FATAL BEQUEST

CHAPTER 4

The doorbell rings. “Who could that be?” Anna asks, surprised, as they were not expecting

anyone.

She got up to answer the door and Marco followed her, curious. When Anna opened the door, a bright smile greeted them. "Ciao Anna, Ciao Marco'' embracing them both, she kissed Anna's left cheek, then her right, before turning to Marco and repeating the gesture. She handed over the charcuterie basket to Marco, as they invited her in.

Camilla glided into the room with effortless grace, her provocative dress hugged her curves, her long legs striding across the terracotta tiles, her eyes scanned the living room, taking in the interior decorations, her gaze lingering on every detail with an expression of appreciation and admiration.

Anna and Marco exchanged a brief look of understanding. Anna's expression was neutral, but Marco was clearly unsure of what to make of Camilla's sudden arrival.

Camilla's gaze finally came to rest on the two of them, and her lips curled upwards in a warm and inviting smile. “Your home is even more beautiful than I imagined.”

As they sat down, Camilla positioned herself opposite Marco, her leg grazing his beneath the table, which made Marco subconsciously hold his breath. Anna is oblivious to the subtle moves on her husband as she chats on.

Marco, though trying to maintain a respectful distance, couldn't help but be drawn to her charms. He found himself stealing glances at her, admiring the way her dark hair fell in loose waves. Anna's phone rang and she excused herself to answer it, leaving the room. Camilla's eyes locked onto Marco's, and she glided closer, her movements graceful and deliberate. She placed her hand on his inner thigh and pinned herself on him.

Marco's eyes widened in surprise. “What are you doing, Camilla? This isn't right” Camilla's grip tightened, she whispered, her voice low and intimate. “I know you feel it too” Marco hesitated, his eyes darting between Camilla and the door, hoping Anna wouldn't find them in this uncomfortable moment.

Camilla leaned in, her lips brushing against his ear “Tell me you don't want me, Tell me to stop, and I promise I'll leave you alone… forever.”

Marco hesitates for a bit. Just as he opened his mouth to respond, they hear Anna's footsteps as she walked back into the room and their demeanor changed instantly and Camilla stepped back.

Anna walks into the room, oblivious to the tension. “Sorry about that, where were we?”

Camilla glanced at her wristwatch. “Oh mio dio, I'm so sorry, but I've overstayed my welcome. I have another engagement I must attend to”. She rose from the couch and headed towards the door, her movements graceful as usual.

Anna and Marco stood up as well, their expressions polite but slightly relieved. “It was lovely having you over, Miss Camilla” Anna said, her voice courteous.

“Oh please, thank you for having me over”, she responded,. She turned to Marco, “Until next time, arrivederci!."

That night, Marco laid in bed, eyes wide open, staring at the ceiling. He couldn’t shake off the feeling of unease that had settled in his chest since Camilla's visit. He glanced over at Anna, who was sleeping peacefully beside him, snoring gently. Marco's mind kept racing with thoughts of Camilla's bold advances, and he felt guilty for even thinking about her, but he couldn't help it.

He was torn between his love for Anna and his undeniable attraction to Camilla. The thought of giving into his feelings for Camilla sent a thrill through his body which he felt guilty about.

Two days later, Marco stood in the living room of the Morano estate, his eyes fixed on the wall clock. He had been waiting for what felt like an eternity, his mind racing with thoughts of what he'd say to Camilla.

Just as he started to feel like he'd been forgotten, Alfred appeared beside him, “Miss Camilla will see you now.”

Marco's heart skipped a beat as he followed Alfred through the long and wide halls of the

Morano estate. They stopped in front of a door that looked like the entrance to a luxurious spa house. Alfred turned the handle and ushered Marco inside, and exited and closed the door behind him.

The bathroom was the size of an apartment, the marbled floors and walls and the air thick with the scent of roses and milk. But all that didn't get his attention, like the sight of Camilla, soaking in a massive bath tub filled with milk and rose petals. A bottle of wine chilled nearby in an ice bucket and the glass beside it was half full. Marco's eyes widened as he took in the sight.

Camilla's eyes sparkled as she looked at him. “I'm glad you could join me”, her voice low and relaxed. Marco felt tension rise within him as he approached the tub.

“Listen, I came so we could talk… this… we can't do this” Marco stammered as he tried to sound convincing despite his body saying the opposite of what his mouth said.

Marco stood frozen and Camilla stood up from the tub, the milk bath dripped from her skin and the scent of roses enveloped him even more.

“You're right Marco, we can't do this…yet” her voice low and throaty as she walked towards him.

“You still haven't said the one thing that'll make me stop.”

Marco's mind raced “what?”

“You still haven't said you don't want me, Marco, and until you do, I'll keep coming to you.”

Marco's mouth opened, but the words wouldn't come out. He tried to force them but his words were caught in his throat.

Camilla's smile grew wider as she stepped closer, her wet skin glistening in the soft light.

“Say it, Marco”, her voice barely a whisper. Marco's resolve crumbles, he draws into her

embrace and their lips meet leaving him breathless.

Marco's mind raced with guilt and desire, but he couldn't deny the connection he had with

Camilla.

And so it began. They both knew there was no turning back at that moment. Over the next few weeks, they stole moments, and had secret rendezvous in hidden places, each encounter leaving both Marco and Camilla more entranced and conflicted.

The affair was a ticking bomb waiting to blow up in their faces and consume them both.