Chapter 1: Introduction


    Ashley sat bored out of her mind as she waited to see her mother''s appearance for her and her


    stepfather''s wedding that was about to start in like 25 minutes.


    Sitting alone in an apple-white, mid-thigh silk dress thatplimented her skin tone. Her maroon red


    hair was styled in a bun with a few curled strands falls in front of her face that stained with light-make


    up which made her already beautiful features more beautiful.


    Staring into space, theugher of the other bridesmaids echoed in her empty mind as she just sat there


    staring.


    “Ashely, sweetheart, how do I look?” Her mother''s fainted voice echoed in the mix of gasp.


    “Ashely, are you alright? ASHLEY!” Snapping out of her trance, Ashely turned to her mother, who


    looked stunning in a beautifulce white gown that tugged gently behind her.


    Her face was covered by a see-through veal and her ck hair was curled stylishly whichid gently on


    her shoulders.


    “Are you alright, darling?” Her mother asked slowly, approaching her daughter who''s eyes filled with


    unknowing tears.


    “Yes, I''m just d, you''re happy mom, ” she replied as her mother pulled her into a motherly hug.


    “I love you, sweetie, ” her mother whispered in her ear.


    “I love you too, mom, ” she whispered back snuggling more into her mother''s embrace.


    1 yearter...


    Ashely jogged downstairs in her tracksuit as she got ready to go for a run. On her way, she entered the


    kitchen to fetch a bottle of water.


    “Hey, honey!” Her mother greeted her while having breakfast with her husband.


    “Good morning, mom, good morning, Roger, ” she greeted back while searching for a bottle of water.


    “You know, you can call me dad, right, ” Roger said with a reassuring smile.


    “I know, but it''s just so foreign to me ever since, you know, ” she said, ncing at her mother who sent


    her an ''I''m sorry'' look.


    “It''s alright, Ashely, call me whatever you want as long as it makes youfortable, ” he said as she


    gave him small a smile.


    “Thanks, Roger, now I gotta go, enjoy your breakfast, ” she said, getting ready to leave.


    “Okay honey, have fun on your run and be safe, ” her mom yelled as Ashely jogged towards the front


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    door.


    “OKAY MOM! I WILL!” she yelled back before opening the front door.


    As Ashely was about to rush out she abruptly stopped when she saw a young man who was about to


    ring the doorbell. The sight before her instantly made her weak in the knees leaving her speechless.


    The guy stood before her in a white t-shirt with a ck leather jacket over it, ck pants that fit


    perfectly over his thick, muscr thighs, and ck shoes. He had ck hair nicely parted with fades to


    the sides and back of his head. He wore tinted sunsses blocking his eyes and the right side of his


    noseid a sexy nose piercing. His lips were thin but still plumped and he had the sharpest jawline she


    has ever seen, his neck was covered with different designs of tattoo and so was his hands.


    In his hand was a green army duffle bag that caught Ashley''s attention. “Is he from the army? Who is


    this guy?”


    Clearing his throat snapped her out of her thoughts. “Uh, does Roger James live here?” He asked as


    his deep, husky voice sent chills down her spine. Without taking her eyes off him, she yelled.


    “ROGER, THERE''S SOMEONE AT THE DOOR FOR YOU, ” both Ashley and the guy stood there


    waiting for Roger''s arrival.


    Soon his footsteps were heard. “Ashely, I thought you left-


    Roger''s words trailed off as he saw the guy in front of the door. Ashely stood in between them in


    confusion.


    “Jake!” Roger said in a breathy tone.


    “Hey, Dad!”