Taken By The Mafia Lord

529 No Standing Down

They couldn’t play footsie under the table forever and by the time the breakfast was over, Eric had to take up another “important” call meaning that it was just Natalie and Karen together. After the staff cleared the table, Rose found her way as well, deciding she had enough of her “mummies” and leaving both women alone to talk freely.

“When is the wedding coming up?” Karen asked, swirling the flute in her hand nonchalantly. It was a shock that she had even accepted the champagne without calculating the calories and complaining about it. Seems she needed a bit of sugar after all.

“If things go according to plans, Eric and I are thinking about the end of this month, perhaps?” Natalie shrugged, taking a sip of water. She didn’t want champagne this morning, they would give her migraines.

“Hmmm, is that so?” Karen crooned and then while drinking, let her accessing gaze run over Natalie.

When she brought down her flute, she said, “Well, I have a world class designer as a friend and although she has a busy schedule, she would make you a wedding gown if I talk to her,”

“Wow, I’m so thankful for that,” Natalie appreciated her help before saying, “However, Eric and I have been planning -”

Karen cut her off, “This is me helping out for the wedding. I want to be friends with you, but if you can’t stand my attitude like Eric too, then it’s fine by me. I have better places to be here, anyway.” She claimed.

Natalie paused, wanting to say something but her mouth only opened and closed helplessly. Eric was right, Karen was really self-centered. But then, Natalie could really sense the sincerity in her offer to become fri even though she was rude.

But Natalie was doing it for the sake of Rose – she didn’t want the girl to be stuck in the middle of the family conflict. It was enough trouble that Eric couldn’t stand Karen’s obnoxiousness, someone had to be the peacemaker of the family.

.....

“No, it’s fine,” Natalie agreed and Karen’s face split into a broad smile. However, in less than a second, she narrowed her gaze at her again, beginning to scrutinize her body, making her self-conscious.

“Nice body you have there but you’re still fat,” Karen finished her assessment of her body.

Touché, Natalie’s brow touched her hairline. Alright, that comment sparked off a great anger inside of her and she wasn’t going to stand for it. Just because she was standing down for peace’s sake doesn’t mean she was a pushover. If Karen wants this new friendship to work between them, then she had to learn how to respect boundaries.

Natalie wasn’t fat at all and could easily pass for an under-twenty woman in the street due to her body shape. Obviously, Karen’s idea of an ideal body shape was to be as thin as a broom and she was highly provoked by that. Who said she didn’t love her body?

“I’m sorry, but Eric doesn’t like sickly thin women with little to zero fat for cuddles and a fat ass to squeeze,” She said with her head lifted high and Karen’s mouth fell open while her eyes grew wide, having not expected that response from Natalie.

Obviously flustered by her sharp remark and sensing Natalie was offended, Karen tried to do damage control, “W-well, every man out there has a preference -”

“I’m thankful you know that,” Natalie cut her off and Karen was finally able to see that this was an act of retaliation from her and she wasn’t able to respond.

“Well...? ” Natalie was waiting for her to finish what she started, clearly having won the argument. A small smile graced her lips.

Karen cleared her throat, “The thing is that you still have to lose weight. After all, you would be the star of the occasion and what bride doesn’t want to be look good,” she looked at Natalie hopefully, waiting for an answer.

“I’ll be the judge of that. Although I can’t wait to see that designer friend of yours,” Arianna made sure to show Karen that she appreciated her effort and at the same time made her stance clear. This was her wedding, not hers and no one would manipulate her all in the name of building a friendship.

Although Natalie hasn’t yet told Karen that this was a small wedding involving just family members and a small number of friends. It wouldn’t even be published in the newspaper or news hence there was no need to go all out. Although Natalie desired a big wedding, this was all measures set in place so Daniel doesn’t find out that she’s alive. They were being careful.

“You know it’s a good thing you’re finally marrying,” Karen suddenly said and the atmosphere changed immediately. They had gone from light talk to a grave discussion in the twinkle of an eye.

“You think so?” Natalie said, filling her glass after her throat suddenly went dried and chugged the entire content. Apparently, discussing your fiancé with his babymama wasn’t weird at all. Yep, not awkward.

“Of course, duh,” Karen rolled her eyes, drawing Natalie’s attention to her fake lashes, “The fool’s been pinning over you for years.”

Although Eric told her that he liked her from the start, hearing that from Karen gave Natale a special type of satisfaction and thrill.

“So you’re not jealous that he’s marrying me at all?” Natalie held her breath, waiting for her answer while gauging her reaction in case she lies to her.

“Oh, God no!” Karen barfed. She shuddered as if it was too horrible to think about,

“Trust me,” She said, “The only reason Eric and I are in this mess of parenthood is because of one fucking night of drunken mistake and wish every single day of my life that I change the past. However, Rose is the only good thing that came out and I can’t change that.”

“But as far as I can recall, the both of you have been friends, how did you two go so fast to hating each other’s asses?”

“Well, there’s a saying, don’t fuck your friend...”

“I haven’t heard of such a saying,” Natalie frowned, confused.

“It is my saying, and you just heard it now!” Karen said a little too forcibly. Natalie must be thinking now she’s dumb? She might not have done well at school, but that doesn’t mean she wasn’t intelligent, humph!

“What I am trying to say is that Friends look good as only friends, but as co-parents, it’s a disaster,” was Karen’s Great advice. She was so smart.