Chapter 23: The Bridge

Ashton's POV

"Say hi to your Aunt Alice's friend, Axel," I heard Clara say to my boy, and I couldn't stop myself from moving closer to him. He looked adorable in his school uniform—a white polo jacket, brown shorts, and polished black shoes. I knew he was shocked when I brought him closer to me, and I hugged my son for the first time. I wanted to shout and cry, but I didn't want Axel to get scared of me. I want him to like me right away, and I want to tell the whole world that I am a father and this lovely boy is mine. I wonder how my siblings will react when they see Axel.

"I saw you crying a while ago. Are you okay, Sir Ashton?" he asked me after I released him from my embrace, and I was so shocked that he knew my name. It felt like my heart would burst from my chest because of the mixed emotions that I felt.

"I wasn't crying, Axel. I got some dust in my eyes," I replied.

"You better wear sunglasses next time," he said, and I laughed. When I looked up, Zachary was looking at me, and I couldn't read the expression on his face. I wondered why he didn't look shocked, but I didn't have enough time to think about what he was feeling. No wonder Alice told me Megan's son would be my angel. I smiled when I realized my son would be the bridge so I could get into his mom's heart.

"I am Ashton, and this is my friend Zach," I said to him.

"I am Axel. I know you. I have seen you on TV. I watched you play football, but my mom will get angry if she finds out I am watching a football game. I know it is bad to lie to my mom, but sometimes I ask my nanny if I want to watch you play. Please don't tell my mom about it," he said, and I laughed. I felt so guilty that I made Megan hate football, and I am sure I was the reason why she didn't want our son to watch my game. I hated myself for all the things I have done to Megan and for being a bad father to this adorable child in front of me. I could tell Megan raised him well.

He is courteous and charming, and I wish I could tell him I am his father. But I felt so ashamed of myself that I hadn't known about him. My entire body felt so cold when I remembered that day.

"Ashton, I came here because I have a very important thing to tell you, but it seems you are having a good time. I was such a fool for thinking that your father was the reason you stopped communicating with me. And now, everything is clear to me," Megan said to me that day. Instead of welcoming her, I hurt her by saying I was having the best day of my life, knowing she was no longer part of it. How could I be so foolish to hurt her that way without knowing she came because she wanted to tell me about Axel?

"Are you also a friend of my mother?" Axel asked, and I snapped back into the present. I felt my throat dry since I didn't know how to answer him.

"Hey, buddy, we are friends of your mom too, but I want to tell you a secret," Zachary said, and Axel's eyes got so big as I could see the excitement on his face.

"What is it?" my little boy asked.

"Before I can answer your question, you better eat your lunch first," Zach said, and I realized my best friend was right. My son needs to eat his lunch.

"Okay, do you want to come with me to my lunchroom?" he asked, looking at me with puppy eyes. When I turned my head to Clara, I found her looking at me in the eyes, and she nodded at me. I realized maybe Alice told her all about me and my relationship with Axel.

"Yes, of course," I said right away. But in the end, I asked Axel to eat with Zach and me in the cafeteria after I asked for Clara's number. I know Megan will become angrier once she finds out I was visiting our son without her knowledge. That is why I needed to speak with Megan as soon as possible. I am aware I need to double my effort because I have to win her heart and my son's affection. I want Axel to acknowledge me as his dad.

"You should join us, Clara," I said to her as I watched Zach and Axel walking toward the cafeteria.

"No, I will just go back to the house and come back later to fetch him after his class," she replied.

"I hope you will keep this a secret. For now, I promise I will talk with Megan," I said, and she smiled at me.

"Of course, don't worry. Axel won't tell Megan about this because he knows his mom will get angry if he talks about football," she said, and I could feel the piercing of my heart as I realized my son was having the same dilemma as me when my dad wouldn't allow me to play football.

"Thank you so much, Clara. I owe you a lot," I responded.

"You're welcome. I know Axel will be so happy. I hope he will know about you soon," she responded, and I gave her a weak smile.

"Yeah, me too. I hope Megan will give me a chance to be with Axel," I said, and we said goodbye to each other before we went our separate ways.

I felt so glad that Zachary had already let my son eat his lunch, and they were talking happily with each other. My son ate his lunch heartily while he asked us so many questions, and I could tell he was enjoying his time with us. I wanted to be with him every day. And now I realized it would become more complicated for me to convince Megan to have me back, knowing I wasn't there with her during her pregnancy. While she was busy raising our child alone, I was also busy dating different girls to forget about her. How can I face Megan after knowing I got her pregnant? And the worst part is I wasn't there for her during the most challenging time in her life.

"Can I come and revisit you, Axel?" I asked, and he looked at me.

"Of course, you can, Uncle Ashton," he replied, and my heart swelled.

"Can you teach me football?" he asked, and I nodded my head and ruffled his hair.

I sent Axel to his classroom, and I couldn't stop myself from feeling so sad as I turned away from his classroom while I heard him yelling goodbye to me. I turned around one more time, and I still found him in the doorway waving his hands at me with a broad smile on his face. I felt my tears fall on my cheeks as I waved back at him, and I ran toward the parking lot where Zach was waiting for me.

"How could you not tell me all about him, Zachary? I never expected that you would lie to me all these years. Why, Zach?" I asked in a stern voice the moment we arrived at the parking lot of my office, where he left his car.

"What do you mean?" he calmly asked me, and I couldn't believe Zach would continue to act innocent.

"You were so angry with me that day, and you told me Megan came into our mansion because she had important things to tell me. You were looking daggers at me that time, and you begged Megan to tell me the truth. Don't play dumb, Zach. You are my best friend, and I couldn't believe you would hide that kind of information from me for a long time. Can't you see I made a fool of myself?" I declared, and I heard Zach sigh, and then he focused his eyes on me.

"And do you also remember what you said to me that day, Ashton? I will remind you of every single word. You told me you were not interested in hearing what she had to say. You also told me that you couldn't believe I would betray you by bringing Megan into your house, even though I knew you didn't want to see her anymore," Zach responded.

"And you said what you had with her was a mistake, and it was over between you and her. You also reminded me that you instructed the guard not to let her come inside your house, and you couldn't believe I was the one who brought Megan into your residence," he added in a calm voice, yet I knew he was controlling his anger, and I had to grip the steering wheel tight as I realized what I had done.

"I hated you on that day, and I promised Megan not to tell anyone about her pregnancy. I learned that she left her home because of her father's plan. He wanted to get rid of the child by giving it to social welfare after Megan gave birth. Megan wanted to keep and raise the baby even if she didn't know how because the man she loved abandoned her," Zach added, and I had never felt so ashamed in my entire life.

"Megan was so strong even though she was so young back then, and she had nowhere to go. I told her to call me if she needed my help, but the next thing I knew, she was gone and left Astikoz without a trace," Zachary continued.

"Don't blame me for what is happening in your life or why you didn't know about your son because you made your choice eight years ago," Zach said. He got out of my car and slammed the door hard while I was left with a broken heart and soul. I felt so guilty for making Megan's life miserable, and I don't know how I could redeem myself, knowing she has every right to hate me. I know I would never be the same man again as I realized what a horrible man I am.