Ch. 151..155: Forbidden Heat R18 Chapter 151-155

Chapter 151: Their Wedding

I stood alone with the best smile I was taught to put on at these public occasions as so many flashes blinded me. As expected, there were many reporters and cameramen here today to cover the event and as the stepdaughter of the groom, I had an important role to play. Reiner stood close behind me to lend his support and protection.

“How do you feel about your father getting married?” a reporter asked me. It wasn’t like I wasn’t expecting this question. Can’t they be more creative?

“Overjoyed. It’s been more than ten years since my mother passed away, so I am very happy that my father has found happiness. I believe that Angela is the perfect match for my father. I congratulate them both from the bottom of my heart,” I replied flawlessly. Even a fake Rosenhall could do this much, trust me.

Soon Zak was by my side as we posed to get our photos taken. Zak casually wrapped his arm around my waist as he whispered into my ear.

“Sorry...for earlier. I didn’t mean to scare you. I love you...ok?” Zak whispered softly so that his words were for my ears only.

“I love you,” was all I could manage in reply.

...

After both Zak and I finished our interview with the news reporter, Zak escorted me inside while Reiner made sure to coordinate with the other bodyguards to ensure that the press couldn’t enter the main venue. This was the first time that I am attending an event in this place and the sheer size of the venue is a little intimidating. I never knew the Rosenhall had a ceremonious place this big purely for the family’s usage. Looking around, I could see many senior family members busy entertaining their VVIP guests and business partners. This might as well be a business convention rather than a wedding.

Zak led me to our seats, and we sat side by side to wait for the start of the ceremony. Zak seemed to be in a good mood regardless of the slight squabble earlier with Reiner. Almost like a miracle, Madame Francesca clearly kept her distance away from Zak and I. The truth was probably because Zak had instructed her to do so.

‘Meet me in my changing room right after the ceremony. Come alone. Lucien.’ A text from Lucien...he wanted to meet me? I wonder what he wanted...

Soon the ceremony was underway. The ceremony itself was standard and normal with the bride walking in escorted by her father. Angela had a luxurious wedding gown on. She looked very stunning, and all eyes were on her. Lucien along with Edward stood at the altar, both were well composed and serious.

“It feels weird to see Lucien actually getting married, right?” Zak asked in a light tone as he squeezed my hand.

“Yeah...weird is definitely the right word,” I agreed. Weird indeed. I didn’t feel depressed, frustrated, or angry...it just felt a little weird as if I was watching a scene in a play that was completely unrelated to my real life.

The ceremony went by in a blur. I watched the whole thing with Zak by my side. He held my hand all throughout the whole ordeal. The scene of Lucien taking wedding vows and exchanging rings with Angela before kissing her was picture-perfect. It better be perfect, these photos will be swamping the newspapers and media for days or even weeks to come. Angela was obviously very happy and enjoying herself immensely. Lucien, on the other hand, was playing the role of the benevolent groom to perfection.

While everyone was absorbed by the ceremony in front of them, my mind was pondering what life would be like with Angela living with us in the mansion. Lucien being professional and pretty much insensitive would probably feel next to no change at all. That was surely not the case for me. The mansion was big enough that if I avoided her, I would probably not run into her. If that doesn’t work, then I’ll have to face her straight on. I sighed softly while keeping my head up with a bright smile. You never know when they would be taking candid photos of you, after all.

Immediately after the ceremony was over, I excused myself to meet Lucien in his dressing room. I didn’t know what he had planned but if he wanted to meet me alone, then I had to turn up alone in order to find out.

“Zak, thank you for being with me. You should escort your mother back. I’ll see you soon, ok?” I told Zak as I got up from my seat.

Zak’s eyes narrowed a little; however, he did not press the matter further.

“Take care, Natalia. Let’s meet up soon. I’ll text you,” Zak replied close to my ear before secretly kissing me on the cheek.

I gave him my most sincere smile before heading off to my intended destination.

“Don’t follow her...” Zak said as he grabbed Reiner’s arm.

“What do mean?” Reiner asked suspiciously. Zak’s grip only tightened on his arm.

“Our lady is going to have a private chat with her father. We, brother and bodyguard, should stay out of it for now. Trust me...” Zak replied calmly with a grin.

“But...” Reiner started to protest.

“If you can’t trust me, then trust Natalia. She’ll be ok...no matter what she finds out...” Zak continued calmly before letting go of Reiner’s arm.

“How much do you know?” Reiner asked accusingly.

“Too much. You better tell her the truth...before I do,” Zak stated lazily as he got up from his seat.

“I planned to tell her from the start anyways. I don’t need you telling me what to do,” Reiner said in a cold voice. His eyes never leaving Zak’s.

“When the time is right, I’m willing to let her go...but are you? Are you willing to let her go? Just think about it...bye,” Zak said emotionlessly as he walked off without looking back.

Reiner watched as Zak turned his back and walked away. He wondered what Zak was thinking and how much Zak really knew.

Chapter 152: Wedding Night

“Where is the groom heading to and in such a hurry?”

Lucien turned around in the corridor at the sound of the voice he least wanted to hear at that moment.

“Edward...” Lucien hissed as his eyes met his brother’s.

“Meeting Natalia?” Edward stated his well-educated guess.

“Yes...” Lucien replied flatly.

“Are you going to finally tell her?” Edward asked.

“You told her a few things, it’s time I tell her something as well,” Lucien answered without hesitation.

“Well, I don’t envy the position you’re in. Good luck, brother,” Edward said as he turned to walk away in the opposite direction.

...

I arrived at the groom’s dressing room and found it empty. Since I left the ceremony hall before Lucien, it was no surprise that I arrived here before him. The room was silent as I waited anxiously for Lucien’s arrival. I wonder what he wanted to talk about and why now all of a sudden? There were so many people still in the venue and it was clear that it would take a while before people started to head home from the celebration. Drinks are still being served and people are still mingling as they utilize this opportunity to network.

Lucien is taking a little while; I wonder if he’s able to slip out from the crowd? I couldn’t stop pacing around the room impatiently, so I decided to sit down on the chair as I waited for him. In a few minutes, I heard the door of the room open slowly and Lucien strode in.

“Sorry, I’m a little late...” Lucien apologized with a soft smile as he took my hand in his.

“It’s alright. I just got here a few minutes ago. So...umm...what did you want to talk to me about?” I asked, unable to keep my curiosity in check any longer.

I still remembered the shocking fact that Lucien had revealed about my mother’s death. He told me that there was something he wanted to tell me, was it related to my mother’s death as well? I needed to know. I’ve decided that whatever the truth was, I wanted to know all of it.

“Not here. Come...we’re leaving this place,” Lucien said as he pulled me to my feet and urged me to follow him out the door.

“But the wedding...” I started to protest. What would happen to the rest of the party if the groom was gone?

“...is over. As far as I’m concerned, the wedding is over. Let’s go,” Lucien said as he continued to pull me behind him.

...

“Where are we going?” I asked in a slight panic after we entered his car.

By some miracle, or the fact that Lucien had the route planned out, we were able to get to his car undetected by the press of any members of the family. I bet Angela has figured out by now that Lucien is missing. She won’t be able to stop us now though. Lucien had already started the car and began driving out of the venue.

“You’ll see. We’ll be there soon enough,” Lucien replied.

...

Lucien was right. Soon enough, we arrived at one of the most expensive hotels in the city. I’ve been here before many times with Lucien for dinners and parties. However, I never imagined that I would be here alone with him on his wedding night of all nights. Why are we here?

I glanced over at Lucien as he held my hand firmly as we walked into the hotel lobby. The manager of the hotel whom we knew quite well greeted us immediately. Without saying anything needless besides the formal greetings, he escorted us to the private elevators hidden at the back that I knew would guide us up to the exclusive upper floors of the hotel.

Once the elevator door opened, Lucien and I walked in together. We were alone when the elevator door closed, and we were on our way to the top floor of the hotel. The top floor hosted only one unit which was the Presidential Suite. I’m well aware that Lucien can afford these luxuries without any effort, but the Presidential Suite can be a bit much.

Lucien continued to hold my hand firmly in his without saying another word. Finally, we reached our destination floor and the elevator doors opened. Stepping out from the elevator, I figured out right away that I was right. This was indeed the Presidential Suite in all of its full-blown and very over-the-top luxury. The thing that caught my eye the most was the panoramic night view of the city that could be seen from the extensive glass wall that spanned the room.

“Wow! The view is magnificent!” I exclaimed as I walked closer to the glass wall. Touching it with my fingertips to make sure that the glass was really there.

“You like it?” Lucien asked. He came to stand behind me before wrapping his arms around my body from behind in a loving hug. I relaxed my body in his embrace as we watched the night view together.

The view was beautiful and all that, but it didn’t explain why we were here or what he wanted to tell me after the wedding. I was dying to know but Lucien didn’t seem in a rush to tell me.

“Come. I have other things prepared that I think you’ll like...” Lucien said with a smile as he guided me by the hand through the living room of the suite and then into the bedroom.

I wasn’t prepared for what I saw in the bedroom. It was beyond my imagination. Lucien could be considered a genius at preparing surprises. Red rose petals were scattered all over the king-sized bed. The most surprising was a gorgeous white wedding dress decorated with lace and flower embroidery. Was this dress for me?

I looked at Lucien questioningly and he replied with a nod. But I...

“Will you wear this dress for me?” Lucien asked as he took both my hands in his. I was shocked and didn’t know what to say.

Chapter 153: Marry Me

“Lucien...” I called his name in a whisper. Lost for words.

“I want you to marry me, Natalia,” Lucien proposed as he looked sincerely into my eyes. I love these green eyes so much...but...

“But we...can’t,” I replied softly.

“Should I get down on one knee?” Lucien said jokingly.

“Lucien...enough with the jokes...” I pleaded for him to stop playing around as he laughed a little.

“You’re right. On a more serious note, I want you to consider my marriage proposal seriously. I know we can’t get married right now but I want you to know that I have every intention to make you my wife. You can take this as a pre-proposal. When the time is right, I’ll propose to you properly again then,” Lucien said so sincerely and passionately that I was so moved by his words.

“Thank you, Lucien. Knowing this means a lot to me...I can’t thank you enough. I’m so happy!” I replied with a bright smile. I can’t believe Lucien just proposed to me. Even if it’s not right now...perhaps someday...

“This is for you...I love you, Natalia” Lucien said as he took out a simple solitaire diamond ring and slowly placed it on my ring finger.

Wow! The ring is beautiful and having it on my finger suddenly made all of this feel so real. Lucien is really proposing to me! I don’t know how long I’ve wanted this and dreamt of this happening. However, now that it was sort of happening, I was flooded with very mixed and complex emotions.

“Thank you. It’s beautiful...but...” I started to protest. I knew we couldn’t really get married because a few hours ago Lucien just married Angela. Yes, I didn’t just forget about that.

“I’m glad you like it. Don’t worry, as I said, this isn’t the real proposal yet. So, you can take this ring as simply a present from me instead of an engagement ring. Regardless, I’d like you to have it,” Lucien explained briefly before kissing the back of my left hand.

I nodded in reply, and we hugged each other tightly. There are so many things that I wanted to ask Lucien and I bet he has many things that he wanted to tell me, some secrets that he’s been keeping to himself for far too long. I decided to wait, when the time was right, I have confidence that Lucien would slowly tell me everything that I wanted and needed to know. Lucien let go of my body to place a little distance between us before kissing my forehead tenderly, followed by my nose, my cheeks and then pecking my lips.

“Should I help you into the wedding dress?” Lucien asked kindly as he held the dress in his hands.

“I would love that. Thank you,” I replied without hesitation. I wasn’t sure what to make of his marriage proposal but there was no denying that I was very happy in this moment. I decided to enjoy his attention and play the part of the overjoyed bride-to-be.

Slowly Lucien unzipped and peeled my dress off my body with care. I moved my body to assist him as the dress that I was wearing slipped down my chest to my waist. Lucien sucked in a breath as his eyes feasted on my breasts. With how things are going, I guess this undressing and redressing process is going to take a while longer than I initially thought.

“Lucien...” I called out his name softly as his hands started to cup and fondle my breasts over my bra. I moaned softly as he bent his head down to my chest to nipple at my soft flesh, his hands peeling the cups of my bra to the side. His hot hands now on my naked breasts and they were squeezing harder causing me to whimper with pleasure.

There’s no way I’m going to get undressed and changed into the wedding dress if we continue like this...the bed was also so close...

“Restraint...Lucien, you need to practice some restraint...” I warned him in a teasing tone as I closely pushed his head away from my chest.

“Admittingly, that’s a little hard with you...” Lucien replied but decided to comply.

“If we keep going, I’m not going to get to wear the wedding dress at all,” I pouted a little.

Lucien just laughed as he continued to pull the dress down my hips and legs until it pooled on the floor. I kicked the dress to the side before taking the wedding dress that Lucien handed to me.

“What are you doing?” I asked curiously as I started to unzip the wedding dress, preparing to put it on.

“Covering my eyes...” Lucien replied flatly.

“I can see that...why are you covering your eyes?” I asked more precisely.

“I don’t think I can refrain from attacking you if I see you naked...so...” Lucien confessed truthfully as he continued to shield his eyes with the back of his hand. In playful times like these, I always think that Lucien is much younger than he really is, and I couldn’t stop myself from laughing at his response.

“Guess I’ll have to put this dress on myself then,” I replied gleefully as I started to pull the wedding dress up my body. The dress felt heavy, and it reminded me a little of the weight of responsibility and commitment that should come with marriage. I’m not stupid enough to believe that marriages are like fairytales. Marriage for Rosenhall family members should never be taken lightly.

“You look amazing...I thought you’d look beautiful in this dress but...let’s just say you’ve well exceeded my expectations,” Lucien commented as he inspected me from head to toe now that I was standing in front of him in the wedding dress that he had prepared. His compliment was making me feel shy and I felt my cheeks getting warmer.

“Thank you...Lucien,” I replied simply, at a loss for other more imaginative words.

Lucien gestured towards the full-length mirror that was conveniently located in the bedroom so that I could see myself in its reflection. I guess I look quite impressive in this white dress. The princess-style dress made me look much more innocent that I really am, unfortunately. Did I seem like such an innocent and pure girl to Lucien as well? The truth, I knew, was far from it.

Chapter 154: His Secret

I smiled sweetly and my princess-like reflection in the mirror smiled back. This smile truly matches this magnificent dress and a joyful bride; however, it probably doesn’t go so well with the real me. I turned away from the mirror before my thoughts would get any darker to face the very-handsome Lucien.

“Shall we?” Lucien gestured towards the door. I was confused about what he wanted to do but I decided to exit the bedroom just as he wanted.

Out in the spacious living room of this penthouse hotel suite, my eyes were captivated once again by the vast night city landscape visible through the glass. The view just gets more and more amazing as it gets darker.

“You haven’t eaten since the event started, right? Let’s eat,” Lucien said casually as he took my hand and led me to the dining table.

Pulling out the chair for me, he led me to sit down. We’re having Japanese fusion food. An interesting choice. I like Japanese food and fusion cuisine and obviously, Lucien knows. I smiled a little as I looked at the food. Sadly, I don’t remember having a delicious meal lately except for the occasional cakes that Reiner baked for me. He would scold me if he knew that I counted them as a proper meal.

I should start eating this before we start with the serious talk because that would mean that all these delicious dishes would start to taste like sand. Without waiting for any further invitation, I took the chopsticks and began feeding myself with sushi.

“You like this, don’t you? Japanese and fusion food,” Lucien said with a knowing smile as I stuffed myself with sushi and rolls.

“You know me,” I replied. Of course, he does, we’ve been living together for over ten years.

“Yes...I do...” Lucien said with a small laugh as if he was recalling some fond memories.

After stuffing myself with food and probably forgetting to look lady-like while I was at it, my thoughts began to wonder what Lucien wanted to tell me. Sitting here in a wedding dress like this was our wedding night made the setting feel weirdly romantic. Technically, this was Lucien’s wedding night...but it wasn’t mine.

“Lucien...what...did you want to talk to me about?” I said softly as I put down my chopstick and stared straight at him. Eating time is now over. Thank you, Chefs!

“You’re right...we should get right to it...” Lucien replied with a small sigh. I guess this isn’t an easy conversation for him either.

I didn’t press him as a frown creased his beautiful face. Lucien was deep in thought, and it was clear that he was picking his words very carefully. I waited patiently as the silence between us stretched on. Suddenly, the room was silent, and tension ran wildly in the air.

“Edward probably told you...and shown you a few things. To be fair, I’ll also tell you...and show you...a few things...” Lucien said slowly and clearly without breaking eye contact with me. His green eyes felt several shades darker than they usually were...

Unknowingly, I bit my lower lip tight as I continued to hold his gaze. Suddenly, Lucien got up from his seat and walked towards the wooden worktable located on one side of the room. Opening the drawer, he produced a small box that I soon realized was a safe. With the safe in both his hands, Lucien slowly returned to his seat at the dining table, opposite me.

I didn’t know what was inside the safe but the fact that it was in a safe and that Lucien was handling it with such care and focus, meant that it must be either very valuable or extremely important. My eyes were glued to that small safe which is now sitting on the dining table between us.

“Open it...Natalia...” Lucien whispered as he gestured to the small safe with one hand.

“...I don’t know the passcode,” I replied in a small voice.

“It’s your birthday. Boring, right?” Lucien said with a smile as he continued to watch me.

“Boring indeed...” I agreed with him.

I grabbed the safe with both hands and pulled it towards me. The safe was much heavier than I thought as it slowly slid across the table to stop in front of me. My eyes narrowed as I stared at the safe. What could be inside? My fingers were already busy inputting the numbers of my birthdate into the keypads.

After completing the number input, I paused as I readied my mind for whatever it was that I was about to discover...

“Are you ready?” Lucien asked with a slight grin as he added even more tension and anxiety.

“I have to be...” I replied flatly.

I pressed the enter button on the number pad with my forefinger and we heard a digital beeping sound indicating success followed by the distinct sound of the safe unlocking. I sucked in a deep breath before moving my hand to open the safe’s door.

This is it...whatever it is...

I didn’t know what I was expecting but what I now held in my two hands in between my fingertips was definitely not it. Something very valuable...was not right. Then, this has to be something extremely important?

Lucien’s loud laughter broke the tension in the still and silent room as he suddenly burst out laughing. If this is some stupid prank of his...I’m seriously going to kill him! I looked at Lucien with menacing eyes. Seeing that Lucien waved his hand in an attempt to calm me down while he tried his best to control his laughter.

“What’s the joke?” I asked in a clearly pissed voice.

“No joke...but you just had the same reaction I had when I saw that thing for the first time. It was just so funny how clearly disappointed you were...” Lucien tried to explain while still laughing amid his sentences.

“I see...” I replied curtly. I’m not finding this very funny.

“Open it...I bet one of the things you’ve been looking for...is inside...” Lucien said as he reached out to touch one of my wrists. His tone has returned to being serious yet there was a gentleness in his voice.

I nodded. I stared at the item I had retrieved from the safe in my hand. A black envelop.

Chapter 155: Useless Truth

“Why do you have this? I’ve obviously seen this before and there’s nothing significant about it so...” I asked with more confusion rather than shock.

I held in my hand a photograph that was taken from my childhood before my mother married Lucien. At that time, we were living alone, just the two of us.

“Do you recognize who is in the photograph?” Lucien asked.

“Of course. This photograph was taken many years ago when I was a kid, but I do remember it. This is my mother, a younger me...and this is Uncle David. I guess you don’t know him...he’s one of my mum’s friends. He would drop by now and then. He’s really kind and has many interesting stories to tell, I really liked him back then, I guess...” I replied casually as I reflected on my days with mother and Uncle Dave.

I don’t remember when was the last time that I saw him. Now that I think about it, I haven’t seen or heard from him for many years. With my mother marrying Lucien and all that, I guess I just forgot him. Then when my mother died, I guess it was sort of natural that I didn’t expect to see much of her friends anymore...

“Uncle David...I see,” Lucien replied softly followed by a huge unsuppressed sigh.

“What’s wrong? You know, you didn’t have to make it out to be such a big deal...about this photo...” I said as I put the photograph down onto the table.

...

Lucien sighed loudly as he stared at Natalia’s disinterested face as she brushed off the photograph as if it was no big deal. His emotions were mixed, and he was unclear of his next move. However, Natalia’s reaction had reconfirmed his suspicion. For some reason or another, David had decided against revealing the fact that he was Natalia’s father to Natalia and somehow, Natalia’s mother decided to go along with it. All her life, this woman sitting right in front of him never knew that her father was still alive and was so close.

I have a few educated guesses as to why David didn’t reveal his identity and his relation as Natalia’s father to her. Once again, no one was to blame apart from the Rosenhall family and their endless greed. David decided that it would be best to have Natalia grow up without a father and have her mother live as a single mother rather than get her involved with the Rosenhall. That clearly backfired...quite spectacularly after his death. Natalia wasn’t just involved; she was a Rosenhall now too.

I continued to watch silently as Natalia toyed with the photograph in her hand while she was probably pondering on some warm and fuzzy memories of the past while I wrestled with myself whether I should tell her that David was actually her biological father or not. Her mother was never truly a single mother. David and Rosia, they were probably in love with each other until their dying breath and they both loved Natalia very much.

If I told her that David was her father, then I’ll have to follow that up by telling her that her father was already dead. Sometimes, the truth just isn’t useful...

...

“David was my mentor. I’ve known him for a long time, and we were very good friends...” Lucien spoke up suddenly after he seemed to be lost in thought for a while. I didn’t push him and just waited for him patiently.

“The world sure is round, huh?” I replied with a smile.

Lucien was silent once again and I could tell that he felt very conflicted as various emotions that I couldn’t identify flickered on his face. Until, after a short while, his face became a mask void of any signs of emotions. I breathed in deeply and held my breath. Lucien has made his decision...

“I apologize for the delay on this. I’ve decided that you deserve to know the truth even if it is useless and probably won’t benefit you in anyway,” Lucien stated emotionlessly with an even voice.

I couldn’t breathe and the tension in the room was threatening to swallow me whole.

“Lucien...” I said his name and found out that my voice was a barely audible whisper.

“David is your biological father. Your mother, Rosia, was never a single mother in the truest sense of the word. David was always supporting you and your mother in secret,” Lucien continued in his formal and emotionless voice. I knew without having to ask that he was dead serious and that what he just told me must be nothing but the truth.

“...I have a father? Uncle David is my father?” I asked in confusion and shock after being stunned into silence for a short while.

I wanted to laugh it off as a rotten joke but the serious look on Lucien face killed that option right off the bat. Now it was my turn to have conflicting feelings. I didn’t know how to feel or how to react to this. Sure, biologically I knew I had a father, but I thought he left mother and I.

I thought I didn’t know him, never met him, didn’t want to have anything to do with him. How could it be? My father...I’ve met him so many times. I’ve spent so much time with him...

“Where is he now? Where is David now?” I asked as I felt tear sting my eyes. I was finding it harder to breathe and realized that my nose was running. I’m crying...are these tears of joy? Or relief?

Lucien was once again silent. His eyes were lifeless, and his face was still and blank as a stone. Without being able to pinpoint why, I large knot formed in my stomach, and I started to feel sick. It can’t be...

“David, your father, he’s dead. I’m sorry...”

How many girls in this world are told that their father is dead while wearing a fluffy ballgown wedding dress? I guess not so many. I’m the unluckiest of the unluckiest.