Heart Hold Fast

Chapter Four

A/N: I am more than grateful for all the support that this story receives, so thank you so much! If you are enjoying this, and haven't already checked up my other story, Chance and Reason, then I hope you'll take a look at that too! Thank you again, and I hope you're having a wonderful day.

*Around 1 month after Camila's wedding*

Once she returned to New York, Lauren slipped effortlessly back into her usual routine. Work became her entire focus; she arrived at the office before most of her staff, and was generally the last person to leave as well. She spent more time at the Jauregui Marketing Agency building than she did her own apartment.

When she did get back to her own home, she could just about manage to cook a meal, before collapsing into bed. Sleep tended to elude her, and so she invariably spent the night staring at the ceiling, waiting until a peek of sunlight through her blinds told her she could get up again.

A few people began to voice their concerns for her health. Her close colleagues noticed that she was considerably thinner, and fatigue seemed to be sapping the colour from her cheeks and eyes. When in conversation, her attention span was now a matter of seconds; alarming for somebody who had once been an attentive listener. Illness too seemed to plague her, and she had picked up a perpetual cough that she was struggling to shake off.

Dinah attempted to liven her up; suggesting nights out at clubs or bars, but Lauren was totally disinterested. Even Normani had told her seriously that she needed to change her ways.

"You can't keep up with this, Lauren," she had said seriously, "You're going to make yourself sick,"

"I'm fine," Lauren had retorted, "Don't worry about me,"

They did worry, but picking a fight with Lauren Jauregui was unwise, and so they hesitantly retreated. Discussions about Lauren's health then took place in private, out of her earshot. People made a number of suggestions as to what might help, but none of them came to fruition. She kept up her ways, resolutely ignoring anybody who tried to assist her.

On one Monday morning, just over a month after Camila Cabello's wedding, Lauren entered the office early. Most of the floors at the JMA tower were deserted; the workers not yet in. She was used to seeing the workplace in this state, having spent so much time recently in the office after the normal working hours.

She settled into her private office, closing the door to seal herself in her sanctuary. It was ordered and tidy, and she liked the clean cut, modern furnishings. Cream walls, black leather chair and sofa, pine sideboard, and large black desk. All of it suited her, and she felt at ease there.

Pressing a button on her espresso machine, she made herself a mug of strong coffee, hoping the caffeine would help her to feel more human. As she sat down to drink, the telephone on her desk started to ring, and she rolled her eyes in frustration. At this time in the morning, she was not in the mood to speak to people.

The caller ID identified the call as coming from inside the building; specifically, Normani Kordei's office.

"Normani?"

"Hi Lauren. Security has just called to inform me there is a woman in the reception asking to see you. Shall I give the all clear and invite her up?"

Lauren gave a barely concealed groan of annoyance.

"So early? If it's work-based, can't she speak to somebody else?" she grumbled.

"She's specifically asking for you,"

"Then tell her I'm busy,"

There was a moment of silence at the other end of line.

"Lauren... we both know that's a blatant lie,"