The rest of the week went by smoothly. Well, for the most part. There was a little hiccup between her and Zayn at the department.

Flashback

Zayn and I were discussing the football game, when I heard murmurs resound throughout the building. We stopped and turned to see Lara approach us. She smiled at me, but scowled at Zayn. Well, more specifically she scowled at Zayn's arm around my shoulders. I subtly wiggled out his embrace and raised a brow as to why she was here.

"I come bearing gifts." She smiled as she handed me a folder. "The tax reports from my division over the past 5 years. Your welcome." I smiled since she delivered what I asked of her.

"Thanks!" I smiled.

"You know, you can show your appreciation by joining me for drinks or dinner." She slyly stated with a smirk.

"Dinner? Where you don't eat?" I chuckled, but an unreadable expression passed over her features. Her emotions seemed to be conflicted and saddened? Before she could even respond, Zayn inputted his unsolicited opinion.

"And what's to keep you from taking her to an unknown location and assaulting her?"

"This little thing I value called consent. Clearly, I can't say you value the same thing." She narrowed her eyes as Zayn's mouth fell open.

Lara didn't stay long after that. She made sure to briefly explain the expense reports before she left. Later, I scrolled through Instagram and saw that she went to a strip club.

Flashback over

I was a little worried that things would be awkward between us after I rejected her, but I must say she handled my rejection maturely. She did shock me with that. She acted normal around me and showed no hint of being upset, which made me upset. I don't know... maybe I wanted her to feel a twinge of disappointment. She showed nothing, like it didn't even effect her. That's what I get for catching feelings for a fuckgirl.

Everyone was surprised when Lara showed up for work the entire week. Her subordinates were whispering about the newfound change in her. They were gossiping about what made her come in. People were wondering if her mother had finally gotten fed up with her antics and put her foot down. Why would her mother impact her career?

I was currently standing in the corner of the laboratory. There had been some problem that threatened to explode the reactor, so Lara and Mr. SangPure had been called in. They worked surprisingly well together. They knew exactly what the other was thinking and doing. They quickly deescalated the hazardous situation.

After everything was safe again, Lara began speaking about possibly changing the design of the reactor to account for the additional heat. She then began to brainstorm about different substances she could add to the solution. It was beginning to become quite lucrative and I felt a bit out of place.

"Uh, should I leave since your talking about confidential information?" Everyone turned to look at me.

"Are you going to publicize what we discuss in here?" Lara asked.

"No."

"Then, you can stay." She smiled.

"That's not a very CTO thing to say. Shouldn't you be a bit more worried since I haven't signed an NDA or anything?" She just smirked and rolled her eyes before turning back to the scientists.

The only person who wasn't amused was Mr. SangPure. He had been glaring at me from the moment I walked in. I would've chalked it up to him not being pleased about me hearing confidential information, but that wouldn't explain the constant daggers being thrown after the meeting ended. An engineer ran up to Lara to ask her a final question. Mr. SangPure used the distraction to threaten me.

"I don't know what motive you secretly have, but do not abuse her emotions to advance yourself." He sternly warned me. "I will not tolerate her heart being played with." He took a step back right before Lara and the engineer finished speaking. We then walked out the room together.

"Not a very CTO thing to say." I looked to see Lara mulling over my words. "Not a very CTO thing to sa-"

"Oh, my God. I'm sorry." She chuckled at my apology. "So dramatic."

"Dramatic enough so that I got my desired outcome." She smirked.

"We need to go to our meeting. Mother is expecting us now." Mr. SangPure walked off.

"Your mother?" I was confused.

"You really didn't google us?"

"Not like I didn't try. You guys are like wiped of the inter-" I caught myself.

Dammit! I fell into her trap and revealed more information than necessary. Well, it shouldn't be out of the ordinary that an investigator is investigating them. Lara noticed the shift in my mood.

"Go on. You were saying how you googled us." She motioned for me to continue.

"The point is no. I didn't see anything about your mother. I am curious how they're able to sustain a healthy marriage while spearheading a billion dollar company together."

"Trillion dollar company." Lara corrected me. "And who are you talking about?"

"Mr. and Mrs. SangPure." I stated like it was the most obvious thing, but Lara just swung her head back and laughed.

I was so distracted from the melodious sound escaping her mouth. She looked absolutely beautiful in that moment. She chuckled a few times while wiping her tears.

"Marriage." She laughed. "Oh my God! You thought they were married? This entire time?" She began laughing again.

"What's so funny?" I was getting annoyed.

"Mrs. SangPure is my mother and Mr. SangPure is my brother." She revealed.

"Ooooh, that'd explain your beautiful emerald eyes." I stiffened when I realized what I said. "Just that you and your mom have the same eyes, anyways..." Lara was loving my flustered state.

"Their names are Alena and Alexander or better known as Lena and Alec." She giggled. "They are too into formalities for my liking."

"Ya, Lexi said the same thing." She quirked a brow at that. "Not like that!" I rushed out. "She didn't-"

"Relax. I'm not ratting out my assistant, especially when she's used to being informal with them." She muttered the last part.

"So you're all related except for Hailey or is she like your aunt?"

"Nah, Hailey isn't blood related, but she's still family." She smiled. "She's been with us ever since we were babies."

"But she's so young. I mean even your mom looks young. How old are you guys?"

"Look 22, but feel a few centuries old." She chuckled at her joke. Was I the only one who didn't get her jokes?

"So you're 22." I more stated than asked.

"Sure, let's go with that." She smirked. "And how old are you?"

"Too old for you." Her smirk deepened at my comment. "Anyways, don't you have a meeting you should be attending?"

"Wouldn't be the first one I skipped." She got closer to me until I backed into a wall. "You intrigue me." She trapped me between her arms. "Why do I have a feeling you haven't been entirely honest with me from your arrival?" She searched my eyes for any clue to her question.

I was frozen like a statue. I didn't know what to do. I was literally caged in and had no where to run. I felt my heart beat rapidly against my chest. Her lips curved up into a taunting smile. Why was she acting like she could hear my heartbeat increase?

"Because you have trust issues." I breathed out.

"Must be my paranoia." She removed herself from me and took a few steps back. "I'll see you soon. I'm awfully late to the meeting. Goodbye." She turned to walk towards the elevators.

I didn't move for a good few minutes. I was petrified. Just a while ago, it felt like she was a predator who had cornered its prey. She was toying with me and I hated it. I hated how she could get a simple reaction with just a look.

Whenever she got too close, it was like alarms bells went off. But at the same time, I wanted to be near her. I desired her in more ways than one. It wasn't about just wanting to sleep with her. I wanted to be with her. It was insane thinking that. There was no way a player like her would settle, especially for someone like me. And then there was my job. How can I complete this mission if my target continues to run through my mind in a not so professional way?

The rational part of me was insisting I call Matt to remove me from the case. But the selfish part of me wanted to stay. And the lustful part of me wasn't satisfied with my position in Lara's life. It wanted more. It desired her in an intimate way.