Her three words

I nodded lightly and shot him a smile.

————————

Ashley's POV

I held the handle with a tight grip as I walked out of the front door. I felt my body tremble in fear of the unknown. A sick feeling rumbled in my stomach, each step intensifying the echo of our decision. I turned my head and watched as Jai locked the front door. I sighed and continued walking to the car. I opened the trunk and lifted the heavy suitcase in. I rested my hand on the trunk door as Jai threw his suitcase in. I slammed the trunk and made my way to the passenger's seat. Jai soon got in and we started to drive off into the darkness of the night. Willingly putting ourselves at risk.

Tom's POV

•Throwback• The night at the hospital. The night Ashley left. I laid conscious trapped in the paralysis of heartbreak. Ashely's touch lingered, engraving sorrow into my skin. The pain of love pierced through every beat of my aching heart, trapping me in motionless despair. I felt like a stranger to my own vulnerability, this unfamiliar pain gripping me. I had never felt this kind of pain. I needed Ashley but I didn't want to need her. I was mentally and physically weak, I hated it. The room filled with hushed whispers as others entered, their footsteps echoing through the empty room. I tried to block out their noise. As my breath strained, I felt a tear fall down my face. I listened as the door creaked which gave me a sliver of hope, my heart raced in desperate anticipation that Ashley had come back. "She's gone" I heard Bills voice croak. I heard a lot of movement. "What do you mean" Lauren spoke softly. "Who" Georg said confused. My body started to heat up and I felt my breathing become slower. I tried to fight it. I tried everything. "Ashley" Bill said before he broke down in tears.

Bill's tear-choked words lingered, I surrendered and fell unconscious. The numb feeling filling the void. ... I felt the oxygen pumping through the mask as I regained my conscience, hope flickered like a fragile flame within me. I laid hopeless. I clung to the certainty that I would find her again, the thought of her in my arms again helped me push through this dark void that threatened to consume me. A few days later I felt my eyes soon flutter open as strength flowed through my body. I slowly recovered from the coma. I knew I would be okay. I loved Ashley to death, and I really needed her. The love we shared was strong and I knew it would last. She loved me to life. Because that's exactly what she did. She loved me back to life. Her 3 words always lingered, and those words gave me the strength to push through my recovery. Ashley's POV

I repositioned myself in my chair, the turbulence unsettling my stomach. I despised flying it always caused me to feel nauseas. Jai gripped my hand with reassurance I knew he could sense my worry. I was terrified and unsure of what awaited us. The guilt lingered for leaving Maria with all the responsibility, though I trusted her resilience and I knew she would do the right thing.

I tried to force my eyes shut and fall asleep, but a lump formed in my throat. It was no use so I decided I would go to the bathroom. I stood up from my seat and squeezed between Jai and the chair. He suddenly grabbed my wrist which made me jump.

"Are you okay?" he asked, his eyes reflecting both concern and curiosity. He let go of my wrist at my reaction.

"Nothing I'm just going to the bathroom" I smiled as I continued to get past.

I felt my head spin as I walked closer to the bathroom at the end of the plane. I pushed open the bathroom door and shut it behind me. I stood in a daze, I focused on the scar on my collarbone, a haunting reminder of the past. I walked up to the mirror and rested my hands on the bench Infront of me. The memories come flooding back to me. I hated the scar. It was a constant reminder of him. After we left Tokyo I always tried to hide it. I continued to try and heal but every time I saw it I was reminded of how vulnerable I was in those times.

I moved the strap of my crop top and started to graze the scar lightly while tears fell down my face. I fought so hard to leave and forget my past. Yet here I was going back. I knew I was overthinking. Even if he found me I knew I would fight with everything I had in me.

...

I slowly fluttered my eyes open and smiled softy. I listened as Jai slightly snored as I started to wake him up. He moaned in annoyance and faced the other way. I sighed and leant over and looked down the hallway. The lights were dimed, so I assumed everyone was asleep and I didn't hear any movement. I sat in silence I couldn't hear anything but the sounds of the plane. I tried to push out my thoughts, but they kept running back into my mind and I hated the fact that I was so afraid of him. I believed I was stronger now, but somewhere deep inside of be doubted that. I thought I should try get back to sleep just until we got to Tokyo. I slowly sunk back further into my chair and shut my eyes. I soon felt myself drift off. ...

"Ash wake up" I heard Jai whisper as I felt my body being pushed around.

"I'm up" I croaked slowly opening my eyes.

I looked around in a daze. A flight attendant was standing next to me with a huge smile across her face. I gave her a funny look before I turned back to Jai. The women looked disturbed like she wasn't human.

"Everyone's off the plane. We've been trying to wake you up" Jai said as he rubbed my thigh.

"Oh" I laughed lightly before standing up while Jai followed.

We got out bags and started to walk down the lane to the exit. I felt my heart start to beat rapidly as we got closer to the exit. I let Jai go Infront of me as I followed slowly behind him. I reached into my carry on and pulled out a pair of large black sunglasses and put them on. I put my head down as we walked down the stairs and into the airport. I felt my breathing become rapid as stayed glued to Jai. We stood patiently waiting for our suitcases.

I soon saw our suitcases and I stepped closer and grabbed mine while he grabbed his. We were both silent I could tell he was also anxious. Me and Jai walked out of the airport and down the road a little and waited for one of Jai's old friends to pick us up. I was nervous because I had never met him before. I watched as Jai's face lit up as Kirk's car pulled up. The car stopped and he came out of the car.

"Jai what's up man" Kirk said with a huge smile on his face. I watched as they gave each other a hug.

"I've been good man how are you?" Jai replied while pulling from the hug. I took my glasses off and looked at Kirk.

"I'm doin-" he paused for a moment while staring at me with wide eyes. "No way, it that really-" he laughed while holding his fist over his mouth.

"What" Jai spoke as he looked back at me in confusion.

"You really bagged Tom's girl?" he said looking at Jai with shocked expression.

Jai stayed silent for a moment but as I stood behind him I saw his cheeks rise. I laughed lightly imagining the face he was pulling. How did he even recognise me. I've never seen him in my life. I stepped closer and stood next to Jai.

"Nice to meet you Kirk" I said confidently holding my hand out closer to him.

"Nice to meet you too" he said as he grabbed my hand and looked at Jai.

I watched as he grinned and raised his eyebrows up and down. I already didn't like the vibe from this guy. I held a grip on my suitcase and started to walk closer to the car. I popped the trunk open and put my suitcase in Jai soon following. I got into the backseat while Jai got into the passenger's seat. I rested my head on the side of the car and stared out the window.

"You haven't told anyone were here have you?" Jai questioned. I lifted my head up and waited for an answer.

"No, no of course not. You could have mentioned you had a girlfriend" he laughed.

"How did you recognise me?" I spoke, cutting off Jai.

"I don't know really. I guess I don't forget faces" he said low slightly turning his head to me.

"Oh, yeah" I replied. "But I've never even met you" I continued while looking back out of the window.

"I can't believe you had the nerve to come back" Kirk said turning his head to Jai. Completely ignoring me.

"What do you mean?" Jai questioned.

"Tom has connections everywhere. I doubt you will go unnoticed" Kirk said softly. My stomach began to turn at his words. He had just made me feel even more anxious.

"We will be fine" Jai laughed. I could hear in his voice he was nervous, but he tried to hide it.

"I don't know about that about a year ago he fully-" Kirk started.

"Please stop making this worse" I cut him off.

"I'm just letting you know" he said low.

I shook my head as my heart started to race again. I repositioned myself in my seat and continued to stare out the window in a daze before I saw a familiar street. A soft smile touched my lips, not born of happiness, but gratitude. I had grown so much, and I knew it. I realized how much I had grown, and that street was proof of my journey. I left Tokyo but here I was back again. If I was really that afraid I wouldn't be here. I sat myself up and flicked the hair out of my face. I knew I didn't need to be afraid. I needed to keep this confidence I had in this moment.

"Just be safe" Kirk continued softly.