Ashley's heart sank as she realized her door was locked from the outside. Panic surged through her veins, and she began banging on the door, desperately pleading for her father to let her out."Father, please! Why won't you let me leave?" Ashley cried out, her voice filled with desperation. "I need to go meet Jason. We have something important to discuss!"From behind the door, her father's stern voice resonated. "You are not going anywhere, Ashley. I won't allow you to be influenced by that troublemaker. You will stay in your room until I say otherwise."Tears welled up in Ashley's eyes as she continued to plead with her father. "But, Father, Jason is not trouble! He's my friend, and we need to help each other. Please, let me go!"Her father's voice remained firm, unwavering in his decision. "I've made up my mind, Ashley. You will stay inside, and I expect you to eat the snacks I've provided for you. Consider this for your own good."Ashley's voice quivered as she questioned her fath
Jason's heart sank as he arrived at the phone booth to find it empty. Frustration and disappointment washed over him, but he refused to give up. Determined to gather any information he could, he approached the people nearby, hoping someone had witnessed something.One by one, he asked those around if they had seen anyone near the phone booth, but their responses were all the same – no one had noticed anyone entering or leaving the area. Just as Jason's hope began to wane, a voice caught his attention.A homeless man, bundled up on a nearby bench, spoke up. His voice was weathered and weary, yet there was a hint of wisdom in his words. "I saw a man, sonny. He went into that booth you're looking at. He was hurt, bleeding, but he tried to hide it. Dark clothes, he wore."Jason's eyes widened with a mixture of relief and concern. It was a lead, a small glimmer of hope amidst the confusion. He quickly approached the homeless man, grateful for the information he had provided."Thank you, si
Ashley’s heart raced as she cautiously entered her father’s room, determined to find her phone and regain her freedom to contact Jason. Her eyes scanned the room, seeking any trace of her belongings. As she rummaged through his desk drawers, a glint of light caught her attention. She moved closer, her curiosity piqued.In the corner of the desk, beneath a stack of papers, Ashley discovered a small, intricately designed key. Its presence seemed out of place, arousing her suspicion. She picked it up, turning it over in her hands, wondering what it could unlock. Could it be the key to the secrets her father had been hiding?With a surge of determination, Ashley pocketed the key and continued her search for her phone. Finally, she found it tucked away in a hidden compartment of her father’s closet. She let out a sigh of relief, grateful to have her means of communication restored.With her phone in hand, Ashley quickly dialed Jason’s number. Her heart pounded in anticipation as the call c
Jason sat down with his mother, the weight of his discoveries heavy on his shoulders. He took a deep breath before speaking, his voice filled with a mix of frustration and determination.“Mom, I need to know the truth. About our family, about my father,” Jason said, his gaze locked with his mother’s.His mother looked at him, her eyes filled with a mix of sadness and concern. “Jason, I’ve tried to protect you from this for so long. But it seems that the time has come for you to know the truth.”Jason leaned forward, his hands gripping the edge of the table. “Tell me everything, Mom. I can’t live with these lies anymore. Who is my father? And what is this about a sister?”His mother took a deep breath, composing herself before she began to speak. “Your father… he was never completely honest with us. He had his secrets, his past. And as for your sister, I’m afraid she doesn’t exist. Your father fabricated her existence.”Jason’s eyes widened in disbelief. “What? Why would he do that? Wh
Things are even more complicated than it was in the beginning. Ashley and Jason can’t wrap their heads around it. Jason look isn’t exceptionally bad, but Ashley was not holding up at all. She just couldn’t place her head around what was going on.Her father, Jason’s most trusted friend and Jason’s father. All was not just networking for her. To anyone, it could and would be devastating.Truthfully, Jose, his driver and bodyguard would know something about the letters he has been receiving or maybe he is the one even dropping them. As Ashley prepared to leave, Jason’s concern for her grew. He reached out and gently held her arm, looking into her eyes. “Ashley, please tell me if you’re okay. I can’t stand seeing you like this, holding back your emotions.”Ashley’s expression softened, and she sighed. “I’m sorry, Jason. It’s just…everything feels so overwhelming right now. The realization that our fathers are connected, the secrets they’ve been keeping from us—it’s a lot to process. But
They had just resumed back to school and this gave them a little bit of freedom. At least they could all see each other and be free from the grip of the adults.As Jason and Ashley gathered with their friends, the tension in the air was palpable. Their previous week’s absence had left them with more questions than answers.“I couldn’t believe your parents had left you all that way. It happened to me also” Ashley said looking perplexed.“ Ashley I can't believe this is happening to us, what in the world is going on?” Jason said looking so dejected.Ashley then brought up an idea, “I feel we should question our parents. They seem to all have connections”. Jason reasoned with her for a while.Truthfully, how will the other three be locked up same way Jason’s Dad had locked her up. There are two many puzzles to solve truly.Jason’s brows furrowed as he listened to Ashley’s suspicions. “So, you think our fathers, the bodyguard, and the other boys’ fathers are part of this mysterious organi
Ashley and her Dad Ashley was sitting down resting all day but then she suddenly saw her father come into her room and showed her some documents.“Welcome” Ashley managed to greet her father.“Why do you look so pale? Are you not happy to see me?” her dad asked her. He was trying to be nice out of the blues so this made Ashley more anxious. Ashley just shakes her head but you can’t say if she was agreeing or disagreeing with him.“I have brought you good news dear, you should be excited” he said coming close to her. “I would love you to take this opportunity as I have carefully thought about it and realized that you need it to go far.” Her father said to her smiling. Ashley’s heart raced as she faced her father, holding her passport, visa, and ticket in his hands. Anger and confusion flooded her, and she mustered the courage to confront him.“What is the meaning of this, Father?” Ashley demanded, her voice trembling with a mix of emotions. “Why are you trying to send me away? I won’
Ashley's heart was heavy as she stood before her father, her tears flowing uncontrollably. Her father had been waiting for her, prepared to confront her about her defiance the previous night. However, the sight of his daughter in tears softened his expression, and he approached her cautiously."Ashley, what's the matter? Why are you crying?" her father asked, concern lacing his voice.Through her sobs, Ashley struggled to find her words. "I... I should have trusted you, Dad. Jason... he's not who I thought he was. He betrayed me, and I don't know what to do anymore."Her father's eyes widened in apparent delight, and he reached out to comfort her. "Oh, my dear, I've always tried to warn you about him. I've told you that he's not the right match for you, that money doesn't change a person's character. But you insisted on being with him, blinded by his wealth."Ashley's sobs intensified, and her father continued to speak, his words tinged with a touch of superiority. "You see, my dear,