LoosingHope16

Chapter 16 (Later that week)

The next few weeks had been nothing but a blur to Mackenzie. She had performed on just about all the morning shows and radio concerts in America and now she was back in Orlando for a few days to finish up recording. Tabloids had been going crazy saying that Justin and Mackenzie were together which caused quite a media stir. Although they denied the rumors it didn't help that they went to a prom together or that Mackenzie recorded a song with Nsync. Both of them knew the things they were doing together would only cause more rumors but what were they supposed to do, stop being friends?
"Hell no." Justin said to Joey as they walked down the almost empty hallway at Jive Records.
"Come on, J, please." Joey said trying to persuade him.
"No, man. I'm not going to go die my hair blue."
"Why not! It would look cool! We could be like the fire and ice thing! I'm red your blue. We could start a trend." Joey said pointing to his newly dyed hair. "Come on! With the album about to come out...it would be so cool."
"No, Joey. I'm sorry but no."
Joey looked at him one last time before sighing, "Aw, you suck man. Where's Lance?" Joey said walking into a small conference room where they would meet with some of the people who helped the on their new album. "Lance! You're just the person I wanted to see!" Joey said smiling when he walked in the room and saw Lance, JC, Chris and Johnny talking.

"I don't understand what your problem is." Mackenzie yelled to Mr. Martins leaving his office.
"I've told you this before, Ms. Hope. You obviously learned nothing from all those rumors that are surrounding you and Justin. If you would have listened to me and stayed away from them none of this would be happening." Mr. Martins said following closely behind her.
"And I've told you this before. Mr. Martins." She said emphasizing on his name, "I'm not going to stay away from the people who have accepted me the most. You can't make me stay away from my best friends. I won't do it." she said about to walk away before his hand grabbed her arm and pushed her against the wall in the hallway.
"You listen to me and listen to me good. I am your manager and you will do what I say when I say it. Understood."
"Get your hands off of me." Mackenzie said through the fear that was over coming her. Here she was standing in an empty hallway with a man who was much bigger than her and could hurt her easily. Maybe being outspoken at this time wasn't a good idea with him pushing her back into the wall but she certainly wasn't going to bow down to his commands.
"I don't know..." he paused when he realized he was yelling and tightened his grip on her arm. "I don't know where this spunk is coming from but I don't like it. I expect that the next time I see you, you will realize that what you are doing here could get you fired. Don't think I won't do it because I will. I want you to stay away from those Nsync boys. You hear me." he said slamming her harder into the wall. "The only time you will see them is at the video shoot in a few days and a few promotional things for that song. But that is it. So I suggest you find some new friends because you won't be hanging out with them any more." he said pushing her back once more before releasing his grip, straightening his suit and starting to walk down the hall.
"I wonder if he actually thought I was listening?" Mackenzie said aloud knowing that he heard her.
"What was that?" he asked turning around with anger written on his face.
"I said I wonder if you think people around here respect you or even listen to what you have to say because I sure as hell don't."
As soon as the statement was said, Mackenzie knew she had made a mistake. The anger that was already written on his face and the determination in his eyes scared her. She was backing up when he pushed her arm causing her already throbbing shoulder to slam into the wall again. "If you ever EVER say anything like that again so help me God...I will make your life a living nightmare." he pushed her again before releasing her arm and quickly walking away. Mackenzie had never seen him act like that in her life. She was afraid of the anger and the determination in his voice but at the same time she was happy that she stood up for herself. She quickly put on a sweatshirt that had been tied around her waist to cover any bruise that might appear there and went in search of ice. His words were replaying over and over in her head but she knew that she couldn't tell anyone about this especially Justin.
What Mackenzie didn't know was that 5 caring pop stars and 1 powerful manager were sitting in the room behind them listening to everything that had taken place.