Annoying the Stubborn

f o r t y f i v e

"I watched the interview," Warren said once Y/N answered his call. "Well done, Y/N, except the fact that Lauren mentioned the Haydens being against us. That's an issue that shouldn't be broadcasted."

"Why not?" Y/N asked, suddenly growing protective. They did well, she knew that, but having her father doubt her easily caused a dent in her confidence.

"It will only make things worse now that serious matters are involved, and what I mean by serious matters is the Sean Hayden's repulsion towards us. That shouldn't be discussed by the public. I know that they haven't been the fairest competitors but what they have against us is private. We can't have locals prying in it because it will most likely than not add fuel to the fire. The public don't deserve to know any of it."

"They don't deserve it but a little enlightenment wouldn't hurt. It's normal in the business industry, putting each other down. If this will worsen the situation between the Haydens and us, then hell shall rise. They will never be better than us and they have to accept that at some point."

There was a moment of silence until Warren let out a faint chuckle that Y/N almost missed if she wasn't pressing her phone too hard against her ear.

"You sound like a professional gambler now," Warren said with pride. "With that confidence I guess you're ready for the consequences that it will bring?"

"I'm already aware that there will be consequences before we sat down for that interview," Y/N said, releasing a sigh. "They'll always have something against us. They always had but now it's more spiteful than before."

"Which is why you to have to be prepared once hell comes. We'll never know how they will attack."

"Whatever it is, I'm sure that it will be nothing but personal. I'll try not to take it too personally."

Warren sighed reluctantly. "That's right. Well, that's just it. I'm assuming you haven't met Clara yet."

"We'll be on the field later."

"You've got your men around Miami. Why don't you get a little help from them?"

"If Clara's a promising businesswoman, she won't be left wandering on the streets on her own. She'll have people to protect her, and I don't want her to get the wrong idea—that we're enemies. That's why I have only one guy to arrange us a meeting with Clara."

Warren hummed, impressed. "Great thinking. Does that mean you're seeing her already?"

"Today, yes. Hopefully, we will."

"It still feels surreal to know that she's alive when I've suffered enough years, thinking that she's . . . gone." The rawness with Warren's voice caught Y/N off guard, expecting the least emotional admission from him.

Y/N smiled ruefully. "If we talk to her, I'll remember to ask her about you. If it feels comfortable enough to do that though. Anyway, for how long are you staying in Ohio? Aren't you coming back to work?"

"I've been thinking lately and I might stay with Brooke for a while. As much as I'm itching to fly back to Canada, I've come to my senses. There are gaps that I need to fill since I left the two of you on your own and now I feel remorseful."

Warren haven't been the most supportive parent to them but he made sure that his children had a home to live in and money to support their financial needs. He was always working, always in Canada, and always out of reach. He heard reports about Y/N and Brooke individually and he had been worried with the decisions they've been making and experiencing it firsthand, he realized that they could be risking more than they thought. When he saw Mike coming after Y/N and Lauren—although he was aware of the reason why—he knew he couldn't leave them on their own again. Not until he's sure that they're going to be safe.