Ashton’s POV

The following day I tried to avoid Megan at all costs because I wanted her to know that I respected her, and I followed what she wanted. I was hoping that she still wanted me to be her boyfriend. I was looking at her from a distance, and I wanted to be near her, but knowing that she was still angry with me after what happened at Lauren’s party, I had no choice but to follow Zach’s advice to give her time to think and to miss me, and I was hoping she will indeed miss me.

Wednesday came, and I was very excited about my date with Megan that I got uneasy the entire day until practice, but when my training was over, I got a call from my mom that she needed me at home. And I think it was an emergency, and I didn’t have a choice but to go home and plan to go back and pick up Megan at her workplace. I felt so glad that she got a new part-time job again after the incident at the cafe where she previously worked.

When I got home, I was shocked to find mom wearing a beautiful one-strap floor-length peach gown. My mom handed me a suit, and my eyes widened.

“Get dress now, Ashton, because we are already late.” Mom said.

“Please don’t give me that look, son. It is your grandpa’s today, and we need to leave right now because the party is about to start.” She added, and I could tell my face turned so pale; how can I forget?

When Megan handed me her note, I didn’t care about anything because all I wanted was to have a chance to talk with her. Still, it seems I only make things worse, and I can’t bail out now since my entire family is waiting for me, and we have been waiting for this event. I am so close with my grandpa that I couldn’t miss his birthday party, and being his eldest grandson, I know everyone will be looking for me, especially my father.

“Ashton, hurry up!” My mom yelled, and I know she is now pissed with me because she always speaks softly at us even if we did something wrong. 

I quickly got dressed in my navy blue three-piece suit, and just on time, I descended the stairs. My father and brothers joined us in the living room, and together we got out of the house and walked to the helipad. And I found my father’s co-pilot was already waiting for us, and it was supposed to be an enjoyable ride watching the flickering of the city lights at night, but my heart was somewhere else that I couldn’t even smile.

“Hey, we are attending grandpa’s big birthday party, but you look like you lost the championship game,” Lennon said in more than a whisper.

“I know, but I messed up with my chance to be with Megan tonight. She asked me to meet her tonight, but I forgot to tell her I was not available. I am so stupid that I didn’t even remember we need to attend grandpa’s party.” I said, and I let out a soft sigh.

“Why do you worry so much, she already hated you for what you have done to her, and it will not make any difference to me.” My brother said, and I couldn’t believe his logic.

“I will make it worse, Lennon,” I said.

“You can meet her tomorrow and apologize for all the things you have done to her, and next time before you will confirm to have a date with her, check first if you have prior engagement so you will not have the same dilemma in the future.” He responded, and I nodded.

“Yeah, I will try my luck,” I said.

“Don’t make me laugh, brother. It feels like I am not talking with my elder brother, who used to have too much confidence. Come on, Ashton, that is not the way it should be, you are the heartthrob in the entire academy, and you feel less confident? Don’t ruin your reputation, my dear brother.” Lennon said, and he couldn’t stop himself from laughing.

“It doesn’t matter to Megan if I am popular or not. If you had only seen how she shunned me when I tried to talk with her, you would realize it doesn’t matter to her if I am the famous quarterback of our school.” I said as I slammed my back on the backrest of my seat.

“Well, at least you will realize it is hard to like someone because I thought it would be easy on you part having anyone you like since girls adore your pretty face and physique. And they got excited every time you pass them at the Academy’s hallways.” He said, and I shook my head.

“I think it doesn’t matter to Megan at all, sadly, my good looks and hot body didn’t help, and the worst part is she became less interested in me because of our status in life, and I think that is one of the reasons she wanted to avoid me on the first place, but I can tell she fell for me, but now that I messed up my chance to be with her, I don’t have any fucking idea how to make it right,” I said. I felt so glad I released my frustrations on Lennon.

“Don’t worry, Ashton, I can tell Megan still care and adore you too, even if you hurt her, and it would be impossible if her feelings for you were gone right away. Just be yourself and show her that you are sincere, and don’t make the same mistake again. She will be waiting for you after her work, and it will be so frustrating the moment she will find out you stood her up.” He said.

“Yeah, I know, and I felt like a jerk already,” I said.

“Well, the good thing is, you are innocent. You forgot that we need to attend an extraordinary event tonight. Give Megan a bouquet tomorrow, and I am sure it will melt her heart. Girls adore flowers, and I think your girlfriend is not an exemption.” My brother replied, and my face lit up as I realized my brother was right. I don’t need to feel guilty since I didn’t intentionally do this; I only happen to forget about this party.

“Thank you, Lennon. You make me feel better, bro.” I said to my brother.

“I am glad I could help, and besides, I want us to enjoy tonight. At least you are now wearing a happy face.” He said, and I grinned at my brother, and I couldn’t wait to talk with Megan tomorrow evening.

The party already started when we arrived, and I immediately saw my sister talking with my grandfather. She looked so happy when she saw us coming inside the grand ballroom of the most expensive hotel in Astikoz City.

“Happy birthday, grandpa!” I said, and my grandfather beamed at me.

“Hello, Ashton, it is good to see you, son. Can you visit me in our estate if you have time?” He asked me, and I smiled at him as I nodded my head.

“Of course, I will. I am sorry that I got so busy with my practice.” I softly said because I didn’t want my father to hear me talking about football with my grandpa. After all, it would only make him upset.

“Of course, I understand, Ashton. How are you, son?” He asked, and unlike my father, my grandfather Henry loves football, and I think my passion for football got from him. And he was the one who introduced me to the world of football, and it amazed me. I couldn’t stop myself from loving the game. He was pleased the moment I informed him I was chosen as the quarterback of our school, and I can tell my grandpa is so proud of me being a football player, and he was the one who encouraged me to be a professional football player. He never misses any of my games, and that is why I am very close with him.

“I am okay, grandpa.” I said.

“Do you have a girlfriend, now?” He asked, and I could tell my face blushed right away as I remembered Megan’s face.

“Oh, it seems you already have one, and I can tell it just by looking at your handsome face right now.” He said, and I nodded my head, but I couldn’t stop my face from turning so sad.

“I can tell you are in love, but why do you look so sad about it, Ashton? You are still young. You must enjoy your first love, and being in love is a beautiful feeling.” He said, and I smiled at my grandpa as I remembered dad.

“You are right grandpa, I am in love for the first time, but it is complicated because I know father will be against it, and I hurt her.” I said, and I want to seek advice from my grandfather.

“Oh, Ashton, why does Gregory is always against what you want with your life. He became so successful with the business, and I must admit he did well after I turned over the company to him, but he forgot how to be a father.” My grandpa Henry said.

“Don’t worry, son, one of these days I will talk with your father about so many things, and about your love life, don’t worry too much about it, you have to enjoy the feeling of being in love, Ashton, because true love conquers all.” He said.

“Thank you, grandpa.” I said, and I kissed his checked before I looked around for my sister Isabelle.. And after I talked with my grandfather, I felt better, and I felt so excited that I couldn’t wait to meet Megan tomorrow.