After Goodbye

Chapter 6: Cadillac

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🎶
And you might get five
with the black hand side.

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"They're gonna milk this for all it's worth." Brianna warned as I sighed into the phone. "I know." But even through the cellular device I could tell she was shaking her head profusely. "No, you really don't. If you think the shit they pulled the other day was slick just wait until you're already in the midst. That's when they real pressure is applied. It's an industry trick as old as time. I'm going to do my best to keep things at bay as much as possible but I'll probably have to call Barry in for some reinforcement." She continued. "This is where they really start to play but that's ok cause you know I like to play more." I chuckled, her smirk notable even through the receiver. "So take the morning off. Try and relax. Take a moment to wrap your head around things and if you have any questions just text me. I'm going into a virtual meeting with WME and Victoria's manager today since RCA approved the collab."

As I leaned against the kitchen island my nails tapped anxiously against the marble countertop at the news. "Do I need to be on that call?" I asked with light concern in my voice. "Nope. Don't worry about it. I'll fill you later on when we do our 3PM call to go over the red carpet event details for tomorrow. I nodded though she couldn't see me. "K..." I murmured chewing at my lip as I tried to calm my anxious nerves. "I know things are weird right now but we'll figure out, ok? So don't worry about it. That's what I'm here for." I took in a slow deep breath to calm myself at her reassuring words. This was exactly why I had a manager. It's exactly why from the get-go Tacir, Kayla, and Sean told me to go ahead and get that together and boy, was I glad I listened to them. I don't think I'd be able to do this without Brianna. "Thanks Bri." I sighed out sincerely. "Of course! Alright, I've got to go but I'll talk to you later. Try to decompress and relax. Take a walk or something!" I hummed "Yeah...yeah, that's not a bad idea. Talk to you later."
"Bye."
"Bye."

• ☀︎︎ •

Following Brianna's advice, I decided to drive to Malibu and walk around that area, maybe even shop to decompress. There was nothing like a little spree to temporarily clear away the anxiety and gather my thoughts and there was plenty to think about. Especially in regards to a certain Jaguar's intentions. I wasn't sure what version of Victoria I was dealing with now and I'd be lying if I said that didn't frighten me. It felt like all the discourse and trauma with Kehlani had somehow trickled into her own persona and you know what they say 'You either die a hero or live long enough to become the villain.'

But I didn't want to think of her in that light. I didn't want to see the woman I once loved evolve into someone I wish I'd never met. I had fought that so hard in therapy... trying not to hate her. I'd given Joy every excuse possible but this time around I didn't have one nor did I want to start overthinking to create one. I just wanted to get this song recorded and over with and hopefully by some miracle things would blow over. But even thinking that felt like a practically impossible task. It was never that easy and never that simple, especially in this shady ass industry.