It was a hot summer day, perfect for going swimming and tanning - Ash had already packed and double checked all of her bags and was ready to get into the car and drive to the beach. However, right before she opened the door she figured, "I forgot my sunscreen!" and quickly dashed to her bathroom to pick it up. It was so stupid of her -- the sunscreen was literally on the sink, she put it down there to make sure not to forget it later.
She looked into the mirror -- a gorgeous, young girl with long black hair and brown eyes was looking back at her. She smiled -- today that girl was going to get some tan! Full of excitement, Ash went out of the house, not forgetting to say "bye!" to her parents and got into her car. The music just had to fit the mood, and she put on her favorite playlist and finally drove off.
She was a little bit late, and all her friends had already arrived -- they set up a beach volleyball net and were having fun -- Ash was eager to join them, but it was not to be.
Ashley was on the first crossing -- waiting for green -- as suddenly she felt a massive jerk from behind. Her head flew into the wheel so hard that it caused the car to honk. After a couple of seconds of coming to senses and realizing what had happened, she had already got herself a knock on the door window.
Ashley looked to her left and saw a blonde woman in her early 30s, wearing sunglasses that covered half her face -- the only thing she could really make out was her angry expression. She kept on gesturing to pull the window down. With a deep sigh, Ashley obliged.
The second the door had made a sound of the window sliding down and the hot outside air flowing in the car, Ashley was greeted with, "YOU HIT MY CAR!"
"EXCUSE ME? YOU REAR ENDED ME! NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND!"
"YOU DARE TALK BACK TO ME YOU LITTLE BITCH? GET OUT AND LOOK WHAT YOU DID TO MY CAR!" replied the Woman, throwing hands around in the direction of her car. Ashley looked back -- the woman drove an expensive SUV right into the back of her old rust bucket. The entire back was ruined -- the lights were shattered and the wheel... the wheel looked like it was dented inwards!
With a look of utter disgust, Ashley got out and slammed the door of her car -- it was not like she was going to drive it any time soon (or ever) again. Holding back her anger, grinding her teeth, she said, "let us see who will think is at fault with insurance," and walked past the Woman.
"DON'T YOU DARE IGNORE ME GIRL!" immediately reacted the Woman and pushed Ashley from behind.
Ashley fell on the floor -- this was the last straw. She got up, and in the most polite, cold voice, asked, "please don't touch me, ma'am." The wave of cold rushed through the hot air and reached the Woman -- she quiet down. Ashley continued, "I need pictures for the insurance, you should too."
The Woman scoffed to herself, "disrespectful brat," and took out her phone. After spending a couple of seconds pretending to take a picture, she began to spill insults again, "Just you wait until my Husband hears about this."
Ash did not reply but she definitely did think, "How does a monster like this have a husband?" Or at least she was thinking it before the Woman began screaming again.
It was good 20 minutes of most unproductive back and forth of the day -- it started with insults and ended with punches. Luckily, Police finally decided to show up and took statements from everyone involved. Of course, Ashley had to go second, having to listen to every lie from that wretched Woman in front of her, "LEARN HOW TO DRIVE!" was the only thought boiling within her skull the entire time.
When it was her time, she tried to calmly explain what had happened. Luckily the officers were understanding, "I do not know how you handled her before we came," the younger officer even told to her afterwards.
Before leaving, Police insisted for both of them to exchange information and contact their corresponding insurance. The cars got towed and unfortunately for Ashley, her plans of "hot girl summer" were over for the day. At that point she no longer cared -- that interaction had been her last straw. Ashley was always a nice girl, who did not like the drama, but on that day, she truly felt what it was like to hate a person. She wanted revenge.
The second she returned home she took it to her room -- to her computer. Ashley was not too tech savvy, however after a couple of quick searches she managed to figure out some things about her Target.
Her name was Eva, in her early 30s, married. She had her job listed online -- marketing at a relatively big firm. Nothing was too incriminating, but Ash kept on digging.
After scouring a bunch of social media pages, she got to her first big find -- her home address! Ash prayed that she still lived there, because it was really close to her house, and she did not need a car to get there. So, she began her scouting mission.
The house was not too far away, when she made it to the designated address, she got a glimpse at the house -- it was huge! Ash stood for a minute, appreciating the expensive home she had just found, just enough to not make it seem like she was stalking it and began to walk around the neighborhood. As she began her walk, she heard a male voice coming from the front door -- it was the Husband!
From her research his name was Alex -- and he was a looker! Big, wide shoulders looked young. That hag did not deserve him!
At the same time, Ashley heard a child's voice -- it was a boy that just ran out of the house with his dad -- or rather waddled like a penguin. The dad immediately followed him.
"Look at ya! You are basically flying!" shouted Alex.
The boy screamed in joy, "haha, flying! Oh!" exclaimed the kid as his dad came back from behind and lifted him. Together they span around and as they stopped; they looked directly at Ash. The kid lifted his finger and exclaimed, "Papa, a girl!"
"Yes, say hiiiii!" said Alex while waving to Ashley. The kid began to wave. Embarrassed, Ashley waved as well. She stood while waving, thinking. Eva did not deserve this life -- this house, this money, this husband! Ashey's waves began to slow down, and a cruel smile covered her face. If she did not deserve it, it was only just to ruin it from her. After all, if anybody deserves it, it was her.
Ashley caught herself on that thought and suddenly felt a rush of excitement go through her entire body -- she felt a little wet down there too. At that moment, she looked away and walked off to hide her ever growing grin -- she knew what to do.
After a couple days of research and potential stalking -- she even took her dad's car to follow Alex around. She learned that sometimes Alex did shop for the family on one of his days off work on weekends. The next weekend was probably the first time Ashley volunteered to go grocery shopping.
On that weekend at the grocery store, Alex was going through the cereal aisle. There, he reached out for his favorite cereal as he suddenly realized that somebody else was holding the box. There he was, holding a box of cereal -- a cute young girl with long black hair and brown eyes in front of him, holding it too. She was dressed in a smart casual way -- a long skirt and a shirt, worn proper, not revealing anything.
"Oh, I apologize," said the girl in a polite tone and let the box of cereal go.
"Oh, it is not problem, you can have it!" reassured her Alex and pointed at the aisle, "there's more to take for myself."
"Ah, of course, haha" giggled the girl. I am sorry sometimes it just happens.
"Yeah," agreed Alex.
"Wait," the girl squinted her eyes, "I think I know you -- I walked past your home yesterday!"
Alex immediately lit up, "ah right, it was you that me and my kid waved to, he is just adorable isn't he!"
The girl agreed, "yeah, I just couldn't look away and stop waving, so cute!" and chuckled again. She put her hand out and said, "if we are neighbors, might as well -- my name is Ash. And you?"
"Alex, sorry I did not see your around before, I am always so busy with work I fail to keep track what happens in the area while I am gone."
Ash lit up and said, "oh it is not problem, I understand! Tough job?"
"Very -- some days I can't relax and not think about work even during my time off," Alex replied with full honesty.
"What about the kid? Who looks after him then? Mom?" Ash asked as she kept eye contact with Alex.
"Yeah, she also has to work is the issue -- we often have to get a babysitter, but unfortunately the latest one had quit just today and now I am in a bit of bind..." sighed Alex. "If I would stay with him all the time but I can't just abandon my career entirely."
Ashley nodded, smiled and said "of course, of course, I don't blame you!"
Alex felt visible relief that he did not get judged for his work aspirations. "Thank you."
"Also, I have been looking for some side income -- I can babysit for you!" added Ashley, full of excitement.
"Oh, you really don't have to..."
"No, I would love to, it is not a big deal!" assured Ash.
"Okay, can you give me your phone number? I will call you in when we need you."
"Sure thing!"
A couple days later, Alex finally had to call her in... And Ashley did her best to do well. She listened carefully to every instruction Alex told her, still maintaining eye contact with him the entire time. Alex also noticed that her skirt was a little shorter that day but did not pay too much attention to it.
Ash continued to work at his house for a while -- turns out they really were absent majority of the day nearly every day -- Ash turned that home into her own. All she really had to do was make sure the kid stayed entertained and whenever he got tired, she had time to relax and investigate.
She scoured every crevice -- every wardrobe, every picture -- everything. She knew where they kept any item -- including their underwear. She knew the brand of shampoo that they used and what she was most familiar with was their schedules. She knew that Eva had to leave for a week on a business trip -- that was the perfect opportunity.
Every day Alex would meet her before leaving and greet her before letting her go. He felt comfortable around Ash -- she had a great knack for conversation, and she was interested in almost everything he was -- even stuff like F1 and UFC. If he were honest, he began to look forward to seeing her every day.
