Forbidden Heat novel Chapter 197

The counselling session with Doctor Greta has ended and I am walking back to the car with Reiner. I was troubled, to say the least, after hearing the Doctor’s opinion of my case. I’m a little disappointed that she couldn’t diagnose my dream right away and just tell me the truth of what happened or didn’t happen. I guess this is not a movie after all and the Doctor doesn’t just know it all according to the script. How will I find out? How will I know for sure if the event in the dream is just a dream conjured up by my fear or that it actually happened to me?

…something someone said…a place I’ve been to recently…

I couldn’t stop thinking about what she said.

“Natalia…Natalia…” Reiner’s calm voiced brought me back from my troubled thoughts.

“Oh…sorry, you were saying something?” I asked apologetically.

“You’ve been standing in front of the car’s door for a while now. Want to get in?” Reiner asked teasingly as he opened the car’s door for me to get in.

“Thank you…I’m sorry for spacing out like that,” I replied softly.

“It’s ok. I’m sure you have a lot to think about. Don’t over stress yourself. If it’s hard on you, maybe you don’t need to remember…” Reiner said as he patted my head softly. His smile warmed me up inside.

“…Are we heading home already?” I asked Reiner in a shy voice. He probably knows that I don’t want to go back to the mansion. I haven’t set foot out of the family estate for days.

“hmm…not quite,” He replied as he drove faster.

“Where are we going?” I asked without hiding the excitement in my voice. I know what we were about to do doesn’t play well by the book but I couldn’t help feeling thrilled at bending the rules…and spending more time alone with Reiner.

“…you’ll see,” Reiner replied casually as he kept his eyes on the road. Guess this man is full of secrets and surprises as well.

…

“So, do you know how to row a boat?” Reiner asked winking at me.

“Umm…No?” I said in a light panic.

Isn’t it a bit too late for him to ask me that now? We were already standing on a small wooden dock at the side of a green-blue lake. I didn’t know there was a small lake quite close to the city. This lake was surrounded by a small park. This place must be quite popular during the early mornings, evenings and weekends since there’s a running track where people could jog and exercise. However, in the late afternoon on a weekday like right now, the park was pretty much deserted.

Are we really going to fit in that tiny wooden boat? I thought while I stared dubiously at the white wooden boat docked next to where we were standing. The boat was probably as long as Reiner was tall. This is going to be an…interesting experience.

“Give me you hand,” Reiner instructed and when I looked up, I realized that he was already in the boat with his hands held out to me in order to help me in. I’m not sure which is scarier, getting out of the car in high heels in front of the press of getting into a clearly shaky small wooden boat.

“Umm…are you sure about this?” I asked in a shaky voice. My discomfort must have been clear since Reiner responded by laughing slightly.

“Can you swim?” he asked still laughing a little.

“Yes…” I replied sensing that my safety had just been compromised.

“Then there shouldn’t be a problem,” Reiner said as he grabbed and tugged at my hand, pulling me into the boat. I let out a little scream as my feet landed on the small boat before I quickly sat down. The boat rocked side to side…

“R! What did you just do?!” I exclaimed in slight shock. The boat continued to rock side to side.

“Helping you get in the boat…what else?” Reiner replied without a care. This is so not good for my heart.

Reiner started to row the boat away from the dock. The boat stopped rocking and I was relaxed enough to look around at the scenery. This place is actually very peaceful and beautiful. We didn’t speak. We just spent time silently enjoying each other’s company. Reiner’s probably doing all this to cheer me up from being locked up in the mansion for days and from the stressful session I just had with Doctor Greta. I truly appreciate his effort and the fact that he was here with me. I could not imagine how lonely and depressed I would feel if I was left alone after the counseling session. I wonder what Reiner thinks about my dream…

“R…what do you think about my dreams? Do you think the event I dreamt of actually took place or not?” I asked. Nothing to gain and nothing to lose from seeking his opinion.