307 Responsibility For Being Born In This Family

"What do you need?" it was Ashton who asked without emotion and Ashley couldn't help but to flinch.

Her brother was always warm towards her even when he was at his darkest times, he always had her best interest in mind and this was the very first time that she heard him speak in such a way towards her.

"I'm asking you what do you need by coming here?" Ashton asked once again when Ashley remained silent.

"I..."

She couldn't look up, no matter how much she wanted to do so, she just couldn't. Not from the pressure coming from their eyes but because their eyes contained no emotion to be read.

They were not showing anger but not any kind of warmth either, as if she was a stranger asking them for help.

'Was this the consequence for being too stubborn on my own beliefs?' she couldn't help but think.

~"You have to understand one thing though, just because you decided to go back after running away doesn't mean that they will welcome you with open arms, it also does not mean that they will get mad at you allowing you to apologize."~

That was Jackson's warning to her last night and she guess he was right, she really does not know what to say or do in this kind of situation.

"I repeat for the third time what is that you needed from coming here?" Ashton once again asked and Ashley felt like crying already.

She didn't know what to do, she couldn't ask forgiveness for they were not showing any anger at her action. She couldn't just tell them she finally decided to go back for they were not showing anything of them welcoming her back.

Then when the silence stretched and she could no longer take it, she finally looked up and met their gaze. No to be more precise his gaze, she didn't notice when but Amber was no longer there in front of her.

"What should I do for the young master of Wright Empire to allow this willful one to return to the Empire?" she asked.

A small light flickered within Ashton's eyes, something Ashley didn't notice at all.

That's right, there is one more thing they wanted her to learn, that is taking responsibility for her actions.

If they were to get mad then her apologizing and reflecting would not be enough but if they were not to show anything then she would have to think of a way to take responsibility and it seems that Ashley have truly grown to understand this part.

If this was the past her, the sheltered one, then she would have just thrown a tantrum. But it seems that her three months away and living on her own even being betrayed and being used by others, as per Jackson's report. Ashley was able to really grow.

"Why do you want to return when you already have a life in here?" he still asked.

"My life here may already be going but I cannot just turn away from the life I had all these time. It was also my responsibility for being born in our family."

'Did Jackson taught her this?' Ashton couldn't help but ask.

"Are you here just because your current teacher had left?"

Ashley though and indeed that was the case when Jackson persuaded her to return, it was because he was being called back to the restaurant.

"Indeed, I will not try to cover it but that was the case. The one who taught me a lot was about to return that I have finally decided that it is time to go back."

Ashton didn't speak, he can hear that she still have more to say.

"I have nothing to say about that, as if coming back was only a last resort to me. But still after a whole night's thought, I knew I really need to come back."

"Not for anyone else but for myself, if I really want to grow then I need to appreciate what I have first."

Ashton stared at her and Ashley didn't back down either, she looked back at her brother filled with resolve.

"Here you go."

It was Amber, she returned with a folder, placing it in front of Ashton and Ashley.

Ashton pushed it towards Ashley, "Very well. Do this and you will be allowed to return to the family."

He had already said this to his parents, sending Ashley not to the family but somewhere else.

When Ashley checked inside, it was about her meeting a certain person in Celestial Country and staying with that person while doing her task and not revealing who she was.

She was after all not included to a lot of social gatherings and most people does not know who she was. She could put on a few things to hide her face a little bit and that would be enough as a disguise.

"The task shall be given by that person when you get there. And just as you have read, you have to hide your name. Just like what you have been doing here."

Ashley was confused at first but then she just took it and stood up, her departure was already set and it was the very next day.

"I'll go and prepare then," she answered and bowed to the two of them before leaving.

"I guess those three months brought a lot of change to her," Amber commented.

Ashton nodded, the task Ashley was about to take was thought up by him.

"Though her resolve might change to shock, she has no idea that she would be following what she wants though this time with the consent of her family."

*****

"I wish I could see him one last time, never thought I would be given a five year task in Celestial Country. Guess I could no longer visit him for a good while," Ashley sighed.

As she packed her things, which was not a lot since she really didn't bought too much for her salary was not that big either. She couldn't help but to think about Jackson who helped her a lot.

Then she took a deep breath, "If I remember correctly brother and Amber were away from one another for about seven years. Though they do have communication."

For some odd reason both of them didn't have the number of one another.

She shook her head, "Wait for me, no matter how long I will reach the top where you stood."

*****

"So you're saying that she will not come again?" Hans asked when he met Jackson the next day.

"Nope, she decided to go back to her family," Jackson answered.

"Heh, never thought she'd give up so soon," he said sarcastically but couldn't help but to close his mouth when Jackson glared at him coldly.

"Woah, chill man. What gotten into you suddenly?"

"She just have to return in order to grow more, that doesn't mean she was running back with her tail in between her legs."

Hans raised an eyebrow, "Hoho what is this I am seeing right now? Have you fallen for her perhaps?"

Jackson sighed and didn't answer before looking up in the sky. He does not know when she will be leaving but maybe it is better that way.

He has to focus at the matter at hand for now.

Hans seeing this decided to keep quiet and allow him with his own thoughts.

*****

When Jackson enter the restaurant the next day, Amber walked towards him.

"Don't you want to say goodbye?" she asked.

Jackson just looked at her.

"She's leaving in two hours," Amber continued.

Though he did expect for her to leave soon, he didn't know it was this soon.

"It's fine," with a sigh he then said.

"We have enjoyed our time together but we have our own things to do. We already said our goodbyes to one another and that is more than enough."

After that he went straight to the kitchen but it didn't escape Amber's eyes when his phone opened and a picture was there.

It was of Ashley sleeping on the table.

Amber smiled upon seeing this.

"What is it?" Russel approached her and asked.

"Youth?" Amber asked in return.

"Has he fallen in love?"

Both ladies looked at the door where the young man entered and smiled.

"Oh by the way, there's one thing I forgot since we talked about myself," Russel then remembered.

"What is it?"

"You didn't answer my question. Why you didn't want to get trusted bodyguards when you don't want to hire some?"

Amber showed that she had indeed forgotten and just as she was about to open her mouth, her phone rings.

"Harvey is in trouble."