The Heart of a Rock Star

Chapter 2

Ria's POV

Stereo Anthem Records is one of my favourite places in the world. Its the place where all the music I write comes to life and is shared with the rest of the world. Music is my way of letting out all my pent up feelings of which I have quite a few. My first ever song I wrote and recorded here was called 'Fragile Heart'. It was all about how I felt after I found out about the boys' betrayal. It was an instant hit and I still can't believe how many people seemed to connect with the song in their own way. 

I often ended up stalking the comments section of my own music videos because seeing what my fans had to say just motivated me to keep writing. At first the more negative comments got to me as well since it was my heart an soul I was putting out there and it hurt to have people criticise it. But soon I realised that people are entitled to their own opinion and some people are just dicks with a laptop and nothing better to do with their time. I liked to imagine them as trolls sitting huddled in the corner of their mum's basement. 

As I walked up the street in my awesome heeled boots with my sunglasses shading my eyes from the glare I saw the old SAR building in all its 3 story decaying brick glory. Stereo Anthem wasn't always one of the biggest labels out there and hadn't had a need for a big shiny tower. SAR started out as a small family business that usually took in unknown talents and helped them get their start. Over the years they gained a reputation for signing the best newcomers the industry had seen and for pumping out superstar after superstar. This eye for talent lead to them becoming one of the two two labels in the country.

They did have a flashier studio in the centre of the city where their biggest names went to record their music. I had been to the big studio to record a few things but I preferred the smaller studio, it just felt more like a home than a workplace. Most people forgot this place even existed, but it was where most of SAR's stars first started recording and where the family still kept their private offices. 

I opened the doors and said hi to Karen the receptionist. She was a bubbly brunette that looked as hipster as you could get but was still one of the nicest people I'd ever met. She was also one of the few people who also knew I was Ria. Most people at SAR just thought I was an intern or something. My secret identity was kept from most of the employees as a safeguard against the piranhas, I mean paparazzi. If no-one knew who Ria was then no-one would be able to find her. I did most of my writing at home in my own private studio anyways so I only really needed to come to the studio to record or to go to a stupid meeting, which is why I was here now.

I walked up the stairs to the 'conference room which was just a room filled with couches and a few coffee tables that the Martin family and myself usually used to hang out in during breaks. Most of the Martin family was really chill and down to earth considering they owned a multimillion dollar record label. These guys were practically my family. 

Dave was sitting on the couch with Sheila while Mary and Rufus, Dee and Ry's parents/SAR's top producers, were sitting on the opposite couch all looking casual in shirts and jeans. There were a few more family members/employees also sitting on some of the couches or Aaron was standing chatting with Daria and Ryan at the far side of the room in his fancy business suit. I swear Aaron Martin must have been adopted because while his parents were the epitome of casual, usually both decked out in old band t-shirts and old worn jeans, Aaron was always formal. Although he did usually work at the bigger studio in the city so I guess he had an image to uphold with all the other stuffy businessmen. Uptight egotistical douchbags that worked in their big fancy offices, with their big houses and plastic trophy wives that were probably screwing Ricardo the pool boy while they were off bragging about how important and successful they thought were. 

As douchbaggy as he seemed Aaron was actually alright, he had a knack for business and the same eye for talent as his dad. He was already pretty much running the company anyways so Dave handing over the reigns was really just formality. Which brings us to the whole reason we were having this little 'family' meeting in the first place. Dave stood up as I came in and told us all to sit.

"As you all know I am retiring and handing everything over to Aaron. I'll be heading over to the main offices later today to make the official announcement and Aaron will then officially be in charge. I'm sad to go but I am ready to sit back relax and let you youngster take the reigns. Aaron good luck son and don't let any of these trouble makers get outta line" Dave said mock glaring at Daria, Ryan and I. "Hey" We all shouted out in unison. "Were not trouble makers!" Ryan added. "Oh yeah? What about the time you three tried breaking into the zoo after drinking too much?" Mary said. "Or what about that incident where you managed to set off the sprinklers in the recording studio?" Added in sheila raising her eyebrow at us. "Also there was that time -" Rufus started to chime in before I cut him off. "Ok thats enough. We get it. No need to continue.Plus Mark was also responsible for the sprinkler thing." Mark, Dave's youngest son, who had been looking out the window turned around at my accusation. "Don't try drag me into this! All I did was help you find the pop tarts. I'm not the one who tried to cook them with a blowtorch."  He gave us a smug smile before crossing his arms and sinking back into the couch he was sitting on. We all glared back and were about to argue back before Dave cut us with a pointed look. 

Dave shook h head and chuckled a little before continuing his speech. " Anyways I wanted to give Aaron a chance to tell you his plans for Stereo Anthem's future first before he reveals it at the conference this afternoon. Before you start arguing I actually think it could actually be a good idea and I look forward to hearing all about how it goes - as I'm sipping cocktails on the beach." Dave winks at Sheila, who is shaking her head and most likely questioning her decision to stay with this man child all these years, before joining her on the couch again. Aaron stood up from the table he was sitting on and began what sounded more like a pitch for the board of directors than him talking to his crazy family. 

"Thank you Dad. As you all know Stereo Anthem has grown over the last few years and is now one of the largest recording labels out there. This is due to the level of talent we have acquired over the years and the number of sales we have done because of this talent. However we are still number two to Sonic Sound. While we have an eye for talent they are geniuses when it comes to marketing for their musicians. This is why I have been in talks with Sonic Sound." Why would he be talking to them? those assholes don't know good music from a pig squealing. yes they know how to market but for gods sake they signed some of the biggest douchbags in history. What could they possibly have to offer SAR? 

"They know how to push their stars into the spotlight and we know what to look for and how to create good music. Instead of working against each other we have decided to team up and use our skills to make something that will make both companies a lot of money." Wait is he saying what I think he's saying? No he can't be I must be imagining this. "We are going to partner with them to make a collaboration album between our biggest stars and theirs. This will also help to boost the reputation and sales of both artists" 

As Aaron continued on with his spiel on how he was going to help the company grow and blah blah blah, all I could think about was that this actually meant. Daria and Ryan both glanced at me worryingly as they had figured out what just had too. Collaboration between there companies biggest artist meant that I would- No Ria would have to collaborate with someone at Sonic sound. Sonic Sounds biggest artists were Midnight Rush. All I could think about in that moment was how I take back everything I said about Aaron being an alright guy. Cause In that moment he was orchestrator of my worst nightmare - Having to see those assholes I used to know once again. Having to see they guys that ripped my heart into shreds once again. 

*Unedited*

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Here you go my 9 pairs of eyes now who've seen this so far. Ill continue to try update when I can. Enjoy.