Few days later, Shay was finishing a workout by running on a treadmill in the hotel's gym when he saw the woman who had been a mother to him since he was a kid, and she was waving at him.

So he turned off the machine, wiped his sweaty and toned body, then put on a shirt. "Mame!" he exclaimed in excitement as she dashed out to hug her.

"Duke!" the woman chimed. She had more grey hairs and few more wrinkled in her face. "Look at you. You've grown."

"Mame, I stopped growing since fourteen."

"That's true, but you have been getting fat."

"Gee, thanks."

"I'm just kidding."

They sat by one of the restaurants in the hotel, deciding what to get. "Thanks for seeing me," Shay said to her.

"Of course, I will always make time to see you," Mame replied, then looked at the menu. "Everything here looks so fancy."

"Order anything you want. It's on me."

"That's sweet. You really grown into a fine young man that I've known and loved."

"You did practically raised me. How've you been? How's everything? I'm sorry I haven't been keeping in touch after I became pro. Dad was breathing down my neck all the time."

"That's alright, you have been a busy man. Oh, that reminds me," Mame recalled as she took out a gift basket full of muffins. "My nieces helped me open my own bakery. Here, try these."

Shay looked impress and proud as well. "That's so cool. They all look so good. I'll definitely try them. If it's made by you, I'm sure everything tastes great. Don't worry, once I'm free, I'll visit your bakery someday."

"Thank you, sweetie. How is you father, by the way?"

"He's still in L.A. Two years ago, he became a board member for the Super Tundra F.C.," the soccer star answered. "He's just doing that to put me in a tight leash, but actually, he had more things to worry about than me."

"I see, so what brings you back here in town?" Mame questioned. "Have you stopped playing?"

"No, not really. An exhibit will be open for super leagues. Every team will be coming in town too for the grand opening. Also, we will be starting a little league too for future Super Tundra players."

The woman's face lit up. "That's wonderful."

"Yeah, me and few of my other teammates will be training them."

"You are very good with kids. You used to train little boys in the community center. You'll be a great trainer."

"Thanks, Mame. By the way, have you find something you like?"

"Oh, yes, I have been eyeing at this tomahawk."

"Nice try, don't think I forgot about your cholesterol," Shay chuckled.

"Oh, come on. Fine, I'll take away these pastries since athletes shouldn't be having sweets in their system..." Mame slowly pulled away the gift baskets.

The soccer star was taken aback by her empty threats. "No. No. No. I'll take it back. Like I said, you can ordered whatever you want, right? But, I am just worried about your health."

"I know. I know, but it's not everyday you eat a tomahawk. Besides, I won't devour it in one sitting. I'll take half of it home for me to enjoy while watching Kdrama."

----

Meanwhile, it was a busy day for Erika. She was in the middle of a photoshoot for a make-up brand, but that was one out of many shoots that she had to do in a day.

After one photoshoot was over, she went straight to the parking lot to wait for her ride to go to another studio. While standing there, another old face emerged and spotted her.

"Erika?" a familiar voice said.

Erika darted to the person who was calling her. Her eyes widened, "Gio?" she gasped, and thrilled to see an old friend from high school.

"Erika, hey." Gio ran to hug her, then pulled away from her. "Wow! Long time no see."

"I know, right?"

"Look at you. You look great."

"Aaww... Thank you, how are you?" Erika asked.

"I'm great, I'm a licensed private eye," Gio answered, even showing his badge and gave her a business card. "You need private investigating, I'm your guy."

"Impressive, I'll let you know if I need one."

"What about you? What do you do? I haven't heard from you in ages after graduation."

"Uhm... I..."

However, her ride appeared and honked to get her attention, "Sorry to interrupt, Ms. Row, but we need to go," the driver told her.

"Oh! okay," Erika said, then turned to her friend. "I'm sorry, I have to go."

"Don't worry about it," Gio replied. He was impressed to see that Erika was going to ride a Ford Escape, still not knowing what she did for a living. Afterwards, the two hugged each other again before parting ways.

"Let's keep in touch okay. Bye!"

"Yeah, see you around."

Erika ran to the car as she kept waving farewell to Gio. Once they drove away, she felt as sense of nostalgia meeting her former schoolmate in high school, that she even glanced at the business card he gave.

Later, after she finished with all her assignments of the day, Erika headed to the agency for a meeting. She had a long day and feeling very exhausted, wanting to go home.

Yet, the young model had to deal with one more meeting about their next gig before picking up her son from his friend's house, and go home to rest. So she arrived in the agency, and went straight to the office, where her mother agent expected her along with six other models entering.

"Oh, good, just in time, darlings," Ms. Olive said. She was with a client, so she gestured the ladies to her. "I am sure you remember Mrs. Aris. She is the creative director of Aeros. Owner of the local sports brand, Aeros."

"Hello, girls," the client greeted.

"These are the available models I have, so let's get down to business. Now, tell them what you have in store for them."

They gathered around to start their discussion. "If you all are sports fan, you must know that the exhibit for football super leagues will be opening here in Haymoore city and they want to collaborate with my brand for a campaign," Mrs. Aeros informed. "All teams will be coming to town for the opening after their finals. Actually, the Super Tundra are in town if you heard the news."

From that piece of information, Erika was taken aback by that. "That is really interesting," Ms. Olive responded.

"Yes, we are going to feature them and other teams as well in our new collection and we also want to include models too. However, we only need three for each team. So, since the Super Tundra are in town, they will be having their photoshoots first along with their star player, West Lee, Cory James, and Duke Shay. Each of you will partner with them."

That name hit a nerve on Erika that he was included in the shoot. Especially went it was time for the client to chose who was going to be in the campaign with those three players. "Alright, go ahead. Pick who you think fits your vision," the mother agent said.

The girls were lined up, hoping that they were going to get chosen, but not all of them while the client observed them one-by-one. Erika would rather give it to any of them. Even though, there was a chance for her not to get picked.

"You look perfect. I chose you." Mrs. Aeros tapped on the young mother's shoulder because she was the first one to be picked, then went ahead to choose two other girls. "And you. Oh, and you look good."

"Damn," Erika muttered under her breath, but she had no choice. There was no valid reason to back out. Morever, it would look bad for her to decline an job just because she did not want to do it.

Once the meeting was over, the models walked out from the office. Erika could not help, but feel on edge with her upcoming assignment that her palms began to sweat.

"This is so exciting," said one of the models who was chosen. "We weren't chosen last time."

"Yeah," Erika said softly.

"The last time there was no collaboration. I remember being so upset about it, but I guess it's true what they say: good things come to those who waits. Right?"

"Yup. Well, I have to go, I have to pick up my son from his friend's house before it gets traffic."

"Oh, yeah, me too. I have to buy my daughter a fairy dress for a costume party. Anyway, see you tomorrow. Ciao!"

"Ciao!" Erika replied, then left the building to get to her car.

Later, while heading to get her son and her dog, the young mother was having a phone call with her best friend about her upcoming assignment, using an earphone. "What!? No way!" Chris reacted from the news. "I have no idea that they're in town. I have been busy working on designing my client's poolhouse."

"Me too," Erika said back. "Gio didn't even say anything to me earlier."

The best friend was surprised to hear that last part. "What?! You met up with Gio?"

"No, I bumped into him earlier when I was going to my next shoot. Although, I was in a hurry once the driver came that I didn't have the time to catch up. Oh, he did say that he's a P.I now."

"P.I like private investigator?"

"Yup."

"Well, let's get back to the topic at hand. So are you okay working with your ex?" Chris asked.

"It's not like I can do anything about it. It's part of the job," Erika sighed. "I'm afraid I have to bear it."

"What if it means this is going to be... you know, a knew chapter of a love story?" The best friend began to tease her about the idea.

"What!? Chris, it's just a campaign shoot."

"Yeah, I mean. Come on, E, think about it. I think the universe is trying to pull you guys together again."

"Stop it," Erika grunted. "I don't believe in that. Besides, he's a celebrity. He must be dating anyone by now."

"If there is, we'll know already. So, most likely he's single."

"Like I said, it's just a campaign shoot, not a blind date. Few days of it and it's over. Just like that. Like any other shoots."

"But with your ex," Chris reminded.

"Yes, with my ex. We have establish that," Erika responded as she shook her head and rolled her eyes. "Geez. You know what, it's not going to happen. That I can tell you. Also, I have a son to raise, and I can't... you know."

"Oh, right. I'm sorry, I guess I got excited the moment you told me that you'll be working with him, but can I ask you one thing?"

"Alright, what is it?"

"Do you ever wonder about him? Even just a little bit?" her best friend questioned.

Erika got quiet, the released a heavy sigh. "Honestly, yes, I do... Wonder about him sometimes, but life goes on. Right?"

"Right."

"I have to go. I'm here now. Let's talk again later."