Taken By The Mafia Lord

She was getting married to Marcel next week? Clara didn't know how to feel about the news? She was scared and elevated at the same time; everything was going too fast.

But then, all it took her to make the decision was the image of that redhead woman and jealousy took over. She can't lose Marcel to her. She has made a lot of sacrifices already. So yes, whether it was tomorrow or tonight, Clara was ready to make Marcel hers.

However, before she could respond, her fiancé, Marcel, beat her to it, "It's a nice idea, father, but that's going contrary to our plans."

"Our plans?" Daniel was the one left confused this time. His son surely wasn't about to disclose to Clara that he threatened him into agreeing to the marriage.

He gave his son a warning look yet Marcel still went ahead to say, "Clara and I decided to date each other for real this time until you interfered. We're into this marriage till death does us apart, it would do us good to know each other well. We need time, I'll suggest having the wedding next month."

But his father disagreed with a scowl, "And what were you doing with the time you had all this while?"

"What?"

"You should have gotten to know Clara the instant the both of you were introduced to one another. Are you trying to say that you wasted the opportunity I gave you all this while?" Daniel was not going to make it easy for him.

"I never agreed to this marriage, father, neither did you give me a choice either," He lifted his head in Clara's direction, "In the same way her freedom of choice was snatched from her. What were you expecting us to do? Love each other instantly? This is no fairytale, father." Marcel played the victim. He can't let his father have his way, he needs to buy as much time as possible.

"You don't need any love, Marcel. The both of you only need to respect each other and have a family. Everything else would fall in place -"

"I think you're wrong on that one, father," Clara said to his astonishment, he had not expected that from her.

However, there suddenly appeared a furrow on Daniel's face and Marcel was not even surprised by it. His father had probably been supportive of Clara because she had been obedient to his instructions and now, she was being an obstruction to his plans, he suddenly didn't like it.

"And how exactly am I wrong?"

Clara took a deep breath, "Marcel and I would spend our lives together. We can't be shaken by external forces," She tactically hinted that others shouldn't interfere in their marriage.

"However," She added upon seeing the way Daniel's face changed. This was the first time she was seeing her father-in-law being mad at her and for some reason, it was scary to the point goosebumps erupted on her skin.

She quickly said, "But you want the best for the both of us, which is why I'm thinking we could get married at the end of the month. It would give me time to organize the wedding of my dream."

Clara forgot to breathe the entire time she said that until the dark look on Daniel's face eased.

"At the end of the month... " Daniel said, rubbing his chin thoughtfully, "That's three weeks away."

"Yes," Clara nodded while looking at Marcel, "That's enough time to inform my mother of the change in plans and make all necessary arrangements. You know how busy she usually is." She said nervously.

"No problem, then." Daniel agreed to their relief, "Three weeks is enough time for the both of you to fall in love." He said pointedly at Marcel.

"Thank you father for giving me the chance to experience the love you never received." Marcel aimed that comment to gut him, however, he never expected that his father would be truly affected by it.

Hurt flashed across Daniel's face but it was only for a few seconds because it was gone as soon as it came and Marcel thought he imagined it. Why would the man be bothered about love? He wasn't capable of it.

"I would leave you two lovebirds to enjoy your date then?" Daniel was up on his feet after that. However, when he passed Marcel, he stopped and dropped his hand on his shoulder.

"I hope you don't fail my expectation, son," He squeezed his shoulder tight, the threat hanging in the air before he finally left. And all this while, Marcel kept a straight face even though he was boiling inside. He hated that man with the whole of his being.

"Marcel…" Clara said his name with caution, rousing him from his thought, " I'm sorry -"

"Save your apology," Marcel got up to his feet and rose too, looking at him with concern.

"Where are you going?" Clara asked with suspicion even though she knew the answer already.

"What do you think? Do I need to spell it out for you?" Marcel told her with an unsmiling face.

"But the date -"

"This was no date. You know that the moment you invited that man here," Marcel told her and she was unable to refute him.

"Just let me be tonight, Clara. Please," Marcel begged her for the first time and tears clogged her throat. She was losing him.

"Fine, I can come to the base tomorrow, right? We can discuss -"

"Don't bother. The base is not a place for matters like this. You like to be in charge, don't you? Go ahead with the arrangement, I would come to your place instead if you need anything."

"You're protecting her," Clara spat out, all of it dawning on her.

"Goodnight, Clara," Marcel leaned down instead, pressed a kiss on her cheek, and left.

"No, no, come back here, Marcel…. Marcel!!"

But Marcel was not listening and made it out of the hotel. He pulled out his phone to make a call to his cousin, Victor who picked up at the first ring.

"You survived." Came Victor's ever-enthusiastic voice.

But Marcel was in no mood for jokes and went straight to the point, " I need you to have someone conduct a secret investigation for me, Victor."

"On who? Your love interest? Elijah?"

"My father."

"Oh." Victor was not expecting that. He cleared his throat, "So what should I look into exactly?"

"His relationship with women. His history with my mother? Most of all, any other women he met within that time frame. Probably before they got married. "

"You're suspecting your father cheated on your mother while she was alive?"

"Victor, he had an imbecile son. I'm not surprised anymore. But it's something more than that and I can't explain it."

Victor whistled, "Your family is definitely weird."

"Idiot," He sassed, "You're also part of that family."

Marcel finally remembered and said, "Also, plans changed. We are rescuing Chloe earlier than expected."