Ashley POV

I've had a long day.

Four surgeries and one to go. Leaving me to get off of work at 8:30 tonight. I don't mind but as I get farther along in my pregnancy I get tired quicker. I have about a hour and a half until my next surgery so I go take a seat in the empty lounge and pull out my iPad to watch a little tv while I eat. But my show is interrupted a face time call. Answering it I put my air pods in to hear as I eat my chicken Caesar salad.

" well look who it is" I say jokingly

"Haha funny" Izzy says through the phone wiping his face. I watching him turn the side table lamp on so that I can see

" how you feeling?" He asks as I am almost 19 weeks pregnant and we go back to the doctor in about a week to find out the gender. I'm not very big but you can still tell that I am pregnant because my bump is more defined.

" I'm fine I've been feel a little movement" I say placing a hand over my bump as I pick up my large water cup.

" damn really" he says

" yeah but I think only I can feel it right now it's not like kicking yet" I let him know. "But how ahead and how to sleep you look tired" I laugh before finishing my salad.

" yeah Ima do that cause I got another show tonight" he say stretching his arms

" don't forget the appointment is next Friday at 10" I say sternly

" girl I ain't gone forget about my child" we say a quick departure before he hangs up. Looking at my watch I still have a hour and five minutes so I start back up the show. Before I knew it my alarm was ringing and I woke up in the same spot I was before.

"I done fell asleep" I say to myself before cleaning up after myself and heading to prep.

After a long day I end up getting off of work on time. It's about 8:45 as i walk in the parking garage towards my Mercedes. As I was up on it I stop in shock. From where I can see, my back window is busted out. Walking up closer I see that all my windows are busted, the tires slashed and the word "whore" written on the side. I begin to cry as I call Alek.

"I'm on the way...go back in side. you have to calm down for the baby" he says as I cry hysterically. I worked damn hard for this car and nobody else paid for it. It honestly was my baby and now I don't even know who ruined it. I make my way back inside to see Paris getting off. She sees me in distress and comes to sit me down in a nurses lounge. I try to explain to her as best as my tears allow me too.

"It's okay suga we gone figure it out" she hugged me as my crying began to cease. After about 25 minutes of waiting and comforting, Alek sends a text saying he is outside. Paris decides to walk me on the way to her car. As we get closer I see a tow truck placing my car on the bed of the truck giving me a better glance at the car. Alek sees me and pulls me into a hug. I can tell that he is upset, but I can't think about who would want to do this.

" it's okay let's go" he says before opening his Maserati door for me. And getting in hisself.

" we are going to figure out who did it. Until then you can still drive yourself but I need you to have some security. I haven't had any problems with anyone here but I need to be sure your safe." He says rubbing a hand over his face. Let me explain in detail what Alek does. He runs a large marketing company and owns many stocks. But through that marketing company, they smuggle things I don't know what exactly is being smuggled due to me never being told but I know the basics. The company is real but it has unwritten aspects to it. And of course you can't be in that business without getting your hands dirty. Hence what he is referring too. As the business was running from Russia, my mother and I were at risk. But we are now. Alek has been trying to make the Branch they have here most legit as possible but of course in order to do that you need money and the money has to come from somewhere.

"Alek this isn't your fault don't beat yourself up about it. It has to be someone closer to me to write "whore" on the side" I say chuckling though it's not funny.

Pulling up to my house I notice three cars in my driveway. As i go in I see my friends on my couch with food and blankets waiting. They embrace me as i sit down. I go take a quick shower and come back to see the girls all sitting in the living room still. I rejoin them and we watch Friday before i start to doze off. I wake up to the girls telling me to go get i bed and they'll stay if i want. Shaking my head yes i walk up to my bed. I have three bedrooms in my house but they'll probably sleep in my large bed so i go ahead and place my large pillows along the side of my room. It isn't long before they pile in with their pajamas on. Bri coming in last bringing a basket full of snacks and drinks.

"i know y'all fat asses gone get hungry" she says before getting in the bed.

"how sweet of you" Maya says kissing her cheek. I honestly couldn't ask for a better group of friends. They are always there when i need them.

"thank y'all for being here" i say trying to hold back my tears. They then all embrace me in a large group hug before we turn on the tv as background noise before heading to sleep.

I wake up to the sun slipping through my curtains i forgot to close completely. I notice that the only person still in bed is Paris. That girl could sleep through a hurricane.

"alright time to get up girly get dressed. Breakfast is almost ready" Bri says coming into the room. Bri always has so much energy in the mornings. I swear i dont know how she does it.

"why am i getting dressed" i asked going to do my daily hygiene routine.

" just get dressed girl" says walking into the restroom "and how is my niece doing" i laugh

"they are fine... very active today if im not mistaken" i say as i feel fluttering.

"aww why can't i feel" she says touching my stomach. I finish brushing my teeth before telling her how they stopped and only i can feel them. Walking into my closet i pull out a simple knee length body con dress and some fluffy slides to walk in before tying a louis vuitton scarf on top of my head. I add some brown shades, the necklace and the Chanel bag Izzy brought me for my birthday and some lipgloss to top it off. I dont know what this girl has planned but i felt i was fit for any occasion.

Walking down the stairs i see everyone at the island in my kitchen; even Paris. I pay them no mind as i grab a fork and begin eating some of the fruit that sits in the middle. Maya hands me a plate full of food and i begin to dig in. As im enjoying my food i hear a car engine. Paying it no mind i continue to eat my food.

"here comes the baby daddy" Paris says looking out my living room window. Thats when it hit me. I didn't tell him about the car situation and our child could've been in danger if the person is reckless. Next thing i know he rings the door bell and they all look at me as i look at them with big eyes. Maya lightly pushes me out the seat so i guess i gotta get the door. I walk up to the door as i slowly open it to see a angry Izzy.

"well goodmorning" i say trying to smile.

"come take a ride with me Ash" he says getting ready to turn around.

"but i can't leave my company, you can come-" i get cut off

"nope we was just leaving " Bri says as they grab bags i didn't even se sitting in my living room before Maya hands me my purse and phone before she walks out. Leaving me with no option i lock up and heading to his car getting in.

He takes off into the busy atlanta streets as i stay quiet. "what happened ashley" he says as stops at a red light, looking at me.

"i-i don't know i just walked out and the car was ruined. Im sorry i should've told you the baby-" he cuts my rambling off.

"Ashley be quiet im not upset so calm down." he says calmly

"you're not ?" i look at him as he shakes his head."then why do you look mad" I say confused.

"im mad at the fact someone could be out to hurt you and my child, not at you" He says pulling into a very nice suburb.

" who told you?" i ask knowing it was Bri.

"Alek called me once he dropped you off. I flew out as soon as i could" he says before punching the gate code in and driving up to a nice house.

"whose house?" i ask staring

"mine." he says before getting out and coming over to my side opening my door. He unlocks the door allowing me to walk in. I follow him into the contemporary kitchen. It is decorated with brown cabinets, stainless steel appliances, and dark brown hard wood flooring throughout. As i look around it looks very clean. Spotless almost, like nothing is ever out of place.

I watch as he goes to a drawer and pulls out a pair of keys. I stare in confusion as to why he brought me here for some keys until he signals for me to follow him and he opens a door that leads to a four car garage.

"now i know you need something to drive so here" he says handing a pair of car keys.

"you dont have to i was going to wait for my ins-" i say before he cuts me off placing the keys my hand

"take the car Ash. You can't be out here with nothing to drive. If you want to get another car with the insurance money do that but this one already paid off and allat" he say looking me in my eyes.

"ok, thank you. You didn't have to do this" i say lowly giving him a hug. i press the unlock button waiting to see which car ill be taking. I walk towards a 2020 Lexus RX, I've always seen these cars but they are more beautiful in the inside. Opening the door i take in the new car smell as i admire the amazing interior.

"you like it ?" he asks

"yes its gorgeous " i say smiling.

"have you ever driven it" I ask him because it looks fresh of the lot.

" yeah from the dealer" he says looking at me.

"no.. nope.. naa.. no sir" i say getting out of the car making him look at me crazy.

"what's wrong" he says looking in the car.

" i know you did not buy me this car." i tell him trying to give him the keys. I didn't want him to think i was using him.

"ash take the damn car. Its already in your name so one way or another it'll be in you garage" he says causing me to roll my eyes. I give him another hug before thanking him.

"alright now i gotta go to the studio let me know when you get home" he says. Agreeing i let him know that i was going to get my mom and go out with her.

Hopping in the brand new car i connect my phone to the bluetooth and play last days of summer by summer walker. That album was honestly my favorite of hers. I drive out as Izzy walks back into his house. Within no time i make it to my moms house, i didn't know he lived so close to me. That'll be good for when the baby comes so i guess it works out.

I text my mom letting her know that i was outside. Within five minutes she comes out in a some ripped jeans and simple top, i swear she think she so young.

"damn Izzy picked a nice one" she says feeling on the dashboard.

"so you knew?" i say backing out of her drive way

"who you think told him to get you an SUV or something" she says pointing to herself. "honestly you needed something else you got that baby coming sooner than you think... speaking of that next week after the reveal we need to start the nursery." she says

"I've already started cleaning out the room closet to mine all that left is the bed which ill have Alek or someone move." i say turning into Lennox. My mom and i spend the day shopping and picking some gender neutral items for the baby. We finished our day by a meal at the cheesecake factory.

I dropped ma off at about 7:30 and headed back to my house. I back into the garage so that its easier for me to get the stuff out but once i got out i didn't feel like it anymore. "ill come back later i say to myself" going in through my kitchen i noticed the vase containing my fresh flowers broken on the floor. I look in to the island to see a Manila envelope with my name on it. Taking steps towards it I am careful not to step on the glass. I remove the contents of the envelope to see pictures from Izzy and I leaving the doctors, going to the store and even today when he picked me up. The final picture is of me with a x over my stomach causing me to gasp. I hurry and grab my phone dialing the first number I see.

Izzy POV

I'm in the studio listening to a new beat that the producer had just made.

" yo that's it" I say vibin out as Que and King are rolling up. I happen to look over at my silenced phone to see it ringing. I grab it to see Ashley calling. She never really calls me especially in the middle of the night.

"Wussap" I barely get out before she starts rambling

"Someone's been following us and taking pictures a-and they were in my house and I-I t-they marked out the baby and I'm scared." She said hyperventilating

" okay do you remember the way to my house" I say walking out the studio getting looks from the boys

" y-yeah" she gets out

" Ight go there and wait for me I'm sending you the gate code now" I told her hanging up. I tell the boys that I have to leave and make my way to the house. Within 25 minutes I get the house to see Ashley sitting in the car crying. I get out and knock her car door before she looks at me and opens it. She wraps her arms around me crying as I embrace her. We walk inside and she sits on the couch with a Manila envelope in her hand. Her cries have ceased as she hands it to me. I grab it emptying it on the living room table. I see all of the pictures of us and the one that stuck with me the most is the one with an x over her stomach.

" are you okay?" I ask as she looks down at her nails. Causing her to break down in tears. I move in closer too her as she leans into my chest crying.

" I don't know Israel. Someone it's out to hurt us and I don't even know what I did" she says in distraught.

"We gone figure this out" I say rubbing her back. We stayed like that for a while until I didn't hear her sniffling anymore. Looking down i see he'd knocked out. Picking her up, I carry her upstairs bridal style and taking her into the guest room. After I brought the rest of her belongs to the room I went back down stairs to think. I grab a drink and take a seat on the couch. I tried to rule out everyone. I started with Nique. She was all the way in Vegas so I was confused to how it could be her. So then I though about Aaron. He did threaten her and he has been M.I.A. Since.

I picked my phone and called Alek. I have connects but not like he does.

Unknown

"Did you do it" I ask through the phone.

" yes I did. You should've seen her face" I laugh in their response.

" so how did Izzy respond?" I ask before picking out my outfit.

" he bought her a car."

"HE WHAT ?" I respond hitting my luggage.

"Yes he bought her a car"

"So what did you do?" I ask sitting down on the bed.

" I placed a few photos in her house to scare her away"

"Okay and where is she now?" I ask hopefully

" at his house" they say

" you know what ... I'm done with you. You fucking drove her into his arms" I say hanging up in their face

Closing my eyes before a scream out in anger. Picking my phone up I book the next flight to Atlanta.