Finding My Way

Record Label

Chase's POV

I've always dreamed of becoming an artist, writing my own songs, having a voice and sharing it with others. I didn't know having a public voice would limit my voice in my own life. All of my actions are now calculated by the record label. They control every aspect of my personal life, if they could, they'd control every breath I take.
I didn't completely read the contract I signed at the beginning of my career, and I guess that's my fault.
The thing is, my record company kept it quiet until they knew I wouldn't be able to back talk them. They took me on two tours, released an EP, and started working on an official album, locking me into the contract at least until my album's been released.
Finally home from the meeting, I leaned back onto my headrest and huffed a sigh. They own me until I release my album, there's no way to get out of it.
I try calling y/n one more time, but instead of ringing, it goes straight to voicemail. She either turned her phone off or blocked me. I wish she'd let me explain everything to her. I should've when I gave her her stuff last week, but I was scared. Scared of what she'd think. Scared she'd see me differently. Which I guess doesn't matter anymore, it seems she's made her mind up about me.
I dial Gwen's number, needing someone to talk to that might be able to explain everything to y/n.
"What's up?" She answers.
"Have you talked to y/n lately?" I ask her, eager to hear some type of news that she's okay.
"She's still upset, if that's what you're asking," she says shortly.
"Please just answer the question," I pinch the bridge of my nose in hopes of keeping my voice from breaking.
"I just got off the phone with her five minutes ago," she concedes with a sigh. "You're not the only one she's mad at."
"I think she has me blocked."
"I doubt she'd do that, even after reading that article."
I curse under my breath, "she read it?"
"Yup, it sure makes you out to be a player." She pauses for a second, "I'm not even sure why I'm talking to you, actually. You broke her heart and left me to pick the pieces just to stomp on it again with your new girl."
"Gwen, please don't hang up," I rush but am greeted with silence.
I pull the phone away from my face to see the time still counting, indicating she's still there.
I sigh, "it's fake. It's all fake."
Finally, she asks, "what's fake?"
"This whole stupid new relationship. I didn't want to hurt y/n, you have to believe me."
"Let's make one thing clear, Chase, I do not have to believe anything you say."
"My record label are a bunch of assholes that made me break up with her just for my image," my chest feels lighter with each word I say. "They said that if I didn't, I couldn't keep making music. That I'd turn into a nobody again and I'd be breaching my contract."
She sighs and I can almost picture her running her hand across her face as she debates her next words.
"You shouldn't be telling me this, Chase."
"I had to tell someone, Gwen. I couldn't keep going with no one to talk to."
"No, Chase, you're not getting it. You shouldn't be telling me this. You really need to tell this to y/n. She is heartbroken right now. She doesn't know what she did wrong, what went wrong. And I was there to put her back together, but after this article? I don't know if I'm the one that's going to be able to fix her again."
Silent tears run down my cheeks as I take in her words.
I truly broke y/n this time, and it was my turn to try to make it right.

A/N
Sorry for the major delay in getting this out to you! College has been a whirlwind and I just got a new phone so it's a learning curve.
More to come soon, I promise <3