Get Me Out of V City

Over the next three days, Natalia and Sebastian went to a symphony concert, toured Imperial Palaces, and strolled through the historic streets of this old city... much to her dismay. On their third night in V City, he took her to an open-air market. As they passed by each stall, she swallowed, nerves wracked.

If someone recognizes me, I'm done for.

She stopped in front of a restaurant. Sebastian halted and turned towards her, coughing a few time before asking, "Natalia, what is it?"

"I need to use the restroom real quick."

"Okay," he nodded.

She turned and slipped into the restaurant. Turning the corner to a spot where he couldn't see, she pulled out her phone and made a call. It ringed and ringed before the receiver finally picked up.

"Ma'am, what is it?"

"Sebastian brought me to V City in A Country for a "honeymoon". In reality, he has a major shareholder meeting tomorrow. But I don't think I should be in this city any longer. I feel like I've been watched the entire time we've been here. With the International Police here, I'm worried someone's recognized me."

"Do you think this could've been his plan? To force you to reveal yourself?"

"I don't know. He's being too nice to me. I fear he has something up his sleeve. From what I've learned in my twenty-four years, it's that kindness comes with a price. And I don't want to pay for Sebastian Black's kindness."

"I'll have the jet set out now then, Ma'am. I'll give you a text when it's an hour away so you can be prepared."

"Alright. Be wary of air traffic controls."

"Understood."

With that, Natalia hung up. She pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed. What exactly does Sebastian want from me?

She exited the restaurant and frowned. Her husband was nowhere in sight. Her hands wrung nervously as fury lit in her eyes. I never should've trusted him!

Natalia noticed some A Country police walked down the street. Their eyes met hers, and one pointed at her and spoke something. Then, they started over. Pissed off, she turned, ready to run. At that moment, someone pushed his way through the crowds.

Sebastian jogged up to her and held out a necklace before falling into a coughing fit. For a brief moment, concern flickered in her eyes.

"A- are you okay?"

He held up a hand and nodded. Finally, he took a deep breath and said, "Natalia, we passed a stall a couple blocks back. I know you glanced at this necklace before moving on. So when you went inside, I took the chance to buy it for you."

Out of the corner of her eye, she watched as the two policemen shook their heads and turned away, heading back up the streets. She let out a silent sigh of relief. Her gaze slid to the piece of jewelry her husband was still holding. A pink diamond heart hung from a dainty silver chain.

I glanced at it because I was thinking about how love is not in the stars for me. Why did this fool in front of me have to buy it?

She swallowed. "It was just a passing glance. Y- you didn't have to buy it for me."

Sebastian stepped behind her and brushed her medium-length black hair to the front. He clasped the necklace and said, "I've neglected you for a week. I, at the very least, owe you something pretty."

Walking back around to face her, he adjusted the heart to where it fell about an inch below her collarbone. Taking a step back, he smiled. "It suits you."

But the heart felt like nothing more than a cool stone against her bare skin. Her gaze fell dead, and she replied, "It's just a necklace. You really didn't need to waste your money on it."

Then, she turned and started walking back towards the apartment. Stunned and confused, Sebastian jogged to catch up to her, coughing lightly.

"Natalia, I- I don't understand. Have I upset you or something?"

"I just don't want to be here."

His face fell. "Why?"

She continued walking, not missing a step, as she bullsh*tted, "After top model Elina Hardin abandoned me, leaving me with Maxwell Montrose, she first fled here. To this city. And she never looked back."

His eyes widened, and he hung his head. "I -I'm sorry. I didn't know. But, your mother is Elina Hardin?"

She seethed, "She's not my mother."

"She gave birth to you."

"And she said she regretted it." Realizing her mistake, Natalia slapped a hand over her mouth.

Sebastian frowned. "You've met your mother recently?" Cough, cough.

Slowly, she dropped her hand and nodded. "I lied before when I said I returned to the Montrose household. I actually went and met with Elina and her husband and son. So, I got the closure I needed. She doesn't want me, and I don't want her."

Pity flickered in his eyes. She scowled. "Don't pity me. I'm not helpless. So what if my blood denounces me? I don't care. I don't care at all."

Despite her words, tears still threatened to well in her eyes. Her mother's denial had hurt more than she wanted to admit. Sebastian stepped forward and pulled her into his arms.

"Even if you don't have your blood family to rely on, you have me."

Despite being the Head of the Black Rose syndicate, Natalia still had her own insecurities and vulnerabilities. Choosing to accept the comfort this one time, she buried her head in her husband's chest. A few soft sobs escaped her lips. He sighed and gently petted her silky hair.

"You've been deeply hurt by those that should've been there for you. If you'll let me, I want to help you heal from these wounds."

My instincts tell me I shouldn't trust this man. But my ice-cold heart seems to be melting with each sweet word he says. What is truth and what is lies? Can I believe Sebastian or not?

- - - - -

The next day, Sebastian left early to go to his shareholders meeting. Alone in the apartment, Natalia took a long and steamy bath. She gazed at the scars on her body.

Some are from Adrianna and some are from Easton Kingsley, my predecessor. No matter what, they're a testament to the pain I've suffered and the life I've overcome. I won't let myself stand around, waiting to fall into a trap. For now, it's better to not trust Sebastian.

After her bath, she dressed into black jeans with a long-sleeve navy blouse. When she had slipped on two-inch, black combat boots, she tied her hair into a ponytail. As she looked at herself in the mirror, her eyes narrowed.

I refuse to be buried in V City. I will retreat to live another day.

A few minutes later, she got the awaited text from Ian. Knowing it would take about half an hour or longer to get through the traffic, she exited the apartment, locking it behind her. Racing down the steps, she came out onto the street and hailed a taxi.

When she had climbed in and pulled the door shut, she said in the language of A Country, "To V City International Airport."

"Yes, Ma'am."

Her prediction soon turned out to be right. It took them forty-five minutes to get through V City traffic and reach the airport. Dropped off at the smaller airport for private planes, she entered the building and sat down in an armchair to wait.

About five minutes later, the jet arrived early. Natalia stood and walked out onto the tarmac. As the door lowered, revealing stairs, a head popped out.

"Ma'am, where to?"

"Headquarters."

"Yes, Ma'am."

Ian held out his hand and helped her up. Once they were both seated inside, the pilot turned the jet around. They rolled over to the runway and waited for clearance from air traffic control.

"Ma'am, you didn't come across any troubles, did you?"

"There were a couple local police officers last night that spotted me. I don't know if they just assumed I was lost and were going to help me or if they had a sense of who I was."

"How did you get rid of them?"

She shook her head. "I didn't."

"What happened?"

"Sebastian came back after having bought me a necklace. Once they saw I had a companion, the officers left. I'm not sure if this was planned and Sebastian was trying to scare me or if everything was purely coincidental. Still, I refuse to take the risk."

Ian nodded slowly. "If Sebastian Black is aware of something, then you must tread carefully around him."

A solemn look crossed her face. "I know. One wrong move could mean my end."