Filed to story: Bring It On My Mafia Life Novel (Rhea & Lukas)
“And talk about what? If I’m pregnant?”
Her mother was taken aback by how bluntly she brought the issue up. However, she was quick to recover and asked her, “Tell me then, are you pregnant?”
Rhea was sure of her answer. The lies were right there at the tip of her tongue, but when she looked into her mother’s eyes, it hit that this was the only woman on her side in this critical moment. Lukas might not trust his father, but Natalie wanted the best for her. It was not worth lying to her when she needed her by her side.
“I am,” Rhea confessed, her heart beginning to race. Now that she bravely let the cat out of the bag, she was beginning to doubt if she had made the right decision. She glanced at her mother’s face, it was blank. Rhea had no idea what was going on in her mind.
“I thought as much.” Natalie finally said a word, relief passing through Rhea.
“You’re not angry?” She was surprised.
“Oh, I’m angry! Very, very pissed off! That bastard got you pregnant behind my back and I bet the both of you planned to keep it a secret from me, right!” She looked furious.
“About that….” Rhea gulped, having no idea how to explain it to her. How did she know? Thank the lord that she had not lied to her.
“But then….” Natalie breathed, “Nothing surpasses the joy of being a grandmother.”
At once, a smile split Rhea’s face and before Natalie could brace herself, she threw herself on the woman and they fell off the bed thanks to their miscalculated weight. Even while on the floor, Rhea refused to let go of her.
“Muah! Muah! Muah!” She peppered her face with kisses, giggling at her embarrassment.
“Get off me, you brat! I’m not exactly as young as you are!” Natalie playfully chided her.
Rhea finally let go of her, standing up to her feet, and helped her too. The both of them stood, staring at each other until Natalie glanced down at her stomach, asking, “How far are you?”
She shook her head, “I don’t exactly know, three? Four weeks? I haven’t exactly gone for a full test.”
“I don’t know if you kids planned this or what, there would be a lot of weddings to plan once Richardo is taken care of. First you, now Elijah, what’s so special about being in-laws with the damned Luciano family?” She muttered under her breath, “Hopefully that bastard takes my advice and I don’t see his face.”
Although Rhea didn’t hear the rest of her words, she had a feeling it was about Daniel. Her mother was not exactly subtle about her dislike for Lukas’s father.
Natalie told her, “After this, I’m having a talk with Lukas.”
Before Rhea had the chance to ask what she would discuss with Lukas if they meet Natalie reached out and clasped her cheek with her hand.
She said, “I told you, you’re my daughter and I’ll do anything for you. Anything in this world.”
Live With The Consequences
While Rhea and her mother were together, the brothers as well were engaged in a meeting. Even Ezra who had been sent away to investigate the incident was back since Ephraim and Elvis already got the details thanks to Lukas.
However, unlike the others, Elijah was the least comfortable in their midst knowing everything was his fault.
“I’m sorry,” He apologized when he couldn’t stand the guilt gnawing at his heart anymore. He had been unable to stare his brother Eric in the eye for a while now.
Hearing the apology, the other brothers raised their heads interestedly, watching to see Eric’s reaction. He had been quiet for a while now.
However, Eric ignored him and went on to say to the others, “Since it has gotten to this point, I have no choice but to agree to the deal with Lukas. If we want the other families to be a part of this war, the Luciano family would have to be part of the commission.”
He went on to say, “I hate to say this, but this is the right timing. With the Basil family gone, someone has to fill in that void and the Luciano family is a powerhouse in this business and they should have a seat already. The others would have to get used to it.”
But Ephraim asked, “Wouldn’t that be seen as nepotism? It’s enough that you’re building an alliance with the Luciano family, but marrying one of their own. The other families might see that as a power play. You’re risking your position here, Eric.” He didn’t like it.
“That’s why Elijah can’t marry Adele yet. They would have to hold a wedding ceremony once the war is over and no one can have an idea of her pregnancy. Once Lukas is in, the other families can protest all they want, the deed is already done.” He added confidently,
“And you don’t have to worry about me. They all know no one can do this better than me.”
…..
And that was the truth, Eric was not just a businessman but a negotiator with vast connections in and out of the country. He was greatly respected thanks to the relationship he’s built with his clients. His nickname was the “Draven Fixer ” since he always seemed to have a solution for everything.
“Fine, the pregnancy stays between us.” The brothers agreed to it.
“Tomorrow morning, I’ll have to speak with Lukas then.” Eric was up on his feet before the others. “To your tents, O Draven.” He playfully bade them goodnight and then he was out of the office.
However, Elijah followed and called after him, “Brother!”
Seeing that his brother was intent on not talking to him, Elijah had no choice but to get in his way and he finally halted.
“What?!” Eric barked, startling him.
To be honest, Elijah was scared of facing his brother, but it was time to stop being a coward.
“I’m sorry,” He said to his brother as if this wasn’t the first time he said it already.
“Okay,” Eric shrugged and took a step forward only for him to block him again.
“What now, Elijah?”
“That is it?” He was confused.
“What more do you expect?”
“You might have said okay, but it’s not okay,” He pointed out.
“Just the same way you might have apologized, it doesn’t erase what you did,” Eric said and his throat went dry at once.
Eric faced him, “I told you, Elijah. I warned you against your recklessness! Your impulsiveness! Yet you never listened. The world isn’t as simple as you see it, every action carries consequences that might not only affect you but your entire family! And here, you have yours.”
He sighed, “I don’t hate you, Elijah. You’re my little brother, but then It would take me time to look at you the same way I did in the past, so please give me time.”
And with those words said, Eric left him while Elijah stood helplessly in the hallway. He ran his hand through his hair, yanking hard at his scalp. This was not how he expected his life to turn out. It should have been better than this. But there was no denying part of it was his fault and like his brother said, he had to live with the consequences.
“You’re still up,” Eric pointed out when he came into his room to see his wife was not yet asleep.
Natalie stood from the bed, walking towards him, “How would I sleep when I know you have it tough at the moment,”
Getting to him, Natalie wrapped her arm around his neck and drank him in, “You look stressed,” She pointed out.