Forbidden Heat novel Chapter 67

I woke up at the break of dawn with a sense of dread. Something was wrong. My gut feeling was confirmed when I visited Natalia’s room. Natalia is not in her room, and I couldn’t find her anywhere. No one has seen her since she retreated to her room last night either. Guards of the house and guards positioned at the estate’s outer gates did not see anyone suspicious entering or exiting the estate, Natalia included. Security camera search also came up empty. I hate to admit this, but it seems like Natalia has disappeared. Lucien is going to flip so hard when he finds out about this. I better find her and bring her back before he finds out. Heavens only knows how he would punish her if he found out…

“Where did you take her?” Reiner texted his top suspect. He did take her; the question was where?

He only knew of only one person who could slip in and out of this mansion undetected. That person also happens to have reasons to take Natalia. Nothing is truly a coincidence.

…

I woke up because I was hungry. When I opened my eyes, Edward was no longer with me on the bed.

Sniff…sniff…

I can smell some good food. I hope this isn’t just my imagination running wild because I am starving. I should get dressed. It must be sometime around noon now, I definitely slept in a lot. Rummaging through the bags full of newly bought designer clothing, I picked out something simple. An off-white lacy top and a pair of skinny jeans. Edward’s attention to detail is truly impressive, he also bought me shoes and underwear. All in the right sizes.

I walked to the living room after I got dress, guessing that Edward must be there. I did find Edward there but not quite as I was expecting.

“You can cook?” I asked, disbelief plainly in my voice. I stood with a hand on my waist as I stared at the sight of Edward wearing an apron and cooking in the kitchen. Compared to his usual posh appearance, this look seemed a little out of place.

“Do I look like someone who can’t cook?” he shot back without looking at me as he continued doing whatever he was doing.

“Yes,” I replied immediately without the need to think.

Edward shot me a look before redirecting his focus back on cooking. Since I was useless in the kitchen, I decided to take my seat and wait at the dining table. I’m so hungry.

When Edward was done, he served us food. Just like the smell, the taste was also amazingly delicious. I couldn’t help but compliment Edward to which he just brushed off like it was no big deal. We ate and chatted about random things. He filled me in on how my ex-comrades were doing at the lab. How some of the projects I was helping with flourished. He told me that some researchers were clearly surprised and upset that I had to end my internship early. It was good to reconnect back a little to the world outside of the estate, even if it was just through Edward’s words. I enjoyed working at the lab and I hope that someday soon, I’ll be more independent. I want to work for myself to support myself.

Whenever I thought of that dream, reality would ruin my mood. I’m just so far away. Right now, I just ran away from home to figure out the truth behind my nightmares. I am still supposed to be under house arrest as imposed by Lucien. As far as Lucien is concerned I shouldn’t be working because it wouldn’t make any difference to the family’s wealth. Great.

I looked over at Edward silently. Perhaps he is really the only one who would and could support me on the path to achieving my independent life. But what would it cost me?

‘I’ll marry you,’ Edward’s words rang in my head.

“Natalia…Natalia” Edward called my name pulling me from my thoughts.

“Yes…sorry…you were saying?” I asked while blinking rapidly. Edward just laughed a little at my absentmindedness.

“I have a present for you,” Edward said as he slid over a dark blue jewelry box in my direction on the table.

Well, this is pleasant surprise, I thought as I pulled the jewelry box towards me then lifting it up to open it. Inside was a gold necklace with a small star-shaped shiny pendant. The gold is real, and the shiny material is a star-shaped diamond, no need to ask. Star-shaped diamond are not common so Edward must have got this custom-made.

“Thank you. It’s beautiful,” I told Edward with a smile. It was true the necklace was beautiful.

“Can I put it on for you?” Edward asked as he got up to stand behind me.

“Sure,” I replied while handing him the jewelry box.

“All done. It looks wonderful on you,” Edward announced once he had put the necklace around my neck.

“What’s the special occasion?” I asked arching a brow at him. I wonder why he gave me this.

“I’m sure Lucien lavishes you with gifts like this all the time without needing a special occasion,” Edward replied with a smile as he dodged my question.

“Well, at least I can be sure that his gifts don’t come with ulterior motives,” I replied half teasingly. As for the other half, I was serious.

“hahaha! I wouldn’t be so sure if I were you. Do you like it?” Edward asked after laughing a little.

“Of course, this star is wonderful,” I told Edward with a smile on my lips.

“Do you know what the North star is?” Edward asked.

“I’ve heard of it. The North star always point north, and people can use it to determine direction. Something like that?” I replied. I think I read that somewhere, perhaps, in a magazine.

“Ok. Then do you know what the difference is between the North and the True North?” Edward asked, staring deep into my eyes.

--To be continued...