Sunday was a blur for Lexa, she slept most of the day due to her 48 hour sleeping hiatus the days before. She hadn't even had time to accept what was bound to happen Tuesday night.
She made her way into work Monday with Miller, letting Indra know she'd be attending the gallery opening the following night and would be taking Anya as her plus one. She requested that Indra look up who would be showing that night, though she had a funny feeling she already knew the artist. Raven and her met for Monday's board meeting and had lunch together. They talked as old friends would. Lexa told Raven about the gallery event, where Raven confirmed exactly what she already knew, that Clarke would be the featured artist and would definitely be there, as well as Octavia, Raven and Belamy. At least Lexa had Raven and Anya on her side. That was the only thing that calmed her nerves.
The next day flew by and by the time Lexa realized it, she was getting ready for the event that night. She wore a tight black dress that cut at mid thigh that would showed off her amazing legs, her hair was flowing down her back in waves with gold accent jewelry adorning her neck and wrists. Anya wore a blue dress similar to Lexa's but floor length with a very high slit up to her hips and had her hair in more of an up-do style. The two were gorgeous.
The gallery opened at 7pm, Lexa was always one to walk in late to any public event and decided to show up closer to 8pm. The two made their way to the bar first, Lexa purposefully avoiding eye contact with anyone before at least receiving a drink.
Clarke was talking with a prospective buyer when she saw Lexa out of the corner of her eye; still just as beautiful as she remembered. Clarke was aware Lexa may make an appearance since Woods Consolidated was partially responsible for the gallery even being open. She sucked in her emotions that were getting the best of her and turned away from the direction Lexa went. Clarke was hoping to avoid any conversation with Lexa at least until she could put on a fake smile.
Raven and Octavia were hanging by the bar waiting for Belamy to arrive. He worked until 9 so probably wouldn't get there until 10 or so. They had already seen all of Clarkes pieces including the two late additions in the previous hours when they were helping set-up the gallery, so they didn't have much to do besides talk with one another and drink. Clarke would be busy for most of the night, which they already knew.
"So… Are you planning on talking to her tonight?" Anya questioned her cousin who was sipping on a whiskey sour.
"If the situation presents itself, I won't push for anything. Let's go take a look around, at least seem busy." Lexa spoke back.
Raven had seen Lexa and Anya arrive at the bar a few minutes before Octavia did. Instead of letting the brunette know who had arrived, she turned herself so Lexa was out of Octavia's immediate view. She knew Octavia may make a scene and tonight was not the night, especially when Raven knew the truth behind everything Lexa had done.
"Oh shit… Rae, Rae she came. Lexa's here!" Octavia had finally gotten a view as Lexa and Anya made their way to the exhibit.
"Yeah, Clarke knew they would probably come, I think it's more of an obligation to Wood Consolidated than anything. Let's just leave them be." Raven tried talking her way around the clearly fuming girl in front of her. "Tonight is for Clarke and Matt, please O, let's just stay here."
Raven was too late, Octavia was already on her way over to the room Lexa and Anya had entered. Lexa had purposefully avoided going directly to Clarke's artwork, knowing that the blonde would be nearby any of her pieces. Shortly after entering she saw a shadow out of the corner of her eye, when she turned her face she was met with Octavia's hand directly across her face.
Raven was thankful the room was empty other than the three women, she had her hands wrapped around Octavia now, pulling her back while Lexa held Anya back from ripping the other's throat out. Raven knew Octavia was mad, but she had no idea she would immediately resort to violence.
"What the fuck Octavia?!" Raven spoke first.
"It's okay Rae, I deserved it." Lexa spoke up before Anya could say anything to make the situation worse.
"You're damn right you did. Why are you here Lexa? Just to fuck with her head some more?" Octavia had calmed a bit and shook off Raven's arms wrapped around her waist.
"I have an obligation to my company, Octavia. You already knew this, so did Clarke. Please, just let us go on with the night. I will stay away from Clarke."
"What about Clarke?" A tall dark haired man said while entering the room. Lexa immediately knew it was Matt, Clarke's fiancé. "Oh.. Hello, Miss Woods. I didn't see you come in. Thank you for coming." Matt spoke like he had no idea Lexa and Clarke had history together, which would have been impossible since they had been the 'it' couple of NYC just two years ago.
"Mr. Hubbard" Lexa returned the gesture. "This is my cousin Anya, as I'm sure you know, I'm a huge fan of Clarke Griffin's work, you are a lucky man." Everyone but Matt was aware of the intention of those words.
"Oh, thank you. We're both very excited about the upcoming wedding." Matt responded. "I'm sorry ladies but I'm needed out front. Please, drinks are on me tonight." With that Matt left the room.
Lexa was clenching her fists at the mention of Clarke's wedding, though she really could not be upset by his words. Octavia was still not done with whatever needed to be said, but instead of causing a larger scene she pushed both Anya and Lexa towards the back door the the alley way behind the building.
"You're going to tell me what I want to know before you go back in there and ruin her life again Lexa." Octavia spoke in a threatening voice.
"I don't have any intention of ruining Clarke's life, I just want her to be happy Octavia, she deserves that." Lexa's answer was honest, though with such close proximity to Clarke she was second guessing all her intentions to leave the girl alone.
"Where were you?" Octavia was short, clearly not wanting to hear any excuses from Lexa.
"Many places, mostly Europe and Latin America."
"Why?"
"That's not something I can disclose to you."
"Are you like in the CIA now? Some fucking assassin? Tell me why you left."
"To keep you all safe."
"Look Octavia, this isn't 20 fucking questions, you stay away from us, we'll stay away from you." Anya chimed in, hoping to get back inside.
Lexa lit up a cigarette, she was not a smoker but when she was fighting her nerves, she would have one once in a while.
"Give me one of those." Raven asked. "I need a break."
"If you wanted to keep us 'safe' from whatever it was, why didn't you tell us about it?"
"I couldn't risk it." Lexa was contemplating just spilling the whole thing to Octavia to get the conversation over with.
"Lexa… Please…" Raven spoke quietly.
"Wait… Do you fucking know something Reyes?!" Octavia had gone from irritated to pissed in seconds.
"Don't be angry with her, it's not her story to tell." Anya defended the girl she still had feelings for.
"Lexa, tell her… Please… She needs to know." Raven was pleading, she knew there was no way she could have Lexa back in her life if Octavia didn't know the truth about what happened.
"Yeah Lexa, tell us." All four girls whipped their heads around to see Clarke standing in the back door to the gallery. Her face was cold. There were no feelings inside the blonde, at least that's what she led on.
"Clarke" Was all Lexa could say.
"What is it that we need to know Lexa? Raven? Anya?"
No one responded. Instead they watched the blonde walk directly towards Lexa, blue eyes and green eyes focused only on one another. Clarke's were cold, revealing nothing. She stood toe to toe with the girl who stole her heart so many years ago. "Tell me." Was all she said.
Lexa didn't respond, instead she was met with another slap to the face this time from Clarke. Clarke eyes broke at that moment, seeing no anger or rage from the brunette she loved, and instead sadness. At a loss for what to do, Anya grabbed Lexa's hand to drag her back into the gallery. She knew the other girl would not be able to move on her own. Clarke reached out her hand to grab Lexa's but immediately had it swatted away by the protective cousin. Before they reached the door Lexa turned around eyes locking on Raven's.
"Tell them." Lexa spoke clear as day, eyes locking briefly with the girl she love before her resolve finally broke. She wanted to make sure Clarke knew how she had just hurt her. She made her way through the gallery with Anya in tow back to Miller and the SUV that was waiting. She knew then that she needed to get out of the city. It was a coward's play, but she couldn't deal with the aftermath of what finally would come to light after months of hiding a secret bigger than herself.