I knew something was wrong.

Utterly wrong.

Sugar held her phone in her hand. Mouth gaping open; her tongue ran over her chapped lips – plumped and swollen. Her knuckles tightened around the device. I gradually made my way over.

If I move too quick. She might run.

As if she was a squirrel contemplating whether to cross the road. Any slight movement could terrify her.

Sugar stood still.

I waved at two camera people as I walked over to her. A squinty smile that nearly tore my face in half.

Thank God for cover up.

The highly dishonest wrinkles would be on full display. However, I made eye contact and small gestures, non-pattern hand waves, to distract my discomfort.

Smile gone. I stood next to Sugar. Usually in the close proximity she'd adjust her position to mine. Elbows by her waist, she met my face forward. In this current circumstance she stared ahead, her eyes focused on the ceiling. Those extra iridescent heart-shape decorations twisted and twirled.

Her shortness of breath, empty gaze, and shaky hands provided further evidence that something was wrong.

"Sugar?"

No response.

Worse possibilities seeped in my mind. Thought after thought like water droplets that crawl down on a window, one right after the other.

Is someone hurt? Or worse dead? Any patients?

I wiped my hands on my jeans.

I tried to recall any recollection in small talk or text message to provide any clues from our conversations.

A friend? A family member?

I frowned.

Does Sugar have any friends?

I paused.

I have no clue.

I knew Sugar gave me the bare minimum when it came to her personal life. I acknowledged and respected her wishes (although I pushed and teased my way through text messages to get a sugar-cookie crumble of information). However, in this instance, a sensation overwhelmed my whole body; as if an enormous chasm stretched out in between Sugar and me. I stood on an unstable, rocky edge where Sugar stood on the other side of the chasm. Underneath my feet, the rocks fell into the trench. I moved back.

How do I reach you, Sugar?

My eyes traced her face. First eyeing her forehead, her eyelashes and eyes, and then down to her lips.

How can I know so little about you?

Her shoulders scrunched up.

And yet, you fascinate me.

Tentatively, I reached out. My fingers placed on her shoulder. "Sugar?"

She moved in a slow agonizing motion. Her hair swooshed behind her.

"What's wrong?"

Sugar blinked. Her eyes appeared glossy. She closed her mouth as if she tried to keep something hidden, and then looked away.

Redness began to emerge in batches on her nose and cheeks. Nostrils flared up as if she prepared to conquer an enemy. The same reaction when we first met. Jaw had set in a pensive line.

I knew better than to touch her.

The one thing that made my pulse quicken was the fact she looked away. Her shoulders slumped. She ignored my presence. I wasn't the enemy in this situation.

I pulled her closer to me. I twisted her body to match mine. My face was in front of hers, but there was a comfortable space between us.

"What's wrong, Sugar?" I repeated.

"Please," she choked. "Don't draw attention."

The words sounded choppy like a scratched CD. The forwards and backwards of the letters wanted to push through, it was similar to a person fighting against a current. Her eyes closed, her nose turned fully scarlet and clear snot ran down her mouth.

"I'm," she took another breath in, "okay."

I observed her reaction. "You're not okay."

She shook her head. "No, no, I'm fine. I need to be fine."

"Tell me what's happening. Why are you upset?"

She whimpered.

"Shit," she cursed. "Don't pity me. You hear me?"

Each word flowed better, but the words came out two at a time.

Her index finger pointed to my chest. A hard poke, she kept repeating the action. I'd have bruises there.

Pity her?

Again, she was fighting something.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

She glared. "You know, exactly what I mean. I just need a moment. I need..."

She breathed heavily.

"To acknowledge," she continued her sentence.

"Acknowledge what?"

She wiped her snot on the back of her hand.

"Damn her," she whispered, fingers clutched around the phone, "How dare she!"

Sugar's yell got Violet's, camera people's, and a few SkyWay customer's attention. Their facial expressions consisted of frowns, eyebrows raised, and constant staring. I gave an uncomfortable chuckle as I ran my hands over Sugar's shoulders. My gaze exchanged between the now present audience (others around us) and Sugar.

"Yes," I made an "um" sound after my reply, "indeed, but who is 'her'?"

Sugar shook her head.

"I won't give her the satisfaction," she said, "After nineteen years of absolutely nothing."

Whoever she is? She twisted and torn Sugar's heart.

Sugar's muscles loosened and her shoulders relaxed underneath my hands. The closeness became apparent to me. Her breath hit my neck, our height difference never affected me before. However, the fact that she stood up to my chest. All I had to do, if the courage permitted me to do so, was lean forward and kiss the top of her forehead.

I shook my head.

Where did that come from?

She wiped her sleeve underneath her eyes. The fabric soaked in the tears.

"Why?" she said, mostly to herself.

I kept my mouth shut.

"Why would she do this?" she continued.

"Sugar," I said, "Please tell me what's happening."

She met my gaze. Her mouth opened and then closed. She began to cry.

"My," Sugar face settled into a hard gaze, upper lip twitched, "my mother. She called."

I waited for additional explanation.

My thumb massaged her forearm.

I thought her mother died. Her Mama was her grandma?

"She left when I was five years old."

"How," I paused, "did you know it was her?"

Sugar's jaw tensed. "She said my name."

"Okay, but everyone knows-"

"My biological name before I changed it," Sugar cut in, "Cassidy."

She touched my arm, fingers wrapped around my muscle. "Don't ever call me by that name."

"I promise."

My genuine tone settled her down.

She let go of my arm. "I prefer lollipop over that name."

I read her tense demeanor.

"Does that mean I can use lollipop?" I asked as I ran my thumb over my bottom lip.

Sugar laughed. A short, loud noise escaped almost like a clown car horn. Her hand covered her mouth as the rest of the laugh vibrated in her chest.

"Cute," she replied as she wiped the excessive snot on her sleeve.

I shoved my hands into my jean pockets.

Good, there's her laugh.

The atmosphere seemed to settle down. The onlookers went back to their business either walking around the set, eating their delicious meals, or repositioning lights and cameras. Utensils and plates clanked as waiters tossed them into the plastic holders to transport to the sink.

Sugar glanced down at her phone. Her eyes focused on the lock screen. Her thumb held down the "lock" button on the side of the phone. The touch screen "power" button appeared, she slid it right to left.

My fingers hovered above her hand and phone.

"Let's reschedule for another day."

"I don't have time this week. The only full day I have off is Valentine's Day," she replied, "No offense, but I don't want cameras watching my every move."

"I agree." I moved my hands away since she didn't fill the space between us.

Does that mean she'll come over to my place after all?

"Sugar and August," Violet waltzed up to them, "Everything well? I heard yelling. That's never a good sign."

I opened my mouth, but Sugar answered first. "The yelling was me. We're all good."

Violet hummed.

"Whatever you say, Sugar," she drew out the "ah" in her name. "Places everyone!"

I turned towards the table.

A tug on my sleeve stopped my movement. I glanced behind me, eyes stared at the floor and then rose up to her face. Sugar's fingers clung on my sleeve.

"August," Sugar said, her hand stayed still. "Thank you."

"I didn't do anything," I declared, "It was all you."

Sugar lightly smiled.

For a split moment, I believed the chasm's length decreased. The rocky edge felt stable. This time Sugar stood on the edge of her side too. Both looking and waiting for the other to react.

' ' ' ' ' '

I discovered two things: Sugar preferred the third way with cheese on the side (control and perfect placement on the noodles and chili) and someone always wanted to talk when the third party was busy. I glanced down at my phone during our break to prove my statement.

"The secret ingredient is chocolate."

"Chocolate? There's no way something that sweet will be in a chili," I responded.

Sugar nodded. "It is! That's what makes it different and unique from Bronze Star. Plus SkyWay has spices in it. The chocolate taste is mild."

I grinned. I ran my hand over my face: first my eyes, nose, and chin. "How do you know this?"

"Mama told me. She said she had a best friend who had a cousin who knew the original owners. They shared with her the ingredients."

"Your Mama was a social butterfly."

Sugar twirled the paper straw in her Root Beer.

"Social? Yes. Butterfly?" Sugar paused, "A dolphin, I'd say. She'd giggle, talk to strangers in line for groceries, and held my hand when I had a splitter in my thumb. She'd sooth me. Told me the truth that it'll hurt, but she'll get it out."

"She sounds great."

"She was."

I pulled out my phone. "Let me double check to see if Mama was telling the truth," I added a wink.

Twelve new text messages.

Green bubbles clustered together on my touch screen with the time stamp.

Penelope sent ten messages in the span of twenty minutes.

These past couple of weeks, she messaged me everyday. Penelope delivered cute teddy bear gifs saying "Hello," statements declaring let's have dinner, meal celebrations pictures with her and past Champion winners, and saying I miss you. I ignored them until now. My knuckles tightened around my device. My thumb clicked open the messages. I scrolled through the bubbles, my eyes glazing through the sentences. She could have told me I won a million dollars, I won't have known. I didn't read any of it.

I clicked out of her contact once I read the statement below the bubbles:

There she should get the hint now.

Ultimately forgetting why, I pulled out my cell phone for. I half-listened to Sugar's statements, "Mama would've hit you – with her purse – heavy like a brick. It has to be chocolate in the chili. The peppermint patty mints are soothing."

Min-ho messaged once.

I clicked open the bubble.

Call me when you get the chance.

Sent 2:03 PM

"Hold that thought," I said, "Min-ho texted me. I have to call him."

"Okay," she said, hesitating, "Is Min-ho alright?"

"I believe so."

I got up, the chair screeched on the tile floor.

There was one more message. It was Mr. Dalton.

I texted Violet. Finish wrapping up for today. Video Conference meeting tomorrow at 9:00 am.

Sent 2:06 PM

My pulse quickened. I wiped my sweat on my jean pocket before I pushed 's name.

"Did you finish filming?" Min-ho's voice came in inconsistent breaths.

"For the most part, yes."

"We're taking a break until the news settles down."

"Wait," I held up my hands. "A break? What do you mean by news?"

"It's on entertainment news. Nothing too drastic, but Mr. Dalton's worried about our providers. You know the principle."

"What's all over the news?"

Min-ho went quiet.

"Min-ho." I leaned forward in my chair, my elbows rested on the table's edge.

"Someone gave them the news about you filming Online Dating: Real or Fiction? instead of Champion. We don't know who released the news. It hasn't painted the whole situation well. Reactions have been coated in doubt," Min-ho explained, "I recommend you tell Courtney, Victoria, and especially Sugar. Their first names were revealed. I'll reach out to them as well."

I nearly dropped my phone.

"Are you still there?" Min-ho asked.

Who in the world? All who are involved knew to keep the documentary quiet.

The green bubbles.

Min-ho and Mr. Dalton weren't the only ones who reached out to me.

I pulled up 's name while Min-ho's call continued.

Let's have lunch today! 😄

You enjoy homemade chicken noodle soup, correct? Without the celery?

I saw it on La Bella's menu this morning. I thought of you.

What are your plans for Valentine's Day? 💝

Remember the champagne glasses with our initials engraved on them?

I have them. They were your gift to me. They sit in my cabinet.

You enjoy Rosa, don't you? That was your present from me.

I can bring them both over. The glasses and the wine. We can catch up.

Oh my.

Is this your new priority? I'm impressed. I didn't expect a romance documentary from you, Gus. 😉

Read 3:10 PM

I stood with Min-ho trying to talk over the phone.

It's a coincidence. Or is it...?

My eyes focused on the back of the restaurant. Whatever Min-ho was saying, the words were flower petals floating down a fast-paced river. I saw them. I acknowledged; however, the words disappeared.

A warm touch embraced my side.

I redirected my gaze. The warmth was around my torso.

"Sugar?"

"Shh."

Her arms wrapped around my torso. Her face on my chest. She had gotten up from her chair, her back bent in a weird angle trying to comfort me. The pressure was light. There wasn't any tight or awkward holding.

"If you talk, it'll ruin the moment," she murmured into my chest.

I smirked. "Me, ruin it? I'll improve it."

I touched her back to reciprocate the hug.

"Why-"

"Did you hear what I said?"

Silence exchanged between us.

My smirk disappeared.

If you knew what was going on, you wouldn't be hugging me.

Hello everyone! With the republishing chapters, I have a total of 31. It's almost 1 a.m., I'll stop at chapter twenty and post the rest tomorrow for WattPairs. ❤️

Gosh, I'm thankful for everything you've done. What we've done!

What do you think of the plot? Penelope is back!

What's going on with the documentary taking a break? Sugar's mother calling? Penelope's text messages?

So much is happening. Does it tie together?

Oh! And what's going on between Sugar and August? They seem to be getting cozy?? What?! It's a New Year's miracle!

Also, I've noticed I write a lot about crying and anger scenes lately. I think that's a good thing? 😄

Hehehe. I hope you enjoy this chapter! Thank you for reading, voting, commenting, adding this to your library, and sharing this story to your friends.