Chapter 33 Enough!
SHIMMA
Just as Mr. Mattias stepped into his office, I followed him, shutting the door behind me.
“Lock it,” he commanded, his voice sharp. I paused, taken aback, and then turned to secure the door, sensing the fury behind his words.
“Shimma, I don’t want to see you around Lucas,” he said even before I took my seat.
“But he’s my colleague! How are we supposed to work together if—”
“You don’t need to work with him,” he interrupted.
“You’re here to assist me. If you need anything, you can come to me. Am I clear?” His eyes bore into mine, so intense, i couldn't stand his gaze, so i looked away, nodding slowly.
“Yes, you're clear, but…,” I started, turning back to face him.
“Can I at least know why? I deserve an explanation.”
MR MATTIAS'S POV
“Can I at least know why? I deserve an explanation,” she mumbled.
I ran a hand through my hair, wrestling with my thoughts. What could I say? That I was driven by selfish desires? That I couldn’t bear the thought of another man near her?
“Shimma, I’m only looking out for you. I know Lucas—he’s my blood. I know what he’s capable of. He doesn’t just want to be your colleague; he wants more,” I said, watching her expression shift. She nodded, but I could see the confusion in her eyes. She didn’t truly understand. She couldn't.
“May I take my leave now?” she asked, her tone barely concealing her discomfort. Was I pushing her away? Was I being too overprotective?
Just as she turned to leave, I called out her name. “Shimma.” She paused, looking back at me. I stood up, moving closer.
SHIMMA'S POV.
He approached slowly, his expression a mix of determination and vulnerability.
“Shimma, I’m not trying to control you. I would never do that, but…” He hesitated, exhaling heavily. “I can’t stand the thought of anyone else being close to you. I care for you deeply, and I don’t want anyone else interfering.”
Before I could respond, he drew me in for a hug, pulling me tight against him. Gosh! his warmth was so comforting, yet his grip felt possessive.
I understand the need to protect what you care about and love, but this was different. Mr Mattias’s fear of losing me was so obvious.
Why was he so scared? Maybe there was something beneath the surface that I didn’t fully grasp….
As we both stood there, hands wrapped around each other, my heart raced with conflicting emotions. Mr. Mattias radiated warmth and intensity, yet I felt the weight of his possessiveness. I pulled back slightly, searching his eyes for answers.
“Why does Lucas bother you so much?” I ventured, my voice steady despite the flutter in my chest. He hesitated, a flicker of pain crossing his expression.
“It’s not just Lucas,” he admitted, running a hand through his hair again. “It’s the idea of losing you. I’ve faced loss before, and it terrifies me.” His vulnerability was disarming, and I saw a glimpse of the man behind the boss.
“Mr. Mattias, you’re not going to lose me,” I reassured him, my tone gentle...
He hissed softly, pulling me in for another hug. “It's just that I haven't felt this way about anyone else; it's new, it's strange, yet I don't want to stop,” Mr. Mattias said, hugging me tighter than he did earlier.
“I love you, Shimma,” Mr. Mattias groaned, rubbing my back with his palms. I was about to respond when the door opened, revealing Lucas.
Immediately, Mr. Mattias released me from his grip as we both stepped away from each other.
“What?” Lucas mumbled, a frown settling on his face as he locked eyes with Mr. Mattias.
Shit! If I hadn't opened the door to leave, Lucas wouldn't have seen us.
\### LUCAS'S POV
As time went by, the more impatient I grew. If Mattias was done talking to Shimma, he would have summoned me already. Fuck!
I stood up; I couldn't hold it in anymore. I couldn't contain the curiosity boiling inside me.
I got close to Mattias's office door, leaning in and pressing my ear against it so that I could hear their conversation. This was unlike me, I swear, but I couldn't help it. I was literally going crazy—Shimma.
As I pressed my ear against Mattias's door, I heard his voice. He must be speaking to Shimma, so I leaned in closer, not even minding if someone could see me there. That didn't matter to me at that moment.
“It's just that I haven't felt this way about anyone else; it's new, it's strange, yet I don't want to stop,” I frowned, stunned. Maybe he was on a call with someone; maybe I was wrong. It couldn't be Shimma.
“I love you, Shimma,” I heard, and I quickly opened the door.
I paused because what I saw made me freeze in my tracks. He was hugging her tightly—his best friend's daughter!
“What?” I blurted out, taken aback by the sight of both of them as they released each other, stepping away as if it had never happened, as if I hadn’t seen them. Like I was stupid!
“Lucas, what are you doing here?” Mr. Mattias asked, his expression... I smiled because how dare he act like he wasn't doing anything wrong?
“So this is the reason? This is why you wouldn't let me get close to her?” I asked, a mix of anger and disappointment building inside me, mostly anger as I clenched my jaw, trying to compose myself.
“Lucas, you haven't answered my question. What are you doing here?!” Mattias growled, his voice louder than I had ever heard. Still, I didn't care.
“You also haven't answered my question, Mattias. Is this the reason why you keep telling me to stay away from her? You're having an affair with your best friend's daughter?” I giggled, clapping my hands.
“Bravo! Well done!”
“Lucas, watch it!”
“No! I won't, and I am a hundred percent certain that her father doesn't know about this—”
“Enough!” Shimma cut in, stopping me from saying any more words.