Chapter 3
On gala night, I was backstage, glued to the monitors, watching the red carpet stream.
Jack was dressed to the nines in a custom suit, Violet on his arm. They smiled and waved under the glare of the cameras.
The reporters' questions were getting more and more pointed.
"Mr. Martinez, why aren't you walking the red carpet with Ms. Wynn this time?"
"Violet, is it true Mr. Martinez personally pulled some strings to get you that invite?"
"Are you two dating?"
Jack took the mic, flashing an easy, confident smile. "Violet's a new addition to my company. I see a lot of promise in her. As for Ms. Wynn..." He paused. "She's busy with other responsibilities."
Zoe leaned in, whispering, "Tons of reporters are asking if you and Mr. Martinez had a falling out..."
"Just ignore them," I said, keeping my eyes fixed on the screen. "Focus on camera three. Make sure we get a close-up when Jack gets his award."
"Got it," Zoe said.
Halfway through the gala, my chronic stomach pain flared up again.
I swallowed two pills and headed to the pantry to pour myself some water.
From the end of the hallway, a familiar voice drifted over.
"Jack, am I really not making things harder for Ms. Wynn?" Violet asked.
"She'll deal with it." Jack sounded impatient. "Just focus on not making a fool of yourself when you go up for the award."
"Okay. By the way, is Ms. Wynn in a bad mood lately? She barely even looks at you now," Violet asked.
"That's just her—always moody," Jack said.
My hand was shaking as I gripped the cup.
"But..." Violet pouted, lowering her voice. "Rumor has it she's been chatting up other artists. Is she thinking about leaving us?"
An awkward silence hung in the air for a few seconds.
Jack's voice went cold. "She wouldn't."
He sounded absolute and scornful.
I turned and went back to the monitor room.
Two hours later, Jack won Male Singer of the Year, exactly as everyone expected.
He stood onstage under the spotlight as if he had been made for it.
Halfway through his acceptance speech, he suddenly stopped.
"Finally," Jack said, his eyes locking onto the camera with a piercing gaze, "I want to thank someone. For the past seven years, she's stuck with me through rock bottom and seen me at my messiest."
Whispers spread across the crowd.
"A lot of people say she's just my manager, just someone I work with. But to me, she's..."
He paused again. "A family. Yes, she's a family to me."
He smiled. "Thank you, Laura."
The applause thundered through the hall.
*****
I didn't attend the celebration banquet after the gala.
While I was driving home, Jack called me.
I rejected the call.
He called again, so I powered off my phone without a second thought.
The apartment was pitch black.
I kicked off my heels and collapsed onto the couch.
When I turned my phone back on, my inbox blew up. There were dozens of messages, all from Jack.
Jack: [Where are you?]
Jack: [Why aren't you picking up?]
Jack: [Did you even hear what I said today?]
Jack: [Laura, know when to stop.]
The last one came in ten minutes ago.
Jack: [I'm downstairs at your place.]
I walked over to the window and peeked through the curtain.
Sure enough, his black SUV was parked under the streetlight, a glowing tip of a cigarette flickering in the driver's seat.
Jack hardly ever smoked, only when he was really on edge.
I pulled the curtains closed and went to hit the shower.
The hot water ran over me, but it couldn't wash away that bone-deep exhaustion.
Seven years ago, fresh out of college, I was just an intern at a music company.
Jack was the last hopeful the company signed. He was broke, proud, and difficult in all the ways that mattered.
Everyone said he would never make it. I was the only one who saw the hunger in him.
I stayed up with him rewriting songs, followed him from one cheap gig to the next, and stood by him through every fight with crooked bosses.
When we had nothing, we'd split a cheap meal and call it dinner.
He pulled me close, kissed me, and promised, "Laura, when I make it big, I'll give you everything you deserve."
And he really did make it. Each song was bigger than the last, blowing up the charts.
We moved out of that place, got a new car, and bought a house.
He gave me shares, dividends, and every material reward imaginable.
But then he started bringing girls home all the time.
He said I meddled too much and started taking everything I did for granted.
The bathroom mirror was fogged over.
I wiped it clear and looked at my reflection.
Just thirty, and I already had fine lines creeping around my eyes.
I was not that young anymore.
My phone buzzed again, and this time, it was an unknown number.
I picked up, and a warm, gentle voice came through. "Is this Ms. Laura Wynn?"
"Yeah, speaking."
"Hello, I'm Caleb Sterling from Silverline Media," he said. "Apologies for the unexpected call, but I wanted to ask if you'd be interested in exploring new opportunities? Perhaps a change of workplace?"
I was caught off guard.
Everyone in the industry knew Silverline Media. It was one of the most elite talent management companies out there.
Caleb, the founder, was a legend. He had Silverline listed on the stock market before he even turned thirty. Everyone in the business talked about his genius.
"How did you even get my number?" I asked, caught off guard.
"I've been following you for some time now," Caleb laughed lightly. "Jack wouldn't be where he is today without you. At least half the credit's yours. So, what do you say? Would you consider joining Silverline? I'd be honored to have you."
I looked at my red-rimmed eyes in the mirror and couldn't help but let out a bitter laugh.
"I'm still Jack's manager for now. My contract's got three months left," I said.
"I don't mind waiting," he said.
"Silverline's putting together a rookie training project, and we need someone who's got both experience and guts to take charge. I think you're just the person for the job," Caleb continued.
"Why me?" I asked.
"I've reviewed every career plan you've crafted for Jack. They're precise, bold, and truly visionary," Caleb said.
He paused and then added, "Ms. Wynn, genuine talent shouldn't have to live in someone else's shadow."
I fell silent for a long moment.
"I need some time to think about it," I said.
"Of course," Caleb replied. "Looking forward to hearing from you."