Chapter 7: I Left My Heart In Asitkoz

Ashton's POV

"I don't understand you, Ashton. Why didn't you fight back with Zachary? You took all his beating like you wanted to end your life," Lennon said the moment he came to my aid after my girl left with her best friend. Zachary ran after them. I felt so curious about what Megan had to say, why Zach kept telling her to tell me the truth, and what kind of truth she wanted me to know. Maybe Megan wished to say to my face that we had already broken up, and she tried to tell me I was a coward.

"I deserved all this, Len. Besides, I wanted something to happen so I would stop myself from hugging Megan. She still looked so beautiful even if she looked miserable, and I hate myself for feeling so useless," I said as he put me on the sofa while Cole got the first aid kit. My brothers tended to my bruises, and it felt like I was carrying the world on my shoulders.

"You better get a grip, Ashton, or you're losing yourself, man. You have to decide what you want to do with yourself and stand firm about it, or else you will look like a mess forever," Lennon said, and I sighed heavily.

The days passed quickly, and I stayed in my room most of the time reading books. I tried my best to let go of all Megan's memories, even if I knew I was only fooling myself because she would always be here in my heart. When it was our time to go to WEN University, I was the only one feeling unhappy about it.

"Ashton, what is bothering you, son? I pretended I hadn't noticed the bruises on your pretty face, the swollen lips, and black eyes," Mom said the moment she visited me in my room on the night before I would leave Astikoz for good, because I promised myself I would never set foot in this house ever again.

"Nothing, Mom," I said.

"You can never lie to me, Ashton. I know that you are suffering because of Megan. I am sorry, son, that I couldn't do anything about it. I understand that you like Megan so much, but your father doesn't want you to be involved with her anymore, and I knew it would happen. I wished that the moment your father realized you loved Megan, he would allow you to be Megan's boyfriend, but I was wrong for the second time around. I am hurting knowing two of my children are suffering because you fell in love with the Corteza siblings. And I hope I can do something about it, but I am also powerless," my mother declared, and I held her hands.

"Mom, it was not your fault, and I will never blame you. It was all Dad's decision, and I hope one day he will realize the most important things that matter in life," I said, and my mom smiled at me.

"Me too, son. I hope you will find your way back to Megan someday, and you will end up together," my mother said before she took me into her arms.

We boarded our chopper, and I felt better when Isabelle had just come on time to go with us. And I couldn't believe I was on my way to WEN University. I had been dreaming of this moment all my life ever since I wanted to play football professionally, but I never expected that I would feel so much pain leaving Astikoz Hills, and I knew it was because of one girl who turned my life upside down.

My brothers were talking as we approached the beautiful capital city of our country, Majuscule City. I was so excited to live in this city, and we were on our way to one of our properties located in the beautiful hills of Majuscule. I always felt excited every time we traveled here, and this was the first time I wasn't in the mood to have fun. The moment we landed on the beautiful grounds of our mansion, we all disembarked from the chopper, and what I love about Majuscule is the climate. I could see the sun shining brightly in the sky while I could feel the breeze of cold wind that tickled my skin.

We had a wonderful lunch, and in the afternoon, together with my family, we visited the university. Even if I was with my family inside the campus, I couldn't deny my mind was elsewhere. I pretended to look cool since I didn't want my father to think I was planning something bigger. And my father was true to his words. He met and talked with my coach, and Coach Adams was so excited to see me. I felt glad he welcomed me warmly, and I could feel the excitement of playing football again.

My family stayed for two days, and I was shocked that my father stayed with us, and this was the first time he spent time with us without mentioning his job. We did some activities during our stay in our house, but most of the time we roamed around the city since my sister and brothers were bugging our parents to have a tour, and I felt so glad it was over because I didn't want to spend another day with my dad. After all, I couldn't stop thinking about how selfish and cruel he could be to ruin someone's future because of loving a person.

I don't understand my father and his logic, and I don't want to talk about it because no matter what he is going to do, I will never follow his dreams for me. I will do everything I can to stay away from him. I know that I will always have my grandfather's support, even if my father disowns me. But I am doing all this to protect Megan and her family. Because if I only had it my way, I would run away and choose another school and continue my dreams of becoming a professional football player.

But right now, I know that my father is watching Megan's family through his men, and he will use them to make me follow whatever he wants, and all I need is five years for Megan to finish her studies, and then we can be together. And for now, I have to forget about her because I know if I see Megan, everything I planned for us will be wasted because I know I will choose to be with her, but I don't want her to suffer, so I better keep my distance for now.

The entire house felt so lonely and quiet when my whole family left me, and my only companions now are the staff of the house. But I feel more at peace now that my father is not around anymore, but I couldn't stop my mind from wondering what Megan is doing right now. And I hated myself for missing her voice, especially the songs that she sang for me. And I know that I will lose my mind if I continue to think about her, but no matter what I do, I know Megan will always be in my heart and mind.

I know I still have one week to spare because Coach Adams told me to take my time. After one day, I realized I was going crazy with boredom, and the realization hit me when I looked at my dresser. I found the birthday card Megan had given me, and I hated that I forgot to read the card because of my excitement to have my time with her.

I didn't have any plan of bringing it with me, and I remembered I threw the card in my trash bin, and I wondered who among my siblings got the card, and once again, I didn't want to read what she wrote on the card, but my curiosity was killing me. And I couldn't stop my heart from agonizing when I read her message on the birthday card.

My Dearest Ashton,

Happy Birthday to the most handsome man on earth! I know you have everything in life that you deserve to have, and I don't know what to give you since you have it all, but there is one thing I am sure you will be happy to have, and that is my undying love for you. Yes! I accept I am head over heels for you, Ashton Pritzgold. I am in love with you not because you are your father's son and you have a pretty face and hot body.

I became so drawn to you because of who you are inside and out. You are the most selfless man I have ever known. Thank you for choosing me to become your girlfriend and making me the happiest woman in the universe. Thank you for making me feel special and loved. You showed me the real meaning of love, and I am excited for you to be my first of everything. And I can feel it in my heart that you will be my only love, my last love, and my one true great love. I will fight my love for you until the end, even if it means I am losing myself, because that is how much I love you.

Loving you always,

Megan

P.S.

I don't share my music with anyone, and I am sharing with you the lyrics of one of my songs entitled "I Am Not Special." This music is for you, Ashton, and I hope you can read this card every time you miss me!

I could feel my tears wet my shirt as I continued to cry after reading Megan's birthday message for me. When I looked at the right side of the birthday card, I could see the lyrics of the beautiful song by Megan—the one she sang during the party held at Zachary's house—and I realized what a fool I had been. I got up from my bed and picked up my phone on the nightstand, and I could feel the urge to go back to Megan, and I knew that I would never be whole again as I realized I had left my heart in Astikoz City.