Crossing The Line With You (COMPLETED)

Chapter Nine

'Hey girl, do you have any field work today?' Mitch asked Meghan. 'Roland called in sick and were supposed to attend a meeting, if you are free, I can use a company.'

'I am supposed to write a report but it is not due yet. So, yes I should be able to come.'

'Great! We leave in 30. Meeting starts 10:00, I will just drive fast so we can reach on time. I just need to take care of some emails.' Mitch smile and went back to her office.

Few minutes past. 'Hey Meg, ready to go? Chop! Chop!' called Mitch.

'Coming!' Mitch is always like that, hyperactive and always on the run.

' So where exactly are we going?' Meghan asked when they are inside the car.

'To a new centre, they said it is quite promising. They invited different volunteer groups and organizations with the aim to get and provide mutual help. It is about two-hour drive but I think we can do it in 1.5.' Mitch said confidently.

They arrived at their destination 10 minutes late. Good thing, the first 30 minutes was to complete all the registrations. The program says 4-hour activity, lunch will be provided. The two went through the process and went to their sits.

'At least we get free lunch.' Says Mitch.

'I am also looking forward to it.' Meghan chuckles.

The host introduces himself and went to explain the purpose of the gathering. He introduces all the groups and organizations present and their representatives.  The morning activity is more of to get acquainted on the works and the people behind each group. Both Mitch and Meghan agreed that It's nice to put a face on these groups. They socialized briefly over lunch and continued with the activities, gathering inputs on how they can all mutually benefit.

'Thank you everyone for giving your time and joining us here at Eli's Home. To end our activity let us share to you a speech given by our founder in the recent charity gala. We hope that it inspires you further to continue with your great works, the same way she inspires us to believe in her visions. Thank you everyone!' The host ends.

The video started playing in the background when Meghan got a text, took out her phone and start typing. She can hear the voice of a man from the playing video, introducing the founder.

'My dear friends, Miss Samantha Elliot!' When Meghan heard the name she looked up wide eyed.

'Samantha!', she gasps covering her mouth. Samantha is seen walking up the stage, Gilbert offering his hand and hugged her and she faces the audience. Meghan's heart is beating so fast she cannot take her eyes off the screen. Oh God, she misses her so much. She felt something on her eyes and immediately wiped it before anyone notices.'

'She's stunning.' Mitch whisper.

'She is.' Meghan agreed, her eyes still on the screen. She misses those green eyes, her lips her touch.

'Good evening.' She heard Sam's voice on the video. She was holding a note card on her hand. 'My dear friend Gilbert here ask me to prepare a speech just as I arrived for this event. So I was cramming to come up with something as if I am going to take my final exam.' The audience laughed. 'So I grab some note cards and tried to write. Unfortunately I was only able to write good evening.' Showing the audience the note card. Another laugh was heard from the audience. Meghan also smiled. From the screen, she can see Sam's face changed.

'Some of you may have heard or read about me somewhere. In one of my interview I did mention that I lost my whole family in a fire 10 years ago and never elaborates on the story. That tragedy was all over the news and I believe we are all familiar with it.' The whole audience became quiet. ' And in every interview I always cut the topic short as It was always difficult to go back to that time.' Sam paused. 

'When I was walking towards here on the stage, seeing the pictures and videos flashing on the screen of the anniversary of Eli's Home pacific chapter and the recent opening of Eli's Home south east chapter, I thought, why not I just tell you a story.' Sam took a deep breath and continued. 

 'I just turned 21 when I lost my family 10 years ago. Based on the investigation the fire started due to faulty wiring, two units besides ours. The fire spread so fast and killed hundreds. That night, I lost my whole family; my Dad, my Mom, my two younger siblings and my little angel, Elizabeth. She just turned one that day.' Sam stopped for a second taking a another deep breath. Meghan's tears are already flowing. 

'When I reached our home, there was no trace of them and even the building I once called home. I became an orphan that day and I lost my daughter, my daughter that started as a memory of the worst day of my life and turned out to be the best inspiration for me to be where I am now.' Sam continued telling her story, a story she never shared to anyone before. 

Meghan was shocked hearing Sam's story. She may not understand the full pain Sam have to endured that time but she saw that she's at peace with it now.

Mitch and Meghan left the centre after the video ended and after saying their goodbyes to other attendees.   Meghan was quiet during the ride back.

'Hey, are you alright?' Mitch asked.

'Yeah. Sorry just lost in my thought.' Meghan replied.

'I think that speech got into you. Hey, I can still feel her emotion until now, its kind a overwhelming and sincere.' Mitch said.

' Yeah it is. She is.' Meghan added. Meghan now understands why this project was so special and personal for Sam.

When she took the flight out that day, she knew that she and Sam will be in the same country which gave her a bit of comfort to be near her but it never crossed her mind that Sam's purpose here was to build Eli's Home and it will cross path with hers today.

Half way to their ride, Meghan spoke.  'Hey, Mitch. Do you think you can help me get Eli's Home under my wings?'

Mitch looked at her. 'Let's see what I can do.'

'Thank you Mitch.' Meghan said.

**SAMANTHA**

Sam and Tommy just got out of the airport and was met with John.

'Good afternoon, Ms. Elliot.' Greeted John.

'Good afternoon, John.' Replied Sam.

'Anton, here will take you to meet Mr. Wang.'

'You have anything on Meghan?' Asked Sam.

'Yes, Ms. Elliot. Mr. Wang will fill you in with the details. For now, Tommy and I will need to take our leave.' And they left rushing.

Sam knows something is up, she hopes Meghan is all right.

**MEGHAN**

Meghan was about to leave the office when she got a call from an unknown number.

'Hello, this is Meghan.'

'Hello, sister! I found you!' Meghan heard a loud laugh and dropped her phone in shock. She cried for a while and composed herself, picked up her things and got ready to go back to her apartment. On her way out, she was very cautious, she feels like someone is watching her, maybe she is just being paranoid after getting that call from Natasha.

**SAMANTHA**

'Gilbert, I am sorry for being impatient but I have been here for a month and there is still no update from Meghan. Let me help finding her, I know there is something I can do to help.' Sam sounding desperate.

'Sam, I understand that you are worried but please trust me on this.' Gilbert tried to calm her.

'But, I am losing my head here!' Sam said with a voice louder that her usual.

'Samantha!' Gilbert said and calm himself.

'Vanessa and the kids will be going out of town and they will be leaving tomorrow afternoon. Why don't you join them and I will follow you guys on Friday night to spend the weekend.'

Sam just looked at Gilbert. Gilbert put his hand on Sam's.

'Please Sam, I think it will help you relax. Trust me on this. You do trust me, right? Sam nods. 'You know that I will do anything to keep Meghan safe, for you?'

'I know Gilbert, I trust you. I am sorry.' Sam said.

'It's alright Sam.' Gilbert comforts her. Little that Samantha knows they have found Meghan the day they arrived. Gilbert knew about this but decided not tell Sam. He worries that if Sam found out, he won't be able to control her and he cannot allow that until he is sure they are both safe.