Chapter 94 - My Heart Bled

Ashton's POV

I couldn't believe that my mother's birthday party would turn out so fantastic and enjoyable. I feel glad that my father didn't get angry when I introduced Megan to him, even if he planned to announce my engagement with Lauren. It was ridiculous, and I felt so glad my loving mother backed me up; she knew I was in love with someone else and not with Lauren.

I know I made the most significant decision tonight by introducing Megan to my parents. I could feel the happiness in my heart as I watched the crowd look at Megan with admiration after our performance. I couldn't stop myself from smiling as I brought her back to our table.

Now that our relationship is out on the open, not only in our Academy, and the entire Astikoz hills knew, I wanted to celebrate this moment with my girl alone, but I know we can't sneak out while the party is at its peak. I wanted to bring her to our favorite spot and gaze at the stars until morning and feel her body next to mine. 

We ate our dinner, and I wanted to ask Megan about Lauren when I saw my ex sit at our table while I was on the stage with my siblings. I felt worried if she had done something again to Megan and made my girlfriend leave the party at once, but I felt glad when I saw Lauren walk out, and I could tell she was not happy with the result of her conversations with Megan. And I could tell my girl put Lauren in her place, and I felt so glad she didn't allow Lauren to ruin her night, and she stayed to enjoy the party.

We were talking with my siblings, and it made me feel so happy to see Megan and Isabelle getting close with each other; and I know my sister adores my girlfriend, and Megan likes Isabelle a lot, and I felt so glad that my siblings have my back. I could hear the sweet music in the background, and I couldn't stop myself from whispering sweet nothings on Megan's ear that made her have goosebumps all over her skin.

When it was time for the sweet dance, I saw my dad bring my mom to the dance floor, and many couples followed suit. Lennon and Sherry got up, and Isabelle and Cole left our table giggling while I couldn't stop myself from shaking my head when I saw Vienna ask Zach for a dance. My best friend stood up, and I knew he didn't want to dance with her because since we were younger, Vienna had already shown her interest in him. She is one of our rich neighbors, but she went to a different school.

I asked my girl to dance with her, and I felt so happy holding hands with Megan as we walked to the dance floor. The moment I felt her hands curl around my neck, I Couldn't be happier. And when I pressed her body next to mine, I was in heaven. Her intoxicating scent intensified my feelings for Megan, and I felt so thankful for tonight, and I have to thank my mom later tonight.

"Aston, thank you for making me feel so happy. I know we both hesitated to inform your parents about us, but the way they welcomed me is enough to make me feel I now belong to you." She said, and her sweet voice made me feel like we were on the clouds as of the moment, and just watching her beautiful face looking up at me made my heart swell with happiness.

"Your welcome, Meg, and I think I should be the one who will say thank you to you for coming with me. I know it wasn't easy on your part to come here with me and attend this party. But because of your love for me, you came, and you made me feel so happy to be with you right now with my family and friends, and to celebrate this moment with you is wonderful enough that I don't want the night to end." I declared, and she giggled.

"Me too. I hope we will be in this moment forever, " Megan replied, and we continued to dance in silence as I brought her head on my chest. It felt so wonderful to have her in my arms as we listened and danced to a beautiful love song in the background, and I could tell it was one of my mom's favorite love songs.

I know I have to deal with my father later because of what I have done tonight, but having Megan in my arms right now is all worth the worries that I felt, and I couldn't stop myself from getting tense when I heard my father's voices asking me to swap partners with him. Don't get me wrong, I wanted to have a dance with my beautiful mom and thank her, but I didn't expect my father would like to dance with my girlfriend, and I couldn't deny I felt horrified at what he might do to Megan. I could feel the rapid beating of Megan's heart that pulsated on my frame the moment she heard my father's authoritative voice.

But I am now confident my girl could handle him. I released Megan from my hands, and I offered his hand to my father, and my father was beaming at her, and I turned to face my mom, and she pulled me closer to her as she lay her hands on my shoulders, and I slowly put my palms on her waist.

"Wow! I never see you this happy, Ashton, and you must love Megan so much." Mom said with a beautiful smile on her face, and her soft voice soothed me, and it felt like my mom made me think everything would be alright. I know I always feel this way every time I am with my mom, she can always calm my restless heart, and it feels like magic that every time she caresses my face, it feels like everything will be alright.

"Yes, I can't deny that I am so happy right now, mom, because of you; thank you so much for helping me, and I know I couldn't do it without you. I wouldn't have the self-confidence to introduce my girlfriend in front of the whole crowd. You boost my confidence, mom." I declared as I looked at her lovely face.

"I am so glad I could help you, son. I know you are in love with Megan, and I know how it feels to be in love at your age." She said, and my mom giggled, and I couldn't stop myself from smiling at my mom. I looked around, and I felt so worried when I saw my dad and Megan leave the ballroom. And I wondered where my dad would take Megan, and I am afraid he would drive her away.

"Relax, Ashton, let your father have time to know your girlfriend." My mom said when she caught me looking in their direction, and I released a sigh. I continued to dance with my mom until Cole asked to dance with our mother, and I got the chance to dance with Isabelle, and I told my sister that our dad had brought Megan outside the ballroom.

"Don't worry too much, Ashton. I think dad will only show Megan his latest book collection." My sister said, and I know she was only trying to make me feel better.

"I know Dad could do worse to Megan, but I can tell your girlfriend is a fighter, so let us just wait here until they come back to enjoy the party once more," Isabelle said as we continued to dance, and I couldn't concentrate dancing while my mind is with Megan.

"Okay, let us go back to our table now before I can't walk anymore, you have stomped on my foot several times, and I could tell you are no longer in the mood to dance." My sister declared as she stopped dancing with me, and she pulled me to our table.

"Go, look for her. I couldn't believe you would look like that." My sister said when she saw the expression written all over my face.

"Thank you, Isabelle," I said, and I kissed her cheek before I walked out from the ballroom hastily. My heart was hammering against my chest, and I was terrified when I came across my dad walking alone in the living room, and I wondered where my girl was.

"Dad!" I exclaimed, and he gave me a hard stare, and I could no longer see the beautiful smile on his face, and I knew right away that he was faking everything. I am aware he already hurt Megan.

"Where is Megan, Dad?" I asked, and I could feel my voice tremble because I was so anxious about Megan.

"Ashton, your girlfriend, is in the library. I showed her my latest collection of books." He said and looked at me intently.

"I couldn't believe you would embarrass me in front of everyone by introducing your lowly girlfriend in front of my guests; how could you do something reckless like that, Ashton. Lauren's father is at the party. I already agreed to have you and Lauren get married after graduation so you can go to college together as a married couple because I don't want you to find another Megan in WEN University." He said, and I couldn't believe he would be saying all this right now.

"Dad, you know I can't marry Lauren. I only love Megan." I said, and he moved closer to me and grabbed the color of my suit.

"You have to listen to me, Ashton; you need to break up with Megan, or else I don't have a choice but to wreck her family, including her. If you want her to have a bright future, do what I say." He said with authority.

"I will give you until graduation to break up with her, I know she was only a plaything to you, Ashton, because I know you will never get serious with a girl, and if you break up with her, I will allow you to go pro on football, and then you can take over the company later." My father said while he was still holding my collar, and it made me hard to breathe. I can fight him, but I am controlling myself because I am respecting him as my father.

"I will give you what you want. And I am sure you will give up, Megan, because that is your greatest dream, and I know nothing can stop you from becoming a professional football player because you told me once not even a girl can stop your dream.." He said before he released me from his hold, and he walked away from me, and I was left dumbfounded, and my heart bled when I saw Megan standing not so far from us with tears in her eyes.