Taken By The Mafia Lord

320 A Mother’s Sacrifice

Music Recommendation – Before You Go by Lewis Capaldi.

It was dinner on one of the yacht’s expensive exterior decks, Eric was not kidding at all. They were cruising into their own private paradise aboard the charter yacht. It was beautiful.

The sun has already faded long ago leaving the cool breeze to accompany them with the exceptional cuisine delivered to world-class standards while looking out across the ocean under candlelight.

It was simply romantic, if she dared to say. And special and memorable. One could see the efforts Eric put into this outing starting from the dining environment, table settings, decorations and ambience were meticulously planned and executed to theme. Natalie was more than touched. She didn’t know how to pay him back for this or at least make it up to him.

“This is...is... ” Natalie sniffed, clearing the tears that escaped her eyes and Eric froze.

“Please, don’t tell me you’re crying. It makes me feel horrible then, I shouldn’t have planned something that made you cry,” Eric looked really uncomfortable, as if he was in the middle of a labor room and watching a child delivery.

“No,” Natalie laughed in the middle of the tears that seem to flow much freely now, “They are called tears of joy for a reason.”

She told him and then reached out to place her palm over his hand that was resting on the table. A gesture that Eric noticed and glanced up at her questioningly.

“Thank you, really,” She told him, squeezing his hand affectionately. Natalie then let go almost immediately before the innocent gesture turned into something else.

.....

Even though Natalie shed a few tears contrary to his intention, Eric was still gladdened by her response. That showed that he was making progress. He did the right thing by taking it slow.

They spent the next minutes tasting the quality cuisines made by the chefs till their stomach couldn’t contain any of their local delicacies. Then Eric had to leave to answer a call.

Knowing that it was work-related and probably important, Natalie didn’t bother him and simply leaned over the rails and looked across the ocean. Now that she was all alone, the thoughts bothering her couldn’t help but return and it was all related to her daughter.

She couldn’t help but wonder how Edward was doing. Natalie had made it a rule over the years never to search or ask about him – it helped her move on and for him to forget about her. Now she thought about it, he must have married already and fallen in love with his wife. That meant her daughter would have a stepmother.

Natalie felt a stab of jealousy, her daughter would give the love reserved for her to her new mother. After all, the girl doesn’t even know that she exists. She had made Edward promise her never to reveal it to her.

But then, what if Edward’s wife doesn’t like her daughter? What if the woman abuses and gives her daughter a tough time at home? Her fist clenched as her maternal instinct kicked in.

But then, she must be worrying over nothing. Natalie saw her at the café today and she looked happy. And that young man must be her boyfriend, they looked cute together. Still yet, her brows couldn’t help but furrow, Natalie was concerned over her daughter.

When that young man bumped into her at the café , he had a disturbing aura. It was annoying that she didn’t see him properly with her glasses on. Mob activities were numerous in this city and it would really break her heart if her daughter got involved with one. She had once been involved with a mob lord and look where that got her.

In the end, she was still rescued by a crime family. If there was anything Natalie learned over the years, it was that you don’t get involved with the Mafia, because once you’re in, there’s no going out. Your whole life revolves around it.

That was why she sent her daughter away. Natalie can’t be free, but her daughter could. Free from Daniel, who doesn’t know of her existence – and would never. She made sure of it.

Natalie sighed, rubbing her temple where she could already feel a migraine brewing. Her past always made her feel this way. horrible.

“If I knew my progress would be for nothing, I would not have answered this call,” Eric said from behind and she turned to see him standing there with a frown.

He walked over to her, “I brought you here Natalie so you won’t be haunted by the demons of the past,”

“I know, Eric and I really appreciate the effort,” She told him sincerely, “However, some denoms stay with you, with every waking hour of your life...” She breathed deeply, “With every breath you take till the day you’re granted the mercy of death.”

Their eyes met and he could see the emotions there. It tore him apart. If there was a way he could take away the pains, he would do it without batting an eye. He just wanted to make her happy.

“You know I can find her,” He told her.

“Oh God, no!” Natalie rubbed her palm down her face, she was clearly against the idea.

“She deserves to know,” He claimed.

“She deserves a happier life,” She countered.

“Not when you’re dying inside, slowly,”

“It’s my cross, Eric. It’s my sin to bear. Moreover, she thinks I don’t even exist. I don’t want to shatter her completely normal life, please.” She begged him.

“My freedom was taken from me. My family, my life, my affection...” Natalie paused as if to breathe, everything was weighing down on her, suffocating her. It almost felt like she was underwater and couldn’t find a way out.

“It’s my sacrifice. That’s what mothers do, right?” She said, her eyes brimming with tears.

Eric stood at that spot frozen, watching as the tears slipped down her face. His mouth was open but he couldn’t say a word, and then without thinking of what she would say, he went over and hugged her tight while she cried on his shoulder.

He wished at that moment that he had feeling power so he could heal her soul from the inside out.

———–

Kind of silly, but I actually cried while writing this chapter. Kudos to all the mothers out there, and to those who didn’t get to feel a mother’s love, feel this author’s love. XoXo