The Rapper's Favorite || An Eminem Fanfiction

Chapter 14: Planning the Battle

Aria's POV

Paul sits across from me at the small table, his fingers tapping lightly against the wood. Marshall is leaning against the counter, arms crossed, eyes fixed on me. They both know this story isn't simple, but they haven't heard the full truth—not like this.

"I haven't told many people this," I begin, feeling the tightness in my chest, "but if my name is going on this album, you need to know the whole story."

Paul nods, leaning in slightly, his expression unreadable but focused. He's waiting, ready to hear what I've kept hidden for so long.

"I met Evan when I was 18. He was this massive name in the industry—a top producer. Everyone wanted to work with him. And I was young, desperate to make it. I thought he saw potential in me. I thought he believed in me." I pause, swallowing down the bitterness. "We got into a relationship, and for three years, from 18 to 21, I worked with him. But he didn't just manage my career—he controlled every part of it."

Marshall shifts, his gaze hardening, but he stays silent, letting me continue.

"Evan decided how I looked, what I sang, who I worked with. At the time, I thought it was normal. I thought it was the price of success. But by the time I realized how deep his control went, it was too late." I glance down, my fingers gripping the edge of the table. "When I finally broke away from him, that's when he showed me how much power he really had."

Paul's brow furrows slightly, his focus still sharp. "What happened when you left?"

"When I left him at 21, he made sure I didn't exist in the industry anymore," I say, my voice tightening with the weight of those memories. "He blacklisted me—called every label, every producer, everyone I'd ever worked with—and told them I was unstable, difficult, unreliable. But it wasn't just that. He went further. He erased everything I'd done. Every song I wrote, every performance, every interview—it was like those three years never happened. My name was wiped clean. He replaced me with someone else."

Marshall clenches his jaw, his knuckles white against his crossed arms.

Paul shifts in his chair, his face hardening. "So he didn't just blacklist you—he erased your career."

I nod, feeling the familiar anger simmer under my skin. "Yeah. He made sure I couldn't work in the industry under my own name. And for ten years, I've been in the shadows. I've been ghostwriting under pseudonyms because no one would work with Arianna Bennett. Not after what he did to my reputation."

Marshall moves slightly, his voice tight. "You spent ten years in the dark because of him."

"Ten years," I repeat, the bitterness clear in my voice. "For the last decade, I've written some of the biggest hits for some of the biggest artists—some of the biggest albums of the last decade—but no one knows it was me. I didn't have a choice. I had to write under different names, stay hidden, because Evan made sure no one would touch me. He still had leverage—photos, videos—things he used to keep me silent."

Paul's gaze sharpens as he processes everything I've said. "And for ten years, you've been waiting for a chance to come back."

"Yeah," I say quietly. "But I know what's coming if I try to put my name back out there. Evan's not going to let this slide. If he finds out I'm on the album, he'll come for me. He'll come for all of us."

Paul exhales, rubbing his hand over his chin. "Alright. I understand now. This isn't just about putting your name on the credits. This is about reclaiming everything he took from you."

Marshall, his voice low but steady, cuts in. "And we're gonna do it."

Paul nods, his focus shifting from me to Marshall. "We can make this work, but we need to be prepared. Evan's not going to let you just walk back in, Aria. He'll fight this, and we have to be ready."

Paul taps the table lightly with his fingers, his voice measured. "Here's the good news—we're not starting from scratch. This album is already built around Marshall's redemption arc. The entire project is curated around that theme—his recovery, his comeback, his fight to get back to the top. We've got producers, writers, and features all tied into that story. And we're going to tie you into it."

I look between Paul and Marshall, unsure of what he means.

"We don't have to make up a new narrative for you," Paul explains. "We'll frame this as your redemption too. You were blacklisted and silenced by the industry, but now, with Marshall backing you, you're reclaiming your voice. His comeback story will bolster yours."

Paul leans in, his voice calm but firm. "Marshall's always been the loudest voice for the underdogs. He's always stood up against the industry's bullshit, and people respect him for it. They expect him to stand for what's right, to take on the system—and we're going to use that. You two aren't just making music. You're making a statement."

Marshall, still leaning against the counter, gives me a slight nod. His eyes are intense, but there's something solid in them—like he's already made up his mind.

"We'll control the story from the start," Paul continues. "We don't need to give the press all the details, but we'll frame it as a comeback story—someone who was silenced by the industry and is finally taking her voice back. With Marshall behind you, that story will stick."

Marshall's voice is low but fierce. "With my name behind yours, no one's going to question your talent, Aria. You're not hiding anymore."

Paul taps the table again. "And we need to be ready legally. If Evan tries to sue or leaks anything—photos, videos—we'll handle it. We'll make sure nothing he does can take control of the story. But we need to anticipate that he'll hit back."

I nod, my heart pounding in my chest. For the first time in years, I feel something I haven't let myself feel in a long time—hope.

"We'll get in front of it," Paul says, his voice confident. "Your name is going on this album, and we'll make sure the press knows your story."

Marshall pushes off the counter, stepping closer to the table, his gaze locked on mine. "This time, you're not in the shadows. You're taking back your career. And with me behind you, no one's going to erase your legacy again."