Chapter 43: The Truth

Ashton's POV

When I asked Megan if I could talk with her later and she nodded her head, I felt like I was on cloud nine because I never expected that she would agree with me. And I know that Megan wanted to avoid me, but I am also aware that my best friend and Alice are doing their best to help us talk to each other.

I know that during the entire dinner, Megan was feeling nervous, and I could say that we both felt anxious. And I was hoping it was because she still feels the same way towards me. I don't know how happy I was when we were both staring at each other like there were no other people in the dining area. It felt like all I could see was her beautiful face, and I could no longer hear the background music since all I could hear was the loud beating of my heart.

I don't know how long we had been staring at each other, and I didn't want the night to end because eight years was long enough for me not to hear her sweet voice and taste her luscious lips. As I stared at Megan, I wanted to kiss her right away, but I didn't want to lose my chance of talking with her because it is important that I tell Megan everything.

I don't want to be separated from her anymore, and even if there is a chance that I will get hurt, I don't care because all I want is for her to know that even if I had been engaged to Claire, Megan is the only girl I love and no one else. I was hoping she would listen to me and give me another chance to prove my worth.

Megan is the only woman I have wanted in my entire life, and right now, I need her and Axel in my life. I brought Megan to one of my favorite spots in this place, and that is the garden. I know the ambiance and the fragrance of the fresh flowers would make her feel relaxed. As we walked toward the garden holding hands, it felt like all my prayers had been answered. I wanted to have this moment with Megan again. I smiled as I realized I was with my favorite person in the universe.

When we reached the far end of the garden, as far away from all the couples who were having fun talking, I could no longer stop myself from capturing Megan's sweet mouth, and it was the most beautiful feeling I have ever felt after eight years. When she kissed me back, I couldn't stop myself from pulling her closer to me because I couldn't get enough of Megan.

I never expected that she would kiss me back because I knew that she still hated me. Still, the moment I brushed her lips, I felt so happy when I realized Megan didn't slap or push me away. I could feel Megan encouraged me to kiss her more when she kissed me back in the same manner I was kissing her. I realized right then that we both missed each other too much, and I felt so happy that Megan allowed me to kiss and hug her.

I was hoping she would not run away from me this time. We shared a long, hot kiss, and I could tell it was a hell of a kiss. I realized that Megan's lips had become more kissable, and I didn't want to stop kissing her, but I knew we needed to talk. I could tell there would still be a lot of time to kiss later if she would allow me to continue what we were doing and enjoy ourselves as we reunited with each other. I could tell she felt disappointed when I ended our mind-blowing kiss.

We were both seated on the couple's bench, and I never let go of her hand. I could feel the racing of my heart as I looked at her beautiful face, and I realized my girl had become more beautiful now that she was not looking daggers at me. I knew she was also feeling nervous, but I tried to calm us by holding her hand as I drew my strength from her.

"Megan, please give me a chance to explain my side; it has been eight years since it happened, but I guess you have all the right to know because I know that I have hurt you so much. And before anything else, I would like to say I'm so sorry for everything I have done to you, for hurting your feelings beyond what I can imagine," I declared.

"I know I hurt you so much, and all I am asking from you right now is, please listen to me, and after hearing me out, you can decide what you want to do with me. But I want you to know, I want you back in my life, Megan," I added. She gave me a weak smile as she nodded her head, and I could tell Megan was giving me enough time to talk since she didn't once stop me.

"The reason I stopped communicating with you eight years ago was because of my father. It is not because I don't love you anymore, and I want you to know that I never stopped loving you, Meg. Even if in your eyes I am such a jerk, a fool, insensitive, a moron, or anything you want to call me, I accept all that," I added, and she looked at me with tenderness, and I was so glad she was looking at me this way.

"When you told me that day that your mom and dad lost their jobs, I knew right away that it was because of my father, but I didn't tell you right away because I still wanted to confirm my theory. But I felt so guilty when I found out it was my dad's doing," I continued while still holding her hand.

"During that time, I realized I needed to do something because I love you so much, Megan, and I was willing to do everything for you, and I was willing to leave my life behind to be with you. Then, my father told me if I would not stay away from you, he would also ruin your scholarship, and I realized how much you wanted to finish your college education," I stated.

"But I was thinking, I have savings, but I realized my father could freeze my account because of his connections. Then he told me Dexter would also lose his job if I did not stop seeing you. Not only that, he told me your parents and brother would never find a job no matter how good they were since he would do everything in his power to ruin them so they could no longer find jobs in Astikoz," I added, and I could see the pain on her face.

"And right now, I am telling you, I am not proud that he is my father. Because of his selfish reasons, I chose for you to hate me, and I ended up hating myself more when I realized we have a son," I said, and I could see the tears in her eyes.

"Meg, I wanted to be with you every day. I miss everything about you, but I wanted to protect you, and I wanted you to have your dreams, without realizing I ruined everything for you because you were pregnant. Do you think it was easy for me to let you go that day without kissing you and hugging you? It was torture for me, Meg," I added while I wiped the tears on her cheeks with my fingers.

"And no matter how much I wanted to take you into my arms, I couldn't do it because my dad watched my every move," I declared as I continued to stare at her angelic face.

"I wanted to tell you everything, but I didn't want your parents and Dexter to lose their jobs because I knew you cared about your family, Meg. That is one of the reasons why I am so in love with you, and I am not proud that I was a coward, Meg," I muttered.

"My father used his power, being the rich man he is, and I hated my father that day and even until now. Because I didn't want you to hate that your parents lost their jobs because you chose me to be part of your life, I only did the most sensible thing I thought was right at that time, and now I realize I was so wrong," I continued, and my girl was still sobbing as she gazed at me.

"I came back to Astikoz for you, Meg, because I realized I was willing to lose everything I have, even my dream of becoming a professional football player, just to be with you. But I was too late, and then I returned to Majuscule to continue my studies with a determination that after I graduated college, I would find a decent job, and I would look for you because I thought you would still wait for me. Then after graduation, I found out you already had a son with Gael," I said, and her facial expression changed.

"I was so hurt and devastated thinking you had forgotten me right away, and your love for me was only superficial. So I tried everything to forget you. I went pro in football and tried dating to forget about you, but no matter what I did, you were still the one inside here, Meg," I said as I put my hand over my chest.

"Ashton, you are Axel's father. I never loved any man except you. Gael helped me, and I could tell he saved me on that day. I felt so alone and lost, and there was no one I could turn to because my dad was so angry when he found out I was pregnant. He wanted to get rid of the baby after I gave birth, and that is why I went to your house that day to inform you I was pregnant," she said, and I could feel my tears fall on my cheeks as I brought Megan closer to me. I felt so happy to hear that finally, she told me Axel is my son and I am the only man she ever loved.