Chapter 22: 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 winning the jackpot in a lottery; it is more than that. I couldn't believe I would meet her at the mall after so 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 weren't for me, by this time I would have already fallen in love with another girl, but it didn't happen. I felt some attraction, but every time I gave myself a chance to date, I would 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 me. I know 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 on my father's face when I introduced Claire to him as my fiancée. He was so excited about our upcoming wedding, and this time I can'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 broke up with my fiancée. 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 can'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 comes home every time she gets 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 in the morning.

My dad asked me to use one of our choppers to go 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 by her question.

"You are smiling, Ashton, and this is the first time I’ve seen you smile 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. Tonight, I can see you are glowing, and I am sure I’m 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 on Dexter. That is why until now, she hasn't married her boyfriend even though they’ve been together for more than four years now. I know it's unfair to her boyfriend, but I couldn't blame my sister because I feel the same way.

"Yes, you are correct, Isabelle. I feel like I am in the clouds right now. I am so happy tonight," I said as I beamed 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 over her mouth, and her eyes grew wide.

"So, she is in Majuscule?" she asked, and I nodded.

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

"I am so happy that I finally met her, even if she ran away from me the moment we crossed paths. But it feels so nice to see her again, and being close to 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 hates me. That’s 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 cards 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've been together—because she still loves me," I said, and my sister laughed.

"I can't believe you have that kind of fighting spirit, Ashton, but at least you feel that way. And I think you are being 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 need 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 who you are, and I guess you have to convince her that you are 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 is yelling 'no' because of the pain she felt inside," 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 pain 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 hate 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 drove all the way here to Megalopre, and what the hell are we doing here on the school grounds?" 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 and he took a step back.

"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 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 that you will have the courage to forgive yourself the moment you learn the truth," he said. 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 how she knew me. 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, thinking she wanted my autograph.

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

"And I just realized—you are 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, feeling so grateful that she came because I had no idea what he looked like. He was still three years old the last time I saw his face in the pictures my grandpa gave me. I was too hurt to look at the kid’s face, and I focused only on Megan and Gael at that time. I couldn't stop myself from feeling so excited as we walked toward his classroom, and I was watching the 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. Axel looked at me, and I was looking back at myself when I was seven years old. There is no way he was Gael’s son—he looked exactly like me at that age.

And I realized something bigger, and I couldn't breathe as the truth hit me. I had been such a fool. I couldn't stop myself from crying as I discovered Megan’s secret. The realization hit me like a bomb. I felt so ashamed of myself, but I couldn't deny the happiness I felt knowing I was the father of Megan's son.