Empire: HAKEEM & SASHA

Chapter 8: Clash of the Titans

Lucious stood at the center of his opulent office, the vast floor-to-ceiling windows framing the cityscape behind him. The room buzzed with tension as Cookie entered, her fierce gaze locked onto him. He didn't bother to turn, instead focusing on the sketches spread across his desk—Andre's latest designs for a new shoe line.

"Cookie," Lucious began, his voice dripping with sarcasm, "care to explain why Tiana hijacked Sasha's set at the festival and Went crazy in my studio with Hakeem? Sasha's got a net worth of 300 million, owns a skincare and makeup line, and has her own liquor brand. She's a mogul. Tiana should be taking notes, not trying to steal the spotlight Hakeem got a paid girlfriend."

Cookie's eyes narrowed. "Oh, so now it's a problem that Tiana and Hakeem performed together? Last I checked, they were Empire's rising stars. And maybe Sasha's got the stats, but Hakeem and Tiana have the chemistry. They're electric together."

Lucious finally turned to face her, a mocking smile playing on his lips. "Chemistry? That what you call it? Sasha's stats speak for themselves. Tiana needs to learn how to be successful, maybe she should be working with Devon and moving on from Hakeem."

Cookie stepped closer, her voice lowering to a dangerous whisper. "And you need to stop focusing on one son. Jamal is prepping another successful album, and Andre is out here securing endorsements left and right. You should be spending time with everyone equally."

Lucious laughed, a harsh sound that echoed through the room. "Oh, is that so? And what are you gonna do about Sasha and Tiana? Gonna have a little chat with them?"

"Damn right I am," Cookie shot back. "I'm talking to them individually, and I'm not going to be easy on Sasha. She needs to understand that being a mogul doesn't mean she gets to bulldoze everyone else."

Lucious shook his head, still chuckling as he returned to the sketches. "Good luck with that, Cookie. Just remember, if things go south, you can't blame me."

Cookie spun on her heel, her heels clicking sharply against the marble floor as she exited the office. She had a lot to handle, but she wasn't about to let Lucious dictate the future of Empire's artists without a fight.

She headed down the hall, determination etched on her face. It was time for a reckoning, and Cookie Lyon was ready to set things straight.

Cookie leaned back in her chair at the upscale restaurant, her eyes fixed on Sasha as she walked through the door. The young mogul was every bit the star, exuding confidence and grace. As she approached the table, Cookie's face was a mask of neutrality, but her mind was already strategizing.

"Sasha, sit down," Cookie said, gesturing to the seat across from her. "We need to talk."

Sasha settled into her chair, maintaining her poised demeanor. "What's up, Cookie?"

"Let's cut to the chase," Cookie began, her voice firm. "What's this I hear about you dating Hakeem and dropping a diss track against him and Tiana? You know better than to bring that kind of drama into Empire."

Sasha's eyes flashed with a mix of defiance and vulnerability. "I love Hakeem, Cookie. That track wasn't about tearing anyone down—it was a wake-up call. Tiana's been acting like she's the only one who matters, and Hakeem... well, he hurt me."

Cookie leaned forward, her gaze piercing. "You think love is enough to get you through this mess? Empire is about family, but it's also about business. You start dissing our artists, you're messing with the brand."

Sasha took a deep breath, her resolve hardening. "I get it. I do. But Hakeem means the world to me, and I just want to show everyone I'm here to contribute, not just take."

Cookie's stern expression softened slightly. "Alright, I hear you. But let me make one thing clear—if you mess with my artists, you mess with me. And trust me, you don't want that."

A smirk tugged at Sasha's lips. "Understood, Cookie. I'll back off the diss tracks. But Tiana and I still need to clear the air."

Cookie nodded, a rare smile breaking through. "Good. Make peace with Tiana, and let's keep the drama off the stage. We've got enough to deal with as it is."

They laughed, the tension easing as they moved on to lighter topics. By the time they left the restaurant, there was a tentative truce in place, a step toward unity within Empire.

Meanwhile, at Empire's headquarters, Andre and Rhonda sat in his office, surrounded by stacks of papers and charts detailing the company's performance. They were in good spirits, the recent drama having brought a surge in attention and engagement.

"This controversy might actually be good for us," Rhonda mused, her fingers tapping thoughtfully on the table. "What's next on our agenda to stir things up?"

Andre grinned, a glint of mischief in his eyes. "We need to keep the momentum going. More drama, more chaos—it keeps people talking. But we also need to make sure Empire's stats stay solid. Growth is key."

Rhonda nodded. "Absolutely. Let's focus on some new endorsements and maybe a high-profile event. Something that'll get people buzzing."

As they brainstormed, their conversation was a blend of strategic planning and plotting, each idea more ambitious than the last. They thrived on the chaos, knowing it kept Empire in the limelight.

Over at Jamal's apartment, he sat at his piano, fingers idly tapping the keys as he struggled to find the perfect hook for his new track. He needed something fresh, something that would stand out. Suddenly, an idea struck him.

Grabbing his phone, he quickly dialed Sasha's number, hoping she'd pick up. After a few rings, her voice came through, slightly breathless.

"Hey, Jamal. What's up?"

"Sasha, I need a feature on my new track. I think you'd be perfect for the hook. Can you meet me at the studio later?"

There was a brief pause, then Sasha's enthusiastic reply. "I'm at a sneaker photo shoot right now, but I can swing by after. Let's do it."

Jamal smiled, feeling a surge of excitement. "Great. I'll see you there."

As he hung up, he felt a renewed sense of purpose. With Sasha on board, his track was sure to be a hit. And in the ever-evolving world of Empire, that was exactly what they needed.