Chapter Text
The Following is Fan Fiction and should be treated as such. All characters and pictures used are over 18. This story is not related to my previous MBB series.
Fame was a fickle beast, one minute you had it, standing on top of the world, the next it was gone, disappearing through the fingertips like grains of sand. I had been in the game for over ten years now, watching from the sidelines as fledgling hopefuls developed from rookies to superstars and back around again. There were few dead certs in my line of work, managing the talent, but every now and again a certain diamond in the rough would stumble into my office bright eyed and bushy tailed with the same dream as all the others..fame.
Looking out from my beach house towards the sea a familiar figure traced the shoreline. That confidence in her stride along with her signature smile would disarm most men, waving at me from outside. My phone rang with “Toxic Ex”, plastered all over the screen in bright bold lettering.
Our eyes met in real time as I rejected it, packing my bag to get ready for work. This..whatever this was would have to wait. I had a meeting first thing and a couple of PR fires to put out, so Sadie’s childish little games would have to wait. It still hurt, seeing her that was, made worse by the fact that she was a close friend’s client. I say close, but in truth Marco and I were no longer on speaking terms either, since it all..unfolded.
Making my way outside, the sea air did well to clear my mind, taking the back route to avoid bumping into my unwanted visitor, but she read my thoughts, waiting for me as I tried to sneak out.
“Hey stranger..it’s been a while..” Sadie smiled awkwardly.
“Sadie..hey..”
“Didn’t see you there.”
“Listen, I gotta dash. Early morning meeting. Perhaps you can call later.”
“We will talk, promise.” I lied through my teeth, finding it hard to look her in the eyes.
“Ori..we both know you would just reject my call..”
“Better yet, even block me..” She chuckled lightly.
“It’ll only take a second..I promise.”
That last word didn’t really go with her default settings. Neither did truth or loyalty, but I guess God doesn’t give with both hands.
“Listen, at work it’s cool. I can tolerate it..you. But here? In my home?”
“I don’t wanna..”
“It's over..”
“Marco and I..it’s over.”
“I fired him.” Sadie interrupted me.
It shouldn’t have made me feel better, but it did, something I tried my best to hide by walking towards the shore. Sadie followed suit, walking a few metres behind to let me digest what she had just said. Clients rarely fired us, we were the best in the business, having all the connections..unless the company let him go.
“Yeah..they fired him.” Sadie confirmed, her off the shoulder dress invoking memories from the past.
“Ahhh..so they fired him..not you.” I smirked.
“Same difference.”
“Yeah but it really isn’t.”
“Did they find out about you two?”
“Was that it?” I sighed.
“Marco and I haven’t been a couple in a while.”
“But no, it wasn’t that.”
“All I know was that he was asked to clear out his desk late last night..so..” Sadie paused.
“So what?”
“I don’t understand..”
“So..they’ve assigned you to me..again.” She affirmed, almost as a declaration.
It hit like a freight train, opening up old wounds to the salty air, stinging like a bitch.
“Yeah..I don’t think so..” I replied, more out of denial than anything else.
“Head office have already confirmed..”
“I..specifically asked..for you..” Sadie idled in the sand.
“Look, I know we have had our differences in the past. But with this year being so crucial for my career..I need someone I can trust..”
“I just thought..”
“Sadie..”
“Trust is a two way street..” I interrupted this time.
That one cut deep, visibly stirring her to the point of silence, chewing over my words to formulate a suitable response yet coming up with the only one she could say.
“I deserved that..”
“And I am..sorry. I really am.”
“But could you just..think about it? Maybe even take me on l, on a trial basis..see if we still..you know. Gel?” She asked hopefully.
My eyes cast over her, taking in the pleading look on her face, along with her womanly curves. Sadie was still as stunning as ever, which made saying no to her that much harder. I went with the middle ground.
“I’ll think it over.” I replied, in haste.
“Cool..yeah. That’s cool.” Sadie smiled awkwardly.
“You know your way back home from here right?”
“Ori..please. I know this place like the back of my hand.”
“This is the spot where we..” She stopped herself short, sweeping a lock of her brown hair behind her ear, reddening a touch around her cheeks.
“It’s Orion. Nobody Ori anymore.” I replied curtly, turning on my heels and marching away.
I refused to look back, save showing any sign of weakness. It didn’t last more than a few steps, swinging around like a mug to get another look at her, at what a sight she was.
*****
This mornings shocking start didn’t relent much af work either, getting ambushed at the elevator by my assistant Flo, her face in a mild panic
“Sir..Sir..”
“There’s something..”
“Someone..I..” She fretted, pupils dilated, high on a mix of adrenaline and caffeine.
“It’s ok..deep breaths Flo..deep breaths.”
“What’s the deal?” I smiled, putting on a brave face.
My assistant Florence had been with me since the start. An unshakable pillar in the team which brought about the question as to what had got her so rattled this early in the morning. Pointing towards my office I soon figured out why. The glass was fractured in several places along with yellow graffiti writing sprayed all over my door.
“Backstabbing Git” It read.
“Marco..did it Sir. Security have just escorted him out.” She winced.
“Marco?”
“But..why..?”
“I don’t want to hazard a guess..but it's probably because he has lost Sadie to you now..”
“You know, the pride and joy of our company.” She rolled her eyes.
“I feel you Flo..I feel you.”
“I don’t like her that much either..”
“If you say so..Sir.” Flo glared at me playfully.
Before I could state my defense she added another thing to the ever growing list.
“Since your office has been..retired.. I thought I’d house your visitor in the conference room.”
“Visitor? What happened to my 9am meeting with the board?”
“They pushed it to the afternoon, Marco has taken to social media to spill all sorts about the company which is less than ideal as you can imagine..” Flo smiled.
“Something amusing?”
“It’s nothing.”
“But I think you will like her.”
“Who?” I asked bemused.
“The little firecracker in the conference room.” Flo replied, handing me a folder, complete with resume and cover letter.
****
“Miss..Rachel Brockman..” I spoke, entering the conference room.
“Here..I mean..present..Sir.” A dainty brunette replied, standing up to greet me.
She had kind eyes and a petite frame, dressed in all white looking almost angelic. There was a sweetness about her, a down to earth vibe that I got upon shaking her hand.
“So..Miss Brockman. How can I help?” I asked, taking a seat on the opposite side of the large oak table.
She immediately repositioned, picking up her chair and moving it next to mine.
“I..want..I want to be famous.”
“And I heard you’re the best, so here I am.”
“Turn me into a star..Sir..” She beamed, lighting up the room.
“Hmm..you hesitated there a little.” I joked.
“Yes..but not on you.”
“My mom says there are few dead certs in this life..”
“But I believe in my heart that you are one such thing.” She reeled off with genuine heart.
My first impression of her was that she was too innocent for this game. The industry would chew her up and spit her out in six months flat, killing her joy and confidence in one fell swoop, and yet I saw a flicker of something special in her eyes. A spark that if nurtured could turn into something special.
I scanned her file again, Rachel Brockman, just turned nineteen, TikTok performer. I preferred to use that term instead of influencer because it was true. The whole thing was a performance, an act. The medium of consumption was just in the palm of your hands instead of a movie theatre.
Social media had provided talent agencies a steady supply of fresh meat to throw to the wolves. The trick was separating those that would last and those that wouldn’t. Case in point the Hawk Tua girl that came and went faster than a curry induced trip to the bathroom.
“Ok..I’ll bite. Let's get you some fresh headshots with our photographer, test the waters a bit.” I smiled.
“Omigod..thank you..thank you!”
“I promise you, you will not regret this!!” She shrieked in glee.
Flo perked her head inside, ready with the form to submit to our in house studio in anticipation of me giving the green light.
“She was very..very persuasive in wanting to see you.” My assistant laughed.
“FloFlo!” Rachel beamed, embracing Flo like they were best of friends.
“One more thing. I’m gonna need your parents' signature too.”
“But I’m over eighteen?”
“True, but I like to be transparent..builds trust, you know?”
“FloFlo, could you make sure this is done? We can put Miss Brockman.”
“Rachel..you can call me Rachel.” The brunette grinned.
“We can put Rachel on a temporary contract for now till we iron out the details.” I smiled.
The smile faded the second my phone buzzed. It was Sadie again, asking if I had thought about it anymore. Her desperation was kind of stifling, souring the moment somewhat.
“Sir..are you ok?” Flo asked.
Her face said it all, she knew who it was, frowning in response.
“Hmm..yeah. I’ll meet you guys down in the studio. Get her prepped and ready, hopefully we can get some headshots out to our usual sources.” I sighed internally.
“Thank you..”
“Thank you for giving me a chance.” Rachel spoke softly, glancing behind her.
The day had barely started and I already felt the gods stacking the cards against me. The only glimmer from this morning was the angel eyed brunette who was yet to be proven. Glancing at my phone again, I moved my thumbs to type out a response but had nothing, casting my attention to the smashed up office across the hall. Sadie was trouble, I knew this deep down, but yet again I could feel myself waning, drawn to the seductive flame that she shone so brightly.
*****
“How goes it..FloFlo?” I chuckled, joining my assistant downstairs in the studio.
“What? I think she’s adorable. Eager..keen..honest. Unlike some people..” Flo bit her lip, wanting to follow through.
“Listen..I..”
“Permission to speak freely?” She interjected.
“Flo..this isn’t the military. We go way back..so please..”
“The moment she walked in..two years ago, I knew she was trouble.”
“The way she acted..the way she carried herself was so manipulative..so..”
“Dishonest?” I slipped in.
“Yes..exactly that.”
“Watching you..fall for her was like watching a slow motion car crash on repeat.”
“I just don’t..don’t want you to get hurt..not again.” Flo sighed.
She had always been kind hearted, warm and thoughtful. Insightful with her words, you always got the cold hard facts from her lips. It’s why we gelled so well.
“Look..if it happens..”
“It will only be temporary. We can palm her off to one of the others later down the line.” I rationalised.
“But you won’t..she won’t let you..”
“And you’ve already made up your mind, you just don’t know it yet.”
“Look at her..over there, owning the room.”
“That is the future of our team..”
“There..right there, she’s a natural and you know it..” Flo smiled, motioning towards Rachel.
I cast my attention towards the studio setup in front of us. She was right, Rachel was a natural, looking as if she had been doing this all her life. That sweet, honest personality from earlier had given way, given way to a determined pro, working the camera. There was raw attraction to her that I had not really picked up on in our brief meeting. A type of sexual energy that could imprison any man or woman alike.
“Date her..not Sadie.” My assistant joked, nailing me in the ribs.
I didn’t answer immediately, transfixed on the brunette’s ethereal beauty. Our eyes met for a second as she looked past the camera, directly at me as if peering right into the deepest parts of my soul, sending a shiver down my spine.
“Boss..Sir..”
“I was kidding..that was a joke yeah?” Flo snorted.
“What?”
“Yeah..sure..”
“Joke..good joke..” I chuckled.
“Can I trust you to wrap things up here?”
“Get her parent’s signatures, this and that.”
“I’m going to make a few phone calls and set up a proper shoot with a couple of contacts as a starter for ten.” I sighed.
“Sure thing..and Boss..”
“Yeah?”
“Don’t..don’t beat yourself up too much about it.”
“You couldn't see it coming.” Flo sighed, placing a comforting hand on my arm.She was wrong about that one, about me being blindsided. The signs were there as clear as day, yet I brushed it under the carpet in the name of love.
“Yes..well. We live and learn..right?” I sighed internally.
I left them there to finish off the shoot, retiring back to the office, albeit smashed to pieces at the front it gave me a temporary cover, masking my presence.
The next part was easy, sending out the feelers to try and get an easy first gig for our newest recruit. Given her babyface looks and overall petite stature, we could chase a number of markets. That early twenties, late teens party scene was all the rage these days. Posting group photos with celebs at Coachella was one sure way to get noticed, together with a couple of shoots on say a lavish yacht. It was all very formulaic, as to the state of the game right now. Easy to penetrate but difficult to embed, many of the aspiring twentysomethings lasted a year at best, the others panicking when those viewings start to dwindle, turning to opening an Onlyfans to boost those numbers.
This is where me and my team stepped in. We managed the bigger picture, sourced the right opportunities, shielded our clients from most of the shady people that stalked this youth heavy business.
“Rapp..Rapp..”
“Come in..” I replied to the knock on my door, not taking my eyes off the computer screen as Rachel’s tiny figure popped into my peripheral vision.
“Sir..Mr..”
“Mr.Manager..” Rachel spoke tentatively, peeking her face around my laptop to grab my full attention.
I lifted my face, instinctively giving the brunette the once over out of habit, something that made her cheeks redden ever so slightly.
“I just wanted to say thank you again..”
“I’m a blank slate..”
“Willing to learn..whatever you think is right..whatever you need from me, I’m willing.” She finished, shoulding her shoulders back to exide a false sense of confidence.
“First of all..”
“Never say that..to anyone, not even me. Fame is not worth everything, especially not your dignity. Stick close to your morals..the team and I are here to support, but it will always come back to what you feel is right. Understood?” I replied, imparting my first, crucial lesson I had for the budding new hopeful.
“I..ok..”
“Understood.” She smiled coyly.
“Tell me Rachel..what do you want? Like really want from this?” I turned, closing my laptop and giving her my full, undivided focus.
I half expected a response along the lines of living her best life or something blasé like that, but was pleasantly surprised by her answer.
“To be honest..I haven’t quite figured that one out yet..I just know I’m in good hands.” Rachel replied, studying me with her hazel eyes.
She was beautiful, that was for sure, maybe the most stunning that had ever walked into my office. It would be amiss of me to say otherwise. There was an air of innocence about her, wrapped up in the prettiest of packages.
“Good job today..Rachel.”
“I’ll be in touch with the dates for your first project. You have my number on the brochure.”
“Just let Flo know when your parents have signed your..”
“I have it..they are here to pick me up.”
“See that blue car outside..that's them.” Rachel smiled, handing me the pre contractual agreement.
“Wow..efficient..I like it. I may introduce myself as they are here..” I started, before she moved to stand up.
“Mama has to work in a bit..so I better go..if..that's ok..Sir..”
“Please call me Orion..”
“Ori..” Rachel giggled, tilting her head to the side.
“It’s cuter.”
“Right..”
“Well..as I said. My number is on my card. We will be in touch.” I smiled.
“Thank you..again..Sir..Ori.” Rachel mused, taking leave, departing with a spriteley spring in her step and the remnants of her fruity perfume left in her wake.
Studying the signatures, it was clearly a forgery, done with the person's writing hand to make it look different. Peering outside to see which car Rachel stepped in, she wasn’t lying there, it was the blue one. But her mom looked more like a young man than a parent, leaning over to kiss her on the lips.
“Ahhh..I love my work..I love my work..” I chanted.
I admired her steadfast determination, but this little fake signature thing would have to be brought up when we next met. In the meantime I had a decision to make, staring at my phone as it lit up with Toxic Ex once again.
To be continued..