Chapter 21 - Unannounced Visit

Megan's POV

"Are you alright, Megan?" Zach asked as he drove me home, and I want to see Ashton. Still, I felt shy to tell Zach about it, since he was also one of the rich kids and one of the best football players in our school, but among the players, he was the most friendly since I had heard him say hi to me many times before Ashton showed interest to date me.

"Yeah, I am just worried about him, and I hope that he was fine," I said as I look outside the window, and I realized I promised to spend time with him after my work today. But I couldn't believe he had a minor injury, and I think it was a sign that Ashton is not the guy for me. Still, as I think about it, I can't stop myself from feeling sad because deep in my heart, I know I was looking forward to our date, and I hated myself that I was trying hard to get, but I can't blame myself. I am just afraid if I will get hurt if I get involved with him.

"Do you want to come with me and see him?" Zach asked, and I get confused since I haven't seen Ashton's house. Still, I know their house is big since their family, including some of their properties, has been featured in a magazine, and since I was so crazy about him during our junior year, I bought three copies of the magazine with the same content. And I cut his picture. I know it was a bit crazy on my part, but only Alice knew about my foolishness about Ashton.

"Are you sure it would be okay?" I asked, and a beautiful smile appeared on Zach's face.

"Of course, I am sure he will be happy to see you." He replied.

"How about his parents? Would it be alright if they will see me?" I asked, and I am still hesitant to come with Zach and visit Ashton, but I will not feel at ease if I see Ashton. I want to make sure he was okay.

"Of course, besides, I know his mom and dad have a date, and they will be spending their night on their yacht at the Astikoz City Yacht Club." He replied, and I became more determined to visit Ashton since his parents were not around.

"Okay, I want to see him, Zach," I replied, and he looked at me sideways and gave me his beautiful smile.

"Thank you, Zach, not only for picking me up from my part-time job today but for what you did last night in the cafe. You don't need to do it." I said as I remember him paying for the canceled orders of latte of Lauren's friend.

"Your welcome, Megan. And I want you to know that Ashton has nothing to do about it, and he wasn't aware of what happened last night, and please keep it to yourself." He replied, and his answer took me off guard, and I wonder why he did it in the first place.

"If Ashton doesn't know anything about it, then why did you help me," I asked, bewildered. Zach let out a heavy sigh before he answers me.

"First, because Ashton is my friend, and I have to be honest with you, Meg, since you are now dating Ashton, you should know the truth, and I hope we can still be friends," Zachary said, and his words confused me to the highest level.

"I like you a lot, Megan, even before Ashton started showing interest in you, but I didn't take my chance on you knowing you are so focused on your studies, and I also know that you only have eyes for Ashton, but you don't need to worry since I didn't tell him about it, and I don't want him to felt relax in courting you." He said, and I couldn't believe Zachary King will confess his feelings towards me, and I blushed not because he told me about what he felt for me but because he knew I am crushing Ashton.

"I am sorry, I didn't know," I replied, and I don't know how to act around Zach anymore.

"It is okay, Megan. I wish we could be friends." He said, and he sounds so enthusiastic about it while I can't stop myself from grinning from ear to ear.

"Of course, I like you to be my friend, Zach," I said, and we fell silent until we took the road going to Astikoz hills. It was as if my eyes became more extensive, and my jaw dropped when I saw the beautiful mansions before my eyes. I couldn't imagine myself living in this place, and I even felt out of place while I was riding Ashton's sports car, and I wonder why Zach was driving his car. My neck aches as I looked around, and I wonder where is Ashton's house, I know this residential area of Astikoz City is only for the rich because wealthy businessmen live here. And I know Zach and Ashton were neighbors; that is why they are best friends.

"Wow, I couldn't believe your houses here are so big. It looks like you are living in a castle." I mumbled, and I heard Zachary chuckled, and I can tell my reactions amused him.

"Most houses of this part of the subdivision are not that big since those mansions only have seven bedrooms; wait until we reach the mansion of the Pritzgold family. And they also have a manor outside the city of Astikoz, and you will be more shocked when you see the ancestral home of his father." Zachary said, and I wonder what kind of house Ashton lives in if these houses are small compared to the house of Ashton.

Zachary was right, the moment we turned to the street of Ashton's house, I can see their mansion from outside over the tall electronic gate of the Pritzgold residence, and my jaw dropped again the moment I saw the elegant enormous mansion of Ashton's family as Zach drove on the driveway. I felt like we would check in to a five-star hotel and resort as I can see the beautiful landscaped before us, and I suddenly felt small.

And I can't stop having a second thought. If before I said I was way out of his league this time, I can tell the big difference in our life status. Their house is so big, and their garage is full of luxurious cars that made me want to beg Zach to take me home right away, and I can see the concern on his face when he looked at me after he parked Aston's car.

"Hey, why do you look like that?" Zach asked, and I can feel the anxiousness over my entire frame as I feel the trembling of my limbs.

"Are you going to get angry with me if I will ask you to take me home?" I asked him, and I can see the confusion on his face.

"But why? We are already here, Megan." He said, and I couldn't tell him the reason why I wanted to go home.

"I know you felt nervous right now, but you need to control your emotions, Meg. Just relax a little, and I am sure your anxiousness will be gone the moment you will see Ashton. I don't know your reasons why you suddenly change your mind but believe me, Meg, and you will love Ashton's brothers." He said, and I want to tell him I know Lennon and Cole since I have been stalking Ashton before I turned senior high school.

"Don't worry, and I will stay because I will be the one driving you home, and I think we should go to his room now," Zachary said, and he climbed out of his car, and he turned around to open the passenger's door for me, and I can tell, Zach is also a gentleman. And I don't have a choice but to climb out of the car.

Zach leads me to the main entrance of the mansion, and I brace myself the moment we get inside; and I can feel the pounding of my heart as I can hear our footsteps as we walked on the marble floor. And I tried not to look so pitiful when I admired the combination of classic architecture of the house and the modern decor inside of the home. And I can tell that everything I can see in this house costs a lot of money. The enormous double staircase looked so elegant, and I felt so glad that no one is around; and I wonder if they will see one another often while living in a house this big.

We stop in front of a room with a massive wooden door, and I can tell we come in front of Ashton's room, and I couldn't stop the rapid beating of my heart as Zachary opened Ashton's room without knocking on the door, and I can tell, they are close with each other. Ashton's space is beautiful and spotless, and what caught my eyes was his figure lying in bed, and I felt guilty since he was having a rest.

"Buddy, someone is here to see you," Zach said, and Ashton turned his head, and I felt so glad when I saw his face lit up the moment he saw me.

"Megan!" He exclaimed, and he slowly sat up from his bed, and I can see the bandage on his right ankle.

"Hi, I am sorry if I came to visit unannounced," I said.

"Don't apologize, Meg. I felt so happy that you are here.." Ashton replied as he looked at me with an intensity that I couldn't take away my eyes from him, and I realized Zach was right again when he told me I felt better the moment I will see Ashton.