Filed to story: Bring It On My Mafia Life Novel (Rhea & Lukas)
Adele blinked at him, her mouth nearly forming an ‘O’ from that answer. She didn’t exactly ask for those details and why does it seem like he was complaining to her? Neither was he as old as he assumed. Moreover, how would he get himself a grandchild if Lukas doesn’t give him one? Daniel was clearly a narcissist on top of his other “charming” qualities.
The last thing Adele wanted was to validate a narcissist’s ego and Lukas’s father already had an inflated sense of self-importance. So she merely gave Daniel a tight smile, dismissing the issue as soon as it came. If he wanted a grandchild, he should take up with Lukas, not her.
Not to mention that Adele was uncomfortable discussing a child with Daniel when she was hiding four of them which would threaten her position when the secret comes to light. She was toast if Daniel hears of her pregnancy, he would not let her stay by Lukas’s side knowing she would be nothing, but a liability to him.
As if composing himself as well, Daniel asked her, “What do you want? Coffee –?”
…..
“No coffee!” She interrupted him before he could finish.
Adele was currently watchful of the things she took and consuming large amounts of caffeine during pregnancy may increase the risk of miscarriage or low birth weight. Although the doctor said she can still enjoy a mug of coffee now and then during her pregnancy, just make sure not to go over 200mg of caffeine in a day.
Adele was taking no risk. It was better safe than to be sorry and she would grieve and mourn the lack of coffee in her life for the next seven months and weeks left; she would survive that. Her children were important to her and she wouldn’t put them in danger.
However, it wasn’t until Adele saw the look on Daniel’s face that she realized that her response might have drawn more attention than she intended. She nearly screamed at the mention of coffee and the ever-vigilant Daniel was beginning to find that response of hers suspicious.
“I mean….” She hurriedly tried to cover it up, “I have been consuming a large intake of caffeine nowadays and it’s beginning to affect me. “
“Is that so?” Daniel said, and something about the flatness of his tone made Adele uncomfortable, not to mention that their gaze connected in the same minute and it was almost as if he could see through her.
No wonder many people fidget in their seats while in his presence. Daniel effortlessly exuded a dreadful aura around him, but Adele stood her ground. She would not be intimidated.
“Yes,” She answered, wetting her lower lip with her tongue unconsciously,
“I need just a glass of water.”
“If the lady says so, then,” Daniel was amused and gestured to the waiter, and the young lady came over as he made their orders.
Moments later, Adele sipped her glass of water before setting it down on the table and watched as Daniel slurped his Americano through the straw. He almost looked like a kid doing so and If one wasn’t so careful, they would be deceived by his calm and innocent facade without knowing that he was a viper ready to strike without warning.
“Aren’t you hot?” Daniel suddenly pointed out of nowhere, interrupting her train of thought.
“W-what?”
“Your blazer,” He gestured, “Here I am having an iced Americano because it’s hot outside and yet you kept your blazer on. Don’t you feel hot or are you hiding something else?” Daniel said with a gleam in his eyes and it dawned on Adele.
He knew.
Daniel knew of her pregnancy.
Adele released a shaky breath while a shiver of dread went through her. How did he know? She placed her trembling hands on her lap to steady them. Adele was sure that Lukas would never let her secret out – he had a tight lip. But then, this was Daniel she was talking about. He had his means of finding things out.
Suddenly, there was a lump in Adele’s throat as she choked out,
“W-what do you want?”
Daniel gave her a full-toothed grin, before pointing at her with barely contained laughter, “And this is why you’re my favorite among the others, always straight to the point.”
Adele tried her best to be strong even though she was close to falling apart. All of the efforts she made over the years were about to be torn down in the twinkle of an eye. And who doesn’t know that it was suicide making a deal with Daniel. But then, what choice does she have?
“What do you want?” Adele asked him once again, her voice steadier than before. She was ready to do anything to keep her position.
Daniel answered, “Elijah,”
Give Up Elijah
“W-what?” Adele felt like she had heard wrong, after all, it wasn’t even a full statement. It must have been a slip of tongue, she assumed.
But when Daniel said, “Hand Elijah over to me.” She knew at once that he wasn’t kidding.
He really wanted Elijah, but why? What was he up to now? After all, Lukas was in the middle of a peace talk between both families. What does Daniel want now? Was he not satisfied with his son’s efforts?
Nervous sweat coated her forehead and she wiped it away with the back of her hand. Adele opened her mouth to speak, only to find out that her throat was suddenly dry from the tension. Nonetheless, she said to him, “I don’t understand. What do you want with Elijah?”
“Is that what you should be concerned about? After all, it is only a matter before your belly starts showing and you won’t be able to hide it anymore, not even with blazers.” His gaze started a heated trail down her belly that made her feel vulnerable and Adele crossed her arms around her body.
Daniel made her feel uncomfortable.
“Once other family members find out about my pregnancy, it’s over for me anyway, so what’s the use of agreeing to your ridiculous deal!” Adele told him with a great deal of annoyance, nearly banging her hand on the table.
Daniel stared down at her clenched fist on the table and said,
“It feels unfair, doesn’t it?”
…..
Adele glared at him before taking the glass in front of her and swallowing down the rest of the cold water to calm herself down. She can’t get worked up, because that was a weakness Daniel was beginning to exploit.
Taking a deep breath, she said to him,
“I don’t know what diabolical plans you have in mind but you should not dare recruit me in it because it’s not going to work. You can go ahead to spread the news of my pregnancy, I don’t care anymore.” She muttered under her breath, “It was bound to come out anyway.”
Adele said with a tone of finality,
“It was a nice try, Daniel. Your reputation indeed proceeds you and you deserve applause for the job well done. I don’t know what God created you but you should have been the god of chaos instead, that role suits you better.” Adele didn’t know where the confidence came from, but she was suddenly in the mood to give Daniel a bollocking.
She continued, “And did I forget to add that you are a narcissist asshole. You have this grandiose sense of self-importance and entitlement even when you don’t deserve it. You frequently demean, intimidate, and bully others. Not to mention that you want constant praise and admiration and when you don’t get the attention, you find a way of making Lukas’s life miserable.” She laughed sarcastically,
“I wouldn’t even be surprised if you’re jealous of him too.”
By the time Adele was done, a tense silence fell over the both of them, and neither did she wait around for Daniel to respond. Insults are best given when your opponent has no chance of retaliating. So she picked up her purse and stood up to leave only for Daniel to say,
“You and Angelica are the same, now I can see where you got that sharp mouth from. Like mother, like daughter.” He emphasized his last words causing chills to travel down Adele’s back.
The blood drained from Adele’s face and she didn’t need Daniel to tell her to sit her ass down because she did, having read between the lines. It wasn’t only the fact that he knew her mother that scared her, but the casual ease at which he called her name as if they were friends or something. But Adele was not fooled, they were no friends, and the threat was there in his tone.
“How did you get to know my mother?” Adele knew Angelica and the woman tried her best to stay out of the Luciano family.