"Talentless Slut to replace Colton Jax." I hold up my phone with the article headline on it to show Niki. She sighs, placing down the glass she's drying with the ratty checkered cloth and looks at me sympathetically.

"Grammy winner Colton Jax was spotted out last night with rapper Jayden Rayner and Oscar-nominated Lucas Laynee. He was seen going into Club 49 in Soho, London. It's not unusual to see Jax living up his usual bachelor style evenings but what was unusual was his choice of words about the rumored new female artist at Hassa Records. Sources have told us that this new artist will be co-writing Jax's album and also take his open slot on his European and American tour. However according to our reporters who witnessed Colton entering the club last night it seems this new artist hasn't made the best impression, Jax used colorful language to describe her, he said 'Hassa Records would never drop me and especially not for some untalented fxxxxxx slut who wouldn't know the first thing about being in the music business'"

I recite the start of the article to Niki and Sammy who have both stopped moving around the bar and are now looking at me awkwardly.

"They might not have been talking about you, babe?" Niki hits Sammy on the arm as if to say of course they are you, idiot.

"We have yet to find out who this mysterious rival artist is, but we know she's a born and bred Londoner." I read out the last line directing it at Sammy.

"Oh..." He looks at me sheepishly.

"An untalented fucking slut? That's what he thinks of me? Now that's what the whole world is going to think of me! I haven't even started at Hassa Records and the world already has this formed opinion of me... from a spoilt prick too "

Tears brew in my eyes, I try and blink them back but ever since Jacob sent me the link this morning I've been on the verge of crying constantly trying to push back the lump I've had flowing in my throat all day. I can't stand the fact that now everyone is going to see me as Colton's untalented fucking slut not Gigi a girl who just wants to sing.

Tears spill down onto my cheeks, Niki pulls me into her slim body wrapping her arms around my shoulders. I can feel Sammy's hand stroke my hair and back offering his comfort too. I probably look like such an idiot right now; I need to stop bloody crying all the time.

"Sorry I feel like I'm an emotional wreck at the moment, I'm being stupid." I mummer into Niki's shoulder.

She pulls away and holds my shoulders as I try and compose myself,

"Oh sweetheart, you need to cut yourself some slack! It's okay to cry, he's a prick and I can't believe he's had the nerve to say that, it's unfair all these artists getting away with being able to say whatever they want to whoever they want just because they're famous. You know you're not untalented or a slut, don't you?" She looks me straight in the eyes waiting for a response.

I don't know, maybe I am untalented, maybe I am a slut. If Colton sees me like that who else does? Maybe I've just been oblivious to it.

"Oi! You're not duckling!" Niki realizes my contemplation and brings me out my thoughts. I nod to satisfy her, but I can't help thinking about it.

All the times I've accidentally sung the wrong note or forgotten the lyrics, all the times I've had writer's block. They're spinning around my head trying to convince me he's right. All the times I've gone out and worn a certain top or skirt, was it too provocative? Does that make me a slut? All these questions buzzing around my mind like an uncontrollable drone.

I return to set up the bar area. Sammy and I are on the early shift tonight meaning it's our job to sort all the glasses from last night and organize everything behind the bar. I'm loading up a dishwasher tray full of last night's empty glasses, most of which are sporting red lipstick stains or greasy fingerprints, but my focus is shot to bits.

Is that why Colton was being nicer this morning? Did he know they were going to print this... of course he did, he was the one who spoke to them.

The anxiety cripples away in my stomach, if I take the deal now everyone's going to know what Colton thinks of me- it's bad enough I'm me anyway, I don't need much help embarrassing myself. A 21-year-old college drop-out from hackney who works as a bartender and PA, abandoned by their father and left with a drugged up alcoholic mother. Great image right there, I'm sure the tabloids would have a field day with that story. The more I think about it the more I understand what Colton's saying, my reputation as those things will forever be there and it would put a strain on Will, the label and even Colton, as much as I hate his guts right now I'd never purposely ruin someone's career.

"I still can't believe you didn't know who he was when you had that argument with him the other night." Sammy comes up behind me, pushing more glasses into the tray.

"What was it about that time?" Niki chuckles,

She doesn't know how we met because if she did, she'd probably fire me for how I treated a customer, I'm praying so hard Sammy keeps his bloody mouth shut.

"You know the other night...? How this whole thing started, she spilled the drinks on him and then they got into a massive argument... where Michelo had to pull her-"

Oh fuck. I stamp on Sammy's foot and quickly grab the tray to take it to the back room with the dishwasher.

"Ohhh..." he says realizing Niki doesn't know and he shouldn't have told her. He returns his focus to cutting slices of pineapple, I scuttle into the backroom quickly hoping Niki won't ask questions, but I can hear their muffled voices.

"Wait, that happened here... in my bar?" Niki asks Sammy who looks very ashamed, he knows he's fucked up. I'm holding my breath so tight I feel like I'm going to combust.

"GIOVANNA," Niki shouts from the bar.

Oh shit, when Niki gets mad, she gets mad. Considering she's done a Sofia and just full named me... I'm in trouble.

I poke my head around to the bar area to find Niki with her arms crossed and eyebrows raised,

"You got into a fight with a customer, whilst on a shift in my bar...?" she says sternly pointing her finger, I shoot daggers at Sammy who just mimes sorry back to me. I wrack my brain thinking about how I can get out of this.

Here goes...

"I'm really sorry Niki I know I shouldn't have but he was just so rude and entitled and it was a really long shift, I know that's no excuse and it was wrong of me to argue with a customer but I'm so sorry." I hold my breath watching her facial expression soften ever so slightly, she sighs and drops her guard, letting her arms uncross and fall to her side.

"I can't say I'm pleased Gi but I can understand how much of an arse he probably was based on this article and well practically everything else you've told me. I know you don't go around picking fights, although I am still curious as to how you got that black eye, and your such a hard worker but you know we don't argue with customers Gigi not to mention the wasted stock that was... spilled on you... so unfortunately I do have to treat you the same as everyone else."

Oh my god, I'm being sacked, all over losing my temper with Colton fucking brilliant. I love working at Niki's and I really couldn't bear looking for a new job that I'd love as much as this one. It's the beginning of the year too, no one would be hiring, shit.

"Take the deal Hassa Records Is giving you." She smirks

My eyes snap up from the dirty floor. WHAT. Did I hear that right? I was one hundred percent sure I was going to get fired or docked pay or something... normal...but now I'm just confused.

"What...? I don't understand..." I lean against the cold counter; it sends little Goosebumps up my skin that's not protected by my uniform.

"Sure, you argued with a customer, but you know what you did was wrong and accepted responsibility. After hearing about the way he's been treating you, honestly, I'll be more pissed at you if you don't take the offer. Now is the time to prove him wrong, prove everyone wrong! You're being offered the opportunity you've always dreamed of, why are you letting things hold you back! You deserve more than anyone to be happy... you deserve the chance to give Luca some hope! I've had the privilege of watching you grow and blossom into such a talented young woman and it would be selfish if you didn't get to share that with the rest of the world. Stop doubting yourself and worrying about everything. Gigi Lastra was born to Take the stage."

I bite my lip, I know Nikis right and I would love more than anything to wipe that smug smile of Colton's face but I can't leave London, I need to think about Luca and Mum- Luca finishes for half term soon and I don't want him to be around mum every day, it's too dangerous. Also, Sofia graduates in a few months, I want to be able to celebrate with her and all her accomplished achievements. The music business is harsh, they could chew me up and spit me out and I'm not sure I can handle being any more of a failure, what if Colton is right and I am nothing more than an untalented slut.

Niki suddenly grabs my cold hands which draws my attention to her bright blue dilated pupils.

"Stop overthinking hunni." She places a kiss on my forehead and walks away to help one of the bands setting up.

"I still can't believe you didn't know who he was, do you live under a rock babe?" Sammy chuckles, I whip him with a tea towel which makes him whine in pain, which makes me chuckle.

"You bitch." He winks, "But uh... how did you get that black eye, it's not overly attractive." He sucks air in between his teeth.

"Gee thanks." I roll my eyes as I slice up a lemon, the acidic juice flows onto my skin where I bite my nails, leaking into the open wounds, I take a sharp breath.

"Hey, what kind of friend would I be if I wasn't honest with you?"

"A good one," I whine, he laughs. I start to tell him about the fight me and Colton had this morning and how nice he was, which was obviously just an act now I know.

"And he fights! Ugh, he's such a daddy, I'd let him hurt me all day." He winks.

Ew, I just groan placing both my hands on the metal counter.

"Wow."

Honestly, I'm pretty speechless. I don't know whether to laugh or cry. I love the way Sammy completely ignores my pressing life problems and focuses on how fit this guy is, sure he looks like he's been carved by the Greek gods but that's not important right now.

"What? You can't deny he isn't gorgeous." He winks at me; I shake my head and walk away.

"You didn't deny it." He shouts over my shoulder.

You can't deny it, especially when I was cleaning him up this morning, his warm tanned skin beneath my fingertips, his sharp bloodied jawline, and his deep pools of icy blue mystery. He was gorgeous, anyone could see that but It's a shame he doesn't have the personality to match.

I'm halfway into my shift and it's just gone about Six O'clock, the bar is filling up with university students and people who have just finished work. The band playing here tonight is also drawing in a lot of customers, they're quite big around the London area so Niki was quick to get them filing available slots we had.

Whatever I do I just can't concentrate, I keep thinking back to what Colton said this morning and the way he analyzed me in the bathroom, it was evident from that article that he wasn't sorry and has no intentions of ever being sorry. I genuinely thought we'd reached a mutual alliance with each other or close to something like that, I was actually getting to see a nicer side of Colton but after I read the article, I'm not sure there is a nice side of Colton. I also kept thinking about what Niki had said, it would be a great opportunity to prove to him that I'm not a talentless slut. But why do I have to prove myself to him?

I do really want this but my mind is torn and I'm not sure how to stick up back up yet.

Suddenly I feel a hand roughly grab my arse. I freeze hoping it's just Sammy being funny, but I turn around to a pair of black eyes, his pupils are so dilated they almost take up the entirety of his iris. I can see the hunger in them as he grins crookedly. I can smell the alcohol rolling off his breath. He gives my arse a firm squeeze again which causes me to gasp, I hear him almost growl under his breath. I freeze, my body starts shaking, my breathing speeding up.

"Sorry sir, if you don't mind- "I say politely and try to move away from him.

He grabs my waist and pushes me up against the wall, he's strong, way too strong for my small body. My heart is beating louder in my ears, his black eyes scan my body then he pushes himself closer onto me. I can feel something hard sticking into my stomach, I hold my breath, I feel physically sick.

"Well hello, sweetheart." He slurs into my ear; I scrunch my eyes tight not wanting to look at him for another second.

Come on Gigi calm down, calm down, you need to get yourself out of this. Be rational and think.

"Open those pretty eyes, I want to see you." His hands wander up the sides of my stomach. He then places his sticky fingers on my face.

NOW.

I swing a fist into the side of his face but his grip on me only tightens, his knuckles turn white with rage.

Fuck. My breathing is now too shallow and too short, I'm about to have a full-blown panic attack and this guy's hands are still all over me.

"You bitch! I've been watching.... you all night, you're a.... tease in that outfit, parading about with half your body on show. It's only fair I get to... sample the goods." He laughs grabbing my arms and flipping me around so now my face is pressed up on the wall and my arms are restrained behind my back.

Tears are pouring out of my eyes and down my face.

He starts trying to undo my uniform, he yanks up my skirt and I whine, I can hear the tear he makes in the bottom of the skirt. Tears still flowing down my warm cheeks I try and struggle against his touch, kicking my legs out and wriggling under his firm grip but he only pushes himself further onto me.

I can feel his callous fingertips wandering up the inside of my thighs as his other hand tries to pull my underwear down. I kick and kick against his legs, but he then clasps his hand around my mouth. Suffocating me.

Suddenly his weight is pulled off mine and I'm left slumped, sobbing against the wall.

Michelo has pulled this guy off me and Is now dragging him out of the crowd that's watching. I feel like a meerkat at the zoo, all eyes on my limp body. My pulse is racing, and my cheeks are blotchy from my tears. I can't hear anything but the isolating pounding in my eardrums.

Niki and Sammy are trying to talk to me, but I can't hear what they're saying, worry rides their facial expressions, I flinch away from their hands that are trying to pull me up.

It was this moment I decided.

I knew what I had to do. I couldn't live like this anymore, constantly worrying about everyone else and stopping myself from doing what I want. Letting people walk all over me. I can't do this job until I'm 60, I can't deal with the harassment from men and angry customers that would be unfair on myself, I need to start living like a 21-year-old, I need to start living for me. It's time to show Colton Jax and the rest of the world I can do this and I'm not a talentless slut. It's my time to prove those who ever doubted me wrong. Niki was right, everyone was right!

I have to go.

I'm not sure what happened in the moments following my realization, my mind was still in a frantic state of shock. I remember running out of the club into the bustling streets, still in my ripped uniform and straight to the tube station. I felt dirty and tears were still pouring down from my wet eyelashes, my make-up was smudged and damp, but my determination ruled over the rest of these things. You could say I went into flight mode, I let my heart take over my head and along the way, I lost communication with my common sense because I am now running through the lobby doors at Hassa Records.

I'm hit with the familiar smell of professionalism and bright white lights.

"I need to see Mr. Castro..." I shout breathless from running, across the clean reception area.

The barbie receptionist looks at me, horrified and probably confused as to why I'm standing there in a partially ripped skirt with makeup running down my face, not to mention the brooding black eye accompanying my flushed cheeks.

She starts making calls on the phone, still giving me a side-eye like I'm going to try and attack her.

"He'll be down now Miss Lastra." She says quietly still scanning my body.

I try and catch my breath before John walks into the room.

"Gigi!" He booms then notices my flailing appearance.

"My lord are you- "

"I'll take the deal," I say quickly cutting him off.

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