Taken By The Mafia Lord

"Thank you for honoring our invitation," Natalie smiled sweetly, welcoming Karen who took a seat at the dining table.

Karen was no other than Eric's baby mama and Rose's mother. They had invited her for a meal officially, since she already knew of their intention to marry, which was the reason for this big, merry breakfast today.

Since Karen was Eric's baby mama, Natalie talked with him and felt that it was essential that they keep her in the loop. After all, the both of them were about to get married and it was a big change in the family. Natalie would be Rose's new mother, Karen deserved to know their plans for her daughter. She should know that her daughter was safe with her and Natalie wished they would become friends. It would be much better that way.

Karen was much younger than Natalie and quite a beautiful woman as well. It was obvious that her daughter Rose inherited her features, although her hair color was clearly from Eric. While Natalie was a brunette, Karen was blonde and clearly belonged to those models on the runway.

With an hourglass shape and her slim structure, there was a sophisticated aura around Karen. Not to boast or something, but Natalie could clearly see why Eric and Karen didn't work out. While Karen belonged in fashion magazines and camera lights, Eric was all dark and deadly. She could never fit into his dark world, and neither could Eric keep a woman like her down.

Karen needed the spotlight as much as the earth needs sunlight and she could not be an obedient wife to Eric - she was wild. And a dark, twisted piece inside of Natalie was thankful the both of them couldn't be together.

But then, just because they can't be together, doesn't mean Eric wouldn't want her. Karen was hot and Natalie was trying hard not to feed her inferiority complex. Not that Natalie wasn't attractive, but what man in his right senses wouldn't want a younger, attractive woman's company to an older one, and Karen carried herself so well it was as if she was attending a fashion show instead of a simple family breakfast.

Thankfully, Karen was married to her celebrity husband and Natalia didn't have a reason to suspect that she was still after Eric even though she literally had everything. Nor does her husband-to-be, Eric hit her as a cheating spouse, Natalie truly hoped so.

Because this was the last time she was attempting to give her heart out. She can't escape from a psychopathic ex-lover in the past only to launch herself into marriage with a chronic liar who chased after her for years. She can't afford to experience that. Hence, let this be her insecurity speaking.

"The pleasure's mine," Karen said just as her daughter Rose took the seat beside her with a full grin that exposed her incomplete teeth.

"Mummy look," Rose tugged on her arm, drawing her attention to Natalie, saying, "You're with my other mommy now, and that makes it two mummies! I'm the luckiest kid in the world!" She announced dramatically.

"Yes, you indeed are," Eric answered her question, coming to take his place at the head table. He said to Karen in particular, "Isn't she adorable?" Referring to their daughter.

"Of course, she is," Karen said with pride, "She's her mother's daughter, after all."

Natalie didn't say anything, smiling wryly instead. That comment hit deep inside of her and she couldn't help but think about her own daughter. The girl wouldn't be as proud of her as Rose is of her mother thanks to her option and she had to live with that. However, Natalie doesn't regret it, what she did gave her the chance to live. If Natalie was given another, she wouldn't hesitate to do it all over again.

"I'm sorry for my lateness, I had some issues to settle on the phone," Eric apologized to both of them to be precise.

"It's alright, the food's already here," Natalie said in understanding.

"You still do that commission shit?" Karen asked with little respect for his work. She had never favored his line of occupation and was never subtle about it.

"If you mean if I have taken over my father's position in the commission, then yes. However, it would please me, if you mind your language, there's a kid with us," He warned her, reigning in his anger. Karen has always been a self-centered bitch and it seems that even time hasn't changed that about her.

"Well, I forget that it's generational." Karen took a deep breath of relief, digging her spoon into the salad that had been specially prepared for her. Before she was invited, Natalie got her diet schedule and prepared it accordingly.

"Thankfully, Rose is a female and wouldn't have to take up such a bullshit position. My daughter would live happily without the gore and death, " She turned to Rose who had no clue what they were talking about, and smoothed her hair proudly.

Eric said nothing to her taunting comment nor did he attempt to correct her that the position of the head of the commission wasn't generational and was obtained through hard work and wiles. Sorry to ruin her hope either, but Rose had his blood running through her veins and he had seen great strength in the girl. She was made for this.

However, if Rose grows up and doesn't want his position, Eric would not force her and would let his nephews take his place. His brother and twin Ephraim were already procreating like rabbits, one of his sons would rule in his stead then. Or he could adopt, a lot of options were opened for him.

Knowing that each time Karen opens her mouth to answer Eric, it will be nothing but disaster, Natalie interferes and draws the attention to herself instead before World War III breaks out. The whole breakfast thing was her idea, and she wanted it to succeed.

"Tell me about yourself, Karen," She said, having noticed the woman loved being the center of attention, "What are your latest projects? I'm interested to know about them."

And just like that, Karen's eyes lit up as if someone fed her chocolate. Yolk! Not that she would actually eat chocolate, the calories in there for crying out loud! But then, you know, they say chocolate is a woman's best friend. So you get the point.

Karen began to talk, going on and on and on and on while in reality, Natalie looked to be listening when she wasn't because she was playing footsie with Eric under the dining room table.