A week had passed since Raven sat Octavia and Clarke down the day after the gallery opening. Clarke was shocked, and hurt, and mad at herself, but also mad at Lexa. Mad that she left, again after letting Raven drop a huge bomb on everything she thought to be true. Octavia on the other hand was sad. Sad that she hadn't given Lexa a chance; sad she had spent so much time hating someone who was only trying to protect her.
Raven had found out through Indra that Lexa would be gone for an undisclosed amount of time, and in her absence Indra would handle the day to day operations at the firm. Raven saw it in Lexa's eyes that night that she had broken. Her stoic, calm demeanor was shattered. She knew Lexa needed time, time to heal, time to accept Clarke had moved on, time to let all the information digest before she returned. She didn't try to reach out, instead focusing on getting Octavia and Clarke back to normal.
Clarke had been second guessing the marriage to Matt for days before the gallery opening, but even more so now. She needed to talk to Lexa before she could move on for good. She needed to know everything. Part of her still hated the girl, but an even larger part was still deeply in love with her, and always would be.
Clarke had gone to Woods Consolidated and tried to talk to Indra to find out where Lexa was, only to be met with a firm 'She doesn't want to see you right now Miss Griffin.' A few days later she tried talking to Anya at Trikru but found out she must have gone with Lexa on her trip.
Lexa continued handling things at Woods Consolidated from the comfort of her lake house in northern Ney York state. She had multiple interview requests from Time Magazine, People, and a slew of others for the exclusive on her 6 month hiatus the year prior and her upsetting break up with Clarke. She had yet to accept until today, and agreed to meet only with Time Magazine. She was ready to move on, to tell the world how she felt about Clarke; even though she couldn't voice those feelings to the girl she so desperately loved. The interview was print only, Lexa refused a video interview solely on the fact that she didn't know if her mask would slip when addressed with questions about Clarke.
Time: Miss Woods, we are honored to be here today with you. It's been quite some time since we last heard from you. Just about a year correct?
LW: 14 months or so, yes.
Time: So, what's the deal, why the long unannounced hiatus?
LW: Well, I needed some time to take a step back and see what was really important to me in life. Woods Consolidated has always been my priority, and it still is, but I needed to tend to issues closer to home for a while.
Time: Are you referring to your break up with artist Clarke Griffin?
LW: Not only that, but I had taken a back seat to many relationships in my life that needed my full attention. When you're in the world that I'm in, you tend to lose focus on the people you think will always be there, friends, family, and I realized those were the people that needed me the most.
Time: So, back to Clarke, what happened? You went from being NYC's it couple for years to nothing overnight.
LW: I don't like to re-hash the past, Clarke and I did end things last year, it was hard for both of us. Any break-up is. She is an amazing woman, anyone would be lucky to have her.
Time: So you've heard then about her engagement to Matt Roberts?
LW: I have.
Times: And your opinion on that?
LW: I wish nothing but happiness and prosperity to Clarke in her life now and in the future. If she believes that Matt can give her that, then I trust her decision. Clarke is an amazing woman, she's beautiful and kind, and she's everything you could ever ask for in a partner. Matt is a very lucky man.
Times: For our final question Miss Woods, can you confirm or deny any of the rumors suggesting that you are considering selling Woods Consolidated to bidders such as Azgeda Inc.?
LW: Much of that information is under wraps, however, what I can tell you, is that Woods Consolidated will be under new ownership by the third quarter of next year. I have spoken to all of our shareholders, and we have agreed this is the best course of action. Thank you for your time today.
Times: And thank you Miss Woods.
Clarke had read and re-read the interview of Lexa in Time Magazine nearly 10 times before Octavia finally snatched it away to read for herself. Raven, Octavia and Clarke were sitting on the floor of Raven's apartment in shock after what Lexa had disclosed.
"She did it for us…" Was all Clarke kept saying to herself. She repeated the mantra over and over and over in her head and aloud.
"Raven, we need to talk to Lexa. We can't let her do this. That company is her life." Octavia was in disbelief. "Call Anya, please Rae"
"Fine.." Raven finally gave in. Assuming this was what Lexa couldn't tell her weeks earlier during their conversation.
Anya picked up on the third ring. She was driving home from the lake house to give Lexa a day to herself before she returned. The Time magazine article had come out today and Lexa needed to address her staff at Woods Consolidated by the end of the week.
"This is Anya" She answered, not aware who was calling.
"Anya, its Raven. Are you with Lexa?"
"No, I just left her. She'll be coming back tomorrow though; I can let her know you called."
"No, that's fine. Tell me you didn't know she was planning on doing this, she can't.. We can't let her do this."
"Raven, it's done. The deal was made when Lexa came back to NY months ago. It's only the firm though, she'll still own Trikru. Even if I tried, which I did, there's nothing that can be done now." Anya was frustrated with Lexa's decision, knowing it was eventually going to be the end of the cousin she knew.
"So… She traded the company for us. That's what this is right?" Clarke spoke, snatching the phone from Raven.
"Clarke?" Anya's voice was cold.
"Just answer the fucking question Anya. You can hate me later."
"Yes. Nia will be the owner of Woods and exchange for your safety and divorcing her father. Lexa's father is in the know of everything that happened and is waiting for the divorce papers to come down shortly after the signing of the contract."
"Where is she?" Clarke asked determined to get an answer from the blonde on the other end of the phone.
"The lake house, but she'll be leaving at 2pm tomorrow." Anya wasn't going to put up a fight.
Clarke didn't respond; instead she made her way to Raven's closet, grabbed a pair of jeans, and a few pairs of clean underwear as well as a shirt or two, shoved them into her purse and headed towards the door. Before she left she yelled behind her; "I'll be back tomorrow night, just… cover for me please?!" And she was gone.