And Then, There Was Fire.

twenty eight.

V I R G I N I A

several hours earlier

"And this covers the acquisition of Rivera Tech, referencing paragraph charlie, for fifty-two point two million." Daniel laid the next drafted twelve-page contract in front of his client who sat across from him at the glass table, using his other hand to begin reaching for the next stack that required signatures.

His phone began vibrating again on the long, black-stained glass table. He ignored it once more as he typically would when in the middle of a closing. The bright daylight shone through the two adjacent tall windowed-walls in the large conference room of the law firm that Daniel partnered in.

"I think this calls for drinks after this." His client suggested with a smile as he finished signing, watching Daniel's tempting smirk in between his fresh, sharply edged beard. The afternoon daylight from outside shone through the glass walls against his creamy, mocha skin.

His smile quickly faded as his phone began vibrating again, pulling the next drafted contract in front of his client as he reached for his phone. "It's fine, you can take it. If nothing changed from the draft earlier this week in this one I'll sign." His client mentioned as Daniel obliged.

Turning his vibrating iPhone over in his hand from the table, he saw the name appear across the screen, seeming as if he felt himself stop breathing.

He quickly got up, excusing himself as his client continued signing while stepping out of the conference room in his fitting, dark-gray suit. "Everything okay?" He answered immediately, seeing that it was April calling him multiple times after going years of the two avoiding each other.

"Did you know that Lauren left?" She asked franticly.

Daniel was now flabbergasted. It's been several years since he last spoke to April, ensuring that they were living in different states away from each other when Daniel decided to move further north when he took on as partner in this specific law firm.

"What do you mean, left? She went to Miami with some friends for a few weeks." He closed his eyes due to her sudden call, and the tone in her voice. "Wh-, why are you asking? What do you know?"

"Did you NOT know they met!?" She almost yelled. His eyes widened, feeling ashamed for not being that involved in her life. "She was in my HOUSE, Daniel!"

"WHEN?!" He whispered as low as he could, placing his hand on his waist as he turned around to reassure himself his client couldn't see him through the glass wall, stepping behind the solid door.

"They're not in Miami, they're in Wolfsburg!" She exerted, not having time to explain all details to him due to her anxiety. "GERMANY!" His stomach fell, only knowing one person who was currently in Wolfsburg, Germany.

G E R M A N Y

Trey could feel his soul leave his body, his eyes widening while Kurisch and Donnie stood by the kitchen idly with Kurisch taking a few more steps slowly as he waited for Trey to speak again.

He slowly looked towards Lauren, his jaw left open as what felt like his stomach dwindling to the floor. He watched her read a text from her phone, holding her mouth in shock; oblivious to what was happening in the room.

He peeled the phone away from his ear as he quickly held his phone towards her without anymore hesitation. She sighed as she unfolded her legs to lean forward into the text messages she read, which Trey was ignorant to the fact that they were delayed messages from her father.