Tempted By My Uncle In-law

Gone Too Far

07|Gone Too Far.

For a moment, my brain shuts down.

“Are you still there?" Her curt question snaps me back.

I blink. “Um, yeah- i am here." My hand tightens on the phone, forcing a smile on my face, I respond. “I am in Italy Mom, have you forgotten about the Air programme?"

I can imagine the furrow on her full brows. “Oh. I didn't know about that."

My smile falls. I had begged my parents for a whole year before they allowed me on this trip and now she doesn't even remember?

" Um. Did you want something?“ She never calls unless she needs me to do something or she wants to express her disappointment.

"Valerie is currently in Italy, I want you to meet with her and convince her to return home."

“Mom... You know that's impossible."

“Why? You made her leave the house but you can't bring her back? Have you forgotten whose husband you are married to?"

“Mom, can we not-"

“No, you should stop, stop being ungrateful! Everything you have is all because your sister left. She always wanted to be an artist, she loved Russell like he's the air she breathes.“ Her voice cracks at the end.

Tears gather in my eyes but I blink them away. " Valerie never wanted Russell, if she did, she wouldn't have left when he fell into a coma. “

I hear her inhale sharply, now berating myself for speaking. I brace myself for what's to come, it doesn't surprise me when Mom begins sniffing.

" Is this how you are? “ Her voice is filled with disappointment." Your sister sacrificed everything for you and all you can think is that?“

" Mom-”

" No!“ She pauses. " I don't want to hear any of it. Bring your sister back with you or never step foot in America again. “

My heart leaps in my chest. "But- “

" No, if you don't bring your sister back home, forget I am your Mom, and forget your career with it. If you hadn't fallen in love with the man that ruined Russell, Valerie would still be my precious daughter. It's your mess, so. Fix it. “

" Mom-" before I can say anything else, the call disconnects.

I sit there, feeling utterly drained and bitter for no reason.

Valerie.

I haven't spoken to her in three years, how do I bring back someone who doesn't even want to see me?

Whenever I think of our last encounter, dread comes crawling through my heart.

No!

God forbid I speak to her again.

But I know Mom isn't bluffing, if she says she will do it then, she will.

I press a hand to my forehead. “I am her daughter too.“ If I were the one who ran instead of Valerie, a bodyguard would be on the hunt for me already, why can't they do the same for her?

A sharp pain travels through my skull, shutting off my thoughts, I lay on the bed, trying to silence the thoughts creeping into my mind.

There's no way I was adopted, Mom would never treat an adopted daughter as she does me.

At least she would show her dislike and disappointment instead of resorting to manipulation and guilt tripping.

The next day, Valentino makes breakfast. “Thanks." I mutter as he slides the plate of toast towards me.

I forgot to ask Mom where Valerie was last night. Yes, she's in Italy, but where in Italy?

My brow puckers, mind reeling on how I can convince my very hateful sister to return home like I hadn't been the reason she left in the first place.

I play with my food, mind so full that I don't notice Valentino standing beside me, until a hand brushes aside my hair.

I jolt, eyes widening as I look to the side.

Valentino is standing beside me. “W-why are you standing so close?" He is leaning towards me, so close that his deep cologne tingles my nose while his hot breath fans my face.

“What? Does it affect you?"

I blink, not expecting his words. My cheek heats up, and leans away. “W-why would it affect me? I just- stay away, you are too close to me-"I gasp as he leans closer, almost brushing his lips against mine.

I gulp, gaze drifting to his lips.

Those lips had been on mine yesterday. I should look away, but I am frozen, frozen by the thought of what those lips did yesterday.

“Little Purple." He calls.

“Huh?" I blink, snapping my eyes to his amused eyes.

“You are staring. I thought you didn't want me."

My cheek heats up further and I almost wish I could be swallowed by the ground.

I clear my throat, trying to get back my senses. “I never said I wanted you now."

“Then stop looking at me like you want me to bend you over my table and f**k you till you scream my name.“

His thumb rubs my lower lips." You won't want that. Right? “

I almost shake my head, but I force a nod, then he smiles." Good girl."

He straightens, only to realize that I had been holding my breath. Valentíno fixes his gaze on more for a while, making me squirm on my seat.

"You are distracted. I don't like that. “ He suddenly says.

" No I am not.“

"It's not an argument, it's the truth. Tell me, what's bothering you? “

"Nothing.“

Valentino grabs my jaw, tilting my head up to look into his eyes, his touch is warm, soft.

Excitement rushes through me, down to my core, it's strange, when Caleb touched me, all I felt was disgust, but with Valentino, it's different.

My body reacts stupidly to his touch. This is bad.

“I don't like repeating myself Purple, why are you distracted?"

“I am not distracted, why do you insist I am?"

“Because your eyes stray. When you are here, I should be the only one in your thoughts. I want you to pretend like you don't secretly watch me when you think I am not looking, I want you to f*****g press your tigh together while pretending like you don't want me to f**k you."

He leans closer. “Anything preventing you from doing that, is a distraction."

I scoff, slapping his hand away from my chin as fury boils within me. “I already told you. I. Don't. Want. You.“

I stand up on the chair. Trying to believe my own words, as long as I let him know where he stands, he will get the message.

“I will never betray my husband, he might be in a coma, that's fine with me, at least he doesn't have blood on his hands like you do.“

My gaze is sharp with judgement. “Thank God you were banned from the empire, what chaos would you have caused?"

Valentino goes rigid. “What did you just say?"

I open my mouth to speak again only to notice how dark Valentino eyes have gotten.

Have I gone too far?

~P-Lia~