Forbidden Heat

Chapter 22: Double-date Cruise

** Back to the present **

I woke up in bed. I was in my nightgown and my body felt stiff. The maids probably changed me when I

came back late last night. Too much went on yesterday with Zak and the shock of meeting his

arranged-date, Annie, made me forget that I had something to tell Zak.

I grabbed my mobile phone and dialed Zak via my favorite speed dial. He picked up almost

immediately as if he’d been waiting for my call. I just love Zak.

“Hey! How about going on a cruise with me this weekend?” I asked with over-the-top excitement,

intentionally leaving out all the caveats.

“…with your old man and his new fiancé?” Zak answered back with a knowing laugh. Fuck, he caught

on fast. There’s no way I’m going on a cruise as a third wheeler and no way I’m going to enjoy my time

with big-boob Angela.

“Please…who knows? His fiancé might fall for your charms and back away from Lucien,” I teased.

“Hell no. I don’t like fucking bitches with fake boobs. I’ve had enough of that in the industry,” Zak

replied. How did he know though?

“Why do you think she’s got fake boobs? You know her?” I asked curiously.

“I’ve met her around. No, I’ve never slept with her but words do travel fast when you’re rich and your

father is trying hard to marry you off,” Zak explained. He is so full of gossip. The amount of intel he has

on people in our high-society is amazing and he does have a lot of connections with people.

“Enough about her. Be a prince and come on a cruise with me. Please?” I pleaded in my cute voice.

Zak has never been able to resist me pleading like this before.

“Ok. Condition: blindfold,” Zak agreed while stating his condition. Sex on the cruise with a blindfold on.

Not a bad bargain considering he could have chosen something more daring.

“Deal. See you! Have I mentioned it lately?...I love you!” I said and hung up.

That settles it. At least I will have my “brother” on the cruise with me. Knowing Zak, he will probably

help me deal with Angela as well. I will survive this cruise no matter what.

…

Natalia hung up. She’s clearly happy that I’m going on the cruise with her. I would have volunteered

anyways even if she didn’t ask. I found out about the cruise already through one of my maids who

always loves to gossip with maids from Lucien’s mansion. The perks of living next door, indeed. Letting

Natalia go on a cruise with Angela and an unsuspecting Lucien is a dangerous idea. Angela is anything

but nice and innocent. She may seem like an angel on the outside but there are ugly rumors

surrounding her and her father.

The fact that out of all the promising candidates, the elders chose her to marry Lucien is proof enough

that she will hurt Natalia somehow. This arranged nuptial is not purely for simple business gains; it was

designed to use Angela to hurt Natalia specifically as well. I’m going to have to dig up some dirt on

Angela to use as my secret arsenal in the case she threatens Natalia. Welcome to our fucked-up lives.

…

Finally, the day of the apocalypse, I mean the cruise, has arrived. I’m packed and well prepared

mentally and physical for this battle, I mean cruise. Running a last-minute check on my mental checklist

of my packing list: sunscreen, bikini, towel, camera… Seem like I’ve got everything on the list. I head

down from my bedroom to the living room downstairs to meet up with Lucien and Zak.

The three of us will be driving together to the dock and Angela will be meeting us there to board the Còntens bel0ngs to Nô(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

cruise. Zak has volunteered to drive like a good boy in the place of his uncle, who seems to be tired

from a long week of stressful work. Peering over at Lucien, I could see dark circles under his eyes.

Perhaps he’s been having trouble sleeping? I thought with concern before switching to think about what

I could do to relieve him of his stress.

Sitting in the driver seat next to Lucien, Zak seemed to be in a good mood as he drove for us. He was

all smiles and full of energy, the total opposite of Lucien. I’m so happy and thankful that he’s here with

us. Leave it to Zak to save my day…or in this case my weekend. Wearing a loose white shirt with

sleeves folded up to show his tan and muscular forearm…he’s so hot.

“Thanks for coming along to keep Natalia company. I was afraid she would be bored spending time

with her good old dad,” Lucien laughed self-depreciatingly.

“Lucien, don’t say that. You’re not old at all, you’re at a handsome and ripe age of 38. You’re still so fit

and sexy too!” I defended Lucien much more actively than I intended leading both men to look at me

with raised eyebrows. Ok, I’ll just shut up now.

“Don’t go calling your father sexy; it gives me the creeps,” Zak exclaimed jokingly while acting like he’s

shivering from disgust.

I peered at Lucien’s face and saw that his face was slightly red. Perhaps he does like being

complicated once in a while? I do mean it though, to me Lucian is far from old. He’s so beautiful and

sexy…and I love him so much.

We arrived at the dock and Angela greeted all of us with a big and warm smile.

“Hi, this is my cousin, Zak. His mother is Lucien’s older sister,” I introduced Zak to Angela as he bowed

slightly in a perfect gentlemanly manner.

“I see. So, you’re Madame Francesca’s only son,” Angela said as her eyes narrowed. She’s heard of

his fame many times before. Born as the first grandson of the family with looks resembling a Greek god

with rays of the sun in his hairs and eyes. Rumors for once are extremely accurate. This is the first time

she’s seen Zak up close and was frankly startled by his good looks. Zak is famous for his contribution

to art, fashion and film and also heads his family’s marketing and branding arm, all at such a young

age.

--To be continued...