THE RULES OF FAME

Chapter 10 - Press Release

Peyton Bell

Lou was so efficient that an hour later, I had both PR teams and Eddie sitting in the conference room.

I walked in, owning the room. Seriously pissed and annoyed by what Shanty had tried to pull. They all look at me, expectant, weary. Eddie rolled his eyes; he was fed up with the PR and Media chit as well. He just wanted my reputation cleaned and to keep the work flowing. All of this was a distraction and a literal waste of time.

"Thanks for coming at such short notice," I said, and Eddie smirked.

"It was not as if Lou gave us any other option," he replied, and I looked at Lou standing by the door and gave him a polite nod. One that said, "I owe you one,"

"Right, let's cut to the chase..." I said, and sat on my chair, and everyone looked at me.

"This morning, Shanty showed up here and dared to use my office as her waiting room," I said, and Eddie raised his eyebrows. "I clearly remember telling you getting me involved with her was a horrible idea... right?" I asked, and my PR team's head nodded.

"Well, I am here to tell you that it was... it has been proven. She walked into my space, claimed she was my girlfriend, and when I corrected her, she said that I had better be a good boyfriend, or she would go to the media and reveal it was all a stunt," I said, and my PR team glared at hers.

"You told us this was something settled, and now she is trying to take advantage of the situation?" One of my PR people yelled.

"We had no idea about it. We will talk to her," One of Shanty's PR people said, and I laughed.

"Talk? Seriously? Are you f*****g stupid?" I squinted my eyes at them and the shrunk on their chairs.

"You couldn't keep her on a leash half a day. Do you honestly believe she will listen to you?" I pointed at the PR guy who dared speak, "Or you?" I pointed at the woman sitting beside him. Both of them squirmed into their chairs.

"No, I want this f*****g thing wiped out..." I said, and everyone gasped.

"Yes, you heard me..." I said, and then soft mumbles started filling the room.

"If we release a statement, your reputation as a womanizer will continue..." One of her PR team said, and I looked at him as if he was stupid, maybe he was.

"No, if I clean my act. I can be seen going to the park with my mother and little half-brother. I can do other things that show me as a relatable artist, not the dickhead I was," I said, and glared at Eddie. He and Leon suggested this was the way to go.

Eddie nodded; he was not going to fight me on this one. "I am not going to go to parties, nor going to get drunk. I am going to get sober and clean... alone," I said, and they all gasped...

"And as for Shanty? I don't f*****g care what she wants, or what she thinks... keep her on a leash..." I said, and they all squirmed.

"I need you to make a press statement," I said to my PR Team. "Work with them, so you can manage that f*****g date as a friend's catching-up thing..." I said, and then looked at Lou.

"Lou, work with them... I don't want any other mistakes," I said, and they nodded.

"Eddie, may I have a word?" I asked him and he nodded.

I walked out of the office, and he followed me into mine. "What's up?" he asked, and I turned around.

"I mean this," I said, and he nodded.

"I never questioned it..." he sighed, and I nodded.

"It might have been a good idea several days ago, but with what happened today..." I paused, and he nodded.

"You made the right call. In fact, it was good timing, because the news was still fresh, and the press release would kill the whole thing..." Eddie patted my back, and I took a deep huff.

"I need to go to the studio, just pray that I won't end up losing Vanessa over this f*****g stunt," I glared at him, and he looked at me, the realization of what I had on the line evident in his face.

I turned around and stepped into the cabin. The B-Boys were there, and I smiled at the way they were working on the song. "Hey, man..." Bobby, one of my sound managers, greeted me.

"You need to pump the bass and increase the sound of the harmonies," I said, and they looked at me as if I had grown a second head.

"Peyton, the mood of the entire song will change if I do that..." he said, and I nodded.

"Just do it, and let them decide..." I sighed, I tapped on the glass, and then I opened the mic. "Guys, can you come over here a minute?" I said, and the band walked out of the studio and into the cabin.

"Yo! Peyton..." Harry, the lead voice of the B-Boys, greeted me.

"Harry, Curtis, Carter, Brandon, Joey..." I shook hands with all of them, and they looked at me with a glow in their eyes.

"Spit it..." I said, and Carter laughed.

"You and Shanty? Man, she is crazy..." Carter said, and I rolled my eyes.

"PR stunt gone wrong. My team is on it," I said, and they laughed.

"Man, whoever did that to you must hate you..." Joey said. "I mean, she is hot, but no p***y is worth that much trouble," he finished, and I rolled my eyes.

"Don't tell me about it. I got into trouble, without the pussy." I laughed because that was left to do in this f****d up situation. I cleared my throat, "But I didn't call you in here to discuss that. I want you to listen to this version," I said, and nodded at them. Bobby played the version with the adjustment I had made.

"It has our vibe, but different..." Brandon said, and I nodded.

"The music is heavier, the bass is louder, more grounding..." I said, and they nodded, their heads bobbing to the rhythm of the song.

"I f*****g love it," Harry smirked, and I patted their back.

"I think we can work on the arrangements of this song tonight, the vocals are all done... and we can meet tomorrow to tackle the next song," I patted their backs, and they smirked.

"Yeah, early at night..." they celebrated for like five seconds, and then Harry sighed, "I'm crushed, I want to take out and ten hours of sleep," he said, and the others agreed.

I took a deep breath and started giving Bobby some instructions on the post-production of the song. I took another long breath, and I saw Lou walking into the cabin.

"Peyton, a minute," he said, and handed me a piece of paper.

"Peyton Bell and Shanty Address Recent Speculation

Manhattan, New York

In light of recent media reports and online speculation, acclaimed music producer Peyton Bell and global pop icon Shanty wish to clarify the nature of their recent public appearance.

Several nights ago, the two were photographed dining together at a well-known restaurant, leading to rumors of a possible romantic relationship. Both Bell and Shanty have confirmed that the meeting was strictly professional and friendly in nature.

“Shanty and I have known each other for years,” said Peyton Bell. “We were simply catching up and discussing creative ideas for her upcoming record. There’s a lot of mutual respect between us as artists, and we’re excited about what’s next musically.”

While details of the collaboration remain under wraps, sources close to both artists confirm that studio sessions are expected to begin later this year.

Both parties respectfully ask fans and media outlets to avoid spreading false narratives, emphasizing that their connection is creative, not romantic.

For press inquiries, please contact:

Lou Rhodes

Public Relations Manager

Muse-Bell Music Production Company

📧 press@mbproductions.com

📞 (310) 555-2971"

"How’s that for clearing up the air?" Lou asked, and I nodded.

"Send it and let's get over this," I said, praying that none of this mess had reached Nessa´s ears.