Chapter 34 Matthew again
Chapter 34 Matthew again
Nyx's p.o.v
“It's something about your uncle right?” Lena cut through the silence in the car, it had been that way since she drove out of the garage at home.
“Huh? What do you mean?”
“Your mood today is powered by him right.” She paused, swerving around a curve. “Go on, tell me, what did he do that made you so happy?”
“Lena,” I warned.
I know how she feels about my secret, I wouldn't want to tell her anything about Travis.
“No Nyx, I'm your friend and I would like to hear you talk about a boy you like regardless of the situation.”
“But he's not a boy and I don't like him,”
“Doesn't change anything, boy, man same thing.” she rolled her eyes. “Well not the same thing, that man's a hulk.”
I smiled amidst myself.
“He's your step uncle,it's not that bad.” she said and I looked at her, she winked at me and turned back to the road , we are a few blocks away from the art house now.
What changed, she wanted me to end it earlier and now she says it's not that bad.
I didn't utter a word.
“Now tell me, what happened.”
“Noth…”
“Nyx,” she warned.
I sighed.
“His fiancee has been all over him, kissing, grabbing and touching him before me an…”
“Hold up.” She said, her gaze shifted to me and back to the road in a second. “Did you just say fiancee?”
I nodded. “She showed up days ago.”
“Then why the fuck are you happy.”
“Because you came just in time to save me from that torture.” She parked at the garage and turned off the ignition.
My eyes prickled with tears. Her hands dropped on my thigh and she massaged gently. “I swear, I didn't plan for all this, I want someone that's for me, someone that I don't have to remember that it's wrong when I'm in his presence. Someone that's mine and mine alone.”
Lena didn't utter a word, which I appreciated. She just keeps massaging my leg.
I wiped my eyes and looked at her, “let's go in before Matthew drags us in.”
She chuckled and nodded.
The art house was rowdy, everyone was working, cleaning, busy with their canvas, people that had been assigned to make gift painting for future clients at the art house.
“What's going on,” I asked Lena who stood beside me moping as well.
“Beats me.”
“Sarah,” Lena called at a colleague who hurriedly walked over. “What's going on.”
“Tomorrow is the art exhibition, Matthew wants perfection.” She lowered her tone and leaned in. “Says investors and partners along with clients would be present.”
My heart skipped.
Investor?
Travis is one.
Oh God.
“And why are you three standing there, Idled and gossiping.” Matthew's hard voice cut through my thoughts.
Sarah got startled and ran back to her position…
“You two?”
Lena and I started walking away, trying to rid ourselves of his wrath. His hard eyes bore holes on us. “Just walk fast.” Lena urged.
“Miss Wyatt,” he called, I stopped short in track my hand shot out and wrapped around Lena’s wrist.
“Miss Wyatt.”
Lena froze beside me. I turned slowly to face him, my pulse ticking loud in my ears. Matthew’s gaze flicked to Lena, sharp and dismissive.
“I need her,” he said, already beckoning at me with two fingers. “Not you. Get yourself busy.”
My grip tightened on Lena’s wrist as if to make a point, then I released her abruptly.
Lena’s eyes burned into him, then into me. I gave her the smallest shake of my head before stepping away.
I followed Matthew to the side of the hall, away from the others. The noise dulled, replaced by the hum of my own thoughts.
“I want a smaller version of your painting,” he said.
I frowned despite myself. “Which one?”
“The one with the eyes. The one you presented for the exhibition.”
Presented.
I bit back a scoff. He fucking took it without my permission. Now he wanted another like it.
“Sir, I can’t just draw it,” I said carefully.
He stopped walking and turned on me.
“Why?”
“I’ll need an inspiration,” I lied, my voice steady even as my chest tightened. “Or something to copy from.”
Those eyes were already burned into my memory. I could draw them blindfolded.
He stepped into my space, too close, his breath hot against my face. “Then go back home and get that inspiration,” he said.
“But you have to come back here with it tomorrow.”
As he spoke, his spittle landed on my cheek.
“Understood?” he asked.
I said nothing.
His hand shot out and closed around mine, his fingers digging in hard enough that pain bloomed instantly. I sucked in a breath and glanced sideways.
Lena was watching.
Anger was etched across her face, sharp and dangerous. I knew that look she was seconds away from marching over, consequences be damned.
Not wanting to drag her into trouble, I forced the word past my throat.
“Yes.”
“Good,” he released me. “Now head on out. The faster you get to work the better. Grab all the tools you need.” He said rather cheerfully.
I nodded and began to walk away but he stopped me.
“Nyx,” I turned to him. “Get your speech ready. I'm sure there's a stor
y behind those eyes and my audience would appreciate it most definitely.”
What?
I opened my mouth to complain but he cut in. “Now go,”