Pearly Pressure

-Mai-

I am nobody’s doll. I am my own person. No one will control me. I stared at my manager.

“What did you say?” I asked.

“It’s all for your image,” he said. “Anything to stop the rumors.” He put up his hands in defense. I frowned. Of course this was a PR move.

“No,” I said. My manager gave me a strange look.

“What? Why not? Don’t you care about your reputation?” he asked.

“No,” I said. I turned and walked out of the room.

“Mai!” he shouted after me. I waved him off as I walked out the door. I let it close behind me.

The nerve of him! Who does he think he is?! I am not faking a relationship for my career. I slammed my fist against the wall. What ever happened to it being about the music?

“Excuse me,” a small voice spoke up. I whipped around.

“What?!” I shouted. A petite maid blinked at me.

“I’m just here to clean the room,” she said. I stared at her for a second.

“Oh,” I said. I stepped to the side. The maid said nothing as she went into the room. I sighed and shook my head.

I couldn’t wait to get out of this hotel.

--------

Our idiot manager doesn’t know when to give up. He’s been on the phone with the label. That rat snitched on me.

“You must be joking!” I shouted on the bus. He quickly bowed.

“I’m so sorry!” that little rat shouted. “But they keep breathing down my neck!” Yoko had to hold me back.

“You bastard!” I screamed.

“I’m sorry! I’m so sorry!” he shouted. The bowing made it worse.

“Just stop!” I shouted. I broke out of Yoko’s grasp.

“Get off me!” I shouted. I turned and marched back to my room. I ignored the whispers behind me.

Let them talk. Let them all talk! I don’t care! I refuse to sell out to humor them! I sat down on my bed. Whatever. I have to keep my mind clear for the next stop.

Right.

I frowned to myself. Why the hell was I thinking about him?

Isao.

I gritted my teeth. He did this. Because of him, everything was fucked up. I took in heavy breaths. No matter what I did, I couldn't get him out of my head. I closed my eyes and gritted my teeth. Damn it! Damn him! Damn it all! It took my all to keep my scream in my head.