Filed to story: Bring It On My Mafia Life Novel (Rhea & Lukas)
…..
Natalie was interrupted when he suddenly pressed his finger against her lips and she was stunned, before going red in the face. It was unexpected.
Eric upon seeing her reaction pulled his finger away, however, a giddy feeling filled his chest when he realized she was blushing.
“Talk no more,” He told her, “I’m the man, that’s my responsibility. Moreover, I had people help me out, it wasn’t even that stressful.” Eric lied through his teeth. He had spent the rest of the day finding the best location for this date.
Date?
He couldn’t even say that out loud for fear of getting rejected again. Fine, he would go through this the slow but steady way. But one thing was for sure, he wasn’t losing her this time.
“Even at that, you still…” She stopped when he saw his warning look. However, Natalie asked immediately, “What if I drool in my sleep?”
“You would still look cute to me,” Eric answered without thinking and saw the way her brows raised in surprise.
He cleared his throat and answered, “I would call over a makeup artist and she would doll you up to the point you would be like a celebrity on a red carpet,”
Natalie laughed, “If you weren’t joking right now, I would think you were flirting with me,”
Eric’s expression changed at that moment and he flexed his jaw before looking at her with an unsure expression, “What if I was? What would you do?”
“Don’t even think about it,” Natalie didn’t take him seriously though, and continued laughing. She then leaned back on the comfortable seat saying, “I’ll take up your offer of sleeping then. Wake me up when we get there.” She shut her eyes.
Honestly, Natalie had no intention of sleeping but she said that to get rid of this awkward air. She had this inkling that Eric felt something for her, no, who was she kidding? He already told her that when they were younger.
Then, they had been younger and he was a promising son, the heir to his father’s legacy. Natalie had turned him without batting an eyelid knowing that it was never going to work out between them.
She was five years older than him. Moreover, Natalie was his caretaker and a charity case his family picked up and took care of after those traumatic events. So she knew her place, neither was she ready to commit the worst mistake of falling in love again. Natalie was scared of it, not when it completely destroyed her.
Hence, she rejected his confession and told him that his affection was merely infatuation that would go away with time. Perhaps, his father must have sensed his puppy love as well and moved her away to another country.
Eric must have moved on because not long later, she heard the news that he had a child. Although they didn’t get married, she knew Eric, he was a serious person and would never commit such a thing with a person he doesn’t like. So she figured out he got over her and was happy now with his daughter and baby mama.
So Natalie focused on herself and he did come to visit, a lot of times actually, along with his brothers and daughter. That was how they got to be good friends over the years without any of them overstepping the line. Natalie hoped it remained that way…. maybe?
Although she had her eyes closed, Natalie couldn’t sleep. Her heart was unsettled after the events of the day, she met her daughter? The woman had never felt peace since the day she handed her child over to her father, but after today’s coincidental meeting, the guilt increased and was pressing down on her chest.
Who knew what her daughter thought of her? A wayward mother who didn’t care about her? She knew Edward, he was a kind man and would put in a good word for her but still, her daughter must resent her.
Natalie was sorry for making her think that she was dead, but it was the best thing for the both of them. She didn’t dare to think what that man would do if he had a clue that she has a daughter.
“We’re here,” Natalie’s train of thought was interrupted by Eric’s voice and she opened her eyes. Even without looking out, Natalie could guess by that salty smell and crashing waves that they near the ocean.
A Mother’s Sacrifice
Music Recommendation – Before You Go by Lewis Capaldi.
It was dinner on one of the yacht’s expensive exterior decks, Eric was not kidding at all. They were cruising into their own private paradise aboard the charter yacht. It was beautiful.
The sun has already faded long ago leaving the cool breeze to accompany them with the exceptional cuisine delivered to world-class standards while looking out across the ocean under candlelight.
It was simply romantic, if she dared to say. And special and memorable. One could see the efforts Eric put into this outing starting from the dining environment, table settings, decorations and ambience were meticulously planned and executed to theme. Natalie was more than touched. She didn’t know how to pay him back for this or at least make it up to him.
“This is…is… ” Natalie sniffed, clearing the tears that escaped her eyes and Eric froze.
“Please, don’t tell me you’re crying. It makes me feel horrible then, I shouldn’t have planned something that made you cry,” Eric looked really uncomfortable, as if he was in the middle of a labor room and watching a child delivery.
“No,” Natalie laughed in the middle of the tears that seem to flow much freely now, “They are called tears of joy for a reason.”
She told him and then reached out to place her palm over his hand that was resting on the table. A gesture that Eric noticed and glanced up at her questioningly.
“Thank you, really,” She told him, squeezing his hand affectionately. Natalie then let go almost immediately before the innocent gesture turned into something else.
…..
Even though Natalie shed a few tears contrary to his intention, Eric was still gladdened by her response. That showed that he was making progress. He did the right thing by taking it slow.
They spent the next minutes tasting the quality cuisines made by the chefs till their stomach couldn’t contain any of their local delicacies. Then Eric had to leave to answer a call.
Knowing that it was work-related and probably important, Natalie didn’t bother him and simply leaned over the rails and looked across the ocean. Now that she was all alone, the thoughts bothering her couldn’t help but return and it was all related to her daughter.
She couldn’t help but wonder how Edward was doing. Natalie had made it a rule over the years never to search or ask about him – it helped her move on and for him to forget about her. Now she thought about it, he must have married already and fallen in love with his wife. That meant her daughter would have a stepmother.
Natalie felt a stab of jealousy, her daughter would give the love reserved for her to her new mother. After all, the girl doesn’t even know that she exists. She had made Edward promise her never to reveal it to her.
But then, what if Edward’s wife doesn’t like her daughter? What if the woman abuses and gives her daughter a tough time at home? Her fist clenched as her maternal instinct kicked in.
But then, she must be worrying over nothing. Natalie saw her at the café today and she looked happy. And that young man must be her boyfriend, they looked cute together. Still yet, her brows couldn’t help but furrow, Natalie was concerned over her daughter.
When that young man bumped into her at the café , he had a disturbing aura. It was annoying that she didn’t see him properly with her glasses on. Mob activities were numerous in this city and it would really break her heart if her daughter got involved with one. She had once been involved with a mob lord and look where that got her.
In the end, she was still rescued by a crime family. If there was anything Natalie learned over the years, it was that you don’t get involved with the Mafia, because once you’re in, there’s no going out. Your whole life revolves around it.
That was why she sent her daughter away. Natalie can’t be free, but her daughter could. Free from Daniel, who doesn’t know of her existence – and would never. She made sure of it.
Natalie sighed, rubbing her temple where she could already feel a migraine brewing. Her past always made her feel this way. horrible.
“If I knew my progress would be for nothing, I would not have answered this call,” Eric said from behind and she turned to see him standing there with a frown.
He walked over to her, “I brought you here Natalie so you won’t be haunted by the demons of the past,”
“I know, Eric and I really appreciate the effort,” She told him sincerely, “However, some denoms stay with you, with every waking hour of your life…” She breathed deeply, “With every breath you take till the day you’re granted the mercy of death.”
Their eyes met and he could see the emotions there. It tore him apart. If there was a way he could take away the pains, he would do it without batting an eye. He just wanted to make her happy.
“You know I can find her,” He told her.
“Oh God, no!” Natalie rubbed her palm down her face, she was clearly against the idea.