Please Stay

What is going on…? Zak…knows, doesn’t he…

“Zak…I…” I began to speak but Zak wasn’t paying me any attention. His eyes were firmly on Reiner.

“Yes, Master Zak,” Reiner replied before bowing politely.

“That’s good to hear. Natalia can be very needy, you see. Right, Natalia?” Zak continued to tease as he turned to me.

What is he saying? Why is Zak saying these things in front of Reiner?

“Zak…” I called his name with concern. This wasn’t Black Zak talking; it was Zak…so why is he saying these things?

“You need to pay attention to her every need, Reiner. Natalia and I, we didn’t used to just do it every day; we also did it everywhere…” Zak continued on casually as he shrugged a little.

“Stop it…Zak,” I pleaded as I grabbed his arm.

“Don’t worry, Natalia. Reiner already knows, doesn’t he?” Zak replied without a care.

My protests were immediately silenced when Zak started to kiss me right in front of Reiner. His kiss wasn’t especially forceful or aggressive, but I couldn’t push him away. Through years of training and spending time together, my body and mind could not resist Zak. He kissed me and I started to slowly melt and unravel in his warm arms as he lips and hot tongue continued teasing my mouth. Before long, I started to moan with pleasure as his hands dipped lower to caress my hips.

I was breathless when Zak finally let go of me. I felt ashamed of my own weakness and couldn’t face Reiner. The bond I had with Zak ran much deeper than anyone could understand. I wouldn’t be surprised if things would always remain like this between us my whole life. Surprisingly, I felt like I preferred it this way. Zak was just that much a part of me.

“I miss you so much, Natalia,” Zak said as he hugged my waist lovingly from behind. For a moment, I forgot that Reiner was still standing there watching us.

“Reiner, I…” I began to explain the situation, although, I wasn’t exactly sure what I should say.

“Too bad, Reiner. No one is good enough to completely replace me. Sadly, not even you,” Zak said as he sighed loudly at Reiner in disappointment.

“Master Zak…Miss Natalia is not your sex slave. Please let her go now…” Reiner stated tensely.

“She’s not and she knows it too. I told you this before, Natalia is the love of my life. You told me to let her go…I see. Natalia, would you be willing to let me go…forever?” Zak said a little slyly as he turned to question me.

The reason why this was sly was because he already knew the answer. He just wanted me to say it in front of Reiner.

“No…I can’t. Zak, please don’t leave!” I cried out as I hugged Zak tightly to me. I felt tears sting my eyes with just the thought of Zak leaving me.

“Well, there you have it. I might be able to let her go…but will she be able to take it? While you’re still here, take care of her for me, Reiner…” Zak said patiently as he hugged me closer to him to comfort me.

“Support her…they’ll be a lot of press here today. I’ll head in first, escort her in when she’s ready…”

Zak instructed before turning to leave, placing me in Reiner’s arms instead.

“Zak…” I cried out his name softly.

“It was just hypothetical, Natalia. I won’t leave. There’s no need for you to get so upset…” Zak assured me before walking away.

I sighed as tears of relief ran down my face.

“Are you feeling better now? Sorry, you had to experience that. I guess it was partly my fault…” Reiner said apologetically as he stroked my head comfortingly.

“It’s not your fault. Please forgive Zak…he didn’t have any bad intentions,” I replied as I sniffed.

“If you say so…let’s clean up a little before we head into the main venue,” Reiner suggested, and I nodded obediently.

…

Reiner was deep in thought as he escorted Natalia all the way to the main venue where the guests and press were gathered in front. There were many people, and the area was crowded. The press and VVIP guests flooded the venue making the wedding seemed more like a red-carpet event.

What Edward, Lucien and I have been underestimating all this time is the strong and resilient bond between Natalia and Zak. Lucien probably isn’t even aware of their relationship; otherwise, there was very little that he could do about it given Zak’s position as Madame Francesca’s son. However, I find it very hard to believe that Madame Francesca would be in support of this relationship between her son and Natalia; perhaps she simply does not know?

Although Natalia has voiced her love for Lucien, it seemed like her bond with Zak is that much stronger.

After all, what is love but a strong sense of attachment. Perhaps Natalia could live without Lucien…but could she do the same without Zak?

Zak on the other hand seemed to have no intention of keeping Natalia to himself. He still intends to marry Miss Annie while maintaining his relationship with Natalia and doesn’t seem at all concern about Natalia’s relationship with other men. Somehow, I don’t doubt Zak when he says that Natalia is the love of his life but…Zak’s definition of love…I wonder what it is like…

‘I might be able to let her go…but will she be able to take it?’ I recalled Zak’s meaningful words.

Seeing how Natalia instantly broke down at just the mention of the idea, the answer was clearly a ‘no’.

Maybe this isn’t something that I can achieve alone. However, with Edward’s help perhaps we could turn things around…

--To be continued…

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