THE BRIDE CHAPTER 24

THE BRIDE
Chapter 24

When you’re interviewing someone, you’re in
control. When you’re being interviewed, you think
you’re in control, but you’re not.
-Barbara Walters
Marco Orsini’s POV
“Well, well, well…” The dry comment came from the
Duke of Caprielle as soon as I entered his office.
“Look who turn up in my office this afternoon?”
“I’m happy that I can provide your amusement,
amico.” I told him with the equally bored tone he
used as I close the door of his office behind me.
Lucca’s gray eyes danced with laughter while I took
the leather chair in front of his glass table. “You
seemed so busy these past few days I haven’t see
you even once.”
“Yes. I have been busy.” I reflected making myself
comfortable in the chair.
“So what’s the catch?” My good friend asked as he
played with his fountain pen. “What makes you so
busy these past weeks?”
“Nothing.”
“Nothing?” The duke repeated in disbelief. “Come on,
spill the bean. I know you’ve taken a holiday in
Sardinia.”
I scowled at him darkly. “How did you know that?”
Lucca smirked playing with the pen in his hand. I
could see the rich satisfaction in his eyes. “Nikos
called last week he told me with great hilarity that
you—the great Marco Orsini asked him a favor to
lend his seaside villa in Sardinia. He told me that he
just wished he recorded your conversation so he
has a proof that he asked for favor. He is inquiring
who might be lady with you.”
I grimaced. One of these days I will have a word
with Nikos Pallis. “I see that Greek b-----d couldn’t
keep his big mouth shut.”
“Our friend is just curious, that’s all.” Lucca laughed
heartily. “So who is the lady with you?”
“How do you know that I’ve been with a woman?” I
asked a little irritably. “Can’t I take a vacation on my
own?”
“No.”
I scowled at the man almost everyone feared. “That’s
harsh, Lucca.”
“It’s the truth.” Lucca said without hint of remorse.
“Nikos and I believed that there’s a woman with you
in Sardinia.”
“I see that my friends turned out to be
gossipmongers now.” I commented dryly, trying to
p---k his d--n ego. “When you two retire from
your CEO’s position you should join the matron
ladies of the society for the latest rumors in town.”
The duke laughed loudly. “I’ll tell Nikos, don’t worry.”
“I will have a word with that Greek b-----d one of
these days.” I muttered rubbing my jaw. The last
thing I want when I asked him to lend me his d--n
house was to keep it secret even from our friend
Lucca Cavelli.”
“Do that.” He said too cheerfully for his own good.
“You will always find him in one of the tallest
skyscraper in New York where he ruled like a king.”
My lips twitched with a smile. “That conceited Greek
probably knows I arrive in New York as soon as my
plane touchdown in the tarmac of the airport.”
“No doubt.” Lucca said ruefully. His attention was
snapped through his mobile phone when he got text
message. I saw a quite smile on his face when he
looked at the message. It’s probably his wife.
“Does Tatiana wants keep track on you, Your
Excellency?”
*
“Funny, Marco.” He replied, while typing back text
message to his wife. “She just reminded me to come
home early because we need to buy gift for
Francesca’s upcoming birthday two days from
now.”
My attention was instantly held by that information. I
didn’t know that. I have no idea that she’s going to
celebrate her birthday next week. That woman she
didn’t even anything about it.
“Is she going to celebrate her birthday?” I inquired
nonchalantly, trying to sound not so eager for the
information.
“Not that I am aware of.” Lucca answered, his silver
eyes were unreadable. “Tatiana said she will probably
not celebrate her birthday due to her mountain of
work. In fact, today she has an interview with the
charming magazine reporter for being highest sold
bachelorette at the action—thanks to you.”
I swore silently as my eyes narrowed like slits. What
the hell Lucca’s talking about?
“Has she?” I asked brightly. Taming the bubbling fury
raging inside me. “Where’s the interview is going to
be held?”
“I think it’s in the restaurant in Rostov Hotel.”
Rostov Hotel…
“Oh, just look at the time.” I glanced at my
wristwatch. “As much I want to chat to you more I
need to go, Lucca. I’ll keep in touch.”
“Where the hell are you going?” Lucca shouted after
me as I went out of his office.
Francesca Marcolini’s POV
I am quite enjoying this interview. The journalist of
an Italian well-known magazine interviewed me
about being the highest sold bachelorette at the
Nikolai Rostov Foundation, Tatiana created. This is
my first ever interview at first I am reluctant to do
this but Tatiana reassured me that everything will be
fine. And as it turns out the reporter was quite a
charming man it’s like we were just old friends
talking than conducting business.
“So how does it feel to be the auctioned for one
million Euros?”
I laughed softly. “Actually, I didn’t expect that. I only
help my good friend, the Duchess of Caprielle to her
charity in memory of her late father, I quite happy to
be auctioned as the lowest.”
“Some of the bachelorettes at the auction envied you
because the Italian billionaire Marco Orsini was the
one who bought with that enormous money for a
single dinner date.” He supplied with a twinkle in his
blue eyes. “Almost everyone wished to be in your
position that night.”
“Oh, really?” I asked regally, sipping my wine. I don’t
think I like where this interview is going.
“What is your relationship with Marco Orsini,
Signora?” The journalist asked without preamble.
This must be the question he’d been dying to ask
since we met here.
“Is that necessary to the article you want to write?” I
retort back with an icy smile. “I believe that question
was quite personal, sir.”
“Forgive me.” He said insincerely, I could see in his
eyes that he wanted so badly to learn the answer
behind his inquiry. “But you have to understand
everyone is curious about why would the billionaire
Marco Orsini will pay so much for a single date.”
The cool smile still place in my face as I answered
him regally. I want so badly to end this magazine
interview. “As you said, he’s a billionaire that kind of
money was just only few cash for him. Besides, he
is also a good friend of the Duke and Duchess of
Caprielle.”
*
“I see,” He said, but I could see in his eyes that he’s
still not convinced with my reply. He was busy
studying me.
“I suggest to remove your d--n eyes on her or
your head will roll on the floor.”
We both looked at the man who just said those
blood-curdling words. I mentally cringed when I
saw the thunderous Roman god stood before our
table. How on earth did he learn that I was here? I
asked myself silently.
“Signore Orsini.” The journalist beamed at the new
comer. He stood from his chair and extends his
hand. “Pleasure to meet you.”
Either by chance or by purpose the moment the
reporter stood to introduce himself Marco turned his
attention to me with his dark eyes filled with rage.
“What the hell are you doing here?”
“She’s here for our magazine interview, Signore.”
The man said hopefully. He probably unaware with
this man’s temper that vibrated though his body.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Marco asked me pointedly,
completely ignoring the other man. I sighed in
resignation.
So rude.
“Hello, Marco.” I greeted warmly, ignoring the
growing headache I am experiencing. “How did you
know I was here?”
“It doesn’t matter.” He said briskly, hauling me out of
my chair unceremoniously. “We’re leaving.”
“The interview is not done yet.” The reporter called
after us when Marco starts to dragged me out of the
lavish restaurant.
“It’s done.” Marco announced arrogantly. He eyed
the other man like he’s an insect. God, this man has
an attitude problem.
“What are you doing, Marco?” I asked once we were
at the lobby still yanking me, people inside the
sumptuous lobby gave us odd stares. “You cannot
just drag me whenever you want!”
“I can.” He answered tautly. “And I will.”
“You are impossible.” I said once we were outside
the hotel. I shivered at the caressed of the cold wind.
Summer is almost over. We were waiting for his car
to be brought around. I tried to remove his dead grip
from my wrist but he just tightened his hold.
“Get in.” He said, once his Ferrari brought by the
valet.
“Let me—”
“Get in or I will personally put you to the passenger
seat.” I could see in his eyes that he’s truly annoyed.
I don’t know why.
I reluctantly slid to his Ferrari. I could see in his eyes
that he wasn’t bluffing that he will used his caveman
stunts again if necessary.
“Good choice.” He muttered as he slid to the driver’s
seat and makes his luxury car moved to join in the
highway.
Claudia Orsini’s POV
I am preparing for bed when my mobile phone
rang. I smile when I saw at the screen the caller is
my newly acquired friend, the Duchess of Caprielle,
Tatiana Cavelli.
“Tatiana.” I said once I press the answer button.
“Buonasera, Signora.” The duchess American
accented voice sounded in the other line. “Sorry to
disturbed you. But I couldn’t wait to inform you
about the updates.”
I grinned merrily. I looked around if my Alfonso had
already entered our bedroom. When he’s nowhere
to be seen I continued. “Oh, really? How is it?”
*
Everything runs smoothly.” The duchess said
smugly. “I did as you told, Signora. I will make
Marco jealous over some guy he thinks sniffing after
Francesca.”
“And then…” Oh, this is so good news for
grandmother like me.
I heard her laughed. “I setup an interview for
Francesca with the handsome journalist I recently
met in the Rostov Hotel. And as expected your
adored grandson showed up and nearly rearranged
the journalist’s face inside the restaurant.
I chuckled inside the bedroom. I looked for the signs
of my husband. Nope, still clear. “How did Marco
learn about it, Tatiana?”
“I hinted to Lucca about it.” The duchess replied
mischievously.
“Sly, woman.” I commented smiling through my
dresser mirror. “But how did you know what
happened inside the restaurant?”
“I have the entire employees in Rostov Hotel spy for
me, Signora.” She said. “They just so much as to
sneeze the employees will report it to me.”
I laughed heartily. I like this woman so much. “I
knew you could help me with my quest, Tatiana.”
“I will help you with anything I can, Signora.
Especially with those two.”
“All right,” I said gratefully. “Thank you for your help,
duchess.”
“Anytime, ma’am.” She said before she disconnected
the call. Now I can sleep peacefully knowing we’re
making a progress with those stubborn people, I
hummed a wedding march before I went to bed.

To be continued