His Salvation

Chapter2

Ashley's POV

“Look, are you sure you don’t fancy the cinema?" Rebecca's voice broke through the clutter of her apartment as she hastily dressed up. I watched her, feeling a pang of guilt for declining her invitation.

It was Friday, and the clock had just struck five. Rebecca was bustling around, cramming makeup into her oversized handbag along with a half-full bottle of Fanta, and a packet of Kettle chips to keep her going on the taxi to the cinema. "Because if you want to come along, honestly, that’d be great. I'm sure the girls would love to have you with us."

I was touched by her offer. It felt like a group of balloons inviting a hedgehog for a fun night out—thoughtful, but ultimately impractical. Despite her genuine gesture, I wasn't in the mood for socializing. I much preferred my own company these days.

My friendship with Rebecca was a bit of a one-sided affair. Since I moved to New York, she had put in all the effort to maintain our connection. I felt guilty about it, which is why I had decided to surprise her with a visit to her apartment today. Judging by her reaction, I had managed to make her extremely happy, and we spent a nice evening together watching Netflix and munching on junk food.

"Naah, it's fine. My brother's coming in tomorrow, and the apartment is a mess. I at least need to clean everything up so he doesn't see I live in a dump." I blurted out, hastily coming up with the perfect excuse.

Rebecca sighed, then shrugged. "It's fine," she said, understanding my sudden need to tidy up.

"Actually, Ashley?" she paused, her tone becoming more serious. "Have you thought about my suggestion?”

I sighed, knowing exactly what she was talking about. Rebecca had been trying for over a month now to get me to agree on a job, and she'd actually gotten me two interviews. But it didn't really work out. I just wasn't feeling it, or maybe my mind wasn't in it for the job.

But lately, I had started to consider giving it a serious thought. My brother and I had been living off our parents' inheritance money for over two years now, and while there was still enough to tide us through for many more years, I started to feel the need to actually get my ass back in the game and get a job.

"I thought about it, Rebecca, and yes, I will henceforth start to seriously look for a job," I solemnly pledged to her while raising my hand in mock salute.

Rebecca chuckled. "Are you sure you don't need me to help?"

"Naah, babe. It's cool. You've been helpful to me all this while. It's time I stop being dependent. I'll get the papers tomorrow and sift through for a start before I search through LinkedIn.”

“Alright then, come on let me walk you out” Rebecca shrugged and we both went out of the apartment.

As Rebecca stopped a taxi and went off for a fun night out, I stepped into my car and started the drive back home. It was a pretty short drive back, and I pulled over to the curb, staring at my front door.

Suddenly, images from the past clouded my vision as I pictured my parents' front door wide-open and how I found them brutally murdered. I shook my head, trying to dispel the memories, but tears began to well up in my eyes, and I found myself bawling my eyes out in the car.

Two years, two f*****g years and not a f*****g clue, I thought in despair as tears streamed down my face. No one was caught. Are my parents really not going to get any justice? Is their killer going to be scot-free? Why, God, why?. I hit the steering wheel in frustration as a burning fury consumed me as the thought of my parents killer walking around Scot free almost drove me mad with rage.

After a while, I managed to regain some composure and dragged myself out of the car, feeling utterly drained. As I shuffled into my apartment, I flopped onto the sofa, feeling the weight of exhaustion pressing down on me like a heavy blanket. With a resigned sigh, I reached for the Kit Kat I had grabbed on my way home, seeking a small comfort in its familiar sweetness.

Flicking through the channels, I stumbled upon "Sleepless in Seattle." The cheesy rom-com felt oddly fitting, a gentle distraction from the turmoil swirling inside me. Settling into the cushions, I let myself be carried away by the predictable plotlines and saccharine romance, if only to momentarily escape the harsh reality waiting just beyond the screen.

The film failed to capture my attention tonight. After just ten minutes, I found myself unable to immerse myself in its storyline, so I switched off the TV. My thoughts drifted back to that fateful night—the night my world was torn apart.

I couldn't help but dwell on the series of tragedies that had befallen me: the brutal murder of my parents, the heart-wrenching betrayal by my fiancé, and my own desperate attempt to end it all. And then, amidst the darkness, there was him—the mysterious stranger who had intervened, saving me from the brink of death.

Who was he? It was a question that had plagued my mind countless times over the past two years. Why did he save me? Why risk his own life for a complete stranger? I couldn't make sense of it, but I couldn't deny the overwhelming sense of gratitude that washed over me whenever I thought of him. In my darkest moment, he had offered me a lifeline, and for that, I would be forever grateful, even if I couldn't fully comprehend his motives.

I wiped away the tears with the back of my hand, a familiar ritual by now. Sometimes, I wouldn't even realize I had been crying until the tears slid off my chin and dripped down my neck. The pain of losing my parents still lingered, a gaping wound that refused to heal. I missed them so much, and at times, I wondered how I had managed to carry on without them.

But it had been two years now, and with the support of my brother, I had somehow found the strength to keep going. He had been my rock throughout it all, offering a shoulder to cry on and a listening ear whenever I needed it. Together, we had faced the unimaginable, and though the pain never truly went away, we had learned to carry it with us as we navigated through life's ups and downs.

**************

I always looked forward to Jamie's visits home from college during the holidays. Despite the heaviness of our shared loss, Jamie had a way of bringing lightness and warmth into our home. We never dwelled on the grief in public; instead, we celebrated the memory of our parents and cherished the happier times we had shared with them.

During Jamie's visits, our home was filled with laughter, good food, and the clinking of glasses as we enjoyed each other's company. Amidst the conversations and shared meals, we uncovered precious snippets of information about our parents, discovering new stories and memories that strengthened our bond and kept their legacy alive. Jamie's presence was a comforting reminder that even in the darkest moments, there was still joy to be found in the memories we shared.

I woke up early to prepare Jamie's favorite dish, a traditional Irish breakfast of bacon, sausages, eggs, and black pudding. I tried to recreate it exactly as our mom used to make it, and I was pleased with the result.

As I was setting the table, the doorbell rang, interrupting my morning routine. I hurried to the front door, hoping it was Jamie, but instead found a copy of the Times lying on the floor. With a sigh, I picked it up, remembering my promise to Rebecca.

"Well, here goes nothing," I muttered to myself as I entered the house and settled down with the newspaper. It was time to see what the day had in store.

The doorbell rang again and I ran out to open the door, and Jamie stood outside with his luggage and a smile on his face.

"Hey squirt," Jamie greeted with a grin, lugging his suitcase behind him. "You're looking terrible."

I rolled my eyes, still in my pajamas with my hair thrown up in a messy bun. "Shut up and come here."

We embraced tightly, his strong arms enveloping me in a comforting hug. Jamie had grown taller and more muscular since I last saw him, inheriting our father's brown hair and emerald eyes, along with our mother's gentle smile.

Moments later he could feel his t-shirt getting wet

"It's alright, I'm not going anywhere. I'll always come back to you," Jamie reassured me, patting my back and soothing my tears.

"Right, right, I'm sorry. Come on inside. I've got your favorite breakfast cooked just right," I said, wiping my tears and ushering him in.

"Right, hopefully it isn't burnt this time," he joked.

"Oh, shut up," I replied, attempting to give him a playful punch, but he dodged gracefully and raced to the dining table, ready to gorge himself.

Ashley shook her head and picked up the newspaper from the table, her focus now on scouring through the adverts for a suitable job.

"What are you doing, squirt? You never struck me as one interested in the papers," Jamie said between mouthfuls of food.

"I'm searching for a job," Ashley replied, her brows furrowed as she continued to skim through the paper.

"Wow, finally! Congratulations. Took you long enough, I was getting worried, really," Jamie jubilated.

"Yeah, yeah, such a momentous event," Ashley replied, rolling her eyes as she continued her research.

"What jobs are on your mind? Something like your old one?" Jamie inquired.

"Yeah, something like that, but I'm thinking a position as a PA would be perfect too," Ashley replied.

"Unless you get stuck with a shitty boss," Jamie remarked.

"Hey, be optimistic. And don't make me change my mind," Ashley retorted.

"Point taken," Jamie conceded with a grin.

I rolled my eyes and continued to peruse the newspaper. My eyes were drawn to a particular job listing that stood out among the others—a position as the personal assistant to the CEO of Knightdale Tech, Ryan Knightdale. The prestigious company's name immediately caught my attention, stirring a mixture of excitement and apprehension within me. Working for such a renowned organization could be an incredible opportunity, but it also meant stepping into a whole new level of responsibility and expectations.

I couldn't help but feel a surge of doubt creeping in. Did I have what it takes to handle such a high-profile role? Would I be able to meet the demands and expectations of someone like Ryan Knightdale? The idea of working closely with a CEO of his caliber was both thrilling and intimidating. I imagined myself navigating the fast-paced world of corporate affairs, managing schedules, and handling important tasks with precision and efficiency.

But amidst my excitement, there lingered a sense of self-doubt. Was I truly qualified for a position of such importance? Did I have the necessary skills and experience to excel in a role that required such a high level of professionalism and competence? The thought of facing rejection or failure gnawed at me, casting a shadow of uncertainty over my aspirations.

"What's up? You've been staring at that for 20 minutes," Jamie inquired, his curiosity piqued as he leaned over my shoulder.

I hesitated for a moment, unsure whether to share my thoughts. "Well, I kinda have a vibe for this, but I'm not sure," I admitted, my gaze fixed on the newspaper.

"The advert's from what company?" Jamie pressed, his interest growing.

"Knightdale Tech?" I responded tentatively, watching for his reaction.

"No way! For real? What's the job posting?" Jamie's eyes widened with disbelief as he processed the information.

"It's for the PA of Ryan Knightdale," I revealed, a mix of excitement and uncertainty swirling within me.

"Damn, Ryan Knightdale," Jamie exclaimed, his expression reflecting the awe many felt when hearing the name. "He's like a tech wizard or something, right?"

"Yeah, he's a big deal," I confirmed, recalling the descriptions I'd heard of Knightdale's genius and influence in the tech world. "Incredibly driven, expects nothing but the best, you know, the whole deal."

Jamie nodded, a grin spreading across his face. "Well, if anyone can handle it, it's you, Ash. You've got this," he reassured me, his confidence in me giving me a much-needed boost.

"But I've been out of work for two years, Jamie. I think I've gotten rusty. Do you really think I'm up for it?" I voiced my doubts, my insecurities threatening to overshadow any sense of confidence.

Jamie sat down beside me, his gaze steady and unwavering. "Ashley," he began, his voice soft but firm, "you've got this. You're smart, capable, and determined. Don't let two years of inactivity define you. You're stronger than you think."

His words hit me deeply, and I felt a wave of gratitude wash over me. With tears threatening to spill from my eyes, I hugged him tightly, finding solace in his unwavering support. "Thank you," I whispered, my voice cho

king with emotion. In that moment, I felt reassured that no matter what challenges lay ahead, I still had Jamie by my side.