Chapter Text
“What the…”
Sophie Foster was not ready to start the day.
She opened her eyes to the sound of ringing coming from somewhere in her room. Glancing at the illuminated clock, her blurry eyes scanned the time as quarter-to-six in the morning. She sighed as she searched for her phone, determining that it was the cause of the sound. Sophie managed to find it tucked in the gap between her mattress and the headboard. She fished it out before putting the speaker to her ear.
“Hello? Foster, speaking,” she mumbled to the phone.
“I know Sophie, good morning to you,” a female voice replied through the speaker.
“Biana…? What are you doing, calling me so early?” Sophie asked. Biana was a close friend of Sophie’s. They were best friends since they were kids, and have grown up together like sisters.
“You don’t remember? You have a photoshoot with for your brand-new collection drop in 2 hours,” Biana reminded her. Sophie’s eyes went wide. She shot up in bed, putting on her bedroom slippers and running to the bathroom to get ready.
“Fuck, no I don’t. I was so busy with Maisy that I completely forgot about it,” she admitted. Maisy Foster was her daughter, who recently turned 5 years old. She had gotten sick this past week hence why Sophie was a bit preoccupied with her.
Biana chastised her. “Sophie, you know you can ask for help when you need it,” she reminded her. Sophie sighed in reply.
“I know, I know. It’s just hard for me you know. I’m trying my best,” she told her. It was Biana’s turn to sigh.
“I know you are, you’re a badass woman,” Biana said to her, “Just don’t forget that badass women also ask for help when they need it, okay?”
Sophie smiled a bit at that as she checked the water for her shower. “Don’t worry, I won’t.”
“Atta girl,” Biana replied. “The limo will be there in an hour and a half. Don’t forget to bring a gym bag. Is Maisy coming?”
“Yeah, I guess. She’s still kinda sick from the past week, but she’ll be okay. Can you watch her?” Sophie asked shyly as she stripped from her clothes and hopped in the shower.
“Of course, I will! Maisy and I will spend some quality time together,” Biana said, already plotting ways to spoil her niece and godchild.
Sophie just chuckled and shook her head. “Just no going out of the office without me and no ice cream, her throat is still sore and her tummy is still upset,” she told her.
“Awhh, that’s no fun. But alright, I’ll take good care of the little angel.”
“Thanks, Bia. I owe you a lot.”
“No, you don’t. I always got your back.”
The two exchanged their final goodbyes before hanging up the phone. Sophie then quickly got ready, tossing on a fitted black body suit and Adidas superstars before heading to her daughter’s room to wake her up.
“Maisy? It’s mommy, are you awake?” Sophie asked as she knocked on the door.
“Yes, mommy. I’m awake,” a small voice replied. Sophie smiled, twisting the doorknob, and pushing the door open.
When she stepped into the pale-yellow room, she saw Maisy sitting on the floor, playing with the dolls she got for her birthday. Her bed had been tidied up the best a 5-year-old could and her clothes had been set out for the day. When Maisy looked up and saw her mother inside, she immediately got up and ran to give Sophie a big hug.
“Mommy! Good morning!” she said happily, basically bouncing on her heels.
“Good morning, sweetpea. How are you feeling?” Sophie asked, sitting on the floor where her daughter was playing moments earlier.
“Maisy feeling better, mommy,” she told her mom as she sat on her mother’s legs as she played. Sophie placed a hand on her neck and forehead and determined that her daughter was feeling better.
“Alright, that’s good. Do you wanna go with mommy and see Aunty Biana?” she asked with a smile, knowing Maisy would not miss an opportunity to see her favorite aunty.
“Yeah! I wanna! Aunty Banana!” Maisy cheered as she bounced off the walls. She had to practically drag Sophie into the bathroom so that she could get ready herself.
While Maisy got ready, Sophie took the time to fix their rooms. By the time she was done, Maisy had already dressed herself up and was ready to eat some breakfast. Sophie couldn’t stop her heart from melting as Maisy twirled around in her favorite jumpsuit. Her soft blonde curls bounced off her shoulders as the color in her outfit made her blue eyes sparkle and shine.
Just like…
Sophie shook her head, shaking away her thoughts. She didn’t want a negative memory ruining a day with her daughter. She slipped on her daughter’s shoes as she chewed on a banana before throwing on her own. Just in time before the limo driver honked the car horn. A man stood outside of their house, a familiar face to the two of them.
“Uncle Tammy!” Maisy greeted, running towards one of her favorite uncles. Tam was one of the members of Sophie’s Board of Directors. He’s the head of the PR department, handling clients, promotions, and investors alongside the head of Finance.
“Hiya Maisy, good morning!” he said with a smile, picking her up and swinging her around before putting her back down on feet.
“Hey, Tam. Here to pick us up?” Sophie asked as she locked the front door. Tam grabbed her and Maisy’s bags off of her shoulders and swung it around his.
“Yeah, the driver is in the car just waiting for us,” he told her. “You guys ready to go?”
“Yes! McDonald’s!” Maisy cheered which made Tam and Sophie laugh. It’s been a tradition to always go to McDonalds when Sophie would take her to the office.
“She’s starting to look more and more like him as time goes on,” Tam said after a while, lowering his voice so Sophie was the only one who could hear him.
Sophie sighed, an ugly emotion building up inside of her. She loved her daughter to pieces and would do anything in her power to keep her happy. She would give anything to protect her, sacrificing the world if she could.
If only she wasn’t half her, and half her father.
5 years ago, she and her ex-boyfriend broke things off. The fame and success of their careers got to his head, his warm and caring personality became cold and distant. Sophie would suggest they do something intimate together, only for him to push her away. She fought for their relationship, always asking him what changed.
The final straw was when he came home late. Tired and stressed, the two of them broke out in a fight. Sophie wanted his love and attention back, while he was focused on his rising stardom. At the peak of their argument, they said things to each other they didn’t mean.
“…I never loved you anyways!”
“…Then leave! I never want to see your face ever again!”
So, he did. Without a word. Leaving her alone in their home, heartbroken.
And pregnant.
At 20, Sophie gave birth to their–her-daughter in her own home, surrounded with the people who cared for her the most. Biana was the one who held her hand. Tam’s sister Linh gave her whatever she needed, weather it may be food or water. Her mother, Edaline, was the one who helped deliver the baby on the night of June 14th.
Now she was 25. 5 years of her life dedicated to raising her little bundle of joy. She tried to ignore the pang in her chest as much as she could. The more she grew, the more she resembled him, and she couldn’t deny it. The eyes were the biggest giveaway. She eventually got over it, loving every feature of her daughter.
“Hey, Sophie, don’t cry,” Sophie heard a man say. She blinked, realizing tears had started to form in her eyes. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said anything.”
“It’s fine, Tam, don’t worry. It’s just hard having to look at her and remember what happened,” she said to him, using her finger to wipe her tears.
“I know, and what he did was horrible,” Tam replied as he engulfed her in a hug. “That’s why you have us now. You don’t need him.”
Sophie nodded and buried her face into his shoulder. The two stood still for a while, enjoying the silence before being interrupted by Maisy.
“Mommy come on! I want McDonald’s,” Maisy said hurriedly.
“What’s the magic word, Maise?”
“Pwease, momma?”
Sophie giggled as she picked her up, causing Maisy to squeal in happiness. The three of them headed to the limo before speeding off to the office. They also made sure to stop by at a McDonald’s at Maisy’s request to grab a bite to eat.
After a short car ride, coffee almost spilling onto Sophie, and lots of fries eaten by the little princess, they had finally arrived at Face Your Beauty. The modelling agency Sophie had built a year before having Maisy.
When they got there, Biana was already waiting for them at the front door. She looked pissed and worried at the same time but when she saw them arrive, the crease on her forehead disappeared, a big smile appearing on her lips instead. Sophie didn’t question it as they walked up to her, but made a mental note to ask her about it later.
“Sophie! Finally, you have to get up there. Linh is already waiting for you in hair and make-up.”
“Oh alright, we’ll head up then,” Sophie said back, already making her way to the elevators. She watched as she and Tam made their way into the building, probably to meet with more investors.
Soon, Sophie and Maisy had made it up to the 7th floor where the photoshoot was being held. Linh had told her that she would meet them by the elevator. When the elevator doors opened, Sophie noticed Linh’s expression changed immediately, just like Biana earlier. She looked troubled about something, something Sophie was keen to know.
“Maisy! Wow, you’ve gotten so big already!” Linh commented as Maisy ran to her. A layer of unshed tears lightly glossed her eyes as she hugged her. She used one arm to embrace Maisy while to other fanned her eyes. She already had her hair and make-up done, and didn’t want to ruin the hard work of the stylists.
“Yeah! Big and strong like mommy!” Maisy said proudly, which made Sophie smile.
“That’s great to hear, you superhero. You wanna get ready with your mom?”
Maisy nodded in excitement, even though it was just for fun. “Yes please!”
Linh looked up to Sophie, silently asking for her permission. Sophie chuckled and nodded, eliciting a squeal out of the two. Linh picked Maisy up, setting her down in a free seat beside her mom. The three girls chatted, sharing stories with the make-up artists and hairstylists in the room. As they talked, an idea popped in Linh’s head.
“Hey, Sophie. What if Maisy joined you in your shoot today?” Linh proposed. Sophie pondered on it for a while, eventually warming up to the idea.
“Well, Maisy. Do you wanna join mommy in her photoshoot today?” she asked her daughter.
“Maisy can momma?”
“Of course! Mommy would love for you to join her,” Maisy squealed again, which made all the adults in the room laugh.
“What shoot are we doing again today?”
“We’re doing the Spring 23 Collection for Comfortwear. Apparently it ranges from dresses to set pieces and some pajamas. It’s perfect since there’s a kids collection as well. I love the texture it’s so soft and light,” Biana explained as she walked in, shades on top of her head and a coffee in her hand.
Linh nodded and Sophie was convinced. Soon, they were done getting ready. Linh’s silver tipped hair was curled in soft waves, her outfit was a white jumpsuit with pineapples on it. Sophie had her hair up in a nice pony tail which curled towards the ends and wore a floral, pale yellow, off the shoulder dress. Maisy’s hair was in a half-up, half-down look, and was sporting a top with a square neckline and puffed sleeves and cream pants.
Before they left the dressing room for the space, Biana and Linh pulled her aside, their expressions from earlier plastered on their face.
“Hey, is there anything wrong?”
“Nothing it’s just… good luck, Sophie,”
“What? Why? It’s just a normal shoot,”
“See for yourself…”
Sophie’s heart raced as Biana opened the door. She grabbed her daughter’s hand and walked into the open room. Nothing looked out of place to her, her normal crew were there. Dex was there, and so was Fitz, and… him.
She then realized why her friends looked so worried. He looked up from his camera, a look of shock plastered on his face.
“Sophie…?”