MAFIA LOVE SCANDAL

After going through numerous investigations and evidence gathering, the parliament officials involved in the scandal with Luca have finally been charged and sentenced appropriately. Not much different from his colleagues, Don Luca Guzman faced a similar fate, even more tragic. The Italian-blooded man was charged with serious crimes including drug trafficking, illegal firearms, money laundering, and several attempted murders. As a result, the Supreme Court rendered a verdict to sentence the middle-aged man to life imprisonment. No parole, appeal opportunities, or negotiations.

“As you requested, Luca and his followers will rot in jail,” Hans said over the phone to Kaivan. The large-bodied man was indeed tasked with attending the sentencing hearing regarding the punishment Luca would receive.

“Thank goodness. I’m glad to hear this news. I hope that after this, no one dares to disturb my life again.”

“I’ll make sure of that, Kai. I hope that after this, you and your family can live peacefully. Besides, I want to request some time off.”

Meanwhile, week after week passed by. Without realizing it, Anne’s pregnancy had entered the second trimester. When her pregnancy was around 20 weeks, or precisely 5 months, Kaivan took his wife to see a specialist in obstetrics and gynecology.

In the examination room, the man carefully listened to all the doctor’s explanations from the beginning of their visit to the ongoing examination process. He acted as if this was an extremely important matter that couldn’t be missed.

“Mr. Maximilian, do you want to know the gender of your future baby?” the Doctor asked.

“Is it visible at this stage, Doc?” Kaivan asked hesitantly. Compared to Anne, Kaivan was so interested and enthusiastic about every moment of his wife’s pregnancy.

“Of course, it’s possible,” the doctor replied, bringing the transducer lever and placing it on Anna Maria’s belly. “Let’s see together whether it’s a baby boy or baby girl.”

Kaivan focused his gaze on the ultrasound image displayed on the plasma screen. After a short while, the doctor spoke again, revealing something that genuinely surprised Kaivan.

“From the ultrasound machine, I can conclude that the gender of your baby is female.” The doctor then glanced at Anne, who was equally curious. “Congratulations, Mrs. Maximilian. I’m sure your baby will be very beautiful.”

From his seat, Kaivan immediately smiled. He stood up and approached Anne, who was still lying on the patient’s bed, then hugged her without hesitation, expressing all the joy he felt.

“I love you. I love our future baby.”

This good news was later shared during a dinner event hosted by Kaivan at the Maximilian’s large family home. For the first time, Giorgino Lopez and his eldest son, Noah, were present. Kaivan’s friends like Edward, Richard, and Hans were also there.

“Mama is also delighted by this good news,” Luna greeted. Her evident happiness was shining on her face. She had been excited from the beginning when she found out about her daughter-in-law’s pregnancy. “Finally, Mama and Papa will have a pair of grandchildren. After Rafael, a baby girl will join the extended Maximilian family.” The middle-aged woman then raised her glass, inviting everyone to toast together. Celebrating the good news that Kaivan had just announced.

“We are also very happy,” Luna continued. “Finally, after a long time, we can meet Anna Maria’s immediate family.” She smiled and looked towards Giorgino and Noah.

“Thank you for the invitation,” Giorgino replied. “I apologize that it’s only now, after Anne and Kaivan have been married for so long, that my son and I could visit the extended Maximilian family.”

“It’s not a problem,” Luna continued to smile. She was always so friendly and welcoming to anyone. Especially her son-in-law’s family. “Of course, we understand. Anne and Kaivan told us that you’ve been busy with border security. As a military member, it’s not easy to take a leave. That’s why we’re so glad that we finally have the chance to meet.”

Up until now, Anne and Kaivan had agreed to keep Giorgino and Noah’s actual professions secret from Luna and Ferdy. After all, Anne’s other family members were also unaware that her father and brother had been secret intelligence agents. They all believed that her father and brother had been serving in the British military.

“Of course. I’m actually very grateful that your family has treated Anne so well.”

After chatting and exchanging stories, everyone seemed busy enjoying the provided dishes. Kaivan, too, was focused on feeding Anne during dinner.

“Kai… You don’t have to be romantic in front of us. Just so you know, what you’re doing is ruining my appetite,” Edward protested. Among them, only he and Hans hadn’t brought their partners tonight. And Kaivan’s actions were slightly annoying to Edward. His damn friend deliberately showing off his romantic side in front of him and the other guests.

“What’s wrong?” Kaivan squinted. “Is there something wrong with me feeding my pregnant wife?”

Edward shook his head.

“There’s nothing wrong. It’s just-”

“Just that you’re envious, right?” Richard interrupted. “That’s why you should hurry up and find a future wife,” he continued nonchalantly. “Being a playboy is useless if no woman wants to be your future wife,” he teased. “Maybe you’re just not in demand. Seriously, such a waste of your handsome looks.”

Richard wasn’t just mocking for the sake of it. Edward had always declared himself as the most handsome man in the country. He often changed partners among models and socialites. But he never introduced any of them during family gatherings or with his friends.

“Damn it!” Edward cursed. “It’s not that no one wants to. It’s just that I am selective in finding a future wife. You know yourself, as a descendant of nobility, I can’t just pick any woman.”

“Selective and unpopular seem pretty similar for you, Ed,” Kaivan taunted. “I think what Richard said is true. You should get married soon. It’s pointless to be rich and handsome but not have a partner.”

Everyone at the dining table burst into laughter upon hearing Kaivan’s openly sarcastic remark. Meanwhile, Edward could only sigh in frustration once again, as he became the subject of ridicule from his friends tonight.

After finishing the dinner and family gathering, Kaivan finally decided to bid farewell with his wife. He didn’t want Anne to come home late and disrupt her rest schedule. During her pregnancy, Kaivan didn’t allow her to stay up late, even once.

Similarly, when they arrived in their room, Kaivan quickly guided Anne to sit on the bed and helped her change into her sleepwear.

“Kai… I’m pregnant, not seriously ill. There’s no need to be overly cautious,” Anne protested. “Kaivan, you sometimes seem overly protective of me. You won’t let me do much. But Anne often gets bored because she’s restricted from doing this and that.”

“I’m just concerned about your well-being.”

“Tsk…” Anne clicked her tongue in annoyance. She deliberately pouted in frustration. “I’m fine, really. If you keep treating me like this, I might get stressed. Is that what you want?”

Kaivan immediately shook his head. He cupped Anne’s cheeks affectionately.

“Don’t be mad. You know I do this because I care so much about both of you.”

Anne nodded, extending her hands to hold Kaivan’s hands that were still on her cheeks.

“I know that. Thank you for all your attention.”

Then, not long after, without saying a word, Kaivan got up. He walked over to the vanity table. He took something from a drawer and brought it over to Anne.

“I have something for you. Consider it a gift. Since becoming my wife, I haven’t given you anything, right?”

“A gift?” Anne repeated to confirm. She was sure she hadn’t misheard what her husband just said.

“Yes, you need to choose first. In my right hand and left hand, there’s a gift I want to give you. Your task is to choose one,” he said.

“Why not just give me both? You stingy person!”

Kaivan immediately burst into laughter. Not because of his wife’s comment, but because he found her expression amusing. “You’re always like this, always protesting. Come on. Quickly choose, do you want the paper in my right hand or my left hand?” Kaivan asked once again.

Anne seemed to think for a moment before finally making her choice.

“I’ll choose the right one,” she said.

Kaivan nodded and replied, “Alright, since you’ve chosen, it’s time to sleep now. Tomorrow, we-”

“Wait a minute,” Anne quickly interjected. “Don’t you want to tell me what gift I just chose before I go to sleep?”

Kaivan shook his head. “Not now. Tomorrow, I’ll show it to you.”

“Kai…”

“Ssstt…” Before Anne could finish her sentence, Kaivan immediately instructed her to go to sleep. He didn’t give her the slightest chance to protest.

****

“Darling… wake up,” Kaivan whispered while gently caressing both of Anna Maria’s cheeks.

Early in the morning, he had already tried to wake his wife up from her sleep, urging the beautiful woman to get up and shower, then choose her clothes.

“Where are we actually going? I’m still sleepy, Kai. It’s only seven in the morning,” Anne protested, occasionally yawning as her drowsiness hadn’t entirely left her.

“I’ll explain where we’re going later. The important thing is that you get ready now. Have breakfast first, then come with me.”

Anne didn’t protest further. She chose to comply and followed her husband’s steps to the dining area. In silence, they both had some meat-filled bread that was laid out on the table. When they finished, Kaivan immediately led Anne to go downstairs to the car.

“Where are we going?” Anne asked again.

“To the place you chose last night,” Kaivan replied briefly.

“Last night?” Anne raised both her eyebrows, trying to remember when she had chosen a place to visit. “You mean the gift I chose last night?”

Kaivan turned and nodded.

“Yes. Don’t ask too much. You’ll find out where I’m taking you.”

Anne exhaled in frustration. She wanted to protest again but felt like she had run out of energy. She was still so sleepy this morning. And when the car they were in stopped, with the little energy she had left, she asked another question.

“The airport? Where are we actually going, Kai?”

Kaivan smiled. Instead of answering, he chose to get out of the car first. He circled the car, then helped his wife open the door.

“Like I said, don’t ask too much. You’ll find out where we’re landing. But I’m sure you’ll love it.”

“Tsk!” Anne clicked her tongue. While following Kaivan’s steps, she protested again. “You, seriously annoying! Just wait, I’ll definitely get back at you.”

After going through several departure document checks, Anne and Kaivan were guided by airport staff towards the plane. Anne didn’t even know when her husband had prepared everything for this trip. Let alone that, she didn’t even know their destination.

Resigned to playing along with her husband’s game, Anne chose not to protest again once she was seated calmly in the airplane. Kaivan even helped her find a comfortable sitting position and wrapped a blanket around her.

“It’s better for you to sleep. When we arrive, I’ll wake you up immediately.”

Closing her eyes for a moment, after approximately two hours in the air, the plane they were on finally landed smoothly. Gently, Kaivan tried to wake up Anne, who was still asleep. Once her awareness fully returned, Kaivan gently held her and helped her get off the plane. He led her to another vehicle outside the airport.

“Zurich?” Anne asked when she realized where she was now. “Are you taking me to Switzerland?” she asked, unable to believe it.

“Yes.” Kaivan nodded, gesturing for Anne to get into the car. “This is the country you chose last night.”

“Oh my goodness…” Anne, who was already sitting comfortably in the car, shook her head in disbelief. She couldn’t believe that her husband took her to Switzerland without any prior compromise. “You must be joking. Why didn’t you tell me beforehand? So, if your right hand holds Switzerland, what about the left one? Which country did you put there?” Anne asked curiously.

Kaivan laughed first. He could clearly see the mixture of joy and annoyance on Anne’s face.

“For the right hand, it’s Switzerland, and for the left, I put the name of New Zealand. Somehow, I really wanted to take you there before giving birth.”Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

Anne shook her head repeatedly. She hadn’t even thought that Kaivan would give her a gift like this.

“I’m truly amazed by the surprises you come up with,” Anne replied. “I didn’t even prepare clothes or anything for this trip,” she protested.

“Don’t worry,” Kaivan said. “All your clothes are neatly packed in the suitcase. Meggy has picked out the best outfits you have. And if they’re not to your liking, we can buy new ones at the nearest boutique,” Kaivan replied casually.

Immediately, Anne moved closer to where Kaivan was sitting. She hugged him tightly and kissed his right cheek.

“You really are an unpredictable man!”