Chapter 23.

Megan was deep in thoughts after her yoga class. She had told Salma and Chloe about Roman buying her an apartment and they had seemed ecstatic about it.

This surprised her, she had been expecting a different reaction from them.

"Like I said, it's hard hunting for apartments, especially really good ones within your budget. I think you should consider Roman's offer and take the apartment."

"Trust me, you do not want to go through the stress of looking for an apartment on your own."

Salma said and Megan raised her eyebrows.

"After everything that has happened between us, I won't feel good about accepting the apartment from him."

Chloe nodded. Unlike Salma who was adamant on Megan accepting the apartment, she seemed to understand Megan's plight and she even sympathised with her.

"I think I understand what Megan means. She doesn't want to accept such a gift from him because of what it might mean."

"I mean, the two of them just reconciled a while ago, I think it's too soon for him to be handing out an apartment as a gift."

Salma shrugged.

"He could be the father of her baby. I don't see anything wrong with it."

"And you like the apartment! Don't you?"

Salma asked and Megan sighed as she walked towards the end of the room to pick up her purse.

She should have never told Salma that she loved the apartment, but she couldn't lie, she was already in love with the apartment.

It was everything she wanted and even more, she doubted she could see anything else that came up to it or around her price range.

When she left the apartment that evening, she couldn't stop visualising her life in the apartment.

She could see herself painting the nursery, pink for if she was having a girl and blue if it was a boy. She had also planned a theme around a few colours, it was all she could think of after seeing the house, decorating.

And not to mention how much of a relief it would be for her to finally leave her mother's apartment.

She loved her mom but she missed having her own space, besides lately she and her mother didn't seem to agree on anything and Megan things that was a sign for her to leave.

"You do love the place. And I have to admit, it's in a pretty nice neighbourhood so that's a really good thing to consider."

Chloe said and Salma nodded.

"So what do I do now?  I don't want Roman to think he can just buy me back with a gift and all will be well between us."

Chloe shrugged.

"Why don't you buy the apartment back from him?"

Chloe suggested and Megan shrugged.

That was a possibility, if the apartment wasn't so expensive, she'd have gone for that option.

"It's a little on the high side. Way out of my budget."

"That's not a problem. You already have some money saved up. Offer him that and set up a plan so you can pay back the rest of it back in a few months."

"That way, you won't feel too bad about everything."

Salma suggested and Megan nodded.

"That's not a bad idea. That's not a bad idea at all."

She turned to Chloe who shrugged wearily.

"It's worth a shot."

"All I have to do is tell Roman. I don't know if he'll agree to that..."

He had intended the apartment as a gift to her and no doubt Megan was sure that he would be offended if she offered to pay for it.

But he would have no other choice but to accept, Megan decided.

It was either that or she rejected the apartment.

"So, I'll see you guys next week. Megan don't forget to keep us updated about whatever happens."

Megan nodded her head.

"Sure. I will. You guys have a lovely day."

Megan goes straight home and takes a shower after yoga class, afterwards she takes a long nap like she always did and woke up very hungry.

Her mother was in the kitchen cooking pasta.

"I came in and saw that you were asleep. I didn't want to disturb you."

Her mother said as she turned to her.

"Yes. I had yoga class today. Where have you been?"

She asked as she looked around the kitchen for something to snack on.

Her mum worked at a nearby bookstore for a few days in a week just to keep herself busy but she was always out of the house every other day.

Megan knew it had nothing to do with Oliver because her mother broke up with him a few weeks ago despite spending her retirement money on a trip to Tahiti with the asshole.

Maybe her mother was seeing someone else, who knew. Megan had no idea and didn't intend to ask her until her mother was ready to tell her.

"Oh you know... Visiting some friends..."

"Okay. What are you making?"

"Pasta. I guess it's been a while since I've had some. What about you? What's up with you?"

Megan shrugged.

"Nothing much. Just work... And stuff."

She didn't know it it was appropriate for her to tell her mother about her moving out. She had to, she just couldn't imagine her mother's reaction.

"I haven't seen Anthony around lately."

Her mother said as she put her shoulder length dark brown hair in a bun. Her hair was similar to her daughter's Megan, except that it was lighter in colour.

She was wearing cargo pants and a frilly pink top, which wasn't unusual.

Elise Andrews had a complicated sort of style. She mostly dressed according to her mood.

Sometimes she looked fancy and extravagant and other times she looked plain. It all depended on how she was feeling.

"And?"

Megan asked in slight annoyance.

What was with her mother and Anthony?

Her mother shrugged.

"I don't know. Like I've said he's a good guy. You need one of those during times like these."

Megan scoffed.

"Times like this?! Mum I'm pregnant, I'm not going through a crisis."

She said and her mother shrugged.

"I'm just saying... It will be a lot easier if you had help."

"Thanks. I know that Mum."

"I have something I want to tell you."

She added slowly, her mother didn't listen, instead she continued to chop the tomatoes very roughly.

"I'm moving out very soon."

The sound of the knife hitting the chopping board stopped and her mother turned slowly towards her.

The kitchen had suddenly become very stuffy for Megan.

"Oh! How soon?"

Her mother asked.

If all went well and Roman agreed to her terms, she would be out in a few days because she was already excited to decorate and move in.

"In a few days. I found a really nice place..."

"Let me guess. Roman found it for you?"

Her question cut Megan off. Megan looked away quickly.

"Yea. He helped me find the place."

"And did he pay for it too?"

Her mother asked.

Megan started laughing nervously.

She had no idea of how to answer the question.

She couldn't say yes and she couldn't say no as well.

"Mum... What are you even getting at? You did tell me to move out."

"I mean... You made it pretty clear that my stay here was temporary."

"I didn't kick you out Megan. You decided that you wanted to leave because you don't like when I tell you the truth."

"The truth?!"

Megan folded her hands in annoyance.

"And what exactly is this truth that you speak of? What is it?"

"The truth is you're being childish and inconsiderate. Prolonging having a DNA test just so you can play around with two men. I raised you better than this."

"Playing around?! I don't even know what you mean by that. I don't have anything going on with either of them!"

"And I've explained this to you Mum, several times. I'd like to get my memories back before doing anything or making any drastic decision."

"All I want you to do is respect and support my decision."

Her mum sighed as she shook her head

"Oh it's pure nonsense Megan! Why on earth do you have to wait?! What if you don't get your memories back?"

"What are you going to do then?!"

"I will. I know I will. And I don't even understand why you're getting so worked up on something so trivial."

"I expected you to understand me better since you're my mother but clearly you don't."

Megan said as she walked out of the kitchen.

She left the apartment, confused and fuming with anger. She didn't understand why her mother was so angry at her for not taking a DNA test. She still had time. And she decided that she could wait for her memories for as long as she could just to know the whole truth.

There was still a lot she craved to know. And only getting back her memories could help with that.

She had reached her apartment lobby when she noticed Roman walking towards her.

Her heart skipped a beat.

"Roman! What are you doing here?"

She asked and he smiled at her before hugging her, much to Megan's surprise. Hugging him felt really good. He was warm and large and smelled really good.

He smelled familiar too.

"I was just coming up to see you. Where are you going?"

Megan looked around and shrugged.

"Nowhere. Just taking a walk."

He noticed the sad look on her face and gently lifted up her chin to look at him.

"Are you okay?"

He asked and she shrugged.

"Yes. I am. It's just stuff..."

After a while Roman walks Megan to his car and she ended up explaining everything to him.

They both leave to get ice cream.





The next day, Megan was in better spirits. She felt great. Talking to Roman had done her a lot of good.

And there was just something about him that made her feel better, no matter how bad she was feeling, Roman had the power to lift her mood.

The cafe was also having a good day, she had finally found a suitable replacement for Michelle and Anwar the new staff who was in college was very enthusiastic about his job. And he was also very efficient.

She was busy giving Anwar a few tips on how to talk to customers when Anthony walked in.

"Excuse me for a second. I'll be right back."

She said as she walked towards Anthony he was smiling at her.

"Hey! It's been ages since I last saw you. Almost as if you were avoiding me."

He said as he pulled her in for a hug. Megan pulled away quickly, smiling as politely as she could.

"It's good to see you Anthony. Why would I avoid you?"

She asked as she led him to a table. He shrugged.

"I don't know either. That's why I'm here."

"Can I get you anything?"

She asked as he took his seat. He looked around and nodded his head.

The cafe looked as clean and bright as ever, even better than the last time he saw it.

He shook his head.

"No, I'd like to talk to you. That's why I'm here."

He said softly.

"Please sit Megan. We have a lot to discuss."

Megan looked back.

She still had quite a lot of work to do and Anwar was still waiting for her. Still, she took her seat.

"Okay. Can you make it quick? I have a lot of things to do. Is it important?"

She asked and he smiled nervously.

"It's about us Megan. The two of us..."

He started and Megan went mute for a few seconds.

"I don't understand what you're saying Anthony. Are you sure this can't wait? I really have to get back to work."

"Okay. How about we talk over dinner? I know a nice place..."

Megan shook her head.

"I can't. I have a really busy schedule. I just got a new apartment and all... Maybe another time Anthony."

She called over a waiter, not noticing the dumbfounded look on Anthony's face.

"Please take his order and get him anything he wants on the house."

With that, Megan walked away.