chapter 18

Josie POV

A few days later...

Coming to work was a massive mistake. I should never have made it here. I staggered into Starbucks and slumped into the nearest chair, allowing my eyes to fall. This was tiredness on another level. What the hell was wrong with me?

"Hey, you okay? You look like shit."

"Thanks, Maya, blunt as always." I sighed and allowed the light to shine back into my eyes. "I do feel like shit, actually, but you know how it is."

She made up for her harsh words by handing me a much-needed cup of coffee. Funnily enough since feeling extra tired, I wasn't up for a lot of caffeine, but right now it was like heaven wrapped in cardboard.

We met up at Starbucks after her shift at the senior community, The Island Bay. She was still wearing her nurse uniform as I was wearing my rose blazer with matching pixie pants and a nude blouse with heels.

"You're always tired these days."Maya sat down beside me and shot me a look. "What's going on with you? Are you doing some late-night partying without me?"

"Ha, as if!" If only that was the case, then at least I'd have an interesting story to tell her. "No, it's been busy at work, especially with Matthias.''

Actually, because I'm faking a wedding and I've been up babysitting Matthias because we live together.....

"Well, you have been working every weekend for the past month or so, maybe that's why? Maybe you're overdoing it.''

''No, Maya. I'm not.''

''Josie,'' she sighs ''Be honest with me.''

I sighed roughly when she places her phone on the table and pushes it closer to me. I looked down and saw the article from Timeless Magazine. The Couple's Next Step: Josephine and Matthias's wedding.

Shit.

My mouth moved around in a rapid motion and I couldn't find the words to explain myself. I mean shit, it's my best friend and I kept this secret away from her.

''Maya, please let me explain.''

''I'm listening.''

''It all happened so quickly. When I applied for the position to be his personal assistant, I thought that was final. But, then, he started to ask me about marriage, and it went out-of-control. I signed the contract, because, partially it was for--''

''The money? How much?''

''I'm not allowed to say.''

''Josie, you could've told me, I would've loaned you some.''

''You know I can't do that, I have to do this on my own.''

''By faking your marriage?''

''No..Well.. yeah. But, it's only going to last a year so I have no problems with that.''

''What if you fall in love with Matthias?''

I laughed. ''Yeah, no. He's so snappy, like a stick-bomb. He hardly ever tells me things besides work. I don't know his favorite color, or snack let alone his favorite music. He says he's treating like a business and so am I.''

''You know when people say that, I find that hard to believe it. He's quite handsome, you know. But, don't think just cause you're with him that nothing is going to happen. Josie, please be careful.''

Guilt cringed in my chest. I felt horrible for being so quiet when I knew that Maya would be nothing but kind to me. She'd help me to do whatever I wanted - she'd be the listening ear, the shoulder to cry on - but I just didn't know what I wanted to say yet.

Maya took my hand gently and gave me a direct eye-contact. She smiled softly and says ''Jo, I'm not mad. I'm a bit disappointed, but not mad. I really need you to be careful, okay?''

''Maya--''

''Seriously, Josephine. This is Matthias Lekas we're talking about, not some random dude off the street. He's a billionaire, a playboy. You know reputation with women doesn't end well.''

''I'll be okay. One year with this marriage and possibly a few months we'll call it off. Like nothing has happened. I'm not worried.''

''Are you sure?''

''Yes, I'm sure.''

She sighed. ''Promise?''

I nodded yes when really I meant no.