● Iɴ ᴛʜᴇ ʙᴇɢɪɴɴɪɴɢ ●

Hi, I'm Ash/Solha, this is my first fanfiction. I hope you all enjoy it. Thank you so much for the 1 million reads. That is incredible, and I couldn't have done it without you all <3.

DISCLAIMER: This is a fictional story. The people in the story may be real, but they are just fictional characters in this book, this does not depict how they're in real life. Wattpad takes copyright infringement very seriously. Users are not permitted to post stories they do not own unless they have legal permission from the owner and can provide evidence when requested.

Some parts of the story may be triggering, so please read at your own risk, but this story is for 18 + only.

All rights reserved: I own and retain all rights to my work. Spotify Playlist link: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1AsCU5MfYAuY6c2ABj6xBB?si=wCm5YR2gRPOJ2vRYIQkR2A

https://youtu.be/Wv7vjQ3q9uc

Y/N's Point of view

I grew up with my mother Anna, and older sister Bianca in Texas most of my childhood. When I was ten years old we moved to Florida. My mom loved the idea of living by the beaches in Florida, and all of the water surrounding us. She had always said that when she had enough money, she would find a house there and that is exactly what she did.My mother Anna had always had a hard life. It was hard on her raising two kids by herself.

My mom met a guy named Dongchul. I didn't care for him at first, but my mom was in love and was very happy so I tried to be happy for her. She was a single mother with two kids and my older sister Bianca was very wild and got in a lot of trouble with boys. When I was 11 years old they got married and they bought us this beautiful house that we've lived in ever since. We now have a pool in our backyard and a large yard, something I always wished for when I was younger. My mom thought the world of her new husband. She was content. We had everything we wanted and then some.

When I turned 13 my mom and Dongchul started arguing a lot about his job. I never understood what he did but I know he made a shit ton of money. We lived in a big house in Florida which I knew definitely wasn't cheap. He always had work meetings with a big group of men every Friday night. It was the same every week. My mom didn't like that he always had them over every week. They'd all go out back or into the dining room, sit around a table, and just talk for hours. My mom and I would just watch movies together and I'd pretend like I couldn't hear them. They were so loud, and would get very drunk and they would act crazy in front of me and my sister.

Bianca loved it. She would join in even when my mom told her to go to bed. She would stay down stairs and Dongchul and one of the other guys would give her alcohol. She became involved with their job when she got old enough, but at the time of this party she was around 17 or so. My mom hated it. She didn't like me being around these kinds of people. She hated that her kids were involved with it all. Bianca liked it, and I tried to be neutral. When I was 15, my mom got very sick and she was in and out of the hospital every couple of months. We found out she had ovarian cancer and she started chemo. It seemed to work for a while but she became very ill again. She didn't even make it for a couple more months and we lost her. She was my best friend. She was the only one I trusted one hundred percent. She was my rock. She was my home. And she was gone.

I was heartbroken, so I locked myself in my bedroom for months, no one noticed me much anyways. Dongchul was always too busy working. Bianca would visit from time to time but it was mostly to tell me about the newest guy she was seeing or to ask if I was finally ready to start joining the business. I was 16 when I found out what my step fathers job entailed, along with what Bianca was a part of. She was doing it willingly and she wasn't forced into anything. She didn't tell me right away, but it didn't take a genius to put it together.She was an escort. She would have sex with them and do whatever they asked. 

They were paying her to have sex with them. At first, I thought it was crazy, and I was angry at her. Why would she do this? Bianca told me everything. She told me about all the jobs she had done. All the money she had made. I never understood why she loved this life so much and why she was so okay with this being her job. She was happy, and if this is what made her happy, then it was fine by me. As long as she was safe, it was okay.

Dongchul worked as the leader of a big mafia.I wasn't too surprised. I always knew he was doing something shady, I just didn't expect this. He was a gang leader and his gang was the largest in all of the United States. Dongchul and his crew were the top of the top, they had connections all over the world and their gang was the biggest and most successful gang there is. They sold drugs and weapons. 

They had connections to other countries. It was crazy. I couldn't believe it. There was this entire world around me and I had no idea. I never knew any of this until my mom passed. My mom used to always warn me about being careful with guys and not dating anyone who was involved in his gang.

That's one of the things I hated the most. Since my mom passed it seemed like they're all around more often. I know over the years I've become used to them being around, all these strangers roaming around my home. I didn't always feel safe. I hated living there. Although I tried to run away numerous times, my stepfather was always able to locate me. Bianca and I were always under his watchful eye.

Our biological father died in a car crash before I was born, so I didn't have the chance to get to know him as Bianca did. My mother always said that's what caused Bianca to be so wild with boys. My mom always said it was her daddy issues. I never noticed if I had those issues but I know I never needed validation from anyone.

 I told my stepfather to never get any ideas about me being a part of that lifestyle because I will never do what Bianca does. He kind of laughed it off and said "I know you aren't her " meaning I'm not Bianca and I know I'm not. I never could respect the things they do around here. They sit around and eat good food, drink, and consume coke. As the night goes on the louder they all seem to get and the more wild the party becomes.

I'm seventeen and I'm finishing up my senior year in high school. It's been a pretty good school year and I've had my best friends with me through it all. Jackson and Lisa, they have been the most supportive people in my life. I met Lisa when we were 11 at the park down the street from here. I was a lonely kid sitting on the swing by myself swinging back and forth. She came up and sat on the swing next to me and said "Hi, I'm Lisa... It looks like you need a friend, so do I ." We've been friends ever since that day. 

Lisa is a beautiful soul, inside out. She has long blonde hair, with pretty hazel eyes. Her dad is white, her mom is Thai. She is taller than me, and definitely a little more thin. Guys tend to like her a lot but she always ignores them, and it's the funniest thing ever. She grew up here in Florida her whole life. She has her dad and mom and they are very nice people for the most part. They're very well off, and have a very expensive taste. 

She also has two siblings, a brother named Luca, and a sister named Ava. I used to spend a lot of time with Lisa and her family. It kind of slowed down after Lisa's dad found out who my step dad was and he knew what he did for work. Lisa's dad has gotten a bit better about it though, we still see each other and do things together when we can.

Lisa has always been by my side through everything. When my mom passed away I felt so alone, but when she was around, she always made me feel seen, and understood. I wouldn't even have to tell her what I was thinking; it was like she just knew. We planned to go to the same school, and live in the same dorm like any other best friends. She is still thinking about if she actually wants to go away for school or not. 

She wants to dance, but her dad wants her to go to school for business. Wherever I go, I hope she decides to be somewhere close by, life would suck without her. Lisa was right there for me when I lost my mom. Anytime we go through something, we all go through it together. I know they say that friendships from when you're a child don't last, but that isn't always true. It can't be, because they're the best people I know.

Jackson on the other hand, is from Las Vegas. His mom and dad are still together , they're super cute. Jackson also has siblings but I don't know much about them. Jackson plays Football, and Basketball. He's a jock, and a huge flirt. It seems like he's talking to a different girl every other week. Jackson is a very handsome guy. He's tall, tan and built like a bodybuilder, with jet black hair. Jackson and I met when we were 13 on a camp trip with the school. 

They separated the girls and the guys, but of course we all found a way around it, and snuck out. I was sitting on this rock with Lisa and a few others in my grade. Jackson and his friends walked by us horse playing, he knocked me off the rock because Jackson fell backwards right onto me. I slid off the rock onto the muddy ground. We exchanged some words, mine not so nice. We ended up spending most of that night getting to know each other, and then he became friend's with Lisa. Ever since that day we have all been inseparable. We've been the best of friends.

Lisa: Can you guys go to the fair with me tonight?

Y/n: Oh my gosh I completely forgot to ask Dongchul. I'm not sure but I'm going to ask him when I get home.

Jackson: Yeah you know I'm always down

Lisa: Ugh I don't know what to wear, I'm sure tons of hotties are going to be there.

Y/n: I'm going to wear something comfortable for sure.

Lisa: No, you always wear comfortable stuff. Come on, dress up with me for once! Let me come over and give you a makeover, please?

Y/n: It's Friday, you know my step dad has his meeting today. He would never agree to it.

Jackson: Meeting, We're still calling it that?

Y/n: Shut up, you know what I'm talking about.

Lisa: The scary mobster rager!

Y/n: That may be my ticket to be able to go to the fair with you guys though! Dongchul will be so loaded by the time I get home he won't even care what I'm saying to him.

Lisa: So it's a yes you're going to be able to go for sure?

Jackson: That's what she was saying!

Lisa: okay well either way text me and let me know.

Lisa walked up her driveway, while me and Jax continued walking on.

Y/n:You know you don't have to walk me home, I'm a big girl I can handle myself!

Jackson: I know but I want to, is that so bad?

Jackson's Point of view

At this point, Y/n needs to know that I am fond of her. I walk her home everyday after school to make sure she gets home safely. We've been friends for years and I didn't see her in that way until this past year. Our relationship has progressed and she's shared secrets with me that are unknown to anyone else, or at least that's what I believe. I've slept around so I know she doesn't like that about me and she thinks I'm a player and I know it seems that way with how I am. I don't know how to change her mind.

Y/n: I appreciate you. Thanks for always walking me home.

Jackson: I don't mind it.

Y/n: You always say that. You're such a good friend to me.

OUCH... FRIEND? That hurt my ego a little bit.

Jackson: Well, I'll see you in a couple of hours. My dad is going to let me take the car so I'll pick you guys up.

Y/n: Your dad is so cool, but okay I'll see you in a few. Bye!

I waved to her as she walked away.

Jackson: Bye

Y/N'S Point of view

I walked through the gates and sure enough cars were everywhere in the front yard and the driveway. It's only 4 in the afternoon and I'm sure they're all wasted already or high on coke. I walk through the front door and I hear a bunch of voices yelling and laughing. I hate that I have to make an appearance with all these weirdos being here but I want to go with Lisa and Jackson. I haven't gone out and done anything with them in almost six months. As soon as I walked in the dining room I felt eyes burning holes through me. I looked around and some of the men were staring me up and down like a piece of meat, while some smiled and nodded at me. Ugh, This will be fun.

Hi guys! Thank you for reading my story. I am writing this based off of a dream I had, and I was like oh this is good I got to write about it! I'll be adding onto it of course ha-ha. I hope you continue reading 💜

Story written by: AMS <3