Chapter Text
“You don’t need anyone to complete you. You complete yourself.”
The words from that day resounded in her head, even after NSR began their efforts to fix their wrongdoings and misguided visions. Eve sat and pondered over these words once again, the delivery, the way the man who spoke them to her said them, even after all she had done in her blinded fury.
“Perhaps...He is right.”
The diva sighed and propped her arm up on the armrest of a sofa in Tatiana’s office, partly frustrated, partly in thought.
“Someone sounds perplexed. If i didn’t know any better, I’d say it would have to do with that ex of yours.” A voice came, calling Eve from her thoughts once more. A mug was shoved in front of her and Eve looked up to see the CEO of NSR, Tatiana, offering her the cup of coffee, which she happily accepted. “Is it about what he said to you back there?” She asked, sitting next to Eve. The diva nodded and took a sip from her cup.
“So much has happened within the past month, the meetings, the change ups, the re-opening of auditions; not to mention the exhibit list at the gallery and just people in general. Of course most of their jargon is all the same, but it does add up.” Eve spoke, using hand gestures here and there to emphasize her points before resting her head against her propped up hand with a dramatic sigh. “If you really must know, I...have been thinking…” Her hesitation before finishing that statement would be enough to pique Tatiana’s interest, of that she was certain.
Tatiana nodded along in agreement to the things Eve said before raising an eyebrow and shooting her a curious look and put her mug down.
“Well, I mean clearly you have. But...specifically about what? You never make it a point to be so direct. Unless it’s something of importance.”
The way Tatiana phrased her reply stung ever so slightly to Eve, but she understood what her boss meant.
“I thought I was pretty clear all of the time. In any case, I was just thinking that perhaps it would do some good to give the words he said some thought.”
Tatiana hummed and shot her a smirk before picking up her mug again and stirring her coffee while she spoke. “Oh yes, give the one who’s caused you such pain and trauma more thought than you already have simply because he just waltzed back in briefly, made a fool out of you and then filled your head with a half-assed apology and now you think he’s given you some sort of epiphany. Do you not go through this cycle every other month?”
Eve frowned, but couldn’t deny anything Tatiana had said. She was quiet for a moment before turning to look at Tatiana.
“I wouldn’t expect you to understand by this point.” Eve shot back with more of a pretentious bite than needed, much to Tatiana’s disdain. The CEO clicked her tongue and frowned.
“All I’m trying to say is I don’t want to see you fall back in this cycle. I may never know what exactly happened in Evenfall Gallery that day, but...you’ve been off since.” She concluded with a shrug, already knowing these words wouldn’t land the way she intended.
Eve rolled her eyes and stood up. “Tatiana please. Look around, none of us are the same! We’ve got two new districts in the works, the city is so much more lively, and demand for entertainment is higher than ever! I wouldn’t expect you to understand my artistic intricacies anymore, because no one in this godforsaken city does, but heavens, you are not that dense! Not all of us are machines like 1010 who can just mindlessly take orders!” Eve’s voice was rising as she began to pace around Tatiana’s office. Tatiana stood as well and began to approach her after sighing and pinching the bridge of her nose in annoyance.
“Oh for the love of…. Eve, no one is trying to work you like a mindless machine. It’s a difficult adjustment period for everyone. This is a situation we must weather however, for the greater good of the city. You just need to have a logical, clear mind-”
“There you go, again! Why is it that I’m the one who always has the muddled mentality here? Do you truly think that little of me, that I am merely just your puppet? Parade me around for press conferences and meetings like I’m just...just another one of your projects?!” Her emotions were coming to a boiling point, Tatiana scoffing at Eve’s accusations only made things worse.
“Oh, that is rich coming from you of all people, Nadia- ”
“ Don’t call me that.”
“Riiight...But it is. You, the diva who cares the world about people. Who wishes to be accepted and adored. You, who also holds this big fault in that brain of yours where you think someone else can be your next big ‘art piece’. Have you ever taken the time to look at yourself and perhaps understand that you are to blame for why he left? Hmm? Did it ever cross your mind?”
Eve halted her movement and walked right up to Tatiana, glaring past those tiny glasses of her.
“How on Earth could I possibly even have time to process anything when I’m always on display for others’ amusement?” She said through gritted teeth. Tatiana, unphased, just shook her head.
“See Eve? That right there is your problem. If you want to have this conversation then so be it, but you cannot deflect everything as if you are free from fault.”
“I’m not trying to deflect, you’re the one who’s making me out to be some kind of awful being incapable of understanding.” The diva stepped back from the CEO and awaited a response, feeling herself well up with anger and agony.
Tatiana sighed in frustration.
“There’s no reasoning with you, it’s like fighting with a child. Such immense talent trapped within this fragile unpredictable mess of theatrics and-”
It reached a boiling point.
“I CAN’T DO THIS ANYMORE!!” A shout cut off the boss mid-sentence. A diva shaking with pent up emotions and not wanting to be grilled by someone she trusted so dearly as she cast her gaze downward, hands balled into fists.
“Eve…?” Tatiana looked at her, mildly surprised. It wasn’t uncommon for Eve to be so...passionate when speaking but she hardly ever heard Eve genuinely yell at her.
“You heard me! I cannot do this anymore. I… I need a break. From you, from NSR. From...from myself! From… from everything. I-I think I really, truly need this.”
Eve now had her arms hugging herself tightly, refusing to meet the pair of eyes that was trying to gauge her. It was a feeling she knew all too well from so many, both familiar and stranger alike.
“A-always having words put in my mouth, always having someone decide how I’m feeling, someone always blowing off my genuine thoughts. ...I expect that from the crowds, but not you, Tati…”
The way Eve’s voice cracked at the end struck a nerve within Tatiana and she felt guilty from how harsh she was being. She had started monologuing to her own right hand, never having the patience to endure childish antics, but it was clear Eve was trying her best to make herself understood and it was all taken out of context and torn to shreds by Tatiana herself.
“Eve...how long have you been thinking about this?”
“Oh what does it matter, Tatiana! It’s not like any of you would understand! I’m the eccentric one, the one who’s always in her own world. You think I didn’t read what that creep said about me in his notes? “She is without a doubt the most dangerous artist of NSR.” Eve looked up in disbelief and laughed to herself softly. “Dangerous...Like i’m some kind of animal.”
“The eccentric diva loses herself again! NSR’s top artist continues to show how unstable she truly is!” She mocked herself and spread her hand in the air as if to mimic a headline across a billboard. “I think it’s best if I disappear for awhile.”
The flip flopping between moods was something she had developed over time, and it's not one of the things she was proud of, but she couldn’t help it. When they reached their peak, Eve was just as helpless as the next bystander witness to her spirals. Intrusive thoughts swirled within her head, weaving their webs of lies and deceit till she couldn’t take it anymore and held her head in an attempt to ground herself. Despite this she began mumbling to herself a string of apologies and worries.
“Hey shh shhhh. Listen none of their words matter. It’s lonely at the top I know, people start treating you a certain way, they develop this idea of you and refuse to look at the real you.” Eve swatted away the hand that reached out to touch her shoulder.
“Don’t lecture me, please. ...To answer your question, it’s been on my mind for about a month now. I just wasn’t sure how to approach you.” Eve answered after a moment, again refusing to meet the now hurt eyes staring at her. She didn’t want to see the look on her boss, no, her closest confidant’s face.
The two stayed like this in silence for a moment while Tatiana thought. Eve, after some time, finally decided to face her, grateful to have caught her in a moment and not intensely watching her.
“I’m sorry Tatiana.. I’m...not like you. Or, any of you all in NSR really.”
“Eve that doesn’t matter, that’s actually one of the beautiful things about NSR, you all are so vastly different from each other, but can come together to get things done in a neat and orderly fashion.” Tatiana replied, trying to console the artist.
The diva shook her head. “Tati please… I’m only respected because I am seen as like your guard dog. This...this wild and deranged animal that is the final stop before someone tries to get to you. There are things I must find answers to. Perhaps there was more that I was wrong about...Perhaps there is some truth in his words.”
Tatiana tried to interject again and Eve held up a hand to silence her.
“Please. ..I wish I was like you, but...I’m not. I need to understand some things for myself. Because right now...I don’t know why I even perform. And you don’t need an artist like that. So-” Eve paused and sighed.
“I wish to go on an extended leave from NSR for my own reflections and well being.” She couldn’t have been more firm in her words and Tatiana knew it. No more second guessing. No pretending. Just a genuine request. And though it pained her, she knew Eve deserved it. For everything this woman has endured and not having a single moment to just slip through the cracks, Tatiana knew it would not be wise to essentially trap her once more. So with a heavy sigh she spoke.
“I’ll make sure the press is unaware when you slip out. Should you need anything or feel you are ready to return, you know you are always welcome in NSR, Eve.” Tatiana relented. She wasn’t free from fault either, and there was much she knew she had to try and make amends for when it concerned Eve. The last thing she wanted was for Eve to feel trapped any longer.
The diva relaxed her shoulders and nodded.
“That is all then. I must head to Evenfall Gallery before I set out.”
“Right. ..I hope you find what you’re searching for.”
As Eve turned away from Tatiana to leave she was suddenly halted, embraced from behind by Tatiana.
“And please be careful, remember that you are worthy of happiness, Eve. You are a good person and incredibly talented artist. Never forget that, no matter what anyone says to you.” Tatiana whispered these last words that hinted at something more but she said nothing else before releasing Eve who simply nodded and continued walking away. It would be some time before NSR would have its iconic diva return. The Ceo stood in the center of her office, doors closing after Eve and with it a new chapter was just beginning.
“Not a moment to waste, there’s work to be done.”