Before she knew it, another day came by. "You'll be okay, Lauren. You'll catch up with everything." she silently told herself. She drove to the usual work place and hesitantly stepped into the office, ready to accept the scolding. Everyone's attention swiftly reacher her. They froze in place for long moments before rushing to to embrace her, which was unexpected.

"Why did you drive so carelessly? We were really worried!"

"You've got lots of stuff to do, though..."

"Oh shut up, she just got back and you're trying to stress her out?"

"That's not-"

"Have you even fully recovered, Lauren?"

"Chill, you guys are overreacting. She just got into a minor accident."

"Minor? Okay, I'll try hitting you with a truck at a high speed then."

She exhaled in relief of not seeing her boss and held her index finger at her lips. "Shh..." she whispered and that was the end of the welcoming conversation. "Is he in his office?" she queried, a bit afraid of him eavesdropping. "No, don't worry. He won't lecture you because he knows you were hospitalised." a co-worker chuckled, scratching the back of her head.

She shot a thumbs-up back at her with a thankful smile plastered on her face. She took her old seat beside her Gina, earning an obnoxious glare from her. But she couldn't care less. "How's that stupid head of yours?" Gina quietly spat, averting her gaze from Lauren. "Good enough to answer you, thank you." she huffed in a blunt tone.

Deep inside, the two girls knew they didn't hate each other. They cared for their well-beings, but they didn't show it. Poker faces...

I don't hate her, she just keeps getting on my nerves.

I don't hate her either, she's just too proud.

***************

"Why do you look like you're...crying?"

Gina scowled at the concerned female. "I am crying, you moron. Don't make others hear you."

"Huh? What's the matter? Don't tell me you broke up with your boyfriend again."

"Shut up, I did not! It's just some personal issues...my father's jewellery shop...is in huge danger..."

Lauren sighed and paused to think for a moment. "Can't pay debts?"

"You! Y-You...You're right for this one."

The blonde laughed and patted the dark-haired person's shoulder who was now clenching her fists. She leaned closer and looked at her in the eyes. "I'm rarely wrong, Gina Lane. You know that, don't you?"

Silence.

Lauren then got back to her work, returning her attention to the computer. "Jewellery shop? Jewellery?" she suddenly mused, thinking about the blue necklace a police officer showed her. She softly gasped and nudged her junior, who just stoped sobbing recently. "What is with you touching me like that? It pisses me off." she snapped, not wanting to hear her frenemy's voice.

But what else could she do but listen? "Stop complaining and look at this. Your opinions can come in later." Lauren quickly blurted as she held her phone at Gina's confused face.

"Move it further from me, dumbass!" she yelled in frustration of not being able to see properly. When her vision finally adjusted to the picture on the glowing rectangle screen, she just sat there with a blank expression.

"You've seen this before? Is this from your father's shop? Tell me, Gina Lane!" Lauren refused to let her co-worker stay silent. "Yeah, this is from his shop. The "C" represents my mother's name. But anyway, how did you-" she stated, however, still not pleasing the other female. "It's not important how I got it, but thanks. I-I have to go." she hesitantly told her before standing up and bowing down.

"Please tell boss I'm leaving. Excuse me for the day." she requested everyone and left the office in no time.

***************

"That's the necklace my husband gave me, why?"

"The police found it in the crime scene where my father died. I'm not accusing you, Mrs. Lane, but I have to make sure."

"Oh...I understand."

Lauren took a deep breath before moving on. "Why do you think it's there, Mrs. Lane?" she slowly yet steadily inquired, causing the old woman to frown a bit. "T-There was a burglary at our shop t-that day. The same criminal probably dropped it while killing Mr. Hart?" woman then hesitantly articulated, slightly showing her nervous side.

"REALLY MOM? THERE WAS A BURGLARY? WHY DIDN'T I KNOW THIS WHEN I WAS THERE THE WHOLE TIME?" an 15-year-old boy joined in the conversation out of nowhere. He got a death glare from her mother instantly, scaring the poor innocent guy. "What's this, Mrs. Lane? Your child stated that he was there the whole time, and didn't experience such thing." Lauren was quick to shoot back.

But before she had time to make another act, the mother bursted into heavy tears. She looked like the weight she had been carrying was finally taken off her shoulders. The scene reminded Lauren of her ill childhood friend at the hospital, which saddened her as his cries rang in her ears. "I'm terribly s-sorry, Lauren! I couldn't...I couldn't t-tell you the truth! But I guess I'll h-have to do that now! Please forgive me!" the sobbing female begged for forgiveness.

Keeping her emotions hidden, she agreed to let her go on. "W-Well, actually, our family didn't have enough m-money to pay our debts and...the Campbell family threa-"

"What? You said 'Campbell'?"

"Y-Yes, why?"

"N-Nothing, please continue."

"So they told us they wouldn't let us live properly if they didn't give them the money in 2 days, which was...impossible at the moment. We begged for mercy but it was no use, so my husband promised to do something for them in return."

Lauren gasped in horror. "Don't t-tell me..."