Toxic Devotion

Chapter 31: trust issues

Ashley's p.o.v

'You didn't have to do that' I told Dylan as we were both sitting in the kitchen of the restaurant.

'He's insane ashley, like seriously he's asking you to marry him and you just met, I wanted to strangle him' Dylan snapped.

'You did strangle him' I laughed as Dylan let down a low chuckle.

My phone rang, I saw that it was a private number.

'Who's that?' Dylan asked.

'I don't know' I said answering.

'Ashley it's me, April'

'April?' I frowned.

'Yes I'm willing to drop everything, travel and take you with me somewhere' she said.

'Wow what?' I asked her, Dylan was trying to grab the phone but I didn't let him.

'I was never a mom to you ashley, and since I screwed up with raising the first child, I don't wanna regret my whole life for not being there for you, I want to let this whole gang thing behind, and travel somewhere far, I'll ensure you education, college, everything, I just need you to come with me. I'm leaving tomorrow. Please ashley, I'm trying to fix everything, I'm trying to be the good person I once was' she sighed.

'I don't know what to say, April, you can't ask me to leave everything and go with you. Yes, you were never a mom to me, I don't know you, and the things I've heard about you show that I can't trust you. Now, I have a family, I can't throw them all away for you. Just like you threw me away' I answered.

'Ashley, I just..you never once called me mom' she cried.

'You never gave me the chance to' I teared up a bit.

'Tell her to shut her bitch ass up' Dylan yelled next to me as I glared at her.

'Ashley, I'm sorry, I am so sorry. You have no idea how sorry I am. I realized that I'll keep on living unhappily the rest of my life if I don't fix things with you. I wanna know you better. I want you to take advice from me. I wanna see you in that prom dress. I don't want to be stripped of my title mom anymore' she cried.

'April' I started but she interrupted me 'I wanna hug you, just like I used to do with your sister Mia, who suicided because of how careless and emotionless I was, I don't want that happening to you' she said. 'Meet me tomorrow in the alley next to Starbucks, I need to see you before I leave' she told me.

'Okay' I agreed hanging up. I was speechless.

'What did she say?' Dylan asked.

'She wants to fix everything' I sighed.

'Hah, everything will be fixed when I kill her' Dylan laughed.

'You can't do that' I glared at him.

'Why? Seriously ash, she sheds one tear and that's all it takes? She fills your head with hopes and dreams that are never gonna come true because I've seen people like April, they are heartless, selfish, and she's probably doing that to hurt your brother Valentino, since he's part of my gang' he threw at me.

'Dylan, don't make it worse' I snapped.

'Really ash? She got you crying because she told you those few words? Is it because you clung on to each person who gives you a bit of attention? You make them your whole life and then where does that leave you? At the end of day before you fall asleep you realize you were just vulnerable and weak' he spat before I slapped him. I then stood up and got in his face.

'You really think you know me don't you? I am not weak, I am not vulnerable. And in fact the difference between you and I is that I am actually nice. You know you always pretending to be this strong tough person, and that nothing fazes you, you know what do we call that? That is weakness, that is pure weakness, yeah cause at least I have the balls to talk about my feelings unlike you. Gosh ever since we started dating not even once you opened up to me, I tell you everything, but you? All you do is snap on people! What are you jealous that I have a family that cares about me?' I yelled. Then when I realized what I said at the end I covered my mouth in shock.

'Dylan I am so sorry' I cried he simply stared at me.

'No why are you apologizing? I don't need your apology ash, you just said I'm jealous of the wonderful family you have' he shrugged.

'You know that's not true, I was mad, you even said words that are hurtful' I told him.

'Aw, you got hurt? Well I'm sorry I didn't mean to hurt you darling' he drawled.

'I know you're mad at me that's why you're like this' I spoke as he was about to leave.

'You know why I told you all of this? It's because you remind me of myself when I was younger, but you get used to being numb after life fucks you over many times' he sighed.

'Dylan' I said grabbing his arm.

'Not in the mood' he finally said leaving.