“I know who you are. You’re Natalia Rosenhall…” Rachel said in a low whisper.
I wondered what my identity had anything to do with any of this, but I was willing to find out.
“You’re right. I am Natalia Rosenhall. I wasn’t trying to hide it or anything…” I confirmed casually.
“Knight left me once and I found out later that he went after you. But he’s back now. He returned to me, and I’ve decided not to let him go a second time,” Rachael said determinedly.
Reiner left this island to find me? I’ve guessed as much but it felt different now that I was hearing about it directly. I wondered when he left this island and why he was searching for me exactly. My guess was that he probably felt guilty about what happened to my mother. Reiner worked for the Rosenhalls for many years even before we came into contact. I knew without a doubt that he gave up many things including his life here just to get close to me.
I looked at Rachael and the determined look and passion in her eyes. I could understand her determination and that was probably because I shared the same determination. Unfortunately, our goals were the same and we wanted the same man. In the end, only one of us would get him. Either that or neither of us would get him.
“I’ll be honest with you. I had no idea about Knight’s relation with me or why he went looking for me at first. If he hasn’t told you anything then I don’t think it’s my place to tell you anything about it. As for whether you can keep him with you or not, that doesn’t really depend on me,” I said calmly.
This doesn’t depend on me at all. If this depended on what I wanted, then Reiner would be with me already. If I’ve learnt anything about Reiner, it is that he’s got a mind of his own and he will do things his own way. He was still engaged to Rachael, and I wondered if he truly intended to marry her with or without love.
“I think the fact that you’re here is making him confused and hesitant,” Rachael said accusingly.
“Do you think his resolve to marry you is that weak?” I asked followed by a small laugh.
“It doesn’t matter…as long as he marries me in the end,” Rachael replied.
“Even if he doesn’t love you? Are you ok with marrying without love?” I asked, more curious than worried.
“If it’s with Knight, I’ll do anything just to be with him. He might not love me at first but I’m sure that one day he will,” Rachael replied, and I could tell that she was troubled about it even if just slightly.
Rachael seemed greener than I first thought, and I wondered what life she had been leading on this island. Perhaps she had never seen firsthand how painful a loveless marriage could be. I smiled a little at her as I thought that she wouldn’t have to worry about that if Reiner marries me instead.
“How did you know him? Knight, I mean…” I asked.
Rachael’s eyes widened slightly in surprise at my question. I continued smiling sweetly at her. She’s not the only one out here to collect information.
“We grew up together…” she replied in short.
“Childhood friends? Must be difficult…” I said with slight regret in my tone.
She looked at me with an unimpressed look and I continued smiling sweetly at her. Being childhood friend could go both ways. Either the two would be deeply in love since a young age and the relationship would blossom as they both got older and of age. The other option was probably one of being eternally locked in a friendzone type of relationship. I doubt the two of them had such a passionate relationship like the one that I shared with Zak.
“I’ve known him for a long time. Someone like you, who doesn’t have a place here on this island, should just quickly pack up and leave,” Rachael said as the air around her darkened.
I’ve just about had it with people telling me that I didn’t have a place here on this island.
“What do you do for a living? Are you…an agent?” I asked as my eyes travelled down her body.
She’s probably an agent. Either that, or she’s an overly fit modern woman.
“I’m an agent. I come from a long-standing family of agents similar to Knight’s family. It is only natural that we would get married,” Rachael stated confidently.
“I see. Well, good luck with that…” I replied lazily.
“You don’t understand what you’re getting yourself into, Natalia. You don’t come from this island, and you don’t have a background like us. You can’t live here, and you can’t always be with Knight the way that I can,” Rachael stated like it was set in stone.
I listened patiently to what she had to say. Partly, she was right. I wasn’t from this island, and I didn’t share Reiner’s background. On top of that, I wasn’t even sure if I fully understood the life that he led. The woman who stood in front of me was an agent while I can’t even walk up a steep flight of stairs without feeling faint. I kept telling myself that I should exercise but I’ve always been a lazy bum. Despite all of that, I have stubbornly decided never to give up on Reiner.
“I guess you’re right,” I admitted frankly.
“Then, you’ll leave?” she asked, and I could see the hope in her eyes.
Sorry to disappoint you but…
“Why should I leave?” I asked while putting on an innocent face.
“He’s told you before, hasn’t he? You should just go back home…” Rachael said sternly.
“Well, I don’t like to do what I’m told,” I replied with a small laugh.
Her eyes narrowed at me as she stared directly into my eyes. This conversation was becoming pointless from my point of view. I didn’t have much to learn about Reiner from her and I had found out more than enough information for me to assess the situation already. All in all, my future course of action doesn’t change. I still have to fight hard to get Reiner on my side. In the end, it will Reiner who decides.
–To be continued…