13 Hidden but they didnt knew

a small note: you guys might find this a bit annoying but bear with me. later in the chapter i mean. sorry in advance.(._.)

previously on this slow novel :/

"Father are you Okay? Did something happen? Who were those men?" Ash kept firing questions on questions.

"Ah its nothing to worry about kid. Just some work related things thas all. Go hurry up your mum's been waiting for you .now go don't make her wait for more. Go"

Ash then went ahead then looked back again at her father. At this her father just made a shooing motion and smiled assuring at her to show that is was nothing to worry about.

Ash went ahead in the house, her father kept staring at her back and sighed,"IM SORRY ASH."

....

Ash went ahead and greeted her mother and sister who was sleeping in the cot.

" Im back Ma!" and went towards her sleeping sister and peered at her from the top. Amelia is looking at both her children and smiles in satisfaction. Ash moved her hand towards her sister slightly pokes her on her head and smiles at her sister. Fate just clenches and unclenches her hands into a fist and continues to sleep.

Ash then remembers the men outside , " ummmm Ma ..."

Amelia hums at her daughter's question.

" There were some men outside talking to Dad...annnnd ummmm he was looking kinda agitated when they were talking to each other and he was shouting Ma."

Amelia then looks at her daughter finding her looking at her with a troubled gaze. Amelia then suddenly feels her heart drop when she gazes at her daughter and found her husband standing by the door, looking dejected behind Ash. She saw him shaking his head and his face said it all.

Amelia, seeing her husbands face understood all and that they had caught up to her. "Was it THEM?"

Jared just nods and that seals the deal. Ash looks back, sees her father and looks back to her mother with her question still unanswered. Her mother's sad face and her father's anguished look made her feel at a loss at what had just transpired in the room. Ash keeps looking back and forth till Fate's cries breaks all of the adults out of their stupor.

Amelia then gets up and takes Fate out of her bed and tries to sooth the baby. Even now Jared and Ash are still standing at their place. Amelia looks at her husband and gives a sad smile, " Do what you must do Jared.....I'll support you till the end.'

Ash is stunned at the scene and moves towards her mother. Just as she took the first step her father grabbed her shoulders from behind and stopped her. She looked at her father, "Dad what's wrong? Why…..why is mother so sad? Dad what happening ?" Ash kept questioning her father but got no response as he was looking at his wife and their newborn baby.

Amelia moves towards the father and daughter pair and crouches down to Ash's level, " My dear Ash .... my kid." and embraces Ash. Jared lays his hand on Ash's head.

"....Don't be afraid Ash ...we will be together till it's our time...." Amelia hugs her daughter for sometime then stands up and looks determined.

"Take her to her room. I'll be up in a moment." Jared nods and both of them leave the mother with the sleeping sister.

Amelia then laid Fate back in her cot and goes out of the room. Suddenly she staggers while climbing up the stairs. Tears brimmed eyes and she starts sniffing, ' My daughter….forgive this mother for she can no longer shield you from this cruel fate of yours.'

Rubbing her eyes she stood outside the room for few moments the with a stern expression entered her daughter's room.

.....

Next morning came, with birds chirping and sun shining on everything but it couldn't shine enough in Merchant's home to dispel the gloom of the previous day. Ash woke up still troubled with what had transpired last day. She was exhausted more than usual with her dreams and stuff.

' I shouldn't feel down so easily. Father said that he'll try and find some solutions to the problems that they were facing or are going to face in near future.... i should trust them ...and maybe....' with this thought Ash got up from her bed and went to do her daily routine. Just as she got out of the bathroom, there was a knock in her door.

With that came her father's voice, " …..Kid breakfast is ready. Come downstairs." And footsteps receded.

Ash came after a few moments and saw the family sitting at the table waiting for her. "Sorry im late." And sat down. Amelia just waved it off, "How did you sleep Ash? Did you had any nightmares ?"

"Nah Ma. I slept good .... surprisingly."

"Thas good. I was worried that yesterday would affect your sleep but thank god it didn't."

Jared looks at Ash confused. Ash just shakes her head. "Nothing dad. Just a few nightmares and some restless nights."

Jared had a doubtful face. Ash reassured her father, "trust me dad. Its nothing."

"If you say so kid. But anything more and you tell me right?"

"Yes dad. Ill be sure to tell tou if it escalates or anything. I promise."

"Any plans for today?" Amelia asked while passing the plates around the table. "Jared?"

Jared took the plate from her hand, " Nothing much. Just get heads up for the inquiry."

"Ash?"

"Me? I'm meeting up with my friends and then I'll see from there. I'll be back till evening most probably."

"Be careful. Okay. No teasing Cloud too much ok?"

Ash stood up seemingly finished her breakfast and backs away with a smirk, " not gonna promise but I'll try….not my fault he makes it so easy!!"

Amelia just looks at her daughter's playful smirk and shook her head. Ash then goes back go her room to get ready for the day.

...…

Around noon Ash gets down and yells," Ma im going out. I'll see you guys in the evening."

"Take care." Came the answer from the back.

"Okay!" Ash then went to the place where the friends had decided to meet at. They had decided to meet at the park near Yasmine's home. As she neared it some of them were already there chatting with each other.

Ash jogged up to them, " Aye guys."

A chorus of hello sounds and Ash stood beside them. "Took your time. Why are you so late today?"

"I'm sorry. I had to make a stop in the way guys. Sorry." Ash just clasped her hand and looked sheepishly.

*sigh* "...just don't be late next time , okay?"

"Promise. Now what did you guys decide to do today?"

Abel replied, "Nothing much. We just decided to get some lunch maybe then go to someone's home for the time being. What do you say?"

"OK cool. No problem let's go."

"Thank god. Finally we are going. I'm so hungry i could inhale all the food." Max exclaimed while rubbing his stomach. "Be careful we don't wanna get lectured again by the restaurant's manager like the last because of you!" Layla said teasingly.

"Yahhhhh that was one time....just ONE TIME. Can you not let it go please? Is it too much to ask?" Max pleads with his hands joined to Layla who seems hellbent on not letting this matter go.

"Layla....stop otherwise our hungry friend might faint here from your attacks." Ash tried to break this contest of Max and Layla as usual.

"Only you are my true friend Ash. Only you can save me from this old hag's nagging."with stars shining in his eyes Max clung on Ash's arm.

Hearing this Layla once again stepped towards MAx to hit him on his head. Ash once again tried to assuage Layla,, "Why you little ...come here it seems you have not learned your lesson yet.....Come here." And the bickering went all the way to the restaurant.

....

The day went by swiftly and it was time for the friends to depart. "Today was fun. we should do this again." Yasmine said. Abel hummed, " Yea i agree it was fun.....Well guys i got to go. my father is waiting for me. See you guys soon."

Soon everyone went on their way and Ash also started her journey back. 'Today's the last week of the holidays. Might as well go to Isabella's."

Luckily she had Isabella's gift with her, which she was gonna give to her but couldn't at that time. She changed her path and went to Isabella's home.

Her home was not far away from Ash and her friends were last together so it didn't take much time for Ash to reach there. Near the gate she saw a new carriage standing.

'Must be some guests i guess. I hope she's free.' Ash went ahead after the guard let her in.

Aah knocked on the main door, soon a maid came and opened the door. All the staff were pretty familiar with Ash as both the kids were good friends.

"Hello Lady Ash. Miss Isabella is in the garden if you are looking for her."

Ash just smiled her thanks and went to garden. She felt the gift in her pocket and happily went to the entrance.

But what she saw and heard there forever changed her life from that point.

....