Forbidden Heat

Chapter 45: The Other Lover

The Other Lover

“Master Zak,” Laura greeted Zak with a slight surprise in her voice. Although it was common for Natalia

to go over to Zak’s mansion, the opposite was

not true. Zak rarely showed up at Lucien’s mansion even with a prior appointment. However, today Zak

was here in person and unannounced.

“I'm here to see Natalia,” Zak stated the purpose of his visit before striding past Laura into the mansion.

“Master Zak! Please wait. Umm...Miss Natalia is not feeling well and is resting...” Laura tried to explain

in a panic. She wasn't sure if everyone would

get in trouble if she let Zak in or not. Afterall, Lucien did not instruct her to allow visitors for

Natalia...well, on the other hand he didn't explicitly disallow

it...

“lL know. That's why I’m here. You can get back to work,” Zak brushed Laura and her concern off as he

headed straight for Natalia’s bedroom.

Natalia hasn't replied to any of my messages or calls for a few days now. Something is wrong. She also

hasn't left her house at all for a few days

which means that she’s no longer going to her internship at the lab. The maids have been gossiping

non-stop that Natalia apparently got into a huge

fight with Lucien at dinner. The fight was apparently so intense that Lucien practically smashed all the

dishes on the table. Well, that much seemed to

be credible. There were also a lot of other details which seemed over the top and could not be counted

as a valid source of information. Regardless, |

need to make sure that Natalia is ok.

I've also heard that Natalia got a new bodyguard. It’s high time that | meet the lucky man...

**Knock Knock**

“It's me,” Zak called out to Natalia as he stood in front of her bedroom door.

“Zak? Came in!” | replied with joy. | would know that voice anywhere. Zak is here!

The door opened and Zak came in. He looked confident and a little cocky as usual but | could sense

that he was quite upset and worried. This is my

fault for not replying to his text or calls. | just didn’t know what to say to him if he asked about my fight

with Lucien. News and gossip travel fast,

especially when you're living practically next door to each other. Zak knows me very well so lying to him

would be useless, he would catch on

immediately. If he did not call me out on it, then that means that he has decided to play along with my

lie.

“Zak, this is Reiner, my bodyguard and butler. | think this is the first time you guys have met. Reiner,

this is Zak. Zak is...” | started to introduce them to

each other.

“.Madame Francesca’s only son. My name is Reiner and | currently serve as Miss Natalia’s bodyguard

and butler. It is an honor to meet you,” Reiner

finished off my sentence before bowing to Zak.

Zak’s eyes narrowed slightly at the mention of his mother’s name.

“I think this is the first time we’ve met. I’ve never seen you before. You must be from the main house

and from the highest

rank of butlers as well,” Zak replied as he nodded to Reiner.

“Let me bring over a chair for you,” Reiner offered politely.

“No need. I'll sit here,” Zak replied casually before seating himself on the side of my bed. “How are

you? You look a little pale.

So, you’re really sick?”

“I’m feeling much better now. Thank you for worrying, Zak,” I replied, flashing Zak a weak smile. I

noticed that Reiner has

retreated to the corner of the room to give us some room.

“You fought with Lucien, right? Tell me, did he hurt you?” Zak asked me in a low and hushed voice. His

golden sand eyes held Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

my gaze intently. I’m not going to be able to lie here...am I?

“Yes. A few days ago, we had an argument. I think things will get better soon...” I replied while

plastering a smile on my face.

“hmm...did he hurt you? Let me see...” Zak replied as he took hold of my arm and started to lift it up to

inspect it.

“I’m ok. Really!” I insisted as I tried to pull my arm back.

“You know, you’re not super good at lying, right?” Zak whispered softly into my ear so that Reiner

wouldn’t hear. He smiled a

tight smile at me and I knew that Zak was pissed.

“I...” I started to speak although I didn’t know what to say to him.

“You don’t need to tell me anything that you don’t want to. You’re not allowed to leave the house, right?”

Zak asked knowingly.

I nodded.

“Let’s go out on a date soon. One of my movies is premiering and as always I want you to be there,”

Zak said with a cheerful

smile as he stroked my hair. Zak can be so adorable sometimes. It is obvious that he was trying his

best to cheer me up but...

“But I don’t think Lucien will allow it...” I voiced my doubt.

“Don’t worry. I'll handle him. I’ll text you the plan, ok?” Zak answered in a worry-free voice. I had no

idea how he would

convince Lucien.

“Ok...thank you, Zak” I said as I smiled at him sweetly. I missed him so much.

“I miss you...so badly,” he whispered softly into my ears as he leaned closer to me, his wavy blond hair

brushing against my

cheek. He slid his hand under the blanket to hold my hand gently.

*“Umm...about Annie...” I began to ask him about my topic of concern.

“I don’t want to talk about it right now. I’ll tell you later,” Zak replied cutting me off with a smile. Clearly,

Zak doesn’t want to

think about his issue with Annie. I wonder if they will be engaged soon...

“Ok. Ill wait. Please...don’t stress over it all by yourself,” I whispered back as I looked deep into his

stubborn eyes.

“Will he really be with you 24/7?” Zak asked in a soft whisper as he rolled his eyes towards where

Reiner was standing.

I just nodded in reply.

“Hmmm...how troublesome. I'll back off for now...but I'll be back. Get well soon!” Zak said before getting

up from the side of

my bed.

“Goodbye, Zak. Call me, ok?”

“Promise to pick up. Bye, Natalia,” Zak replied as he walked away while waving at me over his head.

Reiner bowed as Zak walked passed him and then out the door.

“Take care of Natalia,” Zak whispered softly as he walked passed Reiner.

Zak’s surprise visit really cheered me up. Things will get better for all of us, I am just so sure of it now.

Thank you, Zak...thank

you for not forgetting me. Now I can look forward to meeting my favorite celebrities at Zak’s movie

premiere. I can’t stop

smiling now.

Natalia’s been acting like a bubbly little girl ever since Zak walked in. This is my first-time seeing Zak

up close and meeting him

in person. Madame Francesca’s only son looks nothing like her and definitely does not have her

character. She is a dark and

mysterious person while her son shone outstandingly like the sun. I’ve seen photos of Zak in the press

many times before but

those photos don’t do him justice. I’m sure Natalia notices his good looks as well.

The way they looked at each other felt like they were in a world of their own and talking in a language

that only they could

understand. The way Natalia smiled at Zak was overly friendly or perhaps they are just very close

cousins...

“Natalia has at least one lover. I want you to keep an eye on her and figure out who he is...”

Edward’s words came back to me.

It couldn’t be...

--To be continued...