Chapter 23: His Deal


    We boarded the cruise where we will be cruising to fish and rx for the weekend. The cruise belongs


    to our family so this is not the first time that I’ve been here with Lucien and Zak. First off to our rooms.


    Thank god the cruise was luxuriously huge and had enough rooms for everyone. Being rich has its perk


    for sure this time, I thought, otherwise I’ll surely be sharing a room with Ang. If that was the case, I’d


    rather sleep out in the open…


    After freshening up and changing into my white bikini I headed up on deck where Lucian and Zak were


    busy preparing our barbecue lunch. There were maids around on this cruise but I guess Zak and


    Lucien wanted to the experience of cooking our lunch themselves.


    “Hi, boys!” I greeted them cheerfully with the brightest smile I could put on.


    Their faces lit up with smiles as well as they greeted me. At times like these, I try my best to forget the


    mess of my life and just enjoy the moment as ites. I decided to help them prepare the barbecue.


    Ang soon came on deck wearing a very revealing red bikini. She looks like an adult magazine


    model, which is smoking hot. I have to give her fair credit where it’s due. I wonder how Lucien feels


    seeing her like that. Their engagement was sudden and although Lucien never exined it to me, I can


    sense that the elders probably had a big say in it. I wonder if Lucien loves her…


    …


    “Lucien, we have decided that it would be in thepany’s and the family’s best interest if you marry


    Ang Woodwick. Her father’s business in energy and his tight ties to powerful politicians is what we


    need to further grow the family’s business. Her family is also wealthy and well recognized in foreign


    circles. Having you marry her will be for the best,” Elizabeth dered in amanding voice. Elizabeth


    is currently the chairwomen of thepany and the head of the elders.


    Lucien looked up from where he knelt on one knee on the deep red carpeted floor at the 3 elders. Our


    members to take on management of thepany and also of family affairs with the sole purpose of


    making decisions that would be best for thepany’s and family’s interests. Strictly business and void


    of any human emotions, they view family members merely as resources to expand the business. Each


    family member’s path in life is destined by the elder group from a young age including: education,


    training, career, dating, marriage, etc. However, in the end the elders are human and if you please


    them well enough, there will start to be room for negotiations.


    Today, Lucien is here to make the second big negotiation of his life with the elders and for that to go


    through, he must make big sacrifices.


    “I will agree on two conditions,” Lucien said in a monotonous voice.


    “So, you want to make a deal? Sure, what are your conditions?” Elizabeth asked without any surprise


    in her voice. She knew that Lucien would not agree to a loveless marriage without cing conditions.


    “One, I will divorce her when the business deal has gone through and the set-up isplete or in two


    years, whicheveres first. Two, Natalia will be my lover and next marriage partner. You all will


    acknowledge her immediately as such and treat her so,” Lucien stated the conditions that he had


    prepared.


    Lucien wants Natalia as his wife? Elizabeth’s eyes narrowed as she nced to the other elders on


    either of her side. To acknowledge Natalia as Lucien’s lover and future wife would mean that we won’t


    be able to touch her or arrange any marriage prospects for her. Is this what Lucien is going after? He’s


    married her mother before and now he wants to marry the daughter, what does he aim to gain?


    “Fine. We, the elders, agree to this proposal. You will announce your engagement to Ang as soon as


    possible. However, if Natalia does not wish to be your lover or marry you, we will not force her in


    the matter,” Elizabeth agreed to Lucien’s proposal. Future problems can be dealt withter, for now, the


    business contractes first. Ang’s father is trying to cover up many of his daughter’s scandals and


    is willing to invest so much money in thepany if that means he can marry his daughter off. The fact


    that Ang is smitten with Lucien is making this deal much easier for both sides.


    The elders got up from their seats, signaling the end of their conversation. Lucien got up and turned to


    leave the cold hall.


    “Wait for me, Natalia…” he whispered under his breath to none other than himself.


    …


    It’s not often that we’re on a cruise, so I am determined to enjoy myself. Zak and I went for a dip in the


    pool on the ship’s deck. The weather is so nice and sunny today, the wind in my hair feels refreshing,


    the birds flying up above seemed to be enjoying themselves as well.


    “Feeling better? You’ve been feeling down for a while now, right?” Zak asked in a soft tone as he


    moved to sit even closer to me in the water.


    “Might as well enjoy ourselves while we can. Are you ok though? You know, about Annie…” I trial off.


    “It doesn’t bother me, to be honest. I’ve always known that I wouldn’t be able to choose who I marry. As


    you know, I’ve spent most of my life negotiating with my mother and the elders to pursue my career.


    They wouldn’t let me model outright but I eventually could get involve in fashion, arts, film and I could


    lead marketing for our family business. If dating Annie is the price that I have to pay to keep those


    things, I guess it isn’t so bad,” Zak exined his viewpoint passively.


    “I guess it’s fine if you’re really ok with it...” I replied. Not knowing what else to say.


    Zak squeezed my hand under the water.


    “Will you stay with me?” Zak asked while looking deep into my eyes. His hazel eyes with those light


    blond longshes are so beautiful like eyes of a golden lion.


    “Forever…as long as you still want me around,” I promised. As long as Zak needs me, we will always


    be together. Our rtionship will never fade; just like the scars he bears for me.


    …


    Evening came much faster than I thought. So far, I’ve been able to avoid Ang by sticking to Zak.


    Ang spent her time sitting around Lucien, who spent most of the day working on hisptop. It was


    in as day that this cruise was not Lucien’s idea and he would rather be spending time working this


    weekend away in his study.


    Dinner with the four of us was awkward at best. Ang tried to make small talk but today Lucien was


    very taciturn and unfriendly. Zak on the other hand didn’t jump in to help and I obviously did not want to


    talk to her.


    “This cruise is simply amazing. Isn’t it? We should spend more of our weekends on holidays like this.


    Small getaways are good for rxing too, right?” Ang said encouraging while beaming her best


    smile.


    Lucien didn’t reply not even bothering to look up from his mobile screen. Whatever joy he presented


    when he first introduced Ang to me at our house was now gone. Did they get into a fight?


    “Usually I just go out with Natalia or Natalia with Lucien. We don’t usually go on group gatherings


    much, unfortunately,” Zak replied before guiding my attention to look at some newlyunched fashion


    collection on his mobile. Ultimately excluding Ang from our conversation entirely.


    The atmosphere was so tense that the good food lost all of its vor. I feel bad for the chef for cooking


    up all this.


    “I think I’m going to excuse myself. The sun was hot so I’m feeling a little tired and dizzy,” I smiled


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    weakly as I excused myself.


    “Oh…let me take care of you then. I’ll bring some champagne along too,” Zak quickly picked up on my


    queue and left with me.


    Lucien looked up to watch us leave then returned his gaze back to his mobile.


    …


    I woke up from my nap and it was already night out. I should shower and change for bedtime. Entering


    into the bathroom, I could see that the maids have prepared the bath with scented aromatic candles


    andid out my nightgown. I should thank them when I get the chance, I thought to myself as I slid into


    the warm bath water.


    The warm water feels so rxing and I was on the verge of dozing off when I heard my bedroom door


    open. Is it the maid? I should tell her I don’t require her assistance anymore tonight so she can retire


    for the day.


    “Who is it? I won’t be needing your support anymore for today. You can go rest, no need to worry about


    me,” I called out to her from the bath, my eyes still closed as I continued to enjoy the warm bath. The


    I didn’t hear her reply. That’s odd…


    The next moment, the bathroom door slowly opened. Maybe she didn’t hear me and came to help give


    my back a wash or to massage me, I thought sleepily. She didn’t need to, although I wouldn’t mind a


    back scrub, I thoughtzily as I turned towards her.


    Mesmerizing green eyes met mine.


    Lucien. Why is he here? Oh god, I’mpletely naked!


    “Lucien…? Do you need something?” I asked in a small quivering voice as I tried to hide my body


    deeper into the water and foam. Conscious that I’m not the only onecking clothing, Lucien was naked


    except for the white towel he has wrapped around his waist. This is not good, he might not be thinking


    anything along those lines but I am starting to feel…


    His body is beautiful, his skin white and smooth like marble. His whole body muscr and firm, his


    biceps, his chest, his six packs. The hair starting at the base of his stomach and trailing down to his…


    Our eyes were still locked and silence hung in the air.


    “I do,” Lucien finally replied as he walked slowly over to the bathtub. He’s getting closer and closer.


    What is he going to do? I wondered.


    Lucien came right to the edge of the bathtub before crouching down so his face was at my level. He


    kept on staring into my eyes and it was making me even more nervous. I hugged my legs to my chest


    protectively.


    “You said you were feeling a bit sick and tired. Are you feeling better?” Lucien asked as he dipped one


    arm into the water.


    “Yes, I took a nap and now I’m feeling much better. You don’t need to worry,” I replied mustering up a


    smile. You can leave now, Lucien.


    “I see. I’m happy to hear it,” Lucien replied softly. His voice was low, his spirits seemed low as well. He


    was no longer looking at me but down into the foamy water where his hand yed with the warm water


    and bubbles. He seemed depress and very stressed out, I was starting to worry about him. He always


    worries about me but neverins or shows me his weaknesses.


    “Are you feeling down? Is there something I can help you with?” I asked with worry in my voice. After


    all, he did tell me that he needed something when he came in.


    “Give me your hand,” He instructed and Iplied, stretching out my hand to him. He took my hand in


    his and kissed the palm of my hand softly. I soft gasp escaped my lips at the shock of what he just did.


    Lucien did not stop as he flipped my small hand in hisrger one and kissed the back of my hand. His


    lips and breath are so warm even against my warm skin. Then he ced my open hand against his


    right cheek as he leaned his face into my palm and closed his eyes.


    “Lucien…” I didn’t know what to say to him. Whatever it was that was bothering him must be worst than


    I can possibly imagine. I have never seen him like this before in our ten years living together. He looked


    like a wounded beast that neededforting. Strange but very adorable at the same time


    I wanted to help him in anyway that I can. I wasn’t sure what was troubling him but I could sort of guess


    that it probably had something to do with the business he had with the elders. He has to visit the elders


    at least once a month and whenever he came back, he would seem a bit down. Perhaps this is one of


    those episodes but just way worst than ever before this time around. I wish he would confide in me but


    I’ve never pressured him to tell me anything he didn’t want to.


    While those thoughts were running through my head, Lucien had let go of my hand and has stood up.


    He is leaving? Already? I wasn’t sure if I was happy or disappointed at the thought of him leaving. I


    never got to find out because the next moment, he was getting into the bathtub with me!


    --To be continued…