Empire State of mind

Chapter Thirty-Seven: Protection

Not proofread

Shelby's POV

"Since when you visit prisons pop star" I say causing Tiana to laugh

"I only came here for you" She says and I smile a bit

"It's nice to have someone other than Alyssa comin to visit...how's your music been, heard you used my euphoria sample in one of your songs" I say as I sit down

"I did and it blew up..with some saying why did I sample your song because of our break up but..it fit so well with my vibe for the song" Tiana says and I just nod with a smile

"That's good...I got a question though" I say and Tiana nods

"How Jamal been...how's empire been" I say and Tiana sighs annoyed which catches me off guard

"Good and bad...things have been good in public but Jamal's turned into a real ass since you guys got locked up...being unnecessarily rude to me and other artist and to Becky too" Tiana says which peeks my interest

"Why's that" I say

"I don't know, probably pressure and how busy he's been, your dad really was the only one who could handle it well" She says and I nod, I know he's been an ass but I didn't know he's been an ass to everyone

"Well hopefully it won't be long till we come back and take some pressure off" I say and Tiana smile,s before taking my hands

"You guys will get out...I mean you could even release music while in jail to keep your name out there beside empire takin about y'all" Tiana suggest and I smile

"I may do that" I say, we keep talking till time is up and I head to my cell, I get in and take my notepad and pencil up to my bunk and start writing, I keep feeling ideas coming in my head and I can't help but smile

I start humming out beats and harmonies as I get the some right, I tap on my bed when a certain clang noice makes me pause, I do it again on that same spot and smile before I continue doing it to the beat of my song
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I sit in Luscious's Cell as we smile at the camera, today my dad met with Mimi Whitman, the women who was with cookie at the stupid ass concert they did for us

"You guys tried punking him out...checkmate bitches" I say with a laugh and my father laughs too

"Game over bitches" Luscious says before waving bye to the camera, look to my father and smile

"They really tried us...worst mistake" I say and Luscious laughs with me

"Yea but can't blame them for trying..pretty good how they did it but I taught them that" He says and I nod

"That you did" I say and he looks to me

"I ain't have to teach you anything...you just like me without tryin..none of them like that, maybe Jamal but you Shelby...your different" Luscious says and I shake my head I'm disagreement

"Dad...you gotta realize something" I say and he leans up and looks at me amused

"And what's that" He says as he turns towards me

"You got four versions of yourself out in the world...you raised three, Hakeem the performer...the bravado of you..that showboat high ego type of you, Andre is the business you...smart and makes quick work at any cost...Jamal is your artistry...the passion for music part of you and me.....I'm the hood version...the one that learns to survive on nothing with no help" I say and my father looks at me as he takes in what I said

"You right....that's why I deal with them in different ways...and why you understand me" He says and I smile and nod

"I do....but you can't hate them for being who they are..because they took from you" I say and he sighs