Chapter 35: Afternoon Swim

Megan's POV

When my little boy asked Ashton if they could play chess, I wanted to tell Axel no, they couldn’t because I wanted my ex to disappear. I couldn’t trust myself, and when I raised my head and looked at Ashton, he was smiling at our son as he nodded his head. It feels so lovely to think that Axel is having a great time with his father, and I wanted something like this for my son, but I don’t want to give my ex the chance to hurt me again. Most of all, I can’t take it if he shatters my son’s heart by making promises he can’t keep.

Instead of telling Axel not to play chess with Ashton, I only told him we needed to eat breakfast first. When I invited his father to join us, I hated myself for feeling so excited when I saw Ashton’s face light up right away. He pulled out a chair and sat across from me, and I found it hard not to stare at his handsome face. I wondered why he still looked the same. He is still the epitome of perfection, and the way he looked at my face still made me feel the same way I did eight years ago.

I hated my heart for not being able to forget about him through all these years. And as we ate breakfast, I found him staring at my face for the entire duration of the meal. I wondered how he even managed to eat his food, and I hated myself because I couldn’t stop blushing.

Ashton played chess with Axel until I told my son he needed to stop playing and answer some of his assignments. I almost had a heart attack when my son told me he wanted Ashton to teach him and help him answer some of his activities. I couldn’t hide my disappointment, and before I could protest, I saw my son take Ashton’s hand and pull his father inside the house while giggling. I knew he was so excited to be with Ashton.

I realized I couldn’t do anything since I couldn’t say no to Axel once again, and I knew this was the only time I should allow something like this to happen. I needed to have a word with Ashton later. I took a deep breath as I followed them inside while I could see Clara’s amusement when I darted a glance at her.

I felt conscious that Ashton was looking at the interior of our house, and I could tell he was impressed. I couldn’t stop myself from smiling. I came with them to Axel’s room and helped my son get his books, and I saw my ex, out of the corner of my eye, still gazing at me.

After I instructed Ashton on what subjects they needed to study, I got out of my son’s room because I couldn’t stand being in the same room with Ashton. I didn’t want him to know I was still affected by his presence, and his heavenly scent was making butterflies in my stomach. I felt giddy as I realized that Ashton still had the same smell that made me drool over him eight years ago.

I could hear the loud pounding of my heart as I walked out of Axel’s room. I walked faster to my room. After I got inside and closed the door, I leaned on the door frame and touched my chest to calm my breathing. I couldn’t believe that I was still feeling this way. It has been so long, and these feelings I have for him should have died long ago. I wonder why they never go away.

To stop myself from thinking about Ashton, I walked to my study table, took my laptop, and started reading emails and reviews about our products. I felt so glad that my company was doing well. I couldn’t stop myself from grinning as I realized many men and women fell in love with my perfume collection. I was thinking of launching a new product, and we are on our way to making the final touch.

I didn’t know how long I was reading when I heard my door opening. I saw my son’s head peeking through my door. I smiled at him and felt horrified at the thought he might be with Ashton.

“Hello, handsome, are you done answering your assignments?” I asked, and he nodded his head. I smiled at him and felt glad when he came into my room alone. I wondered where Ashton could be.

“Yes, Mom. I like Uncle Ashton because he made me understand my math and science lessons fast, and I found it so easy to answer all the questions. He is smart too, and I think he is smarter than you, Mom,” my little boy said, and I couldn’t stop smiling at him. I laughed when he told me Ashton was more intelligent than me.

“Yes, your Uncle Ashton is smart too, but I don’t think he’s smarter than me,” I said, and my little boy grinned at me, showing his beautiful teeth. I couldn’t stop thinking he got his killer smile from his dad.

“Where is Ashton now, Axel?” I asked, and he looked sad as he stared at my face.

“He said he needed to go, Mom, because I know he doesn’t want you to get upset,” Axel replied, and I stood up from my chair right away because I needed to talk to Ashton.

“Can I take you back to your room, buddy?” I asked my son, and he nodded his head. We got out of my room, and I sent him to his room before I jogged toward the stairs. My steps faltered, and I couldn’t stop the rapid beating of my heart when I found Ashton standing at the main door while I could hear Gael’s booming voice.

I walked closer to them, but I made sure they wouldn’t detect my presence. Even if I don’t have a romantic relationship with Gael, I felt so guilty that he met Ashton in my house. I felt so afraid they would fight as I listened to Gael’s angry voice.

I felt so glad that Ashton remained calm, and I wanted to protest when Gael informed my ex that Axel was his son. I realized I had told Ashton the same thing, and I wondered why I felt sad, knowing that is what I wanted all along.

I saw Ashton’s shoulders sag as he walked away from Gael after the latter told him he didn’t want him to see me again. I felt my entire body weaken as Ashton walked out of my house and walked away from where I was standing because I didn’t want Gael to know I overheard everything he said to Ashton.

“Hi, Meg,” Gael greeted me when he found me at the kitchen counter. I could see him smiling at me, and I couldn’t trace a single sign of anger from his face, knowing how hard his voice was when he was talking with Ashton a while ago.

I was preparing my chocolate cake ingredients because I wanted to distract my mind from what was going on in my life. I have always known Ashton Pritzgold is trouble, but I know how sweet he can be, and I can’t deny I longed to be with him even if I don’t want to see him anymore. I know I’m crazy for feeling this way.

“Hello, Gael! You surprised me! You could have called me if you were coming.” I said as I pretended I didn’t know he was here. He walked closer to me and kissed me on the cheek. I felt conscious when I found him gaping at my face. I couldn’t stop myself from checking him out as well, and I realized I missed him so much. But after he confessed his feelings toward me, we could feel the awkwardness between us. Unlike before, I always beamed and looked at his face without feeling guilty.

He looked so handsome with his tattered jeans and black T-shirt, and his semi-long hair made him look more attractive. How I wish I could love this pretty man standing before me, who was staring at me like I am the most beautiful girl in the entire universe.

“I wanted to surprise you and Axel,” he said, smiling from ear to ear, and I wondered when he would confront me about Ashton. But he continued to watch and help me with what I was doing without asking me anything about Axel’s father.

“Daddy!” I heard Axel’s voice when he got into the kitchen and found me with Gael. They were hugging each other right away. I could see the happiness on my son’s face, and I realized it was better not to tell Ashton about Axel since my son is very at ease with Gael. When I looked at the two of them, my heart swelled with happiness, but at the back of my head, I couldn’t deny I was hoping Ashton was hugging my son instead of Gael.

I felt glad Alice came in the afternoon. Then Gael talked about his tour, and we had an afternoon swim in the pool because Axel had been bugging me to swim ever since Gael arrived. We had an incredible time catching up, and Gael stayed for dinner. Then he said goodbye to me after he tucked Axel into bed.

The entire house felt so empty now. When Alice retired to her room after saying good night to me, we hadn’t talked about Ashton’s visit yet because Gael was around. When I got into my room, I was surprised to find the paper bag on top of my bed. I realized Ashton had left it, and Clara had found it on the front porch and brought it into my room.

I didn’t plan on opening the paper bag, but after what happened between Ashton and Gael earlier today, I couldn’t stop myself from feeling so curious. I strode toward my bed, and I could feel my hands shaking as I picked up the paper bag. I opened it with trembling hands and was shocked to see what was inside.