Defending Our Empire

Fall on your Face

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Cookie sat next to Lucious watching Yana perform. It was an improvement, although the girl was definitely pushing herself even harder. Chemo was not her friend, no matter how many times she had been through it. The body just never got used to that much radiation. Cookie shrugged Lu's fingers off her shoulder, trying to keep focus on the artist before her. "Stop touching me, Lucious," she growled, literally shoving him. Yana watched the movement but made sure she didn't miss a beat. She didn't understand their relationship. They were either always bickering and fighting, physically and verbally, or on top of each other. There was no in between. When the song came to an end, Cookie nodded slightly.

"You know it's nothing wrong with shaking a little ass but overall much better. You're still missing your cue, though." "I felt it, but I had to keep going. I'll keep practicing," Yana stated, no longer wanting to stay on Cookie's bad side. Her father finally talked to her and swore that war between the families was postponed as long as the Lyons kept up their deal. Get her signed to another label. The crazy thing about the deal he made on his own terms, Yana didn't want it. No other label was going to cover her treatments. No other label was going to give her the exposure Empire did. She had really hit the lottery by signing under Lucious. She needed to stay at this label.

"While you're practicing, practice another song. It's called Heaven. It's on my album. Much calmer, more your speed, probably. I expect no problems. Understood?" "Yes, ma'am. Thank you." Cookie hummed as she stood up. Yana let out a heavy breath as Lucious walked up to her. "Take a break. Get some water. You went to chemo this morning?" Yana nodded as she slowly sat down on the edge of the stage. "I'll have some food sent for you. You gotta mention these things before pushing yourself too far." "I know I just.... I didn't want to disappoint her again," Yana breathed out. "Stop worrying about that. There's a war still going on. She's going to be on edge until your bitter daddy backs off for good."

Nodding, Yana drank some water and looked up with a question in her eyes. "What is it?" "This deal...... I don't want it." Lucious raised an eyebrow. This girl was so damn confused. "Why not?" "My dad thinks he has leverage over me and quite frankly the two of you. I am living my dreams here regardless of me dying. Where else am I going to do that? This is about me, not him. He has his own agenda and motives. He just wants me out of the crossfire so he can strike. Keep me here so he can't." Lucious hummed with squinted eyes. She wasn't as dumb as he thought. "I'll think about it. Relax. I'll be back." She nodded, a slight grin on her face. She didn't want to go anywhere.

Walking out the studio, Lucious heard Cookie and Harmony talking. "Okay, so why can't I perform Heaven instead? I know that song like the back of my hand," Harmony pleaded. "Because I have someone else singing it." "Oh come on. Please? You are letting Lyric sing Mirage. I want Heaven." "How about this? When the artist who is singing Heaven fails, then you can sing it. Shine like the star you know you are." "Pinky promise?" "Girl!" "Please, Mimi?" "Fine pinky promise." "Thank you!" She squealed as she gave the biggest hug to Cookie. Lucious laughed to himself. Grandkids weren't only his kryptonite. "Hey Papa Lu," Harmony chirped as she passed him. "Hey baby girl." Cookie rolled her eyes. She was waiting for him to come tell her what Yana said after she left.

"I need to talk to you about something," Lucious voiced as he draped his arm over Cookie's shoulder. "What she want?" "To stay." "Yeah no. That girl is a headache and a liability." "Yeah but she don't wanna be." "You believe this bitch?" "Crazy enough yeah. She realizes this is it for her. She trynna do the one thing she has always wanted to do. That's sing." "Lucious if this backfires-" "Then you can shoot me square in the chest. No questions asked I won't try and stop you." Cookie's eyes bucked. He was always going to the damn extreme. "Lucious-" "That's not what I needed to talk to you about though. Come with me please," he grabbed her hand and led her to his reserved studio. The room covered in flowers and balloons. As much as she tried to, she couldn't contain her smile.