Chapter 112: I Didn’t Just Miss Him

Chapter 112: Chapter 112: I Didn’t Just Miss Him

The campus of Westbridge University was completely buzzing with life.

Bright blue and silver banners hung from the tall brick buildings. Student volunteers ran across the busy courtyard carrying clipboards and radios. Young football academy players in matching tracksuits chased each other across the green lawns.

Audrey stood just outside the heavy iron gates of the main football pitch. The blue press pass hung lightly around her neck.

It had been years since she walked these paths.

The stone walkways were exactly the same. The massive stadium lights stood tall against the afternoon sky. Everything looked completely familiar. Yet, as she looked at the new, expensive training facilities and the corporate sponsor tents, she realized absolutely everything had changed.

She took a slow breath and walked inside.

---

"Audrey!"

Audrey turned around. Chloe was jogging toward her, wearing a stunning beige coat. Leo was right behind her, laughing loudly as three former Westbridge players immediately tackled him into a massive group hug.

"You made it," Chloe smiled, pulling Audrey into a quick, warm embrace.

"I wouldn’t miss it," Audrey smiled back. "Your husband looks like he is in his element."

They both looked over at Leo. He was loudly arguing with his old defensive line about a forgotten match from six years ago.

Chloe rolled her eyes playfully. "He has been talking about this charity game all week. I think he genuinely missed the locker room smell."

They walked toward the VIP seating area together. The conversation flowed easily. They talked about Chloe’s economics firm, Audrey’s viral article, and the ridiculous espresso machine Leo had bought for their apartment.

Then, the easy laughter slowly faded.

Chloe looked at the main stage being set up on the pitch. She lowered her voice.

"Have you talked to him since Europe?" Chloe asked casually.

Audrey kept her eyes completely forward. Her fingers tightened slightly around the strap of her leather notebook.

"Just the interview," Audrey answered quietly.

Chloe looked like she wanted to ask a dozen more questions. But before she could even open her mouth, a young event coordinator rushed over with a clipboard.

"Miss Ellis," the coordinator interrupted eagerly. "The opening ceremony is beginning right now. The press section is this way."

Audrey gave Chloe a saved, grateful smile and hurried away toward the cameras.

---

Near the main stage, Jackson was busy directing the youth academy coaches. He pointed toward the reserved seating, giving sharp, clear instructions.

Zoya stood exactly three feet away from him. She was holding a thick red folder, quietly reviewing the final sponsorship documents before the public announcement.

They were forced to stand right beside each other while the mayor prepared for the ribbon cutting ceremony.

There was no romance. There were no dramatic arguments.

A sudden gust of wind caught the loose papers resting on the podium. Zoya instinctively reached out to grab them before they blew away. Jackson completely mirrored her movement. He caught the stray papers and handed them back to her without a single word.

"Thank you," Zoya murmured, sliding the papers into her folder.

Jackson just nodded, his eyes already back on the coaches.

It was just small, completely effortless teamwork. After weeks of tense corporate meetings, they were slowly figuring out how to exist in the exact same space again.

---

The loud chatter in the stadium immediately died down.

Mason stepped onto the center stage. He wore a sharp, dark suit without a tie. He looked powerful, confident, and entirely in control of the massive crowd.

He tapped the microphone once.

"Football is not just a game," Mason began. His deep voice carried clearly over the heavy speakers. "It is an opportunity. When we invest in young athletes, we are giving them a chance to completely change their lives."

Audrey stood in the press pit. She held her digital recorder, watching him closely.

His speech was incredibly calm. He did not sound like a corporate CEO reading from a boring script. He sounded like a man who truly believed every single word.

"But the reality of sports is harsh," Mason continued softly. "Sometimes, dreams end much sooner than we plan."

As he said the words, Audrey noticed a tiny, almost invisible movement.

Mason’s hand slowly dropped to his side. His fingers unconsciously brushed against the fabric of his trousers, touching the exact spot where the old surgical scar ruined his knee.

It lasted for less than a second. He immediately moved his hand back to the podium.

Absolutely nobody in the massive crowd noticed. The photographers kept flashing their cameras. The investors kept smiling.

But Audrey noticed. Her chest gave a sudden, painful ache.

---

The ceremony ended, and the crowd moved inside to tour the new academy building.

The long, glass hallways were entirely packed. Photographers were taking pictures of the new gym. Wealthy sponsors were shaking hands. Excited students were running past the adults.

Audrey was stuck right in the middle of the chaos.

She was holding her notebook, slowly walking backward to get a better angle of the new training equipment for a quote.

"Excuse me," Audrey mumbled, stepping out of the way of a passing waiter.

She took another step backward.

Suddenly, someone bumped hard into her shoulder from behind.

Audrey completely lost her balance. Her notebook slipped from her hands. She stumbled backward, bracing herself for a harsh fall against the hard tile floor.

She never hit the ground.

A large, incredibly strong hand instantly caught her wrist. At the exact same time, another hand settled lightly but firmly at her waist, steadying her completely.

Audrey gasped. She looked up.

It was Mason.

Neither of them had expected it. He had just been walking out of a private conference room.

They completely froze.

Mason did not let go immediately. His large hand remained gripping her waist. The heat of his palm burned straight through the thin fabric of her blazer.

The crowded hallway was loud and chaotic, but to Audrey, the entire world suddenly went completely quiet.

She stared up into his dark eyes. Mason was already looking down at her.

For one suspended heartbeat, neither of them remembered the flashing cameras. Neither of them remembered the wealthy investors walking past them. Neither of them remembered the seven long years that stood between them.

Then, Mason blinked. The professional mask snapped back into place.

He slowly pulled his hands away.

"Careful," Mason said quietly.

Just one single word. It was entirely professional, but his voice was incredibly gentle.

Audrey swallowed hard. She clutched her notebook to her chest.

"Thank you," Audrey whispered.

She turned around and walked away. Mason turned the opposite direction. Neither of them looked back.

---

Audrey rushed down the corridor and slipped into an empty, quiet hallway near the back exits.

She leaned against the cool wall and closed her eyes.

Her heart was racing completely out of control. It was beating so hard it physically hurt her ribs. And it was not because she had almost fallen.

It was because, for the very first time in seven years, he had touched her.

Elsewhere in the building, Mason was standing near a bright window. He was surrounded by three wealthy donors.

"What are your plans for the European expansion next quarter, Mr. Calloway?" a donor asked eagerly.

"We are securing land for three new facilities," Mason answered automatically. His voice was smooth and practiced.

But his thoughts were not in the conversation at all.

His hand was shoved deep into his pocket, curled tightly into a fist. He was still standing in that hallway.

---

The afternoon slowly turned into evening. The charity event was finally winding down.

Audrey stood near the edge of the courtyard, packing her camera and notebook into her heavy bag.

Across the green grass, a young academy player suddenly ran away from his parents. He ran directly up to Mason, holding a brand new football and a black marker.

"Mr. Calloway!" the little boy shouted happily. "Can you sign my football?"

The heavy security guards stepped forward, but Mason immediately waved them off.

Mason looked down at the boy. A genuine, warm smile completely transformed his face.

He did not hand the ball to an assistant. Instead, Mason slowly kneeled down onto the grass. He moved a little bit stiffly, clearly favoring his injured knee, but he lowered himself until he was eye level with the young player.

He took the marker, signed the ball, and handed it back with a quiet word of encouragement. The boy beamed and ran back to his cheering parents.

Audrey watched the entire interaction from across the courtyard. She had not meant to stare, but she could not look away.

She remembered the arrogant university captain who completely lived for the spotlight on the pitch. She remembered the boy who thought his entire life was over when his knee shattered.

Now, she looked at the man who had lost his greatest dream and simply found another way to stay in the game. He was building futures for kids who wanted to play.

For the very first time since she saw him in Europe, Audrey realized something incredibly important.

She did not just miss the reckless boy she used to love.

She started to truly admire the man he had become.