"Seriously Peggy, what on earth is his problem?"

Aiden asked. I laughed and just handed him a pizza.

"And why is he in your unit? Am I missing something here? Are you getting back together?" He interrogated me,

"Stop it Ugly." I shushed him, "There's nothing like that going on, we're different now." I took a bite on my sandwich since I can't have pizza.

"Yeah stop it Daddy Andi." Hana imitated me making me laugh.

"Wow are you two ganging up on me?" Aiden acted hurt. Hana just laughed and faced Aiden. "Ahh." She opened her mouth.

Aiden got the gesture and gave her a slice of pizza which Hana bit. "Mmm." She said cutely. Aiden chuckled and wiped some sauce that got on her face with a tissue.

Aiden left after lunch and I took care of Hana until her father came to fetch her late in the afternoon. I went inside my room early that night and took my medicine before jumping into bed.

I sighed and faced my ceiling as I relaxed my body. I rarely experience nights like these. Feeling relaxed and not busy. Best thing to do is make the most of it. After a while I fell asleep.

"Don't eat too much you have a fashion show next week!" Mom scolded me when I took another slice of her apple pie.

"Mom I just had one bite." I complained. I visited Mom today since I don't have that much to do yet and I rarely see her. "C'mon Mom can't I have just one more little piece?" I made a number one on my finger and smiled at her hoping she could give in.

"You little rascal." She hit my head with her wooden spoon. "Just one bite." She cut out a slice and placed it on her fork before bringing it to my mouth.

I had the smile of victory after I ate it. Mom just couldn't resist me. But that was all I had, I still needed to be strict with what I eat since Mom was right, my fashion show was fast approaching.

"Anyway what are your plans for your birthday? Isn't it 4 days from now?" Mom asked.

"Nothing really." I shrugged. "I'll just go to work I guess."

Mom frowned. "What a busybody you are."

I just laughed. I really didn't have plans for birthday at all, last year I spent it in France with Eloise, Aicko, and Shari. Maybe we could travel again if ever but everyone's busy now so maybe I'll just celebrate it with Aiden or with Abby and Stella. Anything would work for me.

"Why isn't Aiden with you today?" Mom asked while she chopped some carrots for her carrot cake which she specifically said was for the neighbors and not for me.

I looked up from the carrots that I was peeling. "He's busy running the airlines but he said that he'll visit you tomorrow only I can't come tomorrow."

"And you really mustn't." Mom said sternly. "Focus on your fashion show, I've already booked a rocket train ticket to California next week for me to watch you so we'll be seeing each other again."

"Wow you can book tickets now on your own?" I asked, Mom always found it hard to book tickets especially with our modern day technology.

"Of course I can, Aiden taught me." She rolled her eyes acting as if it was obvious. I laughed at how Mom was catching up with technology.

I feel grateful for Aiden, he's been visiting and taking care of Mom when I couldn't, I thought that when he started becoming the business man he is today, he'd loose time for me and mom but now it looks like he has more spare time than I do.

After helping her in the kitchen, Mom made me go up to my room and bring some of my old clothes with me to California. I sighed when I sat down on my bed. It's been so long since I've slept here on my twin sized bed, my eyes wandered around my tiny room. I smiled when I spotted my books on the shelf. Aiden and I used to read in the small corner by the window when we were young. Now I doubt any of us could fit inside the tiny corner. Oh how time flies.

I ran my fingers through the edges of my books. It's been a long time since I've opened one to read. How I wished I had time to do those things again.

"You should take some with you to California." Mom said while standing by the door, "They'll just catch dust in here."

"No need." I looked away from my shelf. "I won't have time for them anyway."

The next morning I woke up early and went to the gym with my trainer. I had to get my body ready for the fashion show. After 3 hours of work out, I went back to my condo to shower.

[Mrs. Kline is back from her business trip and wants to have lunch with you and some other models.] Stella said over the phone. [Where are you know?]

"I'm at my unit, I just got out from the shower." I said as I combed my damp hair.

[Okay well hurry up and dress nicely, we'll pick you up in 30.]

I ended the call and started to fix myself. Since Mrs. Kline's back, would that mean that Blake wouldn't be around all the time? Well thank goodness for that.

I wore a marron sleeveless cocktail dress that was fitted around my waist, I partnered it with a pair of crème colored heels. I fixed my hair into a ponytail and I got my matching maroon colored pouch. After I finished, Stella and my van picked me up.

"Abby add some finishing touches to her make up." Stella said when I entered the van. "Other famous models will be there, note that you're not the only model invited so you must look your best."

"Ok, ok." I nodded and allowed Abby to add some blush on my cheeks.

When we got to Euphoria, Stella handed me my shades and I wore them before coming down the van. I walked inside the building and a personnel lead me to a room.

When I entered, there was a long table with 5 models, some of the board members of Euphoria and Mrs. Kline.

"So glad that you could come Ashley." Mrs. Kline smiled.

"Thank you for inviting me." I replied and sat down.

"Ashley Bennet. How nice it is to see you." A girl said. "You look stunning."

I turned to the girl and I tried to hide my shock. What's she doing here?

"Same as to you Gia." I gave her a fake smile and turned away. Gia still looked the same. Her dark complexion and almond eyes matched her lavender dress.

It was hard at first to interact with her when I started modelling, especially since we were in the same industry but I toughened up and didn't let the issues of the past do anything to my present. I turned a blind eye on her but my mind still wouldn't forget.

"How did you know each other?" Gia said surprisingly and looked at Mrs. Kline.

"Actually she's one of Euphoria's models now." Mrs. Kline said.

I saw as Gia's brows furrow for a split second but it immediately changed back to a smile. "I see...maybe I can give her some tips on how to portray herself better." Gia offered and sipped on her drink. "I've been in the industry for the longest time, I'm sure I can give some help."

My brows furrowed. What is she implying here?

"I like the idea." Mrs. Kline chuckled.

"No problem Ma'am." Gia smiled at me. "I'm sure I can teach her everything I know."

"That's so kind of you." Mrs. Kline held Gia's hand.

I tried to hide my frown. Why does it feel like she's looking down on me?!

"But I don't think it would be necessary. Ashley is doing splendid on her own, It's amazing what she's done for our company, she's a natural." Mrs. Kline turned to me and smiled before looking back at Gia. "But thankyou so much for your offer."

I looked away for them not to see me chuckle. The other models did the same.

"She's so boastful when she herself isn't being offered to model for Euphoria." The model beside me whispered.

"She has a lot of big brands that books for her." I answered trying to not sound like I hold grudges against Gia even if deep down I do.

Soon the food was served and the board members started discussing about the event. Suddenly the door opened.

"Sorry I'm late." Blake walked inside the room with his coat that hung on his arm leaving him with his white dress shirt and necktie.

"Finally you're here." Mrs. Kline said. "Come sit." She pointed to the only vacant seat left which was beside Gia.

When Blake walked close to me, I thought he'd turn to me or something but instead, he just walked past me. What's his problem? We were good the last time we were together.

"Here Blake." Gia called in a sweet tone.

Blake eyed the seat for a second then sat down. Why is he hesitating to sit beside his girlfriend?

"Mrs. Kline's brother's so handsome." Angela whispered beside me. "What do you think?"

I just nodded. Blake has always been an eye turned ever since and he's always been handsome I'll give him that.

Everyone started chatting while I just ate my food quietly while they talked about the up coming event.

"I hear many business men are going to attend." One of the models said.

"Blake will you be attending the event as well?" Gia asked.

"Yes." Blake said plainly before taking a sip on his glass.

"Then why don't we go together? The hotel I'm staying in is quite close to your house."

"I think that's a good idea, what do you say Blake?" Mrs. Kline turned to Blake.

"Ok." He said plainly as if everything was bore him.

I just looked away and focused on my food while they talked, none of their topics was part of my business.

After lunch. We all stood up and just like a while ago, Blake just walked past me.

Is he mad or something?

I just brushed the thought away, there isn't any reason for us to be talking at all why must I bother?

As I walked outside the building and into my van, I pulled out my phone and dialed a number.

"Hey ugly, what do you think about attending Euphoria's event with me?"

________________________________________

"Come on girls we don't have all day!" Shari called from downstairs.

"Wait! We're almost done!" Aicko called back. "Paige hand me the hair blower."

I scurried to the other part of the room and handed her the hair blower, then I went back to fixing my hair.

Shari, Aicko, and I were all invited to Euphoria's event and from the looks of it, Shari's all ready and Aicko and I are caught up in a panic. It's quite ironic to think that it's Shari who's the mother and yet she's still the one to get ready first just like old times.

Shari went up to the room to help us get ready while Liam, her husband waited for us downstairs.

"Where on earth did you two leave Hana?" Aicko asked while Shari was picking up the mess in the room.

"We left her with Liam's Mom." Shari said. "Now enough talking and hurry up."

When we were ready, Aicko and I went inside my car while Shari rode with Liam in theirs. When we got to the venue.

I wore a long sleeveless black dress that hugged my body perfectly, it had a slit exposing one of my legs and I had matching black heels. I let my long blonde hair down in soft curls.

Aicko wore a long cream dress with one sleeve that looked so elegant on her. Her hair was tied up making her look so pretty.

When we entered the venue, everyone was already walking around. "Lets explore." Aicko nudged me. "Stop staring at the food you have a fashion show next week."

"W-what." I looked back at her. "Oh yeah sure." I let her pull me around as she introduced me to many groups of people.

"Hi girls!"

I turned to my side as some of the actresses that I know approached us.

"So glad to see you!" Trisha, a foreign actor kissed me and Aicko on the cheek. After talking, Aicko kept pulling me to new groups of people.

"Oh Paige, this is Derick the Hollywood actor." Aicko introduced.

"Hi, You're a model right?" He offered his hand.

I smiled and accepted it. "Yeah, I watch your films."

After talking with him Aicko whispered in my ear. "Is he your type?"

"Nah." I shook my head. Aicko laughed and brought me to another group of girls.

Some of them were models, others were actresses, and others were just high class socialites.

"You're so famous now Ashley, we should catch dinner sometime with Aicko." one of them said.

"Sure thing." I nodded as I reached for a glass of champagne from a waiter. While they continued talking I suddenly found Blake walking inside the venue with Gia by his side.

Blake was is a black dress shirt with 3 buttons opened as well as black slacks. Gia on the other hand wore a long red dress that definitely stood out inside the room. She was really pretty.

"They look so cute together." Liana, one of the models said. "They're dating right?"

"Yeah I guess so." Another model said.

I just looked back at the two, Gia whispered something into Blake's ear and he just nodded as then they continued to walk around the room like a perfect couple.

"You ok?" Aicko whispered into my ear.

"Of course." I gave her an assuring look. "Why wouldn't I be." I couldn't care any less for what Blake and Gia has. It's not of my business.

I left Aicko with the girls and walked to another corner with my champagne glass in hand. My eyes caught Blake and Gia still together on the other corner of the venue talking with some other people. I took a sip from my champagne to take my eyes off them. Why should I care?

"Hi Paige!" I turned to Ram who suddenly appeared by my side.

"Ram?" I laughed. "Why are you here?"

"Got bored to be honest." He chuckled and sipped from his glass of champagne. "So I heard you model for Euphoria now."

"Yeah." I nodded.

"Oh and I also heard that you're already married!"

My brows furrowed. "What?!"

"Congrats! So who's the lucky man?"

I frowned. "I'm not married."

"Oh really?!" Ram acted shocked but he seemed quite happy. "I mean too bad, why not?" He changed his tone.

"I don't really have time for it." I just smiled.

He must've fallen for the fake news online. That's just stupid, why is everyone thinking this way?!

After talking with Ram, I excused myself and just stood at a corner and sipped on my champagne. I if only I wasn't required to come I wouldn't have attended. I frowned when someone approached me.

"Oh Ashley you look so pretty tonight." Gia eyed me from head to toe and smiled. "What do you think Blake?"

I tilted my head for her not to see me roll my eyes. Blake just nodded behind her while he was looking at something on his phone. Wow he's still ignoring me huh.

"You look good too." I faked a smile and sipped again on my champagne. What does this girl want?!

"Are you with someone tonight?" She asked.

"Oh yeah I came with Aicko and Shari." I smiled and looked away again.

"No what I mean is did you come with a date?" She asked.

I was caught off guard with that question, I looked up at her face and I'm sure that behind her sweet smile was an evil grin.

I brought my chin up. "Yes I did actually." I smiled.

Blake's eyes suddenly left his phone and it went up to me yet he still displayed no expression. Gia looked taken aback.

"Oh well how nice." The surprise in her face faded and was replaced with a mischievous smile. "Who is he? Is he well known?" She looked at her nails.

"Yes." I just nodded keeping my confidence, there's no way she can take me down especially now.

"Where is he then?"

"He's somewhere around talking to some people." I answered sensibly. Doesn't this girl run out of questions?! Can't she just stop talking and mind her own business?!

"I see," She looked up to me, "Well can you introduce me to him?" She crossed her arms giving me a challenging look.

I suddenly felt my confidence drain out of me. What the hell?! Look at what you did Paige! I scolded myself.

"He's...uh." I stuttered. I didn't miss Blake's smirk as he went back to minding his phone and Gia's grin which she hid immediately.

And just on cue I heard a familiar voice call. "Peggy! There you are."

Aiden approached us, and following my instinct I immediately grabbed him by the arm and pulled him to my side. "Here he is." My confidence went up again and my smile regained.

I bit my cheek to hide my smile as I saw Gia's jaw drop. Blake suddenly looked up at us and hid his phone in his pocket. Gone was his smirk and it was replaced with a serious look.

"W-what's going on?" Aiden whispered still completely disoriented.

"Quiet!" I hissed and turned back to Gia and Blake with a smile.

"So you're Ashley's date?" She asked Aiden as she eyed his appearance.

"Wha-?"

I immediately pinched his back.