hapter 12 No you don’t
“The family is offering you a chance to relocate to Tasmania?” I found myself stunned by the unexpected news.
“Yes. Ashley, we are.” William confirmed. a hint of amusement playing at the corners of his mouth as he noted my surprise.
“I’ve been impressed with your loyalty and skills.” he continued, leaning back in his chair, his tone shifting to a more serious note. “You” ve shown not just talent but a fierce commitment to the family s operations. Your efforts haven’t gone unnoticed, so I recommended you to the council at our last meeting.”
He paused, letting the weight of his words settle before going on. “We ve secured a
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spot for you in a high–stakes course hosted by the Tasmanian Capo. It’s an elite program focusing on negotiation tactics and strategic influence in the underworld. It’s designed to hone your skills, expand your horizons, and provide experiences that will elevate your position within the family.”
William clapped his hands together, hist expression eager. “So, what do you say? Will you accept the offer?”
In the past, I might have hesitated, weighed the implications. But now, with nothing holding me back, the decision was clear.
“Yes, absolutely! I can’t turn down such a fantastic opportunity,” I replied, my voice steady.
William blinked, taken aback by my enthusiasm. “You don’t need to discuss it
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with your family first?”
“My family? No. They’ve always stood by my choices,” I said, smiling at the memory. “In fact, my father always encouraged me to pursue opportunities like this, but we never had the chance to make it happen.”
William’s brow furrowed slightly. “And what about your ex?”
I frowned, puzzled. “My ex?”
“Bradley, Ashley. The whole family knows about your connection with him. Will he be okay with this?” William asked, his
tone turning serious.
When we send you to Tasmania, it’s for the full duration. No turning back!”
I paused, then chuckled softly. “There’s no need to worry, William. I’m not with him
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anymore.”
William looked surprised for a moment but wisely chose not to press further. “Alright then,” he said, regaining his composure. “I’ll make the necessary arrangements and inform the council today.”
With that, my decision to move to Tasmania was set in motion. I had just two weeks before my departure, and the whirlwind of preparations began. Since I’d never traveled internationally, the first order of business was to rush through the process of obtaining my passport. At the same time, I called my parents to share the news.
That evening, I made an unplanned visit to my parents‘ home, I needed to gather the necessary documents for my passport and, more importantly, discuss my derision lace to face with them.
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As expected, they were supportive of my hoice to further my education abroad.
“I don’t mind you going, but you should talk it over with Bradley, my mom advised. “Don” I make a decision you’ll regret later.”
Her words made me pause, but I responded with unusual calmness. “Mom, we broke up.”
“What?” she exclaimed, her shock evident. “How come I never heard anything about this?”
My dad, visibly concerned, leaned forward, his voice tinged with irritation. “Did he dump you? Did he cheat on you? Tell me, Ashley!”
“Dad, calm down!” I urged, guiding him to sit on the couch. “You too, Mom. Relax. I was the one who ended it.”
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“But why?” my mom pressed, still not convinced.
“I just didn’t see a future for us,” I replied, trying to sound matter–of–fact.
Despite my explanation, I could tell my parents were struggling to understand, especially my mom. After all, I had pursued Bradley with such determination, even seeking her advice on how to win him over.
When I was younger, I was hopeless in the kitchen. The thought of chopping ingredients felt like a nightmare. My dad, who doted on me endlessly, refused to let me near a knife, which didn’t help my cooking skills at all.
Before Bradley entered my life, I had never set foot in the kitchen. But for him, I learned to cook.
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I even went as far as staying fashionable and keeping up with the latest trends, all for his sake. Looking back, being with Bradley had turned me into someone who mastered skills I had avoided for years in just a few months.
Honestly, it wasn’t so bad!
Still, my decision to break up with Bradley probably didn’t make sense to my parents, especially my mom. They knew how much I had adored him, so my sudden decision to give up on him likely seemed baffling.
“Ending a relationship is a serious matter. Are you sure you ve thought this through?” my mom asked. her concern evident.
“I’ve thought it through. Mom, Dad. I’ve considered everything carefully. You don’t
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need to worry–i won’t regret ending things with Bradley,” I said, my tone firm and serious.
My dad was the first to respond. “Ashley, you’re an adult now. If you’ve made your decision, then I’ll support you.
My mom nodded in agreement, offering a reassuring smile.
“If he ever bothers you, call me, my dad added suddenly, his eyes blazing with protective fire. “I don’t care if he’s the heir of the family I’ll make him regret even thinking about crossing your path!”
I couldn’t help but chuckle wearily. “I’ll have a headache if you get jailed for that, Dad. Please don’t do anything rash.” Despite the slight tension, I felt deeply grateful for my parents unwavering support.
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Dinner eventually came to an end, and I retreated to my room at my parents‘ house.
I was grateful that my mom had prepared it for my return. Settling in, I grabbed my laptop and placed it on the desk, planning to do some research on the Tasmanian Capo’s operations–the place where I’d soon be studying.
But as soon as I opened my browser, curiosity got the better of me.
I logged into my Instapic account, only to be met with a flood of 100+ notifications.
“What in the world…?” I muttered, bewildered I had expected some messages from
random people after my breakup, but not this many.
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5 VIDIG
Clicking on the notifications, I quickly realized why. I’d been tagged in a post by @King_Bradley.
Just then, my phone vibrated. It was a message from Bradley.
Bradley. [Ashley, if you have a moment, check your Instapic account. Update me with your decision to relocate as soon as possible.]
