Forbidden Heat

Humble Beginnings

A few years later, I finally established my own company. It had been a long and tiresome journey for me

to get there but the experience was more than worth it. With the help of many mentors that I worked

with along the way and Edward, I was able to set up my own little company.

“Maybe my company will end up making more than just a rounding error in your bank account…

finally…” I said jokingly to Edward.

“If you’re doing this for the money, I suggest you quit and just stay at home with the kids…” Edward

replied before laughing.

“Come on, I’m only joking. You know that I’m not doing this just for the money…” I said as I put an arm

around his waist and leaned my head on his shoulder.

“Of course, I know that. So don’t worry too much about making money or paying the bills. Just do what

you want to do, ok?” Edward said leisurely.

“Yeah, well, I’m not letting my company go under. I’ll handle the financials of my company well, just you

wait and see…” I said with determination.

“Good. As I told you before, I’m not helping you if this company goes under,” Edward said as he

grinned at me.

I would never ask him for that much help for this. Edward was the biggest help already. He handles

everything related to our family so I didn’t need to worry about supporting our family at all.

“No need to worry because it won’t go under. Why do I get the feeling that you don’t believe in me at

all?” I asked, narrowing my eyes suspiciously at him.

“I’m just teasing you. I’m sure it’ll be fine…” Edward replied before patting my head.

Today was the open ceremony for my company. Although, it’s more like a small get together of ournovelbin

close friends who came to congratulate us and the staff. The new office that I had rented still smelled

new. I liked the balloons that we put in place though. The company started off small with around twenty

employees.

I could recall the day that Edward basically stole me from Lucien’s mansion to take me to a surprise

interview. That interview truly started my professional career. I’ve come a long way since then, but I

never forgot my humble beginnings. It was the right decision to go to that interview.

“What are you thinking about? You’re zoning out…” Edward whispered into my ear as he stood close to

me.

The staffs were having fun chatting and drinking. Overall, the atmosphere was joyful and relaxing at the

same time. The party was so simple and cozy, and I wouldn’t want it any other way.

“Just about, you know, how my career started. How you took me to my first interview…” I replied before

smiling a little at Edward.

“Oh…I remember that day. That day was adventurous…” Edward said as he seemed to recall some of

his own memories of that day.

“Adventurous is a good way to describe it, I guess,” I replied with a laugh.

“Natalia! Why don’t you give a speech?” one of the staff asked as she came running up to me.

“Oh no…that’s…” I said a little shyly, trying to turn her down. Giving a speech is just too much…

“Come on, Natalia!” the staff cried out encouragingly.

“Umm…” I mumbled. I still didn’t think that it was a good idea and I also didn’t have a speech prepared.

“It’s the opening party of your company, isn’t obvious that you’ve got to say something? Go on now…”

Edward said encouragingly as his hands pushed me forward.

“Umm…ok…” I muttered.

I glanced around at the group of people that had gathered around me as they waited for me to start my

speech. Since I didn’t plan to give a speech at this event, I had nothing prepared. Giving a good

speech wasn’t one of the skills that I had either. I took a deep breath and decided to say what I

honestly felt.

“Thank you everyone for making it to this event. To be honest, when I started working, I never dreamt

that this day would come. Having a company of my own has been my dream for a long time now and I

am more than thrilled to be starting a company alongside so many people that I hold dear. I’m sure that

we’ve all came a long way from the humble beginnings of our career, and I just hope that we will enjoy

ourselves as we continued to learn new things together. Here’s to a rewarding journey ahead of us!” I

said, sounding more confident than I actually felt inside.

“Cheers!” everyone shouted in joy.

“Cheers…” I whispered happily before sipping a little on my champagne.

…

It was late after the party ended and Edward and I arrived back home. Although, I was sure that the

nannies have put the children to bed, I still wanted to check to make sure anyways.

“You can go ahead; I’ll just pop in to check on the kids…” I said.

“I’ll go with you,” Edward said as he took my hand in his.

“Ok…” I whispered back.

We headed to the children’s bedrooms. Ryder slept alone now but the twins still slept together in the

same room. Silently, we opened the door a crack so that we could spy on our children sleeping.

Everything seemed fine and I knew that I could get a worry-free sleep tonight.

“Let’s go…” Edward whispered as he carefully closed the door to the twin’s bedroom.

I nodded slightly as Edward took my hand in his and started leading me away from the children’s

bedroom. As I watched Edward’s broad back in front of me, I realized once again how dependable he

is and how much he’d help support me throughout my life. I was so lucky to find him, and I love him so

deeply. I would do anything to spend the rest of my life with him.

“Edward…” I said his name softly without realizing it.

“Hmm?” Edward said questioningly as he stopped walking and turned around to look at me.

Oh…I didn’t mean to call out to him and so I didn’t have anything to say.

“Umm…it’s nothing…” I replied a little shyly.

“You sure?” Edward asked, sounding a little concern.

“…I was just thinking…of how lucky I am that I have you…” I whispered softly as I put my arms around

him and looked up into Edward’s emerald-green eyes.

“What’s this all of a sudden? You don’t need to sweet talk me, Natalia. If there’s something that you

want, just let me know,” Edward said as he looked at me a little suspiciously.

What he said was true. I didn’t need to sweet talk Edward into anything. Anything that I wanted, he

would give to me without reserve. He spoils me in his own way…

“I’m not sweet talking you. I already have all that I want…right here…” I said, proudly and confidently.

--To be continued…