Page 85 of Fallen Princess: Shadow Stalker

“Look, we see potential here, but we're investing a lot. We need to ensure this partnership is beneficial for both sides. Can you be a bit more flexible?”

“No,” Eden suddenly says with a firm, confident tone. “No fucking way. This is who we are, who I am. Our essence, our music that stays ours.”

The room falls silent momentarily, the tension thick in the air.

“What Aiden and Lauren are trying to say is, as the Sonics, you’re workable,” Oliver explains as if he’s talking to a five-year-old. “As Velocity Vortex, you’re virtually unknowns with no following. The five of you haven’t played live together in a decade. They are doing us a favor.”

Usa favor? I hardly see Oliver in the equation. He dropped Eden in a heartbeat and fired her from the band, but he made a solid fortune off her. He was never part of us. He’s just a mogul in a suit with a ton of connections that we need, but so far, this meeting is a mess.

“We appreciate the offer, and we're willing to work together,” Jagger says, sensing our agitation. “But we don't want to become something we're not.”

“You’re definitely not the same group as you once were, and with that infamous video, there’s no way you can go back there. You’re adults now. We want to sell you as such.”

We remain silent and curious.

“Eden, you’ve changed yourself dramatically.”

“I haven’t,” she retorts sternly. Her brows furrow at Lauren. “This is who I am. Eden Rivers from the Vixens was something you created as a product, a brand. It was never the essence of who I was.”

So now I think I understand the stance Eden has against this woman.

“You walked into that competition with a badly dyed blonde hair job,” Lauren retorts defensively.

“I was thirteen,” Eden sounds vexed. “I had tried to give myself a balayage in my foster family’s bathroom at 2am on the day of the competition.”

I grin at that, but as cute as I imagine Eden back then, I hold the chuckle because I know Eden’s not trying to go down memory lane.

“And we made you into a superstar,” Lauren interjects proudly.

“You made me into a brand. I was a person!” Eden retorts, frustration building in her voice.

The four of us lads sit up straight, fully attentive to Eden's emotions, and we can't help but share her exasperation, not appreciating Lauren's obliviousness to the deeper sentiments behind Eden's words.

“Okay!” Oliver intervenes and moves his entire body forward as if trying to referee between Lauren and Eden. “I think we established that Eden will not go back to the look she had before.”

“She can’t,” Aiden steps in. “This look she has fits well with your songPhoenix Rising,and we want to develop it further. Maybe some more tattoos, a full arm. I think the look Callum has going on works perfectly; bad boy, recovered junkie. Eden, would you consider an entire neck tattoo?”

We all stir uncomfortably in our seats.

“What the bloody fuck?” Callum beats me to saying it.

“We want to go with the full-on heavy rock image. Promote you as a polyamory heavy rock group. Are any of you males coupling together? This would sit well with the woke society, especially TT nation.”

“Are you fucking high?” Eden blares out.

“And you call me junkie?” Callum is one second from expressing himself through his fist. “Mate, your nose is one step from a collapsed septum from all that white powder you love.”

I push my chair out because I’m two seconds from walking out of this shit show. Jagger and Haze are also pulling away from the table.

“This isn’t what—”

“I understand your concern,” Aiden puts his hands out and interrupts Jagger. “But you need to enter the market with a bang. Eden, your career ended as a slut in gangbang, we want to bring you back strong, vigorous, and all five of you united. Hardened and powerful.”

“And gay?” I glare at the two execs because the third hasn’t spoken a word. “Are you out of your fucking mind? We’re not gay, you imbeciles. What’s next? Wear dresses and prance around the stage like freaking princesses? We’re a rock band, not your stereotype factory!”

My voice rings with a mix of frustration and disbelief as I confront them. What the hell kind of absurd suggestion for an image makeover!

“Easy, there. No one's suggesting you change who you are. We're just exploring ideas to broaden your appeal and connect with a wider audience. It's about being authentic, not conforming to stereotypes."The Silent Onefinally breaks his silence, raising an eyebrow and speaking with a calm yet assertive tone.

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