LUCIOUS & COOKIE: TUG OF WAR II (REMASTERED)

THE LAP OF LUXARY PT II

Cookie

My heels echo through the halls as I make my way from the master bedroom to head downstairs. The house chef just called up to let us know that brunch is ready, so I'm on the move to round up the clan while Lucious finishes his shower.

These past few days have been hell on me but after a couple of rounds stooped over the toilet bowl last night, now, I'm feeling a lot better. Lucious was eye ballin' me funny all day long after my first trip to the bathroom yesterday and I already knew what he was thinkin', but that shit's utterly impossible.

My old ass ain't havin' no mo damn babies no time soon. I think that maybe I caught a nasty little stomach virus from eatin' some local seafood that Lucious' ass wanted to try the first day we got here. That fool has a damn cast iron stomach, cuz he can eat damn near anything without getting sick but not I.

Anyway, another day's upon us, and unlike the days prior to this one, I'm ready for action. I rounded the corner towards the main family area; Dre sat in the corner reading a book to AJ within his lap. Lola lay across one of the sofas with her headphones on and notebook in hand while Hakeem's propped against the huge family sectional with La La laying her head back against his stomach and reading her script. While he squares off in some video game against the twins. All of their friends loafing about either on their phones or tablets along the floor.

"Where's Jamal?" I inquired because I don't see him anywhere and normally, he's up by now. 

"Ion know ma. I think he's still in his room cause we ain't seen him today yet." Hakeem told me. 

"Okay, well I'll go wake his ass up then, if me and ya daddy ain't sleepin' all day ain't none of y'all ass doing it either. Gone head and get ya selves together, go get my daughter in laws you two big negros, and all little negro's to the table; brunch is ready." I ordered, and like a stampede of wild boars that hadn't eaten in years, they all darted out of the room.

Sashaying around the corner towards Mal's room, I adjusted the shades atop my head. Last night's meeting with Mimi was quite interesting to say the very least. I mean, she appears like she's aight, but I know betta than anybody that looks can be deceiving.

I respect her hustle as a woman, cause it takes a lot more grit for a woman to be as successful as she's been in business versus a man. I respect her will to seize the day as a Cancer survivor also but still, I'm suspicious of her because her reasons for wanting to invest in Empire just aren't adding up to me at all.

I approached Skye's room door, knocked, then waited a few but still received no answer. I knocked again, and still, there was nothing. Where the hell is this girl? I asked myself, then turned the knob to her door. It's unlocked so I headed on in, dis my damn house anyway, ain't no privacy up in this bihh. At least that's what I told myself while strutting through the space, but she's nowhere to be found, and her bed looks as if it hasn't even been slept in.

Very strange, my conscience whispered as I trounced back into the main area before noticing the door connecting her room to Jamal's wide open.

Oh, okay...they must be in there working or something...the little voice in my head told me because those two together sound amazing. I've been meaning to give them both my feedback on Powerful, so I guess there's no time like the present.

"Jamal. Skye." I shouted while making my way into his living space, but still, there was no answer. My eyes shifted towards his sofa, an empty pitcher of liquor from his bar sat on the coffee table catching my attention, I smacked my lips and made my way towards it.

"Lawd, they asses done got drunk and passed out some damn where up in here." I stated aloud to myself while shaking my head and straightening up the living room just a bit. "Jamal!" I uttered again and yet again...I got no reply...so I headed towards his bedroom.