Filed to story: Bring It On My Mafia Life Novel (Rhea & Lukas)
“Now, where were we?” His dark expression vanished away and was replaced with a friendlier expression, “Oh, about the war.”
The moment Benjamin heard about the war, his heart began to pound hard in his chest. They can’t go to war! That bastard Lukas tricked him! His son can’t be the one leading the war. He was going to lose his only remaining son, no!
“I don’t think that I’m in support of that war?” Camille said and Benjamin released the breath that he had been holding in. It wasn’t over yet, but it was something.
“If Eric Draven can offer us something substantial that can develop our family business rather than the setback that a war brings, then I am all in.” Camille raised her hand in a vote expecting the others to follow suit and when they didn’t, her narrowed, warning gaze flickered towards them one after the other.
In no time, hands were lifted in the air one after the other until it was left for Robert and Benjamin, and their family. As expected, it wasn’t surprising to anyone when Benjamin was the first to bite the bullet.
“I think I might have been a bit hasty in making a decision earlier. But thanks to Camille for opening my eyes,” He chuckled nervously, using the excuse to cover his shame.
However, Camille merely snorted at his pathetic attempt of changing his mind, after all, they all knew that Benjamin had a fickle royalty and could never be trusted.
With Benjamin raising his hand in support, Gabriel and his wife had no choice but to follow his gesture and Robert glared at him intensely.
That pathetic bastard! If only he had held on, then he could have turned the tide in their favor. But now, all eyes were on him and waiting for his decision.
“And what about Daniel?” Robert brought that up, “He’s the leader of the committee and should -“
“Daniel already nullified his vote by being absent in this meeting and even if he was here, the number of hands in the air is greater as you can see,” Lukas stopped him right there.
Robert scanned the number of hands in the air and it was as Lukas had said; he was red with embarrassment.
Lukas arched a brow at him, “So?”
He was defeated.
Seeing that he had no other choice, Robert lifted his hand reluctantly and his sons followed his direction. In the end, the call for trial of Elijah Draven was ruled and a more amicable negotiation was accepted.
“Thanks for your attendance today, the meeting is dismissed.” Lukas added, “Although you could stay back for some refreshment….” He was still saying when Robert’s chair was the first to be pushed back with a squeak and he stormed out of the place, followed by his wife and sons.
“I guess no refreshment then,” Lukas wasn’t even surprised by the outcome and relaxed into his seat, stroking Redhead leisurely.
The chihuahua had fallen asleep throughout the chaos and now Lukas hoped that none of them wakes the sleeping dog.
But then, his aunt was standing in front of him the next minute. Camille stared at Lukas and shook her head.
“I hope that is not the child you intend to present to Daniel nine months,” She hinted at the lie he had told Daniel about Rhea being pregnant.
However, Lukas was not worried, after all, he was going to meet Redhead’s mother tonight.
Should Auld Acquaintance Be Forgot
Note: This chapter is mostly about Daniel’s monologue and intake into Natalie’s marriage and her Beau Eric. Music Recommendation:- All I want – Emma Bale.
What was he even doing here?
Daniel wondered as he watched the Draven residence from where he was packed at a corner of the road. The meeting at the base should be ongoing already, but for some strange reason, he cared less. Lukas could have the win today, he would deal with his arrogant ass later.
Today was Natalie’s special day and the least that he could do was honor it. So yes, it was his holy day; he was not observing the damn meeting. Although he was pretty sure that Eric would shoot off his head if he dared to take a step towards his residence.
It was unfair though, with his history with Natalie, Daniel thought that he would get an invitation and the front-row seat at her wedding. Does she hate him so much that she couldn’t give him the chance to wish her great happiness?
What was that saying again, bury the hatchet and become friends? He thought that they had gone through the past already and all sins should be forgiven. Just like other vengeful women, shouldn’t she invite him to the occasion and rub her happiness all over his face?
That would have been perfect revenge, rather than the cold shoulder that she was giving him. He means, come on, both of their children were close, how were they going to be in laws in the future if they couldn’t see eye to eye on issues? Well, Daniel knew there was a reason that he liked her. Her fighting spirit and stubbornness couldn’t be compared.
He wondered if Eric knew that about her or if was he just a young stud who thought he knew everything about her when he knew nothing. Natalie deserved better and needed to be looked after by someone who understood her and not just some good-looking younger man. Daniel couldn’t understand why he was offended by Eric’s appearance though.
…..
Perhaps, he missed his youth or something. If it had been when he was at his prime, Eric’s boyish look couldn’t compare to his. Even now, he didn’t look too much and women threw themselves on him. What did Natalie even see in him? Daniel was greatly annoyed.
Had it been that he was in attendance, he could have given Natalie a lot of counsel on how to deal with men considering he was a man himself. Daniel was assured that he was no longer in love with Natalie, but seeing Natalie moving on and starting a chapter of her life with another man, he had to make sure that she wasn’t making a mistake.
She had to live fine and make him regret ever losing her; for not treating her well; for letting her slip through his fingers; for not fighting hard for her; for making her hate him. Okay, fine, he admits it. Perhaps, he still had a tiny bit of affection left for Natalie, but all of it would end from this moment henceforth. Natalie now belongs to another man that wasn’t him.
That was the reason Daniel was here, her wedding would be the conclusion he needed. Some sort of wake-up call that he needed to stop pinning after a woman that wouldn’t be his. He needed to know that she was happy so he could stop worrying about her.
For hours, Daniel stayed in his car without stepping out and observing the guests go in and out of the mansion which was guarded by heavy security. Daniel knew part of the reason she stepped up the wedding date was because of him. Eric must have told him about their meeting and Natalie must have been shaken by it so much that she decided to get married before he ruins it all.
Honestly, part of him still relished the fact that she was still affected by him while the other side was disappointed that she would think the worst of him. How could he ruin her wedding ceremony? Should auld acquaintance be forgot and never brought to mind? No, he could never do that to an old lover and a friend. It was his wedding gift to her – even if she never considers him as a friend anymore.
Moreover, he was tired of kidnapping and cleaning off her record – which he couldn’t do now that she was under Draven’s protection. Now, he wanted them to relate amicably even if she was married. Hence when Daniel noticed movements at the entrance, he leaned forward to the open window, anxious to see her.
He wasn’t disappointed because Natalie stepped into view, looking glamorous in her wedding dress and beaming so brightly she might as shame the sun. Why did she never smile this much when she was with him?
Daniel would give anything in the world if he could go back in time and put this type of smile on her face. But now, all he was left with was a past that she didn’t smile this brightly while they were together.
What was Eric’s secret? Not that he was going to ask the arrogant stud that of course. He was merely curious. Sure, he and Natalie didn’t get together in the best of situations in the past, but it wasn’t that bad, right?
Eric has done pretty bad stuff as well, so how could Natalie favor him that much? It was unfair and slightly annoying. Daniel suddenly wished that he had set a record that Eric couldn’t beat. It would have been gratifying if Natalie couldn’t love another man as much as she had loved him. But now, all he was left with was regrets and “What if’s”
Perhaps, the problem had always been him and not her. Was he really destined to be alone? Damn, fate was really cruel. However, since it was a fate that he couldn’t escape, then he had to accept it.
When Natalie and Eric entered their car and drove off with their escorts, Daniel kept waving at them while a lone tear slipped down his cheek.
Goodbye, his love.
Now that Natalie was stolen away by a younger stud, he had to move on too. But then, no woman could ever compare to Natalie which is why he would never get married. Which is why he would focus his energy on his, no, their children.
With Rhea pregnant with his grandson, he and Natalie would make wonderful grandparents. Perhaps, their relationship could grow to the extent of exchanging parenting notes. Doesn’t that sound great?
Hence, Daniel wiped away his tears and looked on to the future because there was so much to be done.
The Future Is Unpredictable
“Rhea has successfully moved into position, we have to move now,” Mimi whispered to Elijah who was scanning the area for his brother Ezra and still didn’t catch a glimpse of him.