Empire State of mind

Chapter Forty-Nine: Childhood Memories

Shelby's POV

I angrily throw my glass at the wall causing the cider to spill on the ground, thanks to that shit show at the club my album has to be pushed back and we have to reroute a plan on how to create buzz

"Damn it! You know, I should have waited to perform with Tiana and maybe that could have been helpful but now I can't even do that because no one will care after this" I rant to my father who sits calmly on my bed

"Shelby you have to calm down, we will survive this and take this in stride but you have to trust your brother babygirl" My Father replies and I scoff while continuing to pace

"Trusting Jamal is like trusting a child to not run with scissors! He has made three personal assistants quit since we got locked up, little less than half of the cleaning staff have quit thanks to his tantrums as well as some of the marketing and publicity staff since he's been living the high life while running empire so no I don't trust him" I rant causing my father to smirk

"You sound just like me" He replies and I sigh

"Luscious you do realize that your son lost us a great artist in Freda unless you step in, he's becoming what you didn't want and you have to step in more, while I record some new music and do interviews because I heard from Becky that they tryin to get Sway" I say as I sit at my piano and mic

"Just relax and let us handle it, you wanted to be an artist first so be one while I handle the business, do some studying since you have a final soon" My father says while patting my shoulders

I nod and he kisses my head affectionately before walking out, I sigh as I start looking over my notebook

Suddenly my phone dings causing me to sigh and rip it from my pocket, I see it's Tay who texted me

I open it up and my jaw clenches harshly

Tay baby💕👛: ANDRE IS HAVJ F A DAMN BABY BRO, he's cuttin stuff off with me to focus on his family. He's not a threat but I wanted to let you know, I'm so blown

I sigh frustratedly as I feel the unjust hitting me, everyone I'm getting revenge on isn't getting the karma I want them to and it's starting to fuck with me more now

"I still got Hakeem, I still got his ass and if Cookie say more slick shit then ima have her too" I say before storming off to the gym to clean my head

Time skip

I sit in the living room with my father and Andre as he stares at a photo of them all back in the day, I look at him and feel some empathy towards him but keep my strong front

He's here probably to tell our father about Rhonda, he is an opportunist if anything

"I'll tell you one thing son, you sure are persistent, I hope you got something better than last time" Luscious says as he makes a drink

"I do have news, and I wanted to share it with you face to face, Rhonda's pregnant..your going to be a grandfather and your going to be an aunt Shelby" Andre shares and I present to be shocked

"Wow, congrats Andre" I say with a smile and he nods

"I know Tay told you so you don't have to fake it but thank you anyway" He replies causing my smile to widen as I looks over to our father who looks more freaked out than anything

"For real?" Luscious replies as he walks closer to Andre

"Yea" Andre says with a hesitant smile, I look at my father again who I'm confused as to why he's not happy I mean Lola and him were so tight before she left