Chapter 3 No Longer Alone
1232 Words
Living abroad alone was tough for Ashley. After class, she would work part-time jobs. She hadn't managed to secure a dormitory room at her university but had to rent a place in a distant suburb and commute by subway to her classes every day.
On weekends, Ashley worked as a waitress in a pizza shop. The female manager offered her a decent wage.
Maria hadn't sent her living costs on time. Since Ashley arrived in London, Maria's number had become unreachable. The money she had was only enough for her tuition fees each semester. Spending any extra money meant she risked not earning enough credits to continue her studies.
When she didn't receive her living costs for the first time, Ashley once called Gabriel. As soon as the call connected, she heard a familiar male voice, deep and slightly husky. It was Gabriel!
Ashley's mouth went dry with nervousness. "Hi, it's... it's me."
"What's up?" His tone was unmistakably impatient.
Ashley paused, biting her lip. "I... I was trying to reach Grandma. I've been calling her, but the system says her number is disconnected?"
"For what?" Gabriel's brows furrowed. How come she still hadn't learned independence? Disappointed, he said coldly, "Do you just can't wait to ask her to pick you up?"
"No..." Ashley hurriedly denied it. "No, Gab..."
Gabriel didn't care to listen to her explanation, hoping his indifferent attitude would prompt her into growth. "Don't call Grandma again. I changed her number just to prevent you from harassing her."
"What?!!" Ashley was astonished, and tears filled her eyes gradually.
She knew he hated her, but she had gone abroad. Wasn't it enough? Was he so determined to cut off her last connection to Grandma?
She had no relatives left. Grandma was the only person in the world who still cared about her...
"Is there anything you wanna say?" Gabriel's patience had worn thin. His tone grew harsh. "Sending you abroad was meant to rid you of your bad habits. You're not a teenager anymore. You need to learn to be independent and not depend on our family like a parasite!! If you have any issues, you can call my assistant. I have a meeting now. See you."
Before Ashley could say anything more, Gabriel had already ended the call. She managed a bitter smile and dialed the number of Gabriel's assistant.
Perhaps it was for the best. At least she wouldn't have to let him see her demeaning position when she begged for money. But this was just self-deception. How could he not know this? He simply didn't care about her.
"Madam, is there something urgent? Mr. Watson is still in a meeting. I need to prepare some documents for him."
"Wait, I do have something urgent!" Ashley interjected and finally voiced her request, "It's about... my living allowance... I, I haven't received it yet. Gabriel said you could deal with it for me..."
The person on the other end paused, and then seemed to understand.
"Oh, I see. I'll check it out and have it transferred to you. The payments are supposed to be fixed monthly, so it shouldn't be forgotten."
"Okay, thanks." Ashley responded, "Could you please urge it for me?"
The person seemed to lose patience. "Alright, just wait for it. I need to prepare those documents now and will get it sorted out later."
The assistant was new. She knew that Ashley was Gabriel's wife, but she was kicked out of the family, so the assistant didn't really care much. Having much work to do, she threw on a casual attitude during this damned phone call that came asking for money.
After that, the call was disconnected.
Holding her phone, Ashley was stunned.
As she went abroad, those people's respect toward her disappeared. She conjured up a bitter smile.
Ashley felt the version of herself begging for money just moments ago was utterly pitiful!
She raised her hand to her flat belly... She closed her eyes, and tears overflowed.
*****
Eight months later, in a slum in London.
Ashley fell asleep in her bed. Her belly was now rounded and protruding.
Her due date was just around the corner. The doctor had mentioned her baby was in an abnormal position, suggesting she be admitted to the hospital early.
Ashley replied with just a smile and said nothing because she couldn't afford it.
She had the final call with Gabriel eight months ago. Even if she asked his assistant to follow up on the living allowance, she still didn't receive any money.
Ashley spent all her savings. Unable to afford the apartment, she eventually moved to a slum.
She didn't contact him again.
She couldn't bear to hear him say she was a parasite.
Once settled in the slum, Ashley found a part-time job, balancing it with her studies.
Though she didn't earn much, she managed to scrape by.
In the midst of a deep sleep, the area erupted in loud shouts.
"It's bad!"
"There's a fire!"
"Everybody, run!"
Ashley was jolted awake. She got out of bed and opened the door. Outside, it was a mess. The smoke billowed, and the flames soared!
Instantly, her face turned pale.
"Ashley!" Her neighbor, also an international student, spotted her.
"Don't just stand here! There's a fire! Run!"
"Oh! Okay!"
Ashley rushed back, grabbing her backpack.
She attempted to go back inside but was stopped by her neighbor. "Are you crazy? Where do you think you're going? Get out now!"
"I can't!"
Ashley stamped her foot in desperation.
Her money was inside the room, which was saved pound by pound for her unborn baby!
It was all meant for hospital bills, diapers, and formula in the future!
"I have to get my money!"
She had barely taken a step back inside when a burning beam snapped and crashed down!
"Ah!"
Ashley reacted swiftly and retreated just in time.
She wasn't injured, but the way of getting inside was now blocked.
"Ashley! Let's go!"
"No!"
Ashley shook her head desperately, broke free from her neighbor, and charged back inside the room.
"Ah!"
A gust of wind blew a fire toward her. Ashley turned away, and the flames licked her lower back, causing her to grimace in pain.
"Ashley!"
Her neighbor quickly pulled her back. "Are you alright?" "I'm fine. Cough, cough..."
She shook her head, but the thick smoke made her cough uncontrollably.
"Come on!"
Her neighbor clutched her tightly. "You can't go back!"
"But..."
"Think of your baby! The smoke can be deadly! Do you want to end up with both you and your baby dead?"
"Move!"
Half-dragged by her neighbor, Ashley finally left the blaze behind.
Now, with a burn on her back and without her money, she could only watch as the old rental was devoured by flames and reduced to ashes.
What was she to do now?
"Ow!"
Suddenly, pain struck her, and Ashley clutched her belly.
"What's wrong? What's happening?"
People crowded around her.
"She's going into labor!"
"Call an ambulance! Get her to the hospital!"
Ashley was rushed to the hospital. After lying on the bed and enduring hours of suffering, she finally gave birth to a child.
As the nurse placed the baby in her arms, Ashley's tears couldn't help but flow, but she smiled. This was her child...
She now had the only relative in the world...
She was no longer alone!
- Writer
