LUCIOUS & COOKIE: TUG OF WAR (REMASTERED)

BACK TO BUSINESS

2 weeks later.....

Things have finally started to shift back into their normal flow. I moved back into my office and took the helm of Empire once again; I had Jamal's new office prepared down the hall from mine and Cookie's.

I also had him head back into the studio because I didn't want his art to suffer and take a back seat to business. He's been on the side lines long enough over the past 3 months, and I don't want him to lose any momentum with his new project in the works.

I must admit that Cookie was right, the boy is more than capable of handling whatever hits him.

His first album's approaching platinum status and the way that he handled things while I was gone was better training than he could have ever gotten from shadowing me. 

Despite it all, I'm truly proud of him. I have always loved him, he's always been the one most like me, but that gay thing just made me cringe and I feared how he'd be treated by the world.

I still don't understand why any man wouldn't want a soft supple woman next to him, but his life's his life so I've just tried to move past it. I still can't stand it.  It still unnerves me and embarrasses me to an extent, but if imma figure out how to mend this family, I've gotta move past it somehow.

Hakeem is back in the studio too and it seems as if he's more focused than ever these days. Cookie is producing most of his new tracks and I'm not surprised at the hits they're churning out together.... Those two are so much alike which is why they work so well together. If their shady ass backstabbing antics accomplished nothing else, at least it helped those two develop what appears to be a genuine relationship.

My ex-wife wants me to start caring more about our son's needs...so I'm trying to make an effort to do so. 

Bringing my lips towards the brim of my glass a sip of smooth, VSOP brandy slipped down my throat.  My eyes scanned the room, the vast array of family pictures, plaques, and awards expertly placed, I exhaled.

My ex-wife... Sassy, hotheaded, unfiltered, stubborn, and oh so damn sexy. I don't know how I'm going to win her back, hell she acts like she hates me, but I figured that our kids are just as good a place as any to start.

Where the hell is Vernon? I thought to myself. I'm really starting to worry now. It isn't like him to just vanish like this, even when he was using, he still showed up to work. I have to find him so I've got the best private investigator that money can buy on the case, thus I know that it's just a matter of time before he surfaces.

I just hope he's okay, my mind chanted while easing back in my throne and tapping my pen against the leather of the arm. My fingers glided over my goatee and as always, my mind began to drift back to that woman.... that damn woman of all women that never gave nor presently gives me an inch without making me work for it.

I can easily have any woman I want, and I've had more than my fair share, but the one I crave isn't within my reach at this point. Glancing down at the stack of documents along my desk, my gaze shifted out onto the bright skylight pouring through the windows.

She's starting to show a little, so we'll have to break the news to the family soon. She has a small pudge but looking at her you'd just think that she'd gained a little weight if you didn't know any better.

Cookie has never really gotten big as a house when she was pregnant, she was mostly stomach, and I can tell that this isn't going to be any different. I let out a long-frustrated breath, just as Andre and Hakeem walked into my office and took a seat before me.

I called for them to come so that I can talk to them. Anger swarming within my chest, I wanted to punish their ungrateful asses but as a part of my new approach to being a better person and father I've decided to try a different method.

"Hey dad you called for us?" Andre asked.

"Yeah, I did." I quickly responded. Shifting within my seat, trying my damnest to keep my fury in check as they look my way as if they're innocent little ducklings.

"So, you two were so mad at me that you thought it was wise to try and pull off a hostile take-over of my company?" I barked.

They both look like deer caught in head lights right now.

"Yeah, I found out about that...I know everything. I have eyes and ears in places you'd least expect them. Y'all two, your mama, and Anika huh..." Andre interrupted me before I could finish my sentence, trying to plead their case.

"Dad, it wasn't like..." I don't want to hear his lies and excuses, so I cut his ass off real quick.

"Save the BS Dre, you two couldn't accept that I chose Jamal instead of one of you. I tried to make amends with all of you but that wasn't good enough huh, with everything I've put your mother through I understand her rationale but you two have had it made. Hell, I'd even expect Jamal to try something like that but despite all that I've done to him he never tried some sneaky, underhanded, shit like that. It's that reason right there that lets me know I made the right decision and that neither of you can run my company." They both looked at me as if they were five years old, I continued.

"Hakeem, you're still a childish little boy but you need to wake up before your life passes you by and all you have to show are the bitches you've fucked and the booze you've pissed on restaurant floors." I growled as Hakeem's head dipped, seeming as if it hung so low it could scrape the floor.

"Andre you're exceptionally smart son but you just aren't mentally stable enough for this position. It's too stressful for you and I honestly feel as if you'd crack under the weight of it all." I redirected, and instantly I could see the hurt building within his eyes.

His Bipolar isn't his fault but it is a weakness and a liability that Baretti or any of our other enemies for that matter, would try to use against Empire if he was the CEO.

"Now, realize that if you two weren't my sons I'd have both of your heads on a stake outside this building as a warning to those who dare to cross me by now. Yet, I know that I ain't been the best father to y'all all the time, so this is you two's one and only pass. I'll consider your betrayal as payback, and we'll call it even. Agreed?" I bargained.

My tone stern as they both looked at me with confusion dancing along their features and nodded yes.

"Good but let me assure you two that if it happens again, I won't be nearly as forgiving, understand. You're dismissed." I bluntly professed.

As they both exited Andre heard Becky tell his father that a private investigator was waiting for him. He lingered around her desk for a second and overheard the start of their conversation,

"Good afternoon Mr. Lyon, I have good news...we've found your friend Vernon Turner."

The automatic doors of Lucious' office sealed shut before he could hear anymore, oh hell, this is so not good for me and Rhonda.