chapter 33

Matthias POV

The next morning, I finished my shower and then reached outside the fabric curtain, searching for my towel. I groped around for several moments, before popping my head out to locate the elusive towel.

I tiptoed out of the shower enclosure, dripping wet, to the bedroom. I took a deep breath, trying not to let panic set in.

Don't overthink Matthias, she's here, she's safe with you.

I took out my black gym shorts with my basic red tee and placed it on myself. Josie moved around from the side, knocked out from the sleep.

Struggling to maintain my cool, I eased toward the bed. My eyes devoured her milky skin like I was savoring the best bowl of chocolate ice cream.

I sighed and walked out of the room to grab some breakfast for both of us. I walked into the serving room at the hotel. Everywhere I looked there were stacks of food. One section as a continental breakfast, the other a traditional English breakfast, I didn't know where it starts first.

''Monsieur, how may I help you today?'' a middle-aged man said to me. I could tell he was the server here based on the uniform he was wearing.

''A to-go box? Two please with the special.''

''Of course, give me five minutes and I'll come back to you.''

''Thanks,'' I said to you.

Within five minutes, he came back with a to-go box and plastic utensils. ''Here you go, anything else you need?'' He asked.

''No,'' I reply giving him some cash for the breakfast ''Have a nice day.''

∞

Back to the suite, I placed my breakfast on the counter and took the other box in my hand to Josie. I poured down some orange juice in a cup and placed them beside where she was.

She sighed roughly, coming out of her sleep and curled up slowly searching her eyes at mine.

''Morning,'' I whispered to her with a soft smile. I sat on the edge of the bed and slowly interlocked my hands with hers. ''How are you feeling?''

''I don't know, I can't remember.''

''What is the last thing you remembered?''

She blinked, then silently pulled herself to her feet.

''Going to the bar because I thought you needed some space from what happened. I was taking so many shots, I don't know how many, next thing I know I felt dizzy and my face was down on the table.''

She gave me a long, quiet look, showing the first signs that there was more to her than meets the eye. She opened her mouth, her lips quivering and I gently put my thumb on her chin rubbing it slowly.

''It's okay,'' I whispered. ''I was worried about you but all it matters right now is that you're with me, and you're safe.''

She nods her head and I leaned over and kissed her on the forehead once again. ''Eat your breakfast and get some rest. Later, I'll take you out for dinner."

''Where?''

''You'll see.''

"Matthias," she said my name and I paused. "I'm... I...."

"Sorry," I turned around and she frowned.
"I know," I heaved a deep sigh, crossing my arms. "Get some rest."

"Are you going to leave this room?"

"No, I wouldn't. I'm not leaving this room. Not without you."

∞

My heart pumped with excitement as I breezed into the elevator and practically sprinted toward the lobby. I made through outside when I was walking to the limousine with Josie, the wind rustling my curls as a few women were gawking outside at me.

Galen perked when he saw me. His kind gray eyes mirrored the smile on his face. "Good evening, Mrs. Lekas."

''Good evening Galen.''

''How far is it?'' I asked Galen, mentioning about the yacht.

''Not too far, just a few minutes.''

''Alright, let's go,'' I said to them. We went inside the limousine as the driver drove to our destination area. The whole ride was silent between us, there were times I'd catch myself from my peripheral version, peeking at Josie's beauty. Or vice versa, I could feel her beautiful eyes staring from the side of me, not saying a word at all.

''We're here,'' Galen said, coming out of the limo and opening the door for Josie and me. Getting out, I extended my hand to her as she gets out slowly.

I swallowed nervously when she stepped aside to allow me entry and the nerves melted into awe as I took in the decor. It was classic elegance with modern sophistication. Pieces of antique furniture were perfectly paired with sleek side tables.

''Wow,'' Josie whispered.

''Midnight?'' Galen asked.

''Yes, midnight,'' I replied to him, he nods his head and proceeds to leave us to ourselves. I turned to Josie ''Hold my hand, watch your step.''

We sat right across each other while our servant pours down a glass of champagne for us.

''Anything else, Mr.Lekas?'' She asked me.

''No, thank you.''

We both ate our meals in silence and drank our champagne as we cruised down on the river, admiring the beautiful weather outside. Blue skies, no wind, ambient temperature - it's more like an absence of weather really.

After of few minutes of eating, Josie got up from her seat and took her glass of champagne with her, going close the railing and admiring the view of the Eiffel Tower.

I quaffed down the champagne I had left and met up with her, enjoying the view of the Eiffel Tower; the serenity of quietness, and breath. Listening to one wave splash at a time after which it fizzes like bubbles ever so gently. The salty aroma of the river circles the air around me.

''This is beautiful,'' Josie finally speaks.

''Yeah, I agree,'' I mumbled and we instantly looked at each other.

''Thank you again from yesterday.''

''Of course, you scared the living shit out of me. I thought I lost you, really.''

"Lost?"

I stifle a chuckle. ''Yeah since from our heated argument there was a chance I would. I'm still sorting through all of this myself Josie.''

She took a deep sigh and puts her head down.

''Galen and Khalid find out the video was dated back a few years ago. Turns out it wasn't me, it was some random porn star.''

''Porn star?'' She questioned.

''Yeah, I don't know about that either,'' she softly chuckles and I let out a sigh.

''I'm sorry,'' she said. ''I know you will not accept my apology because my behavior was out of line. I can't take it back from what I said. But, I just wanted you to hear that."

I grinned. My heart was heavy.

''You're right. It's going to take some time because I still love you.''

She widens with happiness. She was in awe; no words came out.

''You love me?'' She said in a whispered.

''Yeah, I still do. It's like you're a magnet or something, I still feel attached to you because I truly do care and love you. This isn't going to be easy for us since we're married but I don't want to give up.''

''I didn't think in a million years you'd say that I really thought you were done.''

''Me too. But, I can't.''

She took a sigh and I leaned a bit closer, taking a quick glimpse of her.

"If we're going to do this, we have to do it the right way. The last thing I want is having to walk out of your life with no hesitation whatsoever. I can't see myself with anyone else but you, and I don't plan on doing it."

"Yeah I agree," she responds, her voice cracking with watery eyes.

Still catching my breath, I felt so open. So exposed to her that I took it a step further. My hands were on the side of her cheeks and I slid them upwards towards her hair. She sighed and leans her head on mine.

My lips compressed on her forehead while I traveled my hands down on her hips.

At the edge of the cloud, there was a brilliant white patch, like a turning page catching the sun. The rest was dove grey with a subtle hint of purple, just enough to announce the coming sunset.

''Let's go,'' I said.