Ch. 341..345: Forbidden Heat R18 Chapter 341-345

Chapter 342: Reiner - Nothing but Trouble

I walked the short walk barefoot from the car to the entrance of the house. Although it was dark the pathway was well lit; however, there was no one around at this time of night. I was sure that there were guards positioned elsewhere though. Walking barefoot felt so much better than wearing heels. I wondered if there’s a first aid kit in my room so that I could fix up the blisters on my feet. That would be amazing...

“Where have you been?”

A familiar voice asked just when I arrived at the mansion’s entrance. It seemed like whatever luck I had left had just ran out. Why did I have to run into him of all people and now of all times?

“Are you my father now or something?” I asked as I faced him after letting out a tired sigh.

Reiner came out of the shadows where he had been leaning his back against the wall. I wondered how long he had been waiting here for me and then I didn’t want to know anymore. It annoyed me that this reminded me of the time when he was still my butler. Back then, he would wait for me like this for me to return to Lucien’s mansion as well. His overall temperament now couldn’t be more different though.

“Where were you? Why are you back so late at night?” Reiner asked, ignoring my sarcastic question from earlier.

I don’t even remember Lucien being this strict with me when I went out at night. It honestly felt like I was a teenager being scolded by her father for breaking curfew. The heart of the matter was that it was no longer any of his concern where I went or why I came back so late at night.

“I’m tired. I’m going to bed,” I muttered before trying to walk past him.

“Natalia...” Reiner called my name as his large hand grabbed my wrist.

I glanced down at where his hand was holding my wrist before staring up directly into his face. Seriously, what does he want from me now?

“Can you please let go?” I asked, as I held up my wrist.

“Where did you go?” Reiner asked again.

I let out a breath of pure annoyance. He really doesn’t get it, does he?

“Why do you want to know?” I asked before yanking my wrist away from his hand.

At least he let me go. I rubbed my wrist where he had grabbed it as I waited for his reply.

“Natalia. Why were you out so late?” Reiner asked and his voice was very stern.

“Are you worried?” I asked just as sternly.

“I am. So, can you tell me now? Where did you go and why are you back so late?” Reiner asked again and I could tell that he was very worried about me.

I already knew that he was probably worried about me, and I just had to force him to say it. I didn’t know why I did that. Afterall, it wasn’t his ‘worry’ or ‘concern’ that I wanted.

“Thanks for your concern but you don’t have to worry about me. You don’t work at my butler anymore so there’s really no need for you to worry about me or for you to wait up for me like this,” I said emotionlessly.

“You can’t tell me where you’ve been?” Reiner asked without backing down.

“Of course, I can. I didn’t do anything shameful or illegal. I was out working at a bar. Happy?” I said before smiling a little at him.

“You should stop what you’re doing and head back home. A girl like you shouldn’t be out here like this,” Reiner warned.

Once again, he was telling me to go home. I wondered if one day he would have something new or different to say to me.

“I’m not quite sure what you mean by a girl like me. Maybe you’re right but it’s not your opinion that matters. It’s late and my feet are killing me, so if you don’t mind, I’d like to excuse myself now,” I said lazily as I walked past him and into the mansion’s entrance.

It was slightly surprising that he didn’t stop me or say anything else. I’m glad that he didn’t because I didn’t have much more to say to him and I’ve already answered his questions. As I dragged my tired and blistered feet along the long hallway that led to my room, I started thinking about moving out and getting my own place. It would probably be best for everyone if I moved out of this mansion. I wouldn’t have to run into Reiner that way and I wouldn’t be a burden to Queen any longer.

If I can rent out a small apartment somewhere close to the business district or the bar, then I can probably commute easily using public transportation like the bus. I wasn’t sure how that worked but I was sure that Kat could give me some advice. That all depended on whether I get the secretarial job. Time to pray hard before going to bed once again.

I think it was around that time that I started to understand what Reiner had been trying to tell me all along. Perhaps it was just a momentary weakness on my part or because I had started losing faith, but I was starting to believe that maybe the Reiner that I had fallen in love with didn’t truly exist in the first place. Just like how my life had taken many changes and turns, so did Reiner and how I felt about him. It wasn’t like I could immediately get over him or forget about him but perhaps as more time went by, I’ll come to live with the fact that somethings are just not meant to be.

Despite the stress and uncertainty in my life, I had no problem falling asleep and ended up having a restful night of sleep.

Chapter 343: Reiner – Moving Forward

**Three days later**

I was lazing around in my room when my phone started ringing. Just like everyone who’s anxiously waiting for the result of their interview through a call, I jumped up and grabbed my phone. I prayed for the best before connecting the line.

“Hello. Is this Miss Natalia speaking?” a woman’s voice asked formally.

“Yes, it is,” I replied as I continued praying for the best.

“Congratulations. I am calling to make an official job offer for your position as one of our managers’ secretaries. I just wanted to share with you the good news. We will send you an official job offer and contract for you to review by email,” the woman said politely.

“Thank you. Thank you very much! I will look forward to your email,” I replied enthusiastically.

“Please contact us if you have any question regarding the offer. If you decide to accept the job, please schedule a time to drop by the office to sign your job contract,” the woman instructed.

“I can be there tomorrow. What time should I be there?” I asked, unable to hide my excitement.

There was a moment of pause on the phone and I was sure that the woman must have been slightly shocked at how fast I had made my decision to take the job. It wasn’t like I had other options and I wanted to start my new job as soon as possible.

“Would 3PM in the afternoon work for you?” the woman asked after a pause.

“Yes. I’ll be there. Thank you so much,” I replied happily.

After exchanging polite goodbyes, the line disconnected. I opened my mouth and squealed in delight as I started jumping up and down. I couldn’t wait to share the good news with Queen. Perhaps this would be a good opportunity to tell her of my plan to move out as well. I didn’t want to impose on her too much than was absolutely necessary.

I wondered if Queen was in the mansion as I headed out of my room to go looking for her. Usually, if I ask any of the maids, they would be able to tell me where Queen was. I have already figured out where Queen’s favorite hangout spots in the mansion and the garden were as well. Queen was really into gardening and kept a large rose garden that she tended to herself. I found it quite amazing the last time that she took me there for a short sightseeing tour.

“I think Queen is in her rose garden. She mentioned that she was going to water them,” a maid told me after I asked her where Queen was.

I knew it!

“Thank you!” I quickly thanked the maid before heading off in the direction of Queen’s rose garden.

Just like the maid had mentioned, I succeeded in finding Queen in her rose garden. She had a hat on to shield her face away from the sun and she seemed very busy as she watered her precious rose garden. The various colors of the roses in her garden were truly beautiful. Various shades of pink, red and yellow made her garden look very appealing and colorful.

“Oh, Natalia. You came looking for me?” Queen asked when she spotted me.

“Yes. Am I disturbing you?” I asked before smiling at her.

“Not at all. I’m just about done. I actually like it when someone drops by my garden because I can show off my beautiful flowers, you know...” Queen said with a pleasant laugh.

“They’re really pretty and they smell so...rosy...” I replied as I looked around at the flowers that were in bloom.

“You’re right about that!” Queen said with a laugh.

I laughed along with her as I bent down to sniff a pink rose. The sweet and slightly musky smell of the rose filled my senses and it made me smile happily.

“Why were you looking for me? You need help with anything?” Queen asked.

“The thing is...I got the secretary job that I interviewed for!” I announced proudly.

“Wow! Big congratulations! We should throw a party,” Queen cried out in excitement as she clapped her hands together loudly.

“I don’t think a party is necessary but thank you. Thank you so much for helping me,” I thanked her earnestly.

“Don’t mention it. We should throw a party or at least have a nice dinner together,” Queen suggested brightly.

Mentioning dinner only made me recall that first and very disastrous dinner that I shared with Reiner and his parents. A repeat of that wasn’t something that I wanted or needed. I also didn’t think that Reiner and I are on such friendly terms for us to be sharing dinner. I hoped that Queen’s idea of dinner didn’t include the boys, but I couldn’t voice it.

“What about we drop by Jamie’s bar instead? It can be my treat,” I suggested as the idea popped into my head.

This way I could keep both Reiner and King out of the picture. Treating Queen to something at the bar would be perfect. Since taking me there, Queen hadn’t dropped by again.

“That works too. Tonight? I happen to be free,” she proposed energetically.

“Oh sure. I’m not working there tonight so it’ll be good to go along with you as customers for a change,” I agreed.

“Perfect. I’ll see you later tonight. Let’s dress up pretty!” Queen said before winking seductively at me.

I had to say that she’s still decently hot given her age and I found myself smiling back widely at her. Sometimes, her cheerfulness would remind me of my own mother. I felt a twinge of sadness squeeze at my heart and dismissed that thought.

Night arrived soon enough although not quite soon enough for my overly excited heart. After suggesting that we dress up pretty for the celebration, Queen insisted that I borrow her dress. As expected, Queen’s walk-in closet was massive and the pieces that she had would put a superstar to shame. There were so much to choose from that I felt baffled by the options available.

Chapter 345: Reiner – Into You

“You have to cut Natalia some slack from now on. The girl just landed a fulltime job!” Queen told Jamie.

“Oh, really? Congratulations! Drinks on the house!” Jamie roared.

I wasn’t sure if he was drunk or if that was just the way he was when he drank with old friends. The three of us spent time chatting about random things but I found it to be a good way to relax. Since I could tell that Queen was tipsy and still drinking, I held back on drinking. Guess who will have to drive us back?

Kat came to our table to serve more drinks that Queen had ordered. I wondered if she would get roaring drunk with the pace that she was drinking but then maybe she has good tolerance for alcohol.

“Your man is here...by the way...” Kat whispered into my ear.

Charles is here?

“He’s not my man...” I quickly corrected.

“Yeah...whatever...” Kat teased before walking away.

I turned and spotted Charles. Unlike the other nights that he was here, tonight Charles wasn’t here alone. He was with some other guys who were probably his friends. I let out a soft sigh of relief thinking that that probably worked for the best. It might be weird to spend time with him when I’m with Queen. She might get the wrong idea...

Just when that thought finished running through my head, I felt a presence behind me. Don’t tell me...

“You’re here as a customer tonight?” a slightly amused voice asked from behind me.

He’s here...

Great, did he just ditch his friends?

“Hey, Charles...that’s right,” I replied with a small smile after turning around in my seat to face him.

While I was struggling to think of something else to say to him, Queen’s loud voice cut right into our conversation.

“Charles? Is that you...wow...come join us!” Queen shouted in Charles’ direction.

“Oh. Queen, you’re here with Natalia?” Charles asked before smiling in her direction.

These two...they know each other?

I knew that this island wasn’t big, and the population wasn’t large but still...small world, huh?

Charles grabbed a chair and sat down right next to me at our table. He smiled at me, and I returned the favor while I wondered how tonight was going to playout for all of us.

“Natalia is my special guest. You better be nice to her too,” Queen teased.

“I’m always nice to her. Aren’t I?” Charles said before turning to look at me.

“Umm...that’s right...” I replied a little shyly.

Charles and Queen started chatting and catching up while I began to wonder how these two knew each other. They seemed to know each other well enough but since they were catching up, it was clear that it had been quite a while since they last connected.

“Let me buy you a drink,” Charles offered as he whispered close to my ear.

“You don’t need to...” I whispered back.

“I insist,” Charles said as he waved down a waitress.

“I’m trying to hold back on my drinks because Queen isn’t holding hers. I need to drive her back,” I whispered.

“I know where she lives. If you can’t drive, I’ll drive you girls back,” Charles replied unfazed.

The waitress arrived and Charles ordered drinks for us. I sipped on my drink and finally decided to let him have his way. Queen and I can always sleep in the back of the bar if we both pass out. Who cares...

“That’s an amazing dress you’ve got on,” Charles said, and I felt his eyes on my body.

“It’s Queen’s and she picked it out for me. So, if you have any complaints, you can file it with Queen over there,” I teased as I pointed in Queen’s direction.

“I don’t have any complaints,” Charles said smoothly.

We clinked our glass and drank.

“Oh, I got a job offer. You know, from the interview that I went to and that’s why Queen’s taking me out tonight to celebrate a little,” I told him.

His eyes widened and so did his smile. I could understand and appreciate why so many women were attracted to him. Apart from his looks, Charles was just so easy and comfortable to be around. He made me feel safe and always at ease.

“Wow! Congratulations. You should have told me earlier,” Charles congratulated me.

After a very fun night, Queen and I were ready to head back. Surprisingly, Queen held her alcohol very well. She was tipsy but she was well in control of herself which was surprising considering that she’d been drinking all night.

“Can you drive?” Charles asked with concern as he walked us to Queen’s car.

“Yes. I’m fine...thanks for watching out for me,” I thanked him honestly.

Charles opened the door to the car and helped Queen in.

“Thank you...you are so handsome as always...” Queen murmured.

“Thank you, ma’am,” Charles replied with a chuckle before he closed the door.

“Thanks for helping Queen too,” I said with a laugh.

“No worries. I’ll see you later sometime at the bar?” Charles said as his eyes found mine.

“Sure. I’ll be working my regular shifts,” I replied.

I don’t know about going to the bar as a customer, but I’ll definitely be there working my shifts with Kat and the others.

“Ok. I thought that you might quit working and disappear or something...you know...you just got a new job...” Charles said softly before trailing off.

Oh, did that worry him? I didn’t realize it at all...

“Don’t worry. I won’t just disappear...” I said reassuringly.

“Great. Good night, Natalia. Get home safe,” Charles said as he stepped away from the car.

“Good night...” I replied softly before getting into the car.

I could see Charles’ silhouette as he waved his hand at me when I drove off.

“He’s so into you...it’s so cute...” Queen murmured as if talking to herself.

I knew immediately that she was referring to Charles. I thought the best way to deal with this was to not deal with it. Maybe Queen is letting the alcohol do the talking right now. My attempt to simply ignore her didn’t quite work out as planned.

I heard Queen shifting in her seat and when I glanced over, she had turned in her seat and was staring directly at me.

“Charles is a great guy honestly. He’s so kind and honest plus he’s so buff and tall. If only my son was as straightforward about his feelings, maybe he’ll be popular too...” Queen said acting all sad and depressed.