Chapter 8 Obsession

• I heard my tummy growl, and at that moment, I realized I wanted something else—something entirely different.
• ...
• As I sat there, my gaze fixed on the TV, an idea struck me. I had just the right plan to get Lucas to leave and have Mattias all to myself.
• When Lucas brought my fruit juice on a tray along with some cookies, he placed it on the table. “Here’s your appetizer,” he teased, but I couldn’t find it funny—not after yesterday.
• Just as he was about to head back into the kitchen, I called out, “Mattias!” My voice brightened with excitement, making Lucas pause in his tracks as he turned to me. “What if we have a picnic instead? We could take the ice cream and cake outside!”
• There was a moment of silence, then I heard Mattias chuckle. “That sounds like a great idea! I would love that,” he responded enthusiastically.
• Lucas’s expression shifted, a hint of reluctance showing. “I’d love to join you guys. It sounds fun!”
• A knot tightened in my stomach. “Actually, I was thinking it could just be the two of us,” I said, trying to keep my tone light. “You know, a little couple time.”
• Lucas’s smile faltered, confusion and disappointment flickering across his face. “Come on, Shimma. I wouldn’t want to miss it. It’ll be fun with all three of us!”
• Mattias appeared, his gaze drifting between us. I glanced at him; he looked uncertain. “Maybe it would be nice to have some time alone?” he suggested gently to Lucas.
• But Lucas shook his head. “No way! Don’t leave me out of this! I want to be part of it. You guys still have more time together, don’t you?” he asked.
• My heart raced. I didn’t want to cause tension, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that Lucas’s presence would ruin the moment I desperately wanted with Mattias.
• “Lucas, it’s not that I don’t want you around. I just… I just thought it would be nice for Mattias and me to have some time together,” I explained.
• “Yeah, but I’m here now. We can all enjoy it together!” he insisted, his voice rising slightly.
• Mattias stepped in, trying to mediate. “How about we start with a picnic, and if it gets too crowded, I’ll take Shimma for a walk later?”
• I nodded, hoping Lucas would back down. “That sounds fair, right?” Mattias added.
• Lucas crossed his arms, a frown forming. “Fine, but I’m not leaving until we eat together.”
• I exchanged a glance with Mattias, who gave me a reassuring smile, but I felt a surge of annoyance rising in me. Today was supposed to be about us, and I needed to figure out how to make that happen without making it obvious that I wanted Lucas to leave completely.
• ---
• LUCAS’S POV
• I brought the tray over, trying to keep things light. “Here’s your appetizer,” I teased, but as I glanced at Shimma’s face, I could tell she wasn’t in the mood for jokes. She must be mad about yesterday.
• Just as I turned to head back to the kitchen, I heard her call out, “Mattias!” I paused, my heart racing. “What if we have a picnic instead? We could take the ice cream and cake outside!”
• Mattias eventually agreed, and a surge of excitement flooded through me. I could tag along—Saturday was mine, and I craved every moment with her. “I’d love to join you guys. It sounds fun!” I said, forcing enthusiasm, desperate to keep her in my orbit.
• But then I saw her expression shift, and my stomach twisted into knots. “Actually, I was thinking it could just be the two of us,” she said, her voice casual, but I knew she was just trying to push me away.
• I frowned at her words, my confusion morphing into something darker. “Come on, Shimma. I wouldn’t want to miss it. It’ll be fun with all three of us!” I insisted, feeling that familiar, frantic need to be included.
• Mattias looked between us, uncertainty etched on his face. “Maybe it would be nice to have some time alone?” he suggested gently. No!
• “No way! Don’t leave me out of this! I want to be part of it. You guys still have more time together, don’t you?” I shot back, frustration bubbling over. The thought of being excluded made my blood boil.
• I hated feeling like a third wheel, but I wasn’t ready to back down. “Lucas, it’s not that I don’t want you around. I just thought it would be nice for Mattias and me to have some time together,” she explained, her eyes darting away, and I could see the tension in her posture.
• “Yeah, but I’m here now. We can all enjoy it together!” I raised my voice slightly, urgency lacing my words. I didn’t want to miss out on this moment with her, whatever it was.
• Mattias stepped in, trying to calm the situation, but his words felt like empty air to me.
• A wave of annoyance washed over me, but I fought to keep it cool. “Fine, but I’m not leaving until we eat together,” I said, crossing my arms, unwilling to let her slip away.
• As they exchanged glances, I caught their silent communication, a knife twisting in my gut—what were they planning? Why did it feel like I was just a burden to them—to Shimma?
• I wasn’t a burden. I just wanted to be close to Shimma—to feel her warmth beside me.
• ---
• SHIMMA’S POV
• We arrived at the park, which Mattias decided to rent privately for me.
• I spread out the picnic mat while Mattias and Lucas arranged the fruits, juice, cookies, ice cream, and chocolate cake, along with candies and sweets.
• I sat close to Mattias, wrapping my hand around him while he did the same.
• “I love you so much, baby, and I can’t wait to be your wife,” I said, planting a soft kiss on his cheek. He smiled, pulling me closer and hugging me tighter.
• “I love you more, Shimma. I love you so much,” he breathed out, rubbing my hair while I relaxed into his hug. I sighed, feeling so safe in his arms. So loved.
• All I could do was forget Lucas was there and have Mattias all to myself. Right?
• Lucas, on the other hand, focused on his phone, avoiding meeting Mattias and me with his gaze. And that was fine by me… that was perfect.