ASH

"You look really happy" Delia remarked. Ash looked up from his laptop, raising a brow.

"Whatever do you mean, Mom" He rolled his eyes and went to take a sip of his steaming coffee. The older woman reclined on the couch, a contemplating look on her face.

"Is it because of that pretty blonde, Serena?" Delia said abruptly, snapping her head in Ash's direction. He looked at her and she gave him a knowing smile - or a smirk - he couldn't tell.

"What?" Confusion clouded his almond eyes. "How do you know?"

"Isn't it pretty obvious?" Delia rolled her eyes, shaking her head in disappointment. "Either you take me for a fool or you are the fool. I am your mother and mothers know -"

"Mom" Ash gave her a bored look. 

"Alright, alright. Calem may have told me a lil' something, I guess."

"And to think I wanted him to come back home so badly" Ash muttered, feeling a headache popping up. How did he forget how stupid his brother was? He cleared his throat. "Well, since you know it -"

"I like her, you have my blessings, so get married already" The brunette woman grinned. "Can't wait to see my grandchildren."

"That's so far-fetched, Mother!" Ash face-palmed, his face heating up. He glared at her, his face still red. "And aren't you curious about anything? I am kind of offended."

"You are a grown-ass adult" She rolled her eyes. Her lips curled into a lopsided smile. "I have no reason to interfere as long as you are doing nothing wrong. If you love the girl, you should go for it. Who knows? Maybe she is your only one. This mother of yours will have to support you wholeheartedly anyways."

SERENA

"I got your message, Misty" Serena smiled, letting the brush run through her honey blondes. "And the money, which you sent even after I refused so many times."

"Thanks to you, the whole photoshoot was a success. Of course I had to compensate you for your time" Misty's voice bubbled from other side of the phone. "By the way, you wanted to ask me something right? I read you text the other day."

"Ah yes" The honey blonde set down her brush. "I wanted to ask if you could introduce me to the Equestrian coach that taught you riding during your stay in Australia."

"Huh? Why?" Misty asked, confused. "I mean, of course I can but what's the reason?"

"I just figured that I wanted to try horse-riding" Serena emphasized. "Professionally."

"You mean as a career?" The sapphire-eyed woman could imagine Misty's eyes going wide.

Even she was surprised at herself. She couldn't imagine herself as someone doing something other than working behind the office desk but after seeing her mother's picture - she wasn't so sure anymore.

Grace Yvonne, who looked so happy. Serena knew she would never get that happiness from doing what she did right now. And as much as assisting Ash was something she loved, it wasn't her passion.

It was confusing and she had stayed up many nights before she made up her mind to follow in her mother's footsteps. After all, what was better than trying what her mother used to love so much?

Maybe she would love it just as much as Grace did.

"I - I really want to do this" Serena breathed out. "I don't know if it is something I would still want to do in the future but it is a start. Maybe I will figure out what my passion really is."

"If you are determined, then who am I to get in between? I will let her know" The redhead smiled, grinning. "Don't change your mind later, okay?"

Serena laughed. "Don't worry, I won't."

ASH

"You brat, I told you to stay quiet" Ash smacked Calem upside-down, a scowl on his face. His brother winced, glaring at him. 

"First of all, I can't keep a secret. And second of all, it hurts, you bastard."

"Why are you here though?" Ash ignored his whining and sat down opposite to him. They were sitting in his office, the setting sun casting looming shadows in the room.

Faint breeze blew through the window, making the wind chime flutter with it.

"I was thinking of going back" Calem paused. "To Japan."

"What?" Ash asked, his brows knitted together in bewilderment. "Why so suddenly? It been just a few days since you came back"

"I think it is better for one of us to manage the affairs there" He smiled slightly. "Mom is not getting younger and I have to take responsibility now. I have been running for far too long and its time for me to start working on myself."

He shifted, sighing. "I talked about this with Mom. She agreed. And so did Shauna. We will be leaving this Monday. I thought I should let you know before leaving - so that you don't get mad again."

Even though his voice was somewhat playful, Ash knew that Calem didn't want to go away from his home so soon either.

But someone was needed in Japan to take over the business and if Calem didn't take this opportunity as an excuse to go, then he won't get another chance.

This was his chance of becoming Calem, and not Mr. Ketchum. 

 He heaved a deep breath, slowly nodding his head. "Don't forget to send postcards to us, okay? If you don't, we will cut you off for real this time."

"Trust me, I will." Calem grinned.

SERENA

Serena leaned on her balcony's railing, watching the night life below. The night was still from where she was standing and even though she was 400 feet high, she felt galaxies apart from the bustle that went about.

"Hey"

She looked back and saw Ash standing in front of the open door, looking uncharacteristically flustered. She couldn't understand how he could manage to take her breath away without even doing anything. 

"Hi?" She almost stuttered. "Come on in, Ash."

He didn't say anything but silently joined her as they both looked at the endless starry sky.

"Calem is going to Austria" Ash broke the silence, his arms on the balustrade. "I told him that he should go but honestly, I really didn't mean that."

Serena looked at him sadly; she had run into Shauna and the brunette had told her about their plans over tea.

Ash just got his brother and he was leaving again. But she knew that Ash was mature enough to understand that he couldn't keep Calem around them for forever.

She knew what she was going to say will definitely hurt him but she had to. 

"I am planning to go to Australia" She blurted out. 

"Wha . . .?" Ash turned to her, his brown eyes wide and his mouth slightly open. As the words settled in, she could see worry and panic set behind his beautiful eyes.

"Why . . .?" He shook his head, running his fingers through his hair to keep them away from eyes. "Why do you want to go to Australia? Did I do something wrong -"

"Of course not!" Serena interrupted, forcing him to look at her. She smiled softly. "Its not that, okay? I want to go to Australia because I want to try becoming an equestrian."

She watched as his worry melted away, leaving only bewilderment behind. "Why go to Australia? I will hire the best equestrian trainer so that you can learn in France itself."

"I don't doubt it" The honey blonde chuckled. "But you know that it can't be done that way. And besides, I want to learn from the place where my mother learnt. I know it doesn't make any sense but I feel a kind of obligation to see the place my mother was so fond of."

"I want to become someone who is worthy enough stand by your side without anyone pointing fingers at me. What will I do if people start talking bad about you?"

"You being you is enough though." His voice wavered. "And I don't care about any of that."

"You don't" Serena nodded. "But it will make me sad. It definitely will."

She hugged him, as he buried his face in her soft blonde locks. She closed her eyes, breathing in his comforting scent. They stayed like that, silently relishing each other's presence.

"I will wait for you" He whispered softly. "I will wait for you for as long as you would like me to."

Her heart fluttered as she heard him say those words. 

"I know."