Chapter 97 - Deep Pain

Megan's POV

I know things between Ashton and me will never be the same again after the party. I didn't tell my family about it because I didn't want them to worry about me, especially my parents. Not even Dexter, deep inside, I wanted to talk with my brother because I know he will understand since he already experienced how cruel Gregory Pritzgold could be, and we are in the same predicament. Until now, I know my brother is still in love with Ashton's sister. I pretended everything was fine between us until his car moved away from our driveway. As I watched Ashton's car fade away, I couldn't stop myself from feeling so lonely, and it felt like I missed him already.

My father put his arm around my shoulder as we got inside our house. I could tell my parents love and adore my boyfriend and how I wish Ashton's dad would accept me to be Ashton's girl, but it would be impossible. I know Ashton's mom likes me, and I can feel the sincerity in her voice and how she looks at me.

I found it so hard to sleep that I got up from my bed and looked at my phone, but I hadn't received a single text from Ashton. I suddenly feel worried for him, and I know Gregory would have done something to my boyfriend again, and I hope he will be strong enough to fight for me.

I went downstairs to drink some milk so I could go to sleep. I was startled to find my brother in the dining room, and I smiled when I realized he was holding a glass with fresh milk in his hand.

"You scared me, Dex; why are you drinking your milk in the dark?" I asked as I looked at my brother.

"I am sorry, I want to feel the night. Can't you sleep either?" He asked me as he stared at my face.

"Yeah, " I replied as I got a glass from the cupboard. I got the cartoon of fresh milk from the fridge and filled my drink, and it almost spilled on the table since I was looking at my brother, who was deep in thought.

"Hey, are you okay?" I asked my brother, and he looked at me and smiled.

"Never been better." He replied, but I could tell he was lying.

"I should ask you the same thing. Are you okay, Meg?" He asked, and I felt worried if I would tell him or not, but in the end, I shook my head. I wanted to release the pain that I have, and I know I can confide with Dexter.

"I am sorry, Meg, but you can tell me everything; I will listen, at least to lighten the burden in your heart. I know I can't do anything about it since I haven't done anything about my relationship with Isabelle, but maybe I can give you some advice." Dexter added.

"Did Gregory hurt you?" He asked, and I could see the concern on my brother's face.

"Yes, he told me to break up with his son after graduation," I said, and I felt so glad I finally told Dexter about it, and I could see the pain on his face.

"I know it will happen, Meg, but I was hoping he will accept you because Ashton is his favorite among his children." My brother said, and I raised my eyebrow.

"Isabelle told me Ashton is his father's favorite because of his talent and intelligence." My brother said.

"What do you think?" I asked him, and Dexter's face fell.

"It is better to break up with him, Meg; that is my opinion because I don't want you to get hurt more. I know you will suffer since I can see how in love you are with Ashton, but nothing can stop Gregory Pritzgold from hurting you and our entire family." He said, and my body turned so cold.

"Thank you, Dex," I said, and I couldn't hide the bitterness in my voice.

"I know how you feel towards him right now, and if I only have money, I already slap him." He said, and I laughed.

"You think if you have the money, you can just slap anyone?" I asked him while I was still laughing.

"Of course not, only Ashton's dad. How could he be so cruel to all of us? He treated us like trash because we don't come from a wealthy family, and he is so lucky that he was born under the family name of Pritzgold; and I wonder what kind of life Gregory would have if he wasn't the son of Henry Pritzgold." Dexter responded.

"It wasn't our choice to be born this way, but I am not ashamed of who I am, Meg. I am so happy to have dad and mom as our parents and you and Ava as my siblings. We may not be wealthy as them, but at least we are happy and feel loved." My brother added as he touched and squeezed my hand over the table.

"I am sorry if there is nothing I can do to help you, Megan. I wanted to take away the pain that you feel right now, but I know I don't have the power to do it." He continued, and I squeezed his hand back.

"I know Dex, and don't worry, I understand," I replied. I felt better after talking with my brother. I know my brother has a point, but I can't just break up with Ashton. After drinking our milk, we said good night to each other and returned to our rooms. And I felt glad I fell asleep right away the moment I lay my body on my bed.

The following days that followed were fine, but I can feel that we both feel tense. And I felt glad Ashton didn't stay away from me, and I could feel he became more attached to me until our graduation day came. I couldn't stop crying during my valedictory address, and I know it was because of Ashton. I couldn't stop myself because I knew the day that I had been waiting for had come, and I dreaded that Ashton would finally say goodbye to me. I know he needs to leave Astikoz soon, but I hope everything will be the same between us.

I was surprised when Ashton's mom, together with his siblings except for Isabelle, came into our house after the graduation ceremony, and they celebrated with us. It was fun, and one week after we graduated, I felt so happy that we were still a couple. Then, one night I came home after one of my dates with Ashton. I found out my parents had lost both their jobs. I was speechless because I knew it was because of me, and they didn't know anything about it; my parents just both wondered why they were given termination notice from the company they worked for, but it didn't stop me from seeing Ashton.

Mom and Dad looked for online jobs, but it feels like Gregory Priztgold had been true to his words. They never got hired whichever company they applied to, and things became worse when I realized after I told Ashton that my parents got fired from their works, he stopped texting and calling me, and I knew he was avoiding me. I tried calling him, but he won't answer me.

It was already one week since I last heard from Ashton, and I am not stupid not to understand what was happening between us. He was breaking up with me, and I felt so angry and humiliated that he didn't have the guts and balls to tell me what was going on.

"Hey, are you sure you are okay?" Alice asked as we worked in our new part-time job in a restaurant since we still had time before classes started, and I felt so thankful for Aunt Sonia because she helped us find another company where Alice and I could work. And I felt so glad my parents got their job back, and they were given a bonus after they returned to their works.

"Megan, I think something happened to Ashton. That is why he stopped communicating with you." My best friend said.

"Alice, I know what is going on; it was his way of breaking up with me." I mumbled as I looked at my best friend, as we were both standing in the kitchen waiting for the orders.

"I don't think so; if you want, we can go to his house." Alice said, and I shook my head.

"No, he was the one who chased me, and I know he made his choice. He loves football more than me, Alice. Even his siblings won't answer my calls." I said as I released a heavy sigh. 

"Meg, please, you needed to see him because you looked so pale and sickly lately, and I know it was because of Ashton." Alice responded.

"Don't worry, Alice, I will be fine. I just needed some time to heal my broken heart." I replied.

"Are you kidding me? The way I see it, I don't think you are going to forget about Ashton, not in a long shot, but believe me, he will come back to you, Meg." Alice declared.

"It has been one week, and you looked like a zombie. I haven't seen you cry even once, and you need to cry your pain, Meg. It is okay to cry and look weak, and I know you are in deep pain, Megan." Alice softly said, and I shook my head.

"Ashton wasn't worth my tears, Alice. He didn't even bother to tell me he was leaving, and I think he already went to WEN University with his dad." I said.

"I don't know, Meg, and I think the best thing to do is to go to the Priztgold mansion and talk with him." Alice declared.

"No, I will never do that, Alice." I said, and we stopped talking when we had the orders, and we served the food to the customers.

I haven't heard about my boyfriend for another week, and I know what we had was over, and Alice was right. I was in deep pain, and I never realized there was this kind of pain. It feels like I am dying inside.. I hate what Ashton did to me, and I promised myself never to see him again until one day something happened that made me want to disappear forever, but I didn't have a choice but to find Ashton Pritzgold.