Filed to story: Bring It On My Mafia Life Novel (Rhea & Lukas)
The woman turned to her and it was confirmed, Adele was in her house. But why? Rhea had this nagging feeling inside of her that she was about to receive a shocking discovery. It just didn’t make sense. Does Lukas even know that she’s here? Was she and Elijah together in this critical time? There were just a lot of questions in her head.
“You’re finally home.” Eric welcomed her with a small smile and Rhea couldn’t help but notice that the man seemed to have aged more than the last time she saw him.
There were tired lines under his eyes and he was exhausted. Rhea already heard what happened and it was no surprise he looked like he lost ten years of his life considering everything was on his shoulder. He had to clean up this mess.
“Hey,” Was all Adele said to her and took her eyes off her.
Rhea was not bothered by the casual acknowledgment knowing that Adele was not big on showing emotion nor was she a big talker. She was reserved and different from her other cousins. Moreover, Rhea was more interested in why she was here.
Honestly, Rhea couldn’t tell if she was supposed to be part of this conversation or not. While she was now part of the Draven family thanks to her mother’s marriage to Eric, it didn’t mean they wanted her in their private conversation. Moreover, she was not hundred percent loyal to them since she was together with Lukas, the Don of the Luciano family. If push comes to shove, God knows she would be torn between both families.
However, when Ephraim and Elvis settled down and her mother did as well, Rhea had no choice but to force her ass down else she’d be seen as the odd one. After all, if this was a conversation Eric didn’t want her to hear, he would have taken it to his study and she wouldn’t even know.
…..
“It’s nice to know that you’re safe.” Eric was the first to speak and it was concerning her.
“Thank you, Eric,” Rhea said, awkwardly scratching the back of her head.
While Eric was a nice man, Rhea was still navigating this newfound relationship with him. She respected him and was glad he made her mother happy, but there was no way she would ever confine the title of “father” to him. Perhaps, her mind would change in the future, but until then, her biological father would always be the number one in her heart.
“Why is she here though?” Her words pointed at Adele, “I can’t help but feel this is important?”
Instead of Eric, Adele chose to answer her directly, saying, “It’s important because I’m pregnant for your step-uncle, Elijah.”
“What?!” Rhea shouted, blown out of her mind. Why was everyone getting pregnant? First Mimi, then her, and now, Adele. It was simply unbelievable! Did the goddess of fertility declare this an open season?
By chance, does anyone else in the room aside from her mother suspect she was pregnant too considering it was the trend of the season? How would all the family deal with the three of them giving birth the same year with just months in between? Was this a conspiracy by the men or something? Rhea was so shocked she was beginning to think rubbish.
As if that was not enough, Adele dropped another bombshell, “I’m having Quadruplets.”
“W-what did you just say?” Rhea felt like she was heard wrong. But then, the expression on Adele’s face was neutral showing she was not joking.
Oh no.
Rhea began to laugh hysterically as if she had lost her damn mind. This was the first time she had heard of or seen anyone close to her having multiple births. And of all people, it had to be Adele and Elijah? The both of them weren’t even together anymore. How was everyone going to deal with this? How was Lukas going to take this? That is if he doesn’t know already.
Rhea looked around the room, taking in everyone’s expression and it dawned on her that she was the only one kept in the dark. No wonder they wanted her around, it was to break the news to her as the only ignorant person in the house. Rhea felt a little hurt. Even her boyfriend kept it from her – Adele would not come here to expose the truth without having Lukas know. Was this how it hurt when she lied to Lukas the first time?
Damn, karma was a bitch.
“So why are you telling us this now? Why this moment?” Rhea was surprised she was able to find her voice, “Are you together with him now? Are the both of you good?” She pointed at Elijah.
“No, we are not,” Adele answered, glaring at Elijah who swallowed.
“Then, why….?”
“He has the right to know about the pregnancy.”
Well, that was right.
“And then both of us can get married.”
“What?”
“I’m pregnant with his child, it’s the right thing to do.”
“Bullshit! You don’t even love him any longer. Why would you bind yourself to him all because of all the babies?” Rhea turned to Eric, wanting him to say something but he wouldn’t even look her in the eyes.
“Rhea…” Her mother called, trying to coax her.
“No, it doesn’t make sense. They don’t have to get married and still co-parent -“
“I’m sorry but that’s not the way things work in our world, Rhea. I either stay with Elijah or I lose my babies. Unless the Luciano family is interested in them, then it becomes an out war over custody. But then….” Adele smiled sadly, “I’m sure my family would think of this opportunity as good riddance. But marrying Elijah, it’s a good deal and strengthens ties with both families. We can stay miserably in our marriage and take care of our family, don’t you think it’s a win-win situation?”
Do Anything For You
Even after Rhea had finished bathing under a warm shower, she couldn’t get rid of the coldness that seeped into her bones. Now on her bed and ready to sleep, she couldn’t forget the conversation tonight.
Was Lukas aware of this? Was he in support of Adele’s decision to marry Elijah? Rhea had been tempted to call him on the phone and interrogate him about everything, but she didn’t. He already had a lot of things to deal with and she was sure Lukas wouldn’t appreciate her calling to nag him. She wasn’t that kind of woman.
But then, Rhea couldn’t sleep and kept turning and tossing on the bed. A lot of things crossed her mind and she wondered if this would have been her situation if she and Lukas hadn’t got back together again. What if she got pregnant the time they broke up and Lukas found out by chance, would he force her by his side as his father did to his mother? Or would he take the child from her and send her away?
“Ugh,” Rhea groaned in frustration.
It was too cruel. The traditions in these patriarchal crime families were harsh on the female sex. Although Rhea didn’t want to think the worst, what if in the future, things get bad between her and Lukas and she wants a divorce? Does this mean she would be left with nothing?
Perhaps she was thinking too much and the intended marriage between
Adele and Elijah could be the perfect cover to revive the sparks that had once been flying between the both of them. As much as Elijah hurt Adele, Rhea didn’t believe she hated him thoroughly. Hate was also a form of love and the only reason Adele loathed Elijah might be because she loves him too much. Her dumbass step-uncle Elijah would have to work hard to change her mind and get the fire burning in her heart once more.
A knock on the door roused Rhea from her train of thought.
“Come in.” She said, already having an inkling who that might be.
…..
Natalie stepped in and her heart skipped a beat. Just as she thought, her mother was here to pick up from where they stopped. The conversation was inevitable, Rhea braced herself mentally.
“I guessed you would be awake, turns out I was right,” Natalie told her, coming to sit on the foot of her bed.
“Well, after that huge revelation tonight, my mind is not exactly settled.” Rhea was honest with her.
Natalie took in a deep breath before saying, “Nothing is achieved easily, Rhea, that was the best for Adele. She knew it too. Moreover, both of them were adults and knew what they were getting themselves into.”
“She didn’t know.” Rhea objected, “Elijah fooled her. Took advantage of her. I’m not surprised she wanted nothing to do with him until the pregnancy hit her. And now she’s left with four kids. Can’t you even begin to imagine that?”
Natalie reached out to grab her hand and told her, “We would be there for her. Everyone makes mistakes and Elijah is not proud of what he did.” She sighed, “Let’s not talk about that, okay.”