Chapter 3

David Pantella ---------->

Chapter Three: The Big Kahuna

Grayson's POV

I looked around the room to the people who are supposedly the Board of Trustees. Whisperings and almost silent shoutings were flying all over the room. People arguing like they have a say in the final decision. It is Monday morning and I am too tired to be arguing with anybody.

"We are keeping Skittles." I spoke projecting my voice all over the board room. All eyes were on me. I kept my head straight not even flinching even though I was receiving nasty stares.

"Keeping Skittles is a big mistake." Grace said breaking the silence.

"We protect our own." I stated.

"Not when he has been caught doing drugs with a minor. I mean, didn't you see the video?" Andrew asked pushing his chair back and standing up.

"She was willing." I stared right into his eyes with a glare.

"It doesn't matter. That's not how the media is going to see it." Johnson said.

"Look, we get that Skittles was the first rapper that actually gave you a chance to represent him, but things have changed. People are expecting us to drop him, and I could say we are all thinking the same thing." Ross said raising his elbows on the table.

I pushed my chair back and standing up. I pulled my jacket forward and button the button that was undone.

"We are keeping Skittles." I said as I stormed out.

Yes dropping Skittles would make sense since he was caught doing this dumb shit, but I can't just drop him. When I started my company, I wanted to attack every genre of music but some didn't let me. When I conquered almost all the genres, I didn't have a rapper as my artist. Me and Skittles found each other and together, well more like me, have created one the best rap albums of all time. I walked down the hallway and straight to the elevator. I pushed the code in that takes me to the top floor which is my office. The doors open and I stepped out.

"Good morning Mr. Hughes." Emily my assistant said.

"Emily. What's the week looking like?" I asked while walking to my office.

"Apart from the Skittles drama, you don't really have much. You said you didn't want anything on Friday, so I cancelled everything and also you have your sister's party on Wednesday, so you have a calm week." She responded while trying to catch up to me and scroll on her iPad at the same time.

"Thats just two days, I asked for the whole week." I stopped and turned to face her.

"Umm... later today you have a meeting with Amber J and her team..."

"Who the hell is that?" I cut her off.

"Thats the girl who got voted off The X Factor last week and you said you wanted to sign her." She said while her voice shook.

"Okay. Continue." I entered my office and sat down in my chair.

"I think that is all sir." Emily clung her iPad to her chest.

"Okay. And if any of the Board Members try to ask you for them to come up and see me, tell them to fuck off." I said dropping my gaze and opening my computer.

"Yes sir." And with that, Emily left my office.

I took out my phone and texted Skittles that I need to have a video conference call with him. I pressed the button that makes my office private. I watched as the fog appeared in between the thick glass making both sides not visible to each other. The fog spread throughout the glass windows around my office. I went on Skype and called Skittles.

"YO, what up dog?" A voice came through the computer as the picture appeared on the screen.

"I don't know. You tell me Mr. Have drugs with a minor and record it?" I said trying to restrain my voice from yelling even though it's sound proof in here.

"Ohh, you saw that? Fuck!!" Skitt said slurring his words.

"Skitt, they're talking about dropping your ass." I said projecting the screen to the bigger screen and not my laptop.

"Wwwho tthe Fuucck oowns tthe commpanyy?" He slurred trying to keep his eyes open.

"I do, but you know I dropped all responsibilities when it comes to you because I was emotionally attached." I sat on top of the table and facing the big screen.

"Don't be a bitch."

"Watch it Skitt." I warned.

"Fuck off." He said with daring in his eyes.

"That's it, am dropping you." I said jumping off the table.

"You can't do that. Come on man." He pleaded.

"Lets not forget who The Big Kahuna is."

"Its because I'm not white isn't it?" He asked.

"Yes. And not the fact that you slept with a minor and I had to pay her family off, not the fact that you hit a paparazzi only because he wouldn't take a picture of you and don't forget my favorite, when you punched a mother in the face because she told you to not yell at her Autistic child." I explained while pissed off at him for bringing the race card.

"What happen to brothers for life?"

He asked sounding pathetic.

"You punched a mother Who was just protecting her child."

"Come on G, that kid was talking some shit. He was annoying the fuck out of me." He said with no remorse.

"That's it. Am done." I threw my hands in the air as a sign of surrender. I walked over to my computer and ended the call. Skitt and I have been through a lot of shit but that was the last straw. I pressed the button that clears the fog making my office transparent again. I took my phone and wallet and headed towards the elevator. I reached the fourth floor where the conference room is. I get off the elevator and head straight towards it. I opened the door to the conference room. As soon as I stepped in the room, everyone fell silent. I remained standing against the door as I stared down everybody.

"In the last year, I have spent money on Skittles than he had brought in. We are dropping him." I spoke quietly.

"Okay. I'll get our lawyers to start the paper work." Andrew said breaking the silence.

I nodded and then off I was out the door. Its fun signing new artist but when you have to drop somebody, that's when the leadership skills get tested.

"Hey Gray, wait up." I turned around to see Ross catching up to me.

"Hey, something wrong?" I asked concerned.

"No. No. Everything is good. Umm, you know back there I was just.."

"Being professional, I know. Thats what I want from you." I responded while we both entered the elevator.

"Phew, Okay. I thought you were pissed or something." He said while letting out a sigh of relief.

"Its all good." I said pressing the button for the lobby.

"So, Gwen is engaged?" He asked making a confused face.

"I know right. I thought I was gonna be the first."

"Hahahahaha" He laughed while holding his stomach

"What?"

"Oh Shit. You're actually serious." He responded holding back his laughter.

"There was a time I actually thought, but now, I don't think I will ever." The elevator stopped in the lobby and the doors opened.

"Don't worry, you just need the right person to bring that back."

"Love is overrated." I said turning around so that he was the only one who heard me.

"Thats what they all say before settling down and moving to the suburbs." The elevator doors closed sending him back upstairs. I walked through the lobby making everybody stiffen up.

"See you later Mr. Hughes." Anderson the doorman said as he opened the door for me. I gave him a head nob and I was out the door. I found David waiting for me. I got into my black Mercedes-Benz S400 and headed into LA traffic. We drove about 20 minutes. I didn't even notice that we were here until David knocked on the window. I put my phone in my pocket and got out of the car.

"Give me ten minutes."

"Yes sir."

I take a deep breath as I read the sign "Rose Hills Memorial Park" I walk towards where my father was buried visualizing all the events that happen in that day. I walk slower as I reached the tombstone of my father.

R.I.P

Jonathan Michael Hughes II

1960 - 1999

Father, Husband, Friend.

I sat down and cleared all the dead flowers. I look at my father's tombstone, 16 years he has been gone yet I will never get used to it.

"Hello father. 16 years and it still feels like yesterday. So everything is going good. But Gwen met somebody. I know am going to hate him, but, I know you have always told me to "support her" so that is what am going to do. To be honest, I would love to settle down also." I rambled to the tombstone.

"If you want to settle down, stop fucking around." I hear a familiar feminine voice behind me.

"Hello to you too, Gwen." I said moving to create space for her to sit down. She sat down to my right and reached for the bag she brought. She took out white roses and red ones mixed together and put them in front of the tombstone.

"Why do you bring flowers when you know damn well he hated them?" I asked breaking the silence.

"Mind your damn business." Gwen responded not breaking contact with the tombstone. We chatted and told father everything that has been going on. From Gwen spiking my drinks to her engagement and everything that has happened since the last time we visited which was Gwen's Birthday two months ago.

"I miss you." Gwen whispered but it was enough for me to hear it.

I put my hand over her shoulder and soothed her until she was calm. We talked for another 5 minutes and we both decided it was time to leave.

"What's your afternoon looking like?" Gwen asked while we were heading back to our cars.

"I have a meeting with a potential future artist." I said wiggling my shoulders in excitement.

"Who?"

"Amber J."

"Again, who?"

"You won't be saying that after am done with her."

"I was joking. Do me a favor, don't sleep with her."

"She is 18."

"That's an adult."

"No. That's the one thing America got wrong. 18 is not an adult, I regret the decisions I made when I was that age."

"What? I loved your perm." she said sarcastically.

"I hate you." I said entering my car.

"See you tomorrow?" She asked with hope in her eyes.

"Tomorrow."

Let me photograph you in this light in case it is the last time.

So ummm, yeah!! That is done.. Kind of excited about this. Let's hope I don't get lazy with the updates..

Don't forget to vote and comment, PLEASE!!!!!