FATAL BEQUEST

CHAPTER 3

Bruno slowly opened his eyes, groggily taking in his surroundings. He was in his bed, in his room, in the family mansion, but he had no memory of how he got there.

Alfred walks in with a glass of water and a bottle of Tylenol.

“Alfred” he croaked, his voice hoarse from the night before.

“Yes, master Bruno?” Alfred replied, standing stiffly beside his bed.

“How did I get home?” Bruno asked, rubbing his forehead.

“I believe the club called, sir” Alfred responded. “Or one of your friends, I'm not entirely sure.”

Bruno's face darkened as he remembered how he was almost thrown out of the club the previous night.

“Those idiots,” he muttered. He threw off the covers and stormed out of the room, Alfred following behind him. Camilla sees him in the hallway and calls out to him “Bruno wait!” She ran after him, but Bruno didn't slow down, his anger and resentment building with every step.

“Bruno please listen to me, '' Camilla says, trying to keep up with him. “We don't have to be enemies, we can work together for the good of the family” but Bruno wasn't having it. “And what? We kiss and make up? Knowing fully well you took what's rightfully mine?”

Camilla reached out, trying to grab his arm. “Bruno, please listen to me” Bruno shook her off, his face twisted in rage “Fine, you want peace? Then give me back what's mine and then we can have peace.”

Camilla tries to reason with him “You know I can't do that, father had his reasons for…”

“Save it” Bruno cuts her off “I don't want to hear any of it, and don't you dare act like this isn't what you've always wanted”

He gives her a cold look for a moment, then, he storms out of the house, leaving Camilla looking worried and frustrated.

As Bruno stormed out of the house, he almost bumps into a tall dark-haired man standing at the entrance, holding a basket of flowers, artisanal Italian cheese and expensive wine.

“Buongiorno, Bruno” Marco said, his deep voice warm and friendly.

But Bruno didn't flinch, he just kept storming out of the house, his eyes fixed on the door.”

Marco's smile faltered for a moment, but he quickly recovered as soon as he saw Camilla.

Camilla walked towards him, a warm smile on her face, “Buongiorno Marco, I'm so sorry about Bruno's behavior, he's just ….he's going through a tough time right now.”

Marco waved a hand, his expression understanding, “please, no need to apologize, I know how grief can be” Camilla takes the gifts from him, inhaling the flowers “ These are beautiful, Grazie Marco”

Marco shrugged, his broad shoulders moving easily under his half buttoned shirt “Anna sent me actually, she sends her regards”. Camilla's face lit up with gratitude “oh mio, how thoughtful. I'll be sure to thank her.”

The two of them stood there for a moment, the tension between them palpable, Marco's gaze on Camilla made her heart flutter.

Camilla gestured towards the living room, “Please come in, let's have coffee.”

Marco nodded and followed her into the house. They sat on the soft, plush couch, you could easily tell by its soft cotton feel that it cost a fortune. They chatted on, exchanging small talk, but the undercurrent of attraction grew stronger by the minute.

“I must say, Camilla” his voice dropping to a whisper. “You look lovely today, that color really brings out your eyes.”

Camilla's cheeks flushed. “ Grazie Marco, you're too kind.”

Their eyes met, and for a moment they just stared at each other, the air thick with tension.

“Um…how are you handling your new role? Being the matriarch of an empire,cant be easy”. Marco tries to break the silence.

Camilla's eyebrows shot up, clearly surprised “How did you?... I mean it's not public knowledge yet. Did Anna tell you?”

Marco chuckled, “of course not. She keeps work away from home. Let's just say word spreads around really quickly in these parts”

Camilla's eyes widened. “I see, well, it's a lot to take in. I mean father's shoes are huge to fill”, Marco nodded sympathetically, “I can imagine, well, your father wouldn't hand everything over to you if he didn't think you were capable”

Camilla's cheeks flushed at his compliment. “Thank you Marco, really.”

Camilla's curiosity got the best of her “Speaking about Anna, how is your marriage to her? You two seem very close”

“Yes, we've been together for so long, so naturally, we're quite close”, Marco responded.

Camilla pressed on, her voice probing but gentle “What's it like being with someone so strong willed, I mean she's worked for my father for years at such a young age and that says a lot about the kind of person she is. Father doesn't hire just anyone. Does she wield a lot of influence on you?”

“Anna is my wife, Miss Camilla. She supports me and I support her. We're partners”, Marco responds defensively.

Camilla becomes more intrigued. “I see, but do you ever feel… overwhelmed by her presence in your life?

Marco's gaze turns cold, he slowly stands up, his movements deliberate. “ I should leave”

Camilla nodded in understanding, her lips parted as if to speak but no words came out

Marco's eyes lingered on her, and with one final glance, he turned and walked away, leaving Camilla bewildered. She watched him go, her heart pounding in her chest, her mind racing with thoughts of what could've been.

Later that afternoon, Camilla sipped her coffee, savoring the rich flavor as she enjoyed the breathtaking view. She had summoned Alfred, and he entered the room with his usual quiet demeanor.

“Thank you for coming. Alfred”, she sets the cup down on the table. “I need your expertise in finding out information” Alfred's expression turned curious. “Of course, signora, what would you like to know?”

“What do you know about Anna Santanio and her husband, Marco Santanio? What's their story?” Camilla asked.

Alfred's face turns thoughtful. “Anna started working for your father a couple of years after she graduated, she received so many offers, but she chose to work for your father. He was particularly interested in her after she graduated really young. With her strong mindedness, she is skilled at handling complex negotiations, if you know what I mean.”

Camilla's interest was piqued. “So she knows where the bodies are buried?”

“That's one way to put it,” Alfred responded.

Camilla, even more interested “and Marco? What's his background?”

Alfred's expression turns somber. “He grew up in foster care. He and Anna met in school. They got married after graduation. Anna has been supporting him ever since, although he makes a humble living as a businessman.

Camilla, even more determined, to find out more. I want to know everything; their relationships, business dealings, everything.

Alfred nodded “Si, signora” and then headed for the door.