Chapter Two

Ashley POV

"Ashley, where have you been?"

"I was out. Calm down, I'm here now, aren't I?

"Thank you so fucking much for gracing me with your goddamn presence. Can we go start now or do you still need to warm up?"

"No, I'm good. I can beat you with one hand behind my back, you know?"

"Ha. We'll see"

"Stop your yapping and serve. You got the ball, right?"

"What? Where are the new ones I brought you yesterday?"

"Something came up and I had to use them. Where's yours?"

"I had to use them too"

"Is it something kinky?"

"Wouldn't you like to know?"

"Seriously Aid, I don't. Go borrow one so I can beat your ass"

It's been a while since Aiden and I played tennis. This is the only sport I am good at. We played a couple of sets and I won, of course. I showered and changed. I was supposed to meet Aiden for lunch at the café of the clubhouse but I'm running late again.

"Wow, I didn't realize up until now that you're such a fucking diva"

"Shut up Aiden. Remember you're in my payroll so technically I'm your boss and I can fire your ass"

"Woo. sorry boss. So what's bothering you?"

"Why do you think something's bothering me?"

"You ask me to play tennis. We only play it when something's up. So what's up?"

I roll my eyes at my best friend. I hate it when he can easily read me like a book.

"Well, I can't seem to finish this song I'm writing and my producer in breathing down my neck"

"So what else is new? I know you too well and I know that's not the thing that's bothering you"

I stare at him and I struggle on telling him what's bothering me. Can I tell Aiden? Of course I can. He already knows my situation.

"Spencer"

"I knew it. It's always about that girl. I don't know why can't you just meet her? You're been infatuated no wait obsessed with this girl for 2 years now and you haven't even met her. Why are you so afraid of telling her who you are?"

"I honestly don't know. We have this connection and I know it's just virtual connection but still this is the longest relationship I ever had, if you want to call in a relationship. I'm just afraid that if she knew who I was and she'll reject me. I don't know if I can live with that kind of rejection"

"What the hell are you talking about? You're Ashley fucking Davies! You're a kick ass rocker chick! You won your first Grammy when you're only sixteen. Everyone in the world knows who you are"

"That's the problem. Everyone knows that version of me. Whenever they say my name, it always goes with drugs, sex and alcohol but that's not the real me not anymore. You know me Aiden the new me"

"I know Ash. You really turned your life around ever since, you know…"

"Yea I know ever since my dad died"

"It was really hard to watch you spiral down Ash I was so afraid that I was going to lose you"

"I know Aid but funny thing is that was the worst and best day of my life Aid"

Flashback

I watch as the news on the television changed my life forever.

"Raife Davies, Purple Venom lead singer, Rock N Roll hall of famer and legend died of a car crash. Witness believe…"

I turned it off. I didn't want to hear it anymore. I just want to drown myself in alcohol, fuck some pretty girl and forget everything, forget this moment, and forget this pain. I know it's a bad idea to be driving when I'm drunk but fuck it I honestly don't give a fuck anymore.

When I woke up, I'm in the hospital. Fuck what just happened? Did I fall asleep on the wheel? Why does my body hurt? When I look down, my body was covered with bruises and my arm is in a cast. Ironically, my dad died no less than 24 hours in a car crash and me, her daughter, is involved in one.

"Good morning Ashley. It's Katie Bell. Do you know where you are? Do you remember what happened?" Katie was my attorney, well my father's attorney.

I turned and look at a short haired blonde middle aged woman standing beside my bed.

"No, I don't. What happened? Did I hurt anyone?" my voice was crack and I was afraid of the answer she was about to give me.

"Thankfully no but your car hit a tree and you're lucky you just got a couple of bruises and broken arm but"

"But what?"

"Since this is your second time for a DUI the court has ordered for community service and drug and alcohol counselling. I will schedule you with the best drug and alcohol counsellor in town, once you're out of this hospital you can begin to meet with him"

"That's what I need, another shrink"

"I know this is hard to hear especially with your dad passing away but I think it's a good idea to speak to someone even if its court appointed"

"Like I have any choice? When can I leave? I want to go home"

"Sure I'll arrange for your release today and I also came here to tell you there will be a memorial for your dad and the band wanted you to perform with them"

"I'll think about it" I close my eyes so she'll know I'm done talking. Katie took my hand and squeezes it lightly. She left in a few minutes.

Once she left, I was left alone with nothing but my thoughts. I hate my dad. I hate him for leaving me. I hate my mom. I hate her for not loving me. I hate myself. I hate that I feel so weak and pathetic. I hate my life. I hate that I'm alone. I just want it to end. I want the pain to end. I cried I don't know how long. I cried until nothing is left. Until I feel numb.

Someone knocked and I see an unfamiliar face smiled at me. His smile was warm and I can see he didn't pity me, the look on his eyes were sad. I can see he's real and sincere, I haven't met anyone like that for so long. He took my hand, it felt warm and caring. He looked at me and smiled. He's like the answer to my prayers, like an angel send to me to help me through this pain. I instantly felt a connection with him, I know he hasn't even said a word and I feel so safe with him. I closed my eyes and focus on only his hands on mine.

My angel sat there for a few minutes, not uttering a word, not breaking the silence. I need it, I appreciate it, and I welcome it.

After a few minutes, I broke the silence. "Hi I'm Ashley"

It was like he was waiting for me to talk, waiting patiently for me to be open up for him, not once pushing me.

"Hi Ashley I'm here to help you, I'm your court appointed counsellor but I can be whoever you want me to be. I can be a friend who can listen, a friend who you can share everything, a friend who can guide and protect you. I can also be your enemy, someone to hate, someone to put all the blame. I can be that for you. I can be anyone you want. I want to be a protector, a mentor, a father?"

My angel said the sweetest words I have ever heard. His voice was gentle and kind. Soon he will be my guide, my mentor, the one who will give me strength, the one I can depend and lean on, the one who will save me. Hot tears fall on my cheeks as I nod at every word he said.

"My angel. My guardian angel" I said.

"I don't know about that but you can call me, Arthur, Arthur Carlin"