REINER – SNEAKING OUT

“Thank you for bringing me here. This cake tastes really good,” I said before smiling a little at Reiner in

appreciation.

“I’m glad that you like it,” he replied.

“I really like it,” I said as I looked deeply into his blue eyes.

Thank you, Reiner.

Time slipped by as we sat there in silence. Some time, I would feel Reiner eyes on me as I continued

to eat the cake. Once I had finished, I realized that we’ve had quite an extended lunch in terms of time.

“Natalia…” Reine called my name softly.

I looked up to find him staring directly at my face.

“Yes?” I replied, wondering what he was going to say.

“About yesterday, where did you go?” Reiner asked.

Was that what had been bothering him?

“Nowhere. I just wasn’t feeling so well,” I replied, trying to sound normal.

“Really?” he asked as his eyes watched me.

“Really. I feel all better now so there’s nothing for you to worry about,” I replied

I lied but it was true that soon, there wouldn’t be anything for him to worry about anymore.

Spending the weekday with Reiner has made it hard for me to go to work at the bar. He drove us to

work together and then at the end of the workday, he would drive us back. That left me no room to slip

away to work at the bar. If I brought it up again and asked for his permission, we would most likely get

into another argument, and I wanted to avoid that at all costs. This problem will go away soon enough

anyways.

The weekend would arrive soon, and I would move out of his mansion to start living at my new place.

That would mean that we would no longer share a ride to the office or a ride back to the mansion.

Naturally, when that happened, I can work at the bar whenever I wanted once again. I should give

Jamie a call to apologize for not turning up to work so much this week. At least, I can promise to work

both nights on the weekends at this bar. Although that would make waking up on a Monday morning

harder than usual…

…

After a few days of strenuous work with Reiner at the office, Saturday finally arrived. I spent some time

on Friday night packing away the few belongings that I had to get ready for my move. Most of the

things belonged to the mansion and I wouldn’t be taking them along. After packing the things that

belonged to me, I was reminded by how little I owned. Just like I had imagined, everything fit in a

backpack and a small luggage. This should make moving very quick and easy which was a great thing.

Kat had offered to help me move but I had turned her down. For some reason, I felt like I wanted to be

alone during the move. I didn’t need any physical help with moving the stuff because there wasn’t much

anyways. Therefore, I would rather go at my own pace and have some alone time to think and evaluate copyrighted © content.

how I felt. At this moment, I felt extremely excited to move to my own new place. Sure, I’ll be leaving

the comforts of the mansion, the helpful maids, and the kind and caring Queen behind but I was sure

that I’ll learn so much more about life from this courageous move.

I also knew that I would be further away from Reiner now too…

Since I already informed Queen about my move, I was planning to make a low-key departure.

Basically, I planned to slip out of the mansion in the morning on a Saturday, hopefully, without running

into anyone. Most of all, I prayed that I wouldn’t run into Reiner. I wasn’t sure what his reaction would

be. He might get mad, and we might get into another argument, or he might be relieved and happy now

that I’m finally leaving. Either way, I didn’t want to face him.

With my backpack on my back and my small roller luggage in my other hand, I took one last sweeping

glance around the room that had served as my first place on this island before I whispered a very soft

‘goodbye’.

The mansion was quiet on that Saturday morning, and I was thankful for the peace. The cab that I had

arranged for should be waiting for me in front of the mansion already. I had just received a text from the

driver to confirm that he had arrived based on the details provided in my pre-booking. I walked along

the familiar hallway before descending the stairs to the first floor.

I made it to the entrance of the mansion without incident. However, just as I was about to turn the

corner to head out the exit of the mansion, the sight of a very tall and familiar person caught my eye.

Reiner!

Reflexively, I stopped in my track and hid back behind the wall. I prayed that he hadn’t seen me yet.

What is he doing up so early on a Saturday? Why was he just standing there right in front of the

mansion’s entryway? My breath caught in my throat as my heart started beating faster and faster. I

closed my eyes and concentrated on taking deep breaths to calm myself down.

What should I do? If I wait here, will he leave? Should I move away because he might come into the

mansion?

I peered a little at Reiner and he was still standing there. Then I realized that he was talking, although I

couldn’t quite catch what he was saying. That was when I realized that he was talking on the phone. I

pulled myself back and leaned my back against the wall. Pressing myself flat against the wall, I

continued praying that he would just go away soon so that I could leave.

“I’m waiting for you right in front of the mansion…” Reiner said.

He’s still talking on the phone. I could hear remnants of his conversation with whoever he was talking

to. Apparently, he was waiting for someone to arrive. What should I do? Should I go back to my room

and hide for now? But…the cab is already waiting for me outside. If I move, will he spot me?

“Knight!”

A very joyful and bright voice of a woman that I’ve never heard before rang out loud and clear as she

called Reiner’s code name. Is she the person that Reiner had been waiting for?

My body froze in place and for no logical reason at all, an empty void expanded and filled my stomach.

I’ve never seen her or heard her voice before, but my instinct told me that I already knew who the

owner of that cheerful voice was. Suddenly, I felt cold, and a shiver ran through my body. Glancing

down, I discovered that my hands were shaking.

--To be continued…