The Come Up || Jacquees

one.

"the come up is hard but the outcome is so beautiful."

Aria

"Aria! Aria! Over here love!"

"You're beautiful Aria!"

"Aria Rose I love you!"

"Aria you're way too beautiful to be single!

That was all I heard as I exited my home and into my silver Mercedes. That's all I ever hear.
I mean sometimes it's gets to me.
Not the compliments but the remarks about me being single. I mean damn, I get it. I don't have a nigga. But it's not my fault that all these niggas wanna be players and shit. My name may sound sweet but don't let it fool you, I'm not with the bullshit.

Right now I was heading to an meeting I had with my manager, Rick.
I don't know what the fuck he wanted to talk about but he said it was important so I guess it was.

I had on a light pink lace bandeau top with light acid washed jean shorts with matching pink sandals. My hair was spilled on top of my head and let me tell you, I was definitely feeling myself.

I hope this meeting doesn't last long because I planned on meeting up with my best friends, Erica & Brooklyn.
We planned on going to a club to get a little more publicity, ya know?

Erica is a hair stylist & makeup artist, she owns her own shop here in Atlanta and is thinking about opening another one in another location and Brooklyn is a model. We are all well know, especially in Atlanta but we just aren't at the very top yet and that's where I'm tryna be.

In about 20 minutes, I arrived to the Def Jam building located in downtown Atlanta. When I walked in I got my normal greetings from the secretary and other people who worked there.
When I walked in Rick's office he was standing up sipping on his regular morning coffee.

"Aria my love! Always a pleasure to see you."
He said as he put down his coffee and gave me a hug. Rick is cool as hell. He always makes sure I'm on my shit, I know it's his job but that's my nigga fr.

"Same to you as always, Rick." I smiled at him. "So wassup?" I said as I as sat down in one of the chairs in front of him.

He sat down and cleared his throat, "First off, congrats to you're EP. "Rose Petals" is very successful and it's only been two weeks." I smiled brightly letting my dimples sink.
But Rick continued, "Rose Petals" has been in second place since it has been released."

My smile suddenly sank, "What? Second place to who?" I asked.

"Another R&B artist, same as you."
I looked him waiting for him to continue.

"His name is Jacquees. He's signed with Cash Money Records. He's at the same position as you and I think he can help you get to where you need to be."

I heard of him before. He's a cute & talented, I never met the kid before though. I know he just recently got signed to Cash Money, and who knows maybe we can help each other as long as he on the same shit I'm on.

I looked at him crazy, "What you talking about Rick?"

"It's just a harmless publicity stunt. His manager and I talked about it and we agreed that it would benefit the both of you."

I paused, "And this stunt would be?"

"Actually all four of us are going to discuss that together and they should be arriving in a few more minutes to be exact."

Me and Rick sat there for about 5 more minutes until he got a call from the office saying he had visitors. And in walked in a middle aged brownskin woman with Jacquees trailing behind her. We made quick eye contact while our managers hugged.

"Aria this Ms. Wallace, and her client, the talented Jacquees. And Ms. Wallace, Jacquees this is the one and only Aria Rose Harris."

I stood up and shook both of their hands and giving them a wide smile. I was always told to use my manners.

When I shook hands with Jacquees, he held my hand a little longer than expected. I looked up and his eyes were staring dead into mines. He had this facial expression that I couldn't exactly read but the tension was very real. Our handshake was quickly broken when his manager spoke. Thank God, because that was awkward.

"Well it's finally nice to meet you, Ms. Harris. I've heard very positive things about you."

I blushed, "Thank you Ms. Wallace and please call me Aria."

She nodded, "Well Aria, I understand that you're manger Rick has told you that there is an opportunity that can help boost yours and Jacquees's career."

I wish they would quit beating around the bush and just tell us what the fuck going on.

I looked over at Jacquees and he had the same facial expression as I did. Confused and anxious.

Rick then spoke, "We came up with the idea that you two should date."

AND WHOOP THERE THE FUCK IT IS.

I swear it's always something!

I sat there dumbfounded and was about to speak until Jacquees beat me to it.

"Okay no disrespect but how is this going to help us exactly?"

His manager responded, "I'm glad you asked Que, well showing the public that you and Ms. Aria have relations will bring more attention to y'all's music. Her fans will be more attracted to your music and your fans will be more attracted to hers. Therefore creating one big fanbase, and stopping any other suspicions they have of you and possibly her. We even want to get you guys on a song together."

We opened our mouths ready to speak again, until Rick cut us off.

"And no you guys don't have to really date, it's just for the public but you guys would have to couple like things. Like going out on dates, a little touching here and there, and meaningless pecks. Nothing too major. But we don't want y'all to start now, we want y'all to get a song out first and then make it seem like you guys are just friends before just making seem that you guys date first."

I looked over Jacquees and he had his hand on his chin looking like he was in deep thought.

"Now the choice is just up to you guys." Rick said placing a contract in front of the both of us stating everything they both said and how they're not responsible if we actually start dating or not. I re-read that part over.

I sighed deeply thinking this over.
Maybe this is a good idea, and I'm not gonna flex, this can be very beneficial to our career and that wouldn't hurt. I'm only scared of one personal problem. Catching feelings.

I sat there little more still thinking until I was snapped out of my thoughts.

"I'll do it." Jacquees spoke.

I looked over at him and he looked at me with this lil smirk. I looked back at our managers as they all looked back at me waiting for my response.

I sighed once again before answering, "I'm down. But this is strictly business." I said signing the contract.

Rick and Ms. Wallace clapped there hands and smiled, while shaking our hands.

Ms. Wallace spoke again, "Well Ms. Aria and Que, we are now in business. This is now the beginning of The Come Up."

Well, on the bright side. I won't get taunted for being single anymore.

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this is chapter one of The Come Up.

let me know your thoughts & comment.

~ xoxo Pebbles.