Empire State of mind

Chapter 15: White Party Surprises 

Shelby's POV

I walk into empire with Cookie and Hakeem as we head to the studio, I text Alyssa just to check on her and see what's up with the baby and how she's doing

I look up to see cookie smiling a bit and Hakeem walking away

"Why you smilin so hard mama" I say looking at cookie, she looks over at me and shakes her head as we head to the studio

"Just happy Hakeem and I talked everything out, but that brings me to something" Cookie says as we stop in front of the studio, I nod and she sighs before giving me a serious look

"When are you and Hakeem gonna drop this Tiana mess, now I know she did you dirty and she did him dirty but still" cookie says causing me to sigh a bit

"He owns me so many apologies that it's crazy, he's hated me since I got here and all I did was show up so when he finally decides to stop treating me like a threat then well he good" I say calmly

I don't hate Hakeem, he just needs to chill with that competition shit, I know that I'm technically his competition from a business standpoint but not in a sibling standpoint

"Ok baby but no more fighting, yo mama taught you better, I know that for damn sure" cookie says making me smile and nod as we head into the studio

We start recording my verse for the song and some other songs I've worked on, I love the vibe cookie gives and how she's taken me in when she could have easily kicked me to the curb for being the creation of my fathers cheating

"That was amazing baby, but you gotta work on that high pitch of yours, make it work into the music not out" Cookie says as I give her a thumbs up

Suddenly the door opens and Hakeem walks in, we look at each other for a bit till I walk out the booth and stand in front of him

"Can we talk Hakeem" I say as Cookie takes this as a hint to leave, he looks at me and sighs before sitting

"Sure, I'm tired of fighting with you" Hakeem says calmly as he rest back on the couch

"I am too but I can't shake this beef you got with me, ever since I got here you've been on my ass bein disrespectful, why's that" I say curiously causing him to let out a breath and sit up

"When you walked into the room, our fathers whole being changed, it was like he changed completely and I knew he felt differently about you then all of us" Hakeem says as I sit back and listen

"You obviously are his favorite, he looks at you so proudly and I've only gotten that look when I do a song but he looked at you like that instantly, what else was I supposed to feel" he finishes

I sit back and evaluate everything he said, I have noticed that but I thought he did that with everyone of his kids but I guess I understand why Hakeem was upset

"I understand, I mean I don't but I get why you felt a bit hurt.....y'all were lucky to have him in your life all your life and you have both your parents to take it from me and be grateful for them, I don't want beef with you, let's just let the past go and be family" I say standing up as he does the same

"Yea your right, come here sis" Hakeem says as he pulls me into a hug, i hugs back and smile as we pull away and dap each other up

"Awww that was adorable" Cookie says as she comes in, we smile and shake our heads at her and group hug, happy that this is over and we all can act like family

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I walk out to see Andre storming out of the building, I see that meeting didn't go well, I shrug my shoulders and head home to prepare for the White party