Chapter 122 - Megan’s Secret

Ashton's POV

I couldn't stop myself from smiling like an idiot while I was driving my car on my way home. I can't believe my luck. Seeing Megan again was like I won a jackpot in a lottery; it is more than that. I couldn't think I would meet her in the mall after many years. I felt so happy, even if I was hurt that Megan pretended she didn't recognize me, and I can't thank Alice enough for helping me.

I know I don't deserve a second chance to have Megan back, but I have loved her until now. And I believe we are meant to be, because if she isn't for me, by this time I had have already fallen in love with another girl, but it didn't happen. I felt some attraction, but every time I give myself a chance to date, I will end up wishing I was dating Megan.

I don't have any idea how I will convince Megan to believe in me again. I can see the anger all over her face, and I know that Megan hated me so much that she pretended she didn't know about me. I know that she doesn't want to associate with me anymore, especially when the media linked me with celebrities during my football career. Now I have another problem I need to face, Claire. I can tell why she was avoiding me, and it was because she didn't want to end our relationship.

Claire is beautiful and belongs to a wealthy family, and I couldn't describe the happiness I saw in my father's face when I introduced Claire to him as my fiancee. He was so excited about our upcoming wedding, and this time I couldn't let my dad ruin my chance to be with Megan again. I know he is recovering from his stroke, and it will affect his health if he learns I break up with my fiancee. I have to think about it later; what is essential now is to take Megan back.

And even if I know Zachary hated me for hurting Megan, there is no one I can share my feelings with except him and Isabelle. And I can't wait to meet Megan's son, and I suddenly feel nervous as I realize I couldn't face the child alone. What is wrong with me? Why am I afraid to meet a kid? How can I convince him to help me, knowing his father will get hurt? It doesn't make any sense at all, but all I can do is follow Alice's advice.

It was already late when I arrived at our mansion in Majuscule, and I smiled when I realized my sister was around since I saw her car in the garage. And I couldn't wait to tell her about Megan, and I am sure she is waiting for me in the living room. She usually came home every time she got bored in her condo. I asked her to stay with me or in our house in the metropolis, but she wanted to reside in her condo since she hates waking up early morning.

My dad asked me to use one of our choppers in going to the office, but I love driving my car, and I hate to ride the helicopter because I will arrive at the office right away. There is no challenge at all, I will only use it when necessary when I need to go to the office quickly, and the traffic in the city is so heavy. 

"What took you so long? I have been waiting for you for hours." Isabelle said the moment I met her in the family room, and I smiled when I saw her drinking wine.

"It feels like the party has started without me," I said as I looked at the bottle of wine on the table, and I heard my sister's laughter.

"I got bored waiting for you. Am I dreaming?" She asked, and I furrowed my forehead since I got confused with her question.

"You are smiling, Ashton, and this is the first time that I saw you smiling like that after eight years," Isabelle said, and I sat beside her.

"I have been smiling, Isabelle," I replied.

"Yeah, but those smiles were forced and mostly fake smiles, tonight I can see you are glowing, and I am sure I am not drunk since I drank very little because I was waiting for you; besides, we still have work tomorrow, I only wanted to drink since I felt so lonely." She said, and I know why, like me, my sister is still hung up with Dexter. That is why until now, she didn't get married to her boyfriend even if they had been together for more than four years now. I know it was unfair for his boyfriend, but I couldn't blame my sister because I feel the same way.

"Yes, you are correct, Isabelle; I felt like I was in the clouds right now. I am so happy tonight." I said as I was beaming at her.

"Wow, it must be good news, and I only know one person who can make you this happy, Ashton. Did you meet her?" Isabelle asked as she looked at me with concern written all over her face.

"Yes, I saw Megan and Alice at the mall," I replied, and she put her hands on her mouth, and her eyes turned so big.

"So, she is in Majuscule?" She asked, and I shook and nodded my head.

"She is living in Megalopre, and she is working in Majuscule, and you can't believe it; Megan is the owner of the leading brand perfume in our country today," I said, and my sister became speechless.

"I am so happy that finally, I meet her, even if she ran away from me the moment we crossed the path, but it feels so nice to see her again, and being close with her even for a while brings back old memories. And I need your help, Isabelle." I said.

"You know I am always willing to help you, Ashton, especially about Dexter's sister, but how can I help you? If she is with Gael, will you use force to have Megan back? You can't do that to her, Ashton." She declared.

"I know, Belle, at first I was thinking the same way, but I met Alice, and we talked, but she still hated me. That is why she didn't tell me anything about Megan's life, especially Megan's relationship with the singer. Alice only told me to play my card right, if I wanted to win Megan back. Alice is Megan's best friend, so I think Megan is not happy with Gael even after so many years they have been together because she still loves me." I said, and my sister laughed.

"I couldn't believe you have the kind of fighting spirit, Ashton, but at least you feel that way. And I think you are given another chance to correct the mistake that you made eight years ago, and I hope Megan will forgive you." She responded.

"That is why I needed your help, Isabelle. Help me think of a way to convince Megan that I am now a different person, I know I hurt her so much, and I want to win her back even if I have to beg Gael to let Megan go." I said.

"Ashton, you are the only one who can convince Megan, and you don't need my help. Be yourself because she fell in love with you eight years ago for what you are, and I guess you have to convince her that you were sorry. And I am sure she will try her best to push you away even if she is still in love with you because that is how our mind works. A woman will push the man she loves even if her heart was yelling no because of the pains she felt inside her heart." My sister declared.

"And all you have to do is be patient and don't surrender, you hurt her, and you deserve all the insults and pains coming from her, but you have to remember don't walk away from her ever again, even if you think you can't win her back no matter how hard you try," Isabelle added, and I smiled at her.

"Thank you, Isabelle," I said, and we said good night to each other as we went to our separate rooms, and as I expected, I found it so hard to sleep since I couldn't stop thinking about Megan.

"Thank you, Zach. I know I can still count on you even if you still hated me for what I did to Megan eight years ago." I said as we got out of my car. 

"I thought you wanted Megan back, and how come we drive all the way here in Megalopre, and what the hell are we doing here in the school ground?" He asked me, and I looked at my best friend, feeling guilty that I hadn't told him anything yet.

"Alice told me to meet Megan's son if I wanted to have Megan back," I said, and his face turned pale that he made a back stepped.

"Are you alright, Zach?" I asked, and he nodded at me, and I could tell something was bothering him since he fell silent after I told him about my plan.

"You can tell me about your opinion regarding this matter, Zach, you are my best friend, and I don't hide any secrets from you," I said.

"Well, I hope you are ready to learn all about Megan, Ashton, and you will have the courage to forgive yourself the moment you will know all the truth." He said, and I could tell the meaning behind his words, and I understood what he meant. My best friend was talking about Megan's relationship with Gael.

"Of course, Zach, I am more than ready," I said, and before Zachary could talk, I heard a woman's voice behind me, and I turned around to meet her.

"Excuse me, are you, Ashton?" She asked me, and I wondered why she knew me, and I realized maybe she was one of my fans.

"Yes, Ma'am, I am. Is there anything I can do for you?" I asked, and I smiled since I thought she wanted my autograph.

"Yes, Alice texted me you will be here to meet Axel. I am Clara, his nanny." She said, and I felt relieved as I realized it was a good move that I texted Alice that I was on my way to visit Megan's son.

"And I just realized you were Ashton Pritzgold!" She said the moment she recognized my face.

"Thanks for recognizing me," I replied, feeling so excited to meet the boy.

"I am here to give him his lunch since he forgot his lunchbox." She said, and I smiled sweetly at her, and I felt so grateful that she came because I didn't have any idea how he looked since he was still three years old the last time I saw his face on the pictures my grandpa gave me. I was too hurt to look at the kid's face, and I was looking at Megan and Gael at that time. I couldn't stop myself from feeling so excited as we walked towards his classroom, and I was watching the remaining time on my watch.

"Here he is!" Clara said, and when I looked up, I saw a boy running in our direction, and my world stood still when I saw Axel looked at me, and I was looking back at myself when I was seven years old, and there is no way he was Gael's son when he looked exactly like me when I was his age. And I realized something bigger, and I couldn't breathe as I realized what a fool I had been.. I couldn't stop myself from crying as I discovered Megan's secret, and the realization hit me like a bomb, I felt so ashamed of myself, but I couldn't deny the happiness I felt being the father of Megan's son.