Tempted By My Uncle In-law

01| Ocean Blue.

~~~~

“You have been a very pitiful girl, Amber.” My smile nearly slipped at Caleb's word, his hot breath on my skin reminds me of that summer I had caught him with Valerie, right after he asked me out. “You know.” He adds, tilting his head. “If only you had taken my offer back then, you wouldn't be here now, miserable, married to a dead man.” His hand on my shoulder tightens slightly.

His smile is wry, mocking.

It makes me wonder when my life came to this, even a rat like Caleb believes he has the right to pity me.

I step back, letting his hand slip off my shoulder. “Caleb.” I force a smile, fixing my gaze on his grey orbs. “What is it you want? I mean, you came to me after the auction with an offer to walk me to my car as an apology for four years ago.” my brows pinch. “Then what is this you are doing?”

He shakes his head. “You don't get it Amb-”

“Don't!” My smile slips. “Don't call my name.” I cut him off, Caleb rubs his face.

“ Aren't you tired? You are married to a comatose man, I bet you haven't fuck him yet.” He bursts out laughing, like my problem is the most amusing piece of art ever.

“ My married life is none of your business, stay out of it.” I warn, clutching my purse.

Caleb ignores my warning.

“Com’on, just give me a chance.” He steps forward, gaze soft. “I will treat you better, I will make you a woman, just like you always wanted.”

Rage boils through me, my hand fists into a ball, the metallic wall of the elevator seems to be closing in on me, I step back, chest heaving.

I shouldn't have given him a chance.

“If you give me a chance…” his hand touches my shoulder again. “I will make you feel good, just like I made Valerie feel. I know you are angry because of what I did back then.” His voice is closer now, right behind my ear, his lips trails down from my ear to my neck where he leaves a long, wet kiss.

My anger snaps, and I immediately turn back and shove him away, right after I deliver a loud slap to his cheek. “Are you crazy?!” My voice trembles. “I already told you I am fucking married, what part of that do you not understand?” I hiss.

Caleb rubs his cheek, lips curling into a smile. “You have gotten fiercer, I like that.” The elevator door opens with a ding, without taking his eyes away from mine, he adjusts his midnight blue suit, runs his hand through his blonde hair, then walks out with his back, gloating. “I will have you Amber.” He states. “And it's only a matter of time before I do.” Then he blows me a kiss.

The elevator closes.

I let out the breath I don't know I am holding, leaning against the wall while clutching my purse, closing my eyes to calm my nerves. “You are not miserable Amber, Monday is just being a bad day as usual.” I mutter to myself.

Caleb's words keep rubbing off me, the fact that my husband has been asleep since before we got married still bothers me.

I know he will wake up someday, but I wonder how long that will be. I have held up for three whole years, living my life like a widow despite being married, yet, I sometimes wonder how it would be, how different it would be if my husband were awake.

And sometimes… sometimes, I end up having thoughts of cheating…

The opening of the elevator breaks me out of my reverie, I release a sharp breath. “Let's get this day over with.” I mutter, then I step into the underground parking lot.

My footsteps echo in the dark, empty space as I walk the aisle. On each side of me, cars are parked in rows, mine is parked at the last end, which means I will spend a while walking to get there.

As usual, thoughts evade my mind of the many ways I could die in a parking lot.

Just like my husband has almost did.

He was attacked in a parking lot, shot in the heart, if he hadn't been saved by Valerie, he would be dead b-

“Arghhhh!” a scream echoes in the silent space, my feet halts, a cold feeling rises from the pit of my stomach as I scan the dark, oppressive area.

Nothing.

I shake my head, heart pounding in my chest. “I must have heard wron-” before I can complete my words, I hear a loud bang from my left, then voices, without thinking, my feet moves and I quickly hide behind a pillar.

A group of bulky men walks towards a car, dragging something with them, it takes me a while to see what they are dragging.

I gasp, color draining out of my face.

A body.

I quickly hide away, hands covering my mouth to stop my heavy breathing, knowing I would be dead the moment they spot me.

“Clean this up.” A deep voice commands as footsteps sound closer to me.

“Yes.”

I slowly crouch down, take off my heels and crawl to the car in front of me. Using the darkness as cover, I manage to hide behind the car before the men can get to me. Still covering my mouth, I peek a little, only to see a masked man, he has a gun in his hand, white suit flawless, yet I know he is the one who pulled the trigger.

I keep my gaze fixed on him and his companion until they reach his car, once they do, the masked man halts, I hold my breath, waiting for him to just leave, but he turns back, and our gaze meets, my breath hitches, I quickly hide, body shaking uncontrollably as I close my eyes.

Praying.

Hoping the brief eye contact is just my imagination, silence follows after this, not even a footstep or the dragging of a body, or a car door opening.

I can hear my own harsh breath as I wait for them to leave. When they don't, I clutch onto my purse, leaving my heels as I crawl behind the cars, slowly, silently till I reach the end of the section, I can see my own car across the space.

But I know they are still there, they haven't left. Soon I hear voices, then footsteps coming my way, fear grips my heart, I quickly crawl to the other side, beside a car that is close to the wall.

Knowing they won't easily find me here, just as I am about to relax, a thick smell evades my nose, almost making me gag. I feel wetness on my hand and on the ground I am seated on.

Blood.

I clamp my hand against my mouth, a scream trapped in my throat, my body filled with the need to run, but I know I would be shot dead the moment I do.

“There is no one here, boss.” a nasal voice says right in front of me. I stick to the wall, wanting nothing but to disappear into it.

“Good, leave.” The masked man says, now standing straight in front of me. “I smell you.” He states after some silence, my breath hitches.

He saw me.

“I know you are here.” He pauses. “It would be nice if you come out now, and discuss. I won't hurt you… I promise.” He sounds like a trustworthy person, but I am not stupid enough to trust a killer.

I keep my eyes fixed on him, not saying a word, just when I expect him to come and drag me, another of his men runs to him. “Boss.” He stutters, taking the masked man's attention off me.“Valentino Orsini is here.”

“What? We leave Immediately.” he commands. The man instantly turns around and walks away. I don't move from my spot or leave until I am sure they are gone, then I step out into the light.

I almost faint at the sight of the blood covering my whole suit, and hands. Without thinking, I run straight for my car, not looking at where I am going.

I am about to get to my car when a car swivels right towards me, a scream rushes out of my mouth, my feet rooted in the spot as I look at the car with wide eyes. The car halts right before it hits me.

My legs soften, and I drop to the floor, the car door opens and a man quickly rushes towards me. “Are you okay, miss.” I nod, holding onto my ankle.

“I-i am okay.”

“Here, let me help you up.” The car door opens again and a man walks out, I can barely see his face due to the headlight blinding my eyes.

He takes his time to get to me. “Are you okay?” The moment I lift my head up, my gaze collides with the coldest ocean blue eyes I have ever seen.

I would recognize those eyes from anywhere. It is none other than Valentino Orsini.

my uncle In-law.

~P-Lia~