Some might call religion a crutch, something that people lean on to justify their life choices. However, Ashton did not see religion as a crutch. For him, it was a relationship with God...much like a relationship between a loving father and son. He learned so much from his daily studies that he felt so close to his heavenly father. He was thankful for this because he did not get such affection from his earthly one. When his biological father told him he would amount to nothing, God told him he would be successful in his ventures. Where his father beat him, God loved him. And where his father had fallen short, God gave him all that he needed and more. It was a beautiful relationship, God and he.

It was this beautiful relationship that had given him the confidence to leave his family and his home â€" his safety net. He was able to leave South Carolina and travel to Sacrosanct without fear of what was to come. He knew that God would look after him and guide him on a righteous path. So far, he had not been let down. God had gotten him here safely, helped to find him a modest apartment that he could afford, and he had brought people like Malia, Nadya, and Ellie into his life when he needed friends. It was not lost on him that all these new faces were women. Perhaps God wanted him to open his heart to love. While he wasn't actively searching for his soul mate, he would listen to God and leave that part of him open. Who knew? Perhaps he had already met the love of his life.

He and Ellie engage in friendly conversation, talking about their love for Whole Foods and the local farmer's market. He mentions that he prefers to get his bell peppers from the farmer's market because that is his signature dish. She lights up with smiles and excitement and he cannot help but match her smile with one of his own. His bright blue eyes are soft as she mentions that stuffed peppers are among her favorite things. "Perhaps you might like to sample one of mine some time. I put in a little secret ingredient." Cooking was his passion and he always found an unusual ingredient that really made the dish something special. For his stuffed bell peppers, it was...got you! It's a secret that he will go to his grave with.

She continues on, saying that she loves to cook. He nods at her question, his smile almost radiant. "I do love cooking. My mother taught me all I know." She suggests that they might make dinner together sometime and he nods his head. "I would like that. I have a fully-stocked kitchen. You're welcome to stop by one night." He made it sound like a date. She could stop by his house, they could cook and share a meal together and engage in pleasant conversation. If he were not the moral man he was, he might move in for a kiss or two or three...and perhaps insist that she stay the night. And yet, nothing would happen at dinner other than sharing a meal and conversation.

She offers him a suggestion of a place to work and he listens careful, taking note of the name of the establishment. "Is she hiring cooks?" While he might prefer to have a cook position, he supposed he would not be picky right now. He just needed a job period. Something to make some money so he could move up in life here in Sacrosanct. He didn't necessarily need to be rich, but he did want to be in a position where he felt comfortable and didn't have to always worry if his bills would be paid on time.

They speak of their coffee preferences and she invites him to the little coffee house that she visits from time to time. He accepts the invitation, warning her that his apartment is modest so she doesn't go thinking he has some huge accommodation. She doesn't seem to mind, however, and he is pleased by that. He's trying to make a good impression on her, even if he's not sure why he's wanting to make such a good impression on her. He can feel the flutter of butterflies in his belly, but he cannot disregard them as only a nervous feeling.

As they walk towards his apartment, she asked him where he's from. He ponders for a moment just how much he wants to share with her. After all, they had only just met. She seemed like a nice girl. But before he could answer, she was quick to give him an out if he didn't want to answer her questions. He offered her a soft smile, thankful that she was concerned about how he felt about the matter.

He was just about to open his lips and answer her question when she spoke first. She mentions her brother and she moving a few months ago and he nods. While he had never heard of Elkgrove, he was sure it was a beautiful little town â€" to Ashton, every town was. "I'm from a small coastal town in South Carolina. My father owns a cattle ranch there. I worked it with my brother and my mother." He thinks back on his family and he realizes that his misses his mother and brother terribly. While he loved his father, he was not missing the beatings.

They turn a single corner and Ashton stops in front of an apartment building. He walks up the few steps and opens the door for Ellie, motioning for her to step through. "Go ahead." He waits until she is through the door before he follows then leads her towards the elevator. He presses the "up" button and after a few seconds, the door opens and he holds the door open so she can sleep inside first with the motion of his hand. He presses the "four" button and the doors close behind them. The elevator begins to sing the most beautiful songs and after a short ride, it opens.

Once again, Ashton uses his arm to keep the elevator door open as he motions, yet again, for her to step through first. Following her, he passes her up and leads her to apartment 407. He pulls out his keys from his pocket and slides it into the lock. After a quick turn to the right, the door swings open. "After you." Once inside, he closes the door and flips on the light. Making his way into the kitchen, he places his bag of groceries on the counter before he begins unloading.