chapter 24

Matthias POV

Shit, I can't believe I said that out loud...

Her facial expression was so surprised that she feels like I need to explain. My throat cleared. The floor shifted. A sudden stab of light burned the backs of my eyes.

You know how I feel about you.

''Um... for.. forget what I said, I'm tired,'' I said in a whisper, turning my back away from Josie. The silence hurt my ears; it meant I was actually having to think about this.

I liked her - I really like Josie.

But how come I can't say that out loud?
...
Breakfast was silent between Josie and me. She didn't look at me or even said Good morning as she used to, I knew I hurt her feelings real bad.

''Boss, Zach is here,'' said Khalid. ''He's been waiting outside.''

''Bring him in.''

Zach came inside the kitchen and gave me a quick handshake. ''Oh, you must be Josie? Right?'' He asked her.

''Yeah,'' she mumbled in a dull tone. She got up from her seat and left me, Zach, alone in the kitchen to ourselves.

''Dude, she fucking gorgeous! "Good grief, Lekas. You just eye-fucked that girl so hard, I feel like I walked in on you on a porn set."

''Not now Zach,'' I stopped him before saying any filthy comments about Josie again. ''Give me an update.''

''That contract you made up for you and Josie has been terminated. "It shows effort," Zach nodded, trying to convince himself as much as me. ''They will give you the chance to sort the rest out."

''How much?"

''One hundred thousand.''

''Good.''

''So you terminate a contract, that means you caught feelings huh?'' He poked me in a childish gesture and I gave him a death stare.

His lips curled up into a smirk, which left my heart pounding like crazy. I had to roll my fist up to prevent me from lashing out. This situation was fraught enough without adding to it. He wanted to get a rise out of me, and if I freaked, I'd be giving him exactly what he wanted.

''Don't know what you're talking about.''

''Phew, Matthias, you kill me, man. Come on, I could sense the tension between you two. You guys had a fight or something?''

''No, we didn't. I said something that hurt her feelings."

''Like?''

''Nothing, don't worry about it.''

''Come on bro, talk to me. You're my best friend.''

I heaved a deep sigh. ''Later, okay? I have to get ready for work plus there's a ball that I'm heading to.''

''And I'm not invited?" He snickers, jokingly.

I let out a grin. ''I'll see you soon, okay?''

''Yeah, okay.''
......

Her lips parted slightly, her tongue darting out to wet them. That tongue... with her body so close to mine, her scent in my nostrils and her warm skin under my hands, my mind easily slipped to what it would feel like to have that tongue circling my crown, licking my shaft.

My dick twitched.

''Earth to Mr.Lekas?'' Eugene interrupts.

''Mhmm?''

''Uh.. aha, I wanted to know if you're okay with Pierre's schedule, for the final fit?''

''Oh.. umm. yeah.''

''Are you okay Mr.Lekas?'''

''I don't know Eugene, are you?''

''Oh, uh. I... really don't have an answer.''

''Then that's my answer.''

He nodded his head puzzledly and walks away from the door. Gathering my belongings, I head out to the boardroom and discussed the profits we made over at Kaui's newest collection in their clothing line.

Josie didn't even try to look at me at all. She was busy writing down her notes and looking at Kaui's coordinator, Ricardo as he was speaking more about the profits.

''Would the percentage be suitable if it was by ten percent?'' Josie asked Ricardo.

''Why yes--''

'''That's not enough,'' I interrupted. ''I think it should be more, maybe twenty percent.''

''No offense, Mr.Lekas, but why increase the percentage when we can just go by ten? Isn't what gets us more offers and sponsors?''

''No offense Ms.Daniels but I know what I want.''

She lets out a grin. ''Contradicting yourself I see.''

''Don't start.''

''Or what?''

Everyone in the room kept their eyes between Josie and me. I heard a whisper ''Damn,'' in the background.

I could see the anger through her eyes fuming like a volcano is going to erupt.

''Uh... Mr.Lekas, we could do fifteen?'' Ricardo replied in a shy tone, not knowing what to do.

''Fine, fifteen it is,'' I replied, keeping my eyes on Josie who was already rolling her at me.

The meeting continued and ended when Ricardo passed the finances copies to everyone. After the meeting, I halted Josie by the door when everyone else left for their offices.

"Josie, what the hell was that?"

"You tell me, Matthias."

"Seriously?"

"Yeah, seriously," she shoved me away and left me alone in the boardroom.

I rolled my eyes and whispered to myself "Fuck."
....
Pressing down on the accelerator when I navigated to a faster-moving lane, I drove like a demon to get to Helena's studio. I was late as fuck already for the fitting of the ball.

''Where's Josie?'' I said to the boys while Helena was placing the suit on a Vinyl Garment bag.

''She came here and left with the dress.''

''Without security? Seriously?''

''Boss, she didn't want..''

''I don't give a flying fuck if she didn't I want you guys there. You were supposed to keep an eye out for me, at all times. Doesn't matter if she wanted to go to the candy store, I want you there.''

''Yes, boss.''

''One thousand and eighty-four Matthias," Helena said to me.

I gave my credit-card to Helena as she swipes the card rapidly and hands it over to me.

''Have a nice day,'' She said.

''Yes, you too.''

....


......

Men and women dressed in vastly different interpretations of professional occupied the room. They went with the theme, masquerade, some were simple and some were overly-the top

The men mostly wore suits, but then there were a few who opted for jeans and button-down shirts and one guy who was wearing cargo pants. Pass

Josie's arm was wrapped around mine as we stepped into the beautiful castle. All Of The Stars was blasting through the speakers as everyone was scattered around, greeting one another.

''Josie, can we please talk?'' I whispered.

''No,'' she said cold-heartedly.

''Please, I want to talk.''

''About what Matthias?''

''Of what I said.''

''You meant what you said, you made it clear.''

''I know, and I... I'm... I want to make this right.''

Her dark hair was pulled back today, hanging in a sleek ponytail down her back. I leaned forward, not able to totally ignore the urge to be closer to her.

''You have until tonight, otherwise, I'm cutting you off."

"Fine."