''DeLane...as in DeLane Designs?'' Laura inquired, brow raised.
''That would be me,'' Sabrina replied flatly.
''Oh, so you're the one behind those designs?'' Laura snorted. ''I hope you don't mind me being frank, but I've always found them to be a tad...tawdry,'' she shrugged.
''Oh, well,'' Sabrina smiled coolly, ''you know what they say, one woman's 'tawdry' is another woman's...five million dollar industry. Not too bad for my first year out, eh?'' she winked.
''Touche','' Laura consented. ''So, what is your reason for being here at Deception?'' Laura asked, offering up her best attempt at an intimidating stare.
''I believe that's for you and your chief stockholder here to discuss,'' Sabrina replied, looking to Stefan, ''seeing as I am here at his request,'' she replied pointedly. ''Now, if neither of you has any further need of me, I have work that I must begin,'' Sabrina added.
When no response from either Stefan or Laura was forthcoming, Sabrina nodded then turned and left the room.
His gaze lingering on Sabrina's graceful form as it exited the room, Stefan groaned inwardly as he heard Laura's approaching footfalls. He'd barely had time to center his thoughts before Laura's inquistion began.
''And just when,'' Laura demanded, tapping her index finger against Stefan's shoulder a tad more forcefully than necessary, "did you plan to inform me of this...?''
Shaking his head absently as he turned to face Laura, Stefan quickly adopted the stoic, unrevealing mask he wore so often when dealing with those he wished to keep his emotions from. Ignoring her pittiful albeit physical attempt to intimidate him, Stefan found himself far more irritated with the impending litany of queries Laura was sure to bombard him with.
Patiently, he listened while she she droned on. All the while, his mind was elsewhere as he silently began to count down the moments until he could give his full, undivided attention to the matter which was truly important to him.