Forbidden Heat

Reiner – Worried for Him

Taking the cab wasn’t bad but it was quite pricey. After a relatively traffic-free ride, I arrived at the bar

right on time to help out with pre-opening tasks. Kat and other team members were there to greet me

enthusiastically.

“How was the move? You should have let me help you…” Kat asked as she stood next to me.

I picked up some utensils and began arranging them. Opening time will arrive soon so we had to hurry

a bit right now.

“Smooth. There’s nothing for you to worry about. I told you that I didn’t have a lot of stuff. Thanks for

offering to help though,” I replied before smiling appreciatively at her.

“Do you think Charles will turn up today?” Kat asked wistfully.

“Do you want to see him?” I asked teasingly.

“Of course. I want to see what moves he’ll make on you. Haha!” Kat replied before laughing loudly.

My eyes glanced towards the still-closed door of the bar’s entrance as I wondered if Charles would

make it tonight. I didn’t know where he went but I hoped that he was alright. I had to say that looking

into cases of death during missions as part of my work did not give me a good feeling about this at all.

Then again, I didn’t even know what exactly Charles did for his work. He seemed very experienced, so

he’s obviously been on the field before, but does he still do that?

I realize that I didn’t know anything much about Charles at all. Then again, maybe I didn’t know muchnovelbin

about anyone on this island at all. Reiner, included.

“Opening time! At your stations. Go go go!” Jamie called out loudly as he clapped his hand.

He was right, it was opening time. Right on the clock.

Kat and I had the honor of opening the door to the bar to welcome our first customers for the night. We

glanced at each other before nodding to indicate that we were ready. Firmly, Kat and I pulled the door

inwards, opening it up to signal the official opening of the bar for the night.

“You got a free table?”

My eyes opened wide in surprise before relief filled my chest. If I had been overly worried just now;

there wasn’t a need to be. Standing proudly right in front of me with a teasing smile on his lips was

Charles in the flesh. He looks completely fine too.

“Of course…” I managed to reply softly.

“Why do you look so shocked to see me?” he asked before chuckling.

He placed a large hand on top of my head as he walked past me into the bar. Charles is really here. I

had to say that I was more than a little pleasantly surprised. Working here had felt a little lonely and

empty without Charles here. I wondered where he went off to for so many days and then I wondered if

he would tell me if I asked.

“Happy?” Kat whispered as she nudged me with her elbow.

“It’s not like that…I’m just relieved that he’s…you know…fine,” I replied.

“Is that so?” Kat asked teasingly.

I could feel her eyes on me, but my eyes were glued to Charles’ broad back. He’s fine so what more is

there for me to worry about. I shook my head slightly to clear my dark thoughts before heading to the

counter to grab a menu for Charles.

“Still need a menu?” I asked teasingly as I stood next to his table.

“No…” he replied before flashing me an amused smile.

The bar had just opened, and he was our first customer. The night might end up being a busy one as

always, but for now, we could still take it easy. Charles placed his order and an overly-enthusiastic Kat

came along to take it.

“Let me take this for you so you two can…talk…” Kat readily suggested before waltzing away.

Charles let out a small laugh, but he seemed appreciative of Kat’s interference.

“Take a seat?” Charles asked as he gestured with his calm eyes for me to sit next to him.

“Umm…sure…” I replied.

“How have you been? Has work been busy for you?” Charles asked casually.

“Work is busy, but things have…gotten better,” I replied.

Honestly, things at work did get better. I’m more involved in the real work now and Reiner wasn’t just

completely ignoring me or cutting me off. The same couldn’t be said about our personal relationship,

though.

“That’s great. Keep up the good work,” Charles said encouragingly.

“What about you? Where have you been? Kat told me that you’ve been away for a while…” I asked

softly.

Honestly, I wasn’t sure if he would tell me anything and I didn’t get my hopes up.

“I had to go away for work,” Charles replied plainly.

“I won’t ask for more details…” I quickly said so that he wouldn’t think that I was being too pushy.

I didn’t want to push him to share anything with me that would make him feel uncomfortable. After all,

he never pushed me to tell him anything that I didn’t want to. It was just fair that I returned the favor.

Instead of finding my questions nosy, his next words surprised me.

“Were you worried?” he asked as he looked straight into my eyes.

“I…a little…” I admitted softly.

Charles looked at me with a look of slight surprise before he started laughing. The way his face

transformed and softened when he laughed made me feel warm and comforted inside. I was glad that

he was back. At first, I found his presence a little intimidating and a bit of a burden to my work but now

that I’ve gotten used to it, I found a lot of comfort and encouragement from his presence.

“I’m…glad that you’re back safe,” I told him honestly.

He stopped laughing and looked at me a little sternly. I blinked at him, unsure of what he was thinking.

“There’s no need for you to worry. I’m not going to die out there,” Charles said with utmost certainty.

I didn’t know where he got that much confidence from, but a knot formed in the pit of my stomach at his

admittance that he was still working on dangerous missions.

“Are your missions…dangerous?” I asked softly.

--To be continued…