"Are you certain this is what you want?" Harry asked Matt, who was seated across from him as they discussed his move from Golden Star to I-Global entertainment agency.
"Even if I didn't want to, it's the smartest move to make right now. I can trust I-Global to manage my career. Golden Star is down already. Majority of the shareholders have pulled out and Paul is a wreck," Matt said and Harry's lips twitched.
"Well, he should have known better than to come for the Hanks," Harry said, and Matt nodded in agreement.
"Serves him right if you ask me. I'm curious about something though. Will everyone signing with I-Global have to go through you? I thought Jeff was supposed to be in charge of the agency," Matt said and Harry nodded.
"Jeff is in charge. And after now I will have no reason to want to meet with the stars signing with the agency. For Bryan I met with him personally because I wanted to be sure Tom was making the right business move by bringing his brother in," Harry explained, and Matt arched a brow.
"And me? Why did you have to meet with me?" Matt asked, and Harry chuckled as he scratched the back of his ear.
"You must have heard that Candace is my twin sister, right?" Harry asked, and Matt nodded.
"Yeah. Small world. What has that got to do with my signing with I-Global?" Matt asked, and Harry smiled.
"I witnessed how much effort you put into helping her. I know you care about her and I appreciate it…."
"You don't need to thank me for that," Matt said gruffly.
"There is every need to thank you. I also want to ask you a question. I know this might sound personal…."
Matt seemed like a great guy, and seeing how much Matt had tried to help Candace and how upset he had been over Candace's lies, he had no doubt that Matt loved Candace.
"Don't. If it's personal, don't ask any questions," Matt cut in, and Harry held his gaze for a moment before letting out a sigh.
"Alright then. You can conclude the rest details with Jeff, and he will get back to me," Harry said, and Matt gave him a nod.
"I suppose he will show me the office?" Matt asked, and Harry shook his head.
"Although, we already chose an office space for the agency, Tom insisted we give it some time. He plans to purchase the Golden Star building and turn Paul's office into Bryan's restroom," Harry said with a grin, and Matt chuckled.
"Tom is really cool," Matt said as he rose, "Thanks for your time, Harry."
"You will attend the anniversary dinner party, I believe?" Harry said as he opened his drawer and took out an invite.
"Since you are a part of I-Global now, I think you should be there," Harry said as he extended it to Matt.
"Thanks for the invite," Matt said as he took it from him and headed for the door.
Harry sighed as he watched him leave, and silently hoped that Candace would be able to resolve her issues with him.
Matt seemed like a great guy, and seeing how much Matt had tried to help Candace and how upset he had been over Candace's lies, he had no doubt that Matt loved Candace.
Once Matt left the company, he drove over to Tom's mansion since he had promised to pay them a visit so he could see Sonia.
As he drove, he thought about last night with Gemima and how the sex which had once been great between them seemed so ordinary and unexciting now. Or perhaps boring was the word.
If he needed a sign to know he was still very much fucked up over Candace, then that had been it.
As much as he hated to admit it, Gemima had been unable to turn him on despite her kisses and touch. He had gotten himself hard by thinking about Candace. Their lovemaking and how hot she had looked at the club when she danced for him.
Even after managing to get an erection, he had been so distracted during the sex, thinking about his meeting with Candace that afternoon and how she had looked in those classy clothes.
Of course, Gemima had noticed his distraction and had to stop. He didn't ask her why she stopped, and neither did she say a word. He didn't apologize or give any explanation either.
Once she got off him, she had gone right into the bathroom to shower and when she returned to join him on the bed, she brought a bottle of wine and glasses for them, and spent the rest of the time telling him about her coming projects and sharing entertainment gossip until they slept.
Matt sighed as he stopped outside the gate and dialed Bryan's line to inform him he was outside as he waited to be identified by the security camera in Tom's gate.
Once the gate was opened, he drove in and was met by Bryan at the door, "Hey, man!" Bryan greeted.
"Matt darling," Sonia called excitedly as she tried to run past Bryan, but he held her back by the waist.
"Slow down, babe. Don't run," he said, and she rolled her eyes as Matt walked up to them.
"Congrats darling," Matt told Sonia as he swept her off her feet and gave her a smacking kiss on her lip before setting her down.
Sonia giggled as she embraced him, "Thank you," Sonia said as she linked her arm with his and they went inside.
"So, how have you been? By the way, Jade told me they ran into you guys yesterday," Sonia said, and Matt shook his head.
"Don't do that, Sony," Matt said, knowing she was trying to bring up Candace.
"Don't do what? I was only asking a harmless question," she said with an innocent smile, and Matt snorted.
"If I didn't know you, I would believe that. The house looks empty. Where are the senior Hanks?" Matt asked.
"They are hanging out with Lucy's parents. Evelyn gave the staff the day off. So, we are practically home alone since Jade is busy in her bedroom," Sonia said as they headed for the Den while Bryan went to the bar to get a bottle of wine and glasses.
"So, are you really done with her?" Sonia asked once they were seated, and Matt sighed.
"Done with who?" Matt asked, pretending not to know what she was talking about.
"Are you really going to pretend you do not know I'm talking about Candace? Are you over Candace? I learned you were kissing some model…."
"I didn't kiss her, she kissed me," Matt said defensively, and Sonia grinned.
"Really? Does that mean nothing is going on between you two? Bryan said you used to be involved with her," Sonia said and Matt scowled.
"You're so nosy, anyone ever told you that?" Matt asked, and she giggled.
"Yes, thanks. You still haven't answered my question," Sonia reminded him.
"You never give up, do you?" Matt asked, and she bobbed her head.
"No, I don't. I still think you both would be perfect together," Sonia said, but Matt said nothing.
"C'mon," Sonia said as she tickled Matt and he chuckled.
"If I didn't love you, I would be mad at you right now," Matt said, and Sonia smiled.
"Good thing you love me. Cause I love you too. So, tell me," she pleaded.
"Why? So, you can tell Candace whatever I say?" Matt asked and she shook her head.
"Trust me, Matt. I love Candace, but I'm on your side. I won't say a word to her if you ask me not to," Sonia promised.
"I wouldn't say a word to her if I were you," Bryan said as he joined them and Sonia glared at him.
"What do you mean by that?" Sonia asked, and Bryan shrugged.
"No offense, love, but I don't think you're very good with secrets. I can just imagine you telling Lucy, and Lucy telling Candace," Bryan said as he handed Matt a glass of wine.
"I will pretend you didn't say that. Why are there only two wineglasses?" Sonia asked, and Bryan looked at her incredulously.
"You shouldn't be taking wine in your state," Bryan stated, and she nodded.
"I see you are not ignorant. Still, don't you think you could have gotten me something nonalcoholic? Am I just supposed to swallow my saliva while I watch you both drink?" She asked, and Bryan sighed.
"I have just two hands, Sony. I will go get you something to drink now," he said as he left.
"So?" Sonia asked as she faced Matt who was sipping his wine.
"So, what Sony?" Matt asked wearily.
"About Candace…."
"Did Candace say something to make you believe she is interested in me? Why do you keep pushing this when you already know she is the one who rejected me?" Matt asked quietly.
"I know she has feelings for you…."
"Did she say so?" Matt asked, and Sonia shrugged.
"Be honest, Matt. Do you really think Candace isn't interested in you?" Sonia asked and he shook his head.
"She might be interested but she doesn't want a relationship with me. That much I know. She always comes up with a reason why she can't be with me. I can't force her to want me," Matt said with a sigh.
"Her pride would never let her admit it, but I know she wants you. Jade thinks so too. And Jade told me they had a sort of agreement that she would confess her feelings to you after they got Jero out of the way (chapter 398)," Sonia said, and Matt raised a brow.
"They did?" He asked curiously.
"Yes. But according to her you showed up and told Candace you were moving on and wanted closure," Sonia said, and Matt frowned.
"Well, what is done is done," Matt said with a shrug as he looked into his wine.
"I guess you're still interested in her," Sonia said, and Matt chuckled.
"You're not going to get anything out of me, Sony. Quit wasting your time," Matt said as he playfully tugged her hair while she pouted.
"Candace is here," Bryan announced as he walked in with a glass of juice for Sonia.
"Really?" Sonia asked as she rose and took the juice from Bryan.
"Matt is being annoyingly tightlipped. You two can enjoy yourself while I catch up with Candace," Sonia said as she walked away, leaving them alone.
"Sonia is nosy, isn't she?" Bryan asked Matt with a grin as he picked up his wineglass and sat down.
"I'm glad you know that," Matt said with a chuckle.
"So, did you fuck her?" Bryan asked, and Matt scowled.
"Fucked who for Christ's sake? Can you and Sonia leave my business alone?" Matt muttered.
"Did you fuck Gemima? I hope you didn't?" Bryan asked, ignoring Matt's annoyance.
"You're just as nosy as Sonia. I did. Do you have a problem with that?" Matt asked with a slightly raised brow.
"So, you're getting back with her?" Bryan continued with a scowl, ignoring Matt's question.
"I don't think she would want to have sex with me ever again after last night. It was fucked up," Matt admitted.
"Want to talk about it?" Bryan asked, and Matt laughed dryly.
"Now you care about whether I want the conversation or not?"
Bryan grinned as he sipped from his wine, "I actually don't care. I was only being polite. I want to hear all about it," Bryan said, and Matt shook his head.
"I'm still stuck on Candace, okay? I can't seem to get her out of my fucking mind. Seeing her yesterday didn't help. You won't believe I had to summon thoughts of her to get an erection despite having Gem's lips on my cock. And I kept thinking about how she looked yesterday while Gem was fucking riding me," Matt admitted, and Bryan stuck his tongue in his cheek to keep from laughing.
"I swear I'm going to murder you if you laugh," Matt threatened and ignoring his warning Bryan broke into a fit of laughter.
"I'm sorry, man! Must have been a hell of a ride for Gemima. Tell me you didn't make the mistake of calling her Candace?" Bryan asked as he set down his glass.
Matt chuckled, "Why would I make such a mistake? They're nothing alike. Not that it would have mattered if I had done so anyway," Matt said with a sigh.
"Want to know what I think?" Bryan asked.
"Tell me, smart ass."
"I really think instead of avoiding her, you should face it head on. Maybe that way you can move on faster, that is if you really don't want to try to fix things," Bryan advised.
"What do you mean?" Matt asked with interest.
"Be friendly towards her. Instead of keeping yourself from calling her, call her. That way you won't miss her so much or have her in your head all the time. Soon enough you should be able to friendzone her, who knows?" Bryan said, and Matt sighed.
"I thought of doing that before, you know? I even went to see her at the hospital where she was nursing her baby daddy and offered her my friendship (chapter 413)."
"So, what changed?" Bryan asked, and Matt shook his head.
"I don't know. I guess every time I see her or interact with her I'm reminded of how good it would have been between us, and then I miss her even more," Matt said, and Bryan nodded.
"Avoiding her won't do it. And you can't even do so even if you wanted now. So, why not at least make your meetings friendly instead of awkward?" Bryan suggested.
"I know you are right. It's not like I have any choice, do I?" Matt asked, and Bryan shook his head.
"You don't."
"Is Jamal with her?" Matt asked when he remembered the kid.
"No, she's here alone," Bryan said, and Matt nodded.