What's Mine Is Mine

Ashley's POV:

Rage. Pure, raw, and utter rage was streaming through my veins as I stomped toward my room. Over the swooshing sound of my boiling blood and the clipping of my sandals against the marble floor, I could hear nothing else.

Reaching the end of the hallway, I flung the door open and stepped into my bedroom. The words of Mother, so horrendous and heart-wrenching, were still revolving in my mind. At my sides, sharp nails were digging into the soft skin of my palm but surprisingly, I felt no pain other than severe heartache.

Fuming, I paced the room hastily. Ridiculous, it was all so ridiculous. Would there be any end to this nonsense? They have always controlled every aspect of my life and I have never questioned them. But what more do they need from me? After snatching away my whole life, now they want to trade my soul? Their own freaking daughter's?

Teeth gritted to the point I was sure they would snap at any moment, my brain recalled the events of the day. The memory was still fresh in my mind about how I was rooted to that spot in front of a full-length mirror with half a dozen of beauticians working on me. My mother, sitting on an Italian royal chair, scrutinized me with her hard and judgemental stare.

The high chirping sound of Mother pulled me out of my haze, "Ms. Jane, take out that midnight blue dress. Ashley is going to wear that today." Ms. Jane immediately started moving around the piles of fancy, jeweled, and designer dresses surrounding the room.

Turning towards my mother, I inquired curiously, "Why? Is today a significant day?"

She threw me a disappointed look, "Only if you would poke your nose out of your books then you would remember any other thing. I told you today is a big day. Your father has arranged a dinner for top-notch businessmen in the hopes to find a new business partner."

It felt like the carpet was slipped away from under my feet. The day I had been dreading all my life has finally arrived and I was absolutely not ready for it. Even though I knew the answer I still asked her, "What do you mean by the business partner, Mother?"

She stood up and wiped her hands down her dress, "You are a grown-up now. We, as your parents have invested a lot in your upbringing. Now, it's the time for you to pay back." With that, she turned around, indicating that the conversation was over. Her next words were directed toward Ms. Jane, "That silver diamond necklace would go well with her dress. Make sure she would be ready by 7 pm. I don't want her to be late."

I heard her heels clicking on the marble floor as she made her way toward the door. I was stuck at my spot, staring at the door she just left. The blood that was frozen in my veins just a few moments ago was boiling now.

Still glued to my spot, over the bubbling of my blood, I heard the distant chatter of Ms. Jane, "Here is the dress. Oh, Ms. Ashley, you'll look elegant in this one." She stepped closer with the dress draped over her arm and I instantly took a step away. Ms. Jane shoved the dress towards me and announced, "Beauticians will be here at 5 pm. Don't be late."

When I made no movement at all, she looked down at her wristwatch with indifference, "It's 12:30 pm now. You have almost 4 and a half hours to come to terms with the situation. 4 hours are enough to mentally prepare yourself, I guess."

=======

Now, back in my room, just those horrible flashbacks resulted in the adrenaline coursing through my veins and taking hold of my senses. Somehow, my body as well as my heart knew that it was the moment of fight or flight.

I neither had the energy nor the resources to fight off those monsters. So yeah, the flight was what I chose. Lunging around, I jogged toward the closet with rapid steps. Reaching the rack, I grabbed the most spacious handbag out of the infinite options.

The plan was already taking shape in my head and it seemed like my body was working on its own. Unzipping the bag, I started shoving a pair of jeans, a top, a mobile charger, and the little cash I had with me. Luckily, my instinct told me to slip a big pair of sunglasses and a cap into the side pocket.

Every cell in my body was so full of enthusiasm and determination. Before it could melt away, I quickly ordered Uber. Typing with shaky fingers, I instructed the driver to arrive some distance away from the villa. Without wasting another moment, I slid the bag over my shoulder and opened the bedroom door where I had spent the 22 years of my life but still, I had no will to glance back at the gold cage my parents had built for me. Poking out my head, I glanced either way and when found no one lurking around the hallway, I finally stepped outside.

Luckily for me, the party was being arranged on the front lawn and that meant most of the staff was there, busy with preparations. And considering the fact how much Mother was fussing over the party must be perfect, I knew that she would be there too, inspecting and scrutinizing every little thing.

With soft and hushed steps, I reached the back door. I was actually surprised when I finally made it there without anyone interrupting me. It was too good to be true but I guessed that destiny was with me that day. I stopped at the back door and whoosh out a quick breath. This was eternal, it was permanent. If I took even one step further, there would be no going back.

But I knew what I wanted. I knew it deep down to my bones. With a fervent zeal running down my spine, I heaved a heavy breath and stepped out of the back door. Without glancing back, I ran straight toward the direction where Uber would be waiting for me.

=======

Running. I was sprinting at a speed more than I was capable of. My lungs itched for air but no, I kept running as if my life depended on it and it did, actually. After a while, I came to a sudden halt as my eyes spotted a black car parked at the side of the road and instant relief flooded my insides.

If I could recall correctly, my Uber driver was supposed to arrive a little distance away from there. But hell, whatever.

Once again, getting cruel to my muscles, I picked up my speed to reach the black, shiny car waiting for me. I wanted to stop for a moment to catch my breath but knowing Father, he would have already dispatched the army to find me.

As soon as I reached the car, I gripped the back door handle, jerked it open, and dashed inside. The very next second I froze at the spot and my eyes widened as I spotted two, not one, bodies in the driver's seat.

Gripping the leather seat, I took in the woman who, with wide eyes, was staring directly at me from her spot, which was actually the lap of a man. I ran my gaze down and saw that she was topless but gratefully, I was unable to see any of her assets because...yeah, because the man over whom she was glued, had his mouth stuck to her neck.

I shifted my gaze to the man clad in a crisp black suit. From my spot, all I could see was an enriched, black tattoo of a phoenix inked at the side of his neck.

He kept nuzzling her throat, planting kisses all over her skin as if nothing odd had happened just a moment ago. For him, whatever he was doing was the most important and from the demonic vibes he was oozing off, I sensed that my interruption wasn't welcomed at all.

I opened my mouth, all ready to apologize and get out of the car but no words bubbled up my throat. I swallowed hard as he turned his head and those devilish and dark eyes narrowed down at me. I noticed the way his sharp jaw twitched and his nostrils flared as he asked me in a rough, gravel voice coated with venom, "Who the fuck are you and what the hell are you doing in my car?"

=======

Ashley's POV:

Refraining from the strong urge to swallow again under his hard, predatory gaze, I opened my mouth and tried to form words once again, "I...I am Ashley."

One of his thick eyebrows arched upward, "Ashley who?"

What little bit of sense I still had control over told me not to reveal my identity to this strange man. I didn't go through all this hustle just to be dragged right back to the Father in case he came out to be his acquaintance. But I also had no clue how to answer his question in any other way so I decided to take the easy way out and clamped my mouth shut. He was still waiting for a response and his expression hinted to me that he was definitely not so good with patience.

Ignoring him, I looked down at my phone to check out how far the Uber was. Just as I opened the app, big, meaty fingers wrapped around my mobile, and with one swift movement, the phone was snatched out of my hands. My head jerked up with a mixture of shock and confusion.

A pair of icy cold blue eyes were fixed on me and the owner of them was clutching my phone in a tight grip. His jaw was set tight as he seethed, "Answer me when I am asking something. You don't go around doing your own fucking stuff all the while ignoring me." An eyebrow shot up and a devilish smirk formed at the corner of his mouth as he said with amusement, "Alright, princess?"

I rolled my eyes at his attitude and sighed irritably, "Look, I don't know who you are and you don't know me either. Just...I'll just leave in a while. Give me my phone back and..." I eyed the girl sitting silently on the passenger seat, "...and just continue your business."

With features blank of any expression, he stared right into my eyes, "What the hell your deal is? Who do you think you are to barge into my car and interrupt my business and then show me this attitude of yours?"

A chuckle left my mouth and words poured out before I could stop myself, "Business? Yeah, I did witness what important business you were busy in."

His response? That devil disguised as a strange man leisurely trailed his hard and narrowed gaze down my body and back up to my eyes before replying, "My back seat is spacious enough to practically show you the importance of business I was busy in."

My mouth dropped open at his snarky remark. The very next moment, he turned to the front. Deep in thought, he let me know, "But I would rather not. You have already spoiled my mood." Dropping my phone on the seat beside me, he ended the conversation by saying, "Now take your phone and get the hell out of my car."

Opening the app, I saw that Uber was still 5 minutes away. I did not want to go out and wait in the open for the Uber to arrive. This car was a great refuge for someone like me. I wanted to laugh at my ironic situation. I was dying to get refuge under the devil's wings, wow. Great.

I gripped the phone and pleaded to him with everything I had in me, "Please. Please, just let me stay here for a few more minutes. Please."

My urgent pleas did nothing to his merciless heart. Still looking straight ahead, he shook his head twice and said dismissively, "Get out right at this moment."

My eyes stuck to the screen as I shook my head to myself. No, I couldn't really go out there in the open. Father's men would recognize me in a beat and would take me back to that hell. I was too anxiously deep in thought that I had no idea when the back door opened, a large hand enveloped my arm and pulled me out of the car. I tried to fight him off but my strength was nill in front of his.

Despite my fruitless efforts, it didn't take him long to drag me out. I eyed the car with desperation and counted every damn second in my head. The man, no, more like a demon, once again attacked me with that hard, and piercing gaze as he seethed through gritted teeth, "I don't like to repeat myself twice."

Right at that moment, the phone pinged in my hand and a notification popped up on the screen that the Uber driver has finally arrived. My insides filled with sudden relief and I tossed the mobile into my bag. The demon standing in front of me was witnessing all that. I could sense that he was getting agitated after realizing that his demonic traits and cruel words didn't have any fatal effect on me. But I didn't give a damn about him as I passed around him and started jogging towards the Uber.

Without even glancing back, I could feel his intense gaze penetrating through my back and that sent chills down my spine.

=======

Spotting the car, I quickly settled inside and gestured to the driver to take me to the Meriton Hotel. As he revved the engine, I took out the glasses and cap from the bag and put them on.

I settled on the seat and rolled down the window. Poking my head out, I filled my lungs with fresh air and relished the taste of freedom. But it didn't take me long to find out that if something seemed too good to be true then it must be fake or an illusion of the mind.

Just a few minutes later, I heard a loud series of honking behind our car. Jerking around in my seat, I gasped at the scene unfolding right in front of my eyes.

BUSTED.

Half of the dozens of cars were racing up behind us. The men in the black suit were clearly visible to me. My mind turned blank and my body chilled. Father had already sent his army to capture me.

I heaved out a loud breath. Annoyed as well as angry with myself. How the hell could I underestimate my parents after knowing them so well? Right now, the most precious thing they owned was me. Even more than their empire, because according to them all will be doomed without an heir. And unfortunately, I was the said heir.

Turning forward, I noticed that the driver's eyes were taking me in through the mirror. My mind was totally blank and all I could think to do was plead to the driver. He shook his head and muttered, "You were oozing the word Trouble ever since I saw you." But thankfully, he did hear my begs and responded by pressing on the gas.

My heart was thumping loudly in my ribcage as the car raced faster and faster. After a few seconds, I turned in my seat and immediately noticed how now instead of six cars, only four were trailing us. My anxiety peaked.

The driver seemed to understand my unspoken question, "They must have dispatched two of the cars to get us from up front." He sighed loudly, "Have you done something illegal? Why are they trying to catch you?"

I answered frustratedly, "I don't think running away from home at the age of 23 is something considered illegal."

He tilted his head to one side, and then asked the question I was dreading, "But...who are you?"

=======

Ashley's POV:

I tried to brush it off with just, "Ashley."

But his curiosity wasn't quenched, "Ashley who?" God, that damn question again.

I had no other choice but to answer him if I wanted his help. I slumped down in my seat, "Ashley Frostford."

His eyes widened with shock, "As in...Ambrose Frostford's daughter?"

I sighed, "Unfortunately."

He shook his head once again and muttered, "He is some big name with not so clear reputation. Not sure if I want to be added to his enemy's list, kiddo."

I have had enough of it. Everyone feared my father and that's why he always got around to doing whatever the hell he wanted. I gritted out, "Then you better stop the car so I can get out."

His eyes twinkled, "Like hell, I will. I am just doing my job." He winked at me through the mirror and sped up even more. He, for sure, was enjoying the show. I rolled my eyes at that.

With every other mile between the cars, my anxiety was also scaling up. Just as I had feared, all of the sudden, two black cars appeared out of the road on either side and stopped in the middle of the road to block our path. My hands were sweating badly as I realized that it was it. There is no other way to escape from these goons my father had sent for me.

Tears prickled at the back of my eyes as I fished in my bag to collect some money to give to the driver and ask him to stop the car. But all my actions halted as the deafening sound of shooting pierced through my ears.

Jerking around in my seat, I caught the sight of a rifle in the hands of the man dangling out of the car behind us. He was pointing toward the tires of our car and it won't take him long to press the trigger. I saw the driver gripping the steering wheel when I heard another gunshot, and that must have hit the tire because the very next second our car started spinning towards the right side of the road. I saw the driver frantically revolving the steering wheel but he had lost control of the car. I clutched the seat tightly and only a few seconds later, I heard a loud crash as our car smashed the tree at the roadside. Air balloons ejected out of the car doors. Searing pain exploded in my head and the next moment, everything went blank.

=======

Slowly and lazily, my eyes fluttered open. A piercing pain erupted in my head at the movement but I forced myself to move my eyes and look around my surroundings. The ceiling told me that I was in my bedroom. And right at that moment, a series of flashbacks stringed together in my mind. Packing...running away...that devil...Uber driver...gunshot...and then...BOOM...crash.

Now that I knew what actually happened, the pain was the least of my concerns. All of the sudden, I shot up and sit straighter on my bed. Ms. Jane was the first one to get my attention,"Oh my, Madam, come and have a look. Ms. Ashley has gained consciousness."

I whipped my head around and saw my mother, sitting in the Italian chair in the corner of the room. A fashion magazine was clasped in her hands. With her usual elegance, she closed the magazine, landed her vicious gaze on me, and hissed vilely, "Ms. Jane, go and bring the doctor. Our princess has finally woken up."

Ms. Jane ran out of the room. I opened my mouth to say something. I wanted to know what happened while I was unconscious but my tongue was a heavy lump that I couldn't move. My mother's deadly gaze never wavered even for a second. Right then Ms. Jane entered the room with a doctor behind her tail.

The doctor made his way around the bed and with great care, he took my wrist and checked my pulse. He inquired about any pain and I told him about a severe headache. He simply nodded once and turned towards Mother, "Just as I had said, there are no major injuries. Due to the crash, Ms. Ashley got a concussion but nothing major to worry about. I am prescribing a painkiller for the pain. You can call me if anything worries you."

Mother offered him a polite smile and said delicately, "Thank you so much, doctor. Ms. Jane, please escort the doctor out."

Just as the door closed behind them, the smile wiped away from Mother's face. She took a few steps toward the bed and bared her teeth, "What the hell do you think you were about to do?"

Somehow, I finally found the words, "Mother, please, I am so fed up with all this. All that controlling wasn't enough for you and Father that now you want to use me for your business purposes?"

She gritted her teeth, "Use you? Really? You know that the business is going down and we need to strike a deal with some well-known businessman to get stable again."

I said agitated, "Do you even know how ridiculous you are sounding right now? You want to strike a deal with a businessman by marrying me off to him?"

She straightened her dress, "We have provided you with all the luxury throughout your life. Now, you won't die if you would help us a little bit, right? Besides, marriage is what happens when a girl reaches your age."

I was so astounded to even reply to her. Just then, doors burst open and Ms. Jane hurried inside. Apparently, Mother was done with me and turned around to face Ms. Jane, "Please look into that Ashley gets ready by 7 pm. Oh and now that she has a bruise on her arm, make her wear that shiny, full-sleeves red dress."

She stepped closer to my face, took a good look, and wondered aloud, "She has a bruise on her forehead. But nothing a make-up can't fix." Taking a step back, she slightly flared her nostrils, "Don't try to do anything funny again. You won't ever succeed. Just to save you the hassle of running away again, let me tell you that your Father and I are constantly investigating your every move ever since your sister ran away. Of course, we can't tolerate another loss." Her words were bitter and her face was full of loathing.

=======