Outlaws // Taron Egerton

Six

I'VE BEEN LIVING IN A STATE OF DREAMING
LIVING IN A MAKE-BELIEVE LAND

(State of Dreaming - Marina and The Diamonds)

• • •

IDRIS

     I scroll through the messages at my phone out of boredom and I stumble upon texts with one artist that I 'dated' way back. He was one of my first few clients, actually.

"Margaux, don't take this the wrong way, but I can't fucking stand you anymore. I'm asking my lawyers to find a way in order for me to get out of that fucking contract." 

     And he did. We had to 'break up' five months early.

     I've discovered many more with almost the same statements. That they give up, that they can't stand me, that they're desperate to get out of that contract as soon as possible. It makes me wonder when Taron will want to get out of the contract too. Literally, every single one of the artists that's became my client had to get creative to make their way out of my hair. I'm just waiting for this poor guy to lose it.

     My manager doesn't even mind, surprisingly. It's the only way she could tell whether my character is effective or not-and it is. And, she and I get money off of it somehow anyway.

     I scroll back up again and Taron's name is at the top. I've been waiting for his response since yesterday but he hasn't replied yet. Clearly, this guy must think that he's not one of the many at fault to my sudden breakdown the other day.

     Then, I hear my door bell buzz. I get up, toss my phone on the tweed couch I was sitting on and I sprint towards the door. I peek on the peephole to see who it is, and it's...Taron?

     I appreciate him finally coming to his senses and thought what he did through.

     I turn the knob and pull the door open and see Taron holding a bouquet of roses. "Hey. What's...up?" I greet coldly. Even pulling on a bored expression.

     "Look, I'm sorry I yelled at you. I know you only meant well."

     I gesture at him to come in the house and he does. I shut the door behind me as I watch him make his way in. He places the flowers down the coffee table and lets himself fall on the couch.

     I take in a deep breath to get in to character, however, it's the non-bitchy Margaux, but her tone when she speaks is still the same; perhaps a bit tamer and less intimidating for him. "I...you could've just told me through text that you're sorry, you know? But thank you. These are beautiful," I stammer, picking up the bouquet and pressing my nose on a bud. 

    He chuckles nervously. "My friends suggested it."

     I walk to the kitchen counter and place the flowers there. "You're friends with the Gwen twins, aren't you?"

    He nods. "I live with them and two other artists. Jett Alley and Leo Brook."

     Oh, Jett Alley. I remember being told to create a scene already and I had to act quick, resulting into Jett's practical reputation wreck. I told everyone he was hitting on me on one party but I know he wasn't, but I just had to be problematic to draw attention to me and the previous client.

     I had to pay up in secret, though. The reason he wasn't on tabloids because I somehow managed to 'threaten' everyone into not speaking about what happened. After all, there are only few invited in that party, and everyone was sadly frightened and intimidated by me. It was easy.

     "Who amongst them gave you the idea?"

     "Jett Alley?" He sounds iffy upon replying, and I smirk.

     "Is this an indirect apology?" I joke, but based on my tone, it's making it sound as if I am not.

     He shakes his head. "Not really, it's all from me."

     I sit beside him. "I was just kidding. Plus, I don't think Jett will ever forgive me for that."

     "Forgive you? But...I thought Jett hit on you?"

     "Yeah...no. I created a scene and Jett didn't know he was part of it. Two days ago, I also did and the paparazzi didn't know what was coming either. It's the same thing. And now you'll probably tell your friend about this, while you're at it, tell him I'm sorry too."

     Then I realize that delivering an apology can potentially break character, or he'll think Taron's lying. "Or don't. I don't mean it anyway." I wink at him and he laughs.

     "All right, then." He gently nudges my arm with his elbow and winks back. I sigh in relief because I thought there would be further questions I don't intend to answer. "Anyway, are we alright?"

     I nod. "Of course. You're fine. I take it, your friends told you that I'm going to ruin you, didn't they?"

     "Would you be pissed if I said they did?"

    "Absolutely not. In fact, it's a normal day for me. Artists out here telling their fellow artists not to get involved with me or else they're screwed. Even the other artists I've helped with PR stuff told me the same and my skin grows thicker the more people tell me about it."

     "You used to care about those remarks?"

     I giggle. "Hell yes, I did. I'm not a fucking robot. But I remember that they're not..." I trail off. I got too carried away with this conversation. I almost told him that Margaux Ellis is nothing but a character. I am currently Margaux Ellis, and Idris Blythe is non-existent in this alternative universe. How long have I been doing this? Two? Three years? Here I am, still fucking up.

     "They're not what?"

     Out of panic, I blurt out the most plausible reply. "Important," I add sharply.

     "Ah. Of course."

    Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Thank goodness I thought of a quick response before it even raises suspicion. If it's just possible, I'd love to go on a wall and slam my head against it. I almost screwed up. I was one step closer and I've never been so scared.

I'm staring at the ceiling, eyes wide open and letting myself be engulfed by the silence. I can only hear myself practically hyperventilating and overthinking what happened today.

     Wondering if he's ever caught and remembered every single thing that we had conversed today, I can only hope he didn't, or else he's going to be a lot more curious.

    I almost told him that all of this attitude is just acting. I cringe at the thought. I think of the possible scenarios that can go down if ever I got that carried away. My manager going ape shit, publicists of different managements knowing and media spreading the news that oh shit, Margaux Ellis is a fake pretentious bitch.

     Although I feel like I could put my trust on Taron, I've only known him for two and a half months. I should never assume. I don't know him.