Note: I'm sorry if I have any typos~

"Come again?"

Mrs. Kline said in a confused tone while eyeing Blake and I. "Puppy? Are you guys close or something?"

"No that's not what you heard, I'm not... we're not." I successfully got my hand out of Blake's grip. "We're not acquainted." I saw Blake arch his brow maintaining his amused face.

"Anyhow, may I ask what school did you graduate from?" Mrs. Kline asked before crossing her arms.

They all looked at me waiting for me to answer. "Oh I uh." I faked a laugh. "I graduated from somewhere around here."

I saw Stella frown through my peripheral vision. "And what school is that?" Mrs. Kline asked unsatisfied from what I said. Blake turned to me with his arms crossed like his big sister waiting for me to answer.

I sighed in my head. "I came from Eres. Although it was soft, I swear I heard Blake's chuckle.

"Oh." Mrs. Kline's brows went up. "What a great coincidence, Blake I and Blake also studied there." She smiled. I faked a smile. How did the topic come to this?

After our short talk, Mrs. Kline led us to a private dining room in the building to discuss my contract. All the enthusiasm and excitement that I had when I entered the building faded away when Blake came into the picture.

We sat at the table, Stella sat beside me and across us were Mrs. Kline, and her husband. Blake sat on the other side of Mrs. Kline across me.

How on earth did I end up having dinner with Blake?! To make matters worse, he's even sitting across me.

"I heard Ashley is one of the highest rising models in the industry." Mrs. Kline commented.

"Yes, she started modeling as a part time and a summer job back when she was still a teenager but even so, she's a natural at it." Stella praised me.

I kept quiet since I honestly had nothing to say. I kept my head down to avoid Blake's gaze, I've no idea if he's looking at me or not but to avoid eye contact, it's best if I kept my head down. I'd only lift my head to smile at Mrs. Kline whenever she'd look at me from time to time while we waited for our food to be served.

When waiters entered the room, the smell of the food made my stomach instantly grumble. A waiter placed a plate in front of me making my mouth water, I haven't had any lunch earlier that day making me extra hungry.

I was about to reach for my fork when Stella stopped my hand. "I'm sorry but she can't have any pork," She said to the waiter. "She's on a diet, my apologies." Stella said.

"Oh, we're sorry, we've forgotten that we're dining with a model." Mrs. Kline apologized and asked the waiter to take my plate and to give me salad instead. I hid my sigh while I watched the pork ribs being taken away from me.

Another waiter placed a salad dish in front of me. "Thank you." I smiled at the waiter and I thanked the Klines as well successfully ignoring Blake's gaze.

"Do you only eat salad Ashley?" Mr. Kline asked.

"Most of the time Sir."

"Isn't it hard to not eat what you want?" Mr. Kline wondered.

"No it's fine." I smiled. "I actually learned to really love salad." I took a bite from my leafy vegetables and smiled.

Blake suddenly let out a soft laugh. "Is there something funny Blake?" His sister asked with her brow raised.

He shook his head before. "Nothing." He then took a sip from his glass of wine.

I used all my might to not roll my eyes at him. I just focused on imagining that my salad was pork ribs for me to eat it.

As the dinner continued, Mrs. Kline continued talking about the project. "Our models do their photoshoots in the building." She informed.

While she discussed, waiters entered once again. One waiter placed down 2 bowls of wrapped chocolates, while the other started to give us slices of blueberry cheesecake on a plate for each of us, when the waiter was about to give me a plate, I waved my hand to refuse.

"She's on a diet." Mrs. Kline told the waiter and once again apologized to me. I just smiled but deep inside, my mouth was watering at how delicious the blueberry cheesecakes looked. Funny how I used to bake cakes and how fond I was of eating them, but now I can't even take a single bite.

Gosh, these desserts look so good, even the chocolate bits on the bowls. I shook my head to take the sweets out of my mind. The fashion show is my priority now.

My phone suddenly buzzed in my bag. I slowly brought my head down to check my message. It was from Aiden reminding me about our plan tomorrow. I replied to him quickly and hid my phone back in my bag.

My brows furrowed when I found a chocolate bar beside my plate right in front of me. I looked at the bowl full of chocolates that was in the middle of the table far from me.

I eyed it as I felt my temptation rising. God is really testing me. How on earth did it get over here?

I eyed Stella since she was beside me but it would be impossible for her to give me a chocolate bar when she's the one who's strict about what I eat.

An idea popped into my mind. Can it be?

Although it's against my will, I had to check. I slowly brought my head away from the chocolate bar and brought my eyes to Blake who sat across me. He was busy talking to Mr. Kline about some business affairs.

I shook the thought out of my head. Why would he give me chocolate? There isn't any reason to.

I eyed the chocolate. I frowned when I found my fingers reaching for it. I immediately slapped my left fingers with my right hand to stop myself. I ended up ignoring the chocolate for the rest of the evening.

When we finished dinner, Blake excused himself for a phone call and Mr. Kline left for company matters while Mrs. Kline saw us out. "Thankyou for meeting us today." She smiled when we got to her office.

"It's an honor for us to be working for your brand." Stella said.

Mrs. Kline then turned to me. "I hope you'll enjoy coming to our company for photoshoots." She smiled. "I promise it'll all go well especially when you and Blake will be seeing each other since he works for my company to help with the management."

My eyes widened with what she said.

"Since you're former school mates, I'm sure you'll have nothing to worry about because I'm also sure you two are close for calling each other nicknames." She smiled again.

My mouth dropped. Close?! What the hell?! We definitely are not! And nicknames? Was she pertaining about how Blake called me Puppy? God does she even know that her brother uses Puppy to bully me?!

"Aww how nice." Stella smiled as well, when she noticed that I was speechless, she elbowed me for the third of fourth time today.

"Oh yeah." I faked a laugh. "How nice."

I was silent as Stella and I walked towards the exit.

How can Mrs. Kline think that were close?! This is all Blake's fault. He called me puppy a while ago. Since when was Puppy a nickname?!

I stopped walking when I spotted Blake walking through the hallway while talking to someone on his phone, when I saw him end his call, I immediately turned to Stella. "Wait here a sec." I told her before approaching him.

"Hey!" I stopped in front of him with my arms crossed.

He raised his brow at me before keeping his phone in his pocket. "Yes?"

I took a deep breathe to calm myself. "I don't appreciate you calling me Puppy." I crossed my arms. "So please stop calling me that, it's not like we're close."

"What's wrong with that?" He crossed his arms as well and moved his face closer to mine. "You are puppy."

I frowned and took a step away from him. "Can you just listen to me?!"

He arched his brow. "Why would I listen to you? We're not close."

What the hell!

I rubbed my temple to ease my stress. I looked up to him. "Don't call me Puppy, I've grown from that!"

He sighed and looked at his watch as if his time was so precious. "Fine."

I was about to sigh with relief when he turned to me and patted my head. "Bye Doggie."

The next thing I knew, he was walking away.

"That's it!"

I said to Stella when I got in the van.

"I'm not signing the contract for Euphoria, tell Mrs. Kline that I changed my mind and that I'm sorry because I won't be modeling for her brand anymore."

________________________________________________

"Get in Peggy."

Aiden said when I got out of my condo.

I yawned and walked hurriedly to the shot gun seat of his car. It was dawn and Aiden and I scheduled today to go back to Massachusetts.

I frowned when I saw him starring at me while I placed on my seatbelts. "What?" I asked.

"If only people knew the real Ashley Bennet." He laughed.

I knew what he was talking about. Everyone thinks I'm all for fashion but not today, today I just wore an oversized sweater and pants, because today I won't care about what people would say, today I'll forget about Ashley Bennet, because today I want to just be myself, Paige.

"Wow, out of all your designer heels and shoes why'd you pick those worn out sneakers?" Aiden eyed my feet and laughed.

"What's wrong with them?!" I frowned. "Their my favorite."

Aiden started driving and I sat comfortably in my seat. It's been so long since I've been with him this relaxed. While on the road to the Rocket train station, I told him about Euphoria and about Blake. I needed to tell him because I might go crazy if I didn't.

When we got to the station, he parked his car and I wore a cap on my head before leaving the car for no one to recognize me.

"Did you bring flowers?" I suddenly remembered.

"Of course." He opened the back seat of his car and pulled out a bouquet. Together we boarded the train and headed for Home.

After 30 minutes we arrived, Aiden called one of his drivers to bring us a car at the Massachusetts station and we used it to drive to the cemetery. When we got there, I propped myself on the soft grass while Aiden laid the flowers on the tomb stone.

The blue sky was filled with clouds as the breeze blew against the trees that surrounded the grave yard. Aiden and I were filled with silence.

I looked at the name on the grave stone, by reading the name instantly brought me back to all those fond memories that we shared, before I knew it, I was already crying. After a while, I dried my tears and looked up to Aiden who remained standing, there were also tears on his eyes but I could tell that he didn't cry as much as me.

"You ok?" He asked.

I laughed a bit. "I should be asking you th-"

"There you two are!"

Aiden and I immediately turned to where the voice came from. A smile replaced the tears on our faces as the person came walking towards us. I stood up and ran towards her and encircled her in a hug.

"I missed you Mom!"

I heard Mom laugh as she caressed my back. "I missed you too sunshine."

"How about Me, Mimi?" Aiden asked.

I laughed when Mom took me out of her arms and brought Aiden into hers, after they hugged, she eyes him.

"Oh my Aiden, you're getting more and more taller and handsome every time I see you." She smiled.

Aiden blushed by the compliment, Mom then turned to me and her smile faded.

"Good heavens, what are you wearing?"

"Comfy clothes," I crossed my arms showing them proudly.

"Tsk, tsk." She eyed me. "Sometimes I still don't believe that you're a model."

"Mom!"

She laughed. "I'm just kidding, now let me go say hi to your Mom Aiden." She walked past us and went to her best friend's tomb stone.

After the cemetery, we went to our house for some breakfast. "You two should visit me more often." Mom said. "It's getting lonely here since all the neighborhood kids are grown up and you kids never come by."

"Don't worry Mimi." Aiden patted her shoulders. "I can visit again next week."

"But what about your airlines?" Mom wondered.

"It'll be fine." Aiden assured her. "What about you Peggy?" He asked me.

I thought about my schedule. "Yeah, I can come next week."

"Good." Mom smiled. "When you two visit me again, please bring me some flowers that I can put in a vase."

I was about to tell Mom that there are local flower shops and there's no need to buy in California but Aiden answered for me.

"Sure thing Mimi!" Aiden smiled making Mom happy so I just allowed it. Mom then started serving us breakfast.

"Wait, are you allowed to have bread?" Mom asked before handing me the bagels.

"Yes, it's my cheat day." I said cheerfully.

Mom nodded and handed me the bagels.

Mom maybe bossy sometimes but I'm still glad that I have her, because of my modeling career back then, I got to pay for her hospital bills with the help of Aiden's father and my other family members. Because of that, Mom survived cancer and is now Cancer free, her hair's now grown back and she is as lively as ever, I'm just lucky she's here.

"It's a good thing you're here Paige." Mom said. "Because we have something to discuss." Aiden rested his face on his fist eager to listen.

"What is it?" I munched on my bagel.

"Your Manager called me last night and told me that you turned down the brand Euphoria." She looked me in the eye. "Why is that?"

Shit! Stella's such a tattle tail, of all the people she could tell this too why Mom? I took a deep breathe getting ready to explain. "Mom, it's beca-"

"It's because of Blake isn't it?" Mom raised her brow.

Aiden burst out laughing.

I rolled my eyes and stomped on his foot surprising him.

"Ouch! That hurts Peggy." Pain was evident in his eyes. "I can't believe I had a crush on you before." He laughed again.

I was about to talk back when Mom stopped me.

"What makes you think it's about Blake?" I asked.

"It is about Blake Mimi, she's tricking you." Aiden said while he took a bite on an apple.

I glared at him. Now I regret telling him all about Blake this morning. I slowly turned to Mom who was giving me a questioning look.

"Fine. Yes it's about him, I don't want to be working in a place where I'll see him." I crossed my arms. "You know what he did to me Mom."

"Oh Paige, pull yourself together." Mom sighed. "You're an adult already and it's so immature to put your past over your career."

"But Mom what if...just if." I eyed her. "He hasn't moved on."

Mom raised her brow at me and crossed her arms. "You and Blake were still young back then time, now not anymore, and for sure I think he's moved on from you by now." She eyed me. "But I think it's you who hasn't."

I frowned. "Of course I have, I've moved on from him a long time ago." I defended myself.

"If that's true them model for Euphoria." Mom held my hand. "Put your past behind you and just act like a professional."

I sighed. I had no choice, I needed to prove it to Mom that I've moved on from him, more importantly, I have to prove it to myself that I've moved on.

I looked at Mom. "Fine, I'll do it."

__________________________________________

"Mommy Peggy smile!"

Hana showed me her toy camera.

Aicko suddenly nudged me. "Lets just smile at the camera and pretend that were not babysitters." She whispered.

I laughed and we smiled at Hana's camera. Shari left Hana with Aicko and I to babysit while she's working, even if Hana had a lot of babysitters, Aicko, and I still spend our free time with her as much as possible.

Today, Aicko insisted that we three go to the mall because Hana wants to go but I know that it's her who actually wants it and she's using Hana as an excuse but I agreed anyway. Before going to the mall, I dressed up with a jacket, pants and a cap to hide my identity. I'd hate to have a commotion especially with Hana.

"Hana, you can get whatever you want ok, just tell Mommy Koko." Aicko said the second we got to the mall.

"Yey!" Hana cheered.

But it ended up with me buying cotton candy for Hana while she and Aicko were looking for ballet shoes.

After I got the cotton candy, I walked to the clothing shop where they were at. "Here Hana, your pink cotton candy." I handed it to her.

She reached out for it with her tiny fingers. "Merci!"

I frowned when I heard what she said and turned to Aicko with a questioning look. "Did she just speak French?"

Aicko nodded. "That's what happens when you let her spend time with Eloise." Her eyes suddenly lit up. "Oh wait! Why don't I teach her Nihongo?"

"Then what about me? What should I teach her? It's not like she doesn't know English."

"Hmm." Aicko thought. "I know! You should teach her how to dump a boyfriend when she gets one." She laughed.

I frowned. "Not funny."

Just like I predicted, after buying Hana a pair of ballet shoes, it was Aicko's turn to do the shopping, I thought Hana would find it bored to follow Aicko look for designer brand clothing but surprisingly, Hana was having more fun than I was.

Aicko kept showing me clothes that I should buy and I just nodded, but my eyes subconsciously wandered to the other shop that had oversized shirts and sweaters, but I didn't dare to buy any. I'll never get to use them anyway, as a model, I'm always busy wearing clothes that I'm supposed to wear and clothes that society expects a model to wear. I only wear my loose shirts when I'm in my condo and that rarely happens.

After all the shopping, Aicko and Hana left to get ice cream while I waited outside the ice cream shop with their shopping bags. While waiting, my eyes roamed the mall. I spotted the fountain in the center of the mall's shops where seats surrounded it.