Chapter 30

Megan POV

My hand scanned the bed to find a beside me, I open my eyes slowly searching for any signs of Anthony, but what I saw was only a tray on the bedside table with heart-shaped fried eggs, pancakes, coffee, a bowl of sliced strawberries, and a note tucked away to the side, I reached for the note and read it:

My love,

I didn't want to wake you, so I made you breakfast, I hope you enjoy it, however, I had to leave for work, you not being at the office makes things more difficult, I need temporary my P.A, love you. Call me...we need to talk.

I smiled at his efforts to make me happy, he was trying his best to be the best fiancée and I appreciate that. The breakfast was cold, but the coffee was a bit warm still, it wasn't bad, I freshened up and search my apartment for Natalie, today was the day she was supposed to go back home, and I wanted to enjoy a few hours with her.

"Natz?" I searched my entire apartment, but she wasn't here, "oh well, I'll just phone her".

I held my cell patiently at my ear, waiting for her to pick my call.

"Hello?", she answered with a faint voice.

"Hey Natz, where are you? I feel bad about ditching you yesterday, so how about wedding shopping and lun—"

"Sorry Meg, I am not feeling so well, maybe next time", she whispered.

"Oh, ok no prob...", but before I could finish, she ended the call.

Wow, Natalie is going through some bitch ass mood swings, I was bored, and I won't be returning to work until after the wedding since my best friend ditched me, I guess I'll just go about this my self, I had a long day ahead of me so Anthony and I will have to have that talk later.

Babe I'm going to check out some bridal shops today so how about dinner tonight at your place? And remember my parents are visiting tomorrow.

Anthony instantly messaged me back.

Ok baby, I can't wait to meet them, my love, the boys will be expecting you at the house, love you, talk later.

I straighten up my apartment, searched online for nearby bridal shops, and jotted them down in a notebook, I got dressed and left, and waiting for me outside was an impatient Jace, how did he...of course Anthony must have sent him over here to chauffeur me around.

"You know Jace, I don't need a driver or a bodyguard, I can defend myself" I tried to convince him.

He chuckled, "nice try Ms. Francis but the boss will have my head if I let anything happen to his fiancée, congrats on the engagement by the way."

I smiled brightly at how things have changed, and I was comfortable around most of Anthony's bodyguards.

"Whatever you say, Jace, and thank you very much by the way".

We visited most of the local bridal shops, but their so-called deals were ridiculous or maybe it was because they knew who I was and who I was engaged to, my frustration grew as I marked the last choice of the list I made.

“None of these fucking places makes sense! take me to Anthony's house, Jace."

He adjusted the rearview mirror and kept glancing on me and the road, "you know Ms. Francis there is one place I know, before migrating to Paris, my mom and dad got married here in Florida, I don't if you want to check them out, but you should give it one last shot."

"Take me there" I smiled widely at him.

The customer service was amazing, and the service offered was reasonable, they offered a wedding planner, photographer, videographer, caterer, DJ/band, florist, a dress of my choice, the bridesmaid dress, under just one fixed price. Anthony and I didn't have many friends, so I wanted to avoid unnecessary spending, my parents were visiting tomorrow for an official introduction, and to be honest, I was a little nervous, my mom was the welcoming, loving parent, while my father...well he wasn't so nice. And since the word was out that I stole Stevie's man, my dad thinks Anthony was only using me for clout.

After a long discussion with the wedding planner, I decided to take my leave. It was already late evening and I had dinner to prepare. But however, the lasagna twice I decided to call it quits and order in, for I have to prepare a welcoming dinner for my parents tomorrow anyway.

I showered and slip into skimpy nightwear, popped opened a bottle of wine over a box of pizza with pineapple and bacon toppings, watching the Lucifer series on Netflix, patiently waiting for Anthony downstairs, I wondered what he needed to discuss with me.

Hearing the doorknob turning I sprung up from the couch to meet a very grumpy Anthony by the door attempting to loosen the tie around his neck.

"Let me help you", I removed his tie, and opened the first three buttons of his shirt, his mood seemed to lighten up instantly.

"Hey, my future wi..." he began to sniff the air, "did you burn something?" He asked smiling down at me.

"Twice actually! I burnt dinner, so I ordered us pizza instead."

"That's ok boo", he placed light kisses on my lips, "I know you must be tired, by the way, how did the bridal shop thingy hunting go?"

"Well..." I walked away from him to grab another slice of pizza, "It was frustrating at first until Jace..."

"Jace?" he asked curiously.

I rolled my eyes in annoyance.

"Yes babe, Jace recommended a nice little place, the workers were super friendly, and they didn't even seem to know who I was, they were mostly elderly people, but they were very respectful, all the other places were charging double because of who I was marrying."

Now sitting beside me, Anthony chuckled, "You know money isn't the problem, right?"

"Yes, but does it matter, ugh! I am so tired I could use a massage right now," I complained.

"Ok let me go freshened up and then one message coming right up," he said tickling my sides.

I laughed at his childish ways and began to kiss him on the lips, "You know I was lonely without you today, and for some odd reason, my bridesmaid ditched me. I don't know what got into Natalie, but she's moving a little off."

I noticed how Anthony's mood switched from happy to uncomfortable and sad.

"Hey what wrong?" rubbing his cheeks.

He took my hand and began to kiss my knuckles, "Baby you remember that talk I told you about earlier?"

I nodded in suspense, "well?"

"Know what never mind, it's not important, let me go freshen up and join you".

"Ok," I mumbled.

I watched as he trailed off to the bedroom and smiled how lucky I am to have such a caring man. I resumed sipping wine and watching Lucifer.

Fifteen minutes into season three, episode five, Ting! A cellphone beside me lit up with an SMS notification, it must have fallen out of Anthony's pocket while we were playing, I didn't like to be nosey and I respected his privacy, but or some reason I just wanted to snoop around, I bit on the inside of my lower lip, sliding the unlock button on the screen, I read the message from the unknown number.

Hey why are you ignoring me, I was a little drunk, but I enjoyed last night, and I'm sorry but I am also not sorry, and I don't want to stop.

***Natz***

The signature ID told me all I needed to know, I was shocked, furious with anger.

"Hey baby, you ready for the mass..." Anthony froze dead in his tracks when he saw his phone in my trembling hands.

"Anthony— what happened between you and Natalie last night?"