Chapter 107: Love of My Family

Megan's POV

The morning dragged by forever, and I was dialing Ashton's number nonstop, but his phone was off, and I felt so glad the media was no longer outside my property after eating lunch with my parents.

"I will come with you, Meg," my father declared, and I was shocked by his words.

"You don't need to tell me that something is going on, I know you were waiting for Ashton last night, but he didn't come, and those reporters will not be here early in the morning before we can send Axel to school without reason, and no matter how much you tried to mask your emotions, I know you are hurting my dear." He added, I felt so touched that my father knew that I was in pain before I could even tell him.

"Thank you so much, dad, but don't worry, I will be okay. I need to deal with Gael first before I speak with Ashton," I responded, and I didn't want to lie to my father, but I could feel that something was going on with Ashton, and if nothing, he would be here by now. I couldn't believe I had tarnished his reputation, and I wondered how he must feel right now, knowing he had become the laughingstock of the entire country, knowing he proposed to me, yet they had seen me kissing Gael.

I never expected something like this would happen to us before we could even get married, and I felt so sad; that I needed to undergo this kind of emotion once again, I had been feeling this way for eight years, and now it has come back. I know their fans won't believe me if I appeal to them, and even if Alice warned me not to read the news, I was tempted, and the hurtful words of Ashton and Gael's fans made me weep almost the entire morning after my best friend left the house.

"Okay, Megan, but don't ever hesitate to call me or tell me if you need my help, my child," my father said, and I smiled at my dad, and I said goodbye to my parents and turned my heels, and walked out from the main entrance of my house without taking a second glance.

I drove away home with a heavy heart, and I remembered how happy I was when we left grandpa Henry's estate after Ashton's proposal; I couldn't believe I would be going to his office, feeling unsure if he would talk with me. 

"I am sorry, Megan, but Ashton didn't come to the office today, and he didn't inform me or anyone where he could be," Leslie said, and I could feel the concern in her voice.

"Thank you, Les; please tell him I dropped by," I said, and I could feel the piercing in my heart because I couldn't stop thinking maybe he was in his office, but he briefed his staff to tell me he didn't report to work.

I left his office building feeling like the entire world abandoned me once again; I drove fast going to his residence, even if I knew he wasn't there, and I could feel the loud pounding of my heart as I neared the gate, but the security guard didn't open the gate for me. 

He got out of his post and told me his boss left early, and he told me Isabelle was not also around, and I slumped my back on the car seat. I felt so frustrated as I left Ashton's beautiful home. I didn't know where to find him at this hour, and I didn't have a choice but call his sister, but after I scrolled my phone and found Isabelle's contact number, I chickened out, and I put back my phone and I released a heavy sigh before I drove away from Ashton's house.

I was on my way home when Alice called me, and I knew it would be necessary because she would not be calling me at this hour if it wasn't urgent. I pulled over to the nearest gasoline station. After all, I knew I couldn't answer her and drive at the same time because I am not myself today; I felt hurt and betrayed by the man whom I trusted so much. And when I stopped the car, the ringing had ended, and I called Alice back right away.

"Hello, Meg," I could hear the trembling voice of Alice.

"What is wrong, Al?" I asked, and I couldn't stop my knees from feeling weak as I waited for her following words.

"I don't want to disturb you, but we've got so many canceled orders for today, and I don't know how to handle them without you, I couldn't convince the clients to go on with their orders, and it was.."She trailed off, and my best friend was right. I will not only suffer for what Gael had done but also for my business.

"Alice, relax; I will report to the office later and handle them myself. They can't cancel their orders because of that scandal; how could my love life affect the scent of my perfume? If they are doing this because of Gael and Ashton, it wasn't my fault that they will be fighting because of me, Alice." I said, feeling angrier with Gael that this is happening right now.

"I know, Meg, I am sorry," Alice said.

"It is not your fault, Al, it was all Gael's fault, and he needs to pay for this," I said.

"Are you sure you will report to the office?" She asked, and I said yes, and I didn't tell her I went to Ashton's office and his home because I didn't want Alice to feel worried about me, and I hung up the phone after I said goodbye to my best friend, and I made a detour.

"Wow! That was fast; how come you are here now?" Alice asked, and I could see the shock on her face.

"I've got wings, Alice," I responded as I walked towards my office; and I could see the look of my staff, and I knew they had seen the latest news, and I didn't know if they were sad for me or they sympathize with Ashton or Gael.

And as of the moment, I don't have a choice but to deal with my clients, and the moment I sat on my swivel chair, I called the clients one by one, and at the end of the day, I was drained, but I am delighted that I was able to convince them to proceed with their orders. And I couldn't stop my heart from aching so much.

"You want to grab some dinner with me?" Alice asked, and I nodded my head.

"Meg, I know what you are going through right now, but don't worry, everything will be alright," she said, and I forced a laugh.

"I don't think so, Alice; I am sure Ashton is angry with me as of now," I responded.

"It would be a natural reaction coming from him, but I know tomorrow he will look for you, Meg; I have witnessed how much he loved you. And it would be impossible if Ashton would not give you a chance to explain your side, and I am sure he is dealing with his own pain right now." My best friend declared, and I released a heavy sigh, I missed Ashton so much, and I wanted to tell him I hadn't loved any man in my life except him.

"Do you think he will listen to my side of the story, Al?" I asked.

"Of course, and I am sure he doesn't need your explanations, Meg, he loves you, and it would be enough reason he will fight for you." My best friend said, and we got out of my office together, and I could tell I felt better.

My best friend ordered some take-out food, and she brought me to her place, and I called

my father I would be having dinner at Alice's house. We talked, and she made me laugh, but she avoided the issue about Gael and Ashton; when I said goodbye to my best friend, I was smiling, but when I got home, I could feel the emptiness in my heart.

I went straight to Axel's room, and I smiled when I saw him sleeping peacefully on his bed. I walked out of my son's room feeling so anxious, and I tried calling Ashton once again before I went to sleep, but his phone was still off; and I was lying in my bed for a long time, and when I heard my phone ring and see my brother's name on my screen, I couldn't help but smile.

"Hi, Dex," I answered him, trying to sound so happy.

"Guess what?" He asked, and I could feel the excitement in his voice.

"What?" I asked, trying to sound excited about what he would tell me, and I knew my brother was trying his best to cheer me up by asking me if I was okay without telling me; he knew I was having a hard time.

"Ava and I are coming to Megalopre tomorrow, and we will be there by tomorrow evening," he said, and it took me a while before I could answer my brother.

"Really?" I asked, and I could no longer contain my tears.

"Hey, don't cry, Meg; I thought you would be happy that we were coming there," he said.

"Of course, I am happy, Dex. I know you wanted to be here for me; thank you so much, Dexter; I am so touched." I responded.

"I just want to remind you, I will always be here for you, Meg, and I don't believe those things I read about you on the news, I know how loyal you are to Ashton, and I hated Gael for doing this to you." My brother said, and I could hear the anger in his voice.

"How did you know?" I asked.

"Meg, I know how much he wanted to have you, and the moment he learned about the engagement, he couldn't accept that you would be marrying Ashton," Dexter responded.

"Ashton won't answer my call, Dex," I replied as I tried to hide the worries I felt.

"Don't worry, Meg, I am sure he will come around; just give him time to feel his pain, and I will talk with him, and I am even willing to speak with Isabelle if I have to, just to let Ashton know Gael was behind all this," my brother replied, and I couldn't stop feeling so happy to have my siblings here in my house. I couldn't contain the excitement as my brother mentioned Isabelle's name even if I was breaking inside, and I realized the love of my family gave me enough strength to hold on.