Forbidden Heat

After grabbing my bags and other necessary stuff from my desk, I headed straight for the parking lot. Once in my car, I spent a couple of minutes to touch up my make-up. Well, to be honest, more like reapplying the whole thing since my encounter with Edward hardly a lot of make-up was left on my face. Since Zak seemed irritated on the phone, I decided to apply turquoise eyeshadow with solid black eyeliners to my eyes and orange-tone blush with glitter to my cheeks. For lips, I went with orange lip gloss with gold glitter for a truly bright, cheerful and sparkling look.

These colors are Zak’s favorite make up colors on me. Actually, during his modelling days, we met up with some of his make-up artist friends and together they concluded that this is the best make-up look for me. As time passed, I would say that I prefer other more neutral colors now or pink-tones. However, Zak still prefers me in bright colors that we picked out that day. In more ways than one, Zak has not changed much over the years although he has definitely become more mature. To cheer Zak up, somewhat, I have applied the exact color tones that he likes. Let’s see what he thinks when he sees me today.

I drove off to the meeting place after I was satisfied with how I looked in the mirror. Life has been a mess lately for me, but as always, the promise between Zak and I to be there for each other still holds. Like always. Those days were tough for us but here we are.

I arrived after about twenty minutes with bearable traffic given that it is rush hour. The place Zak has chosen is a private invitation-only rooftop restaurant and bar at the top of a 5-star hotel. I’ve been to this hotel a few times but have not yet been to their rooftop bar. I’ve been to many high-end rooftop bars before so this one will probably be just like all the others. After giving my name to the receptionist, I was led to an exclusive elevator leading directly to the rooftop floor.

Slightly dizzy from the whiz right up to the top, I took shaky steps in my heels out of the elevator and into the bar. Zak saw me right away as if he’s been looking out for me for years while he waited. He came over right away, taking my hand in his.

“Thank god you are here! If you were even a minute later, I swear I could be dead right now,” Zak hissed his complaint into my ear as he clenched my hand even tighter.

“What is going on? And please don’t act like I was late, because I’m actually a bit early,” I replied in confusion with a complaint of my own.

“Listen. You remember Annie?...I guess you don’t. Well, the Annie whose father owns the Ritza hotel chain, including this very hotel. Ring a bell?” Zak ask and tried to explain.

“Yes…well, no. Anyways…are we meeting her? Why?”

Zak stopped walking and turned to me holding both of my hands in his.

“I’m dating Annie right now…and it’s not what you think,” Zak announced while looking me right in the eye.

“Look, we’re not really dating. So, it’s not like I mind that you are dating someone. There’s no need to be concern…” I wanted to finish but Zak cut me off.

“Come with me. You’ll see for yourself,” Zak said while dragging me again towards the private zone. Yes, even in an invite-only party there is a VVIP private zone. Great.

…

was gorgeous and so perfect that I couldn’t understand why Zak was having any issues. Annie has the figure of a model, brown wavy hair, blue eyes, beautiful

is my sister, Natalia. Natalia, this is Annie,”

smile as I sat down on the red velvet sofa opposite

the heir of a global hotel chain. Yup, medical tourism is becoming a thing.

elders must be involved here somewhere. Poor Zak and dear

It must be wonderful to have a cousin that is so close to you,” Annie started to make polite

since we were around 13. I mean, we’re practically living next door to each other as well,” I replied politely back knowing that my voice is nowhere near as sweet as hers. I guess I should not mention the fact that

silent all this time and one glance at him, I knew that he was off in a dreamland of his own.

our meeting!” I invited the three of us for

and I think I began to like hanging out with Annie. Her optimism and just how pure she seems is like a breath of fresh air to the messy life that I’m currently living. Her family seems a lot less complex than ours and their relationship probably less dark as

a lot to drink. I could tell that she has had too much to drink and is way past her limit. Less than 10 minute after that

Zak got up

a light,” Zak exclaimed with joy striking his

you invited me here today to meet your future Fiancé?” I asked Zak. Finally we get to talk together without Annie.

invited you because I knew I would hate my time with her and I would love my time with you. So, I invited you for my own sake,” Zak explained while flashing

along the lines of getting you to date and arrange a marriage, right?” I asked him again. Zak has got to realize how serious this is.

Zak came over to sit next to me, wrapping his arm

immediately. Zak is such a tease. I looked into his beautiful eyes

great if you do get jealous sometimes…” Zak teased me a bit before

fulfilling enough for now and if he wanted more, it

become engage to another woman but a lack of any reaction was probably the worst. But then again, since she didn’t love me that way, expecting her to be mad or jealous would be unrealistic. I’m happy with the way thing are now between us and anything threatening to change that will have to trample over my dead body first.

two?” I asked Zak again. If I ask him enough times, I know that he will eventually tell me everything

like you,” Zak explained simply.