Rachel Sarah and Fara were waiting inside of Rachel’s office. There was a press stage set up outside. Rachel was dressed in a long grey dress, Fara was in a Cream dress coming down to her knees fully hiding the diaper she was wearing for once, and Sarah was in a similar brown dress. Lexi was attending to Rachel in a smart pants suit.

“I’ve never been to a press conference before,” Fara commented.

“I haven’t been to one on this side of it,” Rachel responded.

“I’m sure you’ll be fine Mistress,” Sarah assured.

“Yeah you’re gonna do great,” Fara echoed.

“Thanks girls,” Rachel took a breath. “Why don’t you girls go wait outside until we’re done?”

“Sure thing,” Fara said as she and Sarah left through a side door.

This was the most adult Fara had been in a while, likewise for Sarah. Given that her father was going down for trafficking it was determined that it was probably for the best if Rachel’s two subs weren’t part of the message even if they were willing subs unlike the ones Rachel’s father had. Thus their modest dress and their position out in the crowd. Fara was a bit unsure of what to do with her freedom, or rather lack of a leash.

“So do they have like food stalls at these things?” Fara asked Sarah.

“I don’t think so,” Sarah said quietly. A small crowd had already gathered at the small stage in front of the office building, more were filtering in and news vans were parked along the street. Sarah and Fara definitely stood out in the crowd of reporters but only because they were dressed normally for once.

“Wow this is kinda a lot.”

“It’s a pretty big deal,” Sarah explained. “Wolingtech is one of the biggest tech companies in the world. Having the ceo get wrapped up in a trafficking ring and his heir be a product of that is kinda big news.”

“Oh,” Fara thought for a second. “Well I guess when you put it like that.”

“Speaking of lets stand in the back before one of these guys recognizes us.”

“They might recognize us.”

“Shouldn’t, but it doesn’t hurt to be careful.”

Riley arrived at the edge of the press conference area and looked around for Fara. She was wearing Jeans and a simple brown top, with a hat to help hide herself. It had actually been almost impossible to get anywhere near Fara the past month. Rachel had pretty effectively sequestered her off in her house, and there was no way she was letting Riley near there. This press conference presented an opportunity though. Rachel would be preoccupied, and there was no way she would leave Fara alone while she was here. Which meant that Fara was somewhere in the crowd, and Riley only had to get past Sarah to talk to her, which could pose a problem.

She found the two of them talking together on the outskirts of the crowd that had gathered. Riley put her hand over the check, still neatly folded in her pocket. Best case scenario she could tell Fara the truth and keep her two million, but she would have to be quick and discreet. She hated the part of herself that couldn’t proudly tell Fara in defiance of Rachel’s machinations, but the best she could do was this underhanded ploy. She approached one of the nearest reporters.

“Hey man I don’t wanna tell you how to do your job, but I think that little red head over there is Miss Woillingworth’s partner.” The reporter glanced over toward Sarah and back at Riley. “Trust me.”

Fara and Sarah waited anxiously as Rachel appeared on the stage and on the large monitors that had been set out next to the stage.

“Thank you everyone for coming,” Rachel started speaking. Her partners could tell she was nervous but to the crowd all they could see was practiced precision. “I am here today to discuss the disturbing leak about Wollingtech’s current ceo, and let you all know what are direction is going to be from here. In light of these events I will be taking over as ceo of the entirety of Wollingtech, effective immediately.” The crowd erupted into camera flashes and questions from the reporters. “Before we answer any questions, I just want everyone to be assured on where I stand on the matter. I have been forced by a litany of legal documents and non-disclosure agreements to keep the nature of myself and my father a secret my entire life. Now that this has come to light though I want all of you to know that I disavow my father’s actions wholly and completely, and that every day I’ve lived with the shame that is the circumstances of my birth. I will endeavor to move our company in a better direction in spite of this, and I look forward to our future without the stain of my father’s actions.” At the end of her statement questions flared up from the crowd again and Rachel found herself distracted by questions.

Fara and Sarah were watching their partner seriously, as the crowd erupted into questions Sarah was approached by a reporter.

“Excuse me ma’am. Are you by chance Miss Wollingworth’s partner?” the reporter approached with camera and microphone already in Sarah’s face. Sarah looked at the reporter annoyed and then glanced at Fara.

“Can we step over here?” Sarah said leading the reporters away from Fara. Fara watched in concern but she gasped as Riley grabbed her shoulder.

“Riley?”

“Fara I need to be quick,” Riley said in hushed tones.

“Quick about what? You know you haven’t shown yourself since we got back and now …” Riley quickly handed Fara the check, and Fara was taken aback by the amount written on it.

“She gave me this to go away.”

“But why would she?” Fara thought for a moment then came to a quick realization. “Because you were right. You were right the whole time, and she’s paying you to go away so I don’t find out.” Fara stepped back a little.

“Fara I’m sorry,” Riley said quickly.

“No no. I’m sorry. I should have believed you. You’d never lie to me. You’re my best friend.” Fara glanced to Rachel who was busy asking questions, and over to Sarah who was calmly but frustratedly answering the reporters’ questions. She didn’t really have the time she needed to process all of this, but she needed to come up with a response.

“Fara?” Riley was anxious.

“It’s ok Riley,” Fara said quickly. “I’m fine. I’ll be fine.”

“But she lied to you, it’s all based on a lie. Why would you ...”

“It doesn’t matter.” Fara remembered the advice Rachel had given her. With complicated issues your initial gut response was usually the right one, and she went with her gut response. “I belong to her now, and I don’t want to go back.”

“But…”

“Take the money Riley. I’ll be fine.” Riley looked hesitantly at Fara.

“If that’s what you want.”

“It is. You were a good friend Riley.” With that Riley took the check back from Fara and ran off to cash it as soon as possible. The moment was bitter sweet. Fara finally knew the truth, but she chose to stay with Rachel anyway, a fate that Annabelle had warned Riley about. Hearing Fara say it out of her own mouth made it real though. It was what her friend wanted, even if it was all based on a lie. She could rest easy knowing that at least Fara knew the whole story and made the decision with all the facts.

“You ok sweetie,” Sarah came back to Fara after finally chasing the reporter away.

“Oh yeah,” Fara said quietly.

“I think we’re wrapping up. I’m sure Mistress will probably be eager to head home after all of this, and I don’t want any more of these guys getting any ideas about harassing us.”

“Yeah I’m ready to go to.” Fara and Sarah made their way back to the office where Rachel was busy decompressing from the event with Lexi.

“Oh there’s my girls,” Rachel said with a sigh hugging Sarah and Fara.

“You did so well,” Sarah said happily.

“You think so?”

“Yeah totally you looked so professional, and I’m so happy for you. You’ve been waiting for this for a long time you’ve earned it.”

“Yeah Mommy you were great,” Fara smiled, doing her best to give her mommy positivity during this moment where she needed it.

“Oh well I’m so glad,” Rachel breathed a sigh of relief. “I think we’re going to scoot before they can ask me any more questions.”

“We’ve got it under control boss.” Lexi gave a thumbs up “I’ll get with the board and finalize the paperwork for you. I’ll have it to you by next week.”

“Excellent Lexi what would I do without you.”

“It’s my pleasure Rachel, and congratulations. I look forward to working under our new ceo.” Rachel smiled and left quickly.

Their car was parked to the side, a gate had been erected and was being guarded by security so that Rachel could leave discreetly. The three quickly got into the car, leaving quickly was the key to not being spotted by the crowd of reporters. The security subtly opened the gate and Rachel was able to quickly leave the scene without incident, and just as quickly the group was safely inside Rachel’s home.

“We should probably lay low for a bit my dears,” Rachel said shutting the blinds of the living room. “I’m sure Lexi can bring use whatever we need. At least until I get situated at my new office.” Fara and Sarah seemed unperturbed, they spent most of their time at Rachel’s house anyway, neither of them particularly eager to go out in public in the attire they wear around the house. “Well I’m sure you two are ready to get into something more comfortable.”

“Define comfortable,” Sarah giggled. Rachel giggled with her as the two made their way to Rachel’s bedroom.

“Something the matter sweetie?” Rachel asked Fara who had remained in her spot in the living room. Fara looked at the ground at her feet unable to meet Rachel in the eyes.

“I know mommy,” Fara spoke quietly.

“Know what dear?”

“I know!” Fara said again. “I know … I know you lied to me.” There was a silence in the room, there was a clear division between Rachel and Sarah on their side of the room and Fara. “I – I don’t know for sure what, but I know you lied to me. Probably about me being sick and needing diapers, or me needing to ride in my car seat.” There was another silence. “I nned you to say something now.” Fara was unsure.

“What do you want me to say?” Rachel said quietly.

“I don’t know,” Fara started crying. “You’re my mommy you’re supposed to know what to say.” For once Rachel didn’t know what to say. Rachel and Sarah had always figured this moment might happen, and even planned some responses, but now that the moment was here neither of them knew how to proceed. “Mommy?” Rachel did the only thing she could think of to console a crying baby. She embraced Fara in a hug, and Fara hugged her back.