Life Outside of Empire

Set Life

Hakeem's POV

I wore shades. I grabbed a cup of coffee, hopefully no one would notice that I was hung over. I walked on set and BOOM! smashed into someone.

"Boy you need to watch where you are going." Taraji fussed.

"I'm sorry." I said as I hurry to grab napkins to wipe the spilled coffee on her now stain blouse.

"What is wrong with you boy?" Taraji snapped as she remove the shades from my face.

"I'm a little tired." I shrug carelessly.

"Boy are you hung over?" Taraji questioned.

"Shhh keep your voice down, "I don't need everyone on set on my case." I Replied.

She pulled me to the side.

"Yazz what has gotten into you?" "Are you okay?" Taraji asked in a sincere tone.

"I'm just going through it right now." "I really don't wanna talk about it." I said in a low voice.

"I'm here if you ever wanna talk, but I really think you should talk to someone." Said Taraji.

"Thanks." I Replied. "And you're right."

"It's just hard to face her." I blurted out.

"Face who?" Taraji asked.

"Nothing forget it, I need to talk to the writers." I excused myself.

I waited passionately in the writers room.

"Yazz how can I help you?" Brett, one of the writers and show runner asked.

"I'm not trynna tell you guys how to do your job, but the few scenes I have with Serayah, the better." I Replied

"Why what's going on?" Brett asked.

"Things aren't peachy between us right now, and so I'll appreciate it if I didn't have any one on one scenes with her." I Replied.

"Well that's up to the rest of the writers, and I'm sure you guys can be professional and leave whatever problems you have on the outside." Replied Brett.

"Yeah we'll see." I mumbled

"You guys do this every time." "You can't let your outside drama interfere with your characters." "You have your fans pissed at the writers because they believe it's the writers that are keeping Takeem apart when it's really you two." Said Brett.

"You guys could at least pretend that you like each other." "You two are barely seen in any photos together anymore." Brett Replied.

"We only have a few episodes left to shoot." "Tough it out."

I walked out of Brett's office feeling defeated.

Serayah's POV

I was in hair and make up going over my lines.

I had a scene with Yazz. Ugh 😑

"Serayah they are ready for you." The director called out.

I got into character.

Tiana- "Oh Keem, we're about to head out, I want the kids to be fresh and ready for tomorrow."

I notice Yazz was on his phone not really paying attention, was this even part of the script?"

Hakeem- "What time should I be at your crib tomorrow?"

Tiana- "Oh we're gonna ride with Devon so, I'll just meet you at the church."

Hakeem- "What you mean Devon?" "Y'all together?"

Tiana- "We're getting to know each other, is that a problem?"

Hakeem- chuckles "No." *continues looking at phone*

Tiana- "Great." "Have you seen Bella?"

Hakeem- "She's in the room with Dre."

Tiana- *walks off*

Hakeem- *talks to himself* Devon huh?" "Game on."

"And scene!" The director yelled out.

"Marvelous you two."

Yazz POV

"It's easy to shoot a scene like that when art imitates life." I remarked

"Excuse me?" Serayah snapped

"Oh nothing." I smirked walking away