𝐜𝐫𝐲𝐢𝐧' 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐥𝐨𝐮𝐝 ─────⋆⋅★𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘸 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘦𝘺

𝟒𝟓. 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐝

Suki Monroe sat back in her chair, casting a quick glance around the room. Her team—managers, PR reps, stylists, brand advisors—sat on edge, looking at her with an unspoken curiosity, if not a little caution. The energy was different today; they could feel it the moment she'd walked in, dressed in a sharp black Mugler suit, hair sleekly pulled back, a quiet confidence radiating from her. She was done waiting for everyone else to set her path. This time, she was setting it herself.

"Alright, team," she began, her voice cool and clear, her eyes focused. "First off, let's be absolutely clear about something. I'm in control of this now. I'll need you all to get on board with that, or this won't work."

She paused, letting the words settle, feeling the mood shift in the room as they registered her tone. This wasn't the same Suki Monroe who'd been carefully managed and scheduled down to the minute. She was here with a purpose, no longer willing to be directed without having her voice as the lead.

"I'm incredibly grateful for everything you all do, but I've realized lately that it's time to get intentional about where we're going. I need to be more than just a figure in front of a camera, showing up for appearances. I want to shape every aspect of my work, and we're going to make some changes to align with that."

The tension in the room was tangible but expectant. Her assistant flipped open a notepad, ready to catch every detail. Her PR lead, Liv, nodded with interest, taking in the new shift.

"First, let's talk about Anora," she continued, her expression growing warmer. "The pre-release press has been great, and I want to keep that momentum going. This is my chance to be taken seriously as an actress. So I'm going to need every press event, every interview, to make that clear. No filler questions, no distractions about my personal life. If they want a story, the story is the work."

"Noted," Liv said, jotting down points as she spoke. "We'll keep all messaging focused on Anora's role, the story, and the creative work behind it."

"Exactly." Suki nodded, feeling satisfied. "Now, the deluxe album. I want this project to reflect where I am right now—something raw and honest, something real. We're not doing overly produced singles just to hit the charts. Every song has to mean something, even if it doesn't sit at the top of the Billboard Hot 100."

They moved through the agenda with efficient precision. "Then there's SNL," she said, leaning forward. "I want it to be memorable, not just a promo stop. Abel wants to bring me out as a surprise for his section as a musical guest —he and I are doing the new single together. I want people to feel it."

Around the table, she saw some surprised expressions, a couple of nods. They were getting it. This was the new era of Suki Monroe.

Her manager, Jason, looked at her with a trace of pride. "You've got a lot on your plate with the the press for Anora and for the deluxe record. Are you sure you're ready for this?"

Suki smiled, feeling the quiet thrill of determination rise. "Jason, I've never been more ready. I want it all—if we do this right, this isn't just the next few months, it's the foundation of the future. I'm not just here to fill slots on a calendar; I'm defining my career."

They continued to map out her schedule. With each commitment, she clarified exactly what she expected and how it fit into the larger picture. Tour stops with Megan Thee Stallion had to be electrifying, high-energy collaborations that let her show a different side. She also wanted to make time for private rehearsals, ensuring each performance felt as tight as possible.

"The pressure is going to be high," her brand advisor, Mia, pointed out gently. "You'll have limited time to recharge."

"That's where you all come in," Suki replied. "I need everyone here to support that balance. We all know I'm at my best when I'm taking care of myself. I'm working out, eating clean, not drinking—I don't want to risk losing focus again."