'Why did we have to get up soo early?'Sharon whined as she followed Cameron sluggishly out of the door. The sun had barely risen and the street was quiet. The only life she saw was Cameron warming up. And as hot as he was, she just didn't want to run that morning.

'Have you forgotten about our morning run?'he asked. 'You know it's good for your cramps.' She ignored him and sat on the steps. He continued with his warm up but she noticed him checking up on her. Events from the previous day played in her head.

'Can we not run today? Can we just walk and talk?'she asked hurriedly. That slowed down his warm up. 'Please? My head's too messed up right now for a run. I want- no need to talk about it.'

'Yeah. Sure. I have to talk to you too. Let's go this way.' He slipped his hand into hers and guided her. She liked that he didn't question her. After a few moments of silence, he asked softly,'What did you want to talk about?'

'I did something yesterday. I'm not particularly proud of it but it felt extremely empowering.'

'Is it about your mom?' She nodded. 'Is that why dinner was terribly awkward? And why your mom was looking sad?'

'She was sad? I didn't notice that.' And that was why she was rethinking her decision to excise her mother out of her life. 'I told my mother that I do not want her in my life anymore. I was going to see her as Amelia's mother.. Just, not mine. In fact, I have no mother. But I noticed her behavior during dinner. Even though the rest of us weren't talking excessively much, we had a comfort with each other. Mom, she was sitting there, all alone. I don't think Dad would have wanted that.'

'Can I ask what happened to your dad? You've never talked about him.' Cameron had pulled her to a stop when he saw how distraught she was. Even though her mind was in turmoil, she noticed that he blocked her from anyone's view. Protecting her. Preserving her privacy. She could hear the door creak open further.

'Dad... Dad was the heart of the family. All of us loved him. And we got along. As long as he was in the house. When he went away for business, Mom's claws started to come out. She'd criticise everything I did, belittle my every achievement, embarrass me in front of my peers. Dad knew this so he'd always spend his time at home undoing what she did. It got worse, though, when I went to high school. That's when Dad had to leave most of the time. I began to lose friends, my self esteem. Dad was rarely there but Jasmine was. She'd cheer me up and build my sense of self again. Amelia was gone by then. She'd left to pursue her dreams of being a model. So Mom came down harder on me.

'One day, while Dad was on his way home, a drunk driver ran him off the road. I was told his car exploded before any help could be rendered to him. Mom went berserk after that. She didn't let me have any friends or any activities other than work but she allowed me to keep seeing Jasmine.'

'So her betrayal must have hit you hard.' She nodded. The sense of loss, devastation and grief that followed her father's death hadn't dissipated, even after all these years. But it had diminished with Cameron in her life.

'Putting the Jasmine issue aside, what am I supposed to do about Mom? I don't want to allow her to keep putting me down all my life. But I also don't want to kick her out of life. She's family. Apart from Amelia, she's the only family left.'

'I don't know what to say. If it was left to me, I'd say keep that bitch out of our life. But you're too soft-hearted and too much of a daddy's girl. This decision would haunt you for the rest of your life. You need female advice.'

'But who can I ask? The only female I would take advice from is Amelia. And she's as messed up about this as I am.'

'How about my mom? She's a third party and mostly objective,'he offered.

'You don't think she'd mind?'

'Yeah. Let me talk to her and I'll let you know. Plus she's been looking for an excuse to meet you again.' She threw herself at him and felt his arms band around her, bringing her close. 'You know I'd help you if I can. But if I can't, I'll get you the next best thing.'

She gave a final squeeze before stepping back. He allowed her to leave his embrace after a few seconds. Giving him a peck on the lips, which he just had to prolong, they continued walking but this time she initiated the hand holding by entwining their fingers together.

'So what did you want to tell me about?'

  - ---------@@@@@---------

Cameron almost missed her question. He was savoring the heat of her hand in his. They hadn't had time to go for a walk since their relationship went public. So it was nice not to be mobbed the moment they stepped out of the building. Even though he knew why she requested for the walk in the first place.

'How did you know I had some news to tell you?'he asked curiously.

'Matt messaged me last night, asking for my opinion. Plus you said something about rolling me something before the walk. When I asked for what, he told me to ask you. So what is it?' She looked up at him expectantly.

'I know what I'm going to do after football. I'm going to become a scout,'he told her softly. She attacked him with a strong and sudden hug.

'That'd great! Where did you get the idea and who will you work with?'she asked once he was released.

'I was walking past this high school yesterday. The football team was out practising. The field was serviceable and the equipment was old but I saw potential in all the players. To be honest, they're good enough to get a football scholarship through college, assuming their grades are good. But how can I bring them the attention needed? They'd most probably get a job after graduation and leave the sport. I wanted to let them have a chance. I asked Matt about it and he told me about scouting. Scouts basically work for a specific team and look out for any new blood to bring in. So now, I just have to let Matt put out feelers for me and see which team would want me,'he explained, excitement spilling over to his voice.

'That's wonderful! You can still contribute to the sport that you love and also help those kids achieve their dreams,'she exclaimed cheerfully. The weight that he hadn't know he had been carrying lifted and the day looked much brighter and better. 'So how are you going to help those kids with potential?'

'Um, I hadn't thought about it,'he confessed sheepishly. The excitement had diverted his attention from those boys. Now that she mentioned them, he knew he should help them in some way so as to repay them for the inspiration. 'Any ideas?'he asked while putting himself in between a passerby and her. The sun was rising and more people occupied the sidewalk.

'Maybe you can use your contacts and get some scouts over to assess them,'she suggested, shooting a glare at a woman who was mentally stripping him, totally ignoring her. 'I don't like this. Let's go into that coffee shop.' He allowed her to pull him in even as he smiled at her possessiveness.

The place was open, surprising since it was soo early and a Saturday. It was virtually empty save for a handful of patrons. He agreed to save them a table while she went to get their drinks. The quiet atmosphere was a sharp contrast with the city. It was nice to get out of a building and not get mobbed by fans, sound or the paparazzi. He could get used to this.

Female voices could be heard from the counter. Most importantly, Sharon's voice raised in anger. Worried, he went to check on the situation. And was flabbergasted when he saw Sharon and one of the loudest naysayers to their relationship he met the previous day engaged in a fight. Technically, it was an argument but it could easily escalate into a fight. The counter staff was wisely staying away from them.

'Shut up, you dumb blonde,'Sharon snarled. 'Cameron is mine and will always be mine. Just because you got every man in this town between your thighs doesn't mean Cameron will be one of them.'

The dumb blonde, and he had to snicker at the apt description, sniffed and looked down her nose at Sharon. Her eyes roamed over Sharon's outfit and clearly found it wanting. 'Puh-lease. As if someone as hot and hunky as Lucky could want anything to do with you. You're fat, plain and do not have the fashion sense God gave to a mouse. He's merely being friendly and you took advantage of it.'

'Like what you're doing now?'Sharon pointed out wryly. 'Let me rephrase. Like what you wish to do if given the chance?' When the woman sputtered in indignation, even as it was true, she continued. 'I love Cameron and I won't let you or any other opportunistic, greedy slut try and take him away from me. So spread the word, bitch. Yes, Sharon is back but she's not the same person who left. I'll crush you under my feet if you ever try to take him away from me.'

'And I'll back her up,'Cameron said, deciding to announce his presence. He wrapped his arm around Sharon and felt her jump a bit but was rewarded with a blinding smile. 'Now, I don't like you harassing my girlfriend. If I find out any more of your friends try and make her life difficult while we're here, you're not going to like what happens.' The woman clearly wanted to argue but his eyes convinced her otherwise. He'd been told that when he got a certain look in his eyes, everyone'd best run and stay away. She nodded, giving him a sly wink and a venomous glare at Sharon, and rushed out.

'Thanks for the support.'

'No worries. Lets get our drinks and leave. But I have to know. Does no one in this town respect relationships anymore? Or is it us in particular?'

AN Hi guys. Just to let you know, I'll be posting every week. So the next update will be next Saturday or latest Sunday.

Enjoy!! :)