Arranged Marriage - Shawn Mendes

2

"Island records? Like Justin Bieber record company? That one?" I question intensely as Andrew shakes his head and laughs, "calm down kid, and yes, that one" he peers over to me as my face is turning a light pink shade.

Why do I have to be so obsessed with Justin?

"So why were you singing in a music shop?" he questions as we walk towards the elevator "why were you listening?" I sarcastically shoot back making him chuckle "because I heard you and you had a good voice so" he trailed his sentence off, finishing it with a shrug of his large shoulders, "now, answer my question" I shook my head, making my dirty blonde hair attack my cheeks, "it's a really long story" he presses the button 'thirty two' making the elevator jolt up and begin to move.

"I have time" he leans against his arm, perched against the railing around the white marble tiles, "well, my mum cheated on my dad" he looks over at me with sorry in his eyes "sorry" he interrupted "don't be, anyway, my mum and dad got a divorce a couple years back, then she found this guy called Garett, my step-father" I paused and took a breath.

"He was a bad influence. He got my mum into drugs and alcohol" we stepped out of the elevator into the hallway, which was painted white and had some white roses and marble arches going along the corridor, "they abused me for most of the time when they were awake, the only time they didn't do it was when they were passed out on the couch, surrounded by beer bottles or when I was with my dad and brother"

I release a breath as we step into a suit, it was nicely decorated, the walls were white and all the furniture was as well, there was fancy paintings on the wall, a kitchen, a closet and a door leading to the bathroom, "so, I had enough of it. I ran. I ran as fast and far as I could. I got on a train and came here. I thought if I could busk for a day, I could make money and yeah, now I'm here" I shrug as he shakes his head,

"Good job I found you then" he winks and nudges me "yeah thanks for that, but I have one small problem" I say as he looks over to me "what if they try and find me?" I question him as he shakes his head "they won't, I'm giving you a makeover" he smiles as he gets out his phone presses and around on it, "Hannah, I have some work for you to do"

"Ok sweetie you can look" she brings a mirror over to me, I look... different, but different is a good thing, I guess. My hair isn't a dirty blonde anymore but it's a chocolate brown with electric blue on the tips, it's not something I would have usually gone for, but I do like it.

My glasses are now gone, and I have contacts in, my eyebrows are plucked and shaped and I have a thin layer of makeup on. I look better, the bruise on my cheek is covered up and I don't look as battered up- undoubtedly I'll still have to suffer the nightmares I get because of them. But otherwise I feel like a new person.

"Thank you so much" I smile to Hannah, "no problem" she returns the smile, showcasing her pearly white teeth.

"Hey Andr-" a boy with chocolate brown hair busts through the door "who are you?" He questions as he points over to me "I'm-" "she's Rein Cerny" Andrew interrupts me "and you are?" I question "Shawn Mendes" he sends a small welcoming smile to me before walking out the door presumably going back to where he came from.

"Ok Florence, your new name is Rein, Shawn doesn't know about the situation and I don't intend on telling him, we've put in to change your name, and they will most certainly say yes to it an-" I roll my eyes "stop speaking to much and too fast Andrew I get it. I'm Rein now, if I want to keep being safe, I'll be Rein" I said in all one breath.

"It's not that simple" he sighed "I wish it was, but it's not" he walks over to me and sits on the bed next to me "you're going to have to become basically another person, and that is why you're going to be Shawn's opening act, he's current one fell ill with the flu, and we were looking for a new person" he sends a small smile to me as I gasp, "um, why?" I question "you have talent, and if you want to get away from your dreadful parents, this is your only way out" he said making me nod in understanding.

I do want to get away from them, if it means singing to thousands of people then I'll go for it. What could go wrong? Other than maybe getting publicly humiliated, and getting shamed. I can handle it.

I have to if I want to survive.

"So you guys briefly met before" Andrew says as me and Shawn look at each other and nod our heads "and the reason you're here because Shawn, you're dropping off. You have less views and less people there, and Rein, you're going to need publicity if you want to make it in the music industry" Andrew continues as we both scowl in confusion.

What does he mean? What is he planning?

"So I have came up with a great plan for both of you to get publicity" I pick at my nails and realize Andrew is waiting for me to look up at him, I raise my head and look him in the eyes.

"I know you're both eighteen, and it seems quite young" quite young? What has that got to do with publicity?

"And I know for a fact that you will both oppose to this" what the hell is he on about?

"But you're going to have to, because Shawn this could break your contract, and Rein, this means you won't get the contract" I purse my lips into a thin line,

"So I have decided to get you both married"