Chapter 184 - Embracing His World

Megan's POV

"Where is dad, mom?" Axel asked right away when he found me in the kitchen cooking his favorite food, and I turned around and smiled at him.

"Your father had to leave early in the morning because he needed to attend a very important meeting. And your dad wanted to say goodbye to you before he left, but I begged him not to wake you up because you are still growing up." I responded, and I could tell he was a little disappointed, and my son tried to hide it from me, and I felt a pang on my chest because he was wearing his black and gold football jersey with his father's number on it, and I knew he was excited to have a game with Ashton.

"Ah, okay," He replied as he tried to hide the ball on his back, but his outfit was enough to tell me about his plan for the morning. And he sat on the dining chair while he watched me put his pancake with fresh banana and egg omelet on his plate.

"What do you want to do today, son?" I asked as I ruffled his hair.

"Is Aunt Alice coming?" He asked as he started to eat his breakfast while I poured fresh milk on his glass.

"Yes, he will be here any time soon," I responded.

"Well, I will join you in the garden." He said, and I laughed. He knew today I would repot some of my favorite flowers, and even if I have a gardener, I wanted to tend the plants once in a while. Alice would be so happy to help me because she wanted to exercise, and then she would clean our fingernails and toenails after we did some gardening.

"Okay, but you can ask Ron to have some games with you; I think he knew how to play football," I said. Ron is one of the household staff, and his father was one of the trusted employees of Gael; after his dad retired, he took his place while studying simultaneously. He is a third-year college studying engineering at the local college in Megalopre.

"Okay, mom." He responded.

Alice arrived, and she brought me fresh fruits; after tending the garden, we were on the front porch watching Ron and my son play football while I was eating fresh strawberries with Alice. If I only allowed my son to play his favorite game, maybe Axel has been playing with Ron before he met his father, and I am still guilty until now that I forbid him even to watch a football game. Still, it never stopped Axel from playing, and my son reminded me so much of Ashton. His love of football, even if Ashton's dad was against it, and now, as I watched, Axel threw the ball to Ron, I could tell he got his father's skills.

"Megan, if I were you, don't watch the news," Alice said, and I turned my head to look at her, I smiled when I saw her applying some makeup, and she was looking at her hand mirror.

"What do you mean? Is Ashton on the blind item again?" I asked, and she shook her head.

"You were the blind item, but as of the moment, they already got your name." She responded as she stared at me.

"How do I look?" She asked me while I was still shocked about the showbiz news.

"You are beautiful. Do you have a date?" I asked, and she smiled at me.

"Zach will be here, and I asked him to play football with Axel if he had time." She smiled, and no wonder she looked so happy and excited.

"Can you tell me what the news is all about?" I asked, and I felt glad I didn't watch the news anymore, especially showbiz, because I can't deny I am still affected every time I see the news on TV, and I was afraid Ashton would be linked to any celebrities. Our relationship is not yet out in public, but it feels like it is happening now.

"Does the media know about us?" I asked, and I am sure even if Ashton asked the parents and guardians yesterday who attended the family day to keep their photos private for Axel, I am sure they will never listen, even if he retired from football, I could tell he is still among the hottest celebrity in our country, and no wonder they will post it on their walls.

"I am sorry, Meg, but they thought you are a two-timing bitch for having both Ashton and Gael; someone took a video of them fighting inside the classroom while you were in the background. And that makes you the latest celebrity in our country, and you, my dear best friend, are the envy of all women because the two hottest celebrities in the country are fighting for you." She said, and my mouth hung open, and I was shaking my head.

"No, this is not happening, Alice," I responded.

"I know it will upset you, but I think it is about time everyone will know about you and Ashton and don't read the comments, it will only make you upset, but not all are bad comments, many called you beautiful, and you are lucky, but some say you are a bitch." She stated, and I sighed, and I knew my once peaceful life would become chaotic again because of Ashton.

"I tried my very best to live in peace, and I hid from Ashton for so many years because I don't want my private life will become entertainment to others." I declared.

"I know, Megan, but what can you do? You are in love with the hottest quarterback and now CEO of one of the largest companies globally, and I guess you don't have a choice but to embrace his world, Meg." My best friend said.

I don't know how am I going to face the media because I always wanted to stay away from them; that is one of the things I asked Gael before; I told him that I wanted to live my life privately that is why he never mentioned me to any of his interviews even if for how many times he asked me if he could tell the media about Axel and me being part of his life.

"How could they say things like these? They don't know me, Alice; how could these people judge me?" I asked as I felt so horrified about the nasty comments of some of Ashton and Gael's fans.

"I told you not to read anything, and you didn't listen to me. I was pissed off this morning when one of our staff texted me about the latest gossip, and I didn't expect you will become a headline today." Alice answered.

"I couldn't stop myself from reading their comments, and I was angry with them for calling you names. I am affected even if I am not the one involved. How much more if you will read those nasty comments." Alice added as I tightly gripped my phone, and I wondered if Ashton knew about it already.

"I am afraid Gael will do something out of this issue, Megan, and I want you to be ready. Based on Gael's reaction yesterday, he doesn't care about his status anymore as one of the most popular and top influencers in the music industry. He is willing to ruin his career to have you." Alice added, and I felt so worried because I knew Alice could be right.

"I already talked with Gael yesterday, and I couldn't believe this was happening," I said as I looked at my son run towards Zach after he got out of his car, and I smiled when his father's best friend carried him, and Zane put my son on his neck as he walked towards us, and Axel was shouting at me.

"Mommy! Mommy! Look at me! I become so tall!" He yelled, and I was waving my hand to him, and I was laughing with Alice.

"Hi, Meg! Good morning!" Zachary greeted me while he gave Alice a pecked on her cheek. And he slowly put down my son's feet on the floor, and Axel walked towards me, and he quickly sat on my lap; I couldn't stop myself from inhaling his head, and I smiled when he smelled sweat and his shampoo.

Zach seated next to my best friend, and he took Alice's hand, and I smiled as I realized at least Alice have now a love life, and who could have thought she would end up loving Ashton's best friend? I felt so glad I've got Ashton back, or else I will be in pain every time I will see Zachary.

"Mom, when will be dad coming back?" Axel asked me while I wiped his back and arms with a towel.

"I am not sure, Axel, but don't worry, your father promised me that he will bring us to his favorite place this coming weekend," I said, and his face lit up.

"Do you know where is dad's favorite place is?" He asked, and Zach was smiling as he looked at Axel.

"Well, if I am not mistaken, his favorite place is at your great-grandfather's place," I said.

"Wow! You mean I have great-grandfather, mom?" He inquired.

"Yes, of course," I responded.

"Your mom was right, Axel, your great-granddad has a beautiful place, and it was your dad's favorite, he brought me there so many times when we were still young, and I am sure you will enjoy the place, you can have fishing with your dad." Zachary declared, and my son was smiling from ear to ear, and I hope Ashton will bring us to grandpa Henry's place because I don't want my son to be broken-hearted; he woke up early this morning to be with him, only to find out his father is no longer around.

I hope what we are facing right now will not affect my relationship with Ashton, and I wish the media would give me some privacy. Zachary played football with Axel in the afternoon, he stayed with us until dinner, and the entire house felt so quiet when Zach and Alice left since Clara had taken a day off; I wanted to call Ashton and ask him how was his meeting with his dad, but I opted not to text him because I don't want to disturbed him.. When I woke up the following morning, I was terrified when I found men wearing black suits in front of my front porch.