I arrived at Silver Crown Records and moved directly to Fred Orchard's office. I ignored the gazes of the workers and fellow stars around. I already know what they would be thinking, but I didn't care.
"The audacity she has to still show her face here." One person whispered to the next.
Move Maeve, they're mere workers, their words hold no weight. It wasn't something I hadn't heard in my first life.
"What can she do? She's signed to Silver Crown. I wish Mr Orchard would just terminate her contract and drop her."
"Yeah, a woman like her deserves nothing good."
"Can you believe after running around him for years and getting the opportunity to be THE Fred Orchard's wife, she just blew that away."
"It's a golden opportunity every woman wants. I can't believe I loved her music." Another said.
"Ehh, we wouldn't say they were bad. She's had a good time." I ignored their words and marched forward. I wasn't here for the puppets.
When I reached Fred's office, I didn't bother knocking. I was too upset for that. I pushed the door open.
But instead of Fred, I found Mirabelle sitting comfortably in his chair, chatting with Mr. Martin like she owned the company.
The face I saw was different from the cute innocent facade she always put up. But I wasn't surprised. My sweet innocent sister looking like the devil she was not something I should be shocked about.
"Maeve." She jumped to her feet the moment she saw me, eyes wide like she'd just seen a ghost. I should have seen all of these in the past, but I was blinded by it all. I was blinded by her fake care.
"W-what are you doing here?"
I ignored her, scanning the room.
"Maeve, didn't we already talk on the phone?" Mr. Martin tried to sound calm, like he had things under control.
"Where's Fred Orchard? I need to speak with him," I demanded, not caring for their little meeting.
"Brother Fred isn't here. How have you been Maeve? Mother's worried sick about you." Mirabelle walked toward me, her voice dripping with concern.
"Maeve, you can hate me all you want, but please don't ignore me. I've done nothing to you."
I didn't answer. I just stared. Because truthfully, I didn't come here for her. And since when did Mirabelle even show her face in this place?
"Maeve how about your engagement with Mr Grey? I've been meaning to ask you sister, how did it go? Have you spoken to him?" I had no idea why she was suddenly interested in my life.
"It's okay if he didn't say anything and it was all just for show. After all, Mr Grey is way above our level. Not even Fred his nephew gets to see him. Can you imagine?" She laughed placing her hands on her chest.
"Tell Fred Orchard he can't hide from me forever..."
"Who's hiding from you, Eve?" The voice came from behind me. I spun around and there he was. Fred stupid Orchard.
"Fred..." He raised a hand, cutting me off.
"It's Mr. Orchard, Maeve. Don't forget I'm still your boss." My teeth clenched immediately. Of course, he'd go there.
"Fine, Mr. Orchard." I flashed him a sweet smile, the kind that wasn't sweet at all. My tongue was sugar-coated as I spoke out.
"Though I've never seen a boss so eager to work their employees to death. I write songs as a human not some song-making machine."
His brows lifted. "And how exactly does that relate to me?"
"Oh, it relates to you perfectly." My voice stayed calm. "I can't make your twenty million in a single day. Just like you can't sign two thousand contracts before sunset. Let's be real, Mr. Orchard."
I leaned forward, eyes locked on his. "Our deal was clear, no overworking me. Forcing me to churn out eight songs within hours? And rejecting everything I sent before without listening to it is not just unreasonable, but cruel."
"We got divorced Fred, move on from it. We already agreed that work is different from our personal lives."
"Eh! Maeve, what are you talking about? Brother Fred can never ask such of you, that's a death sentence." Mirabelle chimed in as always trying to act like the good one.
"What are you talking about Maeve?" Fred asked and then I turned to Martin who suddenly turned uncomfortable in his chair.
"I only suggested selling the songs because I care about you Maeve, I had no idea you would resort to such tricks." Martin tried to defend himself and I just smiled.
Though I was a little shocked at his lies and betrayal, I never expected anything less.
"We have a new rising star amongst us Maeve. Stop being the bitter senior and help out." Martin said.
"A new rising star should be able to write her own songs, Mr Martin, not try to steal mine," I said.
"Mr Martin you're fired from being my manager. I'll need a new manager Mr Orchard, it's clear this one is working against me." I said calmly.
"I don't give a fuck if you fire me Maeve. You're not loved or important anymore. I would be more than glad to be Rae's new manager Mr Orchard." Martin turned to Fred.
So that is her name, I wondered. He had requested that the songs be sold because he was working for Ama. That double-crossing bitch.
I had a trap set for her and she went ahead to cry to Martin to help steal my songs?
"The faster you realize your career is going nowhere after the divorce the better for you. You're now old Maeve, you're not needed anymore. Let the young girls shine." I ignored the cruel words from Martin.
They had said the same thing in the past.
"Maeve your time is past, you have Fred by your side what other thing do you want?"
"Maeve let the newer girls shine, you're old now!"
"Maeve give them your music. Just write for them and let them shine, if it brings more money to Fred it'll bring more for you!"
I was freaking 24 for crying out loud. People my age haven't even done anything in the industry, yet I'm obligated to resign early?
They had all ganged up to destroy me before. And I had been dumb to not see it. But this time, I was back to wear my crown again and rewrite my story.
"You're a flop Maeve and you've been shelved." Martin continued. A man I once saw as a father, now said the most vile things to me.
"Have I been shelved, Mr Orchard?" I turned to Fred. He was the boss and CEO of Silver Crown, his words were final.
"You haven't done anything in the past four months. Rae has released good songs lately and has been praised by the public." Fred said.
"After the whole scandal, I don't think it's wise for you to release any music under my record label Maeve. You can go elsewhere, but for now, you're not needed here." Fred said to my face.
"Alright," I said calmly and started towards the door.
"Maeve," Fred called and my eyes met his.
"For the upcoming competition, it's best you step down. It's going to be Rae's show." Fred said.
"We'll see about that." I smiled. I was more than prepared for the competition, let's see how Ama wins against me.
"Maeve." I heard Mirabelle's faint voice but I didn't bother responding.