Bonus - Living as a Rosenhall

“Yes. Let’s go…” I replied softly before turning to wave and offer my thanks to my stylist and her team. I wished them good night as they started packing up their equipment.

“I wonder where Lucien is. I hope he’s not going to run too late…” Zak whispered to me with worry.

Lucien did mention that he would be my date for this event, but he also told me that he was going to be late. He didn’t specify how late was ‘late’, so I guess I’ll have to make do with Zak until Lucien arrives.

“Yea, I mean it’s not my graduation prom event every single day, you know? Oh well…I guess I have to be thankful that he agreed to clear his schedule to come at all. Lucien is such a workaholic…” I complained a little to Zak. Zak was a very good listener among other things.

“Being the number one candidate to take over the Elder group of the family must be hard. He’s always been working hard. I guess we should be thankful to him…if he isn’t here, I’d bet my darn mother would be pushing much harder for me to take over. What a messy disaster that would be, right?” Zak said while making a disgusted face. His relationship with his mother was not the best. My relationship with her was not great either, to say the least.

“Definitely. She’s pushing you hard enough already…” I said comfortingly as I squeezed Zak’s arm.

“You should go on ahead. I already told my bodyguards to look out for you. They’ll be a lot of press out there waiting to greet you,” Zak said as he slowly and gently unhooked my arm from his.

“You can come with me, you know? I’m not worried that you’ll steal my spotlight, even if I’m sure you probably will,” I teased him. I truly meant it though, I didn’t desire the fame or coverage at all. It was like it came as a package when you’re a Rosenhall. Zak though was famous on another level.

“I’ll be out there shortly. Make sure to smile, you’ll grace the covers of many magazines for sure. You don’t want to look ugly for that haha,” Zak teased me while laughing cheerfully as he nudged me forward towards the exit where the press was undoubtedly waiting.

“Thank you, Zak,” I said softly as I turned to face him. I don’t know why I said that so randomly, but a sudden tenderness filled my heart.

“What for?” Zak replied with a charming smile.

“For simply being you. I love you…” I said simply.

Closing the distance between us with long and firm strides, Zak was standing right in front of me in a matter of seconds. Without hesitation, I closed my eyes in anticipation.

The next moment, I felt the warmth of his lips on mine as his fingertips held my chin, tipping my face up to him as he kissed me. I felt my desire for him stir immediately from his seductive little teasing kiss.

However, after a short while, Zak quickly pulled away from me.

“We should stop here, unfortunately. I don’t want to ruin your make up…or your dress…” Zak said as his naughty eyes scanned me head to toe.

“You’re such a tease…” I said playfully before turning towards the closed double door.

Firmly placing my hands on the doors, I pushed them wide open.

…

I was momentarily blinded by the rapid snapping of photos and the accompanying flashes that were aimed at me. As expected, a crowd of reporters and cameramen were gathered in front of the entrance planning to capture photos and interview of the latest Rosenhall family member to graduate from university.

However, what they were truly interested in was the gossip related to my love life and who my potential marriage partners could possibly be. It was common knowledge and practice that once a Rosenhall graduated from university they were considered an adult and fair game for arranged marriages that would improve business ties and further strengthen the family business.

Of course, arranged marriages were an excellent source of endless gossip for these tabloid magazines. Making money by digging up dirt and baseless speculation of my family and my personal life was the norm that I had to live with. Well, if they are looking for a good show, I might as well give them one.

I smiled expertly at the cameras, knowing well which angle made my face look the best. As Zak mentioned before, you never knew which photo would end up on the covers of magazines and online media. I always found it so amusing to read the non-sense they made up about my family and I because no matter what they could conjure up with their strength of imagination, it was never as dark or as complicated as what my life and relationships were really like.

They deserve some points for their efforts though…

“Miss Natalia, can you let us know about your future plans after graduation?” a young female reporter with curly blond hair asked me while flashing me a friendly smile.

Another day with all the paparazzi following me around as if I was a movie star. I wasn’t but being one of the heiress to the largest global pharmaceutical companies as well as other business ventures made me very close to one. During my younger years, my stepfather made an all-out effort to keep me away from the press and the paparazzi but now that I’m about to graduate from university, they have been swarming around me like moth to a flame.

I presented the reporter with my celebrity smile, one that I had practiced many times in the mirror.

Everyone in my family, the Rosenhall, had the responsibility to keep up appearances all the time in public. The ability to present a dazzling smile and give an interview to the press on the fly was a basic skill.

--To be continued...