“W-what?” Adele felt like she had heard wrong, after all, it wasn’t even a full statement. It must have been a slip of tongue, she assumed.
But when Daniel said, “Hand Elijah over to me.” She knew at once that he wasn’t kidding.
He really wanted Elijah, but why? What was he up to now? After all, Marcel was in the middle of a peace talk between both families. What does Daniel want now? Was he not satisfied with his son’s efforts?
Nervous sweat coated her forehead and she wiped it away with the back of her hand. Adele opened her mouth to speak, only to find out that her throat was suddenly dry from the tension. Nonetheless, she said to him, “I don’t understand. What do you want with Elijah?”
“Is that what you should be concerned about? After all, it is only a matter before your belly starts showing and you won’t be able to hide it anymore, not even with blazers.” His gaze started a heated trail down her belly that made her feel vulnerable and Adele crossed her arms around her body.
“Once other family members find out about my pregnancy, it’s over for me anyway, so what’s the use of agreeing to your ridiculous deal!” Adele told him with a great deal of annoyance, nearly banging her hand on the table.
Daniel stared down at her clenched fist on the table and said,
“It feels unfair, doesn’t it?”
.....
Adele glared at him before taking the glass in front of her and swallowing down the rest of the cold water to calm herself down. She can’t get worked up, because that was a weakness Daniel was beginning to exploit.
Taking a deep breath, she said to him,
“I don’t know what diabolical plans you have in mind but you should not dare recruit me in it because it’s not going to work. You can go ahead to spread the news of my pregnancy, I don’t care anymore.” She muttered under her breath, “It was bound to come out anyway.”
Adele said with a tone of finality,
“It was a nice try, Daniel. Your reputation indeed proceeds you and you deserve applause for the job well done. I don’t know what God created you but you should have been the god of chaos instead, that role suits you better.” Adele didn’t know where the confidence came from, but she was suddenly in the mood to give Daniel a bollocking.
She continued, “And did I forget to add that you are a narcissist asshole. You have this grandiose sense of self-importance and entitlement even when you don’t deserve it. You frequently demean, intimidate, and bully others. Not to mention that you want constant praise and admiration and when you don’t get the attention, you find a way of making Marcel’s life miserable.” She laughed sarcastically,
“I wouldn’t even be surprised if you’re jealous of him too.”
By the time Adele was done, a tense silence fell over the both of them, and neither did she wait around for Daniel to respond. Insults are best given when your opponent has no chance of retaliating. So she picked up her purse and stood up to leave only for Daniel to say,
“You and Angelica are the same, now I can see where you got that sharp mouth from. Like mother, like daughter.” He emphasized his last words causing chills to travel down Adele’s back.
The blood drained from Adele’s face and she didn’t need Daniel to tell her to sit her ass down because she did, having read between the lines. It wasn’t only the fact that he knew her mother that scared her, but the casual ease at which he called her name as if they were friends or something. But Adele was not fooled, they were no friends, and the threat was there in his tone.
“How did you get to know my mother?” Adele knew Angelica and the woman tried her best to stay out of the Luciano family.
Moreover, a narcissist like Daniel believes he is superior to others and can only spend time with or be understood by equally special people. He has no use for Angelica, so what could have possibly brought the both of them together if it wasn’t to threaten her?
“How did I get to know her?” Daniel thought over it, “I was only concerned about you when my son of all people frequented your home and I thought something must be up. As a concerned father, I decided it was right that the adults meet up and discuss the future of their children,” He smiled, “Who knew that your mother would be an interesting personality?”
“Don’t you dare lay a hand on my mother?! She has nothing to do with any of this!” Adele hissed at him.
Daniel chuckled, “Who said anything about harming such a beautiful woman? I’m merely extending an olive branch to you, Adele.” He said it as if he was doing her a huge favor.
Adele clenched her jaw shut, realizing just how annoying Daniel was and the fact Marcel deserved an award for surviving him all these years. The man had a talent for getting under one’s skin.
“Also,” Daniel continued, “I have to say that I’m disappointed in you. I let you stay by my son’s side because you were strong-willed and there was this fire in you to succeed. But I don’t see that anymore.”
He clicked his tongue in disapproval,
“I guess you would give up everything to be a mother to your children, your career sunken down to the bottom of nothingness all because you can’t give up a guy who used you and knocked you up with quadruplets. What a record.” The sarcasm was deep in his tone.
Daniel’s seat squeaked as he stood up,” I guess this is the end then. Have a nice day.”
“Wait -!” Adele exclaimed, her hand stopping halfway when she realized she was about to touch him.
“What?” Daniel rolled his eyes, tired of this drama. He was a busy man, you know.
Adele lifted her head, asking unsure, “You are not going to kill him, right?”
Daniel’s lips curled up, “I only believe in a fair trial.”