I stood alone with the best smile I was taught to put on at these public occasions as so many flashes blinded me. As expected, there were many reporters and cameramen here today to cover the event and as the stepdaughter of the groom, I had an important role to play. Reiner stood close behind me to lend his support and protection.
“How do you feel about your father getting married?” a reporter asked me. It wasn’t like I wasn’t expecting this question. Can’t they be more creative?
“Overjoyed. It’s been more than ten years since my mother passed away, so I am very happy that my father has found happiness. I believe that Angela is the perfect match for my father. I congratulate them both from the bottom of my heart,” I replied flawlessly. Even a fake Rosenhall could do this much, trust me.
Soon Zak was by my side as we posed to get our photos taken. Zak casually wrapped his arm around my waist as he whispered into my
“Where is the groom heading to and in such a hurry?”Lucien turned around in the corridor at the sound of the voice he least wanted to hear at that moment.“Edward…” Lucien hissed as his eyes met his brother’s.“Meeting Natalia?” Edward stated his well-educated guess.“Yes…” Lucien replied flatly.“Are you going to finally tell her?” Edward asked.“You told her a few things, it’s time I tell her something as well,” Lucien answered without hesitation.“Well, I don’t envy the position you’re in. Good luck, brother,” Edward said as he turned to walk away in the opposite direction.…I arrived at the groom’s dressing room and found it empty. Since I left the ceremony hall before Lucien, it was no surprise that I arrived here before him. The room was silent as I waited anxiously for Lucien&rsq
“Lucien…” I called his name in a whisper. Lost for words. “I want you to marry me, Natalia,” Lucien proposed as he looked sincerely into my eyes. I love these green eyes so much…but… “But we…can’t,” I replied softly. “Should I get down on one knee?” Lucien said jokingly. “Lucien…enough with the jokes…” I pleaded for him to stop playing around as he laughed a little. “You’re right. On a more serious note, I want you to consider my marriage proposal seriously. I know we can’t get married right now but I want you to know that I have every intention to make you my wife. You can take this as a pre-proposal. When the time is right, I’ll propose to you properly again then,” Lucien said so sincerely and passionately that I was so moved by his words. “Thank you, Lucien. Knowing this means a lot to me…I can’t thank you enough. I’m so happy!” I replied with a bright smile. I can’t believe Lucien just proposed to me. Even if it’s not right now…per
I smiled sweetly and my princess-like reflection in the mirror smiled back. This smile truly matches this magnificent dress and a joyful bride; however, it probably doesn’t go so well with the real me. I turned away from the mirror before my thoughts would get any darker to face the very-handsome Lucien.“Shall we?” Lucien gestured towards the door. I was confused about what he wanted to do but I decided to exit the bedroom just as he wanted.Out in the spacious living room of this penthouse hotel suite, my eyes were captivated once again by the vast night city landscape visible through the glass. The view just gets more and more amazing as it gets darker.“You haven’t eaten since the event started, right? Let’s eat,” Lucien said casually as he took my hand and led me to the dining table.Pulling out the chair for me, he led me to sit down. We’re having Japanese fusion food. An interesting choice. I like Jap
“Why do you have this? I’ve obviously seen this before and there’s nothing significant about it so…” I asked with more confusion rather than shock. I held in my hand a photograph that was taken from my childhood before my mother married Lucien. At that time, we were living alone, just the two of us. “Do you recognize who is in the photograph?” Lucien asked. “Of course. This photograph was taken many years ago when I was a kid, but I do remember it. This is my mother, a younger me…and this is Uncle David. I guess you don’t know him…he’s one of my mum’s friends. He would drop by now and then. He’s really kind and has many interesting stories to tell, I really liked him back then, I guess…” I replied casually as I reflected on my days with mother and Uncle Dave. I don’t remember when was the last time that I saw him. Now that I think about it, I haven’t seen or heard from him for many years. With my mother marrying Lucien and all that, I guess I just for
After telling me the truth he had kept hidden for so long in a flat voice with a stoned face, Lucien now had a look of clear concern in his eyes. It was easy for me to realize that he was worried about my feelings and was ready to comfort me. Regardless of how I felt, which at that moment I couldn’t quite make out what exactly I was feeling, I realized very quickly that Lucien was right about one thing. The truth is useless. The old me would have started crying a long time ago or somehow ended up an emotional sobbing wreck. However, no matter how shocked or shaken I felt at the news, my mind was clear, and it was quickly processing this information in light of how I should proceed into my future. Since when did I become a little heartless and a lot more calculating? I liked Uncle David but I wouldn’t go as far as to say that I loved him or cared about him so much. The truth was I forgot all about him until Lucien handed me the photograph. It made no sense to
“My father…he thought he was going to die?” I asked rhetorically. This was the first clue I noticed from my father’s words. My father, he knew that he was going to die when he said those words… “It was a possibility, yes,” Lucien replied as he nodded slowly, his lips pressed into a tight line. “Why did he think he was going to die? How did my father die?” I asked in succession. There was so much that I wanted to know. At the back of my mind, I think I already knew the answer. My father probably didn’t die a natural death. Unfortunately, we’re probably not talking about a case of terminal cancer here… “I can’t tell you right now. You can try Edward, but I doubt he’ll tell you anything…without a very high price,” Lucien answered with a soft laugh. These brothers hated each other but they knew each other very well, I’ll give them that. At least Lucien did not pretend that he didn’t know. He just admitted upfront that he was not going to tell me right now
“Had enough already?” Lucien teased as he tucked a lock of my hair behind my ear. He used to do this a lot for me when I was younger and much shorter. Back then he would bend down to my level and fix my hair… “Can you stand?” Lucien asked as he pulled me onto my feet and supported my waist my wrapping his arms around them. The sudden movement of being pulled to my feet brought me back to my senses and I realized that I was standing very close to Lucien that the lengths of our bodies were practically touching. I shook my head a little to clear my head of the image of the younger and seemingly kinder Lucien that I just saw. Why am I thinking of that right now? “You better not be thinking of another man when you’re with me…” Lucien’s warning rang out sharp and clear. Despite his harsh tone, the hand he patted the top of my head with was gentle and loving. This is so confusing… “…I was thinking about you…Nothing!” I realized too late that
My breath became labored as my whole body heated up in response to his seductive touches. I heard wet kissing and sucking sounds when Lucien sucked on my ear lobe teasingly, both his hands now massaging my cleavage. It feels so hot…I’m already having trouble standing. Lucien hugged me tighter against his tall body to support me as he sensed my body melting in his arms. I let out a cry when Lucien slipped the tip of his wet tongue into my ear. The wet and lewd sounds he was making was making my body heat up even further as more heat gathered in my lower abdomen. It aches…I can feel my body yearning for him. “Kiss me…” Lucien instructed in his low and seductive voice as his large hands cradled the back of my head, turning it back until my lips pressed against his. Lucien bit my lower lip softly before prodding my lips open with the tip of his wet tongue. I could sense his mounting desire for me when he impatiently slipped his hot tongue into my eagerly awaiting