Chapter 21

Megan POV

Laid there crying all night hoping Anthony would return, but he never did. It was 7 AM. My eyes were swollen, bleeding red, because I couldn't sleep. Today was the day we were supposed to return to Florida, and he hasn't show…

Knock, knock, someone tapped lightly on the bedroom door, I gulped down the anxiousness in my throat, "Come in."

"Um...I rather not mam", Patrick said on the other side of the door.

"Ugh ok, what is it?", I asked, disappointed that it was just Patrick and not Anthony.

"Mr. Rhone told me to inform you that you should be ready by nine, then I will drive you to the jet, when you arrive in Florida, you should take the weekend off, since it's already Friday and it's a twelve-hour flight, you can return to work Monday morning."

I guess he meant it when he told me leave last night, and I also reckoned that he won’t be traveling with me either.

“Ok—” my voice cracked, “I’ll be right there.”

I slowly freshened up, brush my hair, and tried my best to hide the dark circles under my eyes with my almost finished concealer, even though pain ate up on the inside, I didn't want it to show, I don't want him to know I'm hurting.

The car ride was silent, Patrick wasn't my friend, just a driver. Finally arrived at the private jet and I looked around and I didn't see Anthony, where was he I thought to my self, maybe he was already waiting for me.

I boarded the jet, realizing Anthony wasn't on, so I sat quietly on the couch, and as the jet takes off, I gripped tightly into the leather. I wish Anthony were here, it's going to be a long flight.

All night I curled up in bed, hugging the fluffy pillows, the flight was uncomfortable without Anthony, I twisted and turned, I watched TV, I ate snacks from the snacks bar, and nothing seemed to help, six hours to go and I still couldn't find the peace to sleep, I laid there on my back, and everything I said to him began to resurface in my mind, I should have given him a chance, The past few days in Paris was wonderful and I wish we could be like that every single day, I didn't know when it happened, but I fell asleep.

I slept through the whole remaining six hours, my sleep was disturbed by the pilot's announcement, "This is your pilot speaking, Mrs. Francis you've reached your destination, landing in thirty-minute.”

Lazily I walked to the bathroom to freshen up, I sat there on the toilet trying to do number two, suddenly, all sorts of funny questions popped up in my head, this is j t? How does the bathroom here work? Does my poop get released in mid-air, I'll love to know, I chuckled to my self, guess I'll just have to Google it since Anthony decided to ditch me, and it was then all the sadness crept up on me again.

The jet finally landed, and it was time to go. I found a very grumpy Henry, standing just outside of a car, waiting for me.

"Hello Miss Francis, I will escort you to your apartment.”

I smiled and nod as he opened the car door for me. My stomach growled with hunger, I haven't eaten a full meal since back in Paris,

"Um— Henry, that's your name right, would it be ok if you dropped somewhere..."

"No Ms. Francis, I got strict orders to take no turn offs, only straight to your apartment."

I sighed and pouted my mouth, what am I, a twelve-year-old?

"Ok, well I'm hungry, go to the nearest Popeye’s, take the drive-through.”

Henry was a slower driver than Patrick, what should have taken him fifteen minutes, took him twenty-five, he was a cautious driver, I guess I’ll just have to respect that.

"Hello, good day, can I get a chicken sandwich, a three-piece combo, with macaroni and cheese, a large grape soda, and a mud cake, please".

"Okay that will be, twenty dollars please proceed to collect your meal at window five.”

Henry drove up to the window, I handed the young lady a twenty-dollar note collected my food, and we left.

Arriving at the apartment, I waved goodbye to Henry, but he only nodded and left. Inside I sat down, powered on the television, and began to dig in. I checked my cellphone multiple times for a text from Anthony, but he didn't, so I decided to call, no answer. Again, I called him, and once more, no answer.

The weekend came quickly and ended quicker, it was Monday morning and here I am in bed, thinking how will I face Anthony, he didn't even reach out to me, sigh.

I slid across the satin sheets and made my way to my closet, maybe I'll just dress up today, yes, I'll show him.

I found a skin-tight, knee-length, office-friendly nude dress, wow it was perfect alongside w pair of nude heels. I laid the outfit on my messy bed and went to the bathroom to freshen up.

After I showered, I did heavy but smooth makeup, lash extensions, penciled eyebrows, bright red lipstick, the highlight glistened on my cheeks, and for the first time I can surely say, I'm beautiful, I stared at the mirror, lost in my reflection, deep in my thoughts.

I knew Higgins probably already told everyone about me being tied to a chair in Paris in lingerie. My cheeks became red hot with embarrassment as I thought about it. There was no sense hiding it now, they already knew. But I knew the truth, I love Anthony and that's all that matters, right?

Beep! Beep!

I jump slightly when my alarm went off, I ran my hands over my curves for the last time, went by the alarm clicked the off button, and proceeded to leave,

Oh! I just remembered I haven't had breakfast, but I'll have to skip since my face was plastered with makeup I’d spent a whole hour doing. I didn't want to ruin it.

"I'll just eat later."

Opening my door, I was confronted with a massive crowd, they were bungled together with multiple cameras aimed at my face, the media representatives shoot questions at me.

"Are you Anthony Rhone’s, CEO of G.L.O.S. H’s new girlfriend?"

"Is it true, you've been sleeping with your best friend's ex-fiancée?"

"Confirm if you were found in a compromising position during your business trip with Mr. Rhone"

“I— I—” I gawked at the reporters, stumbling over my words, I startled by their presence that I couldn't defend my self against these allegations.

"Alright move it, move it! You bloody tabloid trashes,” a man with a British accent parted through the crowd.

"Hi, Ms. Francis, I am Ralph Blake, nice to meet you."

Not knowing what to say, my focus was still on the paparazzi behind him.

"Please come with me mam, I was assigned by Mr. Rhone to be your driver."

I only nod my head, shielding my face with my handbag as Mr. Blake hugged my shoulders guiding me to the car.

Halfway through the journey, the car ride was rather silent, Mr. Blake adjusted the rearview mirror, and kept stealing glances at me.

"You're still in shock Mrs. Francis," he chuckled, "When you're dating a man like Rhone, there will always be surprises and excitement".

"That's the thing Mr. Blake we aren’t dating, so I am a bit shaken up by all those people who stood outside my door, wait… will it be like this every day?"

He chuckled lowly, "I am afraid so Ms. Francis, you'll have to change location soon."

"Change location? Do you mean... Like to move?" I inquired.

"Yes— Ms. Francis, I am afraid…"

"Please— call me Megan."

"Well then Megan, I think that's the only option you have is to move— this is just the beginning."

Arriving at G.L.O.S.H, a weird feeling crept up on me like a baby, I felt nervous like it was my first day at work, I swallowed the ball of fear that gathered in my throat, stepping out of the car, I looked at the main entrance and sighed, I have don’t seen him since he told me to leave… I didn’t know if we were merely friends again or if we are back to square one.