Chapter 122: Feeling Positive

Megan's POV

My husband and I got busy the entire week as we both got back to work, and then we needed to have a vacation leave again to visit his family in Astikoz, but this time, I didn't feel the excitement like the way I felt when we stayed at grandpa Henry's resort.

"Alice, I am sorry, this is unexpected, but I don't have a choice. I can't say no to Ashton. I know how much it meant to him to go there and introduce our son and me to his father." I said to my best friend after she opened the door and got inside my office.

I was sitting on my swivel chair wearing my white business attire, contrary to my clothes; my best friend was wearing a black blouse and pencil skirt that suited her well.

I asked my secretary to summon Alice since I wished to discuss with her the upcoming shipments and the meetings she needed to attend on my behalf.

"I don't have enough time to turn over to you the important documents, but you can find them in my steel cabinet. You know where to find the keys." I added as I handed her the inventory report for the current month. 

"It would be okay, Meg; I know you are only one call away." My best friend responded. I have managers in every department that I can trust, but I trust her the most, and I want Alice to oversee the operation of my company while I will go home to our hometown.

"Thank you for trusting me, Megan, but I can assure you, I will try my best to run your company smoothly, you hired competent employees, and you have the best team," Alice added.

"Of course, I am aware, but I only trust you with my heart; you know the temptation will always be around the corner. I don't want to give anyone a chance to do something that could ruin the company's reputation." I responded.

"Besides, I want everyone to know even if I am not around, I have someone I can count on, Alice, and that is you," I added.

"Thank you, Megan," she replied.

"Why are you thanking me?" I asked.

"For the salary increase and the bonuses, you showered me," she replied.

"You deserved it all, Al, you worked so hard for this company, and you had it coming, my dear," I said while I was grinning at her.

"Don't worry, when I get back, I will give you time to spend with your boyfriend. I don't care if you will be gone for a month." I added.

"A month? No, I can't do that, besides Zach is busy with his games; he can't afford to ditch practice," Alice replied.

"Okay, but maybe you can have three days; it would be enough to unwind," I stated.

"Yeah, that would be lovely; I will tell Zachary about that," she said as she looked at me with a beautiful smile on her face.

"I am happy for you, Megan. At last, you are invited to their mansion." Alice added.

"Are you kidding me? I am not invited, Al, Gregory wanted to see his grandson, and I am sure that was his main reason." I responded.

"Ashton's dad knew he couldn't see Axel unless he asked me to come to Astikoz, and he has his pride, Alice; he will never come here and see us. I could tell Gregory was angry with Ashton since my husband didn't invite his dad to attend our wedding." I added.

"We will be staying at Ashton's place, I am not sure what is waiting for me at their mansion, but I am certain Gregory will not make my stay a happy one," I continued.

"Hey, you don't need to worry about it; Meg, Ashton will be there for you; I am sure you will survive." She said while I let out a soft sigh.

"I wish Gregory would not show it to my son that I am not welcome in his household," I replied.

"I don't think he will be cruel to you, and he should deal with the fact that you are now his son's wife," Alice said.

"Yeah, but he can manipulate his children, looked at Isabelle. She was too broken to give my brother another chance. I can tell she loved Dexter, but because of what happened to them, she couldn't let go of her past heartaches." I replied.

"About that, do you think Dexter was okay?" Alice asked, and I shook my head.

"He called and apologized to me that he left and went home straight to his home in Astikoz without saying goodbye to anyone in particular," I responded.

"He told me he was fine, but I am sure my brother was far from okay," I added.

"I wanted to help them, I had been hurt too, but I gave Ashton a second chance," I stated.

"Maybe it was because you were still in love with Ashton and your love for him was stronger than the animosity you felt for him. Maybe what was left in Isabelle's heart is hatred, and there is no longer love." She declared.

"I don't think so, Alice; I could tell by how she looked at my brother; there was love and longing in her eyes," I responded.

"What I could see beneath her anger was fear, and maybe she was afraid to try giving her heart once again because of what happened to them; it was all because of Gregory; I am no longer afraid to face the man who ruined my brother's future," I replied.

"I want him to pay, Alice," I mumbled.

"He is your father-in-law; Gregory is your son's grandpa. What are you planning to do, Megan?" Alice asked, and I could see the worries on her face.

"Don't worry, I am not a bad person, Alice, besides I will try my best to avoid him at all costs; I just want him to realize his mistakes," I replied.

"Of course, I know you have a pure heart, and you are not capable of hurting anyone; I am afraid it would be hard on your part to make him realize what he had done," Alice replied.

"In my opinion, I don't think there would be a time that Gregory will have remorse for what he had done in the past. He will never ask forgiveness from his children because, for him, he will always be right." Alice added.

"You are right, and now, I realize why Isabelle was hesitant to give Dexter and herself another chance; she feared undergoing the same path. I could tell she was still in love with Dex because Belle chose to be in pain than give her dad another chance to humiliate and hurt my brother." I responded.

"Sadly, they are both in love, yet they couldn't be together, and they suffer because of Isabelle's father." My best friend said.

"Yeah, I know; I spent years in pain, too; I am glad I am now Ashton's wife," I responded.

"And so in love," she said, giggling.

"I hate to admit it, but yes, I am crazy in love with the same person I used to hate after he broke my heart," I replied.

"But that is love, you have to eat your pride if you want to be happy, and I am glad I did," I added.

The days passed in a blur, and we were on our way to our hometown. I clutched my bag as we landed in Astikoz.

"Mom, am I going to see my grandpa now?" My son asked while he was looking at me with a big smile on his face, and I could see his excitement that I needed to return his smile even if I didn't want to take a single step knowing there would be a chance Gregory would break my son's heart.

"Yes, Axel," I replied with a fake grin on my lips.

"Son, your grandpa, is excited to see you," Ashton added as he took my hand; after he carried Axel. Our son was giggling, and I couldn't stop laughing with him; my heart swelled with happiness as I realized how much I loved them both.

I wish we would stay in our house, and I am sure he will be happier over there and have a memorable vacation.

There was an SUV car waiting for us, and when the man from the driver's seat got out, I couldn't stop smiling at Lennon, who ran and met his nephew with wide arms, and he embraced him and said hi to us before he took him to the car.

"Welcome back, my love," Ashton said as he took a side glance.

"Thank you," I replied in more than a whisper.

"I know you have so many bad memories here, but I hope you will also remember the good things we did together, Megan." He said, and I ceased walking as I faced him, and he was towering over me, and I couldn't stop admiring his physique.

Ashton still looked so hot and handsome that I could feel the knots in my stomach. I couldn't deny he still could make my heart flutters with his stares alone; I needed to control myself, or else I would be at a loss for words as I gazed at him.

"Don't worry, and I will never make my father hurt you again. I hated myself that I wanted to make amends with him, and a part of me wanted to believe that he could change, and he will accept you as my wife, and everything will be fine." He declared.

"I know this is a big mistake, and I am crazy for thinking there is hope that he will become a good grandpa for Axel." He added, and I caressed his face.

"Hey, you are not crazy, Ashton; you have a good heart. I admit I am nervous and thought the same way, but he is your father; he also deserves a second chance." I responded.

"I believe everything will be okay, and we are on this together; I am now your wife, so no matter how your father hated me, I know he can never tear us apart," I said with a smile, and his face lit up as he leaned down and kissed me.

"Hey, mom, dad! Hurry up!" We only stopped kissing when we heard Axel calling us, and we couldn't stop laughing. We got inside the vehicle feeling more optimistic that everything would be alright.