A Shotgun Wedding with the Mafia Don-Chapter 32: An old friend

"There..." Mr. Alfred Cooper of Cooper Winery pushed the paper he had just scribbled his signature toward him. "Signed." Before putting the pen back in his pocket. "It’s all yours, Oliver." Sealing their deal.

"I’m glad that we’ll finally be working together, Uncle Alfred." He offered his hand for a handshake to an old family friend. "I should also thank Iris for introducing us." Turning to the woman closely sitting beside him.

"Oh, it’s nothing, Oliver." Iris Cooper, Alfred’s daughter, replied with a beautiful smile. "I’m just glad that I bumped into Jacob and he told me about this proposal."

Iris was a childhood friend who had moved away to Europe with her family. But before they got separated, the Cooper family had always been a close family friend.

While away, her family bought a vineyard and started their winery business.

"When Iris mentioned it, I knew I couldn’t say no to you, Oliver." Mr. Cooper said, acting as if no time had passed since they left and nothing had changed between them.

A month ago, the Cooper Winery’s business broke into the international market, and now, they were taking the world by storm.

Everybody wanted their business, including the Morton Group.

"Well, having your product on our shelves would certainly boost our sales." He said, raising his glass for a celebratory toast.

"Anyway, I’m sorry that you have to cut your honeymoon short." Iris profusely apologized as she touched his arms, just as she used to do when she had done something wrong. "But I do hope I get to meet your wife eventually."

In truth, this meeting was not the real reason why they had to end the trip. But since Jacob had finally booked an appointment with Mr. Cooper, he decided to hit two birds with one stone.

"Oh, I think you’ll like her, Iris." He said, remembering that she was not like most of their friends. Although she also came from a prominent family, she was not spoiled and snobbish. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

Come to think of it, aside from Jacob, Iris had been his closest friend. It was just unfortunate that she left, and they lost communication.

Now that their companies would be working together, he didn’t mind if they rekindled that friendship. Besides, he believed that Sophia and Iris would probably hit it off and become good friends.

Wait! What was he saying?

Was he actually thinking that this marriage would last?

"It had been a long day. Please enjoy the evening, but I really need to go home to my wife." He knew that was what Alfred would like to hear. After all, he was a traditional family man.

But when he said it, he felt as if he meant it.

Damn! He was just tired. He was not actually looking forward to seeing his wife.

Right?

A few more minutes, he walked out of the club, but his car was still nowhere in sight. As he waited, he pulled out a cigar and lit it.

"Hey, those things can kill you." A familiar voice said behind him.

"Iris..." He turned and found his childhood friend. "Are you leaving?" Looking behind her for her father.

"Yeah, I still have a few things to finish tonight before our flight tomorrow." She explained while checking her phone. "My Dad decided to stay a bit longer." She added, probably noticing his frown.

"Why don’t I give you a lift?" He quickly offered after learning that she drove with her father to the club. "It’s the least I can do."

"Then, we can catch up." He suggested, feeling slightly guilty that she knew about his wedding while he had no idea what had happened to her since she left.

When his car arrived, he immediately opened the passenger’s door and helped her inside. Then, he occupied the driver’s seat and drove out of the driveway.

But as he was driving away, he saw a glimpse of a distinct face in his rearview mirror. She stood just outside the club, appearing to be staring at him.

Hastily, he hit the brakes and looked behind him, but the familiar image was gone.

"Is there something wrong?" A worried voice penetrated his perplexed mind, reminding him that he was not alone in the car.

"No, I just..." But he paused. "It’s nothing." Then, he continued driving, wondering if he had just imagined her.

Now, what? He was seeing his wife everywhere.

"Anyway, how have you been?" Finally, making some small talk.

After their short drive, he had learned that she was also married. Her husband had been the previous owner of the vineyard, who was currently helping her run the business.

"We have three kids. Twin boys and a girl." She proudly told him.

"Wow, three kids. I can’t imagine the chaos." Just thinking about Caleb and multiplying him by three was already giving him a headache. But not the kind that was painful and annoying.

"Well, on my next trip, I’ll take them with me so they can meet your son. I think my boys are around your son’s age." She laughed as she talked about her children.

A few more minutes, he stopped outside the hotel where she was staying. They said their goodbyes, and then he drove off.

Left alone with his thoughts, his mind immediately returned to the image of his wife. Wondering what she was doing, he pulled his phone out of his pocket to call her.

But swiftly changed his mind.

"Of course, she was home." He muttered to himself. "Why would she be out this late in a club?"

However, how well did he know his wife?

But as he was turning the curve in the direction of his mansion, he suddenly received a phone call.

"Jacob, what’s up?" He answered, wondering why his best friend was calling him again. "I’m already on my way home, so this better be important."

But he already knew the answer to that question even before his friend answered.

Besides, Jacob would never dare to call him if it was not that urgent.

"I’m sorry, but you know the drill." His friend didn’t need to say more.

"I’ll meet you there." He ended the call, but didn’t put his phone down.

Instead, he started texting.

I’M SORRY, BUT I MIGHT BE LATE TONIGHT. DON’T WAIT UP.

Then, he pressed send.