When We Meet Again
Chapter 36

Reporters were at the airport to receive Melvin. They had gotten a tip that he would be returning today. They had a lot of questions in stock for him; they wanted to know how he had spent those few days in Paris with his wife and the reason he had returned.

Matthew got wind of it through his secretary and quickly placed a call to David and Ryan. They agreed to meet at the airport with some bodyguards so that they could escort Melvin home safely.

They got to the airport to meet so many reporters and people waiting for Melvin's return. They soon found out that there had been news about his ex's return and that his marriage to his wife would be ending soon. Alexia's name was mentioned which made the news valid.

"Do you know about Alexia's return?" Matthew asked.

This question was directed to Ryan. With his closeness with Alexia, he should know of her return.

"How am I supposed to know about that?" Ryan asked.

"We all know that you are close to her. Did she not tell you she will be returning?" David asked.

"You think if she did I would not have told you both?" Ryan said.

Matthew sighed. Did Alexia really, return? He wondered. If she has, why did she not tell Ryan? Could she be the one who had tipped the reporters about all these?

Alexia has always been a cunning person which made Matthew distance himself from her. She in turn had stayed away from him too and made friends with Ryan instead; he had always supported whatever she did. David remained neutral; he wasn't close to her and he never distanced himself from her.

"By the way," Ryan continued. "I can't remember when she last spoke to me. That should be like a year or more."

"And you want us to believe that?" Matthew asked.

"Did you just call me a liar?"

"I did not." Matthew defended. "But it seems you are lying."

Ryan frowned. "What is that supposed to mean?"

Matthew sighed. "I..."

"Matthew, Ryan. That's enough. This is not the time to argue. We need to find a way of sending the reporters and these people away." David said.

"Do you have a plan?" Matthew asked.

"I do not have any. Do any of you have one?"

"I think I might have one," Ryan said.

"Which is?" Matthew asked.

"I am not talking to you," Ryan replied.

"Ryan, please," David pleaded. "We do not have much time."

"Do you know the best way to cover up a scandal?"

Matthew and David furrowed their brows.

"No?" David answered.

"Just tell us what the plan is and stop asking us questions," Matthew said.

Ryan sighed. "You cover up a scandal with a bigger scandal."

"How is that supposed to help us?" Matthew asked.

"Can you stop getting back at me? Do you have a problem with me?"

"I do not have a problem with you, Ryan. Like David said, we do not have time on our side."

Ryan sighed. "Fine, the plan is to cover up this scandal with another one,"

"Do you have a bigger scandal to cover it with?" David asked.

"I think I have a better idea. You can leave it to me. I will take care of that. Just make sure you get Melvin home safely. I will join you guys in his house."

Matthew and David knew Ryan would do well; they did not ask him what idea he had, but as usual, Matthew would not stop teasing him.

"I hope you won't curse a bigger problem with your plan," he said and Ryan scoffed.

"Do you have a better plan?"

"Of course not."

"Then keep your mouth shut."

Matthew smiled. "See you later my friend."

Ryan stretched his hand for a shake. "See you around."

It's surprising how they were both at each other's neck and in a second, they become so close like nothing has happened.

"If I ever try to get involved in your affairs. I mean the both of us. Make sure you spank me." David said.

David's words made them laugh.

"I will get going. Melvin's plane will land soon," Ryan said.

Matthew and David waved him goodbye while they waited for Melvin.

**

The sudden withdrawal of the reporters from the airport so quickly came as a shock to David and Matthew. It was less than thirty minutes since Ryan left and the reporters had all left. Most of the people who had come with them had gone too.

"I think Ryan did it," David said and Matthew nodded.

"He did. Are you not curious to know how he did it?" Matthew asked.

He was very curious to know what Ryan had done to make all the reporters leave in such a short time.

"I am curious too," David answered. "Do you want to check it out?"

Matthew nodded, bringing out his phone. He searched through the internet for the latest news but there wasn't anything new aside from the news of Melvin's marriage being on the verge of divorce. "There is no news," he said.

David furrowed his brows. "You mean none?"

Matthew nodded. "None except the one that talks about Melvin's marriage being on the verge of divorce."

"What did Ryan do, then?" David asked.

"The news I talked about had just been taken down," Matthew said.

"The one about Melvin's marriage?"

"Yes. And an anonymous apology post has been released," Matthew said.

David furrowed his brows. What had Ryan done to get such an effective result?

"Let me see it.". Matthew handed his phone to David who went through the post. He smiled. "I think I know what just happened." He said. "He must have spoken to Alexia."

"Is Alexia the one who sent the reporters and those people here?" Matthew asked.

"Isn't that obvious?"

"I did suspect that she could be the one but after thinking of the possible reason why she would do that. I had a change of mind,"

David nodded. "I thought about that too and the only thing I could think of is that she is feeling insecure. She must think after staying away from Melvin for two years, he had fallen in love with Charlotte."

Matthew scoffed. "Was she expecting Melvin to keep loving just her when she left two years ago and never returned? She did not keep in touch with him either. Does she know how devastated Melvin has been? And how Charlotte had to suffer for it."

David shrugged. "I do not think she thought about all that."

Matthew sighed. "Just when I thought things were beginning to fall in place. Now that she is back, what will happen to Charlotte?"

"Do you think Melvin would go on with the divorce?"

Matthew nodded. "Most definitely. That is what the contract states."

David sighed. "I feel sorry for Charlotte already. She is going to be heartbroken,"

"Remember she once told him how she felt about him?" Matthew said and David nodded. "I hope she has gotten over him. If she hasn't, her heart will be shattered into pieces."

"I wish there was something we could do about it," David said.

"We can think about that later. I think Melvin's plane has arrived." Matthew said.

"He can't find out about Alexia," David said.

"You think she hasn't called him to inform him of her return?"

"I can't say,"

Matthew sighed. "I won't say anything to him. But if he talks about it, I won't waste any time telling him what I know,"

David nodded. "You can. Let's go get our friend."

They headed to the waiting area for Melvin. He was the first to see them. He was happy to see them but wondered why Ryan was not with them. "Why isn't Ryan here?" He asked.

"Welcome back, Melvin," David said.

"Is that your way of appreciating us for coming to welcome you?" Matthew asked.

"Thank you for coming to pick me up. Can you tell me why Ryan isn't here, now?" Melvin asked but Matthew ignored him.

"He had a few things to do. He will meet us at your place," David answered.

Melvin smiled. "Thank you, David. You are not like him."

"What is that supposed to mean?" Matthew asked.

"Do you not miss me?" Melvin asked.

"Of course I do."

"Then you should be hugging me and not ignoring me."

Matthew pulled Melvin into a hug. "Welcome back, bro. How was your stay in Paris?"

Melvin smiled. "It was fun. Ryan's suggestions were the best."

"That must be the reason you want to see him," David said

Melvin nodded. "Yes. Can we head home now? I need to take a shower."

David and Matthew nodded. "Sure," David said.

"I will drive," Matthew said.

**

They got to the house and Matthew volunteered to help Melvin take his box inside.

"You must have missed me so much," Melvin said.

Matthew shook his head. "No, I did not. I am just thankful you took Charlotte with you." Melvin furrowed his brows. "I got the contract I would have lost to her if she had not gone to Paris." Melvin smiled. This was his first time smiling because someone acknowledged Charlotte's competence.

"Someone seems happy. Did you finally accept that your wife is good? Or have you fallen in love with her?" Matthew teased but Melvin ignored him.

"I am going in," he said.

He opened the door and walked in.

"Welcome back, Mr. Melvin," Hannah greeted.

"Thank you, Hannah," Melvin replied.

"Good morning Mr. David. Good morning Mr. Matthew." Hannah greeted. She turned to face Melvin. "You have a visitor."

Melvin furrowed her brows. Who could that be?

He saw someone coming down from the steps.

He blinked. "Alexia?"

"Yes, baby. I am back!"