gan's POV
Having Dexter and Ava in my house feels so relaxing, and it felt like the old tis. I am close with my siblings growing up, and we always have bonding ti together no matter how busy we are with our studies and in between part-ti jobs.
"Uncle Dexter, do you love football?" Axel asked Dexter after we finished eating dinner, and we sat on the lounger near the swimming pool because Ava was so excited to have a night swim. When Alice arrived, they both agreed to change into their swimsuits while I was still putting on the floaters on Axel's arms, even if he had already learned how to swim. I don't want anything to happen to my son; I can't afford to lose another child.
"Yes, little buddy, that is my favorite sport; why, do you love football too?" My brother asked, and Axel slowly glanced at , and he hesitated on answering my brother's question.
"It is okay, son. You can answer your uncle." I said, and I felt guilty because I could tell Axel didn't want to get upset.
"Yeah, I love football too, and when I grow up, I wanted to be like Ashton Priztgold." He said, and my throat felt so dry, and I am just glad Ava got out of the water, and she ca and got Axel, and when he was enjoying with his aunt, I found my brother looking at intently.
"What was that all about, g? I could tell Axel was afraid to tell he loves playing football." He asked.
"I know, Dex. It was my fault because of how many tis I reprimanded my son for watching a football ga, and my alibi would be his lessons. I don't want him to watch the ga because he will miss his ti answering his assignnts, but I know it was because of his father. The first ti I heard him say he likes number 23 because that was the number of Aston's football jersey, I felt horrified, and I am just glad Alice was with us that ti." I responded, and I could see the concern on Dexter's face.
"I am aware that I am unreasonable because it has nothing to do with Axel. My anger towards his father has nothing to do with my son, and I know that, but I couldn't stop myself from hating Ashton every ti I rember what he had done to ." I declared as I watched my son having ti on the water, and I have never seen him this happy as he chased his aunt Ava.
"But don't worry Dex. I know I can never stop Axel from playing football. And if that is what he likes, I know that I have to support him because I can relate to how it feels when your loved ones don't support the thing you love. It would be devastating, and it can make soone lose his self-esteem and dreams." I added.
"Yes, you have to support him, g; I also love football. It could be because of , that is why your son loves football. You can't stop him from playing because his father abandoned and hurt you." Dexter declared.
"gan, as your brother, all I want for you is to be happy. But seeing you now being a successful businesswoman brings great joy, but I can see the sadness beneath your every smile. And I hate to think that even if all your dreams co true, and you beca what you ever wanted, yet you are still unhappy." Dex added.
"You need to find your happiness, gan, don't let Ashton stop you from being happy. He made your life miserable enough, and I think it is about ti you let go, g. You are beautiful, and you deserve all the happiness in this world." My brother continued.
"Dex, I am a happy mom," I replied.
"You can't lie to , g; even if we haven't seen each other for eight years, I still know you, my little sister. May your physical appearance have so changes, but you are still the sa gan I know." He responded, and I released a heavy sighed.
"I tried all the ways and techniques to forget about him, but no matter what I do, he is still the one that I am longing for, and even if deep in my heart I hated Ashton so much for hurting when I ca to his house eight years ago, I can't deny my feelings for him is still buried deep in my core. And he continued to hurt more when his na was linked with different celebrities." I declared, and my brother touched my face with his calloused hand.
"Yeah, I know, g, I believe you because I also tried to forget Isabelle, and the last thing I heard about her, she was engaged." My bother said, and how could this be? Why do we need to fall in love with the Pritzgold siblings? I had this kind of conversation with my brother eight years ago at the pancake house, and I realized I saw the sa pain on his face.
"It is funny, right? How could you ask to move on with my life, Dex, when you are still in pain. And like , I could tell you didn't even try to date." I said, and my brother laughed.
"I tried countless tis, g, but I realized I would only end up hurting the girls, so I better stop with what I was doing. Every ti I dated soone, I only end up thinking about Isabelle, and I wonder what kind of love the potion she has why I couldn't even find a replacent." Dexter replied.
"In my case, in Belle's eyes, I betrayed her, and that is the worse because I am still in love with her, and she didn't even know about the truth that I never cheated on her, not even in my dreams. And how I wish she will know the truth one of these days." My brother added, and I could feel the loneliness in his voice.
"I gave you money to pay Gregory Pritzgold; why did you return it, Dex?" I asked.
"gan, it was my debts." He answered.
"Dexter, we used that money for mom's operation. You can use my money because you are my brother, and I want to help you. And if you love Isabelle, I think it is about ti you should swallow your pride." I said, and he looked at , and I could tell he was having a hard ti.
"I already paid off the total amount I owe Isabelle's father, g. But I was already late; after I deposited the amount to Gregory's account, I wanted to et Isabelle right away. But I heard about her engagent the following day after I paid off my debt. It is ironic. I worked hard for how many years to have her back, and when I was able to fulfill my dream, I was already too late." Dexter said, And I can feel My brother's pain.
"I wanted to ask the universe, why? Isabelle was my inspiration in everything I do, and I can't bla her; I hurt her, g. And I think I deserve the loneliness I feel right now." He said.
"Hey, don't say that, Dexter. You are a good son, brother to Ava and , and best uncle to Axel. You deserve all the happiness in this world." I said.
"And so do you." He replied, and I held my brother's hand, and I squeezed it because I wanted him to know that everything would be alright, and he could be happy again.
My son fell asleep right away after I tucked him in bed. And I could tell he was tired because of his swimming escapade with his aunt Ava and godmother Alice. And I can't stop myself from watching him sleep. And when I returned to my room, I almost jumped on my feet after switching on the light when I found Alice lying on my bed.
"Why did you turn off the lights, Al?" I asked, and she stood up and smiled at .
"I wanted to prank you, but I can tell you are not yourself." She said, and I grimaced at her.
"How could you say I am not myself?" I asked.
"Don't lie to , gan; after we t Ashton in the mall, I always find you looking into space. Do you want to have a date with him?" She asked, and I looked daggers at Alice.
"Al, even if I still have feelings for Ashton, I want you to know these emotions I have for him could never outweigh the wrath I felt for him. So, you better drop that craziness of yours; besides, he is engaged to get married, for heaven's sake." I declared.
"What if he broke up the engagent after he t you at the mall?" She asked.
"Alice, please, I don't have ti to talk with you about this nonsense, and I hate that now you can easily talk about Ashton on my face," I said.
"Because I know, eights years was enough for you to stop looking angry or affected every ti I ntioned his na. And I know it is about ti to let go of the past because your son is getting older every day. Whether you like it or not, you have to face Ashton before Axel knows who his father is from other people, and you can't deny it, gan. Axel is the carbon copy of Ashton. And you can't hide your son from the public unless you plan to enroll him in online classes." Alice declared, and I let out a heavy sigh as I sat beside my best friend.
"I know, Al, but for now, I don't want to think about it, and we have a birthday party to worry about," I responded.
"You don't need to worry. We set everything from giveaways, food, gas, and even Axel's attire, and of course, this one." She declared as she got up from the bed and picked up a paper bag from the nightstand, and she handed it to and as I fished out the content, I didn't know if I would feel sad or happy as I stared at the football ball on my hand.
I woke up early even if I found it so hard to sleep because I couldn't stop myself from thinking about what happened to Dexter, and I couldn't cease from feeling so affected by my brother's pain. I took a bath and went downstairs only to find Alice with a bouquet in her hands, and I felt nervous when she ca closer to and handed the beautiful flowers.
"That is for you, g," Alice said.
"Are you crazy? Are you going to give your bouquet? He must like you, Alice, and I hope you will introduce to your mystery man, the one you had a date last Thursday night." I said as I smiled at her, and my best friend laughed.
"Yeah, I will, but I regret to inform you, these flowers are not for . Read the card, g.." She said as she put the flowers on my hands, and I couldn't stop the rapid beating of my heart as I opened the card tag of the beautiful bouquet.
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