today's work.

I will have to stay here for another hour to wait for the stadium to clear before I leave. Once the clapping from my crew settles down and everyone begins heading towards the exit, Felix walks up to me, now wearing a tuxedo. I can feel some of my energy return as anger. I don't know why I am still mad at him, he needs my help more than anything, now. I still want him to have at least an idea of what he did to not just me, but my entire family.

   "Hello," he says, smiling at me. "You were really great out there tonight."

     "Do you remember Ryan and Jenny Yang?" I ask out of the blue, taking deep breaths.

     "What?" he asks, taken aback by my question. "No? Who's that?"

   "They're my parents, and because of you and your company's lack of fairness, my family barely had enough money to feed us," I snap. "My parents were amazing at what they did, your industry was to blind and selfish to realize that who they needed was people like them. That's why your markets crashed, because you didn't have people responsible or selfless enough to keep your business afloat!"I never meant or planned to yell I him, but the I cannot control the sudden anger coursing through me.

     "What are you talking about?" Felix almost yells. He stares at me for a second. A flicker of realization spreads across his face. "Our company did even better after your parents left!" he shouts suddenly. "It wasn't because of them my family lost our cooperation, it was because of lack of interest and– and stocks!"

     "Yeah, okay," I snort, turning away from him. Suddenly, it feels like anger explodes in my chest, replacing every other emotion there is. "It's because of you we almost starved to death! My parents were right! They never were wrong, you are just like all the other self-centered people out there, there is literally no difference between you people! You deserve what you got, you really do!"

          I spin around just as tears burn my eyes. Practically stomping away from Felix, I make my way to the back exit where my manager will be waiting for me. Then I take my anger out on him too, for choosing Felix. Out of everyone, he just had to choose him.

I have not waited an hour before leaving, but I know he will not ask questions. Wiping the tears from my face, I slam the door as hard as I can behind me once I exit the stadium from the back. Fortunately for me, it is not made out of glass. I slam the car door as hard as I can, too.

   "You did gr–" my manager begins to say.

   "Why?" I say through gritted teeth. "Why?"

     "What?" he says, puzzled.

     "Why did you pick him, out of every single person that applied?" I demand, shoving my seatbelt into the slot. "Why!"

     "He was what we were looking for! Strong, tall, and selfless enough to care about you."

   "Is that a joke? Selfless? You've got to be kidding me."

     "Why? What do you have against him?"

     "Everything! He ruined my life as a child and I don't want him near me anymore, Simon."

     "Sorry, but he has to follow you everywhere, and he already signed the contract." my manager says without a hint of sympathy.

     "And why didn't I get a contract of consent for this?" I ask, though I know the answer. I have no control of who they hire, no matter what. I knew about this when I first signed the contract all those years back, but I never imagined that it would affect me now. I know Simon knows I know, too, because he stays silent. "Why are we not driving?" I sigh, wanting nothing more than to get out of this area.

     "Uhm. . . he has to follow you everywhere to ensure your protection, so I'm waiting for him." says Simon awkwardly, slightly shifting in his seat.

   "You've got to be kidding me." I groan, slumping back into my seat. I stare outside, at the black sky with a couple dozens of stars evenly spread out. It reminds me of dropping white sprinkles onto an all black cake.

          I see Felix walking towards the car from the corner of my eye and look at the ground. God, this is going to be so awkward. He takes a seat next to me. There are two seats beside me, and he just decided to take the one closest to me. I continue looking out the window.

     "Good, now we can go." my manager says, starting the car. Las Vegas is beautiful at night. The lights reminded me of my concert, but these are brighter and much more colorful. There are so many, everywhere. It is only a fifteen minute drive back to the hotel, but with the awkward silence and tension between Felix and I, it feels like way longer.

I really wish I had my phone on me, not just to pretend Felix wasn't there, but to get as much work possible done. But no, of course I didn't bring it because I wanted to leave it tucked away in my hotel room for, "safety precautions". Felix glances at me every couple of seconds, but I completely ignore him and avoid his eyes throughout the entire ride.