Chapter 88 - I Am Ready

Megan's POV

"Wow! Megan that would be exciting!" Alice exclaimed after I told her that Ashton invited me to his mother's birthday party this coming Friday night at their residence as we conducted an inventory of the fish food supplies and stocks of the fish shop.

"Exciting is underrated, Al," I replied, and my best friend giggled.

"I don't know how I fell anymore, and I don't even have a dress to wear. Ashton said it was only a simple gathering, and they only invited family friends. When Ashton said, family friends, I could tell it means the entire population of Astikoz hills." I added.

"I don't care about their guests because I am more worried about his parents." I continued, and she stopped counting the packs of fish food, and she looked at me sideways.

"Well, I think you should be happy about it since Ashton is serious about you, can you imagine? He is now ready to introduce you to his parents, it only means your boyfriend is not fooling around, and of course, he loves you, Meg." My best friend said, and I could tell she was so happy for me.

"We tried to keep our relationship secret, and I wonder why he suddenly changed his mind, and right now I am having a hard time anticipating what would happen during his mom's birthday, and just thinking about it made me feel nervous and anxious. I am sure his father will know right away I am Dexter's sister." I replied.

"It means Ashton is ready, you gave him everything, Meg, all your love, and I guess Ashton is so proud to have you as his girlfriend; besides, I am sure he will be there for you, and he will protect you from his dad, and I think Gregory won't hurt you. If I were you, you better stop thinking about it, okay? Just worry about it after the party." Alice responded.

"You will not feel the fun if you worry about what might happen during his mom's birthday party, so the best thing you can do is to relax and enjoy. Besides, l am sure your boyfriend will not invite you to embarrass you in front of his family." She added, and I know my best friend has a point. I set aside my worries, and I think positively that his parents will accept and like me.

Ashton and I got so busy since our final exam was approaching, but we always found time to date, and I can't deny I always enjoy my time with Ashton. We usually hung out on his favorite place at the hills, where we usually spent our time cuddling and kissing each other. But I couldn't stop feeling so worried as the days passed, and I knew sooner I would meet his parents. I haven't met his sister yet, but I could tell Isabelle is a beautiful lady because I know my brother will not fall in love with her if she is not lovely.

I was on my way home after my part-time job, and I was surprised when I couldn't find Ashton's car in the parking lot when I got out of the fish shop. Alice went home ahead of me since her mother asked her to come home earlier. I fished out my phone from my pocket, and I tried calling Ashton's number, but his number could not be reached, and I suddenly felt worried why he didn't inform me if he could not come. I waited for a while, and I started to worry about what was going on.

I dialed Ashton's number again, but still, his number was unreachable. It was getting late, and I still needed to do my assignments, so I decided to walk home. And when I was about to leave, I saw a white sports car approaching, but it wasn't Ashton's car, so I continued to walk on the sidewalk, and I was stunned when the sports car slowed down beside me.

"Megan!" I heard a female voice call my name, and when I looked sideways, I was shocked to find Isabelle over the window. I have seen her pictures, and there is no doubt she is my brother's ex-girlfriend and my boyfriend's sister.

"Hop in!" She added, and I no longer hesitated when I saw her smiling at me. I opened the door and got inside, and I could smell her sweet fragrance right away; and when I turned my head to face her, I was mesmerized by how beautiful she was, and I became speechless as I gaped at her.

"Hi, I am Isabelle, and I am sorry if I didn't inform you in advance; my brother asked a favor from me to pick you up since Dad requested for his presence at home. I have been home because of mom's birthday tomorrow." She said as she smiled at me.

"I am, Megan," I replied since I didn't know what to say to her, and she beamed at me.

"It is nice to meet you, Meg. My brother was right. Your face in the picture does not do you justice since you look so beautiful and charming in person. No wonder my brother was so crazy about you." She declared, and I want to tell her the same things since I know how crazy my brother was for her. But I know I am not in the position to remind her about Dexter. And how I wish Isabelle would know that my brother is still in love with her, and he was working so hard to have her back.

"Can I take you to dinner, Meg?" She asked me, and I nodded my head, and I hate myself that I lost my ability to speak in front of Isabelle, maybe because I was so overwhelmed with happiness, and I was surprised by her presence, and I could tell she was looking at me from time to time.

"Meg, I am not going to bite you. You have to relax. I love my brother, and we are close to each other. And to tell you the truth, I hadn't seen Ashton so happy until you became his girlfriend. He became a different person in a good way, and I want to thank you for making my brother so happy." She declared as she looked at the road, and she looked so hot while driving her car. I whirled my head to look at Ashton's sister, and I tried my best to speak with her.

"Thank you for picking me up, Isabelle," I replied and darted a side glance at me, and she smiled at me again.

"Your welcome, Megan." She said, and we fell silent for the rest of the ride. Isabelle brought me to a Mexican restaurant, and after ordering our food, she started talking with me. I couldn't stop myself from feeling so animated by her; even her voice is sweet, Isabelle is lovely beyond words, and I like the way she talks, laughs, and the way she carries herself. Isabelle is beautiful beyond compare, and how I wished my brother was here with me, so his dream to see Isabelle will turn into reality.

"Megan, I want to talk with you." She said after the waiter served our food, and I smiled at her.

"I know my brother invited you to my mom's birthday, and I want to beg you not to come. No offense, Megan, I want you to celebrate my mom's birthday with us. But I could tell my father could hurt you tomorrow night. And I don't want you to break up with Ashton since I know how much he loves you." She said, and I couldn't believe Isabelle's honesty.

"I want to be honest with you, Megan. I think you already knew I was Dexter's ex. And I can still remember the hurtful words my father told your brother." She added.

"I am sorry, Meg, I should not tell you about all this, but I want you to get ready if ever you will decide to come with my brother. I would love to see you tomorrow night, but you needed to be strong since I could tell my father would show it to your face immediately that you don't belong to our world." She continued, and I could feel the pounding of my heart.

"Don't tell Ashton about all this, Meg. He is very confident my father will accept you, and I hope his instinct and gut were right. And I know the reason why he wanted to introduce you to my parents, and that is because he loves you, Meg." Isabelle declared, and she continued to talk with me as we ate our food.

"Thank you for your warning and concern about me, Isabelle. It means a lot to me, and I think I should come with Ashton. I love him too, Isabelle, and I am ready to face your dad and to show him I love his son." I replied, and her face lit up.

"Even if I asked you not to come, deep inside me, I was hoping you would show up tomorrow night with Ashton because I want my parents to respect my brother's decision. It would be exciting because I can't wait to see my father's reaction. And I felt so glad you are a strong woman, and I could tell you are a fighter, Megan, and don't worry, my siblings and I would be there for you." Isabelle said with a wide grin on her face.

We continued to eat our dinner, and even if I became more nervous about facing Ashton's parents, I became delighted that Isabelle likes me to be Ashton's girl, and I could tell she would give us her full support.

"This is for you, Meg," Isabella said after we arrived in our driveway, and she handed me a black lightweight plastic bag, and I could tell right away it was a dress. 

"You have to wear that gown tomorrow. I bought that dress this afternoon in the mall, even if I planned to stop you from coming because I know you will still come. My brother is so lucky to have you." Isabelle added.

"Thank you, Isabelle; one of the reasons I hesitated to attend your mom's birthday party is that I don't have a dress to wear, and now that I have this wonderful gown, I don't think I will have a second thought," I replied, and she smiled at me.

"Good luck, Meg, and see you tomorrow at our house, and don't worry because I will be waiting for you." She said, and I grinned at her.

"Thank you for everything, Isabelle," I responded, and even if I felt worried about what would happen tomorrow, I am now confident that I have Ashton and his siblings to protect me from anything.. I could tell I was now ready to face Gregory Pritzgold.