Family

Natalie's mom asked Ashley to stay for breakfast which she happily agreed to. They had sandwiches and fruit salad for break fast. Ashley was really enjoying it.

The fun night she had been looking forward to had come and gone now. Ashley couldn't help but think that at the end of the day, Damon might have been worrying for nothing.

At the table where she sat again this morning, she couldn't help but watch Natalie's family. The way they interacted with each other and teased each other was so pleasing to her eyes and once again she wished she had one, or was part of one. A family.

Ashley teared up where she sat. She didn't know why exactly. Natalie seemed to notice and held her hand under the table, giving her a warm smile. Ashley returned the smile briefly and continued to eat her food.

She thought of staying a little longer after breakfast before she left for home, since there was basically nothing at all she was going to be doing back at home.

After breakfast, she helped Natalie with some of her house chores. Like cleaning out the store room, doing laundry and a few more. Natalie had protested but Ashley had not listened. So they did the works together.

It wasn't boring through out though as Natalie had music playing from a small Mp3 speaker she connected to her phone through Bluetooth. They danced at some point, another time they were practicing a sword fight with brooms, another time it was throwing clothes at each other.

Before they knew it, work was done and Ashley was also ready to leave.

"Let me take you home, we'll take my brother's car." Natalie suggested.

"You can drive?" Ashley was surprised. There were things she didn't know about her friend.

"Yeah, I learnt in highschool. But I'm still waiting for my own car, since my brother gets to have everything first." Natalie rolled her eyes.

"Will he let you make use of his car?"

"Of course." Natalie gave a small smile that said it all, she was not certain.

After a series of begging, Jerald let her use his car but warned her to not let anything happen to it.

"He's supposed to be telling himself that because he's the one who drives like a lunatic." Natalie whispered to Ashley after he gave them the car keys and they walked to the car. Ashley only giggled.

She had made sure to say goodbye to Lacy. She hoped that someday again she would visit them and would get to see the dog again. Natalie's mom had also told Natalie to bring Ashley again some other time.

She gave Natalie her address and they were able to get there with the help of the GPS.

"This is my first time at your house." Natalie said as they pulled over in front of her apartment.

"Yeah. Thanks for bringing me back." She smiled.

"Let's go in." Natalie said. "I'd like to stay for a while."

Ashley was happy. She at least needed little company before night.

Natalie looked around when they got inside the house. "You're lucky you live somewhere not too close to the road. It's a lot calm and quiet here, I like it." Natalie said as she settled on the chair.

Ashley dropped her bag and settled on the stool. "I guess I needed the calm and quiet," She sighed looking depressed.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm not sure."

"What's wrong now?" Natalie asked.

"It's a lot Natalie, a lot. I just.... I'm just so confused at the moment. My life is a complete mess."

"Alright alright, calm down and explain what you mean."

Where does she even start? She sighed again.

"I'm in danger Natalie. And for the meantime I have to stay with him."

Natalie tilted her head and narrowed her eyes. "With who? Don't tell me..."

"It's Damon." Ashley cut in.

Natalie was shocked. "Why do you have to stay with him? And what makes you think you're in danger?"

"Evil people are after me."

Natalie looked at her questioningly. "What do you mean evil?"

"They want to hurt me or maybe kill me." She said looking away and at nothing in particular.

"Who are those?"

"His enemies, I've had a few encounters with them and he says it's not safe for me here alone."

Natalie seemed thoughtful for a minute. "Is that why he has always been helping?"

"I guess so."

"Are you sure about this? I mean staying with him. Do you think you can trust him?"

She felt she could.

"I feel that he doesn't mean me harm." She told Natalie.

She didn't feel like letting Natalie know the full thing behind those enemies and all. She just needed to let her know the headlines and also her whereabouts in case something came up.

"Oh babe." Natalie went and embraced her. "You'll be fine."

Ashley had always wished for hugs like this.

They pulled away. "When are you going to start staying with him." Natalie asked.

"I'm not sure."

"Let me know when you start okay." Natalie said sounding like an older sister and Ashley nodded.

Natalie shook her head. "This is sudden." She said.

Yes, so sudden. Ashley was quiet.

"Your place is nice." Natalie suddenly said changing the topic.

She went ahead to look around the whole place. Starting from the kitchen, to the tiny pantry then the bathroom and that was it. The place was just comfortable enough for a person. Two people could also fit in here. Ashley didn't have much property, even furniture.

There was a small cupboard where she kept her clothes then her shoes were well arranged by the side. Natalie looked at her mattress, well, it had scattered blankets.

The house was small. She didn't need a big place anyway. That would just be extra money and more cleaning. This was okay for her.

"What would happen to this place when you leave?" Natalie asked bringing back the old topic.

She hadn't thought about that. Should she tell her landlord that she was packing out or just see it as travelling for a while and coming back later? She didn't even know for how long she would be away, with him. Gosh, there was a lot of talking to do.

She couldn't pack out just because of this. What would she do when she needed to return? Start looking for a new apartment? No, she would just take a few things and when everything is over she would return home. Hopefully.

Or maybe she should talk to Damon first. She had some new questions to ask.

"Nothing should happen. Hopefully, I will return." She answered Natalie.

She noticed Natalie still didn't seem so convinced about this.

"You don't have to worry Nat. I'll be fine, you just told me that." Ashley smiled.

Her friend smiled. "You would still be coming to work, won't you?"

"Of course."

She needed work. She had to work. And most of all she didn't want to stop seeing Natalie. Her best friend and maybe older sister. The lady was behaving like one. Ashley smiled to herself.

They spent more time together before Natalie finally left. It was evening already. She didn't know if she would be sleeping here or Damon would come like he always did and take her with him.

He already said she couldn't sleep here again. And she honestly didn't want any nightmares so some part of her wished she wouldn't be sleeping here.

She didn't have any means to get to Damon so she would have to wait for him. While waiting she'd better find something to eat for dinner.

Ashley walked into her kitchen and began looking around for what she could cook.

"Why don't you have dinner with me instead."

She suddenly heard from behind her and her heart leaped to her throat.