Taken By The Mafia Lord

838 Trial Of The Gods

After the incident where the toddler nearly sucked on Daniel’s finger, Angelica made him wash his hands for hygiene’s sake since he was around children and anything could happen. He obeyed while the toddler who he had come to know as Pamela clung to him.

It was strange, while the adults ran as far away as they could from him out of fear, this toddler was active and attempted to climb all over his body as if he was a damn ladder. Didn’t they say children have keen senses and would cry whenever they’re close to an evil person? This baby must be a strange one if that was the case.

She was annoying and while he would love to tie her up so she could stay a place, he didn’t dare to expose such a thought in front of Angelica. Come on, people, he’s trying to woo a woman here and wanted to be on his best behavior.

Hence, Daniel had to endure Pamela’s disturbances because she had taken a strange liking to him and wouldn’t even go to Angelica without breaking out in shrieks.

“You know….” Angelica started, “If you were with a wife, I would say look out, you might be experiencing a child soon.”

“What?” Daniel frowned.

Both of them were seated at a table while the other children were supervised by the available staff. There was a kid’s cartoon playing on the television that gripped most of their attention and there wasn’t as much ruckus as earlier. Although some parents had arrived to take their kids during that time, there were still more left.

Angelica said to him, “There is a superstition that children are a blessing and when one of them weirdly clings onto a stranger, that means the person is expecting. But then, I guess the superstition is wrong considering you don’t have a wife. Bless her soul.” she made the sign of the cross

“You know about my wife?” Daniel asked, surprised. Well, he shouldn’t be. Anyone willing to go on a date with him should not expect flowers. She was wise to do her research.

.....

“I know you didn’t treat her well.” Angelica pointed out, her gaze holding his as if daring him to refute it.

“Those were hard times.” He said.

“That’s not an excuse, Daniel.”

“You don’t know the full story.”

“That still doesn’t excuse the crime. You should be in prison for domestic violence,”

Daniel hesitated when she spoke and he asked, “Why agree on the date with me then if you know that I am a monster that hits women?”

“You said I should hear your story, remember?” She told him.

Daniel looked around, “So I guess our date is taking place here?”

“Sorry,” Angelica gave him an apologetic look, “I’ll make sure it doesn’t happen next time.”

“And there will be a next time. That sounds hopeful.” Daniel had a grin tugging at the corner of his lips at the prospect of another chance.

“Sure, another date.” Angelica thought of compensating him that way. She leaned closer, “So now tell me your story.”

Where was he going to begin? Daniel had no idea and now that he actually thought about it, his life story was lengthy. He might even bore her out.

“It all started…..” Daniel started from the beginning and that included telling Angelica about his childhood and discovering that he was a member of the Luciano family after his father cut ties with his grandfather.

He told her about his determination to take back his rightful place in the family and that his cowardly father had easily given up simply because he was scared of gore and death. He shouldn’t have taken away that choice from his children.

Daniel told her that his efforts were not appreciated and instead, he was always compared to his brother, Albine. He narrated his mistake that led to his brother being murdered by his vicious uncle.

From there, Natalie came into the picture and of course, everything was narrated from his point of view. Daniel told her about the sacrifices he made for Natalie and she did not return his affection. Perhaps, he was cursed or something since the people he loves, don’t love him back.

Throughout the story, Angelica listened with rapt attention and never for once cut in or judged him even when he acknowledged r*ping Penelope and leading to the birth of his son, Marcel. His greatest gift, at least until, he grew up and didn’t turn out the way he wanted him to be.

One could say Daniel stripped himself bare before Angelica. He didn’t omit any event that shaped and made him the man that he is today. And he had to admit that he felt better like a load has been taken off his chest. When he was done, he watched and waited for her to blame and judge him as the others do. He was not stupid enough to think that Angelica would take his side. Daniel knew deep down that he was evil and didn’t deny it.

Perhaps, that was why he liked Angelica, she was not scared of him and would tell him the truth straight in his face. Not that he wanted her to sugarcoat the truth in the first place. Also, she’s the first woman that he is comfortable with, enough to spill his secrets – he wasn’t even this relaxed with Natalie. Daniel didn’t even notice it but Pamela was sound asleep in his arms, instead of Angelica, he bored her out.

“Wow,” Angelica breathed after Daniel was done. It wasn’t funny but it felt like she just watched a high-grossing movie out of a movie cinema that still had her reeling. It was a lot to take in.

“You’re definitely dark and twisted,” Angelica said and Daniel was not surprised by the response. He waited patiently knowing there was more to come.

“Also, I think all of this stems from your control issues.”

“Control issue?” Daniel said, surprised.

Angelica answered, “You’re so overly focused on controlling situations around you. People who struggle with the need to be in control often fear being at the mercy of others, and this fear may stem from traumatic events that left them feeling helpless and vulnerable. I think your issues started from childhood, your anxiety and determination to impress your grandfather and prove to your father that you’re better than him and not make the same mistake you thought he made. ”

She continued, “Your father’s choice to be far from the underworld doesn’t make him weak and less of a man. And I think that’s your problem. You invoke respect through fear, but that’s wrong. Admiration and respect are not bought nor forced, it’s earned. And strength doesn’t equate to cruelty, ruthlessness, or apathy. Emotions are actually what makes humanity interesting. Because of your anxieties and worries, you made others follow your rules and that led to the fall between you and Natalie.

“And you’re obviously not over that habit because your controlling behavior now meddles in the lives of your son, Marcel. You’re trying to remain in charge of all the decision-making in his life because you fear he would abandon you too. I’m afraid, Daniel, but you’re the bad guy here. Sure, others might have contributed to your reaction, but everything that happened so far is your choice and I am afraid that they would come back to haunt you.” Angelica concluded

“So you’re not going to be my woman?” Daniel might have looked a little hurt. He even made an effort, you know.

“I believe in second chances, Daniel,” Angelica said and his eyes lit up at once, “However, I need to know what I’m getting into and if there’s an exit route. I said I’m going to date you, not be your woman yet.”

“But I already told you everything you need to know about me.”

“You’re a psychopath, Daniel.”

“Ouch.”

Angelica went on even though she just called him a psychopath, “Just like electricity devices come with operational booklets and warning, your story was just to know your triggers and be cautious. You can consider our future dates as a beta test or trial, those would determine if I’m going through the flames of hell with you or not. ” She leaned closer, “Or do you think that it was going to be easy?”

“Of course not, you’re not an easy woman.” Daniel lied through his teeth. He thought with this date, he would get her to agree to be his woman. Who knew there were more dates to come where she would try to unravel him?

It was tough. Tougher than he thought. The anticipation was nice but he didn’t like the unknown and this was all a probability. She said it herself, this was all a test. Who knew dating women now was a trial of the gods?

“So are you up for this or do you want to give up chasing me now?” Angelica gave him an option and if she were, to be honest, she wanted him to give up on her now. She was way over her head with this one. Everything changed after hearing his story.

“Of course not!” Daniel refused to give her up, “I would go through the dates.” He was not a quitter.