Bonus - A Present from Edward


    “Congrats again. I’ll see you at home…you should enjoy the rest of the evening with your friends,”


    Lucien said as he patted the top of my head fondly. I loved this heart-warming gesture but sometimes it


    made me feel like a little girl and I didn’t like that.


    “You have to leave already? You just got here…” I protested slightly in a soft voice.


    “No need to be so depressed, we can see each other at home anytime. Enjoy the evening, Natalia.


    Chin up…you look stunning tonight,” Lucienforted me before tipping my chin up with the tips of his


    warm fingers.


    “Ok…” I replied softly as I felt my face blushing again at his touch.


    I watched silently and with a heavy heart as the back of my belove walked away into the crowd. I


    wished he could have stayed with me a little longer. Now that Lucien and Zak were gone, I had no


    reason to hang around here at this party. Maybe I should just leave as well.


    I made my way toward the back exit with the aim to sneak out unnoticed. I felt like I’ve had enough of


    this party for tonight, retreating and going back home was what I wanted to do the most right now. I


    waved at a few people as I walked by in response to their greetings.


    Soon I was outside, and I felt the cold night wind on my bare arms and face, giving me goosebumps.


    It’s cold, I didn’t think about that and didn’t have any other article of clothing to protect my body from


    the aggressive wind. I let out a huge sigh and watched the smoke from my breath drift up and away.


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    Standing there my thoughts suddenly started drifting randomly.


    I thought about what I really wanted to do after graduation. How would my life change? What demands


    will the Elders make of me? Is an arranged marriage on the horizon?


    I was so preupied with my thoughts that I didn’t realize a tall man had approached me from


    behind…


    Suddenly, I felt warmth and the sensation of fabric being draped to cover my bare shoulders and arms.


    Stunned, I turned around toe face to face with a face I was familiar with. Lucien…


    But not quite, although this face was very familiar and had the same striking green eyes, this face was


    younger and looked more mischievous.


    “What are you thinking about out here all alone in the cold?” the man said as he draped over his suit


    jacket over my naked shoulders, enveloping me in his scent.


    “Edward…” I whispered his name as I managed to gather my wits. This isn’t Lucien, this man is


    Lucien’s younger brother. Edward, the genius ck sheep of the Rosenhall family.


    In my ten years in the Rosenhall family, I have to say that I’ve had very few interactions with Edward


    and none of them left a positive impression on me. Most of the time he seemed crazy and out of this


    world and it left me feeling ufortable. Just like now, I mean, he just popped out of nowhere. I also


    don’t remember inviting him to this party.


    “On your way back already? The party is still in full swing. Are you feeling unwell?” Edward asked with


    concern as he leaned closer.


    Before I could get away from his unusual closeness, his face was right in front of mine and his warm


    palm rested on my forehead. What is going on?!


    “Hmm…you don’t seem to have a fever. Should I drive you home?” Edward said with relief as he stared


    into my eyes.


    He’s too close and for reasons unknown to me, I couldn’t break eye contact or move my body.


    Thankfully, after a short moment, Edward slowly removed his hand from my forehead and straightened


    up to his full height once again. I felt my tightened chest start to rx as he moved away.


    “…it’s ok…Zak’s bodyguards can drive me back…” I replied, trying to keep my voice natural.


    “I see. Let me know if you’ve changed your mind, I’ll be around for a while,” Edward said casually as he


    winked at me.


    Edward is seriously so handsome and with a bad boy vibe. I could understand why some women were


    attracted to him. As for me, he’s not really my type…and the rumors surrounding him are too plentiful


    for my tastes.


    “Oh, I almost forgot why I came. Congrattions on your graduation, Natalia. Here’s a present for you,”


    Edward said with a bright smile as he handed me a small light pink box.


    “Thank you foring and for the present,” I thanked him and presented him a small smile. I wanted


    our encounter to end but I still needed to remain polite. This man is my step uncle after all.


    “Open it,” Edward encouraged.


    I nodded in response and began opening the small box. What I found inside was…unexpected. To be


    honest, I didn’t know what it was or what to make of it when I first saw it.


    Inside was a grey color keycard…like an ess card? But what did it grant ess to?


    “A keycard…what is this for?” I asked curiously and Edward smiled at my question.


    “This is a keycard to ess one of the mainb facilities that I currently manage,” Edward replied


    without any emotions. Since he did not continue to exin why he had bothered to give this to me, I


    was left with no other option than to ask.


    “Why did you give this to me?” I asked.


    “You were thinking of what to do after your graduation, right? I thought gifting you an option to start


    your career might be a suitable present. You are weed to intern at myb, and I’ll be d to be


    your mentor,” Edward exined.


    This man…he has the ability to read minds? Edward was spot on.


    Working with such a famous person like Edward in one of the family business’s biggestbs is surely a


    wonderful opportunity. Despite the weird rumors surrounding him, being able to work for and be


    mentored by a man like Edward was a rare and precious opportunity.


    --To be continued...