Felix looked back at me with a similar expression of fear and worry together.

Felix - It's okay...lift it and talk to him.

He said to me though I was unconvinced by him,I picked up the phone ready to answer the call.
My hands shaked.

Felix - I'm here,speak...if you can't anymore,hand it over I'll take care.Hmm?

He asked hoping for an approval.
I nodded my head and answered before he cuts the call.

Ashlyn - Hello? Dad...

I wanted to say "sorry dad and please don't be mad at me."

Dad - What did I send you to the school for!? Is this what you do? What else are you planning to do to ruin my reputation!?

He screamed loudly,he was probably in his cabin rubbing his temples and his face red with anger.
Imagining how he was made it more scary.
I breathed out and spoke.

Ashlyn - Dad,please listen...I was framed with my friend,we really didn't do any-

I was cut off by him.

Dad - Yeah,I saw the video...so you are making friends with thugs now? What less did I do for you to do that!? What should I tell my workers? And business men I'm working with.

Ashlyn - Dad,please...trust me,I didn't do anything.Please don't me mad...

I almost whined.
My tears fell as I felt helpless without any evidence to prove myself innocent.

Dad - Whatever,you better solve this problem as soon as possible...and,I'm coming today.

Ashlyn - Dad...you don't have to,it's not a big issue I will resolve it.

Dad - It's not due to the ruckus you've caused,I'm coming cause I am bringing over some important people...it's a share holder meeting,so please don't mess it up.

Ashlyn - Yes,Dad.

The call was cut.
I sighed to myself.

Felix - What did he say?

Ashlyn - He saw the video...he gave me time to resolve it as soon as possible.

Felix breathed out feeling relieved.

Felix - I almost died feeling nervous,are you okay?

I nodded rubbing away the sweat and tears on my face.

Ashlyn - He'll be here in 3-4 hours.

Felix - What!?

He shouted loudly making me slap his thigh.
He yelped.

Ashlyn - You don't need to scream.

Felix - Okay...but why's he coming? Didn't you say he gave you time?

Ashlyn - Yeah...it's for a meeting,the Japanese share holder must've wanted to get the taste of Philippines.

Felix nodded.

Felix - Yeah,that's fine then...you are okay,right?

I nodded my head not able to speak more.
I felt tired for some reason.
I kept my phone onto the desk...looking at Keifer and Yuri infront of me.
For some reason I saw concern in their eyes.
I felt someone pressing my shoulder,it was David trying to comfort me?

Keifer - So it's all fine,right?

I nodded my head.

Ashlyn - Yeah,it's okay.

Keifer - You know...

He hesitated to say.

Ashlyn - Look,I'm already annoyed...tell me what's it.

Keifer - You can tell me...tell us if something is wrong.

Yuri - Yeah,we are just like your brother...no different,okay?

Seriously? After pissing me off with their attitude,they are trying to be nice now?

Ashlyn - Yeah,okay...thanks.

Atleast I should be thankful they are being nice now...right?
My phone vibrated signaling someone messaged.
It was by dad...he messaged?
I opened it as my my phone was still on the table,my hands were too lazy.
It was a photo,I waited for them to download.
There was a 'typing' on the top indicating he still had something to say.
The photos downloaded.

Ashlyn - Ah! Why's the network here so bad...the pic is blurry.

The pic finally became clear.
My eyes widened...why did dad send the pic of Yuri?

Yuri - Isn't that me?

He asked feeling surprised too.

Ashlyn - Yeah...why are you here? I mean why did my dad send this?

Yuri - Oh! I get it...so,it's you?

Ashlyn - Huh?

Yuri - My mom was dying for me to meet you...she said she saw a girls pics from my dad's phone,she wanted me to meet you.But I refused so I didn't know it was you.

Ashlyn - When did all this happen? But why would my dad send your pic?

Yuri - My grandfather said there was some meeting with shareholders and that he wants me to take place of my father...maybe that's why your dad sent it.

I nodded.
Really? How dramatic must my life be?
I swiped to see the other pic feeling more surprised and worried for myself.
It was...Noah.

Felix - Isn't that the jerk who hurt you?

I wish my eyed didn't work and it wasn't Noah.
Felix picked up the phone looking at it.

Felix - Yes,that's him!

Ashlyn - God! Please no!

I yelled not caring.
I rested my head onto the desk...how much more helpless must I fucking feel.

Keifer - It's okay...it's just a business meet,nothing much.

I sighed.

Ashlyn - Keifer,are you dumb or are you intentionally doing this?

He shrugged his shoulders.

Ashlyn - What if like my dad,his dad sent him pics too!? He might tell his dad and ruin the meeting.

Keifer - Right!

Felix - Shouldn't we take care of him before that?

He said rubbing his fists.

I shook my head...bad idea.

Ashlyn - It would rage him more.

Yuri - Don't worry,my dad is the ceramic company's CEO...I'll make sure nothing happens like that.

He was about to go out of the class but he stopped.
Keifer beside him with Edrix.

Yuri - And you better stick with me for today...if Noah speaks yo you then it's confirmed that he might try ruining the meeting.

I nodded my head.
He left the room with Keifer and Edrix.

Time skip

Me,Felix and David are walking back home.

Felix - Don't worry,Yuri said he'll take care...I wish I was with you there too,but I can't be there.

Ashlyn - I know,but I can't help but worry.

David - It's okay,if Yuri says it...he will do it.That's the kind of guy he is...but personally I think you should deal with him yourself.

David was right,I can't always take help from others.
Though I only know some self defenses they aren't totally helpful either.

Felix - It's okay! Stick with Yuri and call me if something happens...okay?

I nodded.
They both left me at home and left.
I depend the door and found dad and some maids.
He probably called them to clean the house and make it look presentable.

Ashlyn - Good evening,dad.

I said though it wasn't a pleasant day.
He nodded his head.

Dad - Get ready,wear formals if you can.

Ofcourse! What does he expect me to wear? Pajamas?

Ashlyn - Yes dad.

His eyes didn't leave the laptop.
I quickly went up to get ready.
I freshened up and got ready,some maids were waiting to do my hair.

A quite young maid helped me with my make up and hair.
I walked down.
I sat in the opposite couch waiting for dad to speak something.
He finally lifted his eyes but didn't speak anything...he looked shocked,why?

Dad - You saw the messages,right? Don't mispronounce the names and embarrass me.

Ashlyn - Yeah.

I know both of them very well and ofcourse can pronounce their names well.

Dad - I only send theirs cause I heard they study in HVIS too.

Ashlyn - Yeah.

He didn't ask me anything else.
More people are probably going to come for this meeting.

Time skip

It's 7:30 PM now,we heard the bell ring.
The maid opened the door letting them enter and we stood up greeting them.

Dad - Hello,Mr Hanamitchi!

He said shooking his hands with an older person with a long beard that can be braided.
An old grandma who knits can never hold herself back from knitting his beard.
I saw Yuri with a small smile,he had a Grey blazers on.
Mr Cruz followed with Noah. Noah had his white blazers on...the once I choosed for him.
Mr Cruz and my dad shook hands too.

Mr Hanamitchi - Mr Rey,wouldn't it be better for the kids to stay away while we discuss?

Dad - Sure! Ashlyn,take the kids inside.

I nodded my head showing them the way to my room.
I myself found it crazy how neat my room was,only thanks to the maids.
Other few to-be share holders came too,most of them had adult kids.
Few other kids who seemed to be younger than me formed I to a group making a mess in my dad's room.

It was awkward with the 3 of us in this room,I really wanted to slap Noah and do whatever he deserved.

Noah - So? I see you are always finding a way to be in my life...guess it's destiny.

I almost gagged at him.

Ashlyn - I don't think so...you are finding a way to trouble me,aren't you?

He laughed.

Noah - Ashlyn,you could be in trouble...you know? I could run down and tell my dad not to sign the contract to agree your father taking the shares.

Yuri - No,you won't.

He said getting up,his blazer got abit folded.

Noah - Woah! You are on her side too?

Ashlyn - Try it if you dare.

I said firmly.
I felt bold as I had someone supporting me.

Noah - What a change in you,Ashlyn.

Yuri - If I were you...I wouldn't dare to dk what you would.Shes not alone as you think she is...she has many by her side.

He said pushing his shoulder and going down.
I looked at him and left too.
It was dinner time,my dad looked happy and satisfied.
There were two lawyers too for the signing to take place.
The maids served us the food.
It was a 18 seats dinning table,me,Noah,Yuri and some other kids onto one side and adults to one side.
First,Steak was served for everyone to eat.
The adults began speaking about various things from works to personal life.
I hesitated as I was allergic to meat.
Yuri put the fork on my steak and supporting it with the knife and put it into his plate.
I looked at him with gratefulness.

Ashlyn - Why did you take it?

Yuri - You don't like eating it,do you?

I shook my head.

Yuri - I always noticed you pick out the meat or Felix picks it out for you.

I nodded my head.

Ashlyn - Yeah,was allergic to eat them.

Yuri - Oh,that's okay...eat something that doesn't contain meat or if your fine I'll pick it out for you.

He said noticing all the food had meat.
Yeah,it's difficult to survive in Phillipines being allergic to dairy stuff.

Mr Hanamitchi - Oh! What an fast eater.

He said looking at my empty plate.
I smiled,even my dad forgot how allergic I was to these foods.

Ashlyn - Yeah.

Dad - Have some more if you like it that much.

Ashlyn - Oh,yeah...I'll just eat some salad.

I took out the bowl which had salad and put some onto my plate.
I ate it as Noah kept glaring at me time to time.

Mr Cruz - I had come to know that my son shares the same school with Mr Hanamitchi and Mr Rey.

Mr Hanamitchi - They do? Yuri never told.

Yuri - Yeah,we do.

Ashlyn - Me and Yuri share the same class too.

Dad - Oh! What a surprise...you never told me Ashlyn.

He said trying to be sweet.

Mr Cruz - And what about you Noah?

His voice sounded serious.

Noah - Oh,dad we don't share the same class but we know eachother.

His voice sounded nervous.
Does his dad still raise his hands on him? Probably why he became so violent.
Kids think whatever parents do is right and follow their path...Noah is doing the same too.
The dinner ended and everyone went away after a nice chat.
It was only me and dad now.

Dad - It ended well,thanks to your well behavior I guess.

He said sarcastically.

Ashlyn - I'll take care of it dad,I'll make sure the video is deleted and that I was framed.

Dad - You better do it.

I wanted to ask if he ever felt guilty of how bad he hurt me.
I wanted to scream that he was wrong for hitting me that day...and that I still fucking remember every bit of it.
I wanted to him to apologize and approve that he was wrong to do that.
I went back to my room changing into pajamas and slept feeling too tired.
This day has been too rough to me.

2 days later

I walked with Jay to school.
She was telling me about Ci-N's parents and family.

Jay-Jay - It was so weird! You know...I felt so bad for him,his family is so busy they don't even notice him.

Ashlyn - That's bad,it's the same way as almost all of us.But it's okay we got eachother.

Jay-Jay - Right!

We walked in the hallway to our class.

Keifer popped out of nowhere.

Keifer - Are you avoiding me?

He asked Jay-Jay as she avoided looking at his face.
I rolled my eyes.

Keifer - Why? Are you in touch with Ci-N?

Jay-Jay - No...I didn't speak to him after that day.

Keifer - Knew it! He's been like that when he first came to Section E.

Jay-Jay frowned her eyebrows.
Ofcourse she was worried and I was too.
Eman hasn't been texting me as much either...it's concerning but I promised myself to go meet him this weekend.

Jay-Jay - It's all due to the video.

Keifer - Okay,let's go now?

Ashlyn - Where?

Keifer - You said anything for Ci-N and you need to prove yourself innocent too,right?

I nodded my head.

Jay-Jay - What about the class?

Keifer - It's common,don't worry about it.

Ashlyn - Are you sure?

Keifer - Trust me.

I nodded following them.
It was as if I was their child just following them wherever.

Ashlyn - Jay! You still have that video,right?

Jay-Jay - Which one?

Ashlyn - The one we recorded in the washroom?

Jay-Jay - Yeah,ofcourse! Still do.

Ashlyn - Send me that video.

I smirked looking at that video.
I knew what to do to get down Freya.

Ashlyn - You guys can help with the video,right?

Keifer - Sure!

He said quickly,he surely wants to be alone with Jay-Jay.
Though I didn't want to leave her alone...I left the place cause I have to do something.
I ran back to the class and opened the door.
Mrs Asunta wasn't there...but it was someone I rather didn't expect to be there.

That's for today guys
Tysm for reading
Pls do comment and vote
Lysm 💗