A/N Again the disclaimer. I do not know personally anyone mentioned. This is purely a fiction exercise. Also because English is not my native language you may have to excuse some mistakes I may write. That being said I hope you enjoy it. :)
Grant has just blurted out like a lunatic that his girlfriend cheated on him and he's still laughing bitterly. You look at without knowing what to say or do. This is totally unexpected.
When the laughter stops you can see he has tears in his eyes. "Who cares if I loved someone and gave them everything I had and they thanked me by cheating on me? It's old news, it happens every day to people, not really a breakthrough story. And see? One less thing for you to worry about: no more overexposure and boasting of my relationship. Cause there isn't one. Happy?"
"Oh shit." You mumble. 'The last thing I needed, a brokenhearted guy...' You think to yourself as Grant tries to dry off his tears quickly. "I'm sorry, I had no idea." You try to soothe him.
"It's ok. And I'm the one sorry. For being an asshole. Again. I swear this isn't the usual me. Sorry, can we erase this embarrassing moment and rewind? I promised Michael I'd behave and cooperate."
"We can do this some other day... If you prefer."
"No, I can't let that ruin anything else in my life, and certainly not my job."
You keep silence for a minute looking at him. The look on his face is heartbreaking. You almost feel like hug him but that would certainly break a dozen rules of professional conduct so you just channel your feelings to the cheating girlfriend, 'bitch, why have a relationship if you're gonna cheat on your partner? I don't really know the details of their relationship but... oh well.'
Grant sighs. "You don't have to feel pity for me. Like I said, it's life. Shit like this happens. And like I said, it's something less you need to worry about. I'm not gonna be distracted by a girlfriend anymore. Or any other girls. I don't wanna even think about that stuff. And sorry I bothered you with this. I'm truly embarrassed. I'm going to focus strictly on my job and career now, so... Shall we continue?"
You nod. "Ok... So..." You quickly turn your mind back to your work again. "About future interviews and events you're attending... I read your file from the previous PR agency. I think we should turn down some of these because they don't fit the direction you wanna go," you show him which ones by handing him a sheet, "... and keep the others. Plus, I think you should do a decent cover article. And I don't mean a cover of some teenager magazine. I mean something like GQ or Esquire." You notice Grant opens his eyes and looks doubtful at you. "You don't agree?" You ask him.
He chuckles. "I'd love to but I don't think any of those magazines would want me, a nobody, in their cover..." He giggles.
You smile. "Now that would be their decision to make, right? And my job to do, right? I contacted a few of them yesterday already. The editor of GQ himself replied me this morning. He said he was actually looking for a fresh new face for a cover, a star-to-be not already an A-list celebrity. And if you really get that role with Scorsese he said we could probably do a cover by the time Affluenza premieres. Then we think about late night talk shows."
"Oh." Grant seems pleasantly surprised.
"Is that a yes?"
"Sure. Absolutely."
"Great. Now your fan mail... I know you get a decent amount of that. Of course you don't have time to see it all and reply to all. As it is written in the contract, we'll be handling that as well. Of course you can at any time check on that. All the lovely gifts they send you will be waiting for you and you then decide what to do." You see Grant nodding and you continue, "now the online platforms, social networks if you prefer... Extremely important nowadays. I already understood you love Twitter, you used it on a daily basis, you get in touch with your fans through it... Fine. You can keep doing that, just keep in mind what I said before about the contents, the overexposure of your private life..." You stop talking, afraid that you remind him of the failed relationship again.
"Ok, I got that. Worry not."
"Then there's facebook... I get that you have a personal profile and a public page...?" You look inquiring at him.
"That's right. I barely use my personal profile and it's private. The public page it's basically to post stuff related to my work."
"Ok... I have a suggestion here. Since your public page is basically a platform to promote your work I was gonna do a proposition here. You let us, me if you will, handle the facebook page. One less thing for you to worry about."
Grant seems to think about it for a moment. Then he shrugs. "Ok. Fine."
You grin. "Great. As for the personal profile..." Grant interrupts you.
"I'll probably delete it. Fans keep bombing me with friend requests which I don't accept because it would defeat the purpose of the 'private profile' and since I don't really use it anymore these days... What do you think?"
You smiles pleased that he's asking for your opinion. "I agree. If something has no use get rid of it. That's my motto."
Grant giggles. "Right."
"So, you are not in more social platforms?"
Grant shakes his head. "No. Just Instangram but that's basically Twitter so..."
"Ok. No Tumblr?"
Grant chuckles. "No. No account. I just check it occasionally."
"Youtube?"
"Oh that. Jeez, you know everything, don't you?" He laughs. "I barely use the account. Generally I just watch videos without even signing in."
"Ok. Good. Anything else?"
"No. I don't think so."
"All right. Now let's just clarify some things here related to your public image, the image people have of you in their minds... As of now, and after my research on you, you strike me, and people in general, as someone who's straight but openly supports LGTB rights," Grant nods firmly at your words, "someone who's anti-bullying, someone who supports Obama and someone who's fond of animals and support their rights?"
Grant nods at every one of your words. "Correct. Why?"
"The better I know you the better I can do my job. For instance if someone wants you to promote their fur clothing line I can immediately turn it down without even bothering you to ask if you'd be interested in that. The same if Romney asked me if you were interested in support him publicly."
Grant giggles amused.
You can't help but grin at his giggling. He looks a lot better smiling like that than the grumpy version of earlier. "Right. So... what about publicity? I mean, advertising. Would you be interested in that?"
"I'd rather focus on my acting career... But..."
"...if something good comes up we can think about it?" You ask hopeful.
"Yeah, I guess. It depends."
"Good. I picture you maybe in some high-end brand pub... A perfume ad. You'd be great in that. A dark, mysterious scenario to contrast with your eyes and hair and skin tone..." You are already visualizing the whole thing in your mind when you focus your attention back on Grant and you realize he's looking at you smiling very entertained.
"Oh, sorry. Sometimes I get carried away. Ok, so advertising is a possibility. Good. Let's carry on. I know you've been shooting for 90210. Another teen show." You smirk. "We can't ignore it but we don't want it also to be highest point of your career of course. I'll find a way in the middle to handle the PR process of that, including a sober press release..."
"My first episode there will only air in January." Grant informs.
"I know. And hopefully by that time you are already cast in the Scorsese movie."
"Thanks for the vote of confidence." He laughs.
"Always. Again, I want what you want. My job here is to help you get what you want. Besides, your success is my success," you find yourself repeating Stella's words, "sorry for the clichés, but they are true. We must be on the same page here. And then again, honest with each other. You're gonna have to tell me when you don't agree with something I say or do, the same way I'll say it to you."
"Ok, I get it." Grant nods smiling.
"Good. So, I think we have discussed the most important issues here. I know you have 90210 shootings scheduled for this afternoon and tomorrow an interview for that morning show related to your comeback to Glee. We're keeping that one so I'm gonna be there tomorrow with you. Then..."
"Oh, you don't have to..." Grant says a bit embarrassed.
"Oh, I do. It's part of my job as your publicist. Haven't you read the contract?" You ask surprised.
Grant seems to blush. "Just a few parts... The lawyers said it was fine so I trust them."
"Ok. I understand, contracts can be really dull. Anyway, I'll be there with you. To handle the boring parts. And then, as I was saying, this Friday there's this movie premiere, high profile people on attendance, press coverage. Excellent opportunity for you to make some contacts. I can put you there, what do you say?"
"Which movie?"
You tell him and he opens his eyes. "Oh dear, really? I'm there."
You grin. "Good. Perfect. Done." You take a look at your notes on your computer. "Uh... Do you have your own stylist?"
Grant hesitates. "Mmm, no... But I don't need one..."
"You do from now on. But worry not. I got that covered too. And it's just for public appearances, of course."
"Jeez, you're bossy..." He giggles.
"Uh?" You look at him not sure you heard him right.
He blushes thinking he has been too bold. "Never mind."
You look at him doubtful but you let it go. It's better to deal with a sassy Grant than a moody, sad and brokenhearted Grant. "So, any questions? Anything you wanna ask me?"
He seems to think for a moment. "Mmmm, I don't think so..."
"Ok, so... can we sign the contract?" You look at him inquiring.
"Yeah, sure." He nods.
"Ok." You pick the contract and you hand it to him. "You have to sign everywhere there's my signature."
"Under?" He looks up to you.
"Under." You feel your cheeks suddenly blushing.
He signs the contract and he hands it back to you. "So, that's all?"
"For now. Here, take my card. Don't hesitate to call if you need anything or have any questions."
Grant accepts your card and after looking at your contact information he inquires with a smile, "Don't you want my number too...?"
"I already have it." You simply say.
Grant raises an eyebrow amused and you roll your eyes. 'Fucking sassy bastard.' you think to yourself, 'you're probably taking me for one of your stupid fans.' You stand up quickly and you adjust your pencil black skirt. "Your number was in your file. I'll send you the information about tomorrow's interview later today. So, if you don't have any more questions that would be all. I will escort you to the reception..."
You start walking towards the door when Grant says, "can I ask you something?"
You nod a bit surprised. "Sure. What is it?"
"How old are you?"
You frown intensely. "Excuse me?"
Grant's expression is now all apologetic. "Oh sorry, I didn't mean to be rude or anything... It's just... I wasn't expecting someone so young." He finally admits.
"Oh. Worry not, I know what I'm doing, regardless of my age." You sound a little spiteful.
"Clearly." He nods, still like he's apologizing. "Thanks. And sorry for bursting out earlier like a lunatic. I... it was embarrassing."
"It's ok, don't worry. I understand." You smile.
"Ok, so... I'll see you tomorrow."
You open the door and you lead the way back to the reception where you find Joan staring at you and Grant. You ignore her and you push the elevator's button.
While you wait there's an awkward silence between you and Grant. "Good luck for your shootings this afternoon." You eventually say to break the silence.
"Thank you." You're finally presented to one of Grant's famous flashy grins.
Luckily the elevator door opens and Grant is finally gone.
You just shake your head and roll your eyes. "Unbelievable."