Forbidden Heat R18

“I already contacted the venue to confirm the latest sequence for the event and the VIP guests have been confirmed. Later in the afternoon, I will meet with the vendor that will handle the decorations for a final run through check,” I smoothly presented my plan of the day to my other team members.

“Sounds good. I’ll leave that in your capable hands,” the team lead said as we gathered our things before leaving the meeting room.

I headed back to my desk and started working on the first task on my to-do list right away. I called the venue and talked them through the sequence referencing the materials that I had emailed to them earlier. Unfortunately, the regular representative of the venue had called in sick today, so I had to work with her substitute which made the call longer than usual.

By the time the call had ended it was way past lunch time. I won’t have time to grab lunch if I wanted to make it on time to my meeting with the decoration vendor. I was riding the elevator down when I felt so dizzy that I had to grab the rail for support as I closed my eyes.

“Are you ok?” my colleague asked with clear concern in his voice.

“Yes. I haven’t been sleeping well lately and maybe it’s catching up to me,” I said with an apologetic smile. I can’t get sick now when everyone was pushing so hard to make the event a success.

When I stepped out of the elevator, I felt as good as normal, so I didn’t think much of it at the time. The meeting with the vendor went decently well and I was able to go back home on time for once in a long while.

However, my condition did not improve, and I started feeling weaker as the days went by. I tried to hide it from Reiner who was suspicious of how pale I looked when he picked me up to and from work. After a lot of reassurance from me that I was feeling fine, Reiner decided to leave it at that.

“Natalia, let’s go out for lunch. For once it seems like we’re free on our lunch break,” one of my colleagues said as she smiled joyfully at me.

She was right. It had been weeks since we’ve had a chance to go out for lunch during our lunch break.

“Let’s go to that Italian restaurant near here. I really miss their pasta and I could use all the carbs right now,” I suggested as I smiled back.

“Sure! Let’s go,” she replied enthusiastically.

…Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

“I’ll have a carbonara. What about you?” my colleague asked after placing her order.

“Hmm…black spaghetti with seafood please,” I told the waitress politely.

“Work has been so busy lately that eating out like this became a luxury we couldn’t afford. It’s so sad,” my colleagued complained while making a sad face.

“It feels good to see our projects ending so successfully but some down time like this once in a while can also be a good thing,” I readily agreed.

After chatting casually for a while, our food arrived.

“Are you feeling, ok? You look a little…pale,” my colleague asked from across the table.

To be honest, I wasn’t feeling normal. Suddenly, I felt dizzy and nauseous like I was about to vomit.

“Sorry. I need to go to the toilet for a bit. I’ll be right back…” I hurriedly excused myself as I got up from my seat and headed towards the toilet sign at the back of the restaurant.

One look in the mirror confirmed that I looked quite pale just like my colleague had observed. I tried to take in deep breaths to calm myself down and prayed that the dizziness would subside. Nothing I could do succeeded in elevating my symptoms until I had to run into the toilet where I threw up…pretty much nothing since I hadn’t been eating a lot.

Maybe I should call Reiner to pick me up, I feel so unwell. The effect of overworking must be catching up to me which is so shameful since I’m supposed to still be young and fit. I fumbled in my bag and pulled out my mobile phone and dialed Reiner’s number. My dizziness had gotten worst at this point, and I could barely stand.

Reiner picked me up soon after and I left the restaurant along with him. My colleague expressed so much concern over my heath that I began feeling guilty for dragging her into this. I promised her that we would have a proper lunch together soon and that I was sure it was nothing more than the flu.

…

“Are you feeling better now?” Reiner asked in a tender whisper as he stroked my head with his large hand.

I laid in bed with my head propped up like some very sick patient with a very worried Reiner sitting on a chair next to my bed.

“Yes. I feel completely fine now. I guess the stress from work and lack of sleep was getting to me,” I replied honestly as I sighed.

“I told you to rest properly and eat your meals on time. As always you don’t do anything that I say,” Reiner started lecturing me. I hated to admit it, but he was spot on.

“Ok…you’re like a mum,” I retorted as I pretended to pout and fold my arms over my chest.

“You better rest and get better soon. If you get sick again from overwork, I’ll have to report to Lucien…and maybe Edward as well,” Reiner warned me seriously.

“Don’t you dare do that!” I cried out.

“Then you will do as I say. You will sleep 8 hours a day and eat all your meals on time,” Reiner insisted.

“Ok…” I agreed vaguely. Of course, I wanted to sleep properly and eat my meals on time like when I was lazing around at home, but work is demanding. What can I do?

I kept my thoughts to myself as I smiled at Reiner.

“Go to sleep now. Call me if you need anything,” Reiner said before heading to the door.

“Bye…Good night,” I called after him.

I must have been exhausted because once the door closed behind Reiner, I fell into a deep and long sleep I thought I would never wake up.

–To be continued…