Page 47 of Brown Sugar
“It means, Kiana,” he says, “let’s not forget who you’re beholden to. The label owns you. The label, if we so choose, could make things very difficult for you.”
A shiver racks my spine. Brows knitted, I read Tommy’s poker face and determine he’s serious. He’s here as a warning.
“You are under contract. Eight albums in ten years. Remind me which album you’re on?”
I don’t answer him, still eyeing him like I’m disturbed.
And I am.
The tone he’s taken with me is unlike any he’s used before. The coldness makes it almost feel like he’s a stranger. Someone who I’ve just met and not a man who has been managing me since I was seventeen…
“You’re on album six,” he says. “Which means you owe us two more albums in the next three years. Which means, should you violate that contract, you’ll have to pay out the rest. And the label will be taking you to court for more costs. All the investments we’ve already made in you. You have been lucrative and have earned millions. But how much will be left once you’re through paying your debts and court costs?”
“Why are you doing this to me? Why are you so angry with me?” I ask, my throat aching suddenly.
“No one is angry with you, Kiana. But we are frustrated. Our patience is wearing thin. You think I wanted to hop on a red eye flight over here because you can’t be trusted? You lied about being sick but spent the day out on the streets? You have made it a recent habit to go against everything we’ve laid out for you.”
My jaw drops open in disbelief. “Are you kidding me? I’ve been doing everything you’ve asked! I’ve been… I’ve been working myself ’til I have nothing left! Why isn’t it ever enough for you?”
“You call breaking up with Shawn on the eve of your new album and tour doing what we’ve asked? You call walking out early in interviews and pulling disappearing acts doing what we’ve asked? You call complaining about increased security measures doing what we’ve asked?” he scolds without missing a beat. He’s finished his glass of bourbon, now sitting up in his chair in his latest tacky velvet suit. “How about the latest? Lying about an illness so you can stay in your hotel suite and fuck your new security guard?”
I don’t even know where to begin.
The numerous accusations each feel like their own toxic smear campaign.
All waged by a man who issupposedto be looking out for my best interests.
I inhale a steadying breath, urging myself to stay calm despite the way my hands feel shaky. I start where it makes most sense.
“I broke up with Shawn because he was cheating on me.”
“Oh please, Kiana. It wouldn’t be the first time a starlet has been two-timed. You know what’s at stake with this album and tour. Your relationshipwasthe centerpiece. That was the entire marketing campaign and selling point. If you wanted to break up with him, that could’ve come with the next album. It could’ve been about the heartbreak and you finding yourself after love.We could’ve done so much with it brand-wise,” he explains. “In the meantime, if you wanted a side piece, we could’ve arranged a discreet one for you. But the way you’ve gone about things?—”
“You mean making my own choices about my personal life?”
“Your personal life is our business,” he goes on. “You should understand this by now.”
I shake my head. “I don’t understand any of this. You expected me to stay in a relationship where I was being cheated on because I was releasing an album?”
“It’s all optics. The timing was terrible.”
“So tell him that!”
“I would… if it were the first time. Everybody’s known what he’s been up to, Kiana. You’ve just been blind.”
A wave of dizzying shock trickles over me ’til I feel like I’m in some warped dream. I bring a hand up to cover my face, trying to understand what I’ve done. Why is Tommy trying so hard to tear me apart?
“You’re saying he’s cheated on me before?”
“Many times,” Tommy chuckles. “Those rumors? They weren’t just rumors. But what are you expecting out of a relationship that started as a contractual obligation? We made an offer to Shawn and his management?—”
“No!” I yell in disbelief. “No, that can’t be?—”
“His team agreed. We arranged a meeting between the two of you. He turned on his swag. You were charmed. The rest was history. But that’s beside the point, Kiana. We will be righting this ship,” Tommy says sternly. He gestures to the server from across the lounge, signaling he’d like another drink. “You’ll be remaining in London for an extra few days to make up on the press engagements you’ve fumbled. Then you’ll be going to NYC for some intense tour practice and a performance on the Queenie Tate show. That should smooth things over. Then it’llbe album release week and you’ll be booked twenty-four seven for months with all the promo and the tour kicking off.”
I’ve collapsed forward in my seat. My elbows dig into my thighs as I sit with my face in my hands and make sense of the fact that my entire love life was orchestrated by my label. What I always imagined was an organic connection with Shawn was a set up from the start…
“Oh, and I forgot. This Tyson fellow? Your new bodyguard you’re so taken with? He’s done,” Tommy says. “He’s no longer your bodyguard. Effective immediately.”