OUR SACRIFICES

**ring ring**

Lucien stared at his mobile screen and began to frown. The unsaved but well remembered number

displaying on his mobile’s screen is from one of the people that he dreads talking to the most. He took

a deep breath before connecting the line.

“Lucien…” spoke a woman with a deep voice which always sounded tired and serious.

“…Madame Francesca,” Lucien replied with a slight bow. He bowed out of habit even though the other

party could not see him from the other end of the line.

“No need to be so formal to your sister. Congratulations on your second marriage,” Francesca spoke

slowly making sure to properly enunciate each and every word.

“Thank you very much, Francesca…” Lucien replied as he wondered what she wanted from him.

Francesca never called him unless she wanted something.

“I will make sure that my son and I are there for your big day. Please pass on my congratulations to

your soon-to-be new wife,” Francesca continued.

“Thank you. I will do as you bid,” Lucien replied in a tense voice. Francesca has not yet gotten to her

objective for this call.

“Let me get straight to the point. My son, Zak, wants Natalia to attend the upcoming premiere event for

his new movie,” Francesca stated flatly.

“Yes, of course. I would be happy for Natalia to attend,” Lucien replied with a little relief in his voice.

This is such a small favor and Lucien was confused why she even bother calling about it. The answer

was clear: Zak had requested for her to do so.

“That’s wonderful. Thank you for your help Lucien. I hope Natalia will continue to be such a close

companion to my Zak and I hope to have your support in every way possible regarding this matter,”

Francesca said in a firm voice.

“Yes…of course, I understand,” Lucien replied swiftly. Zak and Natalia have always been close. To

promise for them to remain close is not a difficult task, Lucien thought. He never had any intention of

separating Natalia from one of her closest friends.

“Good. I hope I have made myself clear. Thank you, Lucien,” Francesca thanked Lucien before

hanging up without giving him time to respond.

That was a little shocking…but if this is all she wanted then good. She could have asked for more

complicated things…

…

**Earlier that day**

“It’s me,” Zak spoke through the phone.

“Zak. You know I’m always happy when you call…which is rarely,” Francesca replied flatly. It is ultra-

rare for her only son to be the one calling her.

“I have something for you to do for me,” Zak stated without emotions.

“You mean that you have a favor to ask of me?” Francesca replied with a grin on her lips.

“I want Natalia to attend the upcoming premiere of my movie with me. Natalia will remain by my side

until I decide that I no longer need her. I want Natalia to always be fully accessible to me. You will tell

her father that and get him to comply. Do you understand?” Zak ordered his mother in a monotonous

voice.

“And? What will I get in return?” Francesca replied cunningly. Nothing comes without a price and her

son knows that very well.

“I’ll continue to do what you and the elders tell me to do,” Zak stated.

“You will agree to your engagement with Annie?” Francesca asked hopefully. Successfully getting her

son to agree to a perfect arranged marriage will further raise the status of their family and help with the

growth of the family business. Two bird with one stone. Just as she had done twenty some odd years

ago when she married Zak’s father.

Francesca Rosenhall is probably the most ambitious woman in the Rosenhall family. At the age of 18

she decided to accept an arranged marriage that would help the family business expand globally with

the help of her then husband-to-be, fifty-years old Lucas Smithweld. After a few years, she produced a

male heir to further strengthen this business alliance. Francesca did not remarry after the passing of

her husband and continued to work for the family business while raising her only son. In the eyes of the

elders and all family members, Francesca is a heroine in every definition of the word. Some would say

that Francesca leads the family from the shadows. She was also nominated to head the Elder group

three times in a row; all of which she declined.

“Sure. I’ll marry her but I don’t promise anything else beyond that. We’re not sexually compatible…not

sorry to say,” Zak voiced his opinion casually.

“What do you mean? Do you intend to keep up your affairs with Natalia even after you’ve married

Annie?” Francesca asked. How long will it take for him to tire of Natalia? She knew that her son and

Natalia has been secret lovers for years now. She didn’t see it as an issue but rather as an opportunity

to use in order to bargain with her son. Never did she imagine that what she thought was a momentary

fling would grow into a multi-year relationship with no ending in sight.

“Do you really have to make me say it? I can’t climax with Annie. I tried; it just doesn’t happen. Nothing

compares to the pleasure I feel when I’m deep inside Natalia. So, you will keep her by my side, and in

return, I will do as you say,” Zak told his mother plainly.

“Understood. We have a deal,” Francesca replied before Zak hung up. I’ve always known about Zak’s

attachment for Natalia, but I didn’t know that their affair would last this long. I better get Zak married as

fast as possible then perhaps Natalia will breakup with him on her own. Who would want to fool around

with a married man?

…

I just got out of the shower and was resting on the bed in my bedroom. I told Reiner to leave me for the

day. I have business to take care of that I would rather he not know about.

I opened my closet to go through my collection of night gowns. Which one would work better for

seduction? This red long lacy gown here or this short black lacy one? I guess, black it is.

I slipped on the short black lace night dress. Since it only covered the top of my thighs, perhaps it was

more like a slightly long top? I checked my reflection in the mirror, my hair was slightly damp from the

shower and wavy, the V neck black lace top clearly showed off my breasts and the lace did nothing to

hide my nipples. Let’s go with this, no panties required.

I took out my hair dryer, but not to dry my hair. After blowing hot air on my forehead for a while until I

was sure that my skin felt slightly hot to the touch, I called Laura to my room. Sorry, Laura, you’re going

to help me with a little skit in my play.

…

“Master Lucien! You must come quickly. Miss Natalia has a bad fever and is calling out for you,” Laura

informed Lucien in a panic as she entered the sitting room.

“Stay here, Angela. I need to go see, Natalia. If I’m gone for too long, you can leave for today. Sorry Nôvel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.

about this,” Lucien excused himself immediately. Turning to exit the room without looking back at

Angela.

“Please hurry, Master Lucien. I’m very worried about Miss Natalia…” Laura told Lucien as she

beckoned for him to walk faster.

…

“Natalia!” Lucien called my name out loud as he burst into my bedroom. Laura sensing that we wanted

to be alone left immediately.

“Lucien…” I whimpered his name weakly as I lay under the covers on my bed.

Lucien came over to my bedside immediately. He looked so flustered and worried seeing that I looked

so weak.

“You’re hot with fever. Should I call the family doctor over right now?” Lucien asked in a panic when he

felt my hot forehead with his hand.

“No, I’m ok…” I replied weakly as I reached out a hand towards him. Lucien grasp my hand in his tightly

as he stared into my eyes with genuine concern. I’m sorry for doing this, Lucien.

“I don’t think you’re ok. Is there something I can do for you?” Lucien asked in a worried voice.

“It’s so cold…” I whispered in a dry voice.

--To be continued...