Filed to story: Bring It On My Mafia Life Novel (Rhea & Lukas)
It was at that moment that Niklaus came into the living room and saw both of them. He opened his mouth to speak but Reina shook her head, hinting that this was not the time. So he sighed, running his hand through his hair so tightly his wife, Reina feared for his scalp.
Reina knew deep down that it took Niklaus every fiber of his being not to lash out at his nephew right now. It has been weeks, fucking weeks since he ran off with that girl, Winters, and all their efforts to find him proved abortive. He not only put them – Reina and Niklaus – into a deep state of unrest, but his parents as well, King Kai and his wife, Emily.
The both of them had to come down to the country to find their runaway son whom they heard took off with a dangerous hacker. Niklaus knew deep down that Winters had a hand in why they weren’t able to track them down easily. As much as his pride wouldn’t allow it, Niklaus had to admit that the girl was damn good at what she does.
Niklaus could identify teenage rebellion when he sees one – even though the young couples were legally adults. He had been hard-headed and tough while growing up, even till adulthood. Niklaus went to great lengths to be with his wife today, so he understood and respected true love when he saw one.
Unfortunately, Akim was the crown prince of Lincolnshire, and his absence during the past weeks has thrown the kingdom into confusion. Not to mention that both of them were young and feelings change all the time – they don’t fully comprehend what love was. He would not let Akim destroy his future over some teen love.
…..
Niklaus didn’t know what happened, but Akim returned on his own, and his men located him on the way, bringing him in safely. However, the deep sadness on his nephew’s face told him that it wasn’t good news. It would be nice if that girl finally came to her senses and broke up with him.
So he waited “patiently” for the boy to keep it together before he began his interrogation. If it wasn’t for the fact that the boy’s mother, Queen Emily was his sister and trusted him, Niklaus bet she would have him locked up in jail already, believing he had a hand in whatever happened to her only son.
After all, what parents would believe that their son who came to spend time with his uncle’s family suddenly eloped with a hacker he claims to be in love with? It was suspicious. Thankfully, there was video evidence to support the claim.
“What the hell were you thinking?!” Niklaus fired, the instant the boy was able to calm down. His eyes were red with anger and the veins on his face protruded.
Akim in question didn’t dare to look into his uncle’s eyes and lowered his head shamefully instead. Right now, Niklaus was a live wire and he would only get electrocuted if he dared step on it.
“Do you know how worried your parents were? They had to come down to the country just to look for you and you were what? Having a good time with the love of your life?!”
“Uncle, it was the only way that I could -“
“Don’t talk while I’m speaking!” Niklaus thundered.
“Niklaus!” Reina stepped in, her gaze silently communicating with him to calm down while she placed her hand on Akim’s palm, squeezing it softly.
She said to her husband with a gentler tone, “Scolding him all day would not erase what happened, Niklaus, we should be more grateful that he’s back home without any harm. Moreover, this misunderstanding was a result of miscommunication. We weren’t listening to him and he probably made his point by running off with her. “
Niklaus applauded him sarcastically,
“Good job then. You solved your problem like a man by running away, bravo! What made you return home then? You should have kept running until we caught up to you. So why did you come back here looking like a mess?!”
“They took her,” Akim confessed, tearing up once again.
“Who took her?” Reina asked out of concern, her hand resting on his shoulder. Even Niklaus who was angry couldn’t help but get interested in the case.
“I don’t know who,” Akim explained to them, “We were outside for a while relaxing and just when we decided to return home, a car stopped right beside us. They took Winters and overpowered me so I couldn’t go after them. But ever since then, I haven’t heard a thing from Winters and I truly fear that something has happened to her. “
“Well, good riddance!” Niklaus said without thinking and all he got from his wife was a glare.
“Uncle…” Akim stood up from his seat and walked over to his uncle, falling to his feet, “You have to help me find her. Please, you have to save her.”
But Niklaus looked down at him, saying without sympathy,
“I’m sorry but the only responsibility I owe towards your parents is sending you home safely. And you’re leaving for Lincolnshire first thing, tomorrow morning.”
“Please uncle, I have to save her…!” Akim begged him, holding onto his feet but Niklaus wasn’t listening. If anything, he gestured to the guards around who came over and took a hold of him.
“Niklaus -” Reina tried to mediate but his cutting look silenced her. His decision was final.
“Uncle!” Akim screamed after Niklaus as he was dragged away. He can’t give up on Winters. He had to save her.
Covet Me
“So the both of you are good now,” Mimi asked, meticulously spreading strawberry jam across her slices of trimmed bread making sure it wasn’t smeared at the edges.
It has been a while since Mimi visited her best friend, Rhea because she has been busy spending time with Victor’s family. Her mother-in-law Carmine and her daughters couldn’t get enough of her and they were quite close to each other now. Mimi had to admit she was lucky enough to be marrying into a family that accepted her workout reservation.
But then, here she was once again to get the latest gossip directly from Rhea. So after ransacking their refrigerator – thankfully Natalie had left – she settled for bread and jam. Although she might have been warned by one of the staff that the jam belonged exclusively to master Ezra.
Well, who cares? After the incident at the hospital that night, the least he do was to sacrifice his jam. And so, here they were relaxing on the patio, gossiping as normal girlfriends do.
“Yes, Lukas and I have reconciled,” Rhea affirmed, feeling giddy.
She then reached out and took Mimi’s hands in hers, preventing her from eating her bread and jam. Mimi glanced up at her with a puzzled expression but let her nonetheless, curious to see what she was up to.
Rhea faced her and began, “I don’t know how to thank you for what you did for me, Mimi. Even when I gave up, you didn’t and held the faith for both of us. Sometimes, I think I don’t deserve you, but time after time, you prove that you are a priceless treasure gifted to me. Thank you so much for being my best friend, Mimi Davis.” She told her with gratitude.
“Aww, that’s so sweet,” Mimi said, blinking her eyes repeatedly as if something got into her eyes, “And while I should be excited that you finally confessed your undying affection for me, why am I crying instead.” She fanned her face with her hands.
Rhea giggled at her hilarious reaction and pulled out a sheet of serviette that should have been used for wiping her mouth and fingers while eating to wipe her tears instead.
…..
“Here, have this. ” She handed it to Mimi who accepted it and wiped her tears till she calmed down.
“How are you feeling now? Better?” Rhea hoped so. She didn’t mean to make her best friend cry even though she knew deep down that it was pregnancy hormone speaking.
“Yes. I feel better now and thank you for those kind words,” She reached for her bread and jam, anxious to eat them now her appetite was stirred. Mimi took a bite and moaned with her eyes closed, that felt like heaven.
She stuffed her mouth with the bread, swallowing it down with a glass of juice at her side. Almost immediately, she took the second loaf and shoved it down her throat to Rhea’s shock.
She looked at her friend with worry,
“Jam is loaded with sugars and transfats, shouldn’t you cut down on the amount you take? Aren’t you worried about putting on weight?” Rhea advised her.
But Mimi shook her finger in her face in a ‘no-no’ sign. She told Rhea proudly, “Victor says I should eat all I want for the baby to get all the nutrients he needs. When I deliver, he would have one of the best dietitian and weight loss coach help me shed the baby weight.”
“You mean he told you to eat healthy food,” Rhea gave her a look that says she can fool others, but not her. Mimi was guilty as charged and it was confirmed when she saw the emotion flash across her face briefly.
Mimi cleared her throat, “That’s what the baby wants.”
“Mmmhmm,” Rhea nodded her head, amusement in her eyes, “I believe you.” She did not believe her.
Mimi sighed knowing that her best friend could see through her. She said defensively, “I just can’t control my craving and it tastes so good you should have a bite too.” She lifted two of the bread slices she sandwiched together and brought it to Rhea’s mouth.