Forbidden Heat

Chapter 90: Anniversary

Finally, this day came around again this year. Today is the death anniversary of my dear mother. As per

the custom of the house, everyone in the mansion was dressed head-to-toe in black today as a sign of

mourning and remembrance of my mother. I woke up at dawn to shower and get dressed. Reiner and

Laura helped me get dressed in a long silk black dress that was matched with a big black bow

headband. Black patent leather mid-heel shoes completed the look. The absolute must-have accessory

for today are big and black sunglasses. The bigger the better to cover my swollen eyes when I cry. I cry

every year; this year won’t be any different.

Today, Lucien and I will visit my mother’s grave which was located on a hilltop in the outskirts. Due to

family politics, my mother was not laid to rest in the Rosenhall’s family graveyard. I’m sure she is much

happier where she is now rather than being buried underground forever amongst the dead and gone

Rosenhalls. Usually, it would just be Lucien and I on this day trip, but this year Reiner was joining us

because Lucien had requested for him to drive.

I met Lucien in the sitting room as we prepared for our departure. The atmosphere was solemn at best

and as always, this day seem to hit Lucien hard. Lucien also wore black from head to toe. Black suit,

shirt, pants, necktie, belt, and shoes. Everything about him was black and dark today including his

mood. The only thing that had color in him was his green eyes. Wordlessly we got inside the back of

Lucien’s black Rolls-Royce.

The journey was long, but no one spoke a word during the whole ride. Lucien held my hand all the way

and silently our presence comforted each other. I’m sure that during the ride to my mother grave,

Lucien must have been recalling memories he shared with her similar to how I replayed the happy days

I had with her in my mind. I really miss you, mother. I’m about to start crying already, and we’re not

even at her grave yet. It never gets any easier.

…

As Natalia recalled her precious memories with her mother, Lucien was thinking of his future with

Natalia. Natalia was twenty-two now and a young woman already, Lucien thought to himself as he kept

his eyes forward. Lucien had been sleepless for a few nights already as he antagonized about how he

should tell Natalia the truth. He probably couldn’t tell her everything all at once, but slowly over time he

had hoped to slowly tell her parts of the truth. Today is an important day for her to remember her

mother, it is the perfect day to tell her the truth about her mother.

I wonder how she will react. Would she even believe me in the first place?

…

After around two hours in the car, we arrived at my mother’s grave. Reiner opened the door for us with

a bow as he took my hand to help me out of the car.

“Reiner, please wait here,” Lucien instructed. Reiner nodded and bowed before closing the car door.

From here, we had to walk by foot up the hill a little in order to get to the tombstone. Lucien had chosen

this hill so that my mother would have a view from the top of the city nearby and the nature. Even my

mother’s final resting place must have been chosen with so much love and care by Lucien. I felt sorry

for Lucien that my mother passed away too soon; he was and perhaps still is, clearly heartbroken.

Lucien held my hand firmly in his as he supported me up the slightly uphill path towards my mother’s

grave. Soon we arrived at our destination. For a grave that was located in such a remote area, it was

well kept in order. Thanks to a family that lived near here who had agreed to take care of my mother’s

grave in exchange for a fee.

Lucien and I placed our bouquet of flowers onto her grave before we knelt down to pray silently. I

usually had many things that I wanted to tell my mother whenever I visited her here. However, this year,

I didn’t know what to tell her. There were so many things that I’ve done that I’m sure she wouldn’t be

too proud of. For example, having sex with the handsome man next to me, who was her ex-husband,

although I knew that he was about to marry someone else.

I’m a terrible daughter and I don’t have anything to say for myself. I love you, mum. I want to believe

that your decision to place me under Lucien’s care was the right one. I will not run away from anyone or

anything, so just watch over me. Ok? Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.

I got up to my feet when I was done. Lucien was already done and was standing silently while he

waited for me to finish. Now we stood side by side and he took my cold hand into his. The wind blew

around us on the mountain top and the view was breathtakingly beautiful. I closed my eyes as I took

deep breaths of the fresh air that nature had to offer.

Glancing over at Lucien, I made up my mind to ask him the questions I’ve had on my mind for a while.

We were standing in front of my mother’s grave, so it seemed like the right time and place to ask him.

“Lucien, may I ask you a few questions?” I said to him softly and slowly as I tugged at his hand a little.

“Sure,” he replied as he smiled at me. I wonder if he would still be smiling after he’d heard my question.

“You’re going to marry Angela, right? Do you…really love her?” I asked firmly without hesitation.

Enough putting it off, I needed to know right now.

Lucien was quiet as he thought it over a bit.

--To be continued...