6 A Complicated Start

“Thank you for the offer, Edward. I’ll consider it…” I replied honestly.

His present was unusual, but I could sense how much he put his thought into it. This offer was well planned for my benefit.

**Flash**

Suddenly, there was a flash of blinding light, and we were surrounded by a large crowd of reporters and cameramen.

“Sir Edward, please look this way!” a middle-aged man shouted.

“Are the rumors of you dating Elena true?” another reporter shouted.

“Please explain the photos that were recently leaked online!” another woman yelled while shoving her microphone to the front of the crowd.

Immediately as if they had anticipated this, over ten bodyguards dressed head to toe in black suits surrounded Edward and me. They shielded us from the aggressive crowd of reporters.

“I knew he would turn up if we waited!” the crowded started talking all at the same time regarding Edward’s appearance.

“People are saying your donations are funded by illegal funds. Is this true?” another question rang out.

Soon the crowded got so big as more reporters joined in and I couldn’t make out the questions anymore. The reporters just shouted and the whole scene was like an angry protesting mob. Words and voices jumbled and mixed together, making it impossible to catch the meaning of anything.

“I can only think of one man who can beat Lucien at attracting the reporters” Zak’s words came back to me.

Clearly that man was Edward Rosenhall. Famous for his intelligence, his rebellious trait and his contribution to scientific research and global philanthropic efforts. Although a lot of his fame also came from all his affairs and on-and-off relationships with famous beautiful women that he never bothered to hide.

I felt Edward’s hand on my waist as he stood in front of me protectively. He seemed so calm, and I was reminded that this probably was a daily occurrence to him.

Little did I know that the course of my life and my relationship with these men would start to change drastically after that night…

--Ten Years Ago--

Lucien Rosenhall is world-famous as the current CEO of one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies. After evading marriage of convenience for years, he shocked the social scenes by announcing his engagement to his older co-worker, my mother. My mother has always raised me alone as a single mother so I was very happy when she found the love of her life.

I first met Lucien when he came over to our house a few months before his marriage to my mother. I was only 12 at the time but I could tell that he was a kind and trustworthy person. He married my mother when he was only 28 years old. I learnt much later when I grew up to become an adult that although their wedding was sparkly and filled with happiness, Lucien’s family was deeply dissatisfied with his choice of a partner.

Our life together as a new family was amazing and just like a fairytale dream come true. We lived in a big mansion after we moved in to live with Lucien and his family at their family estate. We spent so much time as a family going out on vacations whenever Lucien was free from work at his family’s company. Everything was perfect. Too perfect…that it did not last.

“Your mother is at the hospital, Natalia. I’ve sent the driver to pick you up. Please come as soon as possible,” Lucien said. Lucien, why is your voice shaking?

Less than a year into their marriage. My mother passed away suddenly due to a road accident. Just like that, my only blood relative was gone. Her small funeral was held quietly with only her close friends and Lucien’s family in attendance. As I stood in a black dress beside Lucien to greet the guests, I felt so numb from the pain that I wished that the wind would just blow me away.

“What will happen to the child? They were only married for around 10 months? Does she have other family members on her mother’s side that can take her in?” they were whispering so loud and acting as if I’m no longer here. Mother is gone…what will become of me now? Where will I go? How will I live? I miss my Mother… Tears that I had been holding back streamed down my face slowly as I began to sob softly.

Then I felt a warm arm around my shoulders and in the next instant Lucien’s face was looking directly at me. Lucien has bent down to hug me tight to his chest. “We will be ok. I am here for you. Let’s continue to live together because we are a family. I love you, Natalia,” Lucien whispered and kissed my forehead softly. Those words and that kiss, saved me and my life.

--- The Present ---

I am now 22, and in my final year of university. The past ten years flew by and I have grown from a child to a young woman with a bright future ahead of me. I’ve continued living with my stepfather, Lucien, after my mother passed away. Lucien has been loving and supportive of me and the best father I could ever imagine for these past ten years. I am thankful to have him as my father and family but starting from my high school years, I started to yearn for more…

“Natalia. Please be home for dinner on time today. I have something to discuss with you,” Lucien called to tell me. He seems unusually excited. Perhaps he wants to discuss about my internship at the company’s laboratory.

“Sure. I’ll be back on time. See you then!” I replied to him in a cheerful voice. After all, I really do like to spend time with him and everything he does feels special to me. I hang up with a small smile on my lips as I look forward to having dinner with him, hearing his stories, laughing with him while watching him smile. All of those moments make my heart beat faster.

--To be continued...