THE BRIDE CHAPTER 25

THE BRIDE
Chapter 25

Yesterday’s the past, tomorrow’s the future, but
today is a gift. That’s why it’s called the present.
-Bil Keane
Francesca Marcolini’s POV
“Happy Birthday, Signora.” I smiled at my trusted
secretary for years. “For you, I hope you like it.”
“Oh, thank you, Gina.” I took the offered paper bag in
her hands before I went to my office. Goodness, I
just turned twenty-nine today by these past few
weeks I felt that I am older than my age.
I sighed as I tuck away my secretary’s gift. I have
tons of works to be done. I looked at the new folder
in my desk my ever efficient secretary must have
put it here. I took the folder and opened it. I have a
new client that wanted me to teach his daughter how
to act in society. His daughter will have his debutante
party in few months for now.
I sat back from my chair and think for a moment
when my mobile phone sounded. I took it out of my
back and smiled when I saw the caller. “Boungiorno,
Tatiana.”
“Happy Birthday, Francesca!” She sang merrily on
the other line.
I laughed at her cheerful manner. She’s one of my
dearest friends I’ve only met her over a year ago but
for me it feels like we’ve known each other for years.
I am so touched that she remember my birthday.
“Any plans later, dear?” Tatiana asked offhandedly.
“I have tons of work, duchess.” I said with a rueful
smile looking at the mountains of paper in my table.
“Are you at the office now? Can I drop by?”
Although I am so bust today. I always have time for
her. “Sure, what time do you think you will arrive
here?”
“Actually,” Tatiana said with laughter in her voice. “I
am at the door of your office.”
Before I could comprehend what she said the door in
my office opened and the very beautiful duchess
entered my office.
“Surprise!” Tatiana said with a paper bag in her
hands. “Happy Birthday!”
“Oh…” I am so speechless by this unexpected visit
from my friend. I stood up from my chair and
hugged her warmly. “Thank you for visiting me,
Your Excellency. My eyes were misty now. The aged
of twenty-nine makes me emotional, Tatiana.”
“Twenty-nine is just a number.” Tatiana said with
laughter in her rich violet eyes. “You still look pretty,
Francesca.”
I laughed wholeheartedly. “You do know how to
make me feel better, Tatiana.”
“I learned it from you.” She said gratefully. “You
taught me how to feel better and believed in myself
over a year ago when I was still the wallflower
heiress who dreads the society.”
“That’s all because of you, Tatiana.” I told her
truthfully, smiling at the woman who overcomes so
much in her twenty-six years. From betrayals of the
people she trusted most, to meeting the powerful
duke and falling in love with him and now starting a
happy life with Lucca.
“Enough of this drama, Francesca.” Tatiana laughed
while wiping her wet eyes. “This is supposed the
happiest day for you. No drama.”
I joined her laughter. “Yes.” I agreed. “You were
right, Tatiana.”
“For you,” She said with a grinned as she presented
the paper bag she’d been holding. “I hope you like it.”
I took the paper bag and muttered. “Oh, thank you.
But you must not bother to buy anything for me,
Tatiana.”
*
Pshh…” She waved her hand as if my protest
wasn’t important.
“I wonder what this is.”
Tatiana surprised me when she wiggled her
eyebrow evilly. “Open it once you are at home. Trust
me, you will like it.”
“Why do I have a feeling that it is one of a kind gift to
me?” I asked looking curiously at the posh paper
bag.
“It is!”
I have a strange feeling about her gift. But I ignored
it. “How’s the twin?” I asked, changing the subject.
“Did you finally decide to take a nanny for them?”
Tatiana shook her head. “Nope, only part time one,
Lucca persuaded me to get one even only as part
time nanny.”
“Lucca is right, Tatiana. You can’t take good care of
the twins on your own while running your family’s
hotel empire.”
“You have no idea.” She said ruefully. But I could see
the blissfulness in her eyes. “There are times that I
just want to take them with me at the Rostov
Hotels.”
But before I could reply her mobile phone rang.
“Excuse me, Francesca. Hello? Oh—alright I’m
coming.” She smiled regretfully in my direction. “As
much as I like to chat with you more the nanny just
called the twins refused to settle. They got their
father’s temper.”
“That must be it.” I agreed with a laughed. “Go now,
Tatiana.”
“Yes.” She hugged once again before leaving my
office. “I hope you’ll like my gift.”
The rest of the day went uneventful. Even Marco
didn’t bother me today. Was he busy with the Orsini
Industries? Even if, I told myself that is more better
that he will leave me in peace part of me—okay, a
huge part of me wished he just made a single phone
call to me on my birthday. But I guessed he didn’t
even now that I am celebrating my birthday today.
At exactly 5p.m. I left my office. I want to rest today
enough of work for now. I woman needs to rest
even once on her special day.
I am in the lobby of the building when I saw a
familiar figure outside the glass door. My leaped
considerably in my chest.
He’s here!
As much as I want to tame the happiness that
bubbled inside me I can’t dampened it.
“Mar—”
“Get in.” He said as soon as he saw me with his
signature rudeness.
“Where are we going?”
He permitted himself to smile a little. “It’s a
surprised.”
I knew from experience not to question him further
because it will only lead to futile try. So I slid to the
Ferrari a little reluctantly but my heart dance with
happiness.
After half an hour in the road we finally pulled in front
of the one of expensive restaurant in Rome. After he
tossed the key to the waiting valet he griped my
hand and led me inside.
“What?” Marco asked when I stopped from my
track.
“I don’t think they are opened tonight, Marco.”
He frowned at me. His intense eyes focused in me
that made me nervous like a teenager. “What makes
you say that?”
“No other customers were present.” I whispered to
him.

“Simple.” He said casually as if it wasn’t that
important news to him. “I have the whole place
rented.”
“You did what?” I gaped at him in astonishment. I
think I didn’t hear him right.
He threw me a heart-melting grinned as he
continued to walk further inside the room. “It’s your
birthday I don’t want nuisance tonight.”
He did know my birthday, after all. The maitre d’
approached us with such smile on his face.
“Signore Orsini.” He said with much enthusiasm,
“This way, please.”
He led us to the beautifully arranged candlelight table.
The whole place was dimmed that gives effect to the
table for us.
I slid in the chair the maitre d’ pulled at me with the
shock still place in my face while looking at Marco
Orsini.
We gave our order first before Marco finally spoke.
“Happy Birthday.” He said pulling something in his
jacket pocket. “For you.”
I took the square red velvet box he presented. I
gasped when I saw what’s inside. It’s a Cartier love
bracelet.
He took the gold love bracelet from its nest and
placed it on my wrist. He screwed it until it fits my
wrist perfectly.
“You’ll wear it everywhere.” He announced
arrogantly
arrogantly. “I will keep this key. Don’t bother to new
key for that bracelet. That is a custom made only this
key can unlock that.”
“Why do you need to do that?” I asked slightly
frowned at his direction.
“So it gives people so message.”
“What message?”
He smirked like he’s enjoying a joke in my benefit.
“That’s a secret, Francesca.”
I stared at this man in front of me and glancing at
my new handcuff. I am in trouble I think my heart is
already halfway from falling for him. No. I need to do
something about this…
*
To be continued