Signature-STYDIA AU

Reencounters

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A lot had happened since the couple had come to the conclusion that Parrish was helping Jennifer blackmail the new couple. Stiles and Lydia couldn't relax on their vacation, realizing that Parrish had betrayed them, so they booked the next flight back to LA. Quietly, and away from the eyes and ears of Parrish, the two plotted with only Braeden, the Hale family, and the network on how they were going to take action.

"This seems absurd! So are you telling us that Parrish and this photographer are orchestrating this?" Derek asked. Those involved in the situation with the exception of Parrish and Jennifer were currently sitting in a conference room at the network's office, trying to fully understand the issue. "I just don't see how it's possible," he sighed, tossing his phone on the table.

Braeden sat up in her chair, twirling her pen through her French-manicured fingertips. "Oh, it's possible alright," she assured. "Parrish has been all over my client since the second they met. You can't tell me that you haven't seen the way he looks at her! It's as if he treats her like she's heroin, and he's an addict, but he never gets what he yearns for because she's never there. He can't have her as long as Stiles is in the picture. So the best option is to drive them apart," Braeden's reasoning caused a few corporate member's jaws to drop.

"Where did you learn to contend like that?" Lydia asked, shocked.

"Law and Order," Braeden simply stated with a smile. "Got to love Mariska Hargitay."

Deucalion then stood up from his chair with his hands pressed against the wooden table, towering over all of them. "Our next move is to wait until we get demands on when they want the money by. With the release of Ropepoint quickly approaching we want to keep this quiet and out of the press." Deucalion's job meant that he had to have the ability to strategize. Yes, it was true that he had other employees to help him evaluate ways to go about different contracts, publicity, and scandals. However, Deucalion always had the final say.

Lydia firmly held Stiles' hand under the table as she could tell that he was becoming uneasy due to the vein that was pulsating out of his temple. She rubbed her thumb gently across his skin as he spoke. "That's going to do absolutely nothing! All that's going to do is give them the satisfaction of having bitches to mess with. They'll ask for more, hell even if you do give them what they want they'll probably still release it. It won't stop unless you do something other than sitting on your ass in an office looking at an ocean view all day waiting for them to fight back." Stiles was beyond frustrated with the situation, in fact, it was as if he was a volcanic eruption. However, this particular eruption originated from the pain of Parrish's betrayal. Parrish had been there for Stiles in his good times and bad. He never expected Parrish to go to such lengths to hurt his relationship, his career, and their friendship.

Deucalion raised his tone, bothered by Stiles questioning his authority and motives. "Mr. Stilinski, my job is to protect the network at all costs and that's what I do for eleven hours of my god damn day, some days it's more than that! So I would appreciate it if you let me do my job and look out for the network. My position may have given me a chair at this table, but my commitment to this network is what makes me the boss. So this is what we shall do. My word is final."

The room was dead silent and if a pin were to drop then the sound would be the only sound heard. Stiles didn't return back to his hole, he didn't cower back in his seat. Instead, Stiles said, "well, your word sucks," before storming out of the room with Lydia trailing behind. About halfway down the hall, Stiles released his anger with the wall, colliding his fist into it, creating a small dent. He flinched at the pain. "Son of a bitch!"

Lydia immediately brushed her hands across the landscape of his back, causing him to turn around to face her. As Stiles' held his hand up towards his chest, Lydia concerningly asked, "Stiles, you need to breathe and cool your temper."