Professional Publicity Stunt » Shawn Mendes✔️

one: it's my job.

A/N: I also have like...no idea what I'm doing here. Because we all know fake relationships for publicity happen all the time, but we never see the behind the scenes of it. And I know zero people personally that are in the industry (Hollywood and all), so this is random speculation.

"I still don't agree with springing this on him before I walk in," I breathe, running a hand through my hair. The plane ride was fine, same as always, but now that I'm in the car with Sidney heading to meet Shawn, the nerves are setting in.

"Would you like to propose a better idea?"

"Oh, don't be like that," I groan, giving him a look. "I don't know."

"Okay then."

"But he's going to freak out. Especially if he's never had a real public relationship. Now you're asking him to be in a fake one?"

"Not asking really so much as telling," Sidney muses, glancing out the window. "I don't believe his publicity team is planning to give him much of a choice."

"Great," I mutter. That just makes my job a thousand times harder when the person I'm supposed to be in the fake relationship with doesn't want to be there in the first place.

For the first time since I got off the plane, Sidney decides to examine my outfit. And I really wish he hadn't.

"I told you to wear something professional."

I gasp. "This is professional," I smirk, looking down at my shirt. It's a jersey of sorts, but with Gryffindor on the back of it. I believe it's supposed to mimic a Quidditch jersey, but I really have no clue. It was a gift from one of my other...clients, I guess we can call them.

"But..." He trails away, pausing suddenly. "I think you might've just helped your case."

"What does that even—"

"We're here," he interrupts me, jumping out of the car before it even has the chance to stop completely.

Heaving a sigh, I follow him out the side door. He shuts the door behind me, his hand immediately moving to my back as he guides me into the building. A small smile crosses my lips when I hear my heels against the tile flooring.

We meet a man in the hall who boards the elevator with us. He introduces himself as Andrew.

"I'm Shawn's manager," he clarifies, looking at me. "You must be Rylie."

"In the flesh," I reply, and then immediately regret my decision. My nerves are not working well with me today, and that response was probably the most cringe-worthy thing I've ever said during a job. I'm supposed to be a professional. "Sorry," I stretch my hand out. "Yes, I'm Rylie Banes. Professional publicity stunt."

Andrew laughs as he shakes my head. "You are the first I've met who has introduced herself that way. Nice to meet you."

First that he's met?

I try not to let my confusion show too much as I laugh, shrugging my shoulders at his comment. I don't normally introduce myself that way, but it is catchy. I might keep it for future endeavors.

My "official" title or whatever is basically a form of a PR Assistant. I'm assisting with public relations and/or publicity, so that's what goes on my resume. Not "Professional publicity stunt" or "Fake girlfriend".

Andrew talks with Sidney briefly about business, but once he asks how Sidney's husband is, I'm suddenly aware that they are closer than I thought.

The elevator dings a moment later, letting us know that we're at our floor. Andrew exits the elevator first, me following behind him with Sidney at my side. We follow him down the hall, past a few conference rooms until we find one that has the door closed.