Prologue

Ashley

I had enough reasons to cry. But I didn’t, because I wanted to give a last try to my job.

I packed my things as Lara wished for me to win. “Bye, Lara,” I said while taking my phone off the charger.

“Bye. Good luck, sis”

“Thank you” I left the house taking my suitcase and took a cab to the airport.

I am Ashley Jones. I had been a good girl, but not a lucky one. I had been kicked out of my last job and had voluntarily left the preceding one. Not that I didn’t like it, because I just care too much about my self-respect.

And that’s the only thing I am proud of.

I tried applying to many jobs in Russia, but none accepted me. My last boss had made sure that I didn’t get a place in any of them, at least not in this country. Consequently, I have to leave the country and am going to America. I am originally American anyway, I just settled in Russia four years back due to some issues, I really don’t wanna talk about.

“Okay,” I said to the taxi driver as I paid the money with my credit card. He left and I went towards the airport platform.

This is gonna change everything.

“Here” I handed my identity papers to the officer and after all the process, I sat down in the airplane seat. This is not the first time I am on a plane, but I am as afraid as ever.

I don’t know why, but if I can’t get a job in the US either, I will be completely jobless. When mom left us, we always depended on each other. The last two months had Lara working day and night. Now, I have to take this flight so that I can also do something other than eating her hard work.

Literally.

I waited for the plane to take off while I glanced at my wristwatch. 6 AM.

It is gonna take almost 13 hours flying from here to Los Angeles. LA has been my home for quite as long as I can remember and Moscow has been my second one, giving me equal vibes of my ‘own home’.

I almost slept and waited for LA.

I woke up and checked the time. 6:13 AM.

Of the next day, dude.

At least, I am finally reaching there. I had already applied for a job and it is quite an expensive company, but I can quite hold a chance for it because I grew up and was educated in the US, particularly LA, and that is where this awesome company stands.

It is internationally popular, but I guess they respect the citizens of their own state.

I am kind of relative to them, right? I belong to the same state.

If that makes sense.

Anyway, I waited some more, and as I reached there; I took a cab home.

This empty house can be even haunted.

Just kidding.

I went inside and keeping my suitcase down, the first thing I did was calling Lara and letting her know that I made it alive.

“Hey! Guess what? I am alive!”

“Well, that is some really sad news I got. You ruined my mood”

“At least I wouldn’t be there to disturb you and your boyfriend”

“Aish, you are such a jealous girl” she sighed.

I am not, dear. I am happy that at least you have someone in your life you can trust.

“You know I am not”

“Whatever it is, sis. Take care and you know? I will miss you so bad. I’ll visit you on weekends”

“Oh, we can’t pay for that. How can you visit me so much?”

“We will think of a way. Anyway, I gotta go. All the best for your job”

“Thank you” I cut the call with a smile.

I got this, Lara.