❛HE'S GONE.❜
━━ IMANI DEVAN.
/
COME & TALK TO ME | CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE.
❝LET BYGONES BE BYGONES.❞
' NOV 𝟏𝟗𝟗𝟐 '
[ NEW YORK, NEW YORK ]
"There's just something about this that's missing." Imani rubbed her temples in frustration, her feet tapping against the smooth wooden flooring.
The in-studio producer that Andre had sent for her kept on mingling with different beats for the song that she wanted but none sounded good. Well to Imani it didn't.
Something was missing, something that lacked within the beats. He was a good producer she'll admit that but it just wasn't good enough for her.
Maybe the privilege of having a boyfriend who knows how to produce is spoiling her but it gave her a good ear on knowing what things should and shouldn't sound.
She was just about to ask him to switch out the beat when the studio doors busted open revealing someone that she hadn't seen in a while.
"Imani! Did you hear what happened?" Dalvin bursts through the studio doors causing the woman to look at him with wide eyes.
"Dalvin what's wrong?" Imani stands up abruptly walking over to where Dalvin stood. He looked frantic almost even scared and that made Imani worried.
"I don't know man but I was at Uptown for a meeting and come to find out Andre just fired Puff." It was as if a pin dropped by the revelation. Stepping back, Imani's eyes furrowed deeply, Andre fired the one man who was the reason why some of the artists he had on that label image were put together the way it was now.
"C'mon let's go!" Imani didn't have any time to react as she was immediately dragged out of the studio.
The car ride was eerily silent as neither had anything to say. They'd just find out that their A&R was fired so saying anything would just make the mood worsen.
Once they arrived at Uptown, Imani couldn't help but have this odd feeling brew within her. Upon exiting the car she rubs her hands against her arms.
Dalvin wastes no time in entering the tall building, passing the receptionist like a breeze. Imani struggled to follow behind since he was walking extremely fast.
"Dang slow down!" She calls after him only to stop a reaction once he nears an elevator. Waiting for it to open, he lets the people who were in there exit before entering himself with Imani tagging along.
The hallway that led to Andre's office was filled with Uptown artists who just so happened to be there. The rest of Jodeci, Mary, hell even Christopher Williams was there.
Bracing herself Imani walked over to Mary, "Hey Mary." The two women engaged in a hug that only lasted for a second, eventually pulling away.
Imani looked around, her eyes landing on DeVanté who stood on the other side of the wall. Their eyes met for a second before she looked away, bringing her attention back to Mary.
"Did Andre fire Puff?" She asks lowering her voice just for Mary to hear. Today seemed like a blur, one minute she was in the studio trying to figure out her stuff the next she might be figuring out her future.
With a sigh, Mary answers with a nod, "Yeah, and none of us know why. I mean he was our A&R for cryin' out loud. So whatever they had going on between 'em must've been bad."
There had been lingering hints of intensity between the two men going on for some weeks now, especially during meetings regarding Imani's career and the step forward they should take. Imani noticed some of it but didn't want to jump to conclusions because, at the end of the day, they were both technically her bosses.
With a sigh, the woman presses her body against the smooth wall surface. Looking out she breathes out, crossing her arms before eventually looking down. Who knows what was happening in that office? Who knew what the severity of the situation was?
From the corner of her eye, she could feel DeVanté's gaze on her. Like a magnetic pull and for some reason he wouldn't look away. Taking the courage and deciding that she can't run away from her problems any longer Imani meets his gaze.
Without the shades, his gaze was much more intense but she remained calm. His eyes did more of the talking than his lips almost as if they were telling her, "We need to talk" before eventually looking away.
Imani said nothing but looked away, forcing her attention elsewhere onto something else. She was about to ask Mary one more thing and that's when the office doors opened.
Sean exited the office and the silence that soon poured in was thick and uncomfortable. Nobody in the room knew what to say as they didn't know what was happening.
In his hands appeared to be a small white box filled with documents, files, and papers. Everything of him that once resided in that building was now in that box. He appeared calm and collected occasionally giving his nods to those who told him goodbye.
A moment before he was about to leave, Sean caught sight of Imani as he was about to leave. Imani looked up at him with a small smile, "I guess this is goodbye." It felt a little bittersweet as he was the one who even found her and gave her a chance to make it in the business. Closing in the space between them, they engaged in a small hug.
Pulling away Sean only smiled, "Keep doin' you, Imani. You a star believe that." Whenever he looked at Imani he saw greatness and knew that she would become big. It's a shame that he wouldn't be there to see her fully grow into the artist she was destined to become.
Nonetheless, he remained appreciative of the time he spent with the woman. Imani nodded it was bittersweet and an odd feeling. "Thanks. Bye."
It was with a heavy heart that Sean said goodbye to the other artists until eventually, he left. There is no doubt that it is a bittersweet moment.
Even though today was the last day she would see him at the company, Imani had a feeling that it would not be the last time she would see him anywhere in the industry, so she watched him leave with crossed arms.
It was the only question on everyone's mind that stayed throughout the whole event. The question was who was going to be the new A&R?
She wandered around the hallway observing the various plaques that were affixed to the walls while her eyes wandered from one to another. Someday her's will be on there. Best believe that.
Her attention is drawn to DeVanté, who is standing quietly to her left, probably deep in thought at the moment. Taking the chance, Imani walks over to him. The young woman looks up at him while crossing her arms and asks, "Wanna talk?"
authors note: I haven't updated this book in a hot minute, that I know and I'm sorry I was just busy with stuff outside wattpad. But I'm back and by popular demand. I had to give Diddy a proper goodbye because yes. I know that he was originally fired in 1993/4 but I am not gonna wait that long. This chapter is a little lackluster but stay tuned because it is far from over.
