24 I Like This

The next day dawned with a sense of anticipation for Arell. After his heartfelt conversation with Aisha he felt a renewed sense of purpose. As he made his way to the studio, his mind buzzed with excitement about the possibilities ahead.

Arriving at the studio, Arell found Geoffrey already there, his usual air of focused determination surrounding him. Arell greeted him with a nod and a smile, eager to delve into their discussion about the future of his music career.

"Morning, Geoffrey," Arell said, his voice filled with enthusiasm. "Ready to tackle our business decisions?"

Geoffrey returned the smile. "Arell," he acknowledged his presence before continuing "I've got a feeling today's going to be a productive day."

He gestured towards a chair across from him. "Pull up a seat. We've got a lot to unpack today."

Arell sank gratefully into the chair, the familiar hum of the studio a comforting backdrop. He reached for the steaming mug Geoffrey had placed on the table, the aroma of coffee instantly filling his senses. "Definitely feeling good," he admitted, taking a sip. "Ready to dive in."

Geoffrey nodded, his gaze sharpening with focus. "Excellent. Now, as you know, the music video for is officially finished." A hint of pride flickered in his eyes. "Darius, Noah, and I pulled finished putting the final touches on it a few hours ago. It's looking phenomenal, Arell, Trust me." A satisfied grin stretched across Geoffrey's face as he pulled out a sleek black flash drive from his pocket. "A copy of the finished music video in all its glory." He gestured towards the computer on the desk. "Here, let's take a peek."

With a flourish, Geoffrey inserted the flash drive into the computer's USB port. The familiar whirring of the machine filled the studio as it booted up the video editing software. Arell's anticipation crackled in the air, a silent question hanging between them.

Geoffrey pulled up a chair next to Arell and leaned back, a confident smile playing on his lips. "Alright, let's see the magic Darius, Noah, and I have cooked up for you." He clicked his mouse, and the computer screen flickered to life.

Arell braced himself for the impact, his gaze glued to the screen as the video flickered to life.

The opening was stark. No music, just visuals. The screen displayed a grainy shot of Arell's feet, clad in worn sneakers, slowly pacing a dusty path. The camera panned upwards, revealing a weathered church steeple.

The grainy shot continues, following Arell's worn sneakers as they reach the imposing wooden doors. The camera lingers on the ornately carved religious symbols, weathered and softened by time.

Arell reaches out, his hand hovering over the brass handle for a moment. The silence stretches before he pushes the door open with a creak that echoes through the emptiness. The camera cuts to an inside view as he steps through.

The music starts then, the opening beat – filling the studio. Arell takes a tentative step forward, the camera following his movements.

He walks towards the center. As he reaches the heart of the church, the beat drops.

The camera erupts in a flurry of movement, mirroring the sudden shift in energy. Arell throws his hands up, his lips silently mouthing the lyrics that will soon fill the air. The camera spins around him, capturing fleeting glimpses of his silhouette.

Arell's movements became more fluid, more dynamic. He moved with purpose, each gesture a testament to the emotion behind the lyrics. The camera, too, seemed to come alive, its movements mirroring the intensity of the music.

The visuals took on a surreal quality, with rapid cuts and dizzying angles adding to the sense of urgency and excitement. Arell's face darkened and the background shifted, creating an otherworldly atmosphere that pulsed with energy.

The scene on the screen fractured. The rapid cuts intensified, briefly pulling Arell from the center of the action. In a flash, the camera focused on a pew near the back of the church.

There sat Malik and Devon. Their heads were bowed slightly, but their shoulders swayed ever so slightly. A knowing smile played on Arell's lips as the camera lingered on them for a beat before snapping back to him.

Another cut. This time, the camera zoomed in on Kenny, another friend, perched precariously on top of a dusty wooden chair, his feet dangled carelessly over the back. Unlike Malik and Devon, Kenny wasn't subtle. His head thrown back, eyes gleaming an impossible shade of electric blue thanks to a clever editing trick, he belted out the lyrics silently, mimicking Arell's movements with exaggerated enthusiasm.

The effect was jarring, yet strangely fitting. The camera cut back to Arell, the frenetic energy of the music pulling him back into the performance.

The music intensified, urging Arell to move with even greater abandon. He danced across the dusty floor. Suddenly, the world spun. The camera swooped and pirouetted around him, transforming the church interior into a dizzying kaleidoscope. Arell became a blur of motion.

Then, as abruptly as it began, the spinning stopped. The world snapped back into focus, but with a distorted twist. A green night-vision filter washed over the scene, casting an eerie glow on everything.

Emerging from the shadows, a line of figures materialized in the center of the church. Women, clad in black habits with flowing veils, walked towards Arell with a mesmerizing slowness forming a circle around him. But a second glance revealed their habits were cut high on their thighs, revealing their toned legs and a hint of something more beneath.

The camera darted in for a closer look, utilizing quick cuts to emphasize the suggestive nature of their attire. Each woman stood silent, their veils strategically positioned to offer a fleeting glimpse of bare skin – a shoulder, a sliver of midriff, the effect was undeniably provocative.

The scene dissolved into another dizzying spin, the camera swirling around Arell and the veiled figures until everything became a blur.

A lone spotlight illuminated Arell and the women in the center of the church as the camera work remained dynamic, mirroring the intensity of his emotions, but the focus shifted back to him.

The final scene arrived abruptly. The camera panned upwards, revealing a bird's-eye view of the church interior. Arell stood bathed in the spotlight, alongside the women, who began walking toward Arell.

Then, the door at the back of the church burst open. Malik, Devon, and Kenny, faces etched with concern, rushed in. They didn't hesitate. They sprinted towards Arell, their movements a blur of urgency. The camera followed their frantic dash, the music building to a crescendo.

Just as they reached him, the scene froze. The music cut out abruptly, leaving a heavy silence in its wake.

"Well, Arell?" Geoffrey boomed, a wide grin splitting his face. "What do you think?"

Arell stared at the screen, a wide smile mirroring Geoffrey's. The video was even better than he'd imagined. The camerawork was dynamic, the editing sharp, and the inclusion added a perfect layer of warmth.

"It's incredible." he said, leaning back in his chair. "The energy, the story… it all comes together perfectly."

Geoffrey puffed out his chest, a proud smile gracing his features. "I knew you'd love it. Maya, Darius, and Noah really outdid themselves."

"Absolutely," Arell agreed. "We'll have to get them on board for future projects. They're insanely talented."

Geoffrey chuckled. "Speaking of Maya, she's been asking about you. Seems quite impressed with your stage presence in the video. Now, how about I get this uploaded and out there? Then we can dive into the business side of things."

Arell's smile widened. "Sounds like a plan, Geoffrey."

As Geoffrey began the process of uploading the music video, Arell leaned back in his chair and pulled out his phone, eager to pass the time while his friend worked his magic behind the scenes.

With a quick tap, Arell unlocked his phone and navigated to his social media accounts. He scrolled through his feeds leisurely, taking in the latest trends. The anticipation of sharing the finished music video with his followers added an extra layer of excitement to his browsing.

As he scrolled, he couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude for the support he'd received so far. From the individuals who supported his first song to the friends who had stood by him through thick and thin, Arell knew he was truly fortunate to have such a dedicated support system.

Geoffrey's voice broke through his reverie, pulling him back to the present. "Alright, Arell," he said, turning away from the computer screen. "The music video is uploaded and ready to go. I've announced it on your social media pages and included the lyrics and credits in the description."

Arell nodded, a satisfied smile playing on his lips. "Thanks, Geoffrey. You're a wizard when it comes to this stuff."

Geoffrey leaned in; his excitement palpable. "Of course, I am. Now, buckle up, because things are about to get interesting on the business side," Geoffrey continued, his voice brimming with enthusiasm. "Alright, Arell, here's the scoop. We've got interest from radio channels wanting to air your single."

Arell's eyes widened with surprise and excitement. "Really? That's incredible news!" he exclaimed.

"Absolutely," Geoffrey replied, nodding. "This is a fantastic opportunity to get your music out to a wider audience. We'll need to prepare a press kit showcasing your single, including a bio, high-quality photos, and of course, the track itself."

Arell nodded eagerly. "I'm ready to jump on board with this. It's amazing to think that my music could be playing on the radio."

Geoffrey grinned. "It's a big step forward for your career, Arell. And with your talent, I have no doubt that radio listeners will love what they hear."

A shadow flickered across Geoffrey's face, momentarily replacing his usual enthusiasm. "Now, about the not-so-fun stuff," he said, his voice tinged with seriousness. "The music video, the Subaru, and those, uh, necessary precautions you took… let's just say they've put a bit of a dent in our initial budget."

Arell's smile faltered slightly. A pit of worry began to form in his stomach.

"Don't worry," Geoffrey reassured him, clapping him on the shoulder. "We're not talking about a financial apocalypse here. We've still got about eight thousand dollars left in the pot."

Arell let out a relieved breath. Eight thousand dollars sounded a lot better than he'd anticipated. "So, what does that mean for moving forward?"

Geoffrey steepled his fingers, his gaze thoughtful. "Here's the thing," he said. "We need to prioritize our spending. The music video launch is already in motion, and radio play is on the horizon. Those are crucial for getting your name out there."

"Absolutely," Arell agreed.

"So, that means we might have to put some things on hold for now," Geoffrey continued. "Once your music starts generating some income, we can revisit purchases. In the meantime, we'll need to be smart about how we allocate the remaining funds. We'll factor in things like promotion costs and potential travel expenses for gigs."

Arell nodded, a newfound determination settling in his eyes. "I understand. It's all about investing in the future of my music, right?"

"Exactly," Geoffrey said, snapping his fingers. "We're building something special here, Arell. And with a little strategic planning and your undeniable talent, we're going to make some serious noise."

A satisfied smile returned to Arell's face, wider and more genuine than before. He wasn't just excited about the music anymore, he was invested. He was ready to work hard alongside Geoffrey to make this dream a reality, even if it meant tightening his belt a bit for now.

Geoffrey, sensing the shift in Arell's demeanour, leaned back in his chair. "This might not be the glamorous side of the music industry you see on TV," he admitted, "but it's the foundation for a long and successful career. You hear about all these celebrities who go broke a few years after their big hit? It's because they confuse being rich with being wealthy."

Arell raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What's the difference?"

Geoffrey grinned. "Imagine being rich is like winning the lottery. You suddenly have a ton of cash, but if you don't manage it wisely, it'll all disappear eventually. Being wealthy, on the other hand, is like building a steady stream of income. It takes planning, discipline, and a focus on the long term."

He tapped his finger on the desk. "Think of it like this. Let's say you find a twenty-dollar bill on the sidewalk. That's like being rich. It's a one-time windfall. But if you take that twenty dollars, invest it wisely, and watch it grow over time, that's wealth. It's about building something sustainable that will support you for years to come."

Arell nodded slowly, the analogy clicking into place. "So, we need to be smart with the money we have now to keep the music going and build a career with staying power."

"Exactly," Geoffrey affirmed. "We'll prioritize things like promotion and potential travel for gigs. The fancy car and designer clothes can wait. Trust me, those things will come eventually if you play your cards right."

"Absolutely," Arell said, nodding eagerly. "I understand. It's all about investing in the future of my music, right?" This reassured Geoffrey, sensing a shift in Arell's demeanour. "And speaking of investing in the future, with the music video out and radio play on the horizon, it might be time to consider the next step: record labels."

Arell's smile faltered just a touch, replaced by a flicker of apprehension. The prospect of record labels was both exciting and daunting.