Chapter 179 - The Parlor Games

Ashton's POV

I admit fighting with Gael felt so good because I couldn't deny I hated him for almost hurting Megan; he wanted her to love him back even if she already told him she could never love him. And it was frustrating because he didn't listen to her, and I couldn't believe he stayed even if Megan asked him to leave, and watching him holding my son's hand scared me.

I could tell Gael got so obsessed with Megan, and he is no longer the Gael she once knew because his mind is now in chaos. After all, his heart is now enveloped with hatred and anger because of his jealousy and his will to have Megan in his life. I was running beside Megan, and I could see the worries on her face, and when she ceased running, she watched Gael talking with Axel.

"Hey, I know you are worried, but I think he won't hurt our son; I could see how much he adores Axel," I whisper in her ear as I stand behind her and I put my hands on her hips, and I felt Megan relax a little.

"Of course, I knew that but I couldn't stop feeling so worried after what he had done to me a while ago, and I felt so glad you came." She softly said as I kissed her head.

"Yeah, I couldn't stop myself from worrying, and I wondered what took you so long to speak with him," I responded as we watched the host formally starts the program. I saw the principal come to the stage, and he was smiling as he delivered his opening remarks, and out of the corner of my eye, Axel was looking among the crowd, and I could tell our son was looking for us while he was sitting on Gael's lap.

"We need to be with Axel, now, Meg," I whispered, and she nodded her head. We excused ourselves as we made our way to our assigned table, and Axel's face lit up when he saw us, and he immediately stood up from Gael's lap. I could see how his face darkened as he looked at me while Alice was whispering with Megan, and I could still see the bruises on Gael's face and his swollen eyes.

And I could see the curious look of the onlookers, and even if the principal was talking, I could see that all eyes were on us, and I wanted the activity to end soon so I could have time alone with Megan and Axel. Our son came to me, and he sat on my lap, and it felt so lovely, and it made me feel more worried about Gael's reaction. I felt so glad Alice stood up and sat beside him, and how I wished she could make him leave, but I could tell Gael was determined to stay with us until the family day was over, and I realized this is a day to remember.

The game started, and when the host asked the parents with their child to join the parlor games, Megan and I stood up, and Axel was so happy. Still, when Gael stood up from his seat, I could see the worried expression on Megan's face, and I allowed him to be with them; I asked Megan to play the game with Gael since I didn't want him to make another scene.

"What is wrong with Gael, Ashton?" Alice asked me immediately after they left our table and made their way to the field where the game would occur, and I released a deep sigh.

.

"I don't know what he was trying to prove, Al, Megan asked him to leave, and we didn't expect him to proceed here; I thought he already left, and I can't leave them; I could feel he is planning something." I declared.

"Yeah, he was scaring me, Ashton; even Axel could feel that something was going on with him," Alice responded, and I didn't take my eyes away from Megan and Axel as I talked with Alice in a low voice.

"I want him to leave, but I am afraid if we will fight again in front of this crowd. We fought each other a while ago in front of your best friend, and I am not proud of what I have done because I hated violence, and I don't want to worry Megan, but Gael left me

no choice." I responded.

"No wonder he has black eyes. And he has some bruises on his face, while you look nothing had happened to you." She responded, and I chuckled.

"Megan did something on my face, and that is why I am wearing shades; I don't want my son to know we fought," I said, and then the crowd cheers, and I couldn't stop myself from smiling as I saw Axel on the field running and jumping followed by Megan as they joined the obstacle race. I felt proud that my son is fast like me, and they are leading, and when the game ended, I clenched my fists when I saw Gael hug them both.

"Ashton, I know you feel so angry right now, but please stay calm for Axel, and I just wanted to inform you Megan is in love with you, and there is no way she will have Gael as her boyfriend, especially now that he started to show his true colors," Alice said. I nodded my head, and I did the most sensible thing to do; I excused myself from Alice before I could run and hit Gael's face.

I needed some fresh air to control my anger, and I made my way towards the school garden to release my frustrations with Gael. I don't know what I am going to do with him. I was looking at the butterflies circling the flowers, and I smiled as I remembered the incredible life cycle of the butterfly. 

"Hey! I thought you left us!" I heard Megan's soft voice, and when I turned my head, I found her walking gracefully towards me.

"I need to leave, or else I will end up punching Gael's face again, and I can't do that in front of our son; I know he adores Gael," I responded, and she gave me a weak smile.

"Thank you, Ashton, for your understanding. I know I should have never invited Gael in the first place since you and I are back together. I am truly sorry, and I didn't realize something like this would happen." She said, and I shook my head.

"It wasn't your fault, Meg, he is in love with you, and his jealousy is getting in the way; I know Gael wanted to be there for Axel, but he can't accept you are mine again," I said, and I moved closer to Megan while I never take away my gaze from her lovely face. She was laughing so hard when I almost stumbled on the ground.

"You should come back with me, Ashton." She said.

"I don't think that is a good idea, Meg, and it hurts me to see you with him and Axel. I'd rather stay here to avoid confusion, and I don't want them to wonder why I wasn't the one playing with you when I am Axel's father." I responded, and she smiled at me.

"He is gone, I begged Gael to go and take good care of his wounds, and I felt so glad he finally listened to me." She declared.

"What did you bargain with him?" I asked, and I could see the guilt on her face.

"How did you know he asked something from me?" She asked while I could see the surprised look on Megan's face.

"I know his personality, Megan; he will never leave unless you promise something to him," I said.

"He asked me to have a date with him on Valentine's day." She said, and my eyes widened in shock.

"What?" I asked in a loud voice, and I hated that I couldn't control my emotions anymore. And I couldn't believe Megan was laughing at me that I could see tears that welled up in her eyes as she continued to laugh.

"You think that is funny, Ms. Corteza? You are telling me you will be having a date with another man on Valentine's day?" I asked, and she was shaking her head.

"I know it wasn't funny, but I was laughing with your reactions; I was kidding, Ashton. Do you think I will do that?" She asked, and my face fell.

"Don't joke something like that, Meg, that is not funny; you know how much I hate it to see you with another man." I declared, and her smile widened.

"Good to know then, and I would like to tell you the same thing, and you don't have to worry, I didn't have a deal with Gael. I only told him he should take good care of his bruises, and he apologized to me." She said, and I raised my eyebrows, unable to believe Gael said sorry.

"Yeah, and he told me he wants us to be friends," Megan added, and I wanted to tell her Gael was lying, but I didn't want to hurt her feelings. We returned to the venue holding hands, and I smiled when I couldn't find Gael anymore, and Axel ran towards us when he saw us coming. I couldn't stop smiling when he hugged me right away.

"Dad, you need to join us with the next parlor game." He said excitedly, and I nodded my head at him feeling so excited to play with him and Megan.

"Of course, son, I am excited," I said, and he grinned at me while I heard his mother giggle.

We won so many games that made my son so exhausted but happy as the family ended. We received many prizes that Axel found hard to carry on his chest. I felt overwhelmed with happiness as I drove my car, and I could see Axel was sleeping on the back seat while Megan was massaging my hand.. And even if Gael tried to ruin our day, we still came home to Megan's house with happy faces, and I felt glad the family day ended successfully.