Chapter 239:
Trust on Trial
Chris’s Perspective:
Chris worked his eyes over the draft of Megan’s book. Overflowing emotions washed over him-a mix of awe and anxiety rumbling in his chest. Indeed, he had really striven hard to get her story together, and now it was upon them. A shadow of his misgiving loomed over him. The past weeks had been a blur of promotional events, interviews, with the occasional bout of friction with Megan. A lot of it was stirred up by her ex, who appeared hell-bent on troublemaking. It had Chris wondering whether their faux relationship, so very handy as a cover in the beginning, wasn’t taking a bit too much time being real.
A rap on the office door pulled him out of his reverie. He raised his eyes to see Megan standing in the doorway. Her brow furrowed with concern.
“Hey, Chris,” she said, entering and closing the door behind her. Her gaze roamed the room, then finally made its way to him. “Can we talk?”
“Of course,” Chris said, pushing the manuscript aside. “What’s up?”
Megan took a deep breath before she finally pulled out the chair opposite him. “It’s about Miles.”
Chris raised an eyebrow. “Miles? What’s going on?”
Megan clenched her jaw tightly as she spoke, “He’s been trying to contact me, sending messages, trying to explain things, but I don’t know if I should give him any chance at explaining.”
Chris leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest. “What is he saying?”
“He’s apologizing for leaving and saying he was scared,” Megan explained. “But I can’t shake the feeling that there’s something more to it. It’s like he’s hiding something.”
Chris’s expression softened. “It’s tough when people from your past show up and try to make amends. I get that.”
Her despairing eyes locked onto his. “I need to know if I should give him another chance. I don’t want to make a mistake.”
Chris nodded slowly as thoughts whirred through his mind. “Look, Megan, I don’t know what went on between you and Miles, but you gotta trust your gut feeling. If it doesn’t feel right, then everything is okay being cautious.”.
You’re right,” Megan sighed. “I just. I want to move on from all this drama, but I feel like every time I try, something new comes up.”
Chris stood and went over to her, putting a comforting hand on her shoulder. “You’re doing great, Megan. Just remember that you don’t have to do this alone.”
Megan smiled weakly. “Thanks, Chris. I appreciate that.”
“Anytime,” Chris said, squeezing her shoulder.
Later that evening, Megan and Chris attended the book launch party she was throwing for her autobiography. The place was full of people, reporters, fans-some celebrities-all of whom were excitedly talking about the release of her book. He watched over Megan very closely; he could feel the mixture of nerves and determination on her face. She was going to be scrutinized not only for the book but also for her past once more. With Miles back in the picture, everything really had been kicking it up a notch lately.
As Megan worked the room, Chris found himself cornered by Olivia, a curious journalist.
“Chris, may I have a word?” Olivia asked, pen poised over her notebook.
“Yeah,” Chris replied cautiously. “What’s up?”
“I’ve heard from sources that Megan’s ex has been causing her some problems-begs the question: how is she dealing with it? And how does all this involve you?”
Chris glanced over at Megan, who was deep in conversation with a fan. A sharp pang of protective instinct tugged at his chest.
“She’s handling it the best as she can,” Chris said very diplomatically. “We’ve been focused on the promotion of the book and keeping things professional. I’ve been playing my role to be supportive with her and help in writing.”.
Olivia’s eyes narrowed. “And what do you feel about her ex coming back into the picture? Complicate things for you?”
Chris took a deep breath. “Well, that’s a very complicated situation. We both try to go through it, but we are determined to see this through.”
Olivia locked her eyes on his. “Do you think this charade of yours with Megan has affected either your job performance or personal feelings?
Chris was still wary, picking his words very carefully. “What I can say is that my focus is on supporting Megan, helping her be a success. Whatever personal feelings may come up, we’re dealing with them as they come.”
Olivia nodded, but the expression on her face showed she wasn’t quite buying what he was saying. “Thanks for your time, Chris.”.
As Olivia walked away, Chris felt both relieved and jittery. He had anticipated the questions, but it was tougher to sail through when they went into personal matters.
Later that very night, back in their apartment, Megan sat on the sofa. Her fingers tapped restlessly at the armrest while Chris sat next to her with two cups of tea in his hands.
“Thought you might need this,” Chris said, pressing a mug into Megan’s hands. “You look like you could use a break.”
Megan took the tea with a smile of thanks. “Thanks. It’s been a long day.”
Chris plopped down beside her and took a sip of his own tea. “So what’s the verdict on the launch?”
“It went well,” Megan said, her eyes a thousand miles away. “But I can’t seem to get Miles off my mind. I mean, should I see him, or just let it be?”
Chris’s countenance became solemn. “Sometimes the way to move on is to face your past. But it’s going to be your call to make as to whether you want to confront him or just leave it at that.”
Megan looked at him with probing eyes. “What if he is just trying to manipulate me?”
“That’s possible,” Chris allowed. “But it’s also possible that he really does want to make amends. You have to decide what you feel is right.”
Megan nodded slowly, sipped at her tea. “I guess I gotta trust my instincts, then make a decision.”
Chris placed a hand on her shoulder. “Whatever you decide, I’m here for you. You don’t have to go through this alone.”
Megan smiled and raised her eyes in appreciation, showing gratitude and relief. “Thanks, Chris. I really don’t know what I’d be doing without you.”
Chris smiled back at her with an almost invisible hesitation. He felt that every day this big fake relationship of theirs was becoming so real, and he didn’t know if he wanted all the complications it could bring around.
The next morning, Megan woke up to a text from Miles. He wanted to meet up. She stood mid-beat, torn between the urge to confront her past and the desire to let it go. Any decision now would dramatically affect her future-and most likely the one she was starting to build with Chris.
“Megan,” Chris said, coming into the kitchen as she sat there, staring at her phone. “Anything new?”
“I’ve got a message from Miles,” Megan said, her voice shaking a little.
Chris nodded serious. “You should do what feels right for you. If you need to have it out with him for closure, then do so.”
Megan’s eyes met his, and in their depths, fear and hope washed around. “I’m so scared, Chris. What if it all goes wrong?”
Chris squeezed her hand in his. “Whatever will happen, we’ll face it together. Trust yourself and your instincts. You’re stronger than you think.”
Megan returned the squeeze on his hand, taking a deep breath. “Thanks, Chris. I’ll think about it.”