23- Happy Birthday Ashley

Ashley pov

“What? Take it, silly!” Elijah handed over the envelope to me that contained my salary.

I was standing like a statue looking at it as if I might burn if I would touch it.

My first salary. The first step towards my independence.

first ever

“So, are we getting any treat from your first salary?” Evelyn placed her hand on my shoulder from behind. Chewing my lip, I controlled the unexplainable smile twitching at the corner of my lips.

“Yup. You are. But not today!” I clutched the envelope to my chest. Part of this salary belonged to the one person who helped me with all this.

I wanted to buy something for Justin

Excusing myself I went out to have a look at the convenience store around the corner. Nobody knew that today was my birthday too. The day I was placed outside the orphanage when I was just a few days–old baby.

I kept looking at the showcases displaying different items. None of them was branded. But I wanted to buy something that would have some meaning. No matter how cheap it was.

“What are you looking for, sweet girl!” I spun around when I heard a kind voice behind me.

“I …” I licked my lower lip to keep it wet, “I am looking for something according to my limited budget,” I laughed nervously. Thank God Sarah did not own the store otherwise she would have laughed in my face.

“For a man or a woman?” She opened the showcase running her gaze through all the displayed items.

For

my husband. Sigh!

a man.” I nodded at

is the age of this man?”

age, “Umm. Might be twenty

Understanding flicked in those eyes behind thick–rimmed glasses. We went through some antique stuff. The idea was that a small decoration item that could

the side of the face of the watch. It was not that heavy, and the color

the price tag and was

won’t be able to spend

Next month I might get it silver–plated and then present it to Justin.

I happily bought it and came out of

getting worried for you.” Elijah came close to

the watch in front of his face, “I

And then understanding dawned on him, “Oh.” Coming closer he hugged me, “You

fake crying and sniffed his

up!” I laughed pushing him back, “It’s not for you.”

join us, “Who is it for?” She took the watch fondly from my hands, “You bought a

lucky guy!” Sam entered the kitchen carrying a

again eating our ice cream. You brut!” Elijah shook his

dating someone, and you are not telling us, Ash!” Evelyn was still examining the watch, “I don’t think you have enough money to give us a pizza treat.” She pouted and I felt embarrassed. I did plan to celebrate with them, but the watch made it

“Pizza treat from my side. We will celebrate Ashley’s first salary day.” He gave me

such sincere friends in my life. Elijah

Sam came forward to hug me and Elijah, “Why you are crying,

back and pulled Elijah off me making Evelyn giggle, “You are the most intelligent among all of us.”

to protest but Sam made him quiet.

Turning to me he held me by my shoulders, “The Ice cream Heaven must not be the end of your life, Ashley Walters. Go and study. Become something. You are not born to earn these peanuts.” The way Sam was giving me this ted talk, I wondered how it

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