Chapter Text
Groove music studio
Maya is the soul of GROOVE music channel. She has her own weekly tv music show where she performs solo and shares stories about love, music, art or simply just chat with her fans. People are crazy for her, wherever she goes always find herself surrounded with fans who just wants her autograph or sometimes may be just a glimpse.
Today was like any other day, maya was recording for her show, she was going to drop her latest single on her own show and everyone on the the channel had great hopes from her. She was the only reason that this channel was surviving and making money. She had no obligation or contract to stick to this platform but she was loyal like that. The producer of the show gave her her first break, after that it was her talent and charm that bought her fame and money.
Play :- Lying to myself (Narrowhaven)
Everybody in the recording room was just mesmerized by Maya's performance. Nobody knows the inspiration behind her songs but they were all lived by it. When the recording ended, she got applause and cheer that she deserved.
"Maya, Can I have a minute with you, just want to talk to you about some details." Ben Warren producer of the show called her.
"Actually Ben I wanted to talk to you too. I'll come by your office in 15 min."
Maya wrapped everything in the studio and walked out of it with her guitar when suddenly she was crushed into a hug by her best friend and sometimes her partner in show, Victoria Hughes.
They are best friends since college where Maya was a donation student and Vic got in through sports scholarship. They both were there for business degree but maya was a bad influence or may be in that case good influence on Vic. Their passion for music drifted them away from studies and they used to spent all of their time either creating music or partying wildly with their college colleagues. They were popular in their college for all good and bad reasons. Girls and boys were crazy after them and they both enjoyed every bit of attention they had.
Only then arrived Jack Gibson who dated Maya shortly but then became their third wheel in the group. Maya never dated anyone for long, she never believed in relationship but she found a friend in jack and that made him stay in their small group till present. 8 years ago jack graduated with a business degree and handles his father's business and Maya and Vic dropped out from college and pursued their passion in music, but it was just lack or Maya's charm that she got a big break and Vic didn't. But this never came in between their friendship, they are still creating songs together after 8 years and Maya never fail to give Vic her credit.
"Damn girl, who got in you today. This was your best performance upto now, I am sure this will hit the charts in no time and then may be we convince Ben of our next step."
"Thanks Vic, bit this was not only my performance, we both worked on it. And I am going to meet Ben in next few minutes, I am sure I'll convince him after all he never says no to me."
"As if you will listen." Vic scoffed and walked down toward the hall of the company's office together.
Carina's residence - Next day
Maya's latest single was barging through loud speakers in the big two storey apartment owned by Carina deluca. Like any other teenager/adult Andrew was big fan of Maya's music. Even at 9 am in the morning he was listening to her song at loop, which irritated Carina beyond anything.
Carina lived in her apartment with her mother Lucia, Andrew and her cousin Gabriella. She was the only earning member of the family for years and was doing great at her job for last 8 years. Her father cheated on her mother when she was in high school and abandoned them. She became a reserved child and her only focus was to create a living for her family. Nothing ever distracted from her her goals but her first love.
"Carina don't leave for your new job without having breakfast. I baked you your favourite cake for good luck. Andrea for once decrease the volume and eat with us."
"Mama I am not a child anymore and you can't keep feeding me with these calories. And I will get late."
"You still have time to eat I know. Did you meet Mrs. Webber yesterday. How is she doing? "
"Yes mama, I met her yesterday. She is holding up like anyother person would. I asked her to call me if she needs anything."
"Did anyone else came?"
Carina just ignored her mother's last question. Some times thing should be left ignored.
"Andrea for once can you lower the volume per favore, some people have real job to do and need to concentrate on them." Carina shouted at her younger brother.
"Why bother carina, you are now creative head of a music channel, you are basically gonna be surrounded by music."
"May be that's why I need some moment of peace in my own home." She didn't tell Andrew that for which channel she was hired, she knew he would go crazy."
"Carina do you think it's good idea to start you new job in this channel, you had other offers too. May be you can give another thought." Lucia whispered to carina while having breakfast.
"It's the best job for me right now mama, I have to move on it's been 8 years, I can't keep avoiding my problems."
After that carina left the apartment towards her new company.
Groove music studio - Ben Warren's Office
"Ben did you think about my idea. We need to grow bigger, I don't want to be just a tv star. I want to do live performance infront of thousands of people. People goes crazy after seeing me on TV, imagine their reaction when they will see me.performing live. This will definitely bring more money and fame to the channel too." Maya was sitting on Warren's desk table pitching her idea to him second time.
"I never said no you any of your conditions maya and I won't do that now too. But channels viewership was tanking and people just switch on channel for your show only, so board members decided to hire a new creative head for channel. Any new decision will be taken by that person only."
"So now another man with zero music knowledge will tell me how to create music." Maya was getting angry by every minute. One thing she liked working for groove was that she could do anything she want here and now another person will come to dictate her was not settling right with her.
"Well if that makes any better, it's not man but a woman, a very talented and certainly very costly to the company."
"That's even better." Maya left the office in anger. And Ben was left waiting in his office waiting for new creative head.
Carina entered through the big gates of Groove's building. She was anxious as it was first day at her new job which came with big responsibilities but also for what was there waiting for her inside the building.
When she introduced herself to the staff, she was directed towards Ben's office but as he was anxiously waiting for her, he met her in middle.
"Welcome to the Groove's Miss Carina, I was waiting for you only. It's pleasure to have you here with us." Ben was walking her down through the way towards the common are where the people worked together. Vic was also present there with others but just not maya
"Guys listen, everyone welcome our channels new creative head Miss Carina Deluca. She will be joining us from today."
"Miss Carina let me introduce you to everyone. This here is Andy Herrera, she is head of our sound dept. And also she will be helping you here in settling down and other work."
Ben introduced her to every important person in the company. Maya appeared from her office which was above the common area. She observed everything from above and was left shocked when she saw Carina. She made eye contact with Vic downstairs who had same expressions and then just shrugged her shoulders as she also knew nothing.
"And here is most talented and hard working artist of company..." But before Ben could finish.
"Vic Hughes, nice to meet you. How are you, it's been a long time?" Carina met Vic with a genuine smile on her face.
"As I always has been carina just great and cheerful." Vic smiled and then hugged carina.
Everyone was looking dumbfounded at this reunion. When Vic explained, "We were together in same college before I dropped out."
Maya was looking with anger at Vic but soon she composed herself and got ready to make her big entry as she knew it was chance for introduction. She stepped down and then sat on stairs halfway.
"And lastly I don't think she needs an introduction, you must have known her from her show on these channel, our rockstar Maya Bishop."
Maya and carina locked their eyes and stared at each other for few minutes, As it was some kind of battle. Carina brought her right hand forward to shake hands but maya was just standing there not bothering. Carina was prepared for these moment but still it's not everday that you meet the only love of your life after 8 years.
Maya broke the staring contest and shaked hands with carina.
"Welcome to the Groove's Miss Carina, I hope you will enjoy working for our channel." Maya shook the hand and left for her office.
Carina got settled in her new office, and Andy was there to help her.
After few hours
Ben entered in Carina's office and took the seat in front of her desk.
"I know it's your first day and you are here to help the company and I will not interfere in any of your decisions but may be you could listen to Maya's suggestion before coming to any conclusions. She is little spoilt, daughter of rich businessmen, in habit of getting things according to her. So she may find little difficult to new adjustments. Actually I gave her the first break but after that she took it upon herself to move this show forward. I just owe her this one thing, I wont force you but it's just a request.
"Mr. Warren, I was hired to do a job and for that you have to trust me on my decisions. Every decision will be taken in the benefit of this channel."
"That's the only think we want and everyone here just call me Ben. If you not mind may I ask, do you know maya from before?" There was hesitation on Ben's face.
"Yeah just like Vic, maya was also there in the same college and that's the only thing people need to know here." Carina replied while going through some documents.
"Ofcourse." Ben left her office with that.
Maya's office
Maya was lying on her recliner chair playing with the squeeze ball when Vic was sitting beside her for last 30 miniutes.
"So are we not gonna talk about this? Should I ask that how are you holding up?"
"Seriously Vic do you really think I care about her? I was just blindsided for a minute nothing much. Okay. I have handled many of my exes before. She is not a big deal."
"Yeah but your were not married to any of them but Carina." Before maya could say anything Vic left her office.
Groove's Common Area
Carina gathered everyone there for her first meeting. She didn't want any meetings behind closed doors. She understands how artist works and would like to match their tone after all she was married to one a long time ago.
"Hi everyone, I know it's early to come up with any new decisions but I came here with an idea and I would like everyone' support in it."
Maya was standing among others listening to her.
"So I know the position of channel is not good. Only show that bring any viewers is Maya's show. But may be the problem lies there. We got too comfortable in her success that we didn't try to find anything new. She is carrying this channel for a long time now. Everyone's salary come from her show and song even mine too. So I thought why not create more Rockstars, Ben trusted with her few years ago, now I want to trust more people here and have vision to create atleast one or two more Rockstars as big as her. Afterall it's for future of the channel Right. So I wanna conclude by saying that I will watching everybody's performance personally and soon we will have more Rockstars to count on."
Everybody listened to carina silently with their mouth open. Carina on her first day was challenging Maya's supremacy and nobody knew what to do.
Suddenly sounds of clapping engulfed the room and there was Maya clapping for Carina. And everybody joined her.
Ben was little shocked by Maya's reaction he didt expect that from Maya.
"Well in that case and also Maya's latest single breaking records on its 1st day, I would like to throw a party in honour of both of these after duty hours. Now everybody get back to work for remaining hours "
Soon the common room got filled with cheers and excitement.
8 pm at nearest bar
Everybody from the company was gathered together celebrating Maya's success. There were drinks flowing and people were dancing and enjoying the night.
Carina was engrossed in conversation with Andy and other coworkers.
Maya was staring at her while sipping on her whiskey. She was joined by her band member who added fuel to fire that was growing in Maya's heart.
"Her first day and she won everyone's confidence totally disregarding your opinion. And also she wants to create competition for you."
Maya was listening to him patiently her focus was only on brunette who was standing there in her black and white jump suit sharing a laugh with her best friend. She didn't look like Carina that maya married 9 years ago. She was changed in her attitude, more confident, elegant and definitely much more beautiful. But there was too much anger inside Maya to appreciate these things. Finally she was drunk enough to do what she was planning for the moment she saw her today.
She walked towards carina grabbed her hand and dragged her outside the bar and slammed her into the nearest wall. She looked at carina with pure anger, her frontal head vein bulging. Even after 8 years carina knew every tell tale sign of Maya's emotions. Vic witnessed this but thank god everyone was drunk enough to notice
"What are you doing maya, you can't drag me like this, let me go." Carina tried to leave but maya again blocked her path.
"Why are you here Carina?" Maya's voice was seethed with anger.
"I was invited to party Maya, you were there do t you remember."
"Oh I remember everything perfectly, but why are you here in my channel between my people. Even after 8 years you can't stop to follow me."
"Whole world doesn't roam around you Maya. I am not here to follow you, I was offered a job and I took it."
"Ofcourse you took it, who would refuse the opportunity to taste success in name of maya bishop. You must be getting bored so thought let's play with her life once again. Let's use Maya for your own gain again just like you did before. After all Maya is a fool she will give you everything whatever you ask like you asked for divorce and I gave you even that. And then leave her aside like chess piece and move forward."
"I used you Maya? I came after you? Did you forget it was you who proposed me you chased me for months. I didn't even want to get married but you sat infront of my house for three days. And it was you who asked for divorce also not me."
"Yes I asked for divorce but I was angry, next day only I came after you to ask for forgiveness, I cried for you to come back in my life. But you decided for both of us. You got what you wanted from our marriage, a divorce and an alimony of 10 million from my father from which you made your petty career."
A tear fell from Carina's eyes. She could tolerate everything but being accused like this, she worked hard for her career and nobody helped her in that. She knew she was offered money by lane Bishop's lawyer but she never accepted that. She can't believe maya thought of her like this for 8 years.
"Enough maya, you've said enough. Trust if it wasn't for this job I would have never like to meet you again."
She forcefully removed Maya's hand blocking her way and left with teary eye.
"I hate you Carina Deluca, I'll always hate you." Maya shouted from her spot and broke in tears and anger.