Forbidden Heat novel Chapter 114

I got dressed and after quickly checking in the mirror that I didn’t look like a complete mess, I headed downstairs to find Edward. To be honest, I wasn’t sure where he could be, and I wasn’t used to the layout of this mansion. The moment, I completed my trip down the stairs, Ralph was there to politely greet me as if he had been waiting there for a while.

“Miss Natalia, I see that you are up. Master Edward is currently busy handling some matters so if you don’t mind, please allow me to lead you to the dining room. We have prepared various dishes for lunch that we hope you would like,” Ralph said politely as he bowed. For some reason, he seemed a little nervous. I didn’t want any lunch. What I wanted right now was to talk to Edward.

“Where is Edward?” I asked while trying to remain pleasant-sounding.

“Master Edward is currently a little busy. He would appreciate it if you could wait for him in the dining room, Miss Natalia,” Ralph repeated the same thing he said before. He bowed respectfully once again. I sensed that something was wrong. I couldn’t exactly place it, but I felt like they were hiding something from me.

“Tell me where Edward is or I’ll go look for him myself,” I said a little harshly than I intended.

“Miss Natalia…” Ralph struggled to reply. This made it clear, he was bounded by Edward’s order to keep it a secret from me and to just lead me to the dining room. I don’t blame the old man. Loyalty to his master is his life and pride.

“I understand. Sorry for being harsh on you. I’m going to go find Edward and if I can’t find him, I’ll just leave this place,” I said as I turned on my heel to head towards the front door of the mansion.

“Miss Natalia, please wait!” Ralph became flustered and came after me.

Edward must be outside somewhere. I could tell from Ralph’s increasingly panicked reaction that I was heading in the right direction to where Edward is. What is the big deal if I see Edward right now? I mean, if he has a guest, I will wait patiently for them to finish. I may not be a true lady, but I do know how to act like one. I do have some manners; they should give me some credit for it. I can appear on the red carpet without tripping over my high heels and I even look quite passable next to celebrities.

…

I spotted Edward the moment I stepped out of the house. Edward was still in his pajamas as he stood in front of another man. They seemed to be engaged in some serious conversation. Perhaps, I should not disturb them.

“Natalia!” I heard a very familiar voice calling my name.

“R!?” I cried out in shock. Why is Reiner here? How did he get here? How did he know where we are?

The man Edward was trying to talk to in secret was Reiner? Why?

“Natalia, go back inside. Now!” Edward called to me as he ran towards me.

“Stop this, Edward! I’m taking her back!” Reiner shouted loud and clear. I wouldn’t be surprised if people could hear him from miles away. Except, there was no one here except for us and the staff of this mansion.

“Natalia…back inside. Now,” Edward repeated as he grabbed my arm a little too forcefully.

“What is going on? Why is Reiner here?” I asked Edward as I started to sense that he was hiding something from me.

“Let her go now! Edward! Natalia, please return home with me,” Reiner said as he ran up to me before grabbing my other arm.

“What is going on? Explain. Now!” I raised my voice at the two tall men as I shook my arm to get away from their grips.

“I’m here to take you home. However, Edward does not want you to return,” Reiner quickly explained as he shot a menacing glare at Edward.

“I told you. I’ll drive her back myself. You are not needed here. Go back,” Edward replied with a death stare.

“I don’t believe you for a moment. You have no intention of letting Natalia return. That’s why I’m here to escort her back,” Reiner flat out accused Edward…of kidnapping me?

I wasn’t following. What is this about Edward not allowing me to go back? I always thought that he would drive me back sooner or later today.

“Is that true, Edward? You’re not going to let me go back? What does this mean?” I asked fearfully. This wasn’t true, right?

“Of course, I’ll let you go back. Unless you willingly wanted to stay. Otherwise, I’ll definitely drive you back. I’ll never force you to stay with me against your will,” Edward explained himself desperately as he held my hand gently in his. I didn’t think that he was lying at all. However, something was bother Edward and has been for the entire duration I was here with him.

“Good, then I’m taking her back. Natalia, let’s go,” Reiner said as he beckoned me to follow him to his car.

“Wait. Just let me talk to Natalia for around five minutes. After that you can take her home,” Edward said to Reiner.

In the end after staring each other down for a while, Reiner sighed loudly and relented. Edward took my hand and led me inside. Apparently, he has decided to let me in on the secret of whatever was bothering him…

--To be continued…