Page 5 of The Burdens We Share
I decide to push Selene in the way that only I can, “Will there be breakfast?”
She sighs, “I will have Matthew order your usual.”
I’m about to grin from ear to ear when I remember I’m on a new nutrition plan thanks to Nara. I feel another wave of thedefeat I felt yesterday hit me before I speak up, “Actually, it’s fine. You don’t need to have Matthew get me anything. I’ll just make something at home.”
Selene pauses on the other end for a moment before she asks, “Is this supposed to be a joke?”
“Why would I joke?”
“Because you’ve never once turned down chocolate waffles the size of your ego.” I can hear the scrutiny in her voice.
My cheeks flame red even though Selene can’t see me. “I know. I’m just on a no-sugar kick lately. My stomach has been feeling a little sensitive.” I lie. I almost feel afraid of how quick the lie came from my mouth. How I didn’t even have to think about it. I remind myself that this is what I have to do. If I want to be the best, sacrifices are part of the package, right? I have to give up my old ways if I want to look like Cami and be as successful as she is.
Selene remains silent another moment before she responds, “Well…okay.” I hear a note of doubt in her voice as if she doesn’t believe me, but doesn’t want to press me before she changes the subject entirely. “Just get here, okay? You don’t want to miss this.”
Before I can respond, she hangs up on me. I groan as I drop my face into my pink satin pillow. My stomach grumbles and all I want right now are those chocolate waffles Selene mentioned, but I force all thoughts of my favorite breakfast at bay before I bring my head up and open my email. I search for the nutrition plan from Nara, and when I find it, I open it and scan the contents.
My jaw practically drops. Nara has me cutting out half of my usual daily food intake. All that’s on here is vegetables and fruits. Boooorrriiing. But I guess this is what it takes to look like Cami. Well, that and sleep which I definitely did not get much of last night.
After the show last night, I went to the club and spent a few hours with Nate. I didn’t drink much, conscious of how drinking can cause bloating. I left around four in the morning and went home only to be rudely awoken by Selene only three hours later. I mean really- who organizes a meeting at seven in the morning? We’re rockstars, aren’t we supposed to be nocturnal?
I toss the pink sheets to the side and roll out of bed before I rise and make my way to the bathroom. There’s no procrastinating getting ready. Not when Selene demanded my presence. When Selene Stone demands something, you deliver. Even if you’re running on three hours of sleep and a carrot stick.
I quickly get ready and when it’s time to get dressed, I freeze. Usually, I wear cropped shirts and revealing clothing but after my interaction with Nara yesterday, I feel insecure. I don’t want to show off too much of my body because what if someone looks at me and sees what Nara saw?
I decide on a pair of loose-fitted jeans and an oversized white t-shirt. I pair it with pink sneakers and avoid looking at myself in the mirror. I’m dressed in something Aria would wear, which is definitely going to draw attention—not that I want it. The less eyes on me right now, the better. I finish the look by pulling my hair into a ponytail and grabbing a pink purse that matches my sneakers.
My stomach grumbles, and I sigh. Today is going to suck if all I can eat is fruits and vegetables at low volume. But whatever. If this is what I have to do to be successful, then I’ll do it.
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SELENE’S OFFICE REMINDS MEof an office that you’d see in a magazine. By that I mean there are no personal effects of any kind and there isn’t a single spec of dust in sight. This isn’t the case for just her office, it’s the case for her entire office building. It’s all white marble, white furniture, and white carpeting.Selene is much like Brody’s fiancé, Harvey. They’re both very regimented and lack a good sense of humor most of the time. Selene doesn’t tolerate mess or loud colors. She likes everything clean and very simple-looking. I can respect it, though if this were my office building, I’d throw some pink accents in here and there.
But alas, this is not my office building and I am not Selene Stone, self made millionaire and owner of the most successful management firm in all of the United States. No, I am but a simple bass player and model.
The elevator door pings and I step out onto Selene’s floor, making my way down the, you guessed it, white hallway and to her office. Once I make it to the door I don’t bother knocking. I swing the door open and find Selene seated at her desk with an impatient, but slightly excited look on her face. Brody and Aria are seated across from her in the white leather chairs. Brody’s hair is its usual mess of blond and black waves. She wears a pair of tight-fitted, black jeans and a red cropped t-shirt with black stars on it. My gaze travels to Aria next. Her auburn hair is in a low, messy bun at the nape of her neck, her blue strands poking out. She wears a black Thunderstrike tank top with jean shorts. I barely have to spare Selene a glance to know she’s sporting her usual pinstripe pantsuit, her black hair slicked into a low bun also.
When all three sets of eyes land on me, the room goes silent and I realize this is exactly how Aria must’ve felt when we had that meeting not too long ago about her sex tape.
Brody grins as her eyes rove over my body, “Wow, Iv. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you in so much clothing.”
I roll my eyes and Aria adds, “Wait a second, didn’t you shit on me a couple months ago for my mock neck?” She has an amused look on her face.
I cross my arms over my chest and snap back, “Yeah, I did,because the turtleneck was ugly as shit.”
“Mock neck,” Aria corrects, annoyance in her tone.
I wave her off, “Ugly is ugly regardless of what name you place in front of it.”
She scoffs, about to bite back, but Selene holds up a hand, “Let’s not. I’m not in the mood for the childish behavior today. I’m in a rarely good mood and the last thing I want is you three clowns ruining it.”
Brody places a hand on her chest, defensively, “Excuse me? I’m not participating in the childish behavior.”
Selene gives her an unconvinced look, “Please stop speaking.” She focuses her gaze on me, “I’m also interested in why you’ve suddenly decided to change your wardrobe, but we have way bigger and more important things to discuss. So can we actually talk about why I brought you all here today?”
I drop into the seat next to Aria and she smiles at me as she pats me on the shoulder. All of our bickering is in good nature. The three of us fight and bicker like sisters, but at the end of the day, our bond is unbreakable. I smile back at her before focusing my full attention on Selene.
“We’re listening,” Brody raises her chin at Selene in encouragement.
