Chapter 2 Two

CoryTitle, the big-shot rapper and son of retired basketball player, Mitch Title, and also the most followed guy on Zeep- the leading social media platform in the country- just DMed me. I've never been more surprised about a DM than I am about this one.

The thing is, Cory and I have known each other since we were kids, and no, it's not what you think. We weren't childhood-sweethearts, not even close. We were just two people whose siblings happened to be best friends, which made us to bump into each other occasionally. My sister and his brother were the typical opposite-sex BFFs who everyone believed loved each other but were to scared to admit. I'm pretty sure they would have dated if the Titles hadn't moved out of their house and left the whole town behind. I mean, they literally left the whole neighbourhood behind, with Cory becoming a rapper and his brother going into acting, the Title name became a surname the whole of America knew. And everyone else in the neighbourhood remained-sorry to say-unprogressive, with only the thought of once having the almighty Titles as neighbours.

In summary, we had never said more than "Hi" to each other despite knowing each other for years. And I was fine with that. What I don't understand is why I've suddenly become someone he can DM when he never gave a shit about me in the past. I guess what they say is true, no one cares about you until you're famous.

I'm writing back before I know it.

TheplumpbottomJudith: Hello Cory. Kindly elaborate?

I smile and hit send. There's no use being friendly and I also don't want to sound desperate. Now that I think of it, I should've waited longer. Maybe the next day.

TheofficialCoryTitle: I have a new song coming and I'll love you to hop on the challenge with me.

Oh yeah. I'd heard it from some gossip site that he was releasing a new song but I thought it was just a rumour.

TheplumpbottomJudith: Oh sure. How do you want it?

I think I shouldn't have put it that way. Shit.

Two minutes later ...

TheofficialCoryTitle: I'll send you the song. See what you can come up with? I want something like a dance challenge or anything that can promote it.

TheplumpbottomJudith: K.

He sends the audio and I play it. The first thing I hear is, "You gotta take your meds bitch, gotta take your meds. You been acting so cranky lately coz your boyfriend banged a hoe, I could hand you a couple dollars if you spent the night with me though." After that, he goes on a long run of swears and curses and my ears cringe.

Oh yeah. This is the reason I don't listen to Cory Title's songs, but apparently, the whole world can't see that the guy has zero talent and is pretty much an asshole. Don't get me wrong, I love rap music- in fact I had my rap-crazy era just last year-, I just find his style of music to be should I say unsatisfying? Maybe it's his voice or his accent or because I knew he was such a snob to me back then.

TheplumpbottomJudith: Okay. Sounds great. I'll go over it and see what I can do.

Yes, it's a lie, but you should never tell an artiste you don't like a song they want to pay you to promote. Especially if it's going to be profitable for you. This is something every influencer should know. As long as you get your cut, then it's not your business if the song is trash. Except if the song is against all the things you believe( okay yeah, maybe I'm an asshole too. A broke asshole).

There's no way I wouldn't get a sweet pay from this. So I have to shove my feminism aside for now.

TheofficialCoryTitle: Okay. Once you show me what you can do. We'll talk about the pay.

Eww. If he puts it like that, it sounds like something else.

Wait, why haven't I thought of the possibility of him not being the one typing. It may be his manager or something. What made me think a whole Cory Title would handle his DM's himself?

TheplumpbottomJudith: I'm down. I'm getting an idea already.

I really have no idea what to do with his song but I have to sound convincing enough for him to trust me. There's no song that cannot be promoted as long as you do it right.

He doesn't even take a minute to reply.

TheofficialCoryTitle: Look, I think it'll be better if we meet in person and shoot the video at once.

Meet in person? Does he still meet with old friends? I thought he was too famous.

TheplumpbottomJudith: okay. Cafe, restaurant? Where do we meet?

TheofficialCoryTitle: Let's meet at my place. I've been avoiding going out for a while. Sorry if this is inconvenient.

TheplumpbottomJudith: what's the issue?

TheofficialCoryTitle: I have to avoid paps at all costs. Haven't been going out that much and don't think it's a good idea to meet at a public place.

Oh, problem with the papparazi.

TheplumpbottomJudith: oh, okay.

TheofficialCoryTitle: so you understand right?

TheplumpbottomJudith: Yeah I get it. They can be very annoying.

I wait for him to send the address to his place, but he doesn't. Even after ten minutes. Wait, his place?

TheplumpbottomJudith: Your place? Like your apartment or something?

His reply comes two minutes later.

TheofficialCoryTitle: I'm staying at our family house. You still remember the address right?

It's definitely not his manager. This is him, I've been talking to him all along. I feel involuntary shivers down my spine that causes me to rub my arms. Why? I honestly don't know.

TheplumpbottomJudith: Sorry I can't remember.

I still know the address, I couldn't possibly forget when me and my sister used to visit the place. But I can't make him feel important enough for me to have the address of their family house stored in my brain. If he thinks I must've moved on to the point I can't remember the house, then I have to act like I have.

He sends the address and I decide to give some space. Like I said, I don't want him to think I'm just sitting idly waiting for his reply. I finish all the snacks on the table before looking back at the screen. He'd sent three messages.

TheofficialCoryTitle: you've seen the address right?

TheofficialCoryTitle: do you feel comfortable with it?

TheofficialCoryTitle: I mean, if you don't we can shoot at another place.

Yes, if I wasn't an influencer and already used to shooting content in people's houses or hotels then maybe I'd feel uncomfortable to meet at his house, but it's my job and I don't care where we meet.

TheplumpbottomJudith: why wouldn't I be?

TheplumpbottomJudith: when do you want to shoot?

He replies with four messages.

TheofficialCoryTitle: thought you might be.

TheofficialCoryTitle: Saturday next week would be cool.

TheofficialCoryTitle: Is that okay with you?

TheofficialCoryTitle: by the way, how're you?

Oh, now he wants to be friendly.

TheplumpbottomJudith: I'm doing great thank you.

A minute later, my phone chimes.

TheofficialCoryTitle: that's good to know.

TheplumpbottomJudith: yeah. So when can we talk about the pay?

We might as well just get down to business instead of initiating useless small talk.

TheofficialCoryTitle: that's nothing to worry about. My manager says he'll pay two thousand for three videos.

TheplumpbottomJudith: two thousand is smaller than I usually charge, you know?

Another lie. I've never even charged up to that amount in my lifetime. This is a big deal I can't miss.

TheofficialCoryTitle: I'll talk to him about it. You guys would settle the price together instead.

Holy shit, I'm going to possibly get over two thousand dollars just for three videos. This is sick.

He doesn't text back anything for three whole minutes, so I go back to the internet where everyone is giving their two cents on my video and how much of a faker I am. I'm almost drowned in the sea of social media hate, when my phone chimes with a message.

TheofficialCoryTitle: So are we okay? Are you in for Saturday?

A minute later, he adds.

TheofficialCoryTitle: How's your sis?

TheplumpbottomJudith: Yeah. Saturday is fine. See you then.

Shutting my laptop, I clean the table and drag myself to bed, feeling satisfied with ignoring his question about my sister. He had never cared before so what does he think changed?

He expects me to forget his horrible behaviour in the past just because he's now famous? Hell no. We still have a lot to talk about, but I'll do all the questioning once we meet on Sunday.

For now, I just have to think of the best dance challenge I can come up with for his song, while also figuring out a way to get people from talking about that Goddamned video before it ruins .my life.