I. WHEN THE PAST MEETS PRESENT.

2019.

Dark brown eyes filled with seasoned maturity look up blinking back as the cool air caused for it to water. The loose sweater naturally clings to Carmen's figure as she wraps her arms around her waist. Upon exiting through the hotel entrance, she goes and heads to one of the benches.

Once she found a comfortable seat on the bench, Carmen sat back and let out the exhale that had been keeping her back the entire time. Running a hand through her loose tresses, she simply sat and basked in what she had going on as of now.

At only thirty Carmen had been blessed to have won twenty titles and by the looks of things it wasn't changing any time soon. She's worked her ass off the win those titles and wouldn't let anybody take it from her. She was more than just her family name.

If so why is she even competing in Challenger? In her honest opinion, the competition itself is for former popular players who enter in hopes of reliving their glory days. Carmen wasn't any of that. She had a very strong personality on social media and was loved by many little girls who found her to be an inspiration. Yet here she was.

Her sister thought it would be a good idea to just test the waters after taking a six-month-long hiatus to recharge, rehabilitate, and focus on her well-being after having a nervous breakdown in the locker room. Thankfully no news outlet has yet to figure out why she left and it'll stay that way.

"Despite all these years, you still haven't let go of the purple." A voice with masculine undertones speaks up, a light chuckle following afterward.

The voice alone is enough to make her get up, her eyes steadily tracking who it belongs to before widening visibly in surprise.

A grin couldn't help but make its way over her semi-glossy lips, eyes crinkling visibly. With a motion of a hand, she proceeds to speak, "Patrick Zweig." It's almost nostalgic but feels somewhat foreign as if time only moved still from their last encounter. Playfully rolling her eyes she tilts her head at him, "And I see you still haven't gotten it right — it's indigo."

Patrick could only look at Carmen with a sheepish grin, rubbing the back of his neck as his sneakers met the pavement. Eventually, he pulls her in a hug.

And it surprisingly feels nice. Like a cup of hot chocolate on a cold winter day. It's familiar and nostalgic between the both of them. More so because they hadn't ended on bitter feelings.

Pulling away Carmen looks at Patrick with a brow raised, "You look like shit." It was completely blunt and rather clear.

Patrick could only chuckle, while a hand fished for a cigarette box and lighter from his jacket pocket. "You still have a way with words I'll tell you that."

Carmen grinned widely, "It's mandatory that I do."

"Damn, We — well I haven't seen you, since..." He trailed off, his mind trying to find the right words more so a memory that threatened the pluck the very senses of his brain.

"2011. US Open." Carmen easily finished the sentence for him as she had an idea as to what he was talking about. That day was something she couldn't forget either. Nobody wouldn't if you were there to fall witness to the details.

"What a wild night that was."

Despite the evidence of age showing on their faces whenever they smiled, or laughed — hell even reminiscing over the past it brought them back to when they were just teenagers with the world at the palm of their hands.

"Let's cut the nostalgia for a bit." Begins Carmen as her smile almost drops completely. "Why here out of all places? What's the reason and what did you get yourself into."

"Challenger."

"At least we both have something to dwell on this week."

Patrick looks at her in disbelief — his bright eyes searching hers in hopes of a bluff but sees nothing as she is dead serious. "You? Here at Challenger? I must be dreaming."

"My first match is tomorrow at eight. You should stop by so I can show you how a twenty-time winner does it."

"Of course. I wouldn't miss it for the world." He sarcastically mutters.

"So who's your coach?" He asks, changing the subject to other matters.

Carmen gives him an expression that screams really? Placing a hand on her hip she sighs, "If it's not my mother then who else?"

"Your sister." He chuckles, knowing who replaced the legend Anastasia Dowyner. "So how is she?"

Carmen only narrows her eyes at him. "She's single and don't worry you don't have a chance because she still hates you."

Patrick laughs, "Hate is such a strong word. I prefer the term reluctance."

Let's just say Patrick had a wild and drunken night with supermodel Aaliyah Dowyner — Carmen's older sister on the night of the US Open in 2011.

The teasing banter eventually died down with Patrick giving her a look she knew all too well.

"No, I haven't seen him." Pulling the cigarette from his lips, she drops it onto the ground before stepping on it, "It's been eleven years. I've moved on and so has he."

Liar. If so then why did it hurt so bad saying it?

Patrick could only sigh. "That's what they all say."

"Just be ready for Challenger week." Turning a heel, Carmen proceeds to walk away. She couldn't let him see that his statement affected her. Not now at least.