Chapter 174 - Feeling Proud

Ashton's POV

Having Ashton in my house feels so right. I could see the happy look on my son's face, and I loved looking at him, smiling all the time. And I decided since I am now so sure to have him back in my life, it is about time I should bring him to Abigail.

"You look amazing, Meg," He said the moment I got inside his car, and I know I felt like a teenager at the moment.

"Thanks, and you look so hot and dashing as always, Ashton," I responded, and he chuckled.

"So, you find me hot, right?" He asked, and I couldn't stop myself from giggling.

"Yes," I responded, and he cupped my face and kissed me before he drove away from the house, and I felt so excited that we would send our son to school together.

"Mom, Dad, I am still sitting here just in case you have forgotten that your son is here," Axel said, and Ashton and I laughed.

I wanted to drive his pick-up since I plan to take him to the cemetery after sending our son to school, and I felt glad he handed me his Keys without hesitation. I could feel him tense up the moment he realized we were getting inside the cemetery, and for the first time, I visited Abigail's grave without breaking down. I don't have regrets that I brought Ashton with me.

"Thank you, Ashton," I said as I handed him his keys after we arrived at the parking lot of my office.

"I should be the one thanking you, Meg." He said, and I smiled at him, and I didn't expect he would walk me to my office. I could tell my employees were looking at us as we got inside my office, and I was shocked after I closed my door and spun around. He was standing so close to me that I could smell his aftershave, and I could feel the pounding of my heart against my chest, and when he leaned down and kissed me, I was lost in Aston's world that when he released me, I was holding his arms for support.

"See you soon, Meg, goodbye." He said, and he walked away from me after he kissed my forehead, while I was left light-headed as I relived the sweet kiss we shared.

"Hey, Megan!" I jerked in my seat when I heard Alice's voice. When I looked at her, she was wearing a white pencil skirt that accentuated her figure with a black blouse with a white blazer, and I smiled when I looked at her face, and I realized she was wearing make-up, and my best friend looked sophisticated, and she was giving me a quizzical look.

"Why are you looking at me in that manner, Alice? Have I done something wrong?" I asked, and she shook her head.

"No, but I couldn't believe you will have daydreaming, and for heaven's sake, you are no longer a teenager, Meg." She said, and I felt guilty that she was right; I had been thinking about Ashton since the moment he left my office.

"Who said I was daydreaming about him, Al?" I asked as I tried to browse something on my screen.

"Ha! Don't ever lie to me, Megan Corteza; I have been your best friend ever since I can remember. I know when you are happy, sad, faking an illness, in love, hurt, and so many more." She responded, and I couldn't stop myself from laughing at her.

"He spent the night in your bedroom last night, and now you are still thinking about him. I have been calling you the moment I get inside your office, but it seems like your mind is somewhere else." Alice said, and I took a deep breath.

"I wanted to invite Ashton to the family day this coming Friday, but how am I going to tell him Gael would be there? I don't want them to be at the same place together since I don't want a repeat of what happened the last time they met each other at my house," I said, and her face turned serious.

"Wow, it must be hard." She responded.

"I know, but I am sure he will know about it because for sure my son will tell his father what we will do on his family day," I said.

"Well, don't worry about it, Meg; I think Ashton will understand; besides, you already informed him Gael will always be part of your life, and he can never change that," Alice responded, and I nodded my head.

"I just want to remind you, our new client is waiting for you at the boardroom." She said, and I almost forgot about my meeting. I got up from my swivel chair, and I picked up my trendy blazer and put it on while I was walking towards the door. 

I was shocked when my secretary introduced me to my new client no other than Claire Alenson, Ashton's ex-fiancee, and I couldn't believe she was the owner of CA Beauty International.

"Good morning, Ms. Corteza. I would like you to meet Ms. Claire Alenson, the CEO of CA Beauty International." My secretary introduced us, and I pretended I didn't know her, and I tried my best to look calm while I could feel the shaking of my legs. I am impressed with her, and her proposal is tempting, but I don't think I could work with her. When the meeting ended, I wanted to return to my office right away, but I was stunned by her invitation.

"Can I have coffee with you, Ms. Corteza?" She asked, and I wanted to decline, but I couldn't say no to her in front of my secretary and her assistant.

"Sure, there is a coffee shop nearby," I said as I stood up, and together we walked towards the elevator.

"I want to be direct, Megan. I don't think you don't recognize me." She said right away as we sat on our chairs, and I looked at her, and then I smiled.

"I am sorry, Claire, I know you are the daughter of one of the richest men in the country," I said, and I could see the frustrations on her face.

"I don't need to brag about that everyone in this country knew I am Ricardo Alenson's daughter." She responded.

"But that is not what I am talking about, Megan. Don't pretend you don't know me." She added, and I could tell the tone of her voice changed, and she is no longer the charming client I had a meeting with a while ago.

"I am Ashton's fiancee, and do you think I will get interested in your perfume business? Come on, Megan? Your business is so small, and I could crush you right away if I want you. I am popular, and I can ruin your business with one bad comment about your perfume." She said, and I could feel the trembling of my legs when I saw how angry she looked.

"Stay away from Ashton, Megan." She warned.

"What?" I ask in disbelief.

"I know all about you, Megan Corteza, and I am aware you were always number one in your class, even in college, so I guess I don't need to repeat myself." She hissed.

"I am sorry, Claire, I can't do that, Ashton is the father of my children, and no matter what you do, he will always be part of my life," I responded, and she became furious.

"I will ruin you, Megan. Your business is at its peak, and even your reputation, I know you had an affair with Gael." She said, and my face turned so red with anger.

"That is not true," I said, and she was smiling at me, and I could tell she was mocking me.

"Don't blame me that I didn't warn you, Megan." She said and stood up while I was left dumbfounded about what had happened.

I walked out of the coffee shop with heavy steps, and I didn't want to go back to my office, and instead of going to the elevator, I took the other way towards the parking lot. I got inside my car and left the building, and I couldn't believe I would be doing this again, but I didn't have a choice; she threatened me, and I am no longer the old Megan. I survived without the help of my family, and I endured the pain for how many years, and I will never allow Claire to make me feel weak again.

"Excuse me, Ma'am, do you have an appointment?" The receptionist asked me, and I gave her one of my sweetest smiles.

"No, but please tell him, Megan Corteza was looking for him," I responded, and she raised her eyebrows.

"I remember you, and you have been here before, wow! You've got guts and beauty, but I don't think you can charm me, Ms. Corteza; please leave. Our policy is simple, no appointment, you can't see my boss." She said, and this time instead of walking away, I dialed Ashton's number, but he didn't pick up. I sent him a quick text hoping he would read my message.

"What are you waiting for, Ms. Corteza? Leave!" Jessica yelled at me, and this was not the first time she asked me to leave; I wanted to show her my pictures with Ashton, but I was too ashamed to insist, so I slowly turned around, feeling so lost and alone.

"Megan!" I heard his familiar voice calling before I could walk away from the reception area, and when I turned around, Ashton was running towards me, and I could see the face of the receptionist turned so pale. Ashton put his hands on my waist right away, and before I could speak, he captured my mouth, and he kissed me in front of her wicked receptionist, and I couldn't stop myself from kissing him back without a care who would be watching us.

"Jessica, from now on, Megan can get inside my office anytime, even I am in a meeting. She is my girlfriend and the mother of my children." Ashton said, pulling me with him while I could see Jessica's mouth hung open.. And I get inside Ashton's office feeling so proud that I am his girlfriend.