chapter 43

Matthias POV

Today was our baby shower and I had invited everyone over at the Lekas falls headquarters. I relocated nearby our home, renovating the headquarters twice as big as the old one.

Everyone was invited to the baby shower this late afternoon. The music was so loud that it made my skin tingle and my lungs feel like mush.

Three benches that were dedicated to desserts had on them lemon tarts, crème brûlée, orange blossom cakes, minted strawberries fresh from the garden, meringues so beautifully shaped it was a pity to eat them and apple strudels served with ice-cream.

There were decadent chocolate bonbons that oozed rum cream on the first bite. Drinks for the children ranged from orange juice to candy apple punch, whereas the grown-ups socialized around a waterfall wine chiller and champagne fountain that sparkled with flames.

I looked around to find where Josie was so we could sit down at the table for Maya's announcement. She was there next to a friend of hers, looking beautiful as always.

My heart ricochets inside my chest like a pinball. I can't control the smile that tugs at the corners of my mouth. I couldn't stop smiling like an idiot. I compress my lips in a straight line.

Eugene swipes his hand and says, "What are you doing?" he said to me, making me jump in fear. ''Sorry,'' he chuckles.

"Not much. Why? What's up?"

''Oh, just saw you smiling like a weirdo, that's all,'' he pats my back, leaving me to myself while I let out a small laugh sipping my drink.

''It's interesting to see that you're gawking at me,'' Josie says, walking her way to me.

''I don't know what you're talking about.''

''Mhm, right.''Are you having fun? she quirks her brows.

''Yes, my love, I am having fun. I--''

''Hey boss, there's an emergency," Khalid said.

''About?'' Arching my brows.

''Zach, out in the front being an idiot. As usual. I think he's going wasted, not really himself."

''Fuck me,'' I murmured under my breath, I set my phone back in my back pocket.

''Baby,'' Josie says to me. ''What's wrong?''

''It's Zach, something's wrong. I'll be back, okay?'' I kissed her on the forehead then walked with Khalid to see this nonsense.

Zach was outside arguing with my neighbor, across the street. He glares at him with hatred in his cruel dull eyes. "Can't do anything about it!'' Zach shouts.

''Hey, Lekas! Can you tell your buddy to get his fucking car out of my driveway.''

"Dude relax, can't you have some remorse I'm gonna be an uncle," Zach slurred as he plodded his way to me.

"Matthias fix this now!" Mr. Jacobs said gritting his teeth.

"Mr. Jacobs I'll fix it. You have my word."

"Better." Zach scoffed as Mr. Jacobs left the entrance to ourselves.

"Who needs him? Huh? He- he- just jealous cause my boy is richer than him," he chuckles poking me to the side. I gave him a quick glare and he frowns.

"You're drunk you should leave."

"What?" He wines. "I didn't drive here to be booted out of the party. Come on I'm gonna be an uncle."

"No, stop it," I darkened my voice and which made him stare at me with confusion.

"What does that mean?" Zach said.

"It means to grow the fuck up Zachary. You parking your car at my neighbors—"

"- Oh, come on."

"-And you show up almost thirty minutes late?! Smelling like you drown yourself in vodka or something? You need to leave. Now."

"Come on Matthias. Don't do this," he choked.

"I am doing this. I'm not letting you walk in there so you can embarrass yourself. Especially when this means something to me and my wife."

He scoffed. ''Wife? You mean fake wife buddy. All of this crap you pulled was to save your father's company--''

I was folding both of his arms over his chest. ''Say another fucking word! I dare you!'' I scowled at him as he was in shock, quivering his lips. "You think this is funny?" I snap. ''Say another word and I'll break you like a toothpick.''

He gulped in fear.

I shoved him away from me, and cracked my knuckles, giving Khalid the signal with a nod. He responded back ''On it boss.''

''Take him away.''

''Matthias,'' Zach cried. "Come on man!" "Don't do this!"

I stare out and gulped in fear.

''Matthias," he said in a desperate cry.

Something is off about Zach and I don't know why. Of course, I should've done something different but I wasn't going ruin that for Josie.

I shrugged and cringed lightly as I went back to the house. I could feel my heart pounding loudly against my chest. It's not often that I would feel something like this before.

Sooner or later, I'll eventually get the answer from Zach. But for now, my focus on Josie.