One month later... I hummed to myself as I plugged in the Christmas lights that I had wrapped on my arms, checking to make sure that every light flickered. "All of these work, NuNu," I called to Shownu who walked over and untangled the lights from my arms and went to put them on the tree. Everyone was busy getting decorations put up for Christmas, one of my favorite holidays. I did have a surprise for them that I had made a month ago. I grabbed the box and walked over to the kitchen table, setting it down carefully and cut the tape off. "What's in that box," Minhyuk asked as I smiled. "I have a surprise for you guys," I said, opening the box and carefully pulled out a case and opened it. Jooheon walked over and looked inside before picking up the ornament, "is this me?" I nodded as I passed out the ornaments, everyone staring at their mini figures. "Where did you get these," Changkyun asked as I held up mine. "I know the company who makes them for WWE and requested a new one of me and had you guys made. It's a small gift for you from me," I said as we each hung up our figures. "Thank you so much. Now the tree looks ten times better," Kihyun said as Wonho held up the star towards me. "Since this will be our first Christmas, you should put the star on top," he said as Changkyun placed his hands on my hips. "Really? Okay," I said as he lifted me up so I could place the star on top, plugging it up before he set me back down, keeping his arms around me as we looked at the tree. "Time for a family picture," Minhyuk said as he got the camera set up. I straightened out my long sleeve black shirt before Changkyun pulled me closer to him, kissing my cheek as everyone gathered around as the camera flashed. "This is going to be a fun Christmas, especially with you being here, baby," Changkyun whispered as I smiled at him. "I'm glad that I'm spending it here with you guys, especially you, Kyunnie." He smiled as everyone started doing their own thing as my phone rung. I pulled it out, answering it without looking at the screen, "hello? Hey, Paul. Yeah," I said, stepping away from Changkyun to see what was going on. "Hey, Ashley. I don't mean to call you during the holidays, but I have some news to tell you," Paul said with a heavy sigh. "What is it," I asked, moving away from the others and stood by the backdoor, looking outside. "I tried my hardest for you. I really did, but I don't have control over the main roster," he explained. I felt my heart begin to drop as an uneasy feeling washed over me, "is it about my request? You said that it was fine." Paul sighed, which meant that something must've happened. "Vince liked the idea, but he decided against it and called it off. He also decided against having you win the royal rumble since that'll be your first match back and he's afraid of you getting injured," he explained. Pain shot through my chest as tears filled my eyes, "so he doesn't have faith in me anymore?" "He's preparing for Asuka to get called up and since she's undefeated, he wants her in the title picture right now. So your match will not be happening," he said as I dropped my head, a sad smile on my face, "he wants you to feud with Nia when you return to build you back up." "No. I'm not working with her. I'm not doing it. Can't you talk to him," I asked, running my fingers through my hair. "I tried, but the old man is stubborn. The best I can do is bring you back to NXT if you want," he said, "he's preparing for Ronda to sign so he wants to stars in the title picture." I scoffed as I shook my head. "So screw me, right? I worked my ass off. This was supposed to be my time. I was promised a title shot when I returned. Everyone else gets their title shots when they return, but I don't? Favoritism at its finest," I scoffed, anger overtaking my sadness. "It's not like that, Ash. He just doesn't think that you have what it takes to hold a title on the main roster yet, but you know that I've always seen your talent. That's why you're the longest reigning NXT women's champion. So how about when you return, you return to NXT where you're actually appreciated?" I bit my lip as I processed everything. My dreams were crushed and the company that I loved so much has turned its back on me. Fresh tears filled my eyes as I decided to do what's right for me. "Okay, I've made my decision," I began as Paul sighed with relief, "thanks for the offer, but no thanks. I quit." With that, I hung up the phone, putting it on Do Not Disturb as I stared at the sky. "Baby? What's going on," Changkyun asked, pulling me back to reality, realizing that everyone heard everything I just said as I turned to face them, "what's wrong? Are you okay?" I dropped to my hands and knees as tears rolled down my cheeks, my body trembling as I began to cry. "Ashley?!" Changkyun ran over to me, helping me to my feet as I buried my face into his chest, wrapping my arms around him. "What's wrong? Who was on the phone," Jooheon asked, walking over and rubbed my back, trying to soothe me. "Everything is ruined. It's over. It's all over," I cried, "they declined the idea of me winning the rumble, having you guys perform, and I'm not even in the title picture. They gave up on me and I knew that it was going to happen." Changkyun petted my head as he held me, everyone looking on with concern and confusion. I wiped my eyes and took a few deep breaths, "they wanted me to feud with Nia, the same woman who injured me. They don't think I'm ready to hold a title yet. He even had the nerves to offer me a place back in NXT, the brand that I was stuck on for years while so many were called up before me." "So we're not performing," Jooheon asked as I looked at him. "I'm sorry, everyone. I got your hopes up for nothing, thanks to a company who turned their back on me. I'm not feuding with someone who's reckless in the ring," I sighed. "So what are you going to do now? Your return is next month," Wonho asked. "Not anymore," I said, "I'm not going to get lied to and get all of these fake promises and my health is way more important than making their company money. So I quit." "What? But isn't that your dream job," Changkyun asked and I nodded slowly. "Sometimes, you have to give up something no matter how badly you want it to find and have true happiness," I said, "I could always go to another company, but I have to wait ninety days, which is a clause in our contracts that states that if we're released or quit, we're not allowed to go anywhere until those ninety days are up." Jooheon and Changkyun shared a look as I sighed and pulled out my phone and sent a message out, thanking the fans for the love and support over the years and that we'll see where the road takes me, posting it on my social media, removing the WWE out of my name and bios. "So, um," Changkyun stuttered, blushing as I looked up at him, "what...um..." "What are you going to do now," Jooheon asked for him. "There's really nothing that I can do. I have to wait until those ninety days are up before I can sign anywhere else," I shrugged, "I guess it's YouTube and TikTok for me for the time being." "Ninety days...so are you going to stay here then," Kihyun asked, all eyes on me. "I've probably overstayed my welcome. It's going on three months already. I pretty much moved in here," I joked, Changkyun clearing his throat, "I'll just stay at my place for a while until I have to leave." "Why would you leave,"Minhyuk asked, "we love you and love having you around." "He's right. Honestly, you should just live here," Jooheon said, Changkyun's eyes widened in surprise. "What? Me live here? That's a little much, don't you think?" "I agree with Jooheon. We love you here and we know that you love being here," Minhyuk said. "Plus if you wanted to return so badly, you would have some of your stuff packed already since you had to leave in a few weeks," Kihyun pointed out, "be honest with yourself. You didn't want to return anyways, right? Because you knew that it wouldn't really make you happy." I crossed my arms, a small smile on my face, "I will admit that part of me actually don't want to leave, but I have...well, I had a job and dreams that was all I lived for. Now, I have to find a new dream and a new job for a while." Changkyun scratched his head before looking at me, "are you up for a ride, baby?" I raised an eyebrow as I looked at him, "sure. Where are we going?" Despite him not giving me an answer, I still went with him as we got in his car and left the dorm. "I kind of figured that you need to clear your mind and forget about everything," he said as he drove. "I'm fine, Kyunnie, but if it means having you all to myself then fine," I said, staring out of the window. Decorations were everywhere, Christmas lights lighting up the streets as the sun began to set. Changkyun continued to drive until we reached the studio and parked. We got out of the car, the cold breeze making me shiver as he led me inside. It has been months since we've been here together, mostly because they've been using it to work on their next comeback and for Changkyun to work on some songs on his own. "Let me turn on the heater," he said, flipping on the lights before turning on some heat for us. I sighed as I walked over to the familiar couch and sat down as he turned on the equipment. "It's been a while since we had a studio date, hasn't it, baby," he said, "I'm sorry for not bringing you sooner." "No. It's okay, Kyunnie. I know that you guys were busy with the comeback and everything so I understand," I said as he smiled at me. "That's why I love you so much, baby. You're so understanding and supportive of not only me, but all of us as a group. We really appreciate you. And you've actually inspired me, baby. Have been for a while actually. I've actually been working on a new song. This guy reached out to me and wanted to work together. It won't be out until early next year since we're making a video for it. Would you like to hear it? I was thinking about you when I was working on it." I nodded eagerly as he started playing music before clearing his throat and stood in front of me and started rapping. His voice was soft and angelic just like last time. He was so confident and carefree as he rap to the music, the slow melody matching his calm demeanor. He walked up to me and pulled me to my feet, turning me around and pressed my back to his chest as he wrapped his arms around me, softly singing to me as we swayed to the music. The song ended, but we didn't care as he kept me in his arms, resting his head on my shoulder. "That was amazing, Kyunnie," I said, turning around in his arms to face him. "Thank you, baby. It's called Horizons. I couldn't stop thinking about you while we worked on it. Hopefully, you and everyone else will love the video once it's complete," he whispered, "you're my inspiration, baby. When I feel like I can't think of anything, I think about you and what we have. I think about all of the events that led us to this. I'm thankful for you, baby. I'm glad that you're a part of my life. I..." He paused as he stared at me hesitantly, his ears and cheeks turning a slight shade of pink. "I want and need you in my life, baby. I want us to have a wonderful, happy, and long life together. I would love it if you would stay here in Korea permanently. I love you, Ashley." He cleared his throat as he got down on his knee, reaching into his pocket and pulled out a little red box, opening it to reveal a diamond ring. "I was going to wait until Christmas, but I don't want to wait. I also wanted to do it privately without everyone else around. Ashley, I love you so much, baby. You're my everything. You're my world. I don't see myself with anyone else, but you. You make me happy and you make me feel like the luckiest man on the planet. I would love for you to move here and be with me as my wife. Will you marry me?" Tears of joy ran down my cheeks as I looked at him. "Are you serious right now," I asked despite the fact that I already knew the answer. "Yes, baby. You've made me so happy in such a short amount of time. I know in my heart that you're the one for me. I want to stay by your side. I want to be the reason you smile. I want to be that shoulder for you to lean on. I want to be your everything, baby. So what do you say? Will you marry me?" "Of course! Yes, I'll marry you, Changkyun," I said as he slipped the ring on my finger, next to the promise ring. He stood up and kissed me, hugging me close as we sealed our love with a tender kiss. "I will always love you, baby," he whispered. "And I will always love you, Kyunnie. Now and forever," I replied as we shared another kiss.