𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐖𝐄𝐃𝐃𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐒𝐎𝐍𝐆 , 𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘢𝘮𝘴

chapter three | an agreement

IT HAS BEEN a week since she last spoke with Ellie. She was instructed to call her when she agreed to this dumb arrangement; not a single phone call was made to Ellie. Y/n called her manager for days to find another solution, but she wasn't budging. She could either agree to the arrangement or say goodbye to her career.

That was the last thing she wanted, so she was left with one option. She ended up giving Ellie a call to set up a meeting.

Since Y/n wasn't in California, Ellie had to make a trip to Kansas City, Missouri. Ellie was now in town, so Y/n was sitting in a restaurant, waiting for Ellie to show up. So far, she has been an hour late. She promised she wouldn't be late, yet she was.

She had plans with friends today and was already behind schedule, all thanks to Ellie. This was going to be a long couple of months.

While she waited, she scrolled through her phone, occasionally checking the time. At this rate, she was ready to leave. She didn't care if Ellie showed up after all. This whole thing was starting to get on her last nerve.

Ellie was getting on her last nerve.

She was getting ready to leave, but someone had approached her. She hoped it was a fan or anyone else. She looked up with a smile, expecting to see one of her fans, but she looked at Ellie. "Don't act so depressed that I'm here, babe." Ellie teased and then sat down across from her. "I take it that you've come to a decision."

"For starters, don't call me babe. Second of all, I did, but now I'm changing it." She smiled sarcastically before letting out an annoyed sigh. "If we do this, we'll have to set some ground rules."

"I agree. That is why I made a list." Ellie agreed and pulled out a piece of folded notebook paper from her pants pocket. Once it was unfolded, she placed it in front of her with a smile.

Y/n let out a sigh and picked up the paper, beginning to read what she could have written down. So far, it was pretty standard stuff: hold hands in public, kiss on the cheek when paparazzi are around, and go to each other's games and concerts, but then there were a few she had questions about. "Only two public appearances a week? How is that believable?"

"We're busy people who prefer to spend time alone since we're in public all the time."

"How come only two public appearances?"

"Easy, I hate this arrangement, and I don't like you," Ellie explained with a grin as she stood up. She took her list back and cleared her throat. "So, are we done here? I have places to be and things to do."

That attitude would have been her last straw if her job wasn't at risk.

She couldn't wait for Ellie to leave. Right now, she couldn't stand to see her face. "Yeah, we're done here." She replied with an attitude. Once she stood up, Ellie held her hand out like she was ready to complete a business transaction. That's what this was—a business transaction.

The two shook hands, looking at each other with pure hatred. "Like I said, just because I agreed to this doesn't mean I like or respect you." Ellie reminded her, wiping her hand on her shirt as if she had just touched something disgusting.

"Same here, jackass." With that, Ellie rolled her eyes and left the restaurant.

Y/n paid the bill with a sigh and then left the restaurant. She then made her way to Arrowhead Stadium, making sure to avoid the paparazzi along the way. She knew that she had to be associated with Ellie eventually, but it wouldn't be today. Certainly not this week either, not after that conversation.

She hoped that the paparazzi didn't see her.

Half-time was coming up, and she's been kind of distracted. Taylor has noticed it, but she hasn't said anything about it yet. Travis had just scored another touchdown, and everyone stood up to celebrate, but Y/n didn't. She hasn't done that all game.