Professional Publicity Stunt » Shawn Mendes✔️

two: dammit, shawn.

Andrew and Sidney leave us soon after that. Shawn has been pacing the floor ever since they left, and I have to say, it's getting a little annoying.

"How do these things normally go?"

"For one," I chuckle, plopping down on the couch by the window. I pat the space next to me. "Sit. Breathe. You're freaking me out."

"Oh. Sorry."

I shake my head. "I'm teasing. But seriously, come sit down."

Reluctantly, he does. He plops himself down next to me, leaning back against the arm of the couch so he can face me. "I'm sitting."

"Are you breathing?"

He takes a big deep breath, exhaling loudly as a smile crosses his lips. "I think so."

"Good," I laugh. "Hit me with some questions. Whatever's going through your head. Just let it spill out." I pause. "I promise you're having probably the most normal reaction to this I've ever seen."

His eyes widen. "Me? This is normal?"

I nod. "I've had guys start yelling immediately. Others that would wait until management was out of the room to lay into me. Others that were hesitant but jumped right into it for the thrill and seemed a little too eager." I pause, remembering some of those moments. Looking back on them, I smile that I survived, but in the moment, I was uncomfortable. "This is normal. And refreshing. So, questions?"

"What do you...normally do?"

Vague, goodness. He's more nervous than I was earlier. "Well, we would usually go to a fancy restaurant that is open and busy, to get paparazzi or a fan or even someone who barely recognizes you to take a picture and spread it."

He looks terrified.

"But," I pause, clarifying so he will calm down, "they broke my number one rule: no lying to the person. So, I'm breaking their rule. We don't have to go to some busy restaurant tonight, or at all, if that's not you. We can stay here or go get pizza somewhere and start really small." I smile. "You've never done one of these, so I promise I'm planning to take things slow and not overwhelm you."

"Well that's reassuring," he laughs. "Does the paparazzi know it's fake?"

"Nope," I shake my head. "As far as they're concerned, these things are just two reckless people in love moving way too quickly. Even if they do catch on, I doubt they care. It's more money for them. No one normally knows besides mine and the person's management." I pause. "I did have one guy tell his family, so they wouldn't get too invested or anything, but that's rare to do that right off the bat."

"I just...don't want people to think of me differently," he pauses. "Or you, God, how do you do this?"

I chuckle, patting his shoulder. "I stopped worrying a long time about what people thought of me." I pause. That's not totally true. "Or, not really, but I realized that in the long run, no one really cares about what I'm doing. I'm not a big popstar. I'm literally just a pretty girl who has the opportunity to be involved in fake relationships every few months."

"And you don't get attached?"

"I have a No Feelings policy for myself," I murmur, trying not to study the hurt on his face too hard. I glance out at the skyline, the sun reflecting off the glass buildings. "It's easier that way."

"Yeah," he nods. He shakes his head a second later, obviously still processing all of this. "I just can't...get it outta my head that I'm using you."

"I told you," I smile softly. "This is my job. You are one of my many clients. If anything, I'm using you. I do get paid at the end of this."

"You get paid?"