Chapter 81: What He Wants

Ashton's POV

I had fun with my brothers, we played basketball while Isabelle was watching us, and it feels so lovely to be back home, but I know it would be more fun if Megan and Axel were with us, and I couldn't imagine the joy my little boy will have. I am sure he will love his uncles and, of course, his aunt.

"What do you think dad wants from us? He seldom calls us now, and I think it is something important." Lenon declared after our game, and we all came closer to our sister, who prepared fresh orange juice for us.

"I think Belle would know, but it seems like no one knew what dad wants from us this time; I even called mom, but she won't tell me about it, and I am sure our mother would know," Cole added, and I sighed as I sat beside our sister.

"My only problem now is how am I going to tell them about Megan and me." I blurted out.

"Ashton, I think you should discuss that matter some other time, and I am sure dad has an important thing to tell us, and I don't want you to ruin his night, and you know he is back to his old self now that he recovered from his illness, and I think our father will never change," Isabelle stated. My brothers are nodding their heads in agreement.

"Of course, I know about that, Belle," I responded.

We got inside the house, and we all agreed to have a swim later tonight, while I wanted to meet Megan's parents, and I know she will hate me, but I am aware deep inside her heart she loves them, and I want to be the reason they will reconnect again, and I couldn't wait for that day to come.

"What are you doing here, Ashton? Is Megan all right?" Dexter asked the moment he found me on the doorstep of their house, and I could see the worries on his face, and I am sure Megan told her brother about us because I don't see anger on his face.

"Of course, Megan is fine, and I am here to see your parents," I said.

"I don't think that is a good idea, Ashton, and my father loathed you." He declared.

"I understand; that is why I came here, Dexter," I said, and I felt glad he widely opened the door for me; and I got inside, and I realized nothing had changed for the past eight years.

"Get out, Priztgold!" Megan's dad yelled at me the moment he saw me, while Megan's mom was there at his side right away, and I could see the concerns on her face.

"Honey, please, calm down." Megan's mom said as she held her husband's wrist.

"Mr. and Mrs. Pritzgold, I am sorry for coming without telling you in advance, and I know I am not welcome here anymore, but I couldn't go back to Majuscule without seeing you both." I declared, and I felt so glad Megan's dad relaxed a little, but he was still looking daggers at me while I saw Ava come down from the stairs, and I realized they visit their parents because it is the weekend.

"I came in peace, and I am aware you have all the right to hate me because I didn't only hurt your daughter, but I also did the same to you, and I failed my promise not to make your daughter suffer. I know I made a big mistake when I turned my back on Megan because my dad threatened me to ruin your entire family." I declared.

"The reason you both lost your jobs at the same time was because of my father's influence, and I am sorry, and my father told me if I will never stop seeing Megan, he will make the same to Dexter, and I could see the pain in Megan's face when she told me you guys became jobless, and I love your daughter so much that I couldn't take it to see her in pain," I added.

"I didn't know Megan was pregnant of my child, but I came back here in Astikoz and decided to leave my life behind to be with Megan, and I don't care if my father would disinherit me, but when I came back, she is no longer here in Astikoz, I was devastated and in pain. And I regretted that I didn't fight for my love for Megan." I stated.

"It is already too late for that, Ashton; you didn't only hurt Megan, but because of what you did, you are the reason Ashton why Megan hated me, and you damaged my relationship with my daughter, and I don't know how can I correct the mistake I made." Mr. Corteza declared, and he sat down on the couch.

"It will never be too late, your daughter is kind-hearted and the most forgiving person I have ever met, and she forgave me for what I have done to her. And I never stop loving your daughter. And we are now back together." I responded.

"And I think the best thing you can do is reach out to Megan, she sent you an invitation on Axel's 7th birthday, but you didn't come. Megan was expecting you, and even if she didn't tell me, I know your daughter is longing to see you, and I am sure my son will be happy to know you both." I declared, and Mr. Corteza's face softened.

"We didn't go to Megalopre because we were afraid to face Megan, and I am too embarrassed to face my daughter, and I am sorry that I didn't know you suffered too, Ashton." He responded, asking me to sit down on the couch while Ava served me a cold drink. 

"I was a coward once, and I made a vow, if I am given another chance to win back your daughter's heart, I will do everything I can to make her happy. And I know her happiness is not complete without you, and I know how proud she is for having you as her parents." I declared, and Mrs. Corteza is now wiping her tears.

"We miss her so much, Ashton, and thank you for being so brave to come here, and I appreciate your effort." Her mom said.

"I am no longer afraid to face anything, Ma'am, and the worse thing happened already in my life, and it was the day I lost your daughter, and now that I've got her back, I will do everything I can to make her happy and be with me. I don't know how to live my life without her." I responded, and I could see the beautiful smile on her face.

"And I hope you will come and visit your daughter in Megalopre and meet Axel, and I know you will love him." I declared.

"Of course, Ashton, we wanted to see Megan and our grandchild, and I hope you could be right that Megan already forgave us because God knows how much I miss my daughter." Megan's dad responded, and I beamed at him.

"Then come with me when I go back. I will give you enough time to think. I will be leaving with my sister, Isabelle, tomorrow at five o'clock in the afternoon." I said, and I could see the looked on Dexter's face the moment he heard Isabelle's name.

I hope one day I will be able to help Isabelle to meet Dexter again. Still, right now, I need to fix everything between Megan and her parents, and the next thing I should do is make my sister and Megan's brother be friends again by making them meet at Megan's place without their knowledge.

I felt so happy that I had a heart-to-heart talk with Megan's father. And I know Megan's entire family hated my dad for almost ruining their family and, most of all, for breaking our young hearts. Because of my dad, we all suffered, and as I drove away from the driveway of Corteza's residence, I could feel the heaviness of my heart.

I have already forgiven my father for what he did to us, but after talking to Megan's parents, old memories resurface. It is all coming back to me, all the painful things my father did to us, and I got inside our house with a heavy heart, and Isabelle already informed me that my parents had arrived through text message.

"Where have you been, Ashton? You just got back to Astikoz, and it seems to me nothing had changed to you even if you are now the CEO of our company; I still remember when you were in High School; every time I came home, you were always not around." My father declared the moment I joined them in the living room.

"Yeah, you are right, dad; many things happened, but I am still the same, Ashton," I responded, and I wanted to tell him I didn't want to argue with him that is why I avoided him all the time, and I wished to add I still love the same girl that he hated so much.

"I think we should eat dinner now that your brother has arrived," Dad said as he looked at my siblings, and we all moved towards the dining hall. I could feel the tension in the air, and I wish things would be that simple to all of us, we love our dad, but because of his overbearing attitude, even my brothers started to be distant from him.

I know Isabelle kept all the pain in her heart; she remained a dutiful daughter to our parents. We all know how much she suffered emotionally and mentally after getting broken-hearted after Dexter left him, and it was because of our father she lost her one great love, and I hope one day she will learn to love again.

"After dinner, I want you all to proceed to the library because I have a significant announcement to make, and I need to discuss this thing with you all." Our father said before we dig in, and we all looked at each other, and I know we all have the same question playing in our heads, and we are all curious about what Gregory Pritzgold wants from all of us, his children?