Chapter 22.

The coffee shop was understaffed, for the fourth time in a row and Megan was once again charged with doing everything she could.

She had placed a sign outside for help wanted already and she was already waiting for a replacement for Michelle.

She loved the coffee shop, she loved working at the shop but it was starting to get more and more overwhelming since they were understaffed.

Many times she had to close up late and even clean up because the staff left were working double shifts.

She needed a replacement as soon as possible.

"I think you should take a break."

Mike said as he collected the tray from her.

"No! I'm fine."

Mike shook his head.

"Nonsense. You're far from fine. Just go to your office and rest for a little while. Trust me, I got it all covered."

He said and Megan sighed.

He was right, she was tired and she didn't mind the extra help. In fact, she could really use it.

The permanent ache in her back didn't seem like it was going anywhere and she had to rest.

She dropped the napkin and walked back into her office, collapsing on her chair the minute she got in and sighing in relief.

She checked her phone.

Anthony had called.

He had been trying to get her to go out with him for the past couple of days and she really didn't feel up to going out.

She was still closing her eyes, trying to cool her head when someone knocked softly on her door.

"Mike?"

She called out and he peeped in.

"There's someone named Roman here to see you."

Megan's eyes widened.

Roman?

She thought as she sat upright and tried to arrange her messy hair and clothes.

Roman walked in less than a minute later.

There was a bright smile on his face.

"Hey."

He said as he looked at her.

"Hey!!!"

Megan said nervously in a high pitched tone.

She pointed to the chair in front of her table.

"Please. Sit."

"What are you doing here? I had no idea you were coming."

She said and he nodded.

"Yes. It was meant to be a surprise. I figured I'll just drop by unannounced."

Megan widened her eyes.

"Oh wow. Shouldn't you be at work?"

Roman sighed as he looked at his expensive hublot watch.

"No, I have a flight in the evening to catch. I'll be gone for a business trip to Atlanta."

"Oh."

"That's nice. So what brings you here?"

She asked and he smiled as he sat on he chair she offered him earlier.

He smelled good. Really really good.

She remembered that about him.

There was something about the way he smelled that just made her know that she knew him before, intimately.

"I want to show you something. It's a surprise I got for you."

He said and Megan raised her eyebrows.

Surprise?

Did he get her a gift?

She asked herself.

Oh she couldn't possibly accept it if it was too expensive.

She told herself. Roman looked amused at her expression.

"What is it?"

She said and he shrugged.

"You'll have to come with me to see."

He said and Megan chuckled.

She still had about four more hours before the coffee shop was officially closed and there she was contemplating on leaving with Roman to go to God knows where with him.

"Now?"

She asked and he nodded.

"Yes. I really couldn't wait to show you. And I wanted to do before I leave for Atlanta."

Megan nodded.

"Alright then. I think I can spare a bit of my time. But we can't take too long, I have to come back to work."

She said as she picked up her purse.

Roman nodded.

"Sure."

"Let me get that for you."

He said as he collected the purse from her.

"Thanks."

Megan left Mike in charge of the shop as she walked out with Roman. She had no idea how tired she was until she got on her feet again and wondered if it was due to the stress or because she was pregnant.

"You okay?"

Roman asked and she nodded her head.

"I'm just very tired."

He paused and looked at her.

"Need to go to the doctor? Is it the baby?"

He asked and she shook her head.

"No! It's not. I'm fine."

She said as she pulled her jacket over.

With her jacket and her free flowing top under casual jeans, her belly was hidden quite nicely and she loved it that way, even though it was starting to get harder and harder for her to fit into her jeans and her former tight clothes.

She was going to have to start shopping for new clothes since she was in her second trimester but that was the least of her concerns.

Throughout the car ride with Roman, Megan was dozing off. The cool air plus the relaxing ambience of his grey Audi R8.

Roman saw that she was sleeping and he decided not to disturb her, it was obvious that she had a long and stressful day. He only wished that she'd stop overworking herself and take more breaks.

He didn't know how she'd feel about him buying her an apartment and knowing Megan, she might refuse it outrightly but he was still going to try. He just wanted to help her out and he still felt bad for the things he said to her back then when she told him she was pregnant.

When they reached the building around West End Avenue and parked in the parking lot, that was when Roman gently nudged Megan.

She woke up slowly and rubbed her eyes. She didn't know when she slept off, she had no idea when.

"Hey. Sorry to wake you up. But we're here."

He said softly as he gently pulled away strands of hair from her face, his large hand was so gentle, almost as if he was scared that he was going to break her.

"Oh! I'm so sorry. I must have been tired..."

Roman nodded.

"It's okay. I understand."

Megan nodded.

She looked around and frowned.

"Where are we?"

She asked and Roman smirked.

"Come with me."

He said as he unlocked the door.

Together, they walked towards the elevator and walked into it.

Roman didn't say a word as he clicked the seventh floor. He didn't say a word to Megan despite her constant pestering and questions about where they were going.

When they reached the seventh floor, he held her hand and they walked to the first room on the left.

He brought out a key card and opened the apartment.

Megan still didn't know what he was up to and she was becoming curious and anxious too.

The strangest thing was that the apartment was empty.

Megan looked at Roman.

"Roman... What is this?"

"Why are we here?"

She asked as she folded her arms and he shrugged.

"This, is your new apartment."

He said as he stretched out his hand to give her the key card.

Megan took a few steps back.

"I don't understand. Why are you giving me that?"

Roman shrugged.

"I didn't want you to go through the stress of looking for a new apartment and I did tell you I was going to call my realtor."

"So, I did and this apartment just happened to be in the market so I got it for you."

"It's beautiful isn't it?"

Roman said as he looked around the apartment. He had given his realtor specifics when he told her about finding an apartment for Megan. He knew Megan would want somewhere with a large space that would accommodate her and the baby.

He also knew that her style was simple and elegant would do.

He had also considered the proximity of the apartment to her work place. It was only twenty minutes away and thirty minutes if she was going to be late or stuck in traffic.

It was in the nicest neighbourhood and many of the people who stayed in the building had kids too.

There was also a school and a daycare only ten minutes away.

It was perfect.

"Roman I didn't ask you to buy me an apartment."

Megan said slowly as she looked at the apartment.

It was breathtakingly beautiful and perfect but she knew it would have cost a lot of money.

Money she would have never been able to use to buy the apartment.

She couldn't afford it.

And she couldn't accept it from him.

"I can't accept this Roman."

She said as she started making a move to walk out of the apartment.

The smile on Roman's face fell as soon as he realised that Megan might not be taking the gift after all.

"Why? I just... Think of it as a gift."

"And don't be like this Megan, you know you need a new apartment."

Megan nodded.

"Yes! I know I need one but I didn't ask you to get me one and pay for it! This is too much Roman!"

"Too much? Megan please... It's just an apartment. Don't over think it."

"Over think it?"

"Just a few months ago you called me a gold digger! What changed now?"

"What makes you think I'll accept all of this after that?!!"

She snapped and Roman moved closer to her as he held her hands. He knew he would regret what he said that day and it was coming back to bite him in the ass.

"I'm sorry. I really am and I know there's nothing I can say that'll make you forgive me for those hurtful words that I said."

"But imagine finding out the girl you've been seeing for a few weeks, the girl you think you had a connection with pregnant and she's not even sure who the father is because you aren't the only one."

"I was hurt."

"I was so angry and I lashed out on you. It was wrong of me."

Megan sighed. Tears blurred her vision. He was right.

She nodded.

"I wish I had my memories back... I wish I could explain whatever it is that happened but I can't..."

"And it's so annoying... so annoying."

She added as she shook her head.

Roman shrugged as he pulled her into a hug.

"Don't worry. I know enough of you to know that you're not that kind of girl. And the times I spent with you were one of the best times I've ever spent with any girl."

"It was magical..."

Megan relaxed in his arms.

She wished she remembered, she wished she knew why exactly she sought out Anthony. From the little she knew she met Roman first, what happened after that?

"Regardless of that. I don't care what you say, you're accepting this apartment."

He said as he pressed the key card into her hands.

"Roman... It's too much. I can't."

Roman sighed.

"Why? You haven't even seen all of it yet."

"Look around it and tell me what you think."

He said as he started tugging her into his direction.

The apartment had abundant space and sunlight. It's spacious living room was facing west and it had a large dining area.
A two bedroom apartment with two bathrooms, Roman claimed that the second room was perfect for a nursery.

It had a windowed kitchen with two entrances and featured granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, and custom cabinetry.

The two large bedrooms each had their own bathrooms which featured imported Italian Carrera marble and tri-view medicine cabinets.

There was also a powder room in the living room for guests.

And the view!!!

There was a stunning view of the Central Park and Hudson River and the building itself boasted of  a 24-hour doorman and concierge, valet, on premise 24-hour parking garage, laundry on every floor.

It was arguably the best apartment Megan could own. And she knew whatever apartment she found after wouldn't even be able to top it.

She was already in love.

But it was coming from Roman...

She didn't know what to do about that.