Forbidden Heat

Reiner – Saying Goodbye

“No problem. I’m glad you got a place. Honestly, I didn’t think that you would decide on it that fast,” Kat

replied with a laugh.

“It’s getting late now, you should head back and get some rest before work starts at the bar,” I

suggested.

“You’re not coming tonight?” Kat asked.

“Umm…I don’t know…” I mumbled.

Truthfully, I wasn’t sure if I should work there tonight or not. I was very tired because I didn’t sleep at all

last night and going around to see the apartment left me feeling tired. I probably didn’t have enough

stamina to pull off another night at work at the bar. Then again, I might run into Reiner if I went back to

the mansion early. I did succeed in avoiding seeing him at work by taking the day off, but I knew that

sooner or later I would have to face him again. He’s my boss after all and I needed to keep my job.

“Sorry, I guess I won’t be going after all. Please say hi to Jamie and the gang for me,” I told Kat after

making my decision.

“Awww…so sad. You better come help me out next time. Oh, and let me know if you need help

moving,” Kat said with a grin. ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

“Thank you. I should let my hosts know that I’ll be moving out…” I said before smiling a little at her.

We waved to each other, and I watched Kat walk away before heading in the opposite direction to grab

a ride back to the mansion.

…

Later that day, I made it my mission to find Queen and tell her that I’ll be moving out. Honestly, I wanted

to be gone tomorrow but that wasn’t a realistic option. I didn’t want to take another day off work

because my balance of leave days was limited. I couldn’t avoid Reiner forever either, so going to work

and acting professional about it was the right solution. That made me decide to move out first thing on

Saturday morning.

I made it sound like moving out was going to be a big effort for me but in reality, it was just me packing

up a backpack and a small suitcase with all that I owned. Thankfully, I haven’t been living in the

mansion for too long and I haven’t amassed a whole bunch of things. That meant that it was going to

be simple and easy for me to move out. Hopefully, it was going to be quick and painless.

The maids that I walked past in the hallway told me that Queen was in her rose garden. I thanked them

and headed straight for my destination. I remembered having a chat with Queen in her rose garden

before. After all that she’s done for me, I felt quite guilty and uncomfortable telling her that I would be

moving out. I had told her something to this effect before but now that it was really happening right

around the corner, I was starting to feel slightly nervous about it.

I found Queen snipping a dead rose flower off the tip of a stem when I arrived at her garden. Slowly, I

approached her, and she looked up at the sound of my footsteps.

“Natalia…you’re back already…” Queen said as she placed her scissors down.

“Yeah…” I replied vaguely.

“You look tired. You should sleep more or you’re going to age prematurely,” Queen warned.

“Thanks for your advice. Umm…actually, I’m here to tell you that I’m planning to move out this

Saturday. Thank you for all that you’ve done for me so far. I know you told me not to rush but I think I’m

ready now…” I told her before I lost my nerve.

“I see. Well, I should be happy for you, I guess…” Queen replied after a small pause.

“Thank you, really,” I thanked her again.

“Well, don’t be a stranger. I’ll miss you to be honest. I don’t have a daughter, so I sort of view you as

one. Please come and visit me. We can also hit the bar together!” Queen said as she tried to sound

cheerful.

“Sure. I’ll definitely keep in touch. Don’t worry about that. I’ll continue working at the bar and at King’s

company too. You can call me, and you know where to find me,” I said with a smile.

“You’re right about that. Good luck, Natalia. Please don’t hesitate to let me know if you need any help,”

Queen said.

I started feeling very sad and it felt like I was ready to start crying. She viewed me as her daughter, and

I felt the same way. Queen reminded me of my mother and the kindness that she had shown me was

very pure and touching.

“Thank you, Queen. I’m not leaving yet so…” I said as I blinked away my tears.

“You’re right. Do you need help with the move?” Queen asked.

“Not at all. I don’t have a lot of stuff with me, so I’ll just get a cab,” I replied.

“Ok…well, let me know if you need help,” Queen replied after giving in.

“Sure. No worries,” I replied before smiling bravely at her.

Queen stared deeply into my eyes before she nodded at me.

…

It was as if finding a new place and having told Queen straightforwardly about it had lifted a huge load

off my chest and mind. Because of that, I slept very well that night and work up feeling quite ready to

deal with life and its many challenges. Because I knew that I couldn’t avoid it forever and also because

I was determined to do well at my first ever fulltime job, I had firmly decided that I would go to work

today. Come what may.

I woke up on time when the alarm rang. I didn’t drag my feet as I headed to the bathroom for a quick

shower before getting dressed. Nothing weighed me down when my hand reached for the doorknob

before turning it to open the door. I was prepared to face the day and whatever it would throw at me;

however, I wasn’t prepared for what I was about to see.

“Good morning,” a low manly voice greeted me the moment that I stepped out of my bedroom.

--To be continued…