Hux glanced at the dressing room mirror, considering what he had just done. At least, had he dragged Kylo through the mud on television, he would reason that he was just getting back at the singer. But no, he had gone on and apologized—albeit insincerely—and invited Rey to collaborate with him on a new song. He smirked now at the memory of his interviewer's surprise, a sentiment echoed throughout the audience. All had been too stunned to speak, let alone boo.
Did he actually want to make peace with the girl who had practically ruined his life and career? Of course not. But collaboration was the best way to get close enough to her to attempt to turn her against Kylo again—or perhaps even thrust her out of the spotlight completely. Hux mused at this prospect, steepling his fingers as he thought. Both had their own appeal.
Turning Rey against Kylo, yet again? Well, that would just humiliate Kylo even more this time around, seeing how he was attempting to clean up his act. It would also make Rey and her band more vulnerable, so who knows how much Hux could manipulate her then?
But forcing Rey out of the spotlight? That would prompt Kylo to follow, ideally, but furthermore…depending on what he could get his hands on to use against her, he could ruin her completely. There was a tiny pang of sympathy, or possibly his conscience, but Hux was not accustomed to utilizing either of those things, so he just ignored it.
Pushing himself up out of his chair, he began to pace. Before working with With the Resistance the first time, The Knights of Ren had been briefed about certain things not to talk about, under any circumstances. Hux hadn't paid attention, as he had planned to basically avoid the band once out of the studio, but if memory did serve, a majority of the topics must have had to do with Rey.
He had rubbed elbows with Poe before, and knew he had had a decent childhood. Finn was a slight possibility, seeing that the drummer had kept to himself and shrank away from sensitive topics concerning childhood. But Rey was a complete enigma. For all the music industry knew, Rey had strode into LA with her bass on her back, and that was when she had been "born."
So to involve, say, a private investigator in this matter…. Oh, it would be too good. Hux had the money, the time, and the need for vengeance. All he had to do was call…
His phone buzzed, and he jerked in surprise, not expecting the number that flashed across the screen. Kylo. He steeled himself, thumb finding the call button. "Kylo." Despite being on the receiving end, Hux could never resist taking a challenging tone with his former bandmate.
"No. This is Rey." He jerked again, as if shot, smoothing his face now in an attempt to remain calm. "Rey. What a surprise."
She snorted, and he smirked into the phone. He expected her to agree, to blindly accept so as to bitch him out, but instead, he was the one blindsided as he heard her murmur, "I just wanted to congratulate you on your interview. It was an…interesting way to start the morning."
"Of course. Did you consider my offer?" There was a pause, and for a moment, he thought she had hung up. Then he heard her take a breath, pressing on with, "I suppose I would've almost preferred you to insult me. I know Kylo does, seeing that it'd give him a reason to deck you."
"Oh, Kylo. Always with the temper. Still, my offer still stands, if you so desire."
"I think you already know my answer, Hux." Her tone was icey, and as the call disconnected, he wondered if he had gone too far. Shaking his head, Hux decided that there was no such thing, not when it came to revenge. He felt rage creeping into the back of his skull, and as his phone buzzed again, he hurled it at the mirror, cursing the girl who had taken his glory, the nobody who had usurped his fame.