chapter 23

Josie POV

a few weeks later...

Just a few weeks have flown by and I think I'm falling for Matthias. I know what I said that there was no possible way, not even an inch of me falling for him because of his snappy attitude and how much of a possessive guy he was.

But I lied.

I owe Maya some money for that...

Every time he kissed me it felt like the world stopped, leaving just the two of us to wander the earth together. Every time he held my face between his hands it felt like he was untying all of my knots.

His lip feels slightly chapped under my feather-light touches but I simply cannot bring myself to give a damn.

He never leaves my mind, he's always there; mentally if not physically. It's just incomprehensible. He's my one stable force, my one stability in a world filled with chaos and I so desperately need that in my life.

Damn it, I knew this day would come. I fucking knew it.

But as Maya said, I have to be careful. I can't control myself around Matthias, especially now that I caught feelings for him.

.....

His lips press against mine with passion, love, and affection as his warm hands roam all over my naked body leaving a trail of sparks in their wake.

"You're so beautiful." He whispers so I feel his warm breath in my ear. I wrinkle my nose in protest.

''You've said that a thousand times.''

''Well, I want to keep saying that a thousand times.''

He kissed me on my shoulders and got out the bed. "Time to get ready for work.''

I groaned. ''Can't we have a day off to ourselves, for once?''

''Nope, not in this household. Work hard, play hard.''

''You're a workaholic.''

''Well, that's a lifestyle that I grew up in. Sorry to break it you.''

A knock on the door echoed through the room and Matthias plodded his way over. Opening, it was Galen nodding him to take a step outside for a private chat.

I went to the bathroom and took a quick shower. My mind was in shreds; I would never get Matthia's sexy body picture out of my mind.

The water pours down, it drips by my side, as my mind fades into dullness and everything is a foggy illusion. The sensation of the steamy water calms me; it takes my mind off things.

After the shower, I came back into the walk-in closet and started to prepare for my work clothes. Matthias came by and leaned against the wall with his arm crossed.

''Is there a problem?'' I asked.

''You took a shower, without me.''

I rolled my eyes. ''You were busy talking to Galen, what was I supposed to do?''

''Could've waited for me.''

''You didn't even say anything to me, Matthias.''

He smirked. ''Would've been nice though,'' he dropped down his arms and came to me with a kiss. ''I'm teasing you.''

''Yeah, I know, I think you should stop testing me.''

''Oh, yeah? Or what?''

''I don't need to tell you.''

''Baby girl, you're quite snappy today. Maybe you should release that tense of yours.''

''No, I'm good.''

''You sure about that?''

''Positive.''

''I doubt it.''

I stifle a laugh. ''You think I need to release my tense.''

''Yeah, actually I do.''

''Well, I don't.''

''Wanna bet?''

''Bet.''

''Fine, have it your way babe.''

....

I can't believe Matthias dragged me out here at this event with Bernard and Noami. Rich people walking around in the venue with cocktails in their hands. Bernard and Noami launched their event to announce something big.

Matthias and I were sitting in the front row as the lovely couple made an appearance and discussed their event to us for charity, once again.

''Yes, and we decided the theme is, of course, masquerade,'' the audience clapped voluminously and the room roared with the oohs and ahs. The PowerPoint had 3D effects that brought attention to all of us.

''Yes, yes, we're raising awareness for the behalf of our son, who we miss dearly every second of the day. We ask you to join us, and celebrate as we continue his legacy and giving it away for charity.''

When the speech was over, we ate our meals and went over to Bernard and Noami, congratulating for their success. Of course, Noami tagged along with some of her friends to get to know me more and my ''love life'' with Matthias.

"We want to enjoy our engagement, so there's no rush," I say nonchalantly.

From afar, I can see Destiny staring at me, which gives me a brief reprieve from her hostile gaze.

The fuck is she doing here?

"A nice excuse to wear this ring longer," the lady says, laughing. "It's just so gorgeous."

With a fake smile I replied ''Yeah, I know.''

I step out into the cold silence of all those people staring at me. Judging me. I can see it in so many of the women's faces. "She is good enough for Matthias Lekas?" It's a look of disbelief, of doubt. I try to keep my head held high.

"My fiancée," Matthias says. "Josephine Daniels,'' Matthias kissed me on the cheek. I introduced myself with the people he was with and again, let out a fake smile.

''Love, I need to use the restroom,'' I said to him.

''Go ahead, I'll wait for you.''

...

At the restroom, I washed my hands quickly and dried my hands with a towel. Coming inside, Destiny walked over to me and took some towels, drying herself off.

''Lovely seeing you two,'' she said.

''Where's your boyfriend?'' I shot back.

''Oh, you mean my hired boyfriend, mph sad to say he's not here.''Ah, good thing you're marrying a billionaire then."

I force a laugh.

"Do you like kids?" Destiny says, moving closer to me.

I feel a pressure on me as Destiny shifts ever closer, now just inches away from me.

''The fuck do you want.''

''I know you and Matthias aren't really in love, you're not fooling anybody.''

''I have no idea what you're talking about.''

''Aha, yeah, I think you know what exactly I'm talking about. You see, Matthias doesn't love anybody but his damn self. You think because you're gorgeous, and you work for him he's going to fall all over you. Face it, love, it's never going to happen because he's a billionaire, and you're just a regular girl down on the street. He's going to break you, I know it.''

''You don't know shit,'' I gritted through my teeth.

"So you'll invite me to the wedding?" Destiny says. "Won't you? Oh, wait, I'm the coordinator at Garden Hills, I guess you'll see me there.''

''I will dog-walk you bitch, don't fucking try me.''

Destiny chortled. ''I would like to see that.''

.....

The event was over and we head towards Matthias's Mustang. Having an insanely hot billionaire hold the door for me feels pretty damn good.

I can't count how many cars Matthias has, but I know for sure they are either Mustangs, Lamborghini or a Porsche.

"This car looks expensive," I say.

"It is," he says. "Buckle up."

He closes the door for me and then walks around to the driver's side. He starts up the car and shifts it into drive. The whole ride was quiet between us.

There were times he would place his hand on my thigh but I'd refuse to let him get to me tonight, I was in a terrible mood after dealing with his ex-girlfriend.

We went inside our home, both took separate showers and prepared ourselves to bed. I cringe, suddenly remembering Destiny.

''Josie, are you alright?'' Matthias asked me.

''I'm fine,'' I said in a monosyllable tone.

''Josie,'' his voice deepens and I looked up to him ''What's wrong?''

''Destiny.''

''What about her?''

''I saw her.''

''What did she say to you?''

''What everyone says to me, that I'm not capable of being in a marriage with you. You can't even protect me from it.''

He lets out a dry laugh. "Are you kidding? I'll pay you five million dollars to protect me."

I glare at him. "Come on, Matthias, you're my fiancé."

He grins. "I know, and if she tried to actually hurt you, I'd protect the hell out of you. I got you into this after all. But whatever sly woman stuff she's going to do, the best I can do is lead you along. You'll have to defend yourself from that."

I look at him skeptically. "Sly woman stuff? Is that really how you think of women?"

"I'm twenty-five and forced to pull off a fake engagement. Does it look like I was in a rush to get married?"

Fair enough.

''Josie, look at me,'' he whispered.

"Leave me alone. There is nothing between us, and there will never be. Just leave it."

''Are you serious?'' He snapped.

"You'll find someone else to fall in love with. That girl is not me, even and it was never going to be me."

He scowls. "That's a damn lie, Josephine.''

I looked up at him and stared into his dazzling green eyes. Something sad flashed in them and I pulled away to sit up.

''Don't you dare say that again, you know how I feel about you.''