Reiner - Burden and Chains

Somehow that must have made her feel that her control over the company was shaken. Planning the fire to hurt me was something that someone like her would have done as a way to threaten Zak. I should have seen this coming. I should have been more proactive in protecting myself.

“Are you ok?” I asked with concern.

“Why are you asking me that? I should be the one asking you and not the other way around,” Zak said seriously.

“I was physically hurt but what about you? All this time, you’ve been suffering so much for us,” I said in a small voice.

“I’m ok. You should stop worrying about me and worry more about yourself,” Zak replied before smiling tenderly at me.

“I think you already worry about me plenty though,” I said as I smiled back.

“Natalia…I’ll find a way to keep you safe,” Zak said earnestly.

“I know I just barely escaped death or something like that but…I feel quite safe with Reiner,” I said, trying to reassure Zak that I was fine.

“Good. That will have to do…for now…” Zak replied followed by a soft sigh of relief.

“Is that what you wanted to talk to me about?” I asked.

“Yes…but don’t worry. I’ll find a way to fix all this,” Zak promised.

“Then it’s all good now. No need to look so depressed,” I said as I tried my best to cheer Zak up.

“If something happens…with Reiner, promise that you will tell me, ok?” Zak requested.

I wasn’t quite sure what he was referring to. What could happen between Reiner and me anyways?

However, Zak seemed very serious about all this.

“Ok. I promise,” I replied.

“Good girl,” Zak said and he seemed to relax a little.

“Promise me not to stress please. I don’t want to see lines on your beautiful face,” I said teasingly.

“Yeah yeah…let’s head back inside,” Zak said as he took my hand in his.

“Ok. What about dinner again sometime soon?” I asked brightly.

“Sure…” Zak replied casually; however, I could tell that his mind was already elsewhere.

…

After returning to the mansion, Zak excused himself and left immediately. I knew that the issue was far from over for Zak and that he was still very troubled by it. However, I decided to let him go because I knew that there wasn’t anything else that I could say to make him feel better. There are some things that Zak would rather handle on his own and I’m willing to respect and let him do just that.

After sending Zak off, I returned to my room to find Reiner waiting for me there. Reiner being Reiner, didn’t ask what Zak and I talked about. However, I thought that it would be better if he knew about what we discussed. Partly because he’s my bodyguard and partly because I just didn’t want to keep anything from him.

I sat on the bed and beckoned for him to join me with the wave of my hand. Without saying a word, Reiner came and sat next to me on the bed. I felt the mattress shift under his weight as he sat down close to me.

“I know you wouldn’t ask because you normally don’t pry but…I just think that I should tell you anyways,” I said softly.

Reiner listened intently to my words before he nodded in understanding as he encouraged me to go on.

“Zak told me that his mother, Madame Francesca, is the one behind the fire…” I told Reiner while I kept my eyes glued to the floor at my feet.

“You don’t seem too shocked about it,” Reiner said calmly.

I could say the same thing about him. Reiner didn’t seem shocked about what I had just told him either.

That made me wonder if he already knew or if to him it didn’t make a difference who was behind it. He had already been protective of me since he was convinced that it was arson rather than an accident.

“Well, I wouldn’t say that I suspected her or anyone particularly, but I could see why she would have the motive to do it…” I mumbled admittingly.

“Is it because of Zak?” Reiner asked.

“Yes. I’m nothing more than a burden to Zak…” I whispered softly as I felt my chest tighten.

It had always been that way and it was true even until now. I’m just a burden to Zak. If I wasn’t here, Zak wouldn’t be bounded like this…

“I’m sure he doesn’t think of you that way,” Reiner said comfortingly.

However, that was the problem…

“Exactly. Precisely because Zak doesn’t see me that way, he’s not willing to let go…of us. That’s why I’m always feeling so guilty because Zak always has to suffer because of him. Even this incident, he blames himself for it...” I said, feeling tired and depressed.

“You should worry more about yourself and put your recovery first,” Reiner said sternly.

“That’s what Zak told me as well. He’s always so worried about me. Honestly, I just hate myself whenever things like these happen,” I said sadly. I felt like I was about to cry and I desperately tried to hold my tears back.

“What do you mean?” Reiner asked softly.

“I’m just a chain that Madame Francesca uses to tie Zak down. I’m just like a hostage. If Zak doesn’t do what she orders, she’ll hurt me somehow and Zak will have to go along with what she wants. Zak…he does the things he does to keep me safe…” I confessed. I have never told anyone this before.

“Enough, Natalia. It’s Zak’s own choice. He’ll be fine…” Reiner said firmly.

“I hope so…” I murmured; however, I wasn’t convinced.

“You should rest and try not to over think things. Stress and lack of rest will be bad for your body,”

Reiner warned.

“Ok…” I whispered in reply.

After taking a quick shower, Reiner tucked me into bed. I felt so drained of energy and life that I didn’t want to move my body at all. I lay there in bed with the blanket over my body as I concentrated on keeping my tears from falling. It wasn’t anything new and I knew all of this already; however, reality was hard to swallow. I knew that one day, somehow, I must give Zak back the freedom that he deserves.

--To be continued…