Past Revenge

Life's web

Laurel

POV

Laurel slowly gets up from her bed and went into the bathroom to take a shower. She really is not looking forward to today as she will have to be totally honest with Steven.

After her shower she went into the nursery to play with her kids. Seeing them she smiled happily. She will definitely take her kids on vocation as she is really losing precious time of her kids growth.

Their nannies were with them in their playroom. She thought how lucky she was to get them for her babies. Although they are young they really like kids and her triplets love them. She quickly glanced around the nursery and made a mental note to change the decor as soon as she has free time.

After spending sometime with the kids she had a quick breakfast and headed for work.

Steven was looking out of the window with a serious ecpression when she reach the office. He quickly blinked when he saw her and give her a warm smile instead.

"So, how are the kids?"

"They are fine, thank you."

"Well, about the Whiton thing, i got a call and we need to have a talk about it," he blurted out quickky.

Laurel tried to moisten her suddenly dry lips by licking them. She wondered what they need to talk about. She hope they are not coming to the office to finalized the deal. Wait, what deal. She remembered that they have decided not to sign the contract with them. She heave a sigh of relief.

She really must control her wayward thought in the future. After all it is her firm and no one can force her to work for anyone unless she wanted or is willing to do so. She took a deep breath and face Steven.

"So, what do you want to talk about?"

"You remember Nat, the guy i told you about?"

Laurel nodded.

*I told him about the condition we discussed yesterday and he insisted that if that's the case we will have to complete it within a shorter period of time."

"WHAT!!!!"

STEVEN shruged, "That's why we need to have a talk."

Laurel paced uneasily. How could she thought that she can easily wiggle out of the damn project. And what is Steven thinking about it she wonder.

"And what is your opinion?" she finally inquire.

"Like i said before, we don't have to do anything you are not comfortable with," he gesture.

Laurel knew that it is time she came clean. She owe him that much. Steven never push or try to make her feel less than him. He has always treated her as his equal and never pry about her past or her personal life for that matter. He's a true friend right from the moment she knew him, someone who is always ready to step up for her and the kids. The kids even like having him over but she does not invite him over much because she does not want to intrude in his life too much.

She sat down heavily behind her desk and look out the window without actually seeing anything. She slowly gather her thoughts together and faced her dear friend.

"I've known the Whiton's before. In fact i used to go to school with their son," she finally admitted. "We used to be inseperable, we have one other friend as well," she continued softly.

She got up and slowly stood near the window, gazing out unseeing. Her body rigit, back straight, her light skin taut and pale.

Steven glance at her and wanted to take her in his arms, telling her that everything is going to be just fine. He knew that she had a very hard life before he met her and often wonder how sweet she still is after all she's been through.

Laurel slowly turn around and gave a faltering smile.

"The reason i came here is because of them. I thought i could escape them from this far. But it seems i thought wrong," she sigh.

She clench and unclench her fingers.

"I came to this place when i learnt that i was with a child, also mostly because of my relationship falling apart right before my eyes."

Steven came and grasp her hand. He softly press her hand between his palm. "I never doubt you and your decision. You know that you don't have to explain anything to me."

Laurel smile fleetingly and shrug. "No, i have to or i will slowly go insane," she whispered. "Me, Jason and Nat used to be childhood pals. Mat's father and my father used to work for Jason's father. We did everything together while we were growing up," she reminisce.

She blinked and glance at Steven, who was looking at her with compassion.

"Everything was going well until i turn eighteen. Of course Jason and Nat were two years older than me. Me and Jason started developing a physical relationship by that time," she sneered.

"It seems i was not good enough for Jason. My father soon got laid off from work and at his age no other jobs were available for him. We somehow managed to survive from his small savings. Then i learnt that i was pregnant. I was so worried on how my father would react, i even thought of having an abortion," she said with feeling.

"One day my father went out to buy some groceries, he asked me to go along with him. But i said i needed to finish my project while i actually was planning on going to a clinic to take care of my problem."

Laurel went to her desk and sat down heavily. She inhaled shakily and closed her eyes.

"When i arrived at the main street i learnt that there was an accident, a collition and the one driving the car died on the spot. When i reach the place i saw my father's car."

Laurel blinked rapidly. Steven wanted to wipe away her tears and comfort her but he knew that she had to let it all out. God knows how long she's been bottling up the agony and grief by herself.

Laurel shook herself out from her reverie. "After my father passed away i made up my mind to keep the baby, move to another place and start building my dream."

She look at the framed photo of her parents on her desk and smiled sadly. "So, here i am, trying to forget my past but it seems as if that is not happening. Anyway, it would be a pleasure to see Nat aftet such a long time, not to mention Jason, the loving boyfriend who dropped me like hot coal once he realised that i was not good enough for him," she laugh with derision.

Steven shook his head. "We don't have to do business with them, you know. In fact, i'll call Nat right away and tell him that we are unable to sign the contract," saying that he started dialing a number.

Laurel quickly stood up and stop him. She smiled weakly at Steven and said, "You don't have to defend me, you know. I can face any situation as much as the next guy. Don't worry, i will be just fine."

Steven shrug. "Really, i'm not at all worried about you, Laurel. I know you can overcome anything, i just don't want you to suffer anymore heartache unless it is absolutely unavoidable," he said thickly.

Laurel slowly hug him. "Don't worry. ," she whispered. "I can assure you that i am a mature woman and the likes of Jason Whiton will never hurt me again."

If only she knew that she was way off she would have gladly let Steven make that call.