Chapter 9: Feeling Excited

Ashton's POV

Four Years Later

I never came home to Astikoz even once for four years, and at last, the most awaited part I have been waiting for has come: my college graduation. My entire family came. We had dinner in the finest restaurant in Majuscule City.

"So, now that you graduated, can you at least come home to Astikoz, Ashton?" my mom softly asked me, and I smiled at her.

"I am sorry, Mom, but I will be starting my career soon," I replied; and I hate lying to my mom, and she knew the reason why I didn't want to come home. It was because of my dad and Megan's memories.

"Okay, but I will visit you here more often, and we will be there at your first game," Mom said, and I could see the happiness on her lovely face, and my brothers were excited to see the game. I felt so happy that finally, Isabelle got a boyfriend, and he is a good man. This time her boyfriend came from a wealthy family, and that is why Ricky is very welcome in our family. But I could tell Isabelle is still lonely; she is not smiling with her eyes, and I wish she would learn to love him like the way she had loved Dexter.

I wish now that I would be playing pro with Zachary, Megan would see me on television, and she would be so proud of me. I plan to visit my grandpa's estate, and I couldn't wait to go there because I had already asked my grandfather’s help to locate Megan, because this time, I am ready to face her and tell her my father can't stop me from loving her.

I am so desperate to find her. That is why I asked my grandfather to help me find Megan because he is the only one who can help me, and like my dad, he has so many connections too, and I guess I will know about Megan's whereabouts soon.

"Congratulations, Ashton!" Isabelle greeted me with a beautiful smile on her face, and she handed me a gift. I took it from her hand and ruffled her hair. We are now back in our mansion in Majuscule Hills, and we are sitting on the roof deck of our gigantic house, both looking at the city lights below twinkling like diamonds.

"Are you excited to meet her?" my sister asked, and I smiled at her. Isabelle is not only my sister. She has been my friend, rock, and confidante; I wouldn't have survived my four years in college without her. I couldn't win my games without her full support, and she knew all my secrets and plans.

"Yes, I have never been so excited in my entire life, and there are so many things I want to tell her, and I hope she is still in love with me," I said.

"Of course, I know how much Megan loves you, Ash," my sister said, and I felt so confident and excited. My brothers joined us, and I shook my head when I realized they had brought beers. Our parents were already sleeping, and until now, I still hated my father. I tried to act civil every time we spoke with each other, and I don't know if he knew I still had hatred towards him.

"Congratulations once again, Ashton! I know you are so ready to spread your wings!" Lennon said.

"Yeah, he is," Cole added, and I wanted to ask him how Ava was. I know they have kept in touch even now that they live with me since they are already in college, and I realized that time passed quickly.

"Yes, I can't wait to be on television!" I said, and my siblings laughed.

"You don't need to be a football player to be on TV, for how many times you declined agents when they asked you to be a model," Isabelle said, and I shrugged my shoulders. Even when I was in high school, I got offers, but I wouldn't say I like showbiz, and I am sure my father would be against it. He would remind me to my face that I don't need to be a model or actor to have money because we are already wealthy, and that is one reason why I wanted to have my own place and wanted to establish a name for myself. I don't want my father to dictate my life.

On the following day, my parents and brothers flew back to Astikoz while Isabelle remained in Majuscule with me. I spent my entire day with my sister, and I felt so happy that she stayed with me. My sister took a five-day leave, and I know Dad was against it, but our mother intervened, and Isabelle got what she wanted. She has been living here in Majuscule since the principal office of our shipping company is here, and my father always stayed here. I am just glad he took residence in our house in one of the high-end subdivisions in the city, and he didn't stay here with us in Majuscule Hills. Mom also remained in Majuscule City ever since Cole started studying at WEN University, and they usually come home to Astikoz during weekends.

"Are you sure you want to come with me?" I asked my sister after she settled herself in the front seat of my car.

"Yeah, besides, I miss Grandpa and Grandma. It has been a long time since I visited them, especially when I started working in our firm as the VP for Marketing," she said, and I smiled at my sister, and I couldn't be happier to be with her. She turned on my car's stereo, and she turned it off after she realized and considered my feelings.

"It is okay, Isabelle. Now that I am going to find her, it is about time to listen to some music. I know I chose to have a dull life after I hurt Megan, but I promise to spend my entire life loving her, and I will make up for all the days I missed being with her," I said, and I tried to calm my nerves when I heard Gael's voice, and I couldn't deny it was one of Megan's songs.

"How can he use her songs under his name? Megan should have been given credit as the songwriter and not Gael," I said as I tightly clenched my palms on the steering wheel.

"I am sure Megan has her reasons, Ashton," Isabelle answered, and when I looked at her, I shook my head because I knew she was one of the million fans of the heartthrob singer in our country. I couldn't deny, I wanted to dig into his personal life since he is a very private person, and I envy him that my girl trusted him with her music. Do they still have communication? Did he compensate Megan fairly for her songs? I hope he didn't use her music for anything else. I wanted Megan to have a comfortable life after she ran away from Astikoz.

"You can't deny, though, Gael is an extraordinary singer; his songs can touch someone's soul," my sister said, and I just shook my head because I hated him for using my girl's music for his fame. He could have convinced Megan to be the songwriter to earn more than enough with her music.

"Whatever, I don't like him," I said, and I could feel deep in my core the bitterness I felt towards him, and I tried to divert my mind because no matter how I focused my eyes on the road, I could hear every lyric of his songs.

"Ashton! Isabelle!" my grandmother exclaimed the moment we got inside the living room, and I realized they were waiting for us, and I felt delighted that even if four years had passed, they still looked the same—healthy and kicking. She hugged us both, and Grandpa stood up, hugged my sister, and patted my shoulder.

"I know you are both starving because of the long drive, and you also took the ferry, but I could tell it was fun. I still cherish those days I had a long drive with your Grandpa, and those adventures that we had are what keep me feeling young and alive. You should enjoy your life and not follow your father, who is always busy, and he has forgotten to visit us," Grandma said, and I smiled as I watched her beautiful face, and I could tell the wrinkles on her face made her look more vibrant these days, and I envy the way my Grandpa looked at her the same way. And I know how much they love each other, and that is the kind of relationship I want to have with Megan.

"Congratulations, Ashton!" my Grandpa said, and I smiled at him.

"Thank you, Grandpa, and please don't give me more gifts," I replied.

"I am sorry, it is too late for that. I always give you a present on your birthday, and your college graduation only happens once, and I want to enjoy my money while I am still alive," he said, and he handed me a box, and I smiled. At least this time, it is not a car.

"I want you to open that gift when you return to Majuscule," my Grandpa added.

"Okay, Grandpa, this time I know I will love whatever is inside this box. You always buy me expensive gifts, and I want you to know I would be happy if I only received a card," I said as I remembered Megan's birthday card, and I kept the card until now. It belongs to my precious collection; in my heart, the value of the card she gave me was priceless—no monetary value can match the happiness I feel every time I read her birthday wish for me.

"Can I talk with you alone, Ashton?" my Grandpa said after our sumptuous meal.

"Sure!" I said enthusiastically, and I saw my sister mouthing good luck at me, and I smiled at her as I followed my grandfather to his study. I couldn't deny I was so excited to hear about Megan Corteza, and I felt like a high school boy all over again, and I couldn't stop myself from feeling so excited after a long time.