Annoying the Stubborn

f o r t y s i x

"Would it be okay for you to have the law involved in this?" David asked carefully, sitting at the head of the table as Clara sat beside Lauren whilst Y/N was leaning on Clara's desk, troubled. "It's in the papers. Mike and Leila are still Lauren's legal guardians and it can only be changed once you've got your documents ready."

"Being involved with the law means two things," Y/N added seriously. Lauren had never seen this side of her and she didn't know if she should be scared or aroused. "First is you could have Mike and Antonia arrested for framing your death, and that should be a good thing if we only have concrete evidences to support our claim. Second, if we're going to let the law meddle with this, all of us will be under the speculation with the inevitable audience, meaning the public. It would beat the purpose of having your identity hidden for years."

"You're basically saying that there's no way we could win this," Clara said but out of amusement.

"Actually, we could," Y/N said. "If we could kill all of them when they get here. It's a perfect ambush. They wouldn't be suspecting anything."

"You didn't tell me that you're friends with a lunatic," Clara said as she turned to her daughter.

"She's my girlfriend," Lauren retorted bashfully, cheeks burning in a deep shade of red. "And please don't take what she said seriously."

"Oh, yes, because preparing for an ambush means they're all going to die here and it would make you the prime suspect," Y/N interjected, meeting Clara's eyes. A silence passed the room before they all bursted laughing. "I'm sorry. I'm just too nervous and I can't think of anything else but that. Let's come up with a plan without including any type of violence, shall we?"

"I prefer that one," David said, pursing his lips.

"You're Lauren's girlfriend?" Clara asked, raising her eyebrows in surprise. "Warren's daughter?"

Y/N smiled in appreciation, padding towards them. "Yes, but I believe there's some other time to talk about that. Your husband's coming in a few minutes and he's about to abduct your daughter, whom you just got reunited with, and I'm sure you don't want her to marry just yet."

"Can I not make my own decision here?" Lauren suddenly asked. "For so long I feel like I have no control of my own life, which I shouldn't be feeling at all. I feel like I'm being violated."

"Your rights are," David said sadly. "And no, I'm afraid that your decision won't matter in the papers. You're not yet in the right age to make decisions for yourself, especially with this kind of terms."

"There has to be a way," Lauren said desperately, meeting Y/N's eyes for any kind of support. "I can't marry Rick. I don't want to marry him."

The glass doors were pushed open by two men in suits, holding them to let the group enter Clara's office. The group Clara didn't look forward seeing again. But there they were, Sean, Rick, Mike and Leila, formed in a line until they stepped inside and they had to create a small square with Sean and Rick in the frontline and the Jaureguis behind them. Y/N pushed herself away from the desk as Clara and Lauren stood up. She made her way beside Lauren, stepping forward so the green-eyed girl was slightly hidden behind her. David's usual nonchalant posture was gone and he was stiff. The men in suits closed the door and stood by them, serving as guards of the office with pride. Y/N thought it was ridiculous how choreographed it look but she didn't say anything. No one was saying anything.

"So," Sean began, a devious grin plastered across his face, "you're alive. I'm Sean Hayden, the founder of Premiscopic, and Rick's father. I'm guessing you're Clara Jauregui?"