Calamity [Zarry Stylik AU]©️

Chapter 47: EVER SINCE NEW YORK

Z,

1 year later

I sat in the waiting room for this radio interview that I had to give, but I didn't want to. I was back in New York and things have been challenging. Getting my face out there was good publicity. Ever since the tour, my art gained a good new following, and I needed to take in the wave.

The art exhibit put my name out there, despite the drama I was involved in, and it made me realise that the world is way bigger than I thought. I understood that people liked my art and wanted to know more.

I hadn't done interviews in years. Before Tom, even. As a young artist my former manager, Simon pushed me to do every single interview for every single network. I found it draining, annoying and too repetitive - the journalists seemed to be working together and I answered the same question repeatedly.

Once we parted ways, I decided interviews were unnecessary. So being in a waiting room, looking at a clock, and patiently waiting to go live on the radio had me nervous. My knee wouldn't stop bouncing and I was biting my nails. What if I said the wrong thing? What if she asked me tough questions? What if it was a setup?

"Relax..." Taryn replied sitting next to me, thumbing away at her phone. "Everything is fine."

I stopped bouncing my knee, but my mind kept racing. I needed to focus on something else.

"Did you call the studio to send over my work?"

"Yes," Taryn replied not looking away. "They were shipped yesterday. Got the notice that everything was delivered."

"Are they in good condition?"

"Yes."

"Good."

Another second, filled with nervousness.

"Did my mum get home okay?"

Taryn exhaled, not looking away from her phone.

"Yes. She landed a few hours ago. Already on her way to Bradford. Your sister picked her up."

"Which one?"

"Safaa."

"Can she drive?"

"Relax, Doni was with her too..."

"That doesn't make me feel better-"

"Your sisters can keep your mother safe. Relax."

The waiting room was simple: two chairs, a bowl of fruit, a mirror, and a coat hanger. The walls were painted blue, which I found a ridiculous colour to have on the walls. Reminded me of a bathroom.

"Did you book my flight for tomorrow?"

Taryn exhaled again.

"Yes, I did. I told you yesterday."

"What about the lease to the flat?"

"It's being handled. The documents were sent over, signed and everything is a-okay."

"Did you-?"

"Oh my God, stop!" Taryn replied with exasperation. "Everything is fine. Under control. Relax. It's just an interview."

"I haven't done interviews in years."

"Nadia is good, Zayn. She knows us. She knows you. She's been briefed about the questions and topics she can and cannot touch. You got this."

"What if she asks them anyway?"

Taryn looked at me with a raised eyebrow.

"I can't control what she does during the interview, it can be viewed as censorship, Zayn. Let us all believe she will respect her code of ethics and our wishes." Taryn explained with kindness. Her hand stopped on my cheek and padded it twice. "You're good. Everything is good. Relax."