I don't get how somebody can say that they own a person.

Like how is that even possible?

"How do you own a person?"

She sighs and begins to explain.

"The Billoti Mafia as you know is very powerful. The one thing you cannot do is owe something to them. Ryan is the leader, so if you have a debt to pay, you pay your life."

How on earth did they get into that? And how terrible is that?

"Amber was thrown away by her family two years ago. She had no place to stay because she was too old to be a boarder. So Ryan bought her a house and pays for her school fees. And may or may not give her an unlimited supply of drugs from his inventory."

But aren't they cousins?

How do you do that to family.

"Asher, is Zac's twin brother. However since Zac is older...he becomes the main heir to the Yakouza throne. Asher has to make a living on his own, but co runs the family business. He's mentally unstable and needs drugs to keep him sane. Ryan provides him with them, obviously. So he's owned by him. Mia nearly died in a bombing at one of her family's events and Ryan saved them all. So he owns the entire family."

"But what about Zac?"

"Zac is more powerful than him, so he can't be owned by anyone. Is he still with Mia?"

"Yes. They're getting married actually."

She nods understanding something, "Since he's not owned, he's immune. So marrying Mia voids her debt."

Really?

All this just to get her out, how sweet. Uh...but that changes everything I ever thought about Ryan, it's just.

I feel so sick.

"I pity Brandy. She fell in love hard. She thinks that he actually loves her. But sadly we all fell in love with a man that is incapable of feeling emotion. It hurts thinking about it."

True, he's incapable of loving anyone.

He doesn't even care for his friends. Does it hurt to do someone a favor?

"So he owns Brandy?"

She nods, "Duh. Since the day they met. I wanted to get them all out. They don't deserve to be his slaves."

I agree, it makes me so angry that anybody can take his friends for granted like this.

I stand up and approach her, "I'll make this right."

For her and her baby. They don't deserve to live like this. 

Not Asher, nor Amber or Mia.

I need to make this right for them.

Ryan Walker...

There's a lot coming for you.

I hope you're ready for it.

**************************************

"Ow!"

Another branch scratched me!

Why is it so hard to climb trees these days? That boy had better be home.

It's so freakin cold!

The rain hasn't stopped and I have got to start wearing warm clothes when storming out. 

I see him through the window pacing about, my teeth chatter and I leap to the window pane and hold on.

I knock three times but he doesn't hear it.

Look here you idiot!

But he's busy on the phone yelling something inaudible into it.

I've never been scared of heights but since it's pouring and everything is slippery. "Asher!"

I yell but he continues. At this poit I think he's ignoring me.

"Asher!"

Nothing. Stupid boy open the damn window!

This is infuriating. The rain beats heavier against my skin.

I'm desperate now.

"ASHLEY OPEN THE DAMN WINDOW!"

He jumps up and turns to me wide eyed. "Angel?" 

His voice is muffled from the other side. 

I knew that'd get him.

He jogs over and slides it open glaring at me.

I'm caught by surprise, since when does he get mad at me?

"What are you doing here?"

"Hi? It's cold come in?"

He stretches out an arm for me and I take it.

He helps me in gently despite his current state.

The spot I'm standing in is becoming a huge puddle and I start shivering from the cold.

"We were so worried about you!" He yells then pulls me into a rough bear hug.

Are all the people I meet, bipolar?!

Seems like it. What is up with these people?

"Where were you?"

He says looking at me dead in the eye.

"Some clothes first?"

*****************************************

"So your dad is Alejandro?"

I nod then he smiles, "I totally get it how it's a coincidence. The universe has an odd way of working."

He gets me so much. If I told anybody else they'd scold me for being too trusting.

Asher on the other hand is understanding and evaluates the situation.

I blow the steam off of my hot cocoa and hug myself in his hoodie.

I love this boy, he's my best friend and he just knows what makes me feel better.

I breathe out slowly and tell him about what I heard about Ryan trying to drive me insane.

"Um...about that. We all sorta...knew."

He says scratching the back of his neck.

"You what?!"

But...that doesn't even make sense. I trusted Asher, he's the only friend I have now.

"Why'd you never tell me?!"

He winces and sighs, "Ryan threatened us and I didn't think you could handle it."

Now I feel bad because he feels bad.

Ah...but I hate having to turn cold then warm then cold again.

But I shouldn't blame him for getting stuck with a literal asshole.

"So, you know about Rosalie?" I ask.

"We all knew Rose."

I roll my eyes, "No. She's out . She's the one that told me."

He looks dead serious at this point. So he doesn't know.

"She's out?"

I nod smiling slowly, "And...she had a ba-"

"A banana loaf?"

What? Sometimes this boy is a little odd but-

"A buntcake-"

"A baby." I interrupt impatiently.

His jaw drops to the floor, "Who's?"

I feel a tug in my heart strings remembering what Rose told me.

"Ryan's."

"No way."

"Um...Asher."

"No way!"

He stares out into space and I know that the gears are turning, "No way!" He says smiling sickly.

Why is he happy?

"That son of a bitch has a kid he doesn't know about."

I gasp shocked.

He never swears.

"Ashley since when do you swear?" I scold playfully.

"Also why are you so happy?"

He hesitates and says, "Because he finally gets to suffer. He doesn't deserve happiness."

He says finally calming down.

I place a hand on his shoulder and breathe out slowly, "Asher. Remember when I asked you why you're friends with Ryan?"

He nods slowly.

"Were you serious?"

A light flashes past his dilated pupils.

"No." He admits, "But I thought he changed until last night." He says under his breath.

But I catch it and I'm curious.

"What happened last night?"

He sighs heavily and in that brief moment, Asher looks aged.

He looks so tired and my heart starts to break.

"We were all mad at Ryan and we wanted to go after you. We didn't care whether he owned us or not, but he threatened us and that was the end of it."

So much for friends.

"I.I wish I'd known sooner."

I pull my idiot into a tight hug and a tear falls down my cheek, he starts to cry and I start to cry.

And we're just a big bawling mess.

"I thought he actually cared about me, about you and us."

He says, "I know."

****************awkward sniffles later and giggling(got high)

We're giggling uncontrollably.

I tried out weed for the first time and it feels great.

"I know right?"

I giggle knowing that he heard me. I say too many things out loud, right now I don't give a potato about it.

What's that thing I wanted to say?

"I don't know you tell me." Asher says laughing at me.

He's a lot more sober than me, that's because he's used to this.

I know, I vowed to never do this type of stuff but I need an escape. I've heard way too much and I can't do this sober.

"Don't worry, I have a plan to get you out. He's going to pay."

I say when we reach the door.

He looks a little confused but I smile knowingly.

I know exactly what to do.

Ryan Walker, you broke my heart.

You broke everybody else.

Now it's my turn to

EAT YOU.

AH!

I mean...I meant.

You know what I meant.

How am I going to do this high?