Ch. 381..385: Forbidden Heat R18 Chapter 381-385

Chapter 381: Reiner - Rachael

I knew that I shouldn’t poke my nose into his business, but my body moved on my own. Without any sense of decency, I peered out from where I was hiding so that I could see them. The sight of a very tall woman dressed casually in a white tank top with blue jeans with her arm around Reiner’s neck as she pulled him into a close hug wasn’t exactly what I expected to see.

“You’re here super early,” Reiner said warmly as he returned her hug and stroked her hair.

No one had to tell me so because I already knew. This tall woman with long wavy brown hair, sun-kissed skin and a firm body must be Rachael, Reiner’s fiancée.

“I know! I’m not supposed to turn up here until dinner time, but I decided to drop by earlier to see you anyways. Guess luck is on my side. Honestly, I thought that you wouldn’t be home today, but I decided to try my luck anyways,” Rachael said sweetly before smiling up at Reiner.

“You could have called,” Reiner replied as he returned her smile.

I don’t think I’ve ever heard Reiner speak in that tone before, so loving and full of care. Not to talk about the fact that they were still hugging each other as they spoke. Although I should have seen more than enough, I couldn’t peel my eyes from the beautiful couple.

“Then you wouldn’t be surprised to see me, would you?” Rachael asked teasingly.

“I guess you’re right about that,” Reiner replied as he continued to stroke her hair.

She started laughing before hugging him tighter, leaning her head against his chest. Reiner and Rachael, they looked so good together and they would probably make very good looking and very tall children. That thought made me want to burst out laughing at my own delusional thoughts. It all made sense now. I should leave as soon as possible.

I guess I was right all along. I was always in their way. The longer I stay here, the longer I’ll just be in their way. If I knew that they were so close, I would have moved out a long time ago. Now, how do I get out of here without running straight into the two lovebirds? I guess I could save Reiner the embarrassment of having to explain to his fiancée who I was.

That would be quite complicated. After all, who was I to him anyways?

“You wanted to show me something?” Reiner asked, his eyes still on Rachael’s smiling face.

“Yes. It’s in my car. Come with me...” she said as she took his hand in hers and pulled him along.

He laughed so carefreely that I wanted to feel sick as he followed after her. The best thing about that move was that she was leading him far away from where I was. After watching them walk away, I placed a hand over my mouth and slid down onto the floor. I leaned my head on my luggage as a sense of nausea started taking over me.

I closed my eyes and prayed that I wouldn’t throw up or faint.

...

After collecting myself and making sure that the coast was clear, I made it to the cab without any issues. While the cab was driving away from the mansion, I glanced back at the large structure and thought to myself that I was making the right decision. In that moment, I had absolutely no regret with my decision to move forward.

Perhaps I was being overly sentimental about the whole thing, but a tear slowly rolled down my cheek. I had promised myself that I wouldn’t cry because I was doing what was best for everyone including myself. However, I still found it slightly sad.

I quickly wiped the stray teardrop away from my face before leaning my head back and closing my eyes. The immediate picture that I saw at the back of my closed eyelids was that of Reiner smiling warmly at his fiancée. Apparently, he broke off his engagement with her once and although I didn’t know why he did that, I was sure that it wasn’t because he didn’t love her.

The two looked perfect today and the way he spoke to her and smiled at her tugged at my heart...in a slightly painful way. That made me wonder how other people saw Reiner and me when we are together. A perfect couple that is deeply in love with each other probably wasn’t quite right. Two individuals struggling to settle their differences as they drowned in awkward silence would probably be a better description.

“We’ve arrived. Do you need help with your baggage?” the cab driver turned to say to me.

“Oh...no. That’s alright. Thanks...” I replied after snapping out of my daze.

I grabbed my things and quickly got out of the car. My new apartment building stood right in front of me. No one was there to greet me or welcome me. I made my way up to my new apartment. Turning the key, the door opened, and I walked right in with the little baggage that I had. That was it. My new life in my new studio apartment had started.

...

I spent the entire day settling into my new apartment. There were quite a few things that I needed to buy and after making a list of those, I headed to a nearby supermarket to buy them. It was a Saturday, and the business district was quite quiet, a stark difference to how it bustled busily with people on weekdays.

Time flew by quite fast as I tried to keep myself busy. It was the most effective way to keep all disturbing and depressing thoughts at bay. It wasn’t long before time came for me to head over to start work at the bar. Now that I’ve moved out, I didn’t have a car anymore. Asking to borrow one of Queen’s cars would be a little too much now since I didn’t live in her mansion anymore.

Chapter 382: Reiner – Worried for Him

Taking the cab wasn’t bad but it was quite pricey. After a relatively traffic-free ride, I arrived at the bar right on time to help out with pre-opening tasks. Kat and other team members were there to greet me enthusiastically.

“How was the move? You should have let me help you...” Kat asked as she stood next to me.

I picked up some utensils and began arranging them. Opening time will arrive soon so we had to hurry a bit right now.

“Smooth. There’s nothing for you to worry about. I told you that I didn’t have a lot of stuff. Thanks for offering to help though,” I replied before smiling appreciatively at her.

“Do you think Charles will turn up today?” Kat asked wistfully.

“Do you want to see him?” I asked teasingly.

“Of course. I want to see what moves he’ll make on you. Haha!” Kat replied before laughing loudly.

My eyes glanced towards the still-closed door of the bar’s entrance as I wondered if Charles would make it tonight. I didn’t know where he went but I hoped that he was alright. I had to say that looking into cases of death during missions as part of my work did not give me a good feeling about this at all. Then again, I didn’t even know what exactly Charles did for his work. He seemed very experienced, so he’s obviously been on the field before, but does he still do that?

I realize that I didn’t know anything much about Charles at all. Then again, maybe I didn’t know much about anyone on this island at all. Reiner, included.

“Opening time! At your stations. Go go go!” Jamie called out loudly as he clapped his hand.

He was right, it was opening time. Right on the clock.

Kat and I had the honor of opening the door to the bar to welcome our first customers for the night. We glanced at each other before nodding to indicate that we were ready. Firmly, Kat and I pulled the door inwards, opening it up to signal the official opening of the bar for the night.

“You got a free table?”

My eyes opened wide in surprise before relief filled my chest. If I had been overly worried just now; there wasn’t a need to be. Standing proudly right in front of me with a teasing smile on his lips was Charles in the flesh. He looks completely fine too.

“Of course...” I managed to reply softly.

“Why do you look so shocked to see me?” he asked before chuckling.

He placed a large hand on top of my head as he walked past me into the bar. Charles is really here. I had to say that I was more than a little pleasantly surprised. Working here had felt a little lonely and empty without Charles here. I wondered where he went off to for so many days and then I wondered if he would tell me if I asked.

“Happy?” Kat whispered as she nudged me with her elbow.

“It’s not like that...I’m just relieved that he’s...you know...fine,” I replied.

“Is that so?” Kat asked teasingly.

I could feel her eyes on me, but my eyes were glued to Charles’ broad back. He’s fine so what more is there for me to worry about. I shook my head slightly to clear my dark thoughts before heading to the counter to grab a menu for Charles.

“Still need a menu?” I asked teasingly as I stood next to his table.

“No...” he replied before flashing me an amused smile.

The bar had just opened, and he was our first customer. The night might end up being a busy one as always, but for now, we could still take it easy. Charles placed his order and an overly-enthusiastic Kat came along to take it.

“Let me take this for you so you two can...talk...” Kat readily suggested before waltzing away.

Charles let out a small laugh, but he seemed appreciative of Kat’s interference.

“Take a seat?” Charles asked as he gestured with his calm eyes for me to sit next to him.

“Umm...sure...” I replied.

“How have you been? Has work been busy for you?” Charles asked casually.

“Work is busy, but things have...gotten better,” I replied.

Honestly, things at work did get better. I’m more involved in the real work now and Reiner wasn’t just completely ignoring me or cutting me off. The same couldn’t be said about our personal relationship, though.

“That’s great. Keep up the good work,” Charles said encouragingly.

“What about you? Where have you been? Kat told me that you’ve been away for a while...” I asked softly.

Honestly, I wasn’t sure if he would tell me anything and I didn’t get my hopes up.

“I had to go away for work,” Charles replied plainly.

“I won’t ask for more details...” I quickly said so that he wouldn’t think that I was being too pushy.

I didn’t want to push him to share anything with me that would make him feel uncomfortable. After all, he never pushed me to tell him anything that I didn’t want to. It was just fair that I returned the favor. Instead of finding my questions nosy, his next words surprised me.

“Were you worried?” he asked as he looked straight into my eyes.

“I...a little...” I admitted softly.

Charles looked at me with a look of slight surprise before he started laughing. The way his face transformed and softened when he laughed made me feel warm and comforted inside. I was glad that he was back. At first, I found his presence a little intimidating and a bit of a burden to my work but now that I’ve gotten used to it, I found a lot of comfort and encouragement from his presence.

“I’m...glad that you’re back safe,” I told him honestly.

He stopped laughing and looked at me a little sternly. I blinked at him, unsure of what he was thinking.

“There’s no need for you to worry. I’m not going to die out there,” Charles said with utmost certainty.

I didn’t know where he got that much confidence from, but a knot formed in the pit of my stomach at his admittance that he was still working on dangerous missions.

“Are your missions...dangerous?” I asked softly.

Chapter 383: Reiner – My Guy and His Girl

“Every mission has its own danger. We’re not paid the way we’re paid to sit back and relax in safety,” Charles stated like it was nothing.

“Oh...” I mumbled without bothering to hide my worry and disappointment.

“Don’t worry. I hardly do any work myself anymore. I’m more into managing teams and tasking people with missions now. I’m not as young as I used to be...” Charles said with a relaxed smile.

I wondered just how old he was. He made it sound like he was so old but from what I could tell, he was probably in his early thirties, and he couldn’t possibly be older than 35. Was that considered very old already in this field of work?

“How old are you, Charles?” I asked without thinking.

Shit. I cursed myself as the question slipped carelessly out of my mouth.

“No...sorry. I didn’t mean to pry...” I quickly apologized.

Charles just laughed at me. He seemed to be in a very good mood, and it didn’t seem like anything I said or did would ruin his temper.

“It’s ok. I actually like it that you’re interested in me. I’m 33,” Charles replied openly.

He’s not old at all...

“So, do you think I look older or younger than my actual age?” Charles asked as he peered at my face to judge my reaction.

Would he kill me if I told him that he looked older than his age? That wasn’t true, though. Charles looked very young and also very fit.

“I don’t know...I think you look young,” I mumbled, feeling a little embarrassed to be put on the spot.

“Thanks,” Charles said with a chuckle.

“Natalia!” I heard someone calling my name and quickly realized that the tables were filling up fast around us.

“I have to go now. I’ll talk to you later,” I quickly excused myself.

“Can I drive you back home after work?” Charles asked just as I got up from my seat.

For a moment, I didn’t know how to react to his sudden offer.

“Umm...” I murmured as I hesitated.

I didn’t live at the mansion anymore so it wasn’t a problem, but I wasn’t sure if I would be sending the wrong signal if I accepted his ride home. I knew that he was more than interested in me and I also knew that I was an emotional mess right now. Adding to any more of my problems would just be like committing suicide.

“Don’t worry. I’ll just drive you back,” Charles said as if answering to my worries.

The way he looked at me told me that I could trust him; however, I didn’t trust myself. I bit on my lower lip before nodding at him.

“Ok...thank you,” I said before quickly walking away before he could say anything more.

...

Reiner watched the younger woman at his side as she chatted cheerfully to him about some adventure that she had just been on with her friends. Rachael had her arm around his and he wondered if she had always been this clingy when they were together. Regardless, he decided to let her do whatever she wanted as he listened patiently to whatever she wanted to tell him. It had been a while since they last met, and it was their first time meeting face-to-face since he returned to the island.

It was a Saturday and Reiner glanced up to the second floor where Natalia room was. He wondered if she was home and what she was doing. Is she going to go out later in the day to work at the bar again? A frown formed between his brows as his eyes lingered longer on the balcony of her bedroom.

“Hey...Knight. Are you even listening?” Rachael asked when she felt that Reiner had lost his focus.

“Yes, I’m listening,” Reiner replied immediately as his eyes left Natalia’s room and shifted back to focus on Rachael’s face.

She’s grown up quite a lot since the last time that he had seen her. Since leaving the island all those years ago, he didn’t come back and haven’t been in contact with Rachael again. Partly, it was because he didn’t want to explain to her why he had decided to break off their engagement. Rachael was very young back then, and honestly, he didn’t think that she understood anything about marriage and what it entailed.

“Should we go back inside?” Reiner suggested as he smiled down at her.

“But the weather is so nice outside today...” Rachael murmured as she pressed her body closer to his arm.

“Dinner will start soon. Let’s not make King angry by making him wait,” Reiner replied flatly.

“Fine...” Rachael said obediently.

Rachael pulled on his hand as she led the way into the mansion as if the house was her own. Reiner could tell that she felt at home here which wasn’t surprising. Rachael spent a lot of time here when she was a kid, and he was younger. He wasn’t sure if she visited his parents often while he was gone but he suspected that that was the case.

One day, he would explain to her why he decided to leave this island and break off the engagement with her. Looking down at her cheerful face as she turned to smile at him, he couldn’t help smiling back at how adorable and pretty his little sister had become. The day he told her the whole truth, probably won’t be today.

“Dinners in the dining room, right?” Rachael asked for confirmation.

“I suppose so...” Reiner replied softly.

Rachael semi-dragged him after her enthusiastically as she led him towards the dining room. It was very close to dinner time now and he wouldn’t be surprised if his parents were already seated at the table waiting for them. He wondered if Natalia has eaten her dinner. Where does she normally eat and who does she eat with? Is she going to have dinner at the bar before she starts working?

“King! Queen! You’re already here,” Rachael’s cheerful greeting snapped him out of his worrisome thoughts

Chapter 384: Reiner - Wedding Date

Reiner looked up to see his parents already seated at their regular places at the dining table. Rachael greeted them happily and both of them smiled to welcome her. She really does feel like a part of the family, just like the old days. Perhaps nothing here had changed at all and the one who had changed was him. Suddenly, he felt quite out of place in his own home.

“You haven’t visited us for a while. I really miss you; you know?” Queen said before smiling her pretty smile at Rachael.

“Sorry about that. I was away on a trip with some friends and so I just got back,” Rachael replied.

“I see. Well, why don’t we eat first before we chat. I’m sure that you’re already hungry,” Queen suggested as she gestured with her hand to the bunch of dishes prepared and laid out on the dining table.

“Thank you...” Rachael replied.

Reiner watched the whole conversation unfold without feeling any sense of engagement. As far as he was aware, he wasn’t needed here, and he couldn’t wait for this dinner to be over and done with. He glanced over at his father’s stern face and knew that he had something to say but was just waiting for the right moment to voice it. He also knew that it wasn’t anything good.

Queen and Rachael chatting like girls usually would. Talking about random things and giggling as if they were in their own little world while he stuffed tasteless food into his mouth. His father looked stern as he also ate his food silently. Reiner wondered what his old man was thinking.

“How is your mother doing?” Queen asked.

Reiner sat up a little straighter in his seat at the mention of Rachael’s mother. Rachel’s father was his father’s good friend when he was still alive, and Rachael’s mother was also around a lot when Reiner was younger. He respected her quite a bit for how well she ran her household and managed her husband’s various affairs. She was a very strong woman until she suffered from an illness a couple of years ago. At least, that was what his mother had told him.

“She’s well enough these days. Thanks to the foreign doctors that King helped to fly in,” Rachael replied before nodding towards King.

“Well, we’re always happy to help out,” Queen replied.

The conversation steered in a random direction again and Reiner’s attention started shifting elsewhere. He looked out the dining room’s window to the garden outside. It was already dark by that time and Reiner wondered where Natalia was. Is she working at the bar right around now? How is she going to get back home? She has Queen’s car with her, right?

“Knight. Knight?”

Rachael’s sweet voice calling his name and the sensation of someone tugging on his arm softly brought him back to the reality in front of him. His father stared sternly at him, and he was at a loss as to what had just happened.

“Sorry. You were saying?” Reiner asked as he struggled to focus.

His father narrowed his blue eyes at him, and he knew that the part he dreaded most about today’s dinner had arrived.

“About the date for your wedding, have you two decided?” King asked in a serious tone.

Reiner’s face immediately turned into an emotionless mask. He had anticipated that King would ask something along these lines. Actually, that was probably King’s only reason for attending this dinner with them. He wasn’t a man who liked to socialize and no matter how much he adored Rachael as his best friend’s only daughter, he wouldn’t want to sit through a session of girl talk over dinner like this.

“Honey...the two has just reunited, I’m sure there’s no need to rush...” Queen jumped in with her honey-coated voice before laughing softly.

“I didn’t ask for your opinion,” King stated sternly as he flashed a look of warning to his wife.

Queen bit her lower lip as she glanced nervously in her son’s direction.

“Mother’s right. I think that it might be too soon to discuss the date of our wedding. I’ve just returned and so has Rachael,” Reiner quickly agreed with her mother.

“I don’t mind. I mean, we’ve known each other since we were kids. I’ve known Knight since forever so...I don’t mind proceeding right away,” Rachael said brightly before turning to smile up at Reiner.

“I see. I’ve always thought that you were a very reasonable girl, Rachael,” King offered her his compliment.

“Of course. I actually don’t want to put this off anymore...” Rachael replied a little shyly.

“Knight?” King called his son, prompting for his response.

“I’ll discuss this with Rachael, and I’ll let you know,” Reiner said flatly.

Queen stared at her son from across the table before sucking in a breath and closing her eyes before letting it out in a long but silent sigh. Reiner didn’t miss the look of stress and disappointment on his mother’s face. It seemed like everyone wanted different things from him and he was reaching the point where he didn’t know what to do anymore.

He turned to stare into Rachael’s smiling face as she continued beaming her smile at him. She has a beautiful smile, he thought, before wondering how much longer she would be able to smile like that. There was another smile that he longed to see, and it wasn’t the one shining brightly in front of his face right now.

Now that King had what he wanted, the conversation conveniently shifted away to something random again. King quickly excused himself and Reiner wished with all his heart that he could do the same. Instead, he was stuck there until the two women have had enough of their catching up. Rachael got along famously well with most people and so did Queen which meant that those two got along super well with each other.

“I should go now. I’m sure King has somethings that he wishes to discuss with me. You two, enjoy your dinner,” Queen said as she excused herself.

Chapter 385: Reiner – Complicated Love

“Thank you for having me here for dinner,” she replied smoothly.

“You’re welcomed here any time, you know that. Please send my regards to your mother. I hope that she will get well soon,” Queen said.

“Of course. Thank you, Queen,” Rachael thanked the older woman politely.

“Thank you, Rachael. Knight, please take care of her,” Queen said before smiling at them both and taking her leave.

Reiner watched as his mother walked gracefully out of the dining room, leaving him alone with Rachael once again. He felt tired after spending his entire day entertaining her or more like letting her try to entertain him. He glanced at his watched and wondered when Rachael would go home. Just as Reiner was about to suggest that Rachael should head home, the younger woman spoke up.

“The weather is so nice. What about an evening stroll in the garden with me?” Rachael suggested in a pleading voice.

Reiner remembered how she would beg for him to play with her when she was younger too. Whenever her father came to visit his father here, she would tag along to play with him. He would spoil her by catering to her demands like lifting her up on his shoulder so that she could see a bird nest on a tree. Rachael had always been a very energetic girl and he found that very adorable about her.

“Sure. Let’s go,” Reiner replied as he reached out a hand to pat her head adoringly.

Rachael got out of her seat and urged Reiner up to his feet so that they could head out to the gardens. It was dark and Reiner wondered how much longer Rachael would hang around for. They both made their way out to the garden on the side of the mansion.

“It’s dark. Watch where you’re going,” Reiner warned.

“Don’t worry, I won’t fall on my face,” Rachael replied confidently.

“You did that a lot when you were a kid,” Reiner said with a small laugh.

“Stop saying that...” Rachael muttered in embarrassment.

They arrived at a sitting area that was well lit in the middle of the garden. Reiner hadn’t been here in forever and was surprised that it was still there. He remembered that Queen liked this spot a lot and liked to put her roses on display here. During sunny days, she would have afternoon tea here with her friends when they came over.

“Can we sit here?” Rachael asked as she approached a seat.

“Sure...” Reiner replied casually.

He took the seat opposite her and found Rachael staring at him like she had something that she wanted to say.

“Knight...umm...about our wedding...” Rachael began saying hesitantly as her eyes darted around in her nervousness.

“Oh, that. You don’t have to worry about it,” Reiner replied casually like it was nothing.

“What...do you mean?” Rachael asked as her eyebrows drew together in a frown.

“You don’t have to worry about it. This engagement is temporary, we’ll be calling it off soon,” Reiner stated decisively.

“Calling it off? Why?” Rachael asked in disbelief.

“Why? You’re like a little sister to me. How can we possibly get married?” Reiner said like it was supposed to be obvious.

“No...that’s not...When will you stop seeing me as a little girl? I’m a woman now...I’m not that little girl anymore!” Rachael cried out desperately.

“To me, you’ll always be a little girl,” Reiner replied with a kind smile.

“No, I’m not a little girl! We’re engaged! We’re going to get married!” Rachael yelled hysterically as her emotions started taking over.

“To me, you’ll always be a little sister that I love very dearly,” Reiner replied calmly.

“Is that why you broke off our engagement?” she asked softly.

“Partly...” Reiner replied honestly.

“Then why...why did you come back? Why are you bringing back this engagement?” she asked in frustration.

“I know this engagement is what our parents want but you don’t have to be pressured into marrying me. We’ll tell them soon enough that we’re calling this off for our sakes,” Reiner said calmly.

“What are you saying?” Rachael asked in pure shock.

“It’s going to be fine. Besides, you don’t love me either, do you?” Reiner reasoned.

“Knight, you don’t understand anything,” Rachael said sadly as she shook her head slowly from side to side.

Rachael got up from her seat and walked over to where Reiner was seated. She bent down and wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly.

“Rachael?” Reiner said her name questioningly.

“I love you. I’ve always loved you!” she screamed loudly.

Reiner’s eyes widened at her sudden confession of love. He’s faced many unexpected situations in his life, but this turn of event still surprised him and caught him off guard. Rachael leaned in closer to kiss Reiner; however, the warmth that met her lips wasn’t from his lips.

“Don’t do this. You know very well that I don’t feel the same way,” Reiner warned seriously as his blue eyes stared back coldly at her.

His hand covered her mouth and kept her from coming any closer to him.

“Why not?” she asked after pulling his hand away from her lips.

The tears that had welled up in her eyes quickly spilled over and trialed down her cheeks as she openly cried.

“You’re like a younger sister to me, Rachael” Reiner repeated again.

“Is it because of her?” Rachael asked accusingly.

Reiner eyes widened as he gazed back at her in a mix of confusion and shock. How much does Rachael know?

“Who are you referring to?” Reiner asked calmly.

“Natalia Rosenhall,” Rachael said as her eyes narrowed dangerously.

“How do you know that name?” Reiner asked sternly.

“Why does it matter? She’s the reason why you left and broke off our engagement, isn’t she?” she asked accusingly.

“So, what if it is?” Reiner said passively.

“But you came back. You came back to me, so why are you going to break off our engagement again? Is it because of her again?” Rachael asked as a pained expression transformed her face.

Reiner was silent as he refused to answer any of her questions. No matter what, he refused to get Natalia involved in this mess.

“It is, isn’t it? It’s because she’s here. Natalia Rosenhall is here on this island, isn’t she?” Rachael asked but it wasn’t truly a question.