Filed to story: Bring It On My Mafia Life Novel (Rhea & Lukas)
Lukas wanted to laugh; he wanted to tip his head back and laugh so hard that tears would slip from his eyes and people would think that he had finally lost his mind.
What the hell was his father doing? Playing the role of a faithful father? It was quite ridiculous. But even at that, he couldn’t help but pick up, “that matter” from his father’s loving speech – note the sarcasm. Was there something going on that he didn’t know? What was the duo planning again?
“Of course not, father!” Clara refused, stomping over to him and forcing him back to his seat before casting Lukas a long glare, “You would sit down at this moment.”
Of course, Lukas was ready to disappoint her. Who was she to command him around? However, before he could react otherwise, Lukas saw the threat in her eyes and knew whatever sentiment she had for him had vanished at that moment – if he did otherwise, Rhea was in danger. She would rat out Rhea to his father since that was his current weakness.
That was the only clue Lukas needed to behave. As much as he couldn’t stand his father, he preferred Rhea alive where they could fight all she wanted rather than being dead.
There were three seats at the circular table, but because Clara and his father had been discussing earlier, their seats were closely beside each other while his seat was across. Hence, Lukas didn’t mind the distance and sat apart from the both of them, legs placed on the other.
Irritated, Lukas grabbed the tie he had been suffering for the past hour and loosened it before tossing it away without a care. He saw the frown on Clara’s face, she didn’t approve of his action but Lukas currently didn’t care. If anything, he was happy at her discomfort – that makes two of them.
Lukas didn’t even know which one was worse, especially when he saw his father touch Clara on the shoulder and the contort in her features straightened out. He gave her an understanding nod and she smiled charmingly at him.
Their harmonious relationship pissed Lukas off so much that his hands fisted at the side had already turned white. Thankfully, he wasn’t holding one of the glasses on the table else he’d have crushed it with that amount of pressure.
If that man had been a tad bit warm towards her mother, then it would have been much better. Instead, he treated his mother as an enemy and denied her the pleasures of life. What right does he have to look good in front of his fiancée?
Moreover, how could Clara be on good terms with him? It was like a huge betrayal to Lukas. If he were going to be married in the future, Lukas wanted nothing to do with that man. No, he didn’t even want Daniel near his family, not to talk of his children.
That was his punishment for his mother. Lukas would train his children by himself without any chance of them being corrupted by their grandfather. He would give them all the love and care that was denied him. They would not meet a fate as he did.
In one word, Lukas wanted to give his children a chance at normalcy before they were dragged into the responsibilities of being a Luciano. Because left for his father, Daniel, he would want to “catch” them young. Lukas was not going to let that happen.
His father was banned from manipulating his family. That is the further reason he cannot marry Clara, because she has given space to the devil to use her.
Get Married Next Week
The tension in the room ratcheted up a notch when Lukas finally settled down. It was so thick that one could slice at it with a knife. In fact, Clara began to question if it was a mistake to reserve the whole place because the emptiness made everything more uncomfortable.
But she had been aiming at privacy, especially with her Father-in-law, Daniel present. Clara wanted to have the conversation comfortably and to impress him with her great organizing skills as well.
“Now, what’s the reason for this special occasion?” Lukas asked before turning to her, “You didn’t tell me that this was a double date, only that my father is missing a partner,” He was being sarcastic.
“Lukas…” Clara warned him. She did this with good intention, why couldn’t he appreciate that.
But he chuckled, “No, can you blame me? With how close the both of you are right now, if anyone stepped in at this moment, they would probably think the both of you are on a date while I’m the third wheel,”
At that comment from Lukas, Clara’s jaw dropped. How could he make such an assumption? She was highly disappointed in him.
But Daniel laughed heartily instead,”I didn’t know it was a crime to spend time with my daughter in law, ” He tsked, ” But of course, if I had been younger, I would have snatched her away from you and taught you how to treat a good woman better.”
Daniel intended that to shame Lukas and never expected him to retort,
“Yeah, like you treated my mother better? ” He snarled.
…..
At once, there appeared a tick in Daniel’s jaw and Clara found it harder to breathe with the increasing tension in the room. Father and son were staring into each other’s eyes and she could see the lightning match in them.
She had to do something. Tonight was supposed to be all about her for crying out loud.
“How could the both of you do this to me?” Clara said in a broken voice drawing both of their attention.
“The purpose of the gathering today was to discuss the engagement party, but none of that is happening and instead, I’m dragged into the middle of your war.” She squeezed tears from her eyes and unlike his father who grabbed his handkerchief from his pocket, Lukas was stoic-faced as usual.
Who was she kidding? She pushes the blame on them after she heaped the firewoods that were used to light the fire. Lukas was not deceived by her crocodile tears. He has seen better acting.
“I’m sorry, Clara.” His father Daniel coaxed her to calm down while Lukas watched them.
He just couldn’t understand it, something didn’t make sense. Why was his father so cordial towards Clara? Why was he so obsessed with the royal title?
Truth be told, aside from the respect he would gain from their union, Clara and her royalty were not beneficial to him. Their world was so apart. If anything, it would even put him in danger since he’d be under the scrutiny of the public once they get married. And the public’s attention was the least he needed.
There were a lot of Mafia families that were dying to have a political marriage with him. Such union alone would give them a stronghold in the underworld yet his father turned down such a golden opportunity. Didn’t he say he bore the welfare of the family in mind? But now, all Lukas saw was him achieving his selfish interest.
When Daniel was through with comforting Clara, he turned to his son, “This fine lady here sought me out so we can speak about your engagement party.”
At the mention of “engagement party?” Lukas felt bitterness in his tongue, no, nausea rose to his throat. What were they saying? He knew something was up when he saw his father here, but to think that Clara was plotting behind his back didn’t sit well with him.
“Engagement party?” He muttered, tasting those words on his lips. Instead of his heart missing a beat as would other couples in this situation, his heart only grew colder and harder.
“Yes, it was time the whole world knew about you already. However, I came up with a better idea.” Daniel said delightfully.
Lukas clenched and unclenched his fist, knowing whatever his father was about to say wouldn’t favor him.
“Instead of having an engagement party, it’s better you both got married.”
Now, Lukas wasn’t the only one shocked by the suggestion, Clara was too. But unlike her fiancé, she was quick to recover from the surprise, and did she mention that she liked this. Of course, her father-in-law was the best.
Lukas felt his head throb heavily, his brain was close to exploding with the number of thoughts running there.
Get married to Clara soon? Of course, it was not like he could deceive his father. The man was smart enough to know that he was plotting to get his sister back. The only problem he had now was how much he had left?
Lukas knew he couldn’t reject the marriage offer, that was the deal with his father for not hurting Chloe. But that was one thing he could do, bargain for time.
“That’s a good plan.” Lukas agreed with the arrangement and Clara whipped around in shock.
Did Lukas just say that? The man was confusing her. One moment he seemed to care about her and the next, he was just being… Lukas?
“You think so?” Daniel had a deep look as if trying to figure out what his son was up to. He expected Lukas to be against it.
“Yes. It would save us time, you know that I’m a busy man after taking over your position,” Lukas landed an indirect slap in his face.
For someone who was just insulted by his son, Daniel didn’t get angry, instead, he chuckled, “That’s right, I forgot that and you’ve been doing well. So, to save your time then, why don’t the both of you get married next week. The earlier, the better. Don’t you think so?” His father retaliated.
Lukas’s jaw clenched and there was a fire in his eyes as he stared at his father. Only one of them would emerge victoriously from this fight today.