When We Meet Again
Chapter 48

They all waited for Matthew to show up; he had told them he was already on his way. While they waited, Melvin explained to them what was going on in the office. Things were already getting out of hand and the board members were getting

impatient

too.

Melvin was becoming worried too. With their stock going down, some companies he is working with are beginning to withdraw from his company; some did after Charlotte resigned. Melvin had kept Charlotte's resignation from everyone but it leaked out very quickly.

Bella who would have done a better job having worked with Charlotte also resigned. Melvin lost some clients but that wasn't the beginning of his problem; the board members weren't that bothered.

"I need to find a solution as soon as possible or the board of directors will vote me out soon," Melvin said.

"We will not let that happen," David assured him.

"We just have to find a solution right?" Ryan asked. "We will do that trust me. When Matthew comes we..."

There was a slight knock on the door. The door opened and Matthew walked in.

"Did you guys miss me?" He asked with a smile.

Ryan rolled his eyes. "You finally showed up. You were taking forever."

Matthew sat down. "I am here now. You can start talking but before then, can I get a bottle of wine too, and a glass cup."

He could see three bottles of different wine brands; they were all brands taken by Ryan, David, and Melvin. He knew he would be in the refrigerator.

"If you need one, you know where to find it."

Matthew stood up to get his wine and also a glass cup. He poured himself some and joined the rest to drink. Melvin waited impatiently for his friends to speak up. It was time to talk about the next step now that Alexia had left, leaving them with all the troubles, but they were all too busy with their drinks. He tapped the table drawing their attention.

"Guys, it's time to talk. What are we going to do now? What are your suggestions? There is no time," Melvin said. "You know the board of directors is already on my neck."

"How about you brief Matthew about the situation first?" David suggested.

Melvin nodded. He told Matthew his situation using just three sentences and Matthew understood immediately. He is also into the business world and he knows what usually happens when the company's stock is affected. "What I need now is your suggestion," Melvin said.

Matthew shrugged. "I remember telling you that I do not have any suggestions to give. I am here to hear what Ryan and David have to say. They must have a lot to say."

Matthews had promised himself that he would not be saying anything here today and had told them that before. He felt pity for Melvin though but he still planned not to say a word.

Ryan poured some alcohol into his glass cup and sipped from it before speaking. "You know you do not have to sound that way to make your point."

Matthew scoffed but said nothing. There was silence as they all waited for who would speak up first.

"I will say my suggestion first," David said and the rest nodded. "Well, I think the only way to make things right is to bring Charlotte back into the picture. I..."

"Do you think she is still in town?" Matthew asked. "Because I do not think so."

"How did you know that? Have you been stalking her?" Ryan asked but Matthew ignored him. "Getting Charlotte into the picture is going to be difficult I can assure you that." Ryan scoffed. "You haven't answered my question. How did you know that?"

"You do not expect me to answer that do you?"

"I do not always agree with Matthew but I will agree with him on this one," Melvin said.

"But that doesn't mean it is impossible, right?" David answered.

Melvin sighed. "I can't say. How about we hear Ryan's suggestion?"

"That is a good idea," David said.

"Well," Ryan began. "I wasn't thinking about bringing Charlotte to the picture though. I thought about setting up an interview to clear the air. We can also create a scandal to cover up this one." Matthew groaned. "You think that will work? Covering a scandal with another? You do not seem to know how deep the situation is. Do you?"

"Why don't you tell us what to do since you know the situation," Ryan answered.

"I have nothing to say," Matthew answered.

Ryan frowned. "Then you keep quiet and let those who have something to say do the talking."

Matthew raised his hand. "Fine, I won't say a word anymore."

"Like I care," Ryan mumbled.

Melvin sighed. "Can you guys give me a good suggestion, please? And I hope it won't involve taking Charlotte back."

"You must think she would want you back. Sorry to burst your bubbles. She won't not after she gave her heart to you and you shattered it."

"It was a contract marriage and it was meant to end one day," Melvin said.

"It would not have ended so soon if you were not in a haste to divorce her the moment Alexia showed up." Matthew.

Melvin groaned. "Do you think it was easy for me to divorce her? If you guys have not kept the scandal Alexia created from me. Things would have been different."

"Are you trying to blame us for the mistake you made?" Matthew asked. "Are we the reason you signed the divorce papers? You did not even inform us before you did that. Look what you have done to yourself." "Matthew, I understand that you are angry but this is not the time to do this. Right now we need to find a solution to the problem at hand," David said.

Matthew sighed but said nothing. Though he had promised himself not to say anything when he got here, he could not help it.

"Well, I don't think we have a good solution yet," Ryan answered. "Have you tried calling Alexia? What did she say?"

"I tried so many times but her line has not been going through," Melvin answered.

"I will try it from my side. Maybe I will get through to her." Ryan said.

Ryan tried Alexia's line but it wasn't reachable. He tried so many times with the same result.

"I think you should give up," Matthew said. "She must have gone back to being the celebrity that she was."

Melvin furrowed his brows. Was there a time when she wasn't a celebrity?

"What do you mean?" He asked. Matthew shrugged but said nothing. "Talk to me, Matthew. What do you mean?"

"I did not mean anything,"

"We know you do," David said.

"You should speak to us," Ryan answered.

"I only have a few questions to ask Melvin and I hope he answers me properly."

"What are your questions?"

"Have you ever thought why Alexia returned without a word?" Matthew asked and Melvin furrowed his brows. "You did not think about the reason why she stayed away from the Media despite loving to show off?" Matthew sighed. "There was a lot for you to think about but you never did. I have nothing more to say to you."

Melvin could tell that Matthew knew something about Alexia showing up and also why she left without a word. Ryan and David could tell that too but they knew he wasn't going to talk about it no matter what they do.

Matthew stood, staring at his wristwatch. "Well, I have to leave. I have an important meeting to attend to."

Ryan groaned. "Running away from saying the truth?"

Matthew ignored him. "I hope you get a solution soon."

Matthew left the house leaving Ryan and David with Melvin. After he left, Ryan had a new suggestion to give. "Melvin, do you really, want a suggestion?"

Melvin nodded. "I do."

"Then you need to speak to Matthew. I am very sure he has the perfect solution that will help you out." David nodded. "I think that too."

"He also knows why Alexia left. If you speak to him, I am sure everything will be fine. I am sure of that."

**

Melvin showed up at Matthew's office which was a surprise to Matthew. Though he knew why he had come, he did not expect him to do that. He had been avoiding Melvin for two days now because he wasn't ready to tell him what he had found out. Ryan and David had tried to talk to him too but he ignored them, though he knew that wasn't going to be forever.

"Matthew we need to talk for real," Melvin said.

"Well, I do not think we have anything to say to each other. Or do we?" Matthew asked and Melvin groaned.

"We can't continue this way. You know that, right?"

Matthew shrugged. "I can't say that I do."