chapter 15

Josie POV

Mike watched every gesture. His eyes were relentless. They swept down over me, then back at the open safe, not missing anything.

''What is Josephine doing at a luxury event?'' He asked with a smile, knowingly his sarcasm is showing.

I rolled my eyes.

''Why do you care?''

''Because you're with Matthias Lekas.''

''And that bothers you?''

''Yes.''

I chortled. ''You got to be kidding me.''

''Come on, Josie, you and I both know that Matthias isn't looking forward to marrying you. I can see the bullshit online. Everyone is saying how you two are a perfect couple. But honestly, can you even deny that all of this is a fantasy?''

He narrowed his eyes, taking in my outfit. "The dress too?"

I snapped. ''You think this is funny Mike? Huh? You're the one that happens to work for Matthias. I mean you are wearing the uniform and serving people left to right. Frankly, I'm one of those people.

Now, you see we broke up for a reason, you treated me like shit. Now all of a sudden you care enough to see me with Matthias, why?''

''Because you deserve someone better. He's a playboy.''

''And you're a bastard.''

''Josie, I'm sorry what I did to you. But I still stand my ground about him."

''Go fuck yourself.''

Just then, Matthias walked his way to me with a grumpy face. My heart stilled in my chest. I would be outnumbered, now, and there was no way I could escape unscathed.

''--Josie? Is everything alright?'' Matthias asks.

''Everything's fine, we were having a great conversation,'' Mike adds himself.

''I was talking to Josie,'' Matthias gritted through his teeth then looks at me.

''Yeah, everything's fine,'' I said in a dull tone.

"We're having a private conversation if you don't mind,'' Mike adds himself once again.

''Was I talking to you?'' Matthias snapped.

''No.''

''So why are you adding yourself to this conversation?''

''Maybe because I want to?''

''Do you have any idea who you're messing with?''

Mike gulps down his throat anxiously. ''Don't make me dog-walk on you.''

''Or what?''

''I'll have you fired.''

''You can't do that! You're not---''

''The boss? Read your shirt, Lekas. I own this place which means I own you.''

''You really want to be with this man huh Josie? He's nothing but a selfish-bastard. Probably got it from his dad.''

A sudden gush of pain jolted throughout Mike's body. His stomach ached, his arms lost tension and his legs began to weaken.

''Talk about me, my dad, or fiancé again and it'll be your last time standing. You're fired,'' Matthias kicked Mike from the side of his stomach numerous times.

Mike struggled against him, shooting his right leg out but his movements were far too slow. Matthias pushed him roughly further into the hallway causing Mike to stumble almost falling flat on his face.

''Let's go,'' he said to me.

''What?''

''Let's go, now,'' he said in his deep voice.

I nodded and took a quick look at Mike who was struggling to get up. Turning my head, I met up with Matthias as he places my hand on my back.

''We're going to talk about this when we get home. Got it?'' He said.

''Got it,'' I whispered.

......

"I did it to protect you!" he growled, unraveling his tie and taking off his pants, and shoes. We were back to our place, and yet again, arguing.

"You're in no position to argue," I said, in a voice more confident than I felt. I took my VS navy-blue lingerie romper and got out of the bathroom. He was standing by his side of the bed, half-naked as he looked at me with hunger through his eyes.

"I think you're the one in no position to argue," he said.

His face was inches from mine, his body crushing against me. His breath was hot on my lips, and for one stupid moment, I thought about how nice it would be to tilt my face up and kiss him, just kiss that gorgeous rich man right on the lips.

My heart was still beating fast, and I didn't think it was from the adrenaline rush. The pressure of his skin against mine made me melt inside.

"What do you mean?" I said my tongue thick in my mouth.

''I was protecting you. He was talking shit about me, my father and you! You expect me to stand there and do nothing?!''

''You could've killed him.''

He grinned. ''Yeah, I could've. But, I didn't. I did it for you.''

''You literally didn't do anything.''

''Josephine, do you hear yourself? Your ex said all those things, and you're going to defend him?''

''I'm not defending anybody.''

''That's absurd, cause it sounds like it.''

''Well I'm not,'' I snapped, trying to get away from him but he stopped me from passing him. Anger flushed out the desire from my body in an instant.

"Stop moving," he said. Sweat beaded on his upper lip. Drips of water leaked from his still-wet hair, trickling down his neck and onto my body.

"Let me go," I hissed, and twists my hips as his hands grip tightly, making me stiff. He ground against me, his weight bearing down against my hips.

"That's not a good idea," he said, controlling my hips.

''Matthias, let go of me.''

He raised his brows, and the fierce look in his eyes took my breath away again. He had a way of looking at me that made me feel like butterflies flapping around my stomach. He lets go of me and I crossed my arms, feeling outraged.

''When you're with me, I protect you at all times. No matter what. You help me with my business and saving this company and I help you with your funds and debts. Don't disobey me, I make the rules here and you must follow them.''

''Who are you? Christian Grey or something?''

''Don't compare me to a horrendous BDSM fantasy character. I'm worse than him.''

''What do you mean by that?''

He took a step closer, fanning his minty breath on my lips. His wet hair was dripping down on his shoulders rapidly, his eyes were glaring at mine, like a hawk waiting to eat its prey. He drew an evil smile and whispered ''Test me and you'll find out.''