My Future Brother-In-Law

Untitled Episode

Meralda POV

My house is perfect, very perfect. It’s the kind of place where the exteriors displayed their luxury and the interior was full of secrets. The wooden staircase shined and the black and white checkered floor was beautiful

As much as the beauty, its built on the foundation of blood and tears of innocent ones. It disturbs me

In the kitchen watching TV, they talk about politics and a new project being developed. I don’t care till I heard the word murder. I was guilty too with blood in my hands not directly tho but close enough. I wasn’t innocent, not anymore. I slowly let out a small breath. This life is built on dirty money, dirty deeds and I had been complicit this year more than any other year. My stomach burned at the thought. I hated the feeling

I could hear voices at the background, Benito’s loud laughter and a high pitched giggle of a woman, I didn’t care to know who she was until I heard it, that smooth low voice that could make my spine tingle. Marcino Scuderi

What the f**k is he doing here! The one person I have been avoiding and I don’t even wanna confess that, no one like being around a walking threat and that man? A definition of danger wrapped in expensive suits with cold eyes.

“Darling D’Luca” mom called me from the kitchen, she was too sweet for her own good sometimes, I frowned mumbling an answer to my name. “You’re too beautiful to frown like that daughter”

I forced a smile, Darling D’Luca, she stopped calling me that a long time ago, it always make me feel o special, a reminder of how much I didn’t belong here anymore. I was like a bird in this prison. Just this prison is filled with secrets, blood money and deeds

“I don’t know why you love watching this, Meralda” mom said looking at the TV “all that nonsense is really really depressing”

“Mom am not sure who I should vote for in this election” I said in a flat and dumb tone. It really easier to lie than to explain to her why I was so much interested in this news, I was waiting to see if they will mention the bodies pilling up in our backyard”

Mom didn’t go further in that, she never did; it never touched her, not even the ugly truth of dad’s business. Was it denial or ignorance? Who knows?

She let out a deep sigh, keeping those soft hands on my shoulder. “your dad isn’t happy with you Meralda”

“He never is lately mamma” I said rolling my eyes, it felt like I couldn’t breathe without him finding a reason to complain. Ever since that night

“So What did you expect hun” mom said , “what did you expect after what you did” she repeated

Six months, six godddamn months, still she refused to forget it for a single day, I bit my tongue refusing to let guilt crawl it way up again. Not now

She changed the topic, like she always did, bringing up Isabella upcoming marriage to Marcino Scuderi, the perfect match for the perfect daughter, the one that hasn’t screwed up her life yet

“why didn’t you meet the Scuderi after church today?” Mom’s question hit me like a slap

I stiffened. “I didn’t want to”, “he’s rude” I spat letting out the words like they burned my tongue,. Marcino Scuderi was more than rude, he was a walking nightmare with a handsome face.

“You don’t even know him”Mom scolded, crossing her arms and glaring at me.

“mom, I don’t need to meet someone with his reputation to know his character” I replied her back in the same tone.

She waved a hand dismissively as if I was being dramatic. “Ridicolo”.

Ridiculous, sure. But I wasn’t the one about to marry off my baby sister to a man with more blood in his hands than our family’

name could wash clean

Earlier at church I had locked eyes with Marcino, the bastard. It wasn’t a mistake, I glared at him. His expression was just as had as a stone, it never faltered. He had stared me down like I was nothing, like he knew I didn’t and it pissed me off!!

I stood hoping to run to my room before the rest of the Scuderi clan decided to join us. But as I just reached the foot of the stairs I heard dad’s voice cold, deep and commanding

“Meralda, come up here.”

Damn!!

I turned around, walking back into the living room with a neutral expression

Dad stood by the door, his eye were dark and calculating, standing beside him was Marcino Scuderi

“Meralda”, dad said gesturing toward the man next to him. “ This is Marcino Scuderi. Marc, this is Meralda, my eldest daughter.”

I have done this intro a lot of times but this felt different. His whiskey-coloured eyes locked with mine

I forced a smile. “It’s a pleasure—”

“We’ve already met.” Marcino’s voice was smooth, almost amused, cutting me off before I could start.

Dad’s eyes narrowed, “when did you meet Marcino, Meralda” he asked with a loud tone.

“We haven’t met” I said trying to keep my cool, but s**t! My heat was literally beating so loud like a bass drum.

Great!!

He leaned back a little, c*****g an eyebrow with that cocky smirk plastered on his face. “You sure about that?.” His voice was mocking. Because I swore you had me all figured out sweetheart.”

Sweetheart??!!. My jaw clenched. “Look I don’t need to know you to figure out your type..”

He chuckled low, running a hand over his tie like he didn’t care in the world. “My type, huh?” His gaze dropped to my lips for a second, then flicked back up to my eyes. “Tell me then—what’s my type, princess?”

I bit back a bad-tempered reply, rolling my eyes. “Arrogant, Dangerous. The kind who thinks the world owes him something just because he walks in a room.”

He grinned, his teeth flashing in the dim light. “Damn, that’s cold. But, I mean, assuming only gets you one thing.”

I narrowed my eyes, barely able to swallow the smartass reply on the tip of my tongue. “Killed?” I shot back, my voice coming out sharper than I expected.

His grin deepened, his eyes flashing with something dark and dangerous. “Smart girl,” he murmured, his voice low and approving, like I’d just passed some twisted test.

And the worst part? The way his voice slid over me, I almost wanted to hear more. God, I hated myself for that.

As he stepped past me, his arm brushed against mine, making me feel like I just touched a live wires. The sparks.. The heat of it spread up my arm under my skin, and I froze, rooted to the spot.

He paused right next to me, leaning in just enough for me to feel his breath ghost against my neck leaving chill marks on it. “Nice to meet you, Meralda,” he whispered, his voice soft but controlling, like he had me figured out instead.

What a jerk.

I tensed, forcefully accepting. “Can’t say the feeling’s mutual,” I muttered, but I knew he heard it. He walked away with that annoying smirk, as if he was ready to play a game, pulling at the corner of his lips once more.

God knows what is playing in those mind of his.

I faced the room with a smile,. This was the man my sister was supposed to marry? What cruel joke was the universe playing on us, for heaven's sake