THE SMELL OF coffee was settled heavily in the atmosphere. Laavanya was holding her cup of chai tea latte (which should just be called tea latte because chai itself means tea) and watching the people live their day. It was the weekend so the hustle of workers was less than that of those who just stopped by for their morning breakfast or coffee dates.

She sipped her latte, waiting for Ryker to join her. They had a call to attend with Mr. Z and then Paris was going to drop off Rain because she wanted to spend the day with her father and the woman he was seeing. It was a different kind of happiness to be liked by a child.

Someone slid into the booth and she looked up to smile at Ryker but was caught off guard to find an unexpected person to sit in front of her with their drink in their hand. The smile from Laavanya's face was replaced with a questioning and slightly (read that again, slowly) disappointed look.

"I just need a minute of your time and then I am off to work," Diana said. "First of all, I heard about the autobiography project. Congratulations on that! I don't know who the celebrity is but this is a big win for the firm and...you have proven to be an asset."

"Why the sudden change in niceness, Diana? Why not just ask if I slept my way through?"

Diana's face was hot with shame. "I am sorry about that. Truly. I got too caught up and intruded. I should never have believed in those rumours."

"Rumours?" Her voice cracked. "What the hell are you talking about?"

"It's just—I overheard one of the Head of the department say that Mr. Morris only took the job offer because Mr. Edison agreed to hire you–on his condition. I joined the dots that you two were together because my girlfriend–she is in HR—said that you and Mr. Morris were old friends. Everyone loves good old office gossip but I swear I never doubted your potential. I know you didn't sleep with him to get where you are today."

"How would you know that?"

"I read the article and I looked you up. Your work is actually freaking good. You are better than any of our team members—more than Mr. Morris too, in my opinion. But beware. I know we got on the wrong foot but...they are jealous of you. They know how good you are so with every step you take, be careful."

"I still don't get why—"

"After reading your article, I read more by the same writer. Sydney Quinn, that is. She wrote an article on sometimes how women can be quick to tear each other apart instead of standing up together and I realised—I have done that too. This is me swallowing my pride and toxicity and being a better person. I am trying, Shaw. And I hope you can forgive me."

Laavanya took a breath. She was upset, yes—but not at Diana. She didn't mean any harm. She just wanted to be colleagues, the kind that gossip and make fun together. Even in the beginning when Diana had stepped up to talk about Ryker, she wasn't there to gather information. She simply wanted to talk. She couldn't hold that against her and the fact that she realised her mistakes and was setting them right, she deserves to be forgiven.

"I forgive you." She smiled. "But only if you promise to not engage in rumours about anyone unless they admit it themselves, okay?"

"Yes! Thank you, Laavanya. I'll see you on Monday." Saying this, she left and in a matter of a few minutes, Ryker was sitting beside her.

"Hey." He gave her one of the exclusive soft smiles that are only offered to Laavanya and Rain. He leaned in for a quick kiss on her neck and said, "Have you prepared questions to ask Mr. Z?"

She ignored the fireworks she felt on her skin at the spot he had kissed. "Um, yes. They are on my phone. I was thinking if we could ask Mr. Z if we can record the call."

"Hm, sure."

"Do you really not know who Mr. Z is?" Ryker shook his head. "What if he tells us about his life and we somehow figure it out? Wait, if I figure it out during the call, can I ask him?"

Ryker laughed and tucked strands of her hair behind her ear. "You are adorable." He kissed her temple and smiled widely. "But it's best if you don't. We are under a contract to keep it quiet."

"That's a bit disappointing."

Ryker's phone buzzed and he looked at Laavanya. She gave him an enthusiastic nod. But a thought or rather—a voice kept echoing in her head.

Are the rumours true?

***

Laavanya held Rain's one hand while Ryker held her other. They both walked down the street after having lunch at Rain's favourite diner in the city. Rain insisted on having a chocolate cake and by insisting—she almost decided to lie on the floor and cry–but Ryker and Laavanya managed to convince her that if she had a proper lunch, Ryker would give her any toy she wanted.

So now they were on their way to a local toy store because Paris had taught Rain to support local stores before visiting popular brands.

"I'll be right back," Ryker said and ran to cross the street.

Laavanya and Rain paused in their way so she turned to the little girl. Her eyes caught a Hello Kitty clip slipping off of her hair. She crouched down to meet Rain's height and re-clasped the clip. She smiled at Rain who was watching her. "Do you have a specific toy you wish to buy?" She asked.

"I want a panda soft toy." She grinned. "He will be one of my students at Rain School Of Dreams." She lifted her hands and spun around with happiness. Laavanya felt a tap on her shoulder. She looked over to find Ryker towering over while holding a bouquet of tulips.

She stood up and kissed his cheek before accepting the flowers with a smile. Ryker's smile widened and his cheek turned a little red. Before Laavanya could fully process that he had blushed, he bent down to give a smaller bouquet of dahlias to Rain. "Two bouquets for my two ladies. Do you like it, kiddo?"

"I love them!" She beamed. "Can we go to the store now?"

"Yeah, sure. Let's go."

Ten minutes later they were in a local toy store. As soon as they had entered, Rain had rushed towards the dolls section. She led the way while Laavanya hooked her hand around Ryker's arm and they watched Rain gawk at the toys with excitement. Finally, they reached the soft toy section and the little girl immediately lunged towards the biggest panda she could find.

"I want this," she said. She squeezed the panda in her small hands. "I am going to name him Luis."

"That's a lovely name, Rain," Laavanya mumbled. "Let's go get it. I am paying." Ryker opened his mouth to object but Laavanya had already caught Rain's hand and they were racing towards the counter. Ryker shook his head and almost slid his card before Laavanya could take hers out.

They walked out of the store and Rain hopped through the way with Luis in her hand while Ryker and Laavanya walked behind. Laavanya turned to him. "Hey...um, so I met Diana at the cafe."

"Yeah?" He furrowed his eyebrows. "What did she say?"

"Did you ask Mr. Edison to hire me or you wouldn't work at Piper & Lawson?" As soon as she said those words, he took a deep breath and lowered his gaze. "So it's true? You actually did that? You went behind my back and did that?" She paused in her tracks.

Ryker sighed. "Hey, Rain." Rain turned around. "Why don't you go to that bakery and pick us some cupcakes, okay?" He pointed towards the bakery that had stopped by. "Laav and I are going to have a little chat."

"Okay!"

He met Laavanya's eyes. "Babe, look—I know how upset you were about—"

"It wasn't your job to make me happy!" She raised her voice. "I thought I earned the job on my merit. But it was you because of whom I got re-considered. I know I am excellent at what I do, Ryker but you didn't have to do this. We weren't even friends at that point so why? Why would you do this?"

"Laav, no. It's not what you think." He held her hands and squeezed them in assurance but Laavanya dropped his gaze. "I believe in you. Of course I knew how talented you were and that night at the beach when you were wasted, it fucking sucked to watch you get upset. I told you–even when we weren't together or we had a chance, I always cared about you! I liked you even when you hated me."

"I can't believe you did this. Do you know why I broke up with Cameron? I was scared that he would let me down too—because my dad did and my first mentor, Fred did it too. I was so sure that Cameron would hurt me that I couldn't love him anymore and now you..." Her cheeks were stained with tears of her own. "You hurt me, Ryker. I..."

"Laav, please. I didn't..."

"I need to go." She dropped his hand and stepped away. "I...Bye."

She heard him call her name but she walked away with a heavy heart and tears in her eyes.

taylor is releasing speak now (taylor's version) on july 7th!!!!!!!

therefore, there is a back to december reference in this chapter. find out.

also note that I changed Stella's name to Sydney:)