Tetris in Red

12: Tetris in Agony

12: Tetris in Agony

Rhys

"That's me." My voice is a bit unsure as I try to keep my composure.

His eyebrows are scrunched together, his shoulders taut. The same way he acted before I reminded him what he did to me. Guarded. Guilty. As if he's waiting for me to do something that he can use against me.

His gray eyes gleam as he looks down at me like I'm another dirt on his shoes. "What are you doing here?"

He doesn't know why I'm here? I cross my arms. "Funny. I thought you're the one who sent Holland to get me."

His face twists in confusion. "I'm not sure I know what you mean."

Thankfully, Holland chooses that moment to interject. He put a hand on my elbow, pulling me away from Alec. "Don't have time for chitchat. Will explain later. Go sing."

Holland guides me toward a door with a 'Do Not Disturb' sign. Before Alec realizes what's happening, Holland slams it shut on his face. I let out a sigh of relief. I'm not sure if I can handle another minute with him acting like my reminder didn't affect him.

A pang in my chest that causes my hand to involuntarily move toward it. I hate that he's making me feel this way. Hate that he's affecting me. Hurt. Humiliated. Unimportant. I never felt this way since the moment I heard the first lyric of his band's first single that hit the radio.

It was weeks after I met him at the bar.

I had forgotten about him and my notebook. I was done trying to find the latter. I had flipped my apartment upside down but came up nothing. So I just said fuck it. They were all saved on my Tumblr anyway, including the images of my drafts (since I liked updating my followers about my progress). Although, I didn't plan to let anyone see the final product, I still posted them on my account privately. They were safe there. And it's true. They're still left untouched to this day.

When I imagined how I'd lost my notebook and who would find it, I had hoped that it was going to land on someone who would laugh at it when he read how cheesy they were and eventually toss it away. I didn't imagine they were going to be songs. Songs that would be sung by a band and would be heard throughout the world. Songs that would make history and their words would be passed from lips to lips, ears to ears.

It hit the number one spot on Billboard Hot 100 for three weeks straight and was said to be the anthem of the brokenhearted singles. I didn't recognize it at first when it was played on the radio. But as the song continued, I thought it was familiar and I found myself saying the lyrics as it goes.

Then I suddenly remembered the brown-haired, gray-eyed guy who sat with me at the bar while I wrote another set of poems. At first, I couldn't connect the dots. It was all mangled in my brain like an unsolved puzzle. I didn't know what to do. I was panicking on the inside, but I wasn't sure why. It was like my mind couldn't accept the betrayal that slammed me with its ironed fist.

Then I felt hurt and humiliated that I had welcomed the strangers with opened arms and even tried to get to know him. How could he do this? Was he that desperate to make it big in LA and plagiarize someone's work? That he was all right with stealing their heart and soul?

I had no way to contact him. And I didn't feel like exposing him with his lies without exposing me. With Hollywood, they would always find ways to expose you, no matter how hard you try to hide. Then there was this fear that he would turn the table on me, just because he was richer and famous now and I was a nobody.

So I let it go.

But when they released another album this fall, still using my words, I couldn't take it anymore. I have to do something. I have to stop them. I decided I'm not going to allow them to continue this charade anymore.

Fuck the consequences. I'm going all in.

I'm older now, wiser. I'm not the same twenty-year-old woman who was afraid to take a step toward the bigger world.

"Earth to Blocks." I turn toward the familiar voice. I have no idea how long I've been staring at the door, but it must've been long enough if the people in the room are looking at me with concerned faces.

"Do you need water, dear?" An older woman asks, walking toward me.

I dodge her hand that is about to touch my arm and walk toward the nearest chair. I don't think I can handle anyone touching me right now without breaking down on the spot. "Tell me about this project."

xxx

"This is going to be your room." Holland and I stop before the door at the end of the hall. He gives me the keys and begins staring at me in a way that makes your skin crawl.

"What?" I ask when two seconds too many pass by.

"So you know, everyone in the team are residing in this floor—"

I roll my eyes. "I signed an NDA, remember?"

He narrows his eyes. "Just making sure we're clear."

I wave a hand and start unlocking my door. Holland remains standing as I step inside, still staring at me weirdly. "Just say it."

A sigh leaves his lips. "If you wanna talk to Alec, he's in the room next to mine."

"Why are you telling me this?"

He leans against the doorknob as I cross my arms, bracing myself for another wave of bullshit. "I'm going to be honest. The uproar you caused when photos of the both of you leaked out, I didn't expect how big of a deal Alec's relationship state to the fans. I always thought Eunoia is seen as one. I was wrong. Most of them only see Alec..."

His teeth gnaw on his bottom lip. And I realize Holland is nervous. I have never seen him so. I keep silent, urging him to continue. "Their previous album had lesser sales than their first because they'd been quiet. I don't want to tarnish that reputation for publicity, that's why there is you." He sighs. "I promise we'll pay you double than we'd agreed upon, and add your name on all the contracts. We'll even tell the fans that you helped writing most of the songs."

"But not specifically what? Right?"

He even manages to look regretful. So weird. "I'm sorry. We can't do that."

I ponder that over. Deciding that if things go in my favor; telling the fans that those are my songs will possibly turn them a has-been in days, "Those are my soul. Working in the music industry for years should tell you that they are priceless and this is very unfair to me. I already compensated a lot, didn't I?"

He nods.

"I'll think about this overnight. I'll give you my decision tomorrow," I say.

Then I shut the door, not waiting for his reply. I didn't even think about it. It's a no.