Ash

*zzz* *zzz*

My phone vibrated. With one single swipe using my index finger, I pulled my WhatsApp notification down to read. It was from Dawn. It reads, "Ash, can we meet up at our usual place like now? I will wait for u."

I quickly typed on my handphone while I cleared my sweat with a towel. I grabbed and donned my jacket. I locked up the main door and headed for my garage.

It had been a couple of weeks since I last drove my car, to be exact, my dad's car. A beastly modified ten-year-old Ford Mustang. Oddly, this was the same car that my parents had an accident with. As to how it was repaired to its current pristine condition. Shaun, yes Serena's father, kindly brought it to a well-known repair shop to get it fixed. He even said that this car was planned as a gift from my father for me when I got to a legal age to drive. Despite the sad memories, I still drove it as a sign of respect and gratitude to my father.

*VRROOMM*

The 1000 horsepower engine kicked off as I stepped onto the accelerator. Very few people knew I could drive, let alone owing this Mustang, except for Dawn...

As fast as I could, I arrived at the promised location which was an elevated shoreline whereby there were fences dividing me from the land and the sea.

At one glance, Dawn was nowhere to be found, until I walked further down. She was sitting on the steps leading to the waters.

I called, "Dawn!"

The girl turned her head, looking into my auburn eyes. Though late at night, I could see her tears running down from the edge of her eyes. She was clearly crying. I also choked on her tears.

I quickly sat close beside her and patted my right hand on her back, wanting to reassure her and comfort her.

"Ash," she cooed in a weak and choked voice as she rested her head on my right shoulder.

"Everything is alright, Dawn, don't worry, you can share with me," I replied her, consoling her by petting her head.

I shifted myself more to the right, allowing her to rest more comfortably.

We stayed in this position as I watched her doze off. Her cute face was irresistible to look away even though the night scene was beautiful with many visible stars.

For don't know how long, Dawn suddenly woke up and said, "Sorry."

She quickly lifted her head as my eyes were still locked onto her. I knew I had to reply but my mouth just refused to open.

"Ash," she started as she looked into my eyes.

She carried on, "Sorry about just now, I was just abit dizzy from the beer I drank."

"It's ok," I replied with a reassuring tone, "May I ask a question?"

"You must want to ask why I have asked you here, right?" she answered.

I nodded my head, still maintain eye contact with hers.

She explained, "I just made my boss mad just now so he fired me. Also, my tenant will kick me out of my home tomorrow and if I don't get a place to stay in, my little cub and I will have to live in the streets or perhaps under the bridge and eventually starve to death."

I asked, "How is your little cub?"

"Oh, him, he is fine, just very disturbing especially when he cries at night." Dawn chuckled at the thought of her two-year-old son.

In order to raise her child, Dawn had to do several odd jobs, some only lasted several weeks before being fired and some fired her when the bosses knew she had a child. It is this discrimination that the society has had against 'underaged' parent. In addition, she also moved between rental studio apartments many times this year. Poor and pitiful girl.

"Well, if you don't mind, you could stay at my house temporarily?" I suggested.

"NO, no, I cannot accept anything more from you, you have helped me too much," Dawn jerked her head away from my comfortable shoulder.

"Ok, then I charge you rental for one room, is this fine? At the end, I have a few rooms empty." I suggested to her again.

"That's better. Ash, you know I still want to be independent." Dawn said, resting her head back on my shoulder.

I patted her head. We continued chatting while we admired the night city scenery in front of us. The lights from the high-rise buildings and commercial buildings made the scenery extremely beautiful.

Dawn said, "Thanks, Ash, thanks for accompanying me this night, I think I should head back home to look after my boy."

I asked, "Aren't you moving to my home?"

"I will tell you tomorrow, I think it is very late now, you still have school tomorrow,"

"Then at least let me drive you home," I requested.

Dawn thanked me and we board the Mustang.

Upon arriving below her current rental apartment block, she from the passenger seat flew over to me and gave me a kiss on my left cheek. I froze

She giggled, "Thanks for tonight, you really helped me a lot."

She alighted by herself. Once she disappeared from my sight, I touched the left side of my cheek. It was hot.

---

The next day after school, I held onto my phone, waiting for that someone to message me. Even until I reached my doorstep, no one texted me or called me.

Disappointed, I slowly twisted the doorknob and walked in. When I raised my head, I saw someone sitting on my couch in my living room.

"Grace?" I murmured.

"Surprised to see me, Ash?" Grace questioned.

"Uhh," I stuttered for words.

"Let me get this straight to the point. I still need to return home to prepare dinner. Why did you steal the money from Serena? Is the allowance I gave you every month insufficient?" she asked.

"No, just that my friend needed this amount of money and I didn't have-" I replied.

"That isn't a good enough reason, tell me what have you been spending your money on, don't you have some savings?" Grace questioned.

"The way I spend my money has nothing to do with you!" I rebutted.

"Yes it does, I gave you the money to spend every month!" she answered sarcastically.

"But you held onto the insurance claim that I am supposed to get from my parents' death!" I retorted, this time louder.

"You are too young to have it!" she bellowed.

"I am over 18 already! I can take care of myself and the money!" I argued back.

"Fine, you win, how about Serena?" Grace asked.

"What about her!" I replied, still in an angry tone.

"Are you still going to hide the truth from her?" she asked in a wary tone.

"Yes," I answered in a definite tone.

"But."

"Grace, I don't want Serena to feel bad. I just want her to remember those happy moments, not bear the burden of being a person who indirectly causes my parents' death. I know her too well, she will take all the responsibility if I tell her." I explained.

"Ok, I understand but... still."

"No buts," I cut her, "If there is nothing else, Grace you may leave, I need to study," I cut her.

---

Since the day Dawn moved into my house, my home became more lively in years, especially that boy of hers.

During weekdays, the baby will be taken care of by Dawn's mother, Johanna. However, Dawn always returns home very late so we seldom see each other.

Weekends are the times where all three of us will be together. We will visit the malls. Now, this was our third weekend together.

"Ash, where are we going today?" Dawn asked as she was holding onto her son's hand.

"To the baby shop to buy some new clothes!" I exclaimed excitedly.

"But I don't have the money for that," Dawn replied.

"Then I can pay first, look at this boy, he needs some new clothes," I commented, pointing to the clothes the boy was wearing

"Ash, we really don't need, plus you have helped us a lot. I cannot accept anything more," Dawn declared as she gave a frown face to Ash.

"Ok, ok, we don't go there. At least let's go out and get some fresh air. Even if you don't want, your baby needs" I sighed in defeat.

"Fine, let's go!"

First of all, we visited a well-known pastry store to get some snacks to eat. We enjoyed some macaroons, two slices of their speciality cakes and two creme brulee to feed our stomachs.

Dawn chuckled at me as I gobbled down the food.

"You are really a big eater, Ash!" she exclaimed as she proceeded to feed her son.

---

Shortly, after finishing our food, we arrived at the famous Lavender Park. It was a chilly place with a good breeze. The hue of purple sumed up the whole place.

I decided to start the conversation and asked, "Dawn, how's your work?"

"Uh, why did you ask?"

"Well," I stuttered as I rubbed my index finger below my nose, "I just want you to know, perhaps, I can help share your burden."

"Nah, I'm fine. I'm quite happy with my new job and don't worry." Dawn quickly replied.

Out of the sudden, my stomach grumbled in hunger. He apologised in his usual way, "Greez, guess my stomach."

Dawn laughed at me over my childish behaviour, "Seems like we have to get some food again."

"Haha, sorry," I said.

"You don't have to feel sorry, we just need to find a place to eat!" Dawn answered

"I just know the right place, let me bring you there," I exclaimed.

"Great, let's go before it gets crowded," Dawn agreed as the sun started to turn glowing orange.

Upon arrival at my desired restaurant, Dawn questioned my suggestion, "Ash, are you sure?" as she pointed to the restaurant.

"Yes, why not?"

Dawn closed into my ears and whispered softly such that no one around us can read, "But this restaurant is very expensive, I don't think I can afford."

I ignored her and approached the staff and asked for a table for two plus a baby chair.

Dawn, still hesitant and reluctant over Ash's choice, followed Ash into the restaurant and planned to order perhaps the cheapest meal in the whole menu, just a plate of fried rice.

I stopped Dawn from ordering and told her, "Don't worry, I'm paying for this meal, just order whatever pleases your stomach."

"But Ash, it does not please my conscious, I didn't do anything for you, I cannot expect you to pay so much for just a dinner, we could have bought something nice for ten times cheaper than this," Dawn replied.

"Okay, waiter, just take her order," Ash spoke to the waiter.

We took turns to feed the boy, Ryan. Once, he vomited the food I fed him. I thought he was trying to make me look stupid. Dawn then chuckled over my stunned look and told me off, analysing the vomitus, "This piece of meat is too big for him, you have to cut it into smaller pieces for him to chew."

Upon returning home and resting Ryan back into his baby cot, Dawn came over to the living room to join me. Noticing her presence, I asked, "Has he slept?"

"Yeah."

"Ash, thanks for today, I have never felt this relaxed before," she replied as she took a seat beside me on the sofa.

She added, "Ash, I owe you big time, I don't know how I can repay you."

I can feel her sadness, growing inside her.

"Dawn, it's ok!" I replied with a wide grin, "You can always cook for me, haha"

"Food?"

"Yeah, you can repay me by cooking some of the best food!" I exclaimed.

"It's a deal!" Dawn replied excitedly.

---

XXX

"Hehehe, all these pictures, he will definitely be satisfied with them!" I laughed hysterically.

---

Who do you think spied on Ash?
Who uploaded Ash and Dawn pictures?

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To be continued