Ashlyn nodded. "I'll do as you say, aunt. Don't worry about me I'll be fine." Ashlyn smiled ignoring her pain. "See that's exactly why I worry. I can't even trust my instincts anymore. I'm not sure if your acting is a blessing or a curse." She told her. Ashlyn laughed softly. "I'll be fine."
"Take a shower and get yourself freshened up. We will land soon." Her aunt continued telling her what to do strictly. Ashlyn obediently did as she said and didn't complain.
…
In the jet, she could take a 15-minute shower with hot water. After her aunt left Ashlyn picked out a new set of clothes and took a shower. She cleaned her sweaty body and relaxed. Although she still had a slight headache she felt a bit better after the shower. Despite that, her temperature was still high. She decided to wear a pair of sweatpants and a hoodie. She put on her sneakers and a black mask.
When she came out everyone was extra precautious with her. This made her chuckle. Their care for her warmed her heart. For the rest of the flight, she did her best to not think about the nightmare she had.
A few minutes before landing Ashlyn asked Li Zi for her scripts and the schedule for their days in New York. "Em, I'm hesitating on whether to give you these. You'll probably read them instead of sleeping." Li Zi declined her request. "I'll deduct your pay for the month If you don't hand them over this instant." Ashlyn threatened.
Li Zi swallowed and bravely faced her threat. "I rather have that then your health being put on the line." She told her. Ashlyn shook her head. "Fine." She responded. She didn't want to bother with it. It's not like Li Zi is wrong. Indeed she planned on going through the scripts and doing some research on the directors, producers, screenwriters, and every one significant on each crew.
She sighed and didn't insist. Li Zi appreciated her collaboration and gave her a wink. "Don't worry I got some juicy scripts for you to go through later." She informed her. Ashlyn shook her head and smiled.
Not long after their conversation ended they arrived in New York. It was still daytime and they could see the buildings from where they were. Ashlyn closed her eyes and imagined the beautiful lights during the night. She imagined the breathtaking view of all the tall buildings in Manhattan. She had been here before with her mother. The city has always taken her breath away. She only hoped that the next time she visits it isn't under the same circumstances.
She closed her eyes tightly and the silent tears came flowing down. She quickly wiped them away when she heard they had arrived. She sighed and picked up her things. 'You have to be strong. You got this.' She reminded herself and confidently walked out of the airport.
They bid goodbye to her uncle and aunt since they still had some other things to handle and would meet them later again during the week.
She along with Luke, Lake, and Li Zi took their ride to their hotel. Once they arrived they agreed to meet up in the hotel cafeteria at 7 p.m and then discuss everything properly.
Ashlyn entered her hotel room and sighed. The time marked already noon so she decided to listen to everyone and rest. The first thing she did was strip naked and enter the bathroom. Once she took a shower she came out in a bathrobe and a towel on her head. As she dried her head and started looking for her phone. Once she got a hold of it she turned it on and waited.
Once her phone was on she checked her notifications and realized there were over 100 of them. They were not only from Conner but from her friends. She paid attention to what Li Zi sent her and she smirked. Both the account username and password were sent to her for her new social media platforms. She immediately logged in. Her account was already verified and 12k people were already following her. She sent Li Zi a thumbs up and started going through her social media. "She sure works fast." She mumbled with a chuckle once she read the trending hashtags and news. Her name was all over the page, her story was out there and so was her comeback. Her identity was revealed for everyone but her location was still unknown to and things were done to make her father nervous.
She went through her Instagram private messages and smiled seeing some familiar names. She followed back a few of them who she had been her first made connections within the entertainment industry. After that incident, she lost contact with a few of them but she was glad that she now has the chance to speak with them again. Seeing so much process in just a couple of hours she felt encouraged. New notifications popped up on posts she was tagged in, new followers, and more.
She put her phone in silent mode and went to her contents. Although her accounts had no posts she was already trending and this was only the start. Tomorrow they would do a small photoshoot in New York City and make her first posts. But that's for another day. For now, she needed to recharge her batteries to completely focus on her goal.
The first thing she did was call Conner's grandfather. After two rings the phone was finally picked up. " Grandpa I arrived." She told him and put the phone on speaker. " Alright. I was worried you wouldn't inform me." He grunted. Ashlyn laughed softly. "You're not wrong. I wasn't going to call you because I was afraid your grandson would be by your side hearing our conversation." She replied.
The old man looked back at his grandson behind him and chuckled nervously. "But I guess that unavoidable right?" She called him out. The old man sighed under his grandson's glare and passed him the phone. Ashlyn heard complete silence from the other side so she waited patiently. " Is this fun for you?" He questioned making her sigh.
"I won't lie. Being away is pretty fun but with the right intentions of course." She admitted chuckling.
"New York right?" He told her and Ashlyn was stunned. "That fast?" She whispered slightly shocked. " I'll be there in a couple of hours, honey." He told her and hung up.
Ashlyn gritted her teeth and tossed the phone on the bed. "Damn it!"
She didn't expect him to find her so quickly. " Just how influential is he! Tch" For the next couple of minutes she sat on her bed complaining. She just couldn't believe it. She thought he would feel guilty and leave her some space but no he dared to follow her.
"Agh! So annoying." She complained and went through her contacts quickly. Once the new phone call connected she stopped the male voice from greeting her. " Block my location! No matter how influential the person is, making sure nobody gets it!" She ordered.
"Oh...I see how much?" The male voice spoke. " 10 grand yeah?" She asked. " Nope. Heh, I'm sorry your husband will set my ass on fire. Not even money can convince me this time." The man spoke with a nervous laugh.
"Liam!" She yelled but the phone call disconnected. "Ugh! Traitor!" She groaned. She started panicking. She had felt so confident and brave earlier but now she felt like he would soon arrive and make her coward in fear. She locked the door and pulled a chair over it.
"That should help right?" She asked herself doubting whether he would receive her exact location.