DESPERATE

Chapter 26

Ding Dong. Valerie's doorbell rang and a maid opened the door.

"Come in." She said. As soon as Ashley entered Ava came running with smiles towards her. She was wearing a pink shirt and white shorts with pink sneakers. Talk about perfect combo. She grabbed the princess book Ashley held.

"Owen! Ashley's here." She screamed and Ashley just smiled.

Leah walked in with a man. He was tall and muscular, brown hair and dark eyes. He wore a black suit and a butler behind him carried a briefcase.

"Good morning Mr. and Mrs. Whitlock." Ashley greeted.

"Daddy, Ashley bought me a book." Ava screamed with joy running to the man with the book in her hands.

He bent down. "Can I see?"

"Of course." She replied handing the book over.

"Hmm.... Princess Maddison and the witches of Blazar. Sounds interesting huh?"

Ava nodded. Her dad stood up. Owen came downstairs with Valerie.

"I have to go. I'm very late." He said and signalled the butler. "Let's go Leon."

He stopped in front of Ashley. "Thank you for the book." He said.

"No problem." Ashley replied. "Ava's really sweet."

"Bye daddy." Ava and Owen said in unison. With that he left the house.

"Ashley." Leah called her over.

"Yes Mrs. Whitlock."

"That was really nice of you. Since Wednesday, Ava has been disturbing me you would get a new book for her. I just had to imagine what would happen if you didn't."

"Don't mention it. Ava's a really sweet child." She replied. 'Good thing I didn't follow Roy's stupid advice.'

"What's your mom's name?"

"Lily." Ashley said. She didn't really see it fit to say her mom's full name was Lilliana.

"Ok." Leah said as she pressed her lips tight. She wanted to say more.

"Come on Ashley," Valerie said. "Let's go up."

"Wait." Ava said and Ashley looked at her. "Thanks Ashley. Bye." She held Owen's hand and they both ran off.

"When are you girl's submitting the assignment?" Leah asked.

"Next week Friday." Valerie replied.

"Well we plan on finishing the planets today." Ashley added.

"Okay. Good luck."

"Thanks mom." Valerie said dragging Ashley upstairs.

"My cousin brought the base yesterday."

"Really?" Ashley asked.

"Yup."

They entered Valerie's room. In the middle of the room, on top of a table was their base. The platform was blue in colour and had small white stars on it. The rod the planets were to be on were black steel.

"It's awesome." Ashley said.

"I know right."

Mm-hmm. Your cousin really did well."

"So can we start now?" Valerie asked.

"Yeah sure."

After three hours, Valerie and Ashley were done. Ashley sat on the couch and Valerie on the bed.

"It's almost 2pm." Ashley said.

"You want to go home?" Valerie asked.

"Yes."

"Just be here on Monday, so that we can finish up." Val said.

"Ok. Bye."

"Yeah."

"Ashley left the room and went downstairs. She saw Leah sitting on the couch talking to a woman who had blonde hair. Leah's face was like that of anger and the woman had a look of mockery on her face. The two women didn't seem to notice her as they were too occupied in their discussion. As she was about to leave through the door, she heard Ava's voice from behind.

"Ashley are you going?"

Ashley looked back. The door was still open. "Yes."

"When will you come again?" Owen asked.

"Monday." She replied and they smiled.

"Ok. Bye."

"See you." She replied leaving closing the door behind her.

As she walked down the beautiful porch, she passed an overgrown thick hedge. Then she heard a little sneeze. She ignored it and kept on walking until she heard a louder one. She became confused because she had thought she was the only one outside. She moved back and looked behind the hedge but didn't see anyone. Or thing.

'Strange.' She thought. 'If no one was here then where did the sound come from?'

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