Forbidden Love...

Natasha blushed as she recalled the gentle arms of Kingsley across her back, soothing and calming, communicating volumes of love that only thoughts and emotions could describe.

But it ended almost as quickly as it started. Raw desire clouded his eyes but she knew nothing could happen yet. She clung to him for one last hug before pulling away.

Though the evening didn't go as planned, she was glad at the promises their relationship held. They would weather the storms together, take life one day at a time and with God on their side, they would definitely succeed.

Smart took furtive glances at her from the rear view mirror and smiled knowingly. However, he was careful to make sure she didn't notice. He still loved his job.

Yet, he was glad that something...someone could distract her from the busy life she led and the troubles surrounding Alpha.

Her phone buzzed.

"Hey Katie!" She beamed into the receiver.

"Hello Best Friend...You sound so excited...How did your date go?" Kate asked as she entered into Evening Heavens. A staff collected her jacket and handed her the reservation slip.

"Are you there?"

"There was no date..." Natasha replied quietly. She had raved about this day. It was a little embarrassing that nothing happened.

"What do you mean? Did Kingsley stand you up?" Katie annoyingly asked. She never liked the dumb man anyway. How dare he?

"He didn't. His mum was rushed to the hospital."

"Did you believe him? Men like that could concoct lies for no reason." Katie continued, perusing through the menu.

"Why do you have such thoughts anyway? I've told you several times, Kingsley isn't that type of person. What else do you want to hear?" Natasha asked with a raised voice.

"Every man is that type of person. I'm just trying to protect you okay. I'm your best friend..."

Natasha rolled her eyes.

"...Meanwhile I'm at Evening Heavens for dinner. Care to join?" Katie added when she got no response.

She knew she said some wrong things but she didn't feel wrong either. Natasha needed to see Kingsley for who he was and get out of the relationship before she would be hurt. Men like that were despicable.

"I'll be there." Natasha replied dryly and hung up. Her brows furrowed immediately. She hated when people meddled in issues that were clearly not their business.

"Evening Heavens" She instructed Smart.

"Yes ma'am" He replied, reversing at the next intersection.

Hissing, she looked out of the window. She recalled the first day she met Kingsley. It was at the reception of a friend's wedding. She knew the groom. He knew the bride. He had stated she was his high school classmate.

Natasha didn't bother about the details, but found herself carried away by his wit, charm and aura. She held unto him all night, unwilling to part. She didn't mind being a talkative as long as he was responding to her endless questions. After the ceremony, she gladly gave her contact.

It would have been their first scandal but the reporter who took the pictures wasn't experienced enough as Kingsley's features weren't clear. It wasn't his fault though, the security at the wedding was tight and he would certainly lose his job if he was caught meddling.

Kingsley had called few days later and quietly asked her why she never told him she was the heir to Alpha and their current CEO. She asked if it was a bother to him and he replied in the negative. Thus, the beginining of friendship and love.

She wondered why her friends didn't see it for what it clearly was. She was in love and so was he. The last time she remembered, Katie never had a committed relationship. How dare she lecture her on what to do and what not?

Smart parked at the entrance of Evening Heavens. Natasha gracefully walked in while he stood by the door waiting for further instructions. She was still in her disguise so no one immediately recognized her.

Everyone who dined here were rich or heirs to a conglomerate and the ladies among them dressed to show off. Her simple outfit though costly couldn't stand out. A staff walked over.

"Do you need something?"

"I'm here to see someone. Table 9" Natasha replied simply.

"Over there" The lady pointed and walked away. She didn't offer Natasha any benefits, as she didn't look grand or eye catching.

She trailed after her to see who was in table 9. She was surprised when it was Katie Brown.

Perharps, she was her younger sister or something.

Natasha didn't mind. She knew what the staff was thinking. She didn't desire attention anyway.

"What are you wearing?" Katie mouthed as she appeared into view.

"I went over to the hospital to see Kingsley, hence the disguise." Natasha explained with a smile and sat down.

She waved the waitress over. She scanned through the menu finally settling for some grilled chicken, hot dogs and a bottle of Manhattan.

"Natasha won't you consider what I'm saying?"

"What?" The latter asked with raised brows.

"You can't even flaunt your relationship with him. He makes you embarrassed. Can't you see it?"

"Katie, if you interfere in my relationship one more time, today is the last day you would see me"

"Girl, are you threatening me?" Katie laughed.

"I'm just trying to help..." She continued with a smile.

"You're doing a very poor job."

"You can't end our friendship because of a man" Katie countered.

"I can, if you speak ill of him again..." She stated firmly.

"Why are you insistent? Were you hired to do so?" Natasha continued rolling her eyes.

"Remember, final semester, you were so smitten by Denzel. I warned but you didn't listen. See what he did to you in the end." Katie reaffirmed.

Natasha shook her head. Katie clearly had selective amnesia. The way she recalled it, the babe had been so excited, spewing here and there about how popular and hot Denzel was. Truly, he was a sensation, one of the top 3 actors in the country and known in several nationsworldwide. Yet, he was a badass.

The waiter returned with the food.

"Enjoy your meal, ma'am"

"Pack it up" Natasha replied curtly.

"Are you not eating?" Katie asked.

"I think I've lost my appetite. Your face makes me sick." Natasha hissed, heading over to the counter immediately.

Katie looked at her with a deadpan expression and took out her phone.

"She's obsessed. Nothing can change her"

She sent the text and continued eating as though nothing had happened.

As Natasha stood waiting for her meal, the manager immediately hurried towards her.

"Natasha...I recognized you from afar. How are you doing?" The man bowed several times over. His head almost reaching his knee length.

"I'm doing great" She replied sweetly. She knew Mr Stone as her father had offered him favours in the past. It was only natural for him to behave this way.

The lady who had earlier thought Natasha was a nobody trying to crawl her way to the top looked aside immediately. She hoped Natasha wouldn't notice.

"Some people are making things difficult for me, Manager Stone" Natasha decided to sound petty for once.

"Who? Please tell me and I would fire the person" He begged.

The lady panicked, her eyes full of fear. If she knew she was standing before Natasha Barnett, she wouldn't have treated her as somebody of no importance.

"She" Natasha pointed, ignoring the plea in her eyes.

"Clara, pack your things and leave"

"Please sir...this is my only source of income" However it fell on deaf ears as the Manager couldn't afford to offend Natasha and in extension, her father.

Others could only look at her with pity in their eyes. They knew Clara was vain. She clearly deserved whatever was being meted out to her.

Natasha smiled in satisfaction signaling Smart to come over. He collected the food and the extra she had bought while the Manager and few staffs escorted them to the car.

"I'm sorry for the trouble Mr Stone. Don't bother, you're still in my good books" She told him.

"Please put in a few words for me with the old man" Manager Stone replied relieved.

"I will." She replied as Smart opened the door for her. They waved happily.

"The extra is for you and the family." Natasha stated as they drove out of the premises.

"Thank you ma'am." He replied excitedly. Though his salary was decent, he couldn't afford eating out at Evening Heavens. A simple meal costed several dollars. So it was a privilege, that Natasha considered him.

Getting rid of Clara placed her in a good mood as she forgot all the nonsense Katie spewed until she came home to face an agitated father. The enthusiasm within her disappeared completely as soon as she heard his voice.