Chapter 3: My Salvation

Megan's POV

I didn't have enough sleep because of my anxiousness to find a place where I could be safe and my baby, even if I had already talked with Gael about my situation, and he was willing to help me. I was sitting on my bed waiting for the right time to get out of our house. I had already planned to leave at dawn, and when I looked at the clock on our wall, I realized it was already three o'clock in the morning.

The entire house was quiet, and I couldn't stop my tears from falling as I looked at my sister's empty bed. I wanted to say goodbye to my younger sister for the last time, but I couldn't wait for Ava to come home. I am afraid my dad would know my plans, and I needed to leave, especially now that Gael is in the city.

I took a deep breath as I wiped my tears away. Saying goodbye would never be easy, and I am glad my sister had a sleepover in her best friend's house. I also wanted to say goodbye to my mom and dad, but it would be impossible because my father was the reason I was leaving Astikoz. He can't accept his grandchild, and until now, I couldn't believe my loving father would do something like this to me. 

I know even if we were not well off, we were happy. My family is perfect, even if I have to work hard every day to help my parents. It wasn't easy to study during the day and work after my class and during weekends. Still, I wanted to help my parents, especially after I had learned my mom underwent an operation and after I found out what happened to Dexter and Isabelle.

It terrifies me that this would be the first time I will be away from home, going to a place unknown to me. I had already searched the internet about Megalopre, and I was fascinated with the place, and I couldn't believe my long-time idol would be the one to help me when I am in great need; Gael is my savior. When I looked at the clock again, it was almost five in the morning, and with a heavy sigh, I got up from the bed and gathered my belongings, and I stood in the middle of our bedroom for a long time before I walked out and gently closed the door.

"Megan," Dexter's voice made me jump on my feet, and I heard him chuckle.

"You scared me!" I hissed as I tried to keep my voice low since I was afraid my parents would wake up.

"I usually wake up early in the morning after I learned you were pregnant because I know one of these days you will run away from this home." My brother said, and I could see the tears that welled upon his eyes.

"And I am so sorry, Meg, you are in this situation because of my love for Isabelle." He declared as he took the suitcase from my hand.

"Hey, it wasn't your fault, Dex. I was young and naive, and then I fell in love." I replied, and he shook his head.

"Ashton Pritzgold will never ruin your future. If I didn't hurt his sister, he played his role perfectly, and you end up breaking your heart." He said.

"Dexter, I don't want you to blame yourself for what happened to me. It was all because of me why this is happening to me right now. I trusted Ashton, and that's it. And you don't need to worry because my future is still uncertain, Dexter. No one knows what will happen in the future, and I believe we all make our own destiny." I said as I tried to look calm in front of my brother, even if I wanted to cry and cling to him.

"I promised you, Dex, no matter how hard my life would become, I will fight and show the Pritzgold that money is not the only thing that matters in this world," I added, and he smiled at me.

"I am so proud of you, Meg. When Gregory Pritzgold insulted and humiliated me, I easily surrendered. You have a strong personality, and your disposition in life will make you successful in the future. Don't worry, and I will help you in any way I can." He said, and I looked my brother in the eyes.

"Dex, you are dealing with your own battle. Don't worry about me because I will be fine. If someday I will have extra cash, I will help you pay your debts." I said, and he laughed.

"Wow! I don't know where you get your strength, Megan, but I am glad. Even if I know you were hurting inside, you never let the pain and your heartaches take over your senses. You need to save your money for your child, Meg. Don't worry about us." He responded, and I sweetly smiled at my brother.

"I think it is now time for me to go, Dex," I said.

"I will drive you to the airport, Meg." He said, and I shook my head.

"Please, don't do it, Dexter. It would become harder for me to walk away from you." I said, and he caressed my head with his hand.

"I know you can be this hard-headed, Meg, but I want to be there for you for the last time. I know it would take a long time before we see each other again, but I know you have a point. It would be harder for me to say goodbye to you either, but could you at least tell me the address of where you are going?" He asked, and I felt guilty because I didn't want to tell him where I would be.

"I don't want you to lie to mom and dad, so at least when they ask you, you don't need to lie to them, Dex, that is why I want to apologize that I can't tell you yet, but I promised I will call you from time to time, and I will send pictures so you will know I am doing great, and don't worry, if ever things will get harder, and I needed help, I will ask for your help," I said, and he grinned at me.

"Okay, I know you can take care of yourself, but you have to keep your promise." He said.

"Of course, Dex, I will," I replied, and we got out of our house, and I took a cab going to Alice's house, and I didn't look back after I said goodbye to my brother because I didn't want to cry. 

"What took you so long?" Alice asked the moment I got out of the taxi, and she helped me with my luggage and put it in the trunk.

"I am sorry, Dexter was waiting for me downstairs when I was about to leave the house," I said, and I could see the worries on her face.

"But don't worry, my brother understood me," I responded, and she let out a sigh of relief, and then she got inside the car while I settled myself on the front seat. She was wearing jeans and a floral blouse while I was wearing a comfortable below-the-knee dress. She started the car and drove away from her driveway.

"What? Wow! That is good news, Meg, I am so happy for you, and I couldn't wait for your songs to come out." Alice said after I told her that Gael had called me last night.

"Maybe Gael has a thing for you." She added, and then my best friend giggled.

"Hey, we don't know his personal life, and it is impossible if he is single. Gael is handsome and has a toned body, and not only that, his voice alone could melt any woman's heart. Besides, I am a nobody, and he knows I am pregnant, for heaven's sake, Alice. Why are you even thinking that way?" I asked, and I couldn't believe my best friend would be talking nonsense. 

"Megan, do you think you are a nobody?" She asked.

"Alice, we don't belong to the elite family, so we are nobody here in Astikoz," I replied.

"You will be a songwriter soon, and all the people can hear your songs in Astikoz, and maybe All the citizens in the entire world will recognize your songs, and you will be famous globally." She said excitedly.

"Alice, please, I don't even know if my songs will capture the hearts of the people, but I will give all the rights to Gael," I said, and she looked at me sideways.

"What? Are you crazy?" She asked.

"I will write songs for Gael, but I don't want the Pritzgold to know anything about me, especially Ashton, it would be enough for me to hear my songs on the air, I will sell all my rights to him, and he can claim the songs himself, he is a composer, Alice. I want to take care of my baby and continue my studies." I declared, and my best friend just kept quiet.

"I don't need fame, Al," I replied, and I could see the disappointment on her face.

"Ashton knew about that song, and you wrote down the lyrics on the card you gave him on his birthday." She responded after a long moment of her silence.

"Yeah, and he will know the reason why I let go of my songs, especially the one I sang during the party at Zach's mansion," I said, and her face fell as I looked at her sideways.

"Someday, you will understand why I am doing all this, Alice. I love all my songs, and I want to keep them with me forever, but this time I don't have a choice but to give them up." I said, and she looked at me with a smile on her face.

"Of course, I understand, Meg. You don't need to explain everything to me." She said, and we fell silent until we reached the parking lot of the Astikoz International Hotel. And this was my first time to be here in this five-star hotel, where Gael was currently staying, and I couldn't stop myself from feeling so nervous as I climbed out from Alice's car.

"Are you ready to face the new phase of your life, Megan?" Alice asked as we walked towards the main entrance of the hotel.

"Yes, I am," I answered with confidence, and I was hoping Gael would be my salvation.

"Yes, I am," I answered with confidence, and I was hoping Gael would be my salvation.