Chapter 45: The Other Lover

The Other Lover “Master Zak,” Laura greeted Zak with a slight surprise in her voice. Although it was common for Natalia to go over to Zak’s mansion, the opposite was not true. Zak rarely showed up at Lucien’s mansion even with a prior appointment. However, today Zak was here in person and unannounced.

“I'm here to see Natalia,” Zak stated the purpose of his visit before striding past Laura into the mansion.

“Master Zak! Please wait. Umm...Miss Natalia is not feeling well and is resting...” Laura tried to explain in a panic. She wasn't sure if everyone would get in trouble if she let Zak in or not. Afterall, Lucien did not instruct her to allow visitors for Natalia...well, on the other hand he didn't explicitly disallow it...

“lL know. That's why I’m here. You can get back to work,” Zak brushed Laura and her concern off as he headed straight for Natalia’s bedroom.

Natalia hasn't replied to any of my messages or calls for a few days now. Something is wrong. She also hasn't left her house at all for a few days which means that she’s no longer going to her internship at the lab. The maids have been gossiping non-stop that Natalia apparently got into a huge fight with Lucien at dinner. The fight was apparently so intense that Lucien practically smashed all the dishes on the table. Well, that much seemed to be credible. There were also a lot of other details which seemed over the top and could not be counted as a valid source of information. Regardless, |

need to make sure that Natalia is ok.

I've also heard that Natalia got a new bodyguard. It’s high time that | meet the lucky man...

**Knock Knock**

“It's me,” Zak called out to Natalia as he stood in front of her bedroom door.

“Zak? Came in!” | replied with joy. | would know that voice anywhere. Zak is here!

The door opened and Zak came in. He looked confident and a little cocky as usual but | could sense that he was quite upset and worried. This is my fault for not replying to his text or calls. | just didn’t know what to say to him if he asked about my fight with Lucien. News and gossip travel fast, especially when you're living practically next door to each other. Zak knows me very well so lying to him would be useless, he would catch on immediately. If he did not call me out on it, then that means that he has decided to play along with my lie.

“Zak, this is Reiner, my bodyguard and butler. | think this is the first time you guys have met. Reiner, this is Zak. Zak is...” | started to introduce them to each other.

“.Madame Francesca’s only son. My name is Reiner and | currently serve as Miss Natalia’s bodyguard and butler. It is an honor to meet you,” Reiner finished off my sentence before bowing to Zak.

Zak’s eyes narrowed slightly at the mention of his mother’s name.

“I think this is the first time we’ve met. I’ve never seen you before. You must be from the main house and from the highest rank of butlers as well,” Zak replied as he nodded to Reiner.

“Let me bring over a chair for you,” Reiner offered politely.

“No need. I'll sit here,” Zak replied casually before seating himself on the side of my bed. “How are you? You look a little pale.

So, you’re really sick?”

“I’m feeling much better now. Thank you for worrying, Zak,” I replied, flashing Zak a weak smile. I noticed that Reiner has retreated to the corner of the room to give us some room.

“You fought with Lucien, right? Tell me, did he hurt you?” Zak asked me in a low and hushed voice. His golden sand eyes held my gaze intently. I’m not going to be able to lie here...am I?

“Yes. A few days ago, we had an argument. I think things will get better soon...” I replied while plastering a smile on my face.

“hmm...did he hurt you? Let me see...” Zak replied as he took hold of my arm and started to lift it up to inspect it.

“I’m ok. Really!” I insisted as I tried to pull my arm back.

“You know, you’re not super good at lying, right?” Zak whispered softly into my ear so that Reiner wouldn’t hear. He smiled a tight smile at me and I knew that Zak was pissed.

“I...” I started to speak although I didn’t know what to say to him.

“You don’t need to tell me anything that you don’t want to. You’re not allowed to leave the house, right?”

Zak asked knowingly.

I nodded.

“Let’s go out on a date soon. One of my movies is premiering and as always I want you to be there,”

Zak said with a cheerful smile as he stroked my hair. Zak can be so adorable sometimes. It is obvious that he was trying his best to cheer me up but...

“But I don’t think Lucien will allow it...” I voiced my doubt.

“Don’t worry. I'll handle him. I’ll text you the plan, ok?” Zak answered in a worry-free voice. I had no idea how he would convince Lucien.

“Ok...thank you, Zak” I said as I smiled at him sweetly. I missed him so much.

“I miss you...so badly,” he whispered softly into my ears as he leaned closer to me, his wavy blond hair brushing against my cheek. He slid his hand under the blanket to hold my hand gently.

*“Umm...about Annie...” I began to ask him about my topic of concern.

“I don’t want to talk about it right now. I’ll tell you later,” Zak replied cutting me off with a smile. Clearly, Zak doesn’t want to think about his issue with Annie. I wonder if they will be engaged soon...

“Ok. Ill wait. Please...don’t stress over it all by yourself,” I whispered back as I looked deep into his stubborn eyes.

“Will he really be with you 24/7?” Zak asked in a soft whisper as he rolled his eyes towards where Reiner was standing.

I just nodded in reply.

“Hmmm...how troublesome. I'll back off for now...but I'll be back. Get well soon!” Zak said before getting up from the side of my bed.

“Goodbye, Zak. Call me, ok?”

“Promise to pick up. Bye, Natalia,” Zak replied as he walked away while waving at me over his head.

Reiner bowed as Zak walked passed him and then out the door.

“Take care of Natalia,” Zak whispered softly as he walked passed Reiner.

Zak’s surprise visit really cheered me up. Things will get better for all of us, I am just so sure of it now.

Thank you, Zak...thank you for not forgetting me. Now I can look forward to meeting my favorite celebrities at Zak’s movie premiere. I can’t stop smiling now.

Natalia’s been acting like a bubbly little girl ever since Zak walked in. This is my first-time seeing Zak up close and meeting him in person. Madame Francesca’s only son looks nothing like her and definitely does not have her character. She is a dark and mysterious person while her son shone outstandingly like the sun. I’ve seen photos of Zak in the press many times before but those photos don’t do him justice. I’m sure Natalia notices his good looks as well.

The way they looked at each other felt like they were in a world of their own and talking in a language that only they could understand. The way Natalia smiled at Zak was overly friendly or perhaps they are just very close cousins...

“Natalia has at least one lover. I want you to keep an eye on her and figure out who he is...”

Edward’s words came back to me.

It couldn’t be...

--To be continued...