OWEN

The messages from the team are a relief and after the night I had, I could use the rest. Sean is more of a bastard than I thought of. When the police showed up at the studio, I had to control my temper when I realized that he accused me, so I cooperated and avoided making a bigger scene.

Once at the police station, I told them every single detail of what happened in the last months, and every single word that Sean and I exchanged as best as I could remember. I also told them that I punched him first, something I don't regret, and they could obviously see that I didn't get out unscathed. Unfortunately for me, they had to hold me there until they knew more and I ended up sitting in a cell getting nasty looks from the other people arrested. I asked for additional time to make my mind over the phone call I was allowed. Calling my mom was my first thought, but I wanted to prove I can solve this on my own and not depend on her judge status. It's on moments like these that I miss my father so much. He would have without hesitation bailed me out and most likely go after Sean himself.

When the policeman told me I could go, I knew Nathan was involved in my release. The man who interrogated me stopped me when I was almost reaching the door to ask if I wanted to press statutory rape charges on Sean. He hurt my daughter; he needs to pay. I only hope that when the police finds him that he acts like the giant dick he is and we'll see how they treat him.

My head is killing me, more than the nasty stitches on my nose. Ciara will freak out when she sees me, and even more when she finds out how it happened. I feel lucky when I find out a bottle with a few painkillers left from when I hurt my back, because right now I only want to sleep and forget about what happened.

"Dad? Dad, wake up."

"Hey, baby girl," I sit on the bed, rub the sleep off my face and wince at the pain.

"What happened to your face?" She looks worried eyes as she caresses my cheek.

"I went to talk to Sean."

Ciara's mouth hangs slightly open and fear flashes in her eyes.

"He accused me of assault, and I got arrested this morning at my work."

"Did they fire you?"

"No, they didn't. Also, the police dropped the charges against me after Nathan confirmed my statement. I've mentioned him before, the colleague who helped me when I found you," she nods, but looks mortified. "Then I pressed charges against Sean for what he did to you. That should teach him to not mess with a McKay," I smile.

"Do people at your work know about me now?"

"Yes, they do, but it's okay, I have their support."

"Do they know I'm pregnant?" She places her hands over her stomach.

"I don't think so, but if they do, it won't be an issue either. Ciara, until we hear that the police arrested Sean, I want you to stay here at the house. If you want to go to a friend outside of the neighborhood, let me know and I'll give you a ride. We don't know what Sean is capable of."

"I don't even want to think about it. Dad... I've been thinking... I want to keep the baby."

"Are you sure? You can still think about it. You don't need to rush the decision."

"I believe I love my baby already, even if it's Sean's," she grimaces.

"I understand. I do."

I hug her and remember a teenage boy who held a newborn girl and has never stopped loving her since then.

KALEY

Thank God the weekend is almost here. David surprised me with last-minute reservations to a cozy bed-and-breakfast. I have been putting so many hours on all the projects I have going on and could use time away from it all. He also promised me to take me shopping for maternity clothes, as I can barely close my pants anymore. I keep weighing myself every day, worrying I'm gaining too much weight, even though I'm watching what I'm eating. 

I also need distraction from the week's events. Zack's kiss and love declaration threw me off guard. Seeing him at the studio was confronting, and I resorted to closing myself in the meeting room and staying out of his way. He acted so strangely the rest of the week, talking louder than usual, and yesterday, after coming in late, I could smell the alcohol coming from his skin. I wanted to ask if he was okay, but Elvam held him by an arm and dragged him outside. I don't know what they talked about, if anything, but he didn't return. Elvam simply said he sent him home in a taxi.

Owen's arrest also shocked me plenty. After he got escorted to the patrol car, I felt faint. David came to check on me after talking to Nathan and brought me something to drink. He said I looked pale. I denied how I felt and said I was okay, even tried to smile, but he probably knew I was lying. I tried to change the topic to Owen's daughter and how he kept her a secret from us. I thought that after two years of working so close, that I knew enough about him, but seems I was wrong. When he came back to the office, Elvam and I reassured him that he won't lose his job if that is what he fears, and he looked relieved. To think that in some months, he won't be the only one with a child, well, if I still have one alive when the next appointment comes.

"Are you done wasting time? Maybe then we can start this meeting," Zack says harshly behind me, making me jump.

"I only closed my eyes for a minute. Can't I take a break? You sure took a long one yesterday," I snap.

"Stop! Just stop!" Elvam shouts, raking his fingers through his hair in frustration.

"Mess this up and we'll be fucked," Zack says in a tone I don't like one bit.

"Please, Kaley, show us what you've got," Elvam sits next to me and gives me an encouraging nod.

Breathing deeply to calm my desire to slap Zack, I then start the presentation with my packaging designs.

"After reading the marketing and design briefs, I concluded that the packaging for Pure Bliss should be a mix of modern design for the labels and a vintage nod. Before you protest," I look at Zack who gives me an eye roll. "Let me show you what I mean. We are not talking here about granny style products, but more towards the style of milky glass apothecary jars and bottles. By keeping the label simple and adding tags for the ingredients, we can keep it modern and sustainable, without unnecessary packaging. Product names will be written in a modern serif font with Elvam's handwriting indicating the main ingredient which also repeats as line illustrations on a colored background to keep a streamlined look."

Elvam moves the slides and Zack comes closer to the screen to take a better look. He sits again and laughs.

"Is this pathetic exercise what you will show to Face next week? Loose ideas and dreams. We aren't in high school anymore."

"Don't be stupid. I got a complete list of the product specifications from Andrea. I know exactly how much product each of the items will contain and already spoke with a supplier who can give me enough bottle samples to present a full set. If you do what you need to and share with me your display ideas, we can do this together and show them more than a dream."

Elvam is oblivious of our slightly heated exchange as he sketches something on a pad.

"I think you did great, Kaley. Mind if I send this to myself? I also saw the product list. I can make an inventory of which illustrations we need of the main ingredients and send them to you to expand the deck."

When he turns the pad around, I see the sprig of lavender he just drew which perfectly matches the style of my designs and what I had in mind. I know I can count on him, and I hope Zack doesn't give me a hard time if they want me to be done by next week.