Rob threw his head back and chuckled sarcastically before lowering and making eye contact with his sister again. He let out and exasperated sigh and narrowed his eyes at her as he waited for her to explain but Carla continued to disappoint as she kept silent. Michelle started to mutter an explanation from behind and Carla threw her head round to glare at her with warning. She shut up instantly and shyly bowed her head, the last thing she wanted to do was to upset Carla or she'd be on the receiving end of a very cold shoulder and she just couldn't bare that, not now.

Michelle felt her eyes tearing as the tense atmosphere in the office became worse. Carla and Rob were locked in silent stand off but she knew Carla wouldn't back down and Rob was destined to lose. She waited nervously for one of them to break the awkward silence but the tension was painful, she wanted so much just to scream about how she felt towards Carla but feared it would not be accepted. She wasn't even sure how Carla felt about it all, if she blabbed it could be a complete disaster and she'd be rejected like those tatty orange pants Carla had returned home to as produce from her factory. She shivered at the thought and it once again attracted her to Rob's attention.

"Michelle?" he questioned slowly and in a quizzical manor.

"Yeah" she replied boldly trying to hide her upset and looking up at Rob with big, watery eyes.

He pushed Carla's shoulder as he passed her and approached Michelle's chair. Keeping his expression plain he leant down and over her as Carla had earlier but in a threatening manner. He stared at her without blinking and asked in a soft but firm voice. "What's going on?"

Michelle dared not answer him, frankly she was a little bit scared but she was more scared of Carla. Suddenly she found her confidence and widened her eyes further, sending her eyebrows into high arches. Carla felt a lump in her throat and she didn't dare turn to look behind her. "Nothing" she snapped trying to leave her chair.

Rob leaned in closer, forcing her back down onto the leather, his threatening manner becoming worse by the second. Michelle felt herself getting worked up and Carla was the same. Together they were a powerful force to be reckoned with and he would lose.

"Don't bullshit me Michelle" said Rob in a snide and suspicious tone.

Carla detected his threatening and angry tone and didn't like it one bit. Who did he think he was, coming in here, shouting the odds and acting like he owned the place. This was her factory god damn it and she refused to put up with his behaviour any longer. He was lucky to even be here after his latest stunt and she wasn't going to take his attitude and crap any longer. Screwing her fists up at her sides she spun round on her heel and then slammed her hands down flat on Michelle's desk.

It made both of them jump and Rob quickly stood up straight releasing Michelle. She jumped up out of her chair too so she was in a less vulnerable position. Carla was breathing in and out deeply through gritted teeth as she stared at her little brother. He stood tall and stared equally as hard back.. Carla was just getting started she opened her mouth and that was it she found herself yelling.

"This is my factory. Who the 'ell do you think ya are coming in 'ere and questioning us?"

She paused dramatically as Rob's jaw dropped and then swiftly continued when he started to utter the beginning of a sentence.

"I don't want to here it Robert!" she screamed so loud the workers heard outside. They instantly stopped their machines and turned all their attention to the suddenly silent office from which their bosses voice had screamed out. Rob gave a disrespectful chuckle.

"You're drunk!" he accused in a snide tone.

Carla snapped. "GET OUT OF MY FACTORY!" Carla screamed in the loudest, sternest voice she could.

But Rob didn't move, he stood firm and chuckled again as he looked at his sister with utter disgust and disapproval. He thought she was pathetic, a drunk with a bad attitude and an even worse sense of business. Carla was raging he was disobeying her and she wouldn't stand for it. Lurching forward she pummelled the sides of her tightly screwed up fists into his chest.

"Get Out! Get Out! GET OUT!" she cried, her eyes watering and her face turning red as she screamed and strained her vocals.

She pushed him back so far he bumped into Michelle who took a firm grip on his arms. He was tense and she could tell he was itching to start a fight but it broke her heart to see Carla so upset. Using all her strength she kept a firm grip on a riled Rob as Carla continued to beat away at him and scream to the point her voice was hoarse and croaky for him to leave. She wouldn't let him hurt her, especially not physically.

"You're pathetic Carla" said Rob in his patronising tone.

Carla immediately stopped assaulting her brother and fell to the floor at his feet. Michelle couldn't bare it anymore, he had managed to bring Carla to her knees and destroy her better mood. This was her time to prove her loyalty and love for her raven-haired friend. Aggressively she shoved Rob forward, passed the broken Carla sat on the floor and to the door.

"Michelle…" Rob whinged in a firm tone.

"Just get lost Rob" she replied snidely as opened the door wide and pushed him out onto the factory floor where he stumbled and fell before the staring workers. The door slammed back in his face as he looked back in that direction. Brushing himself down he scowled at the machinists and ordered them all back to work as he stumbled to his feet and straightened himself up. His intentions were clear, he was going to march back into that office and give the Connor women a piece of his mind. It set the staff off whispering behind his back, speculating the goings on between their bosses.

Michelle had rushed back to comfort Carla, crouching down beside her and rubbing her arms comfortingly. Carla's whole body was shaking and Michelle found herself an emotional mess at the sight of her. Carla was sobbing heavily as she slowly placed herself against Michelle's chest. Michelle held her tight and stroked her hair as she tried to sooth her. She swallowed hard feeling nervous and just wanted to kiss Carla, let her know it would all be ok. Pushing her back she forced her friend to sit up right and look at her.

"It'll be ok Car" she reassured and smiled sweetly at her friend.

Carla blinked at her through teary eyes, leaning in she puckered her lips and was pleased when Carla leaned in too. Their lips met and locked instantly, Michelle's fingers entwined in Carla's long hair as she rested her hand on the back of her head. Carla's still shaking hand reached out for Michelle's and their fingertips touched and their fingers slipped together like pieces of a puzzle. They lost themselves in the moment of passion just as Rob pushed opened the office door wide.

He looked on in horror at the sight before his eyes. The nosy workers all left their machines and crowded around in the background. Nothing could have prepared any of them for what they saw, Carla and Michelle, sat on the office floor, lips locked and oblivious to their audience.