Hello! I'd like to say thank you to everyone who left a comment on the last installment of this story and especially to those who directly sent me feedback. I had intended to let that chapter be the last one but as people seemed to really want another one, here it is! Sorry for the long wait, but I hope you enjoy.
*****
No one would choose terrible things to happen to them at Christmas time but Lauren was thankful for the timing as it meant that immediately after the Christmas party she could escape London and return to her family home in Buckinghamshire. Switching the crammed tubes and bustling city for the quiet picturesque village of Chalfont St Giles was just what she needed. On the day she had stepped off the train she had been met with a light blanketing of snow adding a sereness to the little village, only adding to the festive cheer that could be felt wherever you went. Sitting in the back of a taxi Lauren rested her temple against the cool glass of the window and admired the golden fairy lights that lit the whole way home till she was enveloped by the warmth of her family.
Lauren had invited toyed Jennifer home for Christmas, knowing she had gone home for thanksgiving and would be around she wanted to take the opportunity to introduce her to her extended family. It was so unusual for Lauren to bring someone home that idea had been latched upon by her parents and so before she had crossed the threshold they were already looking over her shoulder for the mysterious Jennifer. Lauren smiled tightly, settling her bag down and calmly explaining that it hadn't worked out and that it was okay, but even as she said it she knew it felt anything but. After a string of questions she was finally allowed to go upstairs to her childhood room.
Closing the door behind herself she flopped down on her back and stared up at the ceiling, seeing the framed tour posters of all the bands she'd loved as a teenager still where they'd been when she'd moved out. Taking in a deep breath she pinched the bridge of her nose, knowing her parents didn't want to make her feel like a failure or that she'd be forever alone, but with all that had happened it was hard not to feel that way. Downstairs she could hear the excited sounds of her brothers children and the idea of being away from London was exactly what she needed but at the same time just made the whole situation sting that much more.
---------------------------
Returning to work after the break Lauren had told herself that she had to let it go and be professional. Walking into her office early on the first day back she sat at her desk to catch up with her emails, listening to music quietly in her office in order to focus. The light was only on in her office as she was the first one in the building and so when the next person walked in the floor lit up with their footsteps and she was surprised to see the light coming her way. It was only when Jennifer made it into her eye line that she felt her stomach drop. Of course she was going to see her, Jennifer was her assistant after all, but she had hoped she wouldn't see her so soon.
Jennifer pulled the door open to Lauren's office and came and sat on the couch without a word, setting her purse on the floor and taking out her macbook and opened the lid to turn it on. Her long blonde hair fell slightly into her eyes as she bowed her head to look at the screen. "Your day is pretty empty today... most of the week is. Lots of people have taken the first week off." Jennifer murmured, sliding her fingers through her soft hair to tuck it behind her ear only to tip her head up to look at Lauren, frowning when she could see that she didn't have her attention, Lauren's eyes fixed firmly on her screen. "So we could schedule in some of those training sessions you've been putting off."
Lauren nodded and bit into the corner of her lip. "That'd be great, thank you."
Narrowing her blue eyes she paused for a moment, waiting for Lauren to look over at her but when it didn't happen she huffed and rolled her eyes. "So let's get it all out in the open shall we? Move past this?"
"I'm past it," Lauren said quietly, swallowing down the lump in her throat. "I - I've been thinking and we have a new Head of Legal starting next week and he's going to need help getting up to speed. I think it would be best if you switch to support him."
Jennifer stared at Lauren for a moment and rolled her eyes only to let out a soft, bitter laugh. "You do, do you?" Shaking her head Jennifer stood tall, resting a hand on her hip as she looked down at Lauren. Crossing the small space between the couch and her desk she stood in front of her. "Will you just fucking look at me and stop being a child?"
Closing the lid on her computer Lauren raised her eyes to meet Jennifer's and tilted her head to the side. "Stop being a child? I think-"
"I fucked someone else. You are not my girlfriend. You made that choice so this is your fault." Jennifer huffed. "So let's just move past it."
Lauren couldn't believe what she was hearing, having no idea how Jennifer could think that this was okay. Sure, they had resisted the label because Jennifer wouldn't have it until she was fully out but she had more or less been living at her flat, they'd planned holidays together and more. "I - you can't say that Jen. We were more than just a casual fling and you know it? Why are you - if telling yourself makes you feel better then go ahead but there's no moving past this and I think it's best if we don't work together anymore."
Jen narrowed her eyes slightly at Lauren, her lips in a thin line but then her face softened once more, a winning smile spreading across her features. Walking around the desk so that she was stood behind Lauren she placed her hands on her shoulders and gently started to massage them. Her thumbs slid along the lines of her neck as she curled her fingers in towards the muscle. "You're so tense and worked up, I thought a Christmas break would have given you time to relax." Jennifer's voice was like syrup as she dipped her head down to kiss Lauren's soft brown hair, breathing in the vague scent of rose that always seemed to cling to her skin and hair.
Tensing when she felt Jen's hands on her she bristled and shook her hands off of her. "Jen. I'm serious. This is over.. And I would like you to move to someone else and maybe we can be friends? But we're not going to be together anymore."
Taking her hands back Jen narrowed her eyes again and walked away from her, pacing the small stretch of hardwood floor in front of Lauren's desk. With every step she took her heeled boots clicked on the floor, Jennifer's hands crossed over her waist. "Have you submitted the transfer request?" Seeing Lauren nod she shook her head in disbelief, unable to believe she was acting like this. "Cancel it."
Lauren sighed as she watched her pace and shook her head. "I'm not going to do that and I can't do that or it'll look weird. He's a really nice man, probably much less demanding than me."
Jennifer stopped pacing abruptly and turned to face her, her stomach twisting but before she could stop herself she was already speaking. "Cancel the request, or I'm going to submit a grievance saying you're refusing to work with me since you found out I was gay. I mean you're super super straight, there's no reason you wouldn't be a homophobe right?"
