Rave & Roses {A Rema Fanfic}☑️

35 - DIVINE

Today was the general Mavin meeting, one of the most significant gatherings for the label. Every artist, executive, producer, and key player was present. The air was already tense, but the sight of Michael and me only thickened it. All eyes kept darting toward us. Michael's left eye was completely red, his nose bandaged, while I still had visible swelling on my ribs and a bruised face. It wasn't just physical pain that hung between us; it was the weight of unresolved emotions and the unspoken tension from our fallout.

The meeting began with the usual formalities, but I stayed unusually silent. They tried to coax some light banter out of me, their curiosity about our injuries thinly veiled behind concerned tones. Still, I didn't bite. It was only when Don Jazzy, the CEO, brought up the topic of the upcoming joint studio album that things began to shift.

As everyone debated timelines, features, and strategies, I stayed quiet. I could feel Michael stealing glances at me, but I refused to meet his gaze. It wasn't until Don Jazzy directly asked for my input that I finally spoke up.

"I'm not participating," I said, my voice calm but firm.

The room fell silent, the air practically sucked out of it.

"What do you mean, Rema?" Don Jazzy asked, his tone measured, though I could sense the frustration beneath it.

"I won't be featuring on the joint album. Or any album. I also won't be doing the collaboration with Selena Gomez for 'Calm Down.'"

The shock was palpable. Murmurs rippled through the room, and the execs' faces hardened. D'Prince, always one to call things out, leaned forward.

"Why, Divine? What's going on?"

I took a deep breath and leaned back in my chair, my tone unwavering.

"Not until Arya apologizes to Zara."

The silence that followed was deafening. It wasn't just awkward—it was outright hostile. Arya, who had been sitting confidently on the other side of the room, suddenly stiffened. I could feel her glaring daggers at me, but I didn't care.

The executives started talking over each other, frustration and disbelief filling the room. Some tried to persuade me. Others outright threatened me, warning that this kind of behavior could damage not just my career but the label's reputation.

Still, I didn't flinch.

When the noise got too loud, I raised my hand to silence them. Then, looking directly at Don Jazzy, I said, "I'm tired of how things are run here. You all keep letting Arya get away with her behavior. She's been a problem for everyone, but nobody's willing to address it because of her sales numbers. Well, I've had enough."

The tension in the room shifted from disbelief to discomfort. Nobody dared to interrupt me now.

"Let me make something clear," I continued. "Arya is the reason for all of this. She started the fight. She hit Zara first, and Zara only defended herself. But instead of holding Arya accountable, you all let her turn the narrative against Zara. And then there's this."

I pulled out my phone and cast the video of the fight onto the screen in the meeting room. The footage clearly showed Arya striking first, shoving Zara violently before the altercation escalated. Gasps filled the room, followed by murmurs of disapproval. But I wasn't done.

Next, I displayed a series of texts from Arya to me. Messages where she threatened to ruin my career if I didn't agree to date her. Messages where she admitted to leaking stories to the media to tarnish Zara's name.

"You see this?" I asked, my voice steady but sharp. "This is who you're protecting. You've let her create a toxic environment for years. She's manipulated everyone, caused rifts, and nearly destroyed my relationship with Zara. And if you don't do something about it, I will."