{Ashley's POV}

I was still recalling moments in my life that had been forced away during my time with Virgil Grimborn and his staff at Fantasies. It wouldn't happen all the time, but occasionally, something would just trigger me to remember. I was happy to have a job because it kept me busy four days a week. Hayden helped me get all the things I needed to work, and then he got me legally employed at his job, Archia Burger. Hayden and I went to the Town Hall to get a certified copy of my birth certificate; then we headed to the Social Security Administration for a reissue of my social security number. Of course, I got a temporary one since they told us it would take a few weeks to come in the mail. The next chore was the Department of Motor Vehicles, and for now, just getting an ID. Hayden promised we'd work on my license, but the ID would work for now. It took us all day to get those three things, but then the next day, we got me set up at his job. I worked Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday; an even number working every other day. I was making $8.15 an hour working from 6 am to about 2-2:30 pm. I would ride in with Hayden, help open the place up, and then at the end of my shift; Eli or Alicia would bring me to Hayden's house. The man had made me a key since I'd get home about four hours before he would.

Upon getting home, I would take a shower, then pull out something for dinner, then start cleaning a bit. If all that was taken care of, and there was still time, I would take a nap until Hayden got back. When that happened, Hayden would take a rinse; then he'd cook, we'd eat, and relax a little with TV, or Hayden would start telling me more about myself to see if it could trigger anything for me to remember. Most of this was spent looking at pictures or videos. I swear that Hayden had an entire archive of documented memories with me in his and his friend's lives. Oh, I had remembered Alicia, Hailey, and Devon, finally. Eli, though, I wasn't expected to remember. According to Hayden, Eli was from Shivering Shores and had moved to Berk, then got a job at Archia Burger. Hayden was technically his boss, but Devon had known him in the past, and that's how Eli integrated into the group of friends. I wish I could remember everything, but it seemed that I only recalled things as far as Sophomore Year. After, it was blank, and if I tried to remember something, I felt this weird pain in my chest; as if something bad happened, and my mind wouldn't let me see what was causing it, what had happened to make me hurt so to speak. Hayden said he'd been looking for me for four years, so had I been taken around that time? I didn't know, and I wanted to, but Hayden has been so busy lately that I don't want to bother him.

At Archia Burger, my job was fairly simple. During openings, I would get the dining room ready, then stock front end and drive-thru. If there were time after all that, I would do some prep work; cutting tomatoes, panning up pickles, onions, and mayonnaise. I would make extra sauce bottles, and help cut lettuce for the sandwiches. Usually, by that time, it was 7:30 am, and the business would be open to the public. In the start, Hayden had me doing dishes or helping the front counter and drive-thru order takers; packing up food, or handing it out the window/over the counter. That was most of my first week as a real employee of the company. Since then, it's been about five weeks, so I've had this job over a month, and I love it. Hayden even got me a bank account with my own debit card and set up direct deposit for me. All my paychecks were in the bank every Friday morning at 12:00 am, but the end of the week closed on Sundays. It seemed confusing at first, but I understood what Hayden meant when I got my first check. The week ran Monday to Sunday, but the checks would take until Friday to be printed and sent to the store. I guess that's why they made payday on Friday. I didn't mind one bit. As I didn't have any bills right now, I just saved everything, and only used what I needed, like lunch at work.

Of course, one of the things I needed to invest in was a cell phone, so I needed to ask Hayden if he wouldn't mind taking me to the store to get one. I made about $218.00 a week after taxes, and as I said, I save it all except for maybe $6 for lunch at work. I believe right now I have $995.00 because I paid Hayden back for purchasing the copy of my birth certificate, which had been $15, then he also paid for my ID, which was $50. I had to pay him back because he'd done so much for me, but in truth, I didn't think that $65 covered all he'd done since finding me and getting me out of Fantasies. One of the biggest things I've remembered is that Hayden is my best friend, and he'd do anything for me. I just wish I wasn't still afraid of messing up and making him mad. It was sad to say, but technically, Hayden owned me. I know he's said more than a thousand times that he's just my friend, and helping me out, but honestly, I feel like I can't leave him. I didn't understand why, but that's how I felt. I was happy to know all my friends were settling into their lives, and happy too. I frequently wondered if I would ever meet someone and end up with a husband and kids. I guess it didn't matter because I was pretty happy where I was now with Hayden.

I had work today, and it was currently 5:30 am. Hayden and I were awake, showered, and dressed. I was eating breakfast with Hayden, both of us enjoying coffee, and waiting for 5:50 when we'd leave for Archia Burger. I suppose now would be as good a time as any to ask Hayden if he'd take me to get a cell phone.

"Ha-Hayden?" I said as he looked at me.

"What's up?" Hayden replied, smiling.

"I-I was wondering if you could take me to the store on your next off day?" I inquired.

"I'm sure I can arrange that," Hayden chuckled. "If you need something today, I can pick it up on my way home tonight?" he offered.

"Hayden, I'm not gonna make you buy me tampons for when I inevitably get my period next week. Also, I was kind'a hoping to get a cell phone," I mentioned softly.

"I wouldn't have minded, Ash, but sure. I'll take you on Thursday, that's my next one," Hayden informed.

"Thank you," I smiled, then continued eating my breakfast. Things had been better since I began remembering things because now I didn't as many nightmares. Though I wouldn't admit it to Hayden, I liked when he came into the room to hold me; it was comforting. However, in all the joy, there was sadness too. Hayden and our friends spoke of me being this smart, funny, sarcastic at times, and fierce girl, but that's not how I felt. I feel small, weak, nervous, and broken. I don't know what girl they knew, or who I was, but it's not me anymore. I wish I could be okay again, but I felt like it would never happen. I lived in constant fear of messing up and getting hurt, and I had this unnerving feeling that if I trusted someone too much, I'd get betrayed. I don't know why I felt that way, but I did. I assume it had something to do with my past; the parts I couldn't seem to remember yet.

(Archia Burger; 11:43 am)

Hayden had taught me front register, fry station, runner, and drive-thru corner as far as positions went in the business. I learned fries and runner first; then corner was running for the drive-thru. I just learned register about two days ago, and he decided to let me have a go at taking customers on my own today. I was signed and banked on, and thankfully it had been slow. I was wiping things down, trying to keep busy in between customers; I'd only had about fifteen or so since opening, the rest was in the drive-thru.

{Normal POV}

Hayden walked up to Ashley, and she smiled at him. "Doing alright up here by yourself?" he asked.

"Yeah, it's not so bad," Ashley replied.

"That's good. I got some work to do in the office, but if you need anything, you can ask one of the others," Hayden informed.

"Okay," Ashley nodded as Hayden walked away and towards the back office. Ashley took a breath as continued to clean, and keeping an eye for customers. Soon, it was a little after 12 pm, and things were getting busier as they entered lunchtime. Maria was on drive-thru, Eli was doing grill, and Theo on sandwiches. There was another male, Andrew, on fries/corner, and Ashley had front by herself, but Alicia was here, and in the back doing dishes and wiping things down. If it got too busy; she would be coming up to be a runner for Ashley, or assist with transactions if Ashley got stuck. Ashley saw the right door open, and someone approached the counter. Ashley put her rag down, walking over to the register, and signing in.

"Will this be for here or to go today?" Ashley asked sweetly.

"Well, well. If it isn't Divine Beauty," said the voice. Ashley froze, but she forced herself to look at the customer and found it to be one of Virgil's clients. Ashley began to shake. "So, Virgil let you leave to get a day job, how cute. You gonna be at Fantasies later because it's been a while for us," he taunted. Ashley closed her eyes. "Hey, I'm talking to you bitch. Answer me!"

The obedience took over. "I-I don't work there anymore," Ashley managed to get out. "What can I get for you, sir?"

"You can come with me to the bathroom and work up my appetite a little more," the man replied.

"No," Ashley said.

"Excuse me? Did you just refuse an order?" the male glared as Ashley tried to remain strong.

"Yes, because I don't work for him. I was set free," Ashley informed.

"Pfft, yeah right. Virgil would never let his money maker go. Maybe I should call him, and say that you're not listening?" the male threatened. Instantly, Ashley's fear broke through as she shook her head quickly. Alicia had walked up next to Ashley.

"You stuck, Ash?" Alicia asked. Ashley shook her head silently, and Ashley knew something was wrong. Ashley glanced at the customer, seeing his grinning face.

"Well, Ashley? Should I call your boss and make him set you straight?" the man asked. Alicia understood now; this man must have been a client to Virgil, Ashley's old master.

"You know, that's a great idea. Let's call him. HAYDEN!" Alicia yelled. Hayden came out of the office and approached the register.

"Yes?" Hayden replied while looking between Alicia, Ashley, and the customer. Ashley had her head down, and she was shaking.

"This wasn't the boss I was referring to; I meant her other one for the night job. The girl knows what she's supposed to when his clients come around," the man stated. That's when Hayden understood what was happening. This person must have been a higher paying customer for Virgil, and had Ashley at one time, maybe more.

"I'm afraid you have the wrong girl. My employee only has the one job, and she's currently working it," Hayden stated.

"Nah, I know this beauty anywhere. She's divine with more than just her looks," the man smirked. Okay, that did it.

"It's time for you to leave," Hayden remarked.

"I haven't had my order taken yet," the man protested.

"I don't care. This is my business, and I won't let you speak to or about my employees the way that you are. Alicia, take Ashley to the back and into the office please?" Hayden said. Alicia nodded as she carefully pulled Ashley towards the office.

"I'll just call her master and straighten this out," the man huffed.

Gods, he was going to hate using this. "You're looking at him," Hayden informed. "I'm her master, now that we have that established, leave,"

"Hah. You, her master? I don't believe it," the man laughed.

"You don't need to, but I bought Ashley from Virgil in April to free her from him. Ashley's not a slave, and you'd do well to keep away from her because not only is she my employee, she's my best friend and under my protection. Feel free to call him if you don't believe him. Ask him if he remembers a Hayden Haddock," Hayden invited. The man scoffed as he called Virgil.

"Hey, you sell Beauty to some kid named Hayden Haddock?" the man said through the phone. "Cuz I found the girl at Berk's Archia Burger, and this guy stepped up and said he bought her," silence a moment. "Oh. Well, I'll see you tonight," then he hung up.

"Get out," Hayden ordered. The man quickly left. Hayden sighed as he saw other customers. "I'll have someone right out to help you," he said as he went to the back. "Alicia, sign on to the second register, and take care of the customers, please?"

"Will do," Alicia exited the office as Hayden closed the door and knelt in front of Ashley.

"Hey, are you alright?" Hayden asked her. Ashley was quiet, and still shaking a bit. "I made him leave, and he won't be back, Ash. Don't worry, you're safe from that guy, and anyone else who wants to make a go at you," he said gently. Ashley looked up at him slowly as Hayden saw her void eyes. Hayden had only seen that look back when he first found her, the one when she was nothing more than acting as an obedient, mindless, slave.

"Yes, Master," Ashley said tonelessly. Hayden's eyes widened a bit. Okay, this wasn't good if she had reverted back to that. However, Hayden wasn't giving up, this was only a minor setback.