A Game of Pretend

Prologue

"I really don't know about this, Richard," I said, looking at him from across the giant marble table. 

He sighed, standing up from the office chair. He began to pace slightly back and forth, running his hands through his gelled-back hair as he thought of the perfect next words. He paused his pacing, "Imagine this, Bella," he started, now turning his body to face me once more, his hands landing on the table in front of me, "you'll be invited onto talk shows, interviews galore."

I was repulsed by the thought. Interviews were my only red flag in this industry. I was already one more uncomfortable couch and cup full of stale water away from pulling the entire plug on Bella-Cherry. "You know how I feel about interviews, Richard."

"I know, I know, just hear me out on this," his emerald green eyes looked down at me, practically staring into my soul, "More interviews means more publicity. The more publicity you have, the more gigs and offers you'll be given. The more gigs offered, the more money we make," he stopped to take in my thoughts.

"Bella-Cherry was not created to give me fame," I started, my deep brown eyes staring back at him, "I wanted to create music as a way for my fans and others to escape reality, not for money. I'm sorry, Richard, but-"

He was quick to cut me off, "Bella-Cherry will have more opportunity to create that music for them," he let another sigh slip through his lips as he sat down across from me once more, "This contract with Mr. English and his manager will open up many more possibilities for your fans, Bella. Mr. English has done this twice before with Rebecca Purge and Lily Smith. They had a small following before English, but after," he paused for effect and then continued, "now, they're household names. Their fanbase has never been stronger. Hell, Purge just went on her first national tour. All thanks to her contract with Cody English."

"I-I," I stuttered. Bella-Cherry's fanbase was already strong, but a tour? A tour would bring them together and to me. I would be able to meet the people that gave me everything, that made me who I am. I paused, looking down at my thumbs for a moment as I thought it over. Richard watched impatiently as he waited for an answer. "Okay," I said after a few moments of overbearing silence.

Richard's smile said it all as he passed the paper over to me with a red pen. I sighed, gripping the pen tightly in my hand. Richard watched every slight move I made as I scribbled my signature down on the thick paper. In the eyes of the public, I was now dating Cody English, a man I've never met before.