“Erik, stay here.
I’m going to check something.
You stay and comfort her.” “Alright, good luck to you,” I say as he exits the room with fire in his eyes.
After a few minutes she recovers again and I help her back to the couch where she puts all 4 letters together.
“Whats going on Erik?”, Ashley asks as she hand me a different letter.
To Mr and Mrs Santiago.
If you are reading this, the mission has succeed and the twins have been exterminated.
Your daughter should have no reason not to marry Jackson now.
If she continues to refuse, we will continue to pressure her until she complies.
I’m sure you know what to do.
Remember, no one else can find out unless you want to lose your life’s work.
“I swiped this from my dad’s study and couldn’t even make it past the first sentence.
You vanished for 15 years just die on me.
I couldn’t take it.
Fortunately you knocked on my door almost immediately after I read it, so thank you for coming back to me.
Idk what I would’ve done if you actually died.” Ashley leans in to me as I grab my phone to call Derricc.
I guess twin power is a real thing because Derricc calls as soon as look at my phone “Erik dude, you aren’t going to believe this.
Her dad has about half of the letter you sent in his office.
No wonder Ashley never got them.
“Bring the letters back, you gotta see this nonsense.
Our favorite person is involved again.” “You’re joking right, please tell me you’re joking.” “You’ll know when you see this.” “Alright but I got something for you as well.” “Ashley, you’ve read the whole letter by now right.” “Yeah, why” “Derricc found a bunch of letters stashed in your fathers study” “Seriously, Erik, you aren’t lying right.” “We’ll see when Derricc gets back.” About 10 minutes later, Derricc makes it back to the room with an arm full of letters.
“here’s a bunch of letters….none of them with photos or money so I can only assume that our dad has them.” “Why would your dad have letter for me?” Ashley asks while sorting through the pile.
Surely he isn’t involved right.” Derricc and I kinda scratch our head and look around, now sure how to answer that question without revealing too much that even we can’t fully explain right.
“Guys, say something, I can’t make sense of any of this.” “The truth is,” I attempt to explain, “our parents hate us, want us gone completely, might even want us dead.” “They’re greedy little charlatans who believe someone else has been taking care of them and think we’re just trying to steal his credit and want us gone from the family.” “You’re joking right, I’ve spent time with your parents over the years and never had that even been a possibility.” Ashley looks so confused right now.
“Well it’s the truth, ever since we were kids to now, our parents haven’t done us right by any means.
I guess I haven’t really brought up my past with you.” “No you haven’t, you’ve always avoided the subject, you and Derricc both.
It’s like you were trying to hide yourselves from me.
Looks like there was a lot more to it.” “Sorry Ashley”, I say as I pull her to me so she can lay on my shoulder.
“It’s not that I didn’t want to say anything, it’s just that there’s nothing to say that was worth your acknowledgment so I just tried to let be put behind me and buried.” “That’s understandable.” I look towards Derricc, “you really need to see this.” Derricc reads the letter and I watch his face go from pure shock, to anger, to frustration, to well, defeated.
“Erik, it’s time we paid a visit to mom and dad.
With any luck we can get some answers as well as maybe find the rest of your letters.” “Let’s go, we need to move on from this.” As Derricc and I get ready to walk out the door, I feel a tug on my shirt.
I look down towards Ashley who has a determined look on her face.
“I’m coming with you, and you aren’t stopping me.” “Are you sure, there’s a chance it could be very unpleasant and I’d hate to expose you to that.
“I.
DON’T.
CARE.
ERIK.” She said and I honestly believe she’s madder now than she was before she shot me in my last life.
“The man I though abandoned me and forgot about me finally comes back to me only to find out I’ve been cheated out of potential happiness that would’ve made the wait more bearable.
I want answers.
I demand an explanation.
She tears up again but not outright crying thankfully.
I don’t want you to leave me again.
I’m scared you’ll never come back again.
She jumps up and koala hugs me, tearing up into my neck.
I look at Derricc and he’s puts his hand up in defeat and jokingly says “looks like I’m driving this time.” I toss him the keys and he takes off to start the truck while I slowly walk out the estate with Ashley still koala hugging me.
I look to the maid who has a suitcase packed already with a smile.
“What’s your name miss.” “Anna” “Looks like you might need to come with us.
Won’t be an issue right.” “I go where the mistress goes master Erik.” I walk up to her “can we trust you.
If we bring you with us, you might not come back to this place.” Anna is 5’3 I have to say.
Is tiny compared to my 6’6 body but she didn’t back down from anything.
As soon as I made my statement, I immediately caught the aura of someone who has seen the worst of the world and isn’t afraid of it.
She walks right up to me and gives a look I only see in someone who can die with no regrets.
“Master Erik, with all do respect, Mistress Ashley saved me from a human trafficking operation and gave me a chance to life a normal life.
If going with you two and risking my life is what the mistress needs, I will be right next to her ready to protect her as needed.” I feel Ashley get embarrassed in my arms and I can’t help but laugh.
“Hang on tight Anna, it might be a bumpy ride.” “Hold on sir what do mean b”- “Hey put me do”- She shrieks as I prop Ashley on one arm and carry Anna with my other arm as I race to the truck so Derricc can book it.
It’s about a 7 hour drive to my parents house from here and it’s already almost 10 in the morning so we’re wanting to be quick.”