Chapter 77 - Our Own World

Ashton's POV

I felt so glad that after the victory party held at Zachary's place, which Megan attended, Lauren and her friends stopped bothering my girl. I couldn't be happier because I could see that my lovely girlfriend is now more confident to walk with me in the hallways of the Academy. And eating with her at the cafeteria during lunch made me more at peace because everyone knew that we were together, and I could tell that most of my friends were happy for me, except for some boys I could tell wanted Megan to be their girlfriend too.

"So, what is your plan for your birthday, Ashton?" Zachary asked me as we walked towards the shower room after our football practice, and I felt so glad our coach ended our practice earlier than expected. I could tell he had some important matters to attend to, and I was so pleased because I could pick up my girlfriend and her best friend at the mall.

"Well, I plan to spend the entire day with Megan at my grandpa's place, and I need to go home to my family during the night and celebrate my birthday with them. I know my dad asked us to go somewhere and maybe out of town." I said.

"I felt sad and guilty that until now I haven't introduced Megan to my parents, and thinking I couldn't invite Megan to come with us even if I wanted to celebrate my special day with my girl together with my family," I added.

"You can't risk it, Ashton, knowing what your father did to Dexter and Isabelle, he could do it with you, and I know how much you care about Megan, and I am also aware you are falling in love with her hard," Zach said, and I smiled.

"Yeah, you are right; I am helplessly falling for her. And I am just afraid my father will find out about us, but for now, I want to enjoy every moment I can have with Megan, and I know I can count grandpa Henry to back me up when that time comes. I plan to keep our relationship secret from my father. I know mom knew I have a girlfriend, but I can tell my dad is busy running his company, so I am sure he doesn't have time to check my social media account." I replied.

"That is impossible, and I am sure your father knew about it; you need to brace yourself, Ashton; you will never know if he will use your relationship with Megan someday to make you follow what he wants with your life. I know you want to be independent and all, but you can never run from who you are." He said, and I furrowed my eyebrow.

"Come on, buddy, you are the heir of your father's company; you should never forget about that fact. But for now, enjoy every moment you have with Megan. Treasure everything." Zach added, and I smiled at him.

"Of course, every time I spend time with Megan, it feels like time stands still, and I don't want our date to end. And I always wanted to see her, I could tell I miss her every moment of my life, and I felt afraid if this is not normal anymore." I responded, and my best friend laughed at me.

"That is normal, buddy; you are just in love." He said, and I beamed at him, and we fell silent for the rest of our walk since I couldn't stop thinking about my girlfriend with a broad smile on my face.

I was on my way to the mall and listening to my music, and now I could say my favorite soundtrack. I felt so glad Zachary recorded Megan's song when she sang during the party. Now I am smiling like an idiot every time I am driving my car since I can't stop listening to her sweet voice, and of course, I felt so overwhelmed with happiness that she dedicated her song for me, and I couldn't wait to tell her later that she is exceptional. I felt so proud that in her music, she emphasized she wasn't special, but I made her feel special, and she will always be the most special girl in my life, aside from Mom and Isabelle.

I know Zachary's words got me, but for now, I will also follow his advice to enjoy every moment I spend with my girlfriend. My best friend could be right, it would be impossible if my father didn't know about my relationship with Megan, and maybe he will use it against me when the right time comes. And for now, he was only giving me the freedom to enjoy my high school life, but I am sure sooner my father will intervene, and that is a possibility that he will also wreck my relationship with Megan. And I need to be ready to face him, and I have to protect Megan from my father whatever it takes.

Even from a distance, I can see her with her best friend, and they were talking earnestly, and I wonder what she bought this time since I know my girl is allergic to shopping. I understand she constantly worries about her budget, and I am trying my best to help Megan without her knowing because I know Megan sacrificed her Saturday work schedule just for me. She already told me she would always be there to support me every time I had a game. It made me a proud boyfriend since my girl is very supportive.

I stopped in front of Megan and Alice, and I quickly got out of my car to open the doors for them. And my heart swelled with happiness when my girlfriend gave me one of her sweetest smiles that always wanted me to hug and kiss her.

We eat dinner together with Alice, and then we dropped Alice at her home, and I can't wait to be alone with my girlfriend, and this time I will take her back to my favorite spot at Astikoz hills, the one inside our property that we can see the view of the city below. I already brought Megan there, and this is the second time, and I wouldn't say I like how her body tensed up when she realized I was driving her to Astikoz hills.

"Hey, you need to relax, Meg. I will only bring you to my favorite spot. I want to gaze at the stars tonight with you, I come to that place often, but now that you have become my girlfriend again, it would be lonely without you." I said, and I looked at her sideways, and she weakly smiled at me, and I felt relieved that I saw her body relaxed

"I am sorry," I added.

"Why are you feeling sorry, Ashton? I love that place as well, and it makes me feel we are in our own world, away from everyone." She responded.

"I am sorry that I couldn't take you to our house every time my parents were at home, and I felt so guilty that your entire family accepted me as your boyfriend, but I couldn't even introduce you to my dad and mom. Don't worry, Meg, on the right time." I declared, and I felt Megan squeeze my hand.

"Hey, don't sweat about it. I understand, Ashton; what is important is we are together. I know you are also afraid if we will undergo the same fate as our siblings once your father finds out about us. I don't want that to happen because I love what we have right now, and I don't want any of this to end." She said, and I glanced at her sideways, and I brought her hand to my mouth and kissed her smooth knuckles.

"Me too, Meg. I don't want this to end either, and I will do everything I can to protect you, and thank you for your understanding." I replied.

"Of course, I want us to work, Ashton. I don't care if you keep our relationship secret from your parents as long as you still want me."

"I will never stop loving you, Megan." I replied, and the happiness I saw in her face was enough to make me feel so happy and complete.

"Thank you for choosing me." She said.

"Are you kidding me? You are the only girl who made me feel this way, and do you think I will choose someone else? You are the only girl I want to kiss, Megan." I said, and when I looked at her staring at me, I could see how her face flushed, and it made me grin with delight.

"I will always be fascinated by this place, the city looked so calm and peaceful up here, and the lights below made my heart felt so warm, and if I look at the sky, I can see the stars shining like diamonds, no wonder this is your favorite place," Megan said as I helped her climb at the back of my pick-up truck after I spread the blanket. I also brought pillows

"Wow! It is beautiful and so romantic!" She said after I lay beside her, and we were both looking at the stars in the sky, and I smiled.

"Yes, indeed, and it will be more romantic if I seal it with a kiss," I said, and I heard my girlfriend giggled, and I could no longer control myself. I caressed Megan's face before I claimed her eager mouth. I kissed my girl like I hadn't kissed her before, and I couldn't stop myself from touching Megan's responsive body.. And I pulled her closer to me, and I felt so glad to have this moment with Megan, and it feels so lovely to watch the night sky while I have her in my arms.