A new chapter

1 year later...

Ashley's POV

It's been a little over a year now and still, I think about Tom. I live everyday with regret. Some days I try to convince myself I've healed, but the little things never fail to remind me of the heartache, leaving the wounds deeper than ever before.

I stood on the edge of my balcony overlooking the city lights and taking a puff from my cigarette waiting for a reply. I rolled my eyes still hearing whispers on the end of the other line. I threw my cigarette to the floor and pressed it against the ground with my foot.

"Hello" I yelled into the phone out of pure frustration. "Hurry up or the deal is off" I added.

It was silent for a moment before I could hear them begin to panic.

"Yes, we'll do it" the man said quickly. "Tomorrow night all right... I'll have the money by then" he continued.

"8:00" I replied bluntly before hanging up the phone.

I sighed low to myself as I moved my hair from out of my face and continued to gaze at the city below me. Moving from Tokyo to Rome was hard, but I needed to leave that chapter of my life behind, so moving away was the best idea. I had left a part of me there. I tried to leave all the memorise in the past, but the trauma stayed with me. I have constant nightmares. Tom had thrown me so far from myself and since leaving the hospital I've been trying to find my back ever since.

Tom had changed me for the worst.

There have been countless times where I wanted to give up, but I kept going. At times it felt impossible, like I would never be the girl I used to be, but I knew I deserved better. I deserved to live the life I dreamt of, and I knew I was capable of it.

Since leaving Tokyo I always wondered what life would be like if I have never met Tom. If we never collided in this lifetime or learned what the curve if each other's face felt like. Who would I be if I never held his hand?

I still hadn't gotten use to this place yet, but I knew people, I had connections. Since moving here about a year ago I quickly rose to the top. It was nonstop work for me. Organising and going to deals, going to meetings, and making sure everyone who works for me is happy and safe. It was exhausting.

I turned away from the balcony and made my way inside quietly. I closed the door behind me slowly and walked up to the island in the middle of the kitchen. I dropped my phone onto the benchtop and put my hands on the bench. I took a deep breathe in and sighed. I was so stressed. I soon heard someone come up behind me.

"Are you okay?" he said in a dark voice as he massaged my shoulders. I let a slight moan out at the amazing feeling.

"Yes, I'm alright" I said with a smile while letting my head fall back.

I felt him lay a few soft kisses on my neck, goosebumps making their way up my back.

"Jai stop" I giggled as I turned around to face him. I looked into his eyes and rested my hands behind his neck. I smiled lightly before leaning in and leaving a soft kiss on his lips.

After I left the hospital, I had nothing to my name and no one to turn to. I wondered through the streets being wary of people passing by, until a familiar face caught my eye. I walked up to Jai and immediately we started talking. I told him I had left and he told me I could stay with him until I got back on my feet. At first, we didn't really talk, but as days went past, we began to get to know each other. We both hid from the world outside and stayed hidden in fear. I soon saw his potential and after only a month we moved to start a journey together. I was more his boss to be fair, but he was good to have around. Away from Tom, we soon made it to the top of the social hierarchy. Other gangs that were years in the making began to fear us and we were unstoppable. I was unstoppable. I was glad I found him that night. I don't want to even think about where I would be if I didn't.

I didn't know if I truly loved Jai, but I acted like it. I didn't feel the same way for him that I once did for Tom. With Tom it was exciting and passionate. With Jai it was calm. Maybe that's what love is meant to feel like. Tom didn't exactly set the best example.

I enjoyed the moment before my phone started to ring once again. I sighed and leant off the bench. I reached for my phone and looked at the number. I looked up to him as he looked at me confused.

"Who is it?" he said worried at my expression.

"My sister" I said in shock. She hadn't called me in months.

"Answer" he said while walking around closer to the couch.

I quickly answered the phone and raised it to my ear. After months of no contact, why is she calling me now?

"Hello" I said softly into the phone. Aubrey began to squeal on the other line. I pulled my ear away from the phone and let her have her moment.

"Ashley, I got engaged!" she squealed into the phone. "I'm getting married!" she continued.

My eyes widen in shock, no way was my little sister getting married before me.

"What?" I said a little taken a back.

"I meant to call you earlier, but you need to come help me plan the wedding" she said excitedly. "It has to be perfect!" she added.

"Aubrey are you sure about this? Who's the mystery man?" I started before I got another call. I pulled the phone away from my ear and looked at the number. "Fuck, Audrey I'm sorry, but I have to go, I'll call you back".

I quickly hung up and answered the other call.

"What?" I spat as I walked towards the fridge to grab a drink.

"Shit went sideways Ash. We need your help" Kurt said desperately. I sighed and opened one of the drawers. I pulled two guns, tossing one to Jai.

"Jai catch" I said frustrated as I shoved the other one in my jacket pocket. I hung up the phone and looked to Jai.

"What happened this time" Jai moaned getting from the couch and picking up his jacket from the rack.

"Kurt can't do his fucking job" I said in frustration as I grabbed my keys and starting walking out of the door.

"Again?" he rolled his eyes while following me to my car. This was becoming way to frequent.

I jumped into the car and shoved the keys into the ignition. Saving Kurt was tiring. He was getting himself caught up in situations all the time. We were soon flying down the street I looked to Jai with a big smile on my face. I had grown to love driving.

My phone started to vibrate, we were now getting close to his location. I soon saw his dirty blonde hair running to the left as three big men chased him down. I quickly slammed the breaks and jumped out of the car. I grabbed the gun out of my pocket and started to chase after the 3 of them. I started to carelessly shoot towards them. One of the men fell to the floor I ran as fast as I could. I picked him up by his shirt.

"What the are you doing?" I screamed in his face. His eyes widened.

"I- I- we-" he stuttered.

"Shut it" I yelled before pushing him to the floor.

I pointed my gun at his head and quickly pulled the trigger. I bent down and searched his pockets. I pulled out a phone, a gun, and a knife. I looked back in the direction the had ran. They were now out of sight. I turned behind me to see Jai come sprinting towards me.

"Go that way" I yelled pointing to the left. He nodded and started to run around the building.

I sighed before putting his gun in my pocket and running in the opposite direction. I turned the corner and watched as one of the men punched Kurt in the face. I ran fast and held my gun up as the other man stood behind and laughed.

"Hey! Let go!" I demanded cold while getting closer.

The large man dropped Kurt from the wall and started to walk closer to me. I rolled my eyes and pointed my gun at him. He raised his arms in defence slowly walking closer to me.

"Stay back!" I yelled as he continued to walk closer to me. "Kurt come here" I added. He quickly stood behind me. "What happened?" I whispered.

"They took the drugs and tried to run" he stuttered. I looked back to the man with cold eyes.

"Where's the money you owe us?" I said staring at him holding the gun tightly.

The man started to laugh as the man behind him pulled out a gun and pointed it towards me. Seriously? I watched as Jai ran around the corner holding his gun.

"Give us the money and ill spare your life" I grinned. The man giggled.

"You're going to kill me?" he laughed stepping closer. People never took me seriously.

"Did I stutter?" I smirked. His face slightly dropped at my attitude.