ASH 

Ash sighed as he felt regret at his interference in the pointless argument that took place a few minutes ago. He didn't know what took over him but the way the blonde regarded them as thankless and ruthless millionaires just didn't seem right to him. It almost reminded of the times when people would use to point out that his mother only married his dad for money and she was just an ungrateful being, waiting for his dad to die so that she could have all the wealth to herself. 

He clenched his fist as a memory of his middle school's so-called friends commenting about it flashed in his mind. He remembered how he had punched the boy, breaking his nose in the process. Later he had also taken the boy himself to the infirmary. Fortunately, no body knew this incident except Paul [since he was there at the moment] because the boy hadn't dared to tell anyone since he too didn't wanted to get in trouble himself. 

Ash just shook his head and turned to look at his friends who were leaning on his limo whilst talking to each other. The auburn-eyed man sighed in relief when he saw that Gary looked no longer angry. Walking over to them, Drew shot him an apologetic look. 

"Sorry, Ash. I didn't thought that something like that would happen. We rarely meet to enjoy our time together" he apologized, feeling a bit guilty for bringing them to that café. 

"Thats fine. It wasn't your fault anyways and we can always catch up at dinner sometimes. Damn, I am going to be late. I need to go" Ash quickly waved goodbye to his friends as they exchanged their goodbyes and went off in their seperate cars. It took a moment for David to bring the limo where Ash was standing. 

The rain started to come in drizzle before it took just a moment to become a hard pouring cloudburst. The grey clouds roared as lightning shook the entire place. People started rushing to take shelter under the nearby bakeries and bookstores as the deafening sound of rain hitting the ground came in sporadic moments. 

Ash sighed and looked out, his palm cupping his cheek as it rested on the window of the limo. He was already late due to the incident that took place earlier. Ash furrowed his brows. His mother would definitely be angry. Those were important people that he was going to meet. He checked the watch, with it displaying the time as 2 : 45 pm. 

He still had time. 

"David, speed up the limo" he ordered. The older man raised his brow in response and looked over to see him from the rear window. 

"But Mr Ketchum, it is raining this hard. It won't be wise to speed up the vehicle" David tried to reason while keeping his tone formal like usual. The road already had vehicles rushing by in hurry and accidents were actually common in this type of weather. Ash just scoffed, too bothered by the thought of losing one of his clients than his own safety. 

"Come on, David. I don't have time" he insisted, taking out his business files that were necessary before scanning them. The chauffer sighed, sensing that there was no room for argument. He gradually increased the speed until they were whizzing past the blurry surroundings. The rain had made the road extremely slippery and David knew that they might even lose control if Ash urged him to go faster. 

Fortunately, Ash was too busy to notice as he was now engrossed in checking the documents for any errors. David sighed in relief, shifting his vision back from the rear window to look in front when his eyes widened in horror as he unintentionally let out a sharp gasp. 

Ash's head shot up at the sound as he saw a car that came around the corner, in the process of clashing in his limo. It all happened in a split-second; already over before Ash could even comprehend how much furiously his heart was beating. David had managed to put the brakes due to the instincts of being a professional but the other man in the car wasn't so lucky. 

He turned his wheel in the opposite direction, making the car move straight ahead of the street intersection with great speed. Just a moment later a piercing scream echoed in the empty streets as frantic voices of people reached Ash's ears. He was undoubtedly sure that something bad had happened. 

"Mr Ketchum!" David shouted after Ash had jumped out of the car and started running towards the massive crowd that had formed. He could hear people shreiks and the words stating 'hit and run' over and over again. Ash's heart palpation increased as he pushed past the crowd to witness the sight that would haunt him as his nightmares for a long time. 

SERENA 

It was just moments later after the businessmen had gone when they were forced in Arianna's cabin by their disappointed co-workers. Serena continuously fiddled with her skirt hem in ceaseless nervousness, too embarrassed to even look at Arianna's disapproving features. May just bit the inside of her lips but stayed calm. 

"You do realize what you have done, don't you? You messed up with three most influential people in France. This is bad" Arianna shook her head, her upbeat voice laced with sadness. "Its sad that I have to say this despite knowing your condition beforehand but please forgive me. I have no choice to fire you for the sake of this café and my own reputation"

"We understand" Serena interuppted the brunette sitting beside her who had opened her mouth to retaliate about Arianna's decision. May shot Serena a secretive surprised and stunned look which the honey blonde reciprocated with a warning one, clearly stopping the latter from saying anything else. 

"I hope you don't think any negative of me. Infact, I want you to take this" saying so, the redhead handed an envelope to Serena who took it in hesitancy. Arianna continued speaking. "This is a little money, 24 euros to be precise and I am sure that it can both last you a week atleast. I hope you find a job soon" 

"But we can't take this" Serena shook her head, in disbelief of the genuine kindness that the woman was showing them even after they had defamed her café [intentionally]. And taking money after they had messed up themselves? It was too much to ask from somebody as sweet as the lady sitting in front of them. 

"Don't worry. This is from me so you don't need to bother about anything. Perhaps you will be able to return it to me someday because I have a feeling that we might run into each other again" Arianna smiled mysteriously at them, though Serena felt that it was mostly directed towards her. 

They nodded and a while later, both excused themselves from her cabin. The rain had already started and even if Serena wished that she go inside again and plead to Arianna to let them stay in her home, but the thought was itself too selfish. Besides, who would let two strangers in one's own house? 

"Now?" May questioned, warily tilting her head to look back at Serena as the brunette kicked a pebble. The honey blonde thought for a moment. The option of renting a hotel room for a while until they get new jobs and their own apartment seemed sensible but the hotels in Paris were naturally very expensive, even when it was an off-season. They also only had 24 euros. How in this whole world are they going to manage with so less? 

Serena pondered about their next step when lightning roared behind the buildings, making May yelp in fright. Rain began pouring down harder as a thunder was heard. May covered her ears, violently shaking. Serena looked at her, knowing very well that the brunette was scared of lightning and thunder. Astraphobia

"May, calm dow -" Serena's words were cut short when another lightning flashed about as May frantically started looking around for shelter. Her pale blue eyes fell on the nearest bakery that was across the road and without thinking twice, she blindly tried to make a dash.

"May!" Serena yelled, following the brunette but only to be stopped the very next second. Her feet froze to the ground as her heart pounded so hard that she believed it might even pop out of her chest. It happened even faster than the lightning that was flashing; the car hitting her friend's petite figure as it was thrown forward. 

Luckily, the driver managed to pull his brakes on time before the car could do further harm but the damage was already done. May's head clashed with the road's metallic surface and screams erupted a second later by the pedestrians. The driver seized the opportunity of running away before anyone can catch him. 

Serena watched as blood poured out from behind May's head and she spontaneously regretted ever saying that things couldn't get worse. 

ASH 

He stood in shock, millions of thoughts running in his mind. He was shaken out of his paralyzed state when the familiar honey blonde waitress he had met earlier ran upto the brown-haired woman covered in mud who could barely keep up with her consciousness. Blood flowed like wine as it mixed with the rain, pooling around the two young women. 

When finally his senses hit him, he pushed the nearby people who were much interested in watching the scene than helping them. 

"Give way!" Ash barked. The people immediately looked at him with surprise as they instantly recognized the young millionaire. He picked up May's subconscious body while his auburn orbs briefly locked with teary sapphire ones that were staring at him in suspicion and surprise. He growled at her. 

"Don't just sit there like an idiot! Come with me; we are going to the hospital" he stated, as David brought the limo. The raven haired man gently but hurriedly placed May at the backseat. Serena blinked before she herself got inside the limo, and by her bestfriend's side. Her mind was clouded with numerous things and it all came in blur. 

She didn't even notice Ash sitting across her before the limo started. He stared in silence as he bit his lips, unable to find the right words to say anything. What could he say when he knows that he is the reason behind the horrifying state of the brunette? He took a deep breath before deciding to not let the honey blonde that was warming up her friend's cold hands, know anything at the moment. 

"Why did you help us?" Serena's frail voice brought him out of his thoughts. Ash swallowed before ruffling his hair and looking away. He managed to regain his voice before saying. 

"I helped you because it was necessary. Now stop talking and focus on the matter at hand" his tone was more of a commanding one as he restrained himself from saying that he helped her because it was his mistake after all.

Serena recognized the tone immediately since it was used all the times at her back in the orphanage by the caretakers and sometimes Palermo. It meant that 'shut up and don't question'. Serena closed her mouth and caressed May's bony hands that were too cold. Infact, they were actually freezing. 

"We are here, Mr Ketchum" David announced as they arrived at the hospital. Serena's heart dropped to her guts when she saw the private hospital that was meant for only rich people. She tried to not think about the cost and instead refocused on May. 

The hospital staff had already helped May out and were hastily taking her inside the hospital. David was asked to park the limo as he went away. Serena refused to let go of May as she kept up her pace with the stretcher until she was out of Ash's sight. He sighed, looking at the blotted red on his white t-shirt and growled at himself before sighing again and following the blonde.

So much for a mistake.