Sports Club. Los Angeles, California.

Finding a balance between work and studies is the easiest thing in the world.

At least for her. Mercedes has always felt pride about her intelligence. Back in school, her classmates used to be jealous of how smart and quick of a learner she was. She never minded their contempt glances, their vain, hypocritical attempts to befriend her just to have her aid them during exams and dump her later. She never had a real friend until Pamela came into her life and she was always fine by herself, studying to ensure she top in every subject in her class and enjoy the spiteful stares her classmates spew her way as her teachers applaud her over and over, while the principal advises her seething classmates to follow her example.

She loves to prove people wrong hence when she finished the university and her mother complained one time she can never handle two things at the same time with how much time she always spends doing a single chore, Mercedes found a job and enrolled in tennis lessons the same day. To her amazement, she excelled in her tennis classes and at work, and every week of her life felt like a routine; work and practice at weekdays and spend quality time with Colby at weekends. Her days went fluid and stress-free and she assumed she'll be able to do the same thing with Fergal and Colby.

But relationships once again prove to be challenging and she's quite ashamed of herself to admit she has lost control over situations. She should have heeded to Pamela's advice and given Colby more time and space, have him see all that she was doing to please him and earn his forgiveness while she adores Fergal with undivided time and attention. But she couldn't have waited anymore. Not when Colby was drifting away from her. It was necessary to double her efforts and win back Colby before it was too late. She hadn't had any other alternative left. But the decision has also created a drift between her and Fergal she can't afford to have now.

Ever since she got hired at the Sports Club as a tennis coach and learnt of how wealthy her employers are, she has always thought the Quinn family had a perfect life, free of the problems ordinary people like her and Colby face in their everyday life. But two nights ago, when she'd talked to Fergal for over six hours on the phone, she got to learn the family isn't as perfect as she thought it to be. They don't face the problems she faces with money. They have much bigger problems. Problems she only had a tiny inkling of.

As helpless and broken as Fergal sounded over the phone, it didn't surprise her he went into much detail in their conversation on the first night. He narrated to her how miserable he felt about his sister, Rebecca and how he feels his mother isn't doing enough to solve the problems they have. He then went on to blabber about all the things he used to think were right being wrong now, how much burden he faces with the company--Mercedes doesn't believe that part--and how he has failed to protect his family like his father would have if he were alive. Mercedes mostly zoned out during his blabbering but a few things stuck in her head; Rebecca, Fergal's sister's attempted suicide, the video of this same Rebecca making a fool of herself at her ex-fiance's wedding--it was utterly pathetic when she took a look at the video herself--the slap he received from his mother and how he would have to act in front of the cameras at his sister's upcoming birthday party just like the rest of his family.

It was the last part of him 'acting in front of the cameras' which caught her attention the most. She'd seen enough photoshoot pictures of Fergal and by little of how much she knows him personally, Mercedes is quite aware Fergal has never been the smiley type of person in front of cameras. Her mind had swung to his mother, Annette Quinn instead hearing the acting in front of cameras part. That woman smiles at everyone and everything. She's rarely in a bad mood. The media has only seen her venomous side once when a manager at one of her numerous companies accused her of killing her own husband on live television at a press conference. The family later apologized for the incident and revealed the manager, reportedly called Ric Fleir was a mentally unstable person and the whole scandal died down when he was admitted to a psychiatric hospital a few months later. But now Mercedes is questioning the woman just as she is questioning everything in Fergal's family.

'Does everyone in that family, including the goody-goody, always smiling Rebecca and the fashion designer Ashley Fleir fake smiles at the cameras too? And if Annette Quinn hides the monstrous part of herself and shows her angelic side to the world, how much truth is there in the accusation the manager made about her killing her own husband so she can keep his properties? Was when she accused her late husband's relatives for stealing from the company false and all in an elaborate plan to keep her husband's wealth for herself and her children?'

Mercedes's head is swimming with tons of possibilities. There's so much more she needs to learn about that family but Fergal is never one to go into much detail about anything. He completely and vaguely spoke about his family in the second night of their conversation. She needs to get closer to that family to know more about them but that can only happen if she gets into Fergal's good books again. She ignored his calls yesterday as she was giving all her time to Colby after he graciously decided to give their relationship a second chance. The house management skills she learnt from Pamela and Holly worked after all but she swore the moment she held Colby in her arms that she'll never wash dishes again, much less cook. Never. And as for Colby? She'll think about him later.

As she was about to ascend the stairs to the locker room with her milkshake in hand, she catches sight of Colby's bike at the gates. She isn't sure it's him as she is too far away to be certain but then she sees Jojo in a yellow dress that's too hard to miss with it gleaming in the sun, confirming it's indeed Colby. Joe never comes to the Sports Club, not even when she was celebrating graduation with her students and she'd invited her friends over for the little party they threw at the football field in the Sports Club. Joe and her have never been quite as close as Colby hoped they'll be.

She retreats and walks down the pavement instead, passing the golf field and the cafeteria on her right in a distance. Jojo races towards her and hugs her around the waist after Colby had offered his identification card to the guards and he was allowed through the gates. Mercedes groans under her breath. Jojo knows she's never liked hugs from her. The little girl does it just to annoy her but she won't let it get to her this time. She won't allow Jojo to dampen her new, hard-earned relationship with Colby. "Hi Jojo," she smiles sweetly at the little girl, brushing her hand on her cheek. She has an overwhelming need to shove her but she suppresses it, gently prying Jojo's arms away from her instead. "How are you?"

"I'm good," Jojo replies, looking surprised to be getting this attitude from her. Mercedes wants to stick her tongue out and mock Jojo's failure to have her irritated but she clamps down on that desire as well. "You seem nice today."

"Jojo, aunt Mercedes is always nice," Colby says when he comes to stand behind Jojo, passing a quick greeting to Mercedes. Not satisfied with that kind of greeting, Mercedes strides over to kiss him but she pulls back almost as quickly as she'd kissed him, glancing around to make sure the guards aren't around. One is busy closing the gates while the other drives Colby's bike to the parking lot. She sighs a breath of relief. "You shouldn't have done that, right?"

She squeezes his shoulder. Colby always has a way of making her desperate to touch him. "Yep. Number one rule in the Sports Club's law book; employees under no circumstances whatsoever, should date among themselves."

Colby shakes his head. He's always thought of the rule stupid from the day she told him but he isn't making a fuss about it as he did back in the day, Mercedes notes. Even his playful attitude has suddenly disappeared. "I'm not missing anything, right? Identification card, birth certificate and driver's license," Colby inquires, pulling them out of his bag one after the other.

Mercedes nods, drawing Colby to a safe spot as the gates open once more for a posh car to zoom through to the parking lot. "That's everything you need. This is more about experience than anything else. Our executive manager's office is at the second floor. Head straight for the receptionist office just over there. Anna will show you his office. You can leave Jojo with Anna. I have to see to the rest of my students for the day. Good luck."

Colby smiles back before taking Jojo's hand and leading her away. The little girl points to the beautiful scenery around her while Colby just nods stiffly. 'He looks to be in deep thoughts again,' Mercedes thinks, sighing. In order to truly get Colby back, she has to figure out what is bothering him but it all takes time and a bit more patience for her to regain his faith in her. Then, they'll talk. But for now, Fergal is most important.

"Mercedes!!"

'Speak of the devil.' Mercedes jeers around to find Fergal striding over to her, the keys in his hands jingling as he swings them almost playfully, a slight smirk on his lips. She feels a sudden swell of pride; fierce and arrogant. 'How many women won't love to have Fergal Devvit Quinn fall for them? And she, Mercedes Varnado, has him in the palm of her hand.' "Fergal," she returns the brief hug, only recalling once she pulled back to check if Colby is still around somewhere. Thankfully he isn't. But what if Jojo sees them? That girl is quite the gossip one.

"You could've taken a few days off, you know. You didn't have to return to work so early but I'm glad to see you anyway."

"You are?" Mercedes feigns surprise and concern. "I thought you would be angry I didn't pick up your calls yesterday."

Fergal laughs, "How terrible do you think I am to get angry at my girlfriend just because she didn't have the time to take my calls one night? I'm not that hard to live with Mercedes. You told me you were busy with family issues so I assumed you were just too busy to pick up my calls. I completely understand. By the way, how's everything with your family?"

"Nothing much," she pretends glancing around to check again if neither Colby nor Jojo are in sight. "Just problems with my sister's school stuffs, particularly her tuition fees and my mother being sick. But it was nothing worrying. I'll take care of everything. Don't worry."

"How much do you need?"

"What?" Mercedes is certain for a moment she hadn't heard it correctly.

Fergal retrieves something from his coat, "How much do you need to settle your family's expenses?"

Mercedes just stares at him, her stomach rumbling with excitement when she realizes it's a chequebook. "Fergal, you really don't have to. . . ."

"If I knew you were going to Texas for something as minor as your sister's tuition fees, I would've sent someone to take care of everything to save you the trouble of taking a plane. You're my girlfriend. It's my duty to provide everything you need." He stops to shout to the guards for a pen to which one of them immediately rushes over to give him. "How much?" Mercedes's mind races for a figure but her giddiness snuffs out her thinking altogether. Before she can speak again, Fergal has already written a cheque and is handing it to her. "Next time, don't hesitate to ask me anything. Anything at all."

Her eyes widen at the amount written on the cheque. 'This was so much easier than she'd expected.' "Fergal, this is too much."

Fergal waves it away, "Keep it. It's nothing. Use some to buy a dress for yourself for the party."

Mercedes is still staring at the amount, fighting back a grin when Fergal's words sinks in. She looks up at him in shock. "Your sister's birthday party? You want me to be there?"

"Yes," Fergal says, shoving the chequebook into the pocket of his pants. "I'll like to introduce you to my mother and sister as my girlfriend and hopefully the woman I'll marry in the future."

Mercedes blinks rapidly. 'Marriage? So Fergal is this serious.' "You want to introduce me to your family? But isn't it a bit too soon for that?"

"I hate to go around in circles, Mercedes. You have to get acquainted with my family sooner or later. The birthday party will be the perfect opportunity for that. It'll just be family. No cameras or anything. It'll be quick, I promise. I don't like parties myself."

But she loves parties. It's the only thing she regrets not indulging in at school and since Pamela is such a party-pooper and Colby isn't one that loves being surrounded by too many people, she hardly ever attends one. She has no doubt this birthday party will be an extravagant one with high profile people in attendance, paparazzi and everything one can find at a rich family's function. 'How can she pass such an opportunity to learn and mix in with the rich people? An opportunity to meet Annette Quinn herself?' "Alright. I'll be there," she smiles, throwing away her milkshake into a bin nearby. "What are you doing here anyway?"

"I came here to settle a few bills and other matters you shouldn't concern yourself with," Fergal says, walking off in the direction of the recently constructed wrestling department. Mercedes follows close behind. "Rebecca is here so I'll go check on her before I head out."

Mercedes unconsciously glances around the Sports Club, hoping for a sign of Rebecca. She has never met Fergal's sister in person but word around says she often used to visit the Sports Club in the past before her father died. According to Fergal three nights ago, his sister is still in somewhat a depression state so it's quite surprising Rebecca is here. Her phone abruptly chirps, signaling a message alert. She neatly folds the cheque and tucks it safely inside her pocket before taking out her phone to check the message, finding it's from Pamela.

'Just completed thirty-nine deliveries today sweetheart. One more to go to make it forty!!! We have to celebrate tonight. No alcohol, mind you!!!'

Mercedes laughs involuntarily, already imagining the horror movie her friend will force her to watch tonight. Pamela's idea of celebration. Not with champagne or wine. But with horror movies and popcorn. "It's a message from a friend of mine," she says when Fergal casts a glance at her. "She has completed thirty-nine deliveries today." Fergal nods briskly, not bothering to ask any further questions. Mercedes knows it isn't an act of trust but she doesn't let it bother her. She's yet to see Fergal's possessive side but she's certain a man like him definitely has one. "Perhaps, you can meet her someday. The Institute's finest gynaecologist."

Fergal suddenly halts. "Does she work at the Institute for medical specialists?"

"Yes. Why do you ask?"

"Bring her to the birthday party."

Mercedes can't believe her ears. "What? But why? I mean. . . . my friend doesn't really like such parties."

Fergal's expression hardens with resolve, "I don't care. Do whatever you have to do but bring her with you."

* * * *

"But I left her here with you," Colby nearly yells at Anna, the receptionist, "Where could she have disappeared to?"

"She was playing right her," Anna's hand sweeps around her reception desk while the other holds the telephone close to her ear. "I told her to wait here and not leave my sight while I was attending to some clients but when I looked again, she was gone. Trust me sir, I'm doing everything I can to find her," she placates him with a large smile. Any other person in her position, Colby would've complained to the managers half an hour ago. "She must be here somewhere in the Sports Club. The guards wouldn't have let her out through the gates without a guardian or her parents."

"Whatever you're doing, please do it fast," Colby pleads to her, slipping his identification card into the small pocket attached to his bag. The interview had gone smoother than he'd anticipated. He wasn't expecting to get the job so easily but once he told the executive manager, a young man about his age he had once trained at WWE's Performance Center, the man quickly hired him. It might be due to the Sports Club's frantic need for wrestling trainers that they gave someone like him with such little experience the job or just that WWE have broadened their reach and influence to the Sports Club as well. Whatever it may be, he's relieved to have a job now. One more burden off his shoulders.

"She's in the cafeteria," Anna's voice cuts through his thoughts. "If you like sir, I can go get her for you. It's the least I can do to redeem myself."

"It's alright," Colby smiles at her, "I'll go get her myself. Where is the cafeteria?"

"It's over there," she points ahead, past the fountain spiralling into gorgeous circles in the midst of the courtyard, to the golf field at the right of his vision. "Just in front of the golf field. She's in the second floor of the cafeteria."

"Thank you," Colby slings his bag over his shoulder, waving away Anna's repetitive apologies as he walks away. He climbs down a stairs to walk beside the golf field. The cafeteria in three storey building ahead gleams with sunlight and people; couples and teenagers hunched over tables inside while others stroll the corridor laughing and chatting among themselves. A few people occupy the golf field as he passes it by. The lush grassland reminds him of Daniel's house, particularly the river which brings pleasant memories when he thinks about it. He almost bumps into a woman over the phone as he was too caught up in his thoughts to notice her. He quickly offers her an apology and leans aside to give the woman space to stride away. Being high on the staircase provides him a breathtaking view of the entire expanse of land of the Sports Club sprawled ahead; an empty football pitch, a basketball training field and another grassland filled with nothing but tall, green trees and canopies where he guess people just sit to relax themselves.

Mercedes had taken him on a tour the first time he paid her a visit but before she could give him the full tour, her second class started and the tour was sadly left incomplete. By the little he'd seen at that time, he has admired the man who built the Sports Club ever since. He has always felt like a mouse being at places similar to the Sports Club, much like when he got a small peek of Rebecca's family wealth on the internet. He quickly shakes the thoughts out of his head, pushing back the double glass doors of the cafeteria. Every time he decides not to think about her, she always finds a way to invade his thoughts. He mentally prepares himself to give Jojo a sound rebuke but all his words dies in his mouth when he lays his eyes on her.

She's sitting at a table too big for her petite size, with different variety of chocolates and ice-cream spread out before her. She munches on each one hungrily, smearing her cheeks with some in the process. She's too engrossed in eating her feast to notice Colby standing right at her table with his hands planted firmly on his hips, his mouth agape. "Jojo."

Jojo immediately freezes with a spoonful of ice-cream halfway to her mouth when she sees him. She continues looking at him in shock as if she wasn't expecting him to find her so soon. But her expression soon shifts to amusement. A giggle bubbles out of her throat. She dodges to the side to quickly shove the spoonful of ice-cream into her mouth before Colby can take it from her. She drops the spoon into the empty cup of ice-cream with a quiet clink sound. "I promise after this, I won't eat chocolates or ice-cream for a whole month," she pledges with a childish and innocent smile on her face.

"Who gave you all this," he asks, his eyes taking in all the empty cups and wrappers on the table, as well as two cups of ice-cream to Jojo's left which she hadn't touched yet.

"A woman gave it to me," Jojo replies, reaching for a chocolate but Colby quickly swats her hand away. She pouts, "She told me she owns this place so I can have all the chocolates and ice-cream I want."

"What does your father always tell you about accepting things from strangers?"

"But she was very nice," Jojo defends. "She even told me I can come here whenever I want."

Squatting, Colby wipes the chocolate smeared on her cheeks with a tissue he finds on the table among the rubble of the chocolate wrappers. "No matter how nice she is, she's still a stranger. You should never talk to strangers. It's dangerous. She shouldn't have given you all this in the first place. Doesn't she know you can catch a cold from eating too much ice-cream?"

"I won't fall sick eating ice-cream."

Colby sighs, "Yes, you will. It was very bad of that woman to give you ice-cream. Don't you recall the story of 'Hansel and Gretel?' How the witch tricked those children into her house just for her to eat them? This is exactly the same thing. That woman purposely gave you ice-cream so you can fall sick. She's bad."

"So I'm a witch now, Mr. Lopez?"

The voice is lilt and silky, rich with deep Irish accent. His heart is already hammering in his chest before he even turned around to face her. Different kinds of emotions he can't decipher races through him at once seeing her face, more beautiful than he remembers and her green eyes which now burns with fierce intensity, sending sparks of fire inside him. 'And if you do?' Joe's question which he'd failed to answer reels back to haunt him with its depth and tangled mysteries. 'It's too soon. It's too soon for him to meet her again.'