Empire State of mind

Chapter Forty-Four: Friendship

Shelby's POV

I sit in my room with Armani as I touch up the track and the overlays and synths, I play it back for him and we nod our heads to the music

"Bro this collab is finna be fire...I'm excited" He says as he rubs his hands together and looks at my set up

"I know...Jamal got us with the promotions and all that but now that everything put together...we gotta release it and we're good" I say and dap him up

"Thanks Shelby I really appreciate it...not just yo crazy ass plan getting me some but this opportunity...you givin my daughter and I a chance" Armani says genuinely and I smile

"It ain't no problem....I know how hard shit was for you since your dad died and we only got close after you saved me but...ima get you right because I want better for you and your daughter..plus you got talent and I got connections now" I say and he smiles and hugs me

"Appreciate you" He says, we work on the song some more before he heads out, I start doing some background marketing work since Jamal tryin to get me back at Empire slowly

I finish that up and do some school work to pass time, life gon be right...just gotta get through this

Tay's POV

I do some choreography for Tiana since she got a performance with Shelby coming soon, shit got cancelled due to scheduling issues or some bullshit

"Girls take five" Tiana says as the music stops, I go over to my water and take a sip before closing it and walking to Tiana who's stretching

"Girl....you been tense all day, what's up" I ask nicely and Tiana sighs

"It's nothing" Tiana said dismissively and I frown

"So this what we doin now....we don't talk about what's goin on no more" I say and Tiana gives me an irritated look

"I said I'm fine Tay" She says with some attitude and I give her a look

"Don't get pissy with me Tiana I was just check in on you since you been gettin way too agitated easily....you not fuckin with the plan no more" I ask while whispering the last part

"It's not about the damn plan...just leave me alone, shit" Tiana says before walking off angrily, I look back at the girls and they look at me confused

I shrug and go to my bag, I gotta call Shelby because her girl is trippin
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Shelby's POV

I sigh as Damon paces the room, Val told him she startin to like Hakeem and she don't wanna fuck with him no more

"Bro what do I do....he's gettin her the bag and some while I haven't even gone to play college ball yet" Damon says freakin out and I laugh

"Bro you really gettin twisted about this....you like her or something" I ask and he gives me a look I remember too well

"Ah shît....bro...you gotta talk to her....her relationship with Hakeem is violation of work relationships anyway...convince her and you don't gotta be apart of the plan of more any if you not comfortable..I can deal with Hakeem a different way" I say and Damon shakes his head

"Nah I just.....she's different and I hate deceiving her" He says and I nod

"Then don't...but you gotta do what's right which is talking to her....Hakeem gon get his so I don't fault you for wanting to not be in the plan no more but ima still help you ....that never changed" I say and Damon looks at me sternly

"That's great and all but who helpin you....who's looking out for you" He asks and i frown

"Myself and my dad...plus y'all doin this plan is looking out for me" I say and Damon sucks his teeth

"I mean in the long run...you settin up Tay's little brother, Tay and Armani with they dream careers....and payin my way through college...who gon look out for you in that way" Damon explains and I sigh before getting up and going over to him

"I'm not looking for payment back but what I've asked of y'all...anything else is just from y'all and I support y'all and y'all support me...y'all my family" I say and Damon shakes his head and pulls me into a hug

"I hate yo giving ass" He says and I smile

"I love you too bro" I say genuinely, I don't have brothers

Blood related ones at least

A/n ughhhhh yup a slight filler chapter but not much shit is really happening this far in the episode so just bare with me also how y'all feel about Shelby and her saying she don't got brothers?

Enjoy:)