INSEPARABLE

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Ashton's POV

"I brought you back. You've always loved Jake and I forcefully took the right of being with him away from you."

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"What are you saying?"
She looks at me dumbfounded. Placing the basket beside her feet.

"Shay-"

"No Ashton! You can't keep making decisions about my life and happiness like this."
She says pounding. Her eyes welling up. I know this is what she always wanted. Walking out of this apartment without Shay will probably destroy every ability to fall in love again. It will kill me emotionally. This was going to happen eventually. I was just childishly being ignorant.

"I know, I'm sorry. Look at this," I  hand her a file with divorce papers in it.

" You can sign them. I just want to see you happy."

"Ashton have you ever cared to ask how I feel for you?I mean, you can't read a book on its cover and expect to understand the inside of it."

"I loved Jake but I love you now Ashton!"

My eyes widen. I can feel butterflies - I mean the whole zoo in my stomach. These are the words I've been meaning to hear. Her telling me she loves me heals every open wound. It eases every pain in my body emotionally and physically.
This is the girl I want to be with. The one I want to spend the rest of my life with.

"Shay, stop lying to yourself. You can only ever love me."
Jake held Shay's hand and she snatched it away.

"Ashton, If you don't take me away from here I'll leave. I'll never be okay with the fact that I once fell for a rapist and a murderer." She took the baby carrier basket and stood by my side.

Just then, Jake pulled out his gun and so did I.  Police sirens whizzled around the building.

"Shay leave. Take the child with you."
She hesitated. Her stubbornness kicking in.

"Put your gun down Ashton! Shallo if you move an inch with my baby, I'll kill Ashton." Jake glances at Shay Say then to me.

"Put the gun down Ashton before I end your life. I won't tell you again." I stood in front of Shay. If she's gonna die, we are gonna die together.

A police man budged in through the back door just and tuckled Jake to the ground. I release a breath I didn't know I was holding putting my gun away.

"Mr Santos, you're under arrest for the murder of Danny Santos." It's  indeed a pity, Jake killed his own sister for his selfish desires.

"This is not over Ashton."
He looks at me, his eyes burning with rage. I leave not looking back.
I'm the happiest man today.

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Shallo's POV

"My gang has its all faith in you Shallo. If you fail this, I'll lose everything I've ever worked for."

Frank sounds vulnerable talking about his gang. He's expecting so much out of me today.

I put on his gang's uniform. A black t-shirt and black pants with black sneakers. I pull on a black bucket hat similar to the one Ash was looking for back at camp.

Flashback...

"Shallo, that's a N$500 hat. It's not supposed to touch the ground."

End of flashback

I beam so hard at the memory to the point where I forgot Frank is next to me.

"You know, I thought my son was crazy until I saw you."
I chuckle and he hands me a black and yellow file.

I go through the file and he led me out. I still don't know how Frank and I came to this point where he trusts me with his industry.

"I trust you."
He walks to my side and pats my shoulder.

Ashton comes out all classy. His clothing similar to mine. He opens the door for me and I got in the passenger seat. After a twenty minute drive. He drives into the parking lot of a three story building. I see about ten men guarding the entrance.
Ashton took the lead. We enter into an elevator with two other men. It stopped in front of a ballroom.

He led me in and I scan the inside of it. Hundreds of man dressed in fancy suits sat around the huge table.

"Mrs Mustafa. Thank you for joining us. We were just waiting for you." A man in his mid 40s welcomed me and I professionally nod my head.

"Please present your project."
What project is he talking about?
Frank didn't tell me about any project.

I look around, meeting different pairs of eyes. It feels like I've walked in the wrong place.

Ashton pulls out the book I have been reading. He must have noticed how uneasy I am.

"What am I supposed to do?"
I whispered and he snickered.
He opens the book and flipped over to the last page. He pulls out a chip and inserted it in a projector.

'60 years ago. The Mustafa industry joined forces with about 6 groups in Angola. Saurimo was set as the origin of the troops. About 10 congresses were held. 4 more groups were created in Luremo, getting better access to the Cuango river.

The industry established about 3 more industries which placed the name, Mustafa in the top 5 of the 10 industries that emerged in the country.  Missions after missions where organised. The leader of the industry Joao K Mustafa brought the industry to the Southern part of Angola, where he served as King. A few of the Ambo people grabbed this opportunity and joined, making it 5 extra groups. Adding up to a total of 15 groups.

The industry provided for different nations. It took in different homeless people. It protected the women and children.

10 years ago Frank Mustafa, the rightful heir took over and through rivals with The blades, his father, King Kalungi died. 

"That is a misconception. Joao died out of his own carelessness. I had nothing to do with it."

A dark skinned man about 40 years of age stood up and  defended himself. His eyes averted from my audio recording on the huge projector screen to Ashton and I. If looks could kill, we would be long buried.

"River, no one mentioned anything about you having anything to do with my grandfather's death. The audio only spoke about The blades which had many leaders before you." Ashton shouts and Andre walked in the ballroom dressed in the same uniform.

"Ladies and gentlemen, The blades have been responsible for most of the deaths that occurred in the country. I'm not making choices for you. But think about the well being of the nation."
I finally said when the audio recording had stopped. I hear  mumbles arousing from all corners of the ballroom.

"Save the Mustafa industry."
I declared, finally.