First of all sooorrryy for this super super late update, Life just happened. I took a time off Wattpad since I needed to focus with School but newsflash my school year's ended and I'm on summer vacation and I plan on ending this book very soon, stay tuned guys and at the end of the book I plan on answering many questions and assumptions so if u have any u can message me on Wattpad or comment. Anyways enjoy the last few chapters of Our Puppy and Jerk ;)

"I never replaced you."

His words were so deep, it touched the most sensitive part of my heart. I looked into his eyes, they were looking right into mine as if telling me something, yet I couldn't tell what it was.

"Let me go,"

I whispered as his arms remained around me.

"Paige...please,"

"I said let me go Blake." I got out of his arms and took a step away from him. "Let me be."

Sadness was evident in his eyes. I turned around to open our room door trying to get away from him.

"Will you ever let me talk?" He asked in a hushed tone.

"Yes I will," I whispered without turning to him, "but please, just not now."

Tears fell down my face, "I'm so tired Blake, I don't know what to do, I don't know what to feel." I wiped my tears and faced him again. "I thought my life has finally come back to it's pace but you showed up." I wiped my eyes to dry the tears.

"I'm sorry," He took a step closer to me but I stopped him.

"I promise that we'll talk." I faced him, "But for now I think we should keep distance."

He fell silent after what I said. I sighed and looked up to his eyes. "We should stop seeing each other."

I thought he was about to protest but instead he just nodded. "I understand."

"I need time," I said in an almost whisper.

"I'll give that to you," He looked at me. "And when the time comes when you're ready to talk, I'll see you then," He made a small smile, "Good night Paige."

Before I could answer he was already walking away. I entered the villa room, It was empty, Shari and Aicko were still out in the pool.

I fell to the floor as a wave of sadness took over me. These were the feelings that I buried years ago, now they started to emerge.

I didn't know how long I stayed there crying, all I knew was that I was losing control over my life, losing control over my actions, losing control over my feelings. I needed to think... I needed time.

_____________________

"Paige!"

I woke up to Aicko's voice.

"Huh?" I sat up looking disoriented. I then realized that I was in bed and the sun was up. "What time is it."

"It's 10 am missy now c'mon Shari's waiting at the restaurant, let's have breakfast." Aicko nudged me. "Everyone's waiting so you better hur-"

She paused when she saw my face.

"What?"

"Did you cry last night?" She asked in concern, "Your eyes are puffy." She pointed to it.

I reached for my phone and checked my reflection through the screen, she was right they were puffy. I thought of an excuse that she would take.

"This is nothing," I faced her, "I guess I just had a good sleep, I'll just wash my face." I gave a small smile and went to the bathroom.

Aicko followed me without asking any further questions but I knew that she didn't buy my excuse.

"You must be hungry," She spoke. "Lets have breakfast with the guys."

I suddenly stopped washing my face and looked myself in the mirror. It was obvious that I cried last night, everyone would know even if I denied it or made up an excuse. Blake couldn't see me like this.

But then I remembered that I didn't want to see him. And he knew that too.

"I can't go." I said and casually dried my face with a face towel. "My head hurts." I made another excuse.

Aicko sighed and suddenly brought a cold compress to the bottom of my eyes where it was puffed. I had no idea where she got it, it sort of just suddenly appeared in her hand.

"You don't need to skip breakfast," She spoke as she held the compress.

"But-"

"There's no use," She cut me off.

"He already left the island early this morning." Aicko told me,

My worries and train of thought suddenly stopped.

He left? Why would he leave? I knew that I made it clear to him that I didn't want us to be anywhere together. But I didn't think that he'd actually leave...

"I won't ask questions, but you should figure things out." Aicko placed the compress in my hand. "Both of you." She eyed me.

I just nodded not knowing what to say.

"Cheer up and get ready for breakfast, Shari and the guys are waiting." She smiled and left me in the bathroom. The second she closed the door tears started to stream down my face. And I became angry with myself for not knowing why.

Nothing seemed to make sense anymore. I cried last night when he was right in front of me and I'm crying because he left.

I shook my head and dried my eyes before I left the bathroom. I changed into my beach clothes and walked to the beach's restaurant with Aicko by my side. Thankfully she acted as if nothing happened a while ago and was cheerful as we walked through the sand.

She waved at the boys and at Shari when we spotted them in the restaurant. I smiled at them and as I entered I thought to myself.

I still had time...

____________________

"Hurry Ashley, chop chop!" Stella called as I was on my way to the van.

It's been a week since my birthday vacation at Maldives and things have gone back to normal. All the royals are back at their duties, Aicko and Shari are back managing their businesses and I was back at my usual career behind the flashes of the camera.

I have a scheduled photoshoot for a luxury brand in an hour and an interview later that afternoon for a magazine. My first week back from vacation has become hectic already and Stella seemed to like bossing me around again.

I sat in the van as Abby started doing my hair and make up.

Modelling was something I learned to love. The need of the money from modelling back when I was young was what motivated me and was what gave a fire to this career... But now, somehow that fire has slowly been extinguished. I no longer see the sparks as I'd pose for a shoot. But that didn't matter, my career was what kept me and Mom alive and that was what motivated me, it was what made me work harder and with the knowledge that I was giving Mom little by little the things and needs that she wanted was enough to keep me going.

"You have a fitting appointment in Euphoria, they released a new line." Stella informed me as she read my schedule on her tablet.

I nodded.

Thoughts of how I was going to deal with Blake occupied my head. But for now, that wasn't a problem. I had to be professional.

I went to Euphoria that day and did the fitting, miraculously I didn't bump or even see Blake at all, maybe he wasn't at the company or he really was avoiding me but whatever it was. It was for the best.

The days went by quickly, I pushed myself to the limit and attended every appointment, photoshoot, and interview that Stella could fit in my schedule. She was happy that I no longer complained at how packed my interviews were for the day, that she thought I was sick.

But I wasn't, I needed a distraction from my life's drama and I needed to work harder if I wanted to give me and Mom a better edge in life.

"You seem a little down lately," Abby eyed me and gave me a comforting smile.

I was exhausted, I arrived 5 am this morning from a flight from Canada and now It's 7 and I have a photoshoot in some resort.

"Just tired." I gave her a reassuring smile.

"Well hope this serves you motivation, You're hired for another high class runway show at the end of the month." Stella said excitedly.

Another runway show? With my full packed schedule I couldn't get at least a 4 hour sleep, how can I still do a runway show?

"This show is big Ashley, Other models your age find it very difficult to be a part of this, You're definitely at the peak of your career." She praised me. "This makes me so proud to be your manager and I'm sure we can insert it with your sched-"

She stopped when she saw my blank face. "You are gonna do it right?"

Abby looked at me too waiting for my answer.

I turned to them and smiled. "Of course I will."

"That's the spirit," Stella nodded and went on and on about my newly formed schedule for the runway and Abby kept squeezing my hand, full of excitement as she talked about how good she would fix me on that night.

I went along with them to show that I shared their excitement. I tried my best to forget my headache from jetlag and the rest of what made me sleepy. They believe that I could do it... So do I.

________________________

"Welcome back ma'am."

One of the employees of Euphoria greeted me as I entered the company's doors with Stella and Abby by my side.

I've been coming to Euphoria everyday this week for fitting purposes which made me anxious every time. I didn't want to bump into Blake but in the whole 6 days of me coming here I never spotted him which gave me relief yet today was another day in the company and I wasn't worried anymore.

I still looked straight as I walked, so that just incase he was here, I wouldn't see him. But even if he wasn't here at all, I still had to be sure.

I was fitted into Euphoria's new clothes which didn't take that long since they seemed to match me and others needed a few adjustments.

"Their new line surely suits you well," Stella complimented on our way out. I felt the relief that we were close to the exit.

"Excuse me miss, can I have a picture?" A group of girls suddenly approached me. They didn't look like employees so she they were probably customers.

I turned to Stella who shook her head but I smiled at the girl and nodded.

Stella sighed and gave us space. I smiled at the camera while each of the girls took turns beside me. While I smiled, I could see Stella's disapproving look and Abby holding some important papers watched us with a smile. She loved watching people gather around me. Probably because she was the one who always fixed me up to be presentable.

And just by the corner of my eye, I saw a Blake walk in through the entrance doors of Euphoria in a business suit and a leather bag on his side. My eyes widened as Abby suddenly dropped one of the papers right in his walk way. Without hesitation he picked it up and gave it to her before walking deeper into the building.

It was the first time I saw him after the night at the island and from the looks of it, I guess he didn't notice me at all since he didn't give my side a single glance. And that was ok. It was for the best.

I knew that I needed time and he said that he would wait. He wanted to explain himself and there wasn't anything wrong with that... But was I ready to hear him out? Was I ready to feel that pain all over again?

But he said he would wait... I needed to think about it... I still had time

Don't I?

__________

"What's this?"

I looked at the land space right in front of me, it wasn't too big and wasn't that small but it surely was big enough to put a building on top of it.

"A land property, obviously." Aiden laughed.

He snuck me away from Stella when I had a free hour just to show me this?

"Ok so what's it for?" I turned to him, "Are you planning to build another airport? Well I see the land is big but I don't think an airport would fit in here."

"What? No!" Aiden laughed. "I was thinking if you might like it, I can sell it to you and it won't cost much I plan on giving you the best friend discount."

I raised my brow at him. "That's very kind of you but I don't see why I need land."

"Hey I'm sure it'll come in handy, besides we live in LA, it's hard to find a great deal of land around here."

I rolled my eyes. "Ok so what if I bought it? What will I do with it?, why don't you just sell it to Aicko, she might want to put up her own night club."

"I'm sure she would." Aiden laughed. "But before I sell it to her think about it, you could really put this land into good use, you could put up a house, a business... or even a restaurant."

I stopped and saw the smirk on his face. This was what he was going for all along.

The thought of owning a restaurant consumed me. It was a good idea... it was actually my dream and I hate the fact that the sides of my lips were curving to the idea and Aiden had the triumphant look knowing that he got me.

"So Peggy, is that a yes?" He smiled excited of my answer.

I rolled my eyes and hit him lightly on the shoulder. "I hate you."

He laughed as I walked back to the car, I had to get back to Stella.

"Peggy don't leave me hanging! Is that a yes?" He called.

"I'll get back to you on that." I drove away, and I imagined Aiden grinning like a Cheshire cat.

_________________________________________

The next weeks went in a flash, early mornings in the gym with my trainer to get me ready for the runway, my strict diet was back and Stella watched my food intake very strictly, full packed schedules and busy days became even busier and sleepless nights became regular.

"Paige Ashley Bennet what on earth are you doing here?!" Mom exclaimed in surprise when she saw me at the door. "Isn't your runway show tomorrow?"

I nodded sleepily and hugged her, she hugged me back and led me inside the house.

It was afternoon and the runway show was tomorrow evening. I came all the way home to Massachusetts because I missed Mom, and I missed sleep. I couldn't seem to get any at California so I thought about getting some at home.

I didn't bother about bringing Aiden with me even if I'm sure he would've tagged along. I knew he was busy and I just wanted some peace in good old Massachusetts. Away from everything.

Mom brought me to the couch and sat me down. "I'll get you something to eat."

I nodded and said that I'd wait but the second Mom left I fell asleep.

A little later I woke up, it was already dark outside. I felt a pillow under my head and a blanket covered me. I got up and found Mom in the kitchen cooking dinner.

"Oh you're awake," She smiled when she saw me.

"Yeah," I yawned and sat on a stool.

"You seemed so tired a while ago, when was the last time you slept?" Mom asked while she stirred a spoon on the pot of soup.

"2 days ago," I rubbed my eyes.

"Oh my," She said in shock, "Let me guess, runway rehearsals?"

I nodded still a bit sleepy.

"Well I'll make you some soup to get you energized for tomorrow." She winked at me.

I just smiled and watched her cook dinner. If only I could taste everything she's cooking right now, but I knew that I needed to follow my diet so I stayed disciplined.

"Stella reported to me that you've been working hard lately, I'm proud to hear that."

"Of course I'm working hard, If I save enough money I'll have our house renovated and maybe we can buy the empty lot next door so that you could plant a flower garden."

Mom frowned and swatted my head with a spoon. "Stop thinking about spending your money on me and start thinking about yourself. Aren't you tired of living in an empty condo? Don't you want a house of your own in California?"

"Nope, I like our house here, and there wouldn't be any use in buying a big house in California when it'll also be empty."

"Well I can stay there with you so it would be less lonely." Mom volunteered with a sly grin. She liked the idea of living in a different state.

"See isn't that a good idea?"

I just laughed and nodded. Mom didn't know that the life I actually wanted was one here in Massachusetts, with only her, away from the paparazzi, away from the cameras and the flashing lights of L.A.

That was the life I was working for.

"Don't you have any plans of settling down?" Mom brought up the question. "You aren't getting any younger."

"Nope," I said proudly. I have enough drama in my life already.

"Oh what am I going to do with you." Mom shook her head. "So how is your career doing? Are they tiring you out?"

"It's exhausting." I sighed. "But don't worry, after the runway show and when I finish all the important stuff Stella has in schedule for me, we'll go on a vacation across Europe, just the two of us." I smiled.

"You little rascal stop wasting your money, we already went on a vacation to Asia last summer."

"You're such a killjoy Mom."

She rolled her eyes and I laughed. I did miss all of this, me and Mom laughing and fighting about simple things.

"Modelling." Mom spoke after a moment of silence. "Does it make you happy?"

I was taken aback. Blake asked me the question before, I just never expected Mom to ask it.

"Of course, it gives us money and comfort-"