THE BRIDE (FINAL EPISODE)

The Bride
Extra Chapter

You don’t choose your family. They are God’s gift to
you, as you are to them.
-Desmond Tutu
Marco Orsini’s POV
“Marco Orsini!” The blood-curdling warning from my
wife as she writhed in pain in the delivery room in a
private hospital in Rome made me cringed. She’s
about to deliver our baby girl. Francesca breathed
frantically. “I—I swear I will not let you near my bed
again…!”
“Breathe mia moglie…” I instructed her as they
thought us in the birthing class we attended before.
“Breathe…”
She glared at me insolently, snatching her hand in
mine. Her forehead soaked with sweat. “Don’t
instruct me what do to…when…when you don’t
know what I feel…”
I sighed deeply and let go of her snappy tone. I
should have expected her wrath because of the fact
that she’s suffering to such pain because I made her
pregnant. “Mia moglie…”
“Marco…when I am done here I will kill you!” She
shouted at the top of her lungs and clutched my
hand tightly as another contraction hit her. I swear I
will not touch her again—okay, scratch that I will use
protection from now on when I made love to her in
the future.
“You can do it, my darling.” I reassured her while I,
myself tried to be strong when anxiety eating me
alive seeing my wife suffered from such pain.
“Easy for you to say that!” She breathed deeply, her
eyes snapped with fire. Did she knew how achingly
beautiful when she’s mad? “You are not in my
position!”
I groaned silently as I kissed her hand. “I will trade
everything I have to exchange in your position,
Francesca.”
“Focus, Signora Orsini.” The obstetrician who
performed the birthing said. “Your child is almost
here. Focus and continue to push.”
Francesca did as she told. For the next excruciating
minutes I witness my wife helplessly as she writhe
with pain and deliver our child in this world. I never
thought that I will love a human being as much as I
love her.
My soulmate.
“Almost there.” The OB had said. “One more hard
push, Signora.”
“Push, my love. Come on, you can do it.” I
encouraged as I gripped her hands tightly. I swear I
will never put her again in this kind of pain again.
After Francesca pushed with all she might a howling
from a baby sounded in the delivery room. My heart
melted at the sight of my daughter. And for the
second time around I realize that I fall in love again.
“Please cut the cord, Signore Orsini.” The OB had
said with a strange smile on her face. With shaking
hands I took the offered sterilize scissors from her
hand and cut the cord. It was a bizarre experience it
made see a new dimension of life.
“Is my baby okay?” Francesca asked breathlessly
from the bed. She was still soaked wet with
perspiration.
“She’s perfect, mia moglie.” I told her with a mist in
my eyes. Francesca was great too by giving me a
daughter to love and cherish as long as live. I kissed
her forehead affectionately while the nurse placed our
daughter in my wife’s chest. “Thank you for giving
me a beautiful daughter, my love.”
“I love you,” Francesca whispered weakly with a
smile.
“I love you more, darling.” I answered back her
smile and kissed her on the lips.
*
*
The next morning…
Francesca was now settled in her suite room in a
private hospital here in Rome. I still could see the
exhaustion in her lovely face but she reassured me
that she’s perfectly fine. I couldn’t remove my eyes
from our little angel in my arms.
She’s so beautiful like her mother. I frowned slightly
studying our daughter in my arms. “What kind of
genetic distribution is this? I expect fifty-fifty from her
appearance.”
My wife smile softly. “Maybe our next baby will have
your price features, Signore Orsini.”
I looked at the seriously. “I’ll settle for having an only
child. I don’t want to put you again with the pain
you’ve suffered in your labor.”
“It wasn’t that bad.”
“But—”
“Surprise!” Nonno and Nonna said in unison as they
entered the room without as much a knocked.
“Oh, is that my great-granddaughter in your arms,
figlio?” Nonna asked with a delight in her eyes as she
approached. “Let me hold your little angel.”
Before I could say anything our daughter was
snatched in my arms by my grandmother. “Look
how pretty she is, Alfonso. She looks like me.”
“No.” Grandfather contradicted as he scowled his
wife. “She looks like me.”
I rolled my eyes and looked at my wife as her eyes
twinkled with delight. Really, my grandparents have
vivid imagination. “How come my daughter will
resemble with you when she’s the mirror image of
her mother?”
“Can’t you see?” My grandmother asked at me. “She
has my eyes and nose. She looks like me when I am
at her age.”
I was about the retort my Nonna when Francesca
slightly shook her head. I took a deep breathed and
muttered. “Whatever you say, Nonna.”
“Have you chosen a name for her?” Nonno asked still
looking the addition to the Orsini dynasty.
“Audrianna.”
“Beautiful name,” Nonna commented her eyes still
fixed on our daughter in her arms. “I hope the next
one is boy so he can inherit the vineyard. I hate to
see Audrianna grow up alone.”
I looked at my wife with a silent groaned. Francesca
just gave birth and now my grandmother is already
hinting for a baby boy. I will think about that matter
in the future. For now I will just focus on my wife
and my daughter and the start of our family
together.

THE END

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THE BRIDE EPILOGUE

The Bride
Epilogue

Love is composed of a single soul inhabiting two
bodies.
-Aristotle
Marco Orsini’s POV
It’s been exactly five weeks since my wife Francesca
fell in the trap Nonna laid on us after or impromptu
wedding in Las Vegas. After she ruthlessly used her
tears to convince my wife to have the wedding she
always wants for me.
So here I am standing at the altar of the cathedral in
Rome waiting for my bride to walk down the aisle
for our church ceremony with almost hundreds of
guests in attendance inside the cathedral. Almost
every pew was filled with guests.
“It’s not too late to run in the hills, file mou.” The
sarcastic comment came from my side. I glanced
dryly at the Greek man who was looking powerful in
his tuxedo.
I shook my head in resignation. “Funny, Nikos. I am
already married to my bride remember?”
“Oh, right.” The Greek billionaire reflected almost
innocently. “You did marry her in Las Vegas over a
month ago. I was there.” He threw a meaningful
looked at our good friend the duke.
“Marco,” Lucca warned with a twitch of smile in his
aristocratic face. “Kindly inform your friend over
there to stop being an a-s or I will smack that smirk
off his handsome face.”
“Try me.” Nikos invited gamely, eyeing the duke with
devilish glint in his pale blue eyes. “I am always a
good fighter. Want to try? Just like old times in
Harvard, file mou.”
“Will you stop that? Can you please behave this is
my wedding. I don’t want you two idiots ruined it.” I
told them with slight irritation. Really, making them
as my best men was honestly a very bad idea.
Nikos gaped at my openly. “Can you hear yourself,
Orsini? I can’t believe you will say something like
that. Before you’re the mastermind in ruining
someone’s wedding we attended. Who are you?
Give back my friend.”
“How humorous, Nikos.” I said dryly. “When you
don’t gossip about the events of my life to Lucca you
try to be comedian.”
“Oh hell,” He muttered wryly. He shot a looked to
Lucca. How I really want to punch him right now.
“Why did you corrupt our good friend with your
club?”
“My club?”
Nikos smirked. “Jealous husbands club.”
Lucca shook his head and said nothing. He happened
to glance at his beautiful wife and he winked at her.
Tatiana shook her head but pretty blush spread
through her cheeks. Nikos made a sound of snort at
the sweetness between the duke and his wife.
This man needs a woman in his life, I thought with a
private smile.
At last, the wedding march sounded at the huge
cathedral. The guests stood from the pews and look
at the door. My wife who did not I saw since
yesterday march down the aisle. My heart lurched at
the sight of my very beautiful pregnant wife.
Last night they did this little party in the vineyard with
her bridesmaids, her mother, Nonna and the
duchess. They gave her something for a good luck
they said. Something old: Francesca wore my
grandmother’s veil on her wedding over fifty years
ago. Something new: Lianna bought her only
daughter a French lace wedding gown from Paris the
gown accentuated her slight baby bump. Something
borrowed: Tatiana lent her one of her tiaras.
Something blue: My wife wore the sapphire jewelry
set I bought her in Las Vegas in the night of our
wedding. All in all, my Francesca looked radiant.
Finally, she arrived at the altar beside me. I took her
hand and squeezed it slightly. She smiled in my
direction and my heart melted.
*
“I love you,” I whispered to her softly.
She smiled in my direction. “I love you too, Marco.”
“We are gathered here to witness the union of two
people…” The archbishop started. Honestly, I couldn’t
concentrate on what he was saying. I am too busy
ogling my wife. Nikos shot me a disbelief look.
“…do you Marco, take Francesca Valenti Marcolini to
be your lawfully wedded wife for better or for
worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in
health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward
until death do you part?”
“I do.” I said with a grin in my face.
The Archbishop now looked at my wife. “Do you
Francesca, take Marco Alessandro Orsini to be your
lawfully wedded husband for better or for worse, for
richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love
and to cherish; from this day forward until death do
you part?”
“I do.” She answered softly.
I hide my smile. Finally, we were near the end of this
grand ceremony my grandmother had planned. And
my most awaited part of the ceremony the
Archbishop said. “You may kiss the bride.”
I removed her veil from face and dipped her back
again and kissed her soundly like I did in our first
wedding. Francesca blushed furiously as the crowd
erupted with cheers and whistle. I glanced at Nonna
who couldn’t remove the triumph in her eyes.
You must very happy now Nonna? I asked her
silently.
I nearly laughed out loud in what I saw in her face.
The silent communication had said. D--n right, I
am.
After the ceremony ended the guests travelled to the
vineyard where a very grand festivity waited them,
teams of chefs hired by Nonna busy cook for almost
thousand of guests for a wedding that can compare
to the wedding of a royalty.
“Happy?” I asked my wife as we were inside the
bridal car. I kissed her hand affectionately.
“Happy.” My wife answered with a smile on her face.
“What about you?”
“So much. I don’t think my heart can bear this much
happiness.”
Francesca laughed wholeheartedly. “You’ll be fine.”
“Are you ready to face the battlefield later?”
“Battlefield?”
I grinned ruefully. “We have at least hundreds of
guests to entertain, my love.”
“Nonna spared nothing in inviting visitors.”
“Yes,” I reflected. “But Laila couldn’t come. She called
before the wedding her father forbids her to come.”
“That’s so sad.”
“Cesare Fiorenza ruled his daughters’ life with iron
fist.”
Francesca smile sadly as if remembering something.
“I gathered that much when we went there.”
“I hope Laila will be free from her father’s clutch
soon.”
“Yes.” My wife replied, her eyes shine brightly.
“Are you ready to face our new life, darling?” I asked
my wife as soon as we arrived at the vineyard
where guests waiting for us.
Laila Fiorenza’s POV
*
*
I am confined in my room when I should be in
Rome attending the wedding celebration of my new
friends but Patri didn’t give me permission to leave
this cold palace he called his home…
“He’s really a monster! How I hate him!”
The door of my bedroom suddenly flung to open
and my twin sister barged in like a whirlwind that
she was.
“Who are you referring too, Leila?”
Green eyes filled with fury as she jumped in the bed
beside me. She exhaled an angry breathe. “That
monster brute who we also called as ‘father’!”
“Leila,” I reprimanded softly. “Lower you voice
someone might hear you.”
“I don’t care!” My mirror image replied angrily. “That
monstrous man. He’s really gone off this time. I will
not do his bidding.”
“What did he tell you, sis?”
Leila’s eyes flashed with annoyance. “He just
announced awhile ago that I need to fly in New York.
He wants me to marry his friend’s only son. The
Greek billionaire Nikos Pallis! Who the heck is that
man?”
“A billionaire businessman, I think.” I smiled sadly for
my twin’s dilemma. Few weeks ago I suffered the
same thing. He had given my hand in marriage to
Signore Marco Orsini but thankfully the man is in
love with someone else. I escape a loveless marriage
but Patri hadn’t yet forgiven me after I went home
and announce that we broke the engagement.
Now it was my twin sister’s turn.
“Like I will marry that conceited man. For all I know
he has the same spiteful personality with our sire.”
“Leila…”
“I will not give him the satisfaction of marrying me
off with whoever he likes.” My sister said confidently.
“What are you planning to do?”
A rebellious grin fitted Leila’s face. “Watch me, sis.”
The next morning…
It’s not every day that my father, Cesare Fiorenza,
called me into the most formal library of our century
old palatial home for a chat. What does he wants to
summon me here? I knocked on the thick wooden
door to find out.
“Come in,” Said the commanding voice in the old
Sicilian dialect.
I straightened my chaste black dress before I let
myself entered the chamber where my father had
been entertaining his visitors. Either to impress them
with our family’s wealth—or to intimidate them, I am
not really sure which of the two. “You wish to talk to
me, Patri?” I asked in the same dialect.
“Sit down, me fighia.”
I took one of the leather seats that directly opposite to
my father desk and look into the infamous cold
green-eyes of the Fiorenza for many centuries. The
same color as mine and my twin sister. I sat regally
as if there was a fireplace poker stick inserted on my
spine, the proper way for a woman to sit according
to my etiquette teacher.
“I want you to come in New York and pretend to be
your sister.” My father had announced without
preamble, as if it was the most logical thing in the
world.
To pretend as my twin sister?
What is happening here?

Story Continues

THE BRIDE CHAPTER 38

The Bride
Chapter 38

There’s a great potential for blackmail.
-Brett Shirk
Francesca Orsini’s POV
“Breathe, mia moglie.” The command came from the
man sitting beside my bed. “You are just about to
have your first scan today. You are not going to die.”
“I am fine.” I tried to reassure him with a slightly
forced smile in my face when I truth I am really
nervous. Marco and I were back from Las Vegas
yesterday after a week of honeymoon in the city.
“You are as white as the linen, Mrs. Orsini.”
I consciously touched my cheeks. “I am not!”
He laughed heartily as he kissed my hand that he
was holding. “I am trying softened you up. Relax,
my darling. Don’t be nervous.”
“I’m nervous, Marco.” I confided to him finally.
“What if there is something wrong with our baby?
What if—”
He placed his finger in my lips. “Shh…everything will
be fine.”
“What if—”
“He or she will be perfect, Francesca.” Marco stated
confidently. His eyes gleamed with delight. “Because
he’s ours. This baby is ours.”
“But—”
“Enough of this, darling.” He said kissing my
forehead affectionately. He never failed to make my
heart pound so loudly in my chest. “We will love
him even if he isn’t perfect. We will give him a happy
home with parents who love him so dearly.”
My heart warms at his words. Oh, how I love this
man with all of my heart. “You were right, Marco.”
“Of course, I am right always.” He stated arrogantly.
I laughed gently. I raised my head slightly for him to
give me a kiss. He obliged without question and
kissed me in the lips soundly. Just in time for the
sonographer to enter the room without notice.
“Sorry, I’m late…” He said reading the chart in his
hand. He stopped midway through the door when
he saw us in our position in the hospital bed. “…do I
need to come back later when it’s more convenient
for all us? Say fifteen minutes?”
I blushed furiously as I sent my husband a dark
glare. But the devil merely smirked at the
sonographer and took his chair near the bed. “We’re
fine. Let’s have the ultrasound now.”
“You sure?” The man asked dryly with a knowing
smile on his face. “I will just come back later if I am
interrupting something.”
“I’m pretty sure that can wait later once we got
home.” Marco replied wickedly while I blushed
furiously from the bed. Once we got home I will kill
him!
“If you are certain.” The sonographer said as he put
the chart on the table and started the procedure. He
smear cold gel in my slightly bump stomach and
started to see what’s inside my womb.
We saw from the screen a slightly blurred figure. My
heart swelled with love. This is our baby. Marco
tightened his gripped from my hand. I am sure that
he could also feel this happiness that I am
experiencing right now.
The sonographer was so serious looking at the
monitor beside the bed. Is there something wrong
with our baby? Oh God, I don’t think I can bear it if
something happen with our child. “Is everything
okay with our baby?” I asked nervously.
The man seemed perplex with my sudden question
but then he smile. “Oh, forgive me. Yes, everything
is perfectly fine with your baby, Signora Orsini. She’s
healthy.”
*
She?” Marco inquired.
The sonographer beamed at us. “Congratulations.
You are expecting baby girl, Signora Orsini.”
Claudia Orsini’s POV
“They elope. I can feel it.”
I told my husband inside our grand library of our
home a week after Marco and Francesca noticeably
missing again. I am pacing the library with
determined stride.
“How did you know that?” Alfonso asked sanguinely
as he read his favorite broadsheet in his study table. I
glared at him. He seemed not concern about their
elopement. “Maybe Francesca was not feeling well
because she’s now expecting their first child.”
One of these days I will burn every newspaper
arriving in the vineyard. “I can feel it, Alfonso.”
He snorted. “That might be just a wild guess, mia
moglie.”
“My instincts told me I am correct.”
Alfonso sighed and finally removed his d--n eyes
on the newspaper. “You have no basis for your
intuition, amore. For all we know they only took
another out of the country vacation.”
“No.” I contradicted firmly. “I knew it in my heart that
Marco carted off Francesca somewhere so they can
marry without me.”
“Claudia—”
“If I saw your grandson I want to have a word with
him.”
My husband sighed again as he shook his snow-
white head. “You are thinking too much. Stop
stressing yourself, darling.”
I ignored him as I continued to saunter in the library
like a caged beast. What if Marco really blindsided me
again? What about my plans for their wedding? I am
overly excited with their wedding that I couldn’t sleep
at night.
“If you kept pacing the floor you will leave hole in it.”
The dry comment from my husband irked me
more.
“Where did they go? It’s been a week.” I
unconsciously bite lips as I wonder where they could
possibly hide from me.
“Claudia—”
“Even Tatiana—” I stopped when I realized that I’ve
been blurting what’s running inside my head.
Alfonso’s eyes narrowed in my direction. I don’t
think I like the way he’s starting at me. I need to be
careful around him. He’s quite known for having a
sharp mind. “Did you say ‘Tatiana’? As in Tatiana
Cavelli, the Duchessa di Caprielle?”
I looked away from his knowing gazed. “Oh, I don’t
know what you are talking about.”
“Claudia…” He warned as he stood from him study
table.
But before I could answer him we heard a throaty
growl of a high performance car outside the
window. Alfonso moved closer near the window
and stared outside. I mischievous smile fitted his
stern mouth.
“You don’t need to worry about them, Claudia mia.”
He said as he glanced at me. “The subjects of your
distress just decided to pay you a visit.”
Summoning to calm my nerves, I waited for Marco
and Francesca to arrive in the library. I faced the door
and put both of my hands in my waist as I wait for
them. I will give them something they will never
forget in their marriage life together.
“I know that position so well.” Alfonso remarked
thoughtfully. “You look like a woman who is
expecting a war, darling.”
"
I just ignored him and waited patiently. A few
minutes later the heavy door of the library opened
and Marco and Francesca walked in. My eyes
instantly narrowed in their direction.
It was Marco who broke the silence.
“We’re married!” He announced happily as he flashed
to me his wedding ring on his left hand.
I knew it.
You want play dirty, Marco? I said silently eyeing the
platinum wedding band on his hand. I will play dirty
with you. Calling for tears in my eyes the game just
began.
Marco Orsini’s POV
“We’re married!”
I knew my mistake as soon as I saw my
grandmother’s eyes simmered with tears. I expected
her wrath as Lucca had warned me over a week ago
when Francesca and I suddenly got married in Las
Vegas. But I didn’t expect the tears.
We have a short but blissful honeymoon in Las
Vegas. But as the duke warned we need to get back
to Italy to inform our family about our wedding in
the States.
Now here we are in my grandparents’ library facing
Nonna’s tears. “Oh, you are now married.” She said
while wiping the moisture in her eyes. “I am so
happy but a little bit hurt at the same time you didn’t
bother to invite an old woman like me to such
important event in your life.”
I glanced at my wife who glared at me with such
fervor due to my grandmother’s distress. Nonna
was really one heck of an actress. I knew she’s just
acting to make us feel guilty.
“We’re sorry, Nonna.” My ever kind-hearted wife
move closer to grandmother and comforted her.
“It’s okay, dear.” Nonna said but tears still glistening
in her eyes. She might fool my wife but not me. I
am used with this kind of scenario for years. “I know
you are eager to be wedded that’s why you flew
somewhere to get married. I am happy really. It’s
just the wedding I planned since Marco get into his
teenage years will be wasted now.”
“Oh, we’re really sorry, Nonna.” My wife said I could
see the remorse in her beautiful face. I snorted
silently while my grandfather remained quiet. It was
on the tip of my tongue to tell my Francesca that
Nonna wants us to play at the palm of her hands.
“I’m fine, Francesca.” She smiled as she dabbed the
tears in her eyes. “It’s my dream to see Marco get
down the aisle before I die now I guess that will be
only in my dreams.”
“Nonna—” I started but my wife glared at me again.
“Don’t worry, Nonna.” Francesca interrupted me.
“We will fulfill your dream to see Marco wed in
church ceremony.”
“Francesca!” I opposed fiercely.
“Really?” Nonna asked my wife completely ignoring
me. While Nonno beamed like an idiot at the corner.
“Yes,” My wife reassured with a smiled. She threw
me a stern looked. “We are going to get married in
church, aren’t we, darling?”
I sighed heavily. What else could I do but to give in?
“All right, fine.”
“Oh thank you, Francesca.” Nonna hugged my wife
suddenly. I couldn’t miss the smirked she threw in
my direction. That’s when I realized I lost the battle
with her. There will be extravagant wedding for me
and Francesca for all Italy to see.
I am starting to have headache.

To be continued

THE BRIDE CHAPTER 37

The Bride
Chapter 37

There is always a sneer in Las Vegas. The mountains
around it sneer. The desert sneers. And arrogant in
the middle of its wide valley, dominating those
diligent sprawling suburbs, the downtown city
sneers like anything.
– Jan Morris
Francesca Marcolini’s POV
At the age of twenty-one, I have this simple and
intimate wedding attended by a number of guests
from the cream of Italian society. And when my
husband suddenly died in our wedding day I
thought from that moment I will never wed again.
But seven years after that faithful day I met and then
slowly fell in love with my infamous adversary,
Marco Orsini. Since the day I met him he’s so much
for my piece of mind. I guess at that time when I still
worshipping my late husband’s memory I thought I
will betray him if I started to feel something to
another man.
That’s why I always cold and rude to Marco in those
years before I feared that one day he might replace
Lorenzo in my heart.
And I’ve never been wrong. After I learned about my
late husband’s betrayal—the truth that he never really
love me as much as I loved him. That he was in love
with someone else. It opened my eyes that I should
get a life and let go of the past.
Now once I again I am a bride. It is my wedding day
to Marco Orsini. I stared at the full length mirror in
the suite Marco and I shared in one of the most
luxury hotel in Las Vegas. At twenty-nine I feel like a
blushing bride again.
I don’t know why Marco was so eager to get
married. We’ve been just engaged two days ago and
after our hasty visit to his grandparents we flew
straight to Vegas to get married. Honestly, it doesn’t
really matter if we wed today or next year as long as
we love each other I’m fine if we just live in sin. For
me marriage is just formality to what we really feel
for one another.
I wore a simple white knee light cocktail dress I
brought awhile ago. The simple white bouquet
Marco purchased before he left the suite to get
another room so he can change into his tuxedo
before the wedding ceremony.
He told me that the groom can’t see his bride before
the wedding it’s a bad luck. I smiled at the thought
who would have thought that he believed that my
myth.
I never thought that I will marry again after my first
husband’s death—but I certainly never come to my
mind that when I tie the knot again it will be in Las
Vegas with Elvis presides the ceremony. It’s hilarious
we might as well can consider this as elopement
when we didn’t invite ay family member to witness
our wedding. When I tell Tatiana about this sudden
wedding I could almost picture her laughing so hard.
My mobile phone rang. I went near the bed to pick it
up. I smile when I saw Marco’s number I pressed
the answer button. “Hello?”
“Are you ready, my beautiful bride?” Marco greeted
in the other line.
My heart leaped at his words. “How did you know
that I am a beautiful bride?”
“I just did.”
I laughed when I heard the signature arrogance in his
voice. How I love this man with all of his arrogance.
“Flatterer.”
“Are you ready? Marco laughed loudly in the other
line. “Come down at the lobby I want you to meet
my—well, I think I could consider him as my friend
when he’s not in his obnoxious self.”
“Hey!” I heard a reprimand from another male deep
voice on the phone. “I am right here beside you, you
know.”
“Has anyone told you it’s rude to listen to someone
else’s phone conversation?” Marco replied to the
man. He must be our witness to the wedding, the
Greek billionaire Nikos Pallis. “Francesca?”
*I’m still here.” I told him with a smile.
“Come I want you to meet him.” Marco said. “I think
he can spare us with his sarcastic wit.”
I laughed at the easy banter Marco and Nikos Pallis
shared. Clearly, they were good friends more than
they care to admit. I hung up my phone and went
out the suite. I walked straight to the elevator and
waited until it reached the lobby.
Once I was inside the slightly over crowded lobby I
scanned for my husband-to-be and his friend. After
a few seconds of walking inside the huge lobby I
saw the familiar back talking to a very handsome
man at the far end of the reception area.
When I approached them the very handsome Greek
man nodded in my direction that made Marco turned
to look at me. The sight of him in his tuxedo knocked
my breath away. He’s painstakingly handsome I
never miss the longing glances women inside the
hotel give Marco and his Greek friend.
“Francesca…” Marco said extending his hand towards
my direction.
I took it without hesitation but I am still aware of the
burning gaze the Greek god threw in my direction.
He’s as if, studying me with his unusual pale blue
eyes like the color of the clearest sky during summer
in Italy.
Marco dipped his head to kiss my cheek. “You look
ravishing, darling.”
I tried to fight the blush that wanted to escape in my
face. Why does he behave like this when we were in
front of his friend?
“Aren’t you going to introduce us, fíle mou?” The
Greek god spoke forcing us to acknowledge his
presence with his assistant standing behind him.
Marco straightened and performs the introduction his
friend demanded. “Francesca, this is Nikos Pallis, the
Greek b-----d that lent us his villa in Sardinia out of
the goodness of his heart.” He raised an eyebrow to
his friend’s direction. “Do you have a heart, my
friend?”
“Not that I am aware off.” Nikos Pallis replied his pale
blue eyes gleamed in delight. “But let me clear this to
you, Orsini. As far as I am concern I was born in
wedlock so if you will just be careful with your
words, fíle mou.”
“You are?” Marco retorted back to his friend dryly but
the Greek man ignored him.
“I am a good friend of Lucca—the Duke of Caprielle
and this humorless man who is about to become
your husband any moment back in college.” Nikos
Pallis said to me with a quite smile on his ruthless
face. “Pleasure to meet you, thespinis.”
He boldly kissed my hand that made Marco glared
darkly to his friend. This man was worst than Marco
when he’s still at the pinnacle of his bachelor’s days.
This Greek man was lethal he can get any woman he
wanted without as much as trying. Anyone who will
try to win his heart will need as much luck as she
can get.
But then again, he just claimed awhile ago that he
doesn’t have a heart right?
“Stop charming my wife-to-be.” Marco practically
dragged me to his side.
Nikos Pallis grinned evilly in Marco’s direction. “That’s
no way to treat the man who will act as your
witness to your wedding, my friend.”
“Then stop being alluring to my Francesca or I will
give you a black eye before the wedding.” Marco
threatened darkly.
His friend sighed deeply. “You join the duke in the
jealous husband clubs, aren’t you? Now I am an
island to myself, fíle mou.”
*
Marco grinned at his friend while he sneaked his
hand on my waist. “You should marry too so Lucca
and I will never leave you behind.”
The Greek billionaire feigned a look of horror. “Curse
your tongue, Orsini.”
My fiancé just laughed as he looked down to me. His
dark eyes dance with laughter. “Being married to the
woman you love is the best thing that will happen to
your life.”
Nikos shook his dark head in acquiescence. “You are
really fallen, Marco.”
“You will too.” Marco said cheerfully to his friend.
“Someday. When you meet the right woman.”
He snorted as he looks away. “That might be billion
years from now.”
Marco laughed out loud. “Don’t lose hope, amico.”
Nikos stared at his friend like he just spoke dirty
words in front of the ladies. “Let’s get this over with,
shall we? Then I can go back in New York.”
“What a great idea.” Marco agreed brightly. Tucking
my hand to his we walk inside the chapel like room
in the lobby of the hotel.
To my immense relief Elvis was not waiting for us in
the small makeshift chapel. But a man dress in priest
attire.
“I hope he’s a real priest, Marco.” I whispered to him
once we are now walking down the aisle. “I don’t
want a hoax wedding.”
“I know you want to be married by Elvis, my love.”
He whispered back evilly as we near the altar. “But
sadly he took day off today.”
I couldn’t help but to laughed at his humor but deep
inside I am freaking nervous right this moment. The
priest opened the bible and started the rite of the
wedding ceremony. Nikos and his personal assistant
took the place near us.
“Do you Marco take Francesca Marcolini to be your
lawfully wedded wife—?”
“I do.” He replied cheerfully without waiting for the
priest to finish his words.
The priest looked at Marco dryly. “At least wait for
me to finish before you answer.”
“Do you Francesca take Marco Orsini to be your
lawfully wedded—?”
“I do.”
The man shook his head. “By the power vested in
my I pronounce you as man and wife. You may kiss
the bride.”
Marco didn’t waste time before he encircled me to his
arms and bend me backward for a deep kiss. I am
officially married to Marco Orsini.
“So, Signora Orsini…” Marco said after our first kissed
as married couple.
“So, Signore Orsini…” I mimicked him with a smile in
my lips. I felt like we are the only people inside the
room. We never look at Nikos and his assistant
when they left us after they gave us their
congratulations.
“About we start with our wedding night, wife?”
I laughed as I hug him tightly. He’s really incorrigible.
But before I could reply his mobile phone rang.
He frowned when he fished out his phone in his
pocket. “Excuse me, darling.”
Marco moved a little farther to me as he answered
the phone call. I visibly heard him. “Hello, Lucca.”
Marco Orsini’s POV
“Haven’t I told you to invite me to your wedding?”
I mentally cringed when I heard the accusing voice
of Lucca Cavelli on the other line. “How on earth did
you know about it?”
“Imagine this. I am in the middle of a very gruesome
board meeting when I received a phone call from a
certain egotistical Greek babbling that he’s going to
act as your witness in a wedding in Las Vegas. That
he will not miss it for the world—that he’s so sorry
that I am not there to watch our good friend tie the
knot.”
I cursed as I scan the place looking for Nikos Pallis. I
want a word with him now! Too bad he’s nowhere
to be seen.
“So you won Fran-I-Mean-The-Girl, after all?”
“Stop playing games with me, Lucca!”
I heard the duke chuckled. “Are you going to tell me
who is your bride?”
“Why do you want to know?”
“Because she’s my good friend, you know.”
I loosened the bowtie around my neck. It seemed to
be too tight that the moment. “How did you—”
“I’m not idiot, Marco.” Lucca said confidently. “I
know there’s something between the two of you
long time ago.”
I guessed he’d been right. There’s hidden sparks
since then. “Does your wife know about this?”
Lucca took a deep breath. “No.” He said after a
paused. “I think she works for your Nonna. She’s
acting suspicious since your grandfather’s birthday.”
“I think that too.” I agreed with him glancing at my
bride briefly.
“She’ll have your head in a silver platter, you know.”
Lucca warned frankly. “Your Nonna. You rob her the
opportunity to plan your wedding. Expect her wrath
when you come back.”
“I know.”
“I can only give you few days to have honeymoon.
After that Tatiana will start to question me. You know
that I can’t lie to her with anything.”
“Thank you, Lucca.” I said to him honestly. He’s
really a good friend when he’s not teasing me
mercilessly.
“Take good care of her, amico.” He said seriously.
“She’d been through a lot with her past marriage.”
“I love her, Lucca.” That’s all I replied to him before I
disconnected the phone call. “Ready?” I asked my
wife. God, she’s my wife now.
Finally.
I extended my hand for her and she took it without
hesitation. We rode the elevator and I couldn’t wait. I
started kissing Francesca with such fervor. I
probably look like an impatient bridegroom but I
don’t care.
At last, we arrived at our penthouse I nearly reap her
clothes in the elevator. I swung her to my arms and
she squeaked a little.
“It’s tradition, my love.” I said once we crossed the
threshold.
“Marco!”
We finally arrived at the bedroom I carefully brought
her back to her feet. I stared at her pretty hazel eyes.
There was now piece of paper stating she’s mine.
“You are now officially mine, Francesca Orsini.”

To be continued

THE BRIDE CHAPTER 36

The Bride
Chapter 36

One of the most beautiful qualities of true friendship
is to understand and to be understood.
-Lucius Annaeus Seneca
Marco Orsini’s POV
“She already accepted my marriage proposal last
night.” I announced to the woman sitting across to
me in the trendy coffee shop in the heart of Rome.
Laila Fiorenza sipped her coffee regally as her green
eyes studied me with such gleamed in their depth.
As usual, she wore her favored black outfits. It suited
her in my opinion. It accentuated her pale skin. “I
take that congratulation is in order then. I am so
happy for both of you. I’m sorry that I didn’t help
you much with your plan but I am so happy that it
works with the way you want it.”
I smiled ruefully taking a sip of my own coffee. I still
can’t believe that I am now an engaged man to the
woman who practically owned my heart. Thinking
about it now it seems that it has been a long time
when I swore off to love. Francesca changed my
way of thinking about marriage and kids.
The love of my life.
“That’s a quite smile you got there, Marco.”
I forced back myself to this Sicilian princess who
studying me right this moment. I have to stop
thinking about my fiancée for a moment—Dio, my
fiancée. That word makes my heart warm at the
thought.
“You’re doing it again.” Laila teased mercilessly.
I pretended to scowled in her direction but smile
keep spreading in my face. “That’s harsh, princess.
You are mockery me.”
“I will not let pass the opportunity to make fun of the
man who brazenly went to the old town in Sicily to
asked my father for my hand in marriage when your
real reason was to make your lady jealous over me.”
The Sicilian princess retorted playfully, her eyes
dance with laughter.
I grimaced when I remember that time Francesca
and I took a trip in Ragusa, Sicily had met this
amazing woman. “She’s a complicated woman.”
“Every woman is complicated, Signore.” She replied
smarty. Whoever the lucky man will ever capture
this woman’s heart will be fortunate. “And it takes a
lifetime for a man to uncover a woman’s secret.”
“I will say only few weeks will do.”
Laila raised an eyebrow in my direction before
bursting to a hearty laughed. “You are really
something else, Marco Orsini.”
“So I’ve been told.” I agreed with a silent salute of my
coffee cup. “I never imagined that the woman I met
in Ragusa will be this witty.”
She frowned in my direction. “You think I am one of
those air-headed women who did nothing but to
flatter their vanity?”
I held up my hands with a smile. “I didn’t say that.”
“But you are thinking about it.”
“No, Laila. Truly.”
She surprised me when she laughed. “So serious,
Marco. I am just kidding you.”
It was not my turn to scowl in her direction. “You do
have the habit of poking fun at me, princess.”
“Yes.” She answered, she stared at me arrogantly.
“Do you have problem with that?”
“Only you and Francesca will dare to do that to me.”
I said as I shook my head in resignation. I never
thought before that I will have a friendly relationship
with a woman before without jumping in bed with
her. I am so happy that I have this kind of
relationship with this woman.
*
“It’s a good thing that someone treated you
differently.” She replied, as she sipped her coffee.
“I’ve known your—shall we say colorful past with
women, Marco.”
I smiled ruefully. “Such a discreet way of saying I am
certified playboy before.”
“It’s true.”
I glared at this Sicilian princess. “I thought when I
met you, you are an obedient daughter? What’s with
the sharp tongue?”
“I just don’t want to disappoint my Patri.” Shadows
filled her lively emerald eyes. She smiled bravely in
my direction. “In fact, he’s already summoning me
home.”
There’s something in her face that told me that she
didn’t want to go home yet. Cesare Fiorenza was not
the type of father that very affectionate with his
daughter. He ruled their lives with iron fists.
“Why not stay here for a few days more?” I invited
openly. She seemed enjoying her life in the city. “I
will ask for your father’s permission.”
“I can’t.” She said with a shake of her head. “Patri
wants to me to go home already. Besides, my twin
phone me this morning she told me she’s home. I
want to see my sister.”
“Your sister?” I asked when I stopped halfway from
drinking my coffee. “What’s her name again—Leah?”
“Leila.” She said with amusement in her face. “I
thought that you may know her. She’s quite a party
girl and broke every rule my father had given us.
She’s called as the ‘darling of the Sicilian tabloids’.”
“Tough girl.”
“She is.” Laila said cheerfully. “Rebellious and making
her own destiny for herself. She also likes to irate our
father on every opportunity.”
I smiled at the thought of having an unruly daughter
for that tyrant Sicilian. “When do you plan to come
home?”
“Tomorrow.”
I looked at her seriously. “I want to come with you in
Ragusa to explain to your father about our situation
and my engagement to Francesca.”
She shook her head with a regal smile on her
aristocratic face. “I can deal with my Patri, Marco.
You should stay here in the city with your bride-to-
be.”
“Are you sure?”
Laila nodded with a smile that quite didn’t reach her
eyes. I knew she feared her father so much and
about his reaction with this news. I want to there for
her when she faces her tyrant father’s wrath. She
became a very good friend to me. “I will deal with
him. Don’t worry I am sure he’ll understand.” She
stood from her chair. “As much as I want to chat
with you I need to pack my things, Marco.”
“It’s all right.” I also stood from my chair. “Have a
safe trip tomorrow, Laila.”
She smiled brightly like the warm Italian sun. “Be
sure to invite me to your wedding.”
“I will.” I promised. “Good luck with your secret love
for this man.”
“I need more than luck when it comes to love,
Marco.”
“Have faith.” I said with such conviction.
“Where are we going?” Francesca asked when I
fetched her in her office after my meeting with Laila.
I glanced at her and I kissed her hand while I drive in
the highway of Rome. “To the vineyard. We need to
tell the old folks about our engagement.”
*
“Now?” She looked horrified at the thought.
“Yes,” I glanced again to her briefly before I settled
my gaze back on the road. “Do you have problem
with that?”
“Er. I don’t know. What will they say about it?” She
said. I could see that she’s really nervous. “Only a
week ago you introduce a different woman as your
fiancée now you will introduce a new woman as
your fiancée.”
I smirked but my eyes still on the road. “You don’t
know my grandparents that well then. I am sure that
they will only raise eyebrows at the news.”
She glowered darkly in my direction. I could feel that
the temperature inside my car dropped at least ten
degrees. “Do you have the habit of introducing
women as your fiancée to them, Signore?”
“Jealous, my love?” I grinned evilly.
She snorted. “Why will I be jealous?”
“For the record, soon-to-be Mrs. Orsini. I only
proposed to a woman once and that is you,
Francesca.”
She didn’t reply anymore until we reached my
grandparents vineyard.
“Smile.” I commented once we slid out of the car. I
took her hand as we entered the foyer. “You look like
a woman who is facing her death.”
“That’s quite accurate description.”
I stole a kissed to her lovely lips. “This will be fine,
darling.”
We found my grandparents in their favorite part of
the mansion—the library. My grandfather sat in his
study desk while my grandmother read book in the
settee.
“We’re engaged!” I announced happily once we
entered the room. Nonno put down the broadsheet
he’d been reading.
Nonna beamed in our direction as she stood from
the sofa. Tears gleamed in her eyes. “About time. I
grew tired in waiting for this day. Come let’s have
coffee and discuss the wedding arrangement I did
months ago.”
“Wedding arrangement?” Francesca asked blankly.
“Whose wedding plan is that for, Nonna?”
“Yours and Marco, of course.” Nonna replied dryly as
if that’s the most absurd thing she heard.
I laughed as I led Francesca in the sofa where my
scheming grandmother sat again. “You plan ahead,
Nonna.”
“Of course.” She answered arrogantly, picking up
her notebook, pen and some paraphernalia in the
coffee table. “Take a sit. So what do you think of one
thousand guests for the wedding reception?”
“One thousand?” Francesca repeated impassively.
She gaped at my grandmother openly.
“Too little?” Nonna asked with a frown. “How about
two thousands then?”
“Nonna…” I held up my hands but I was interrupted
when the maid place the coffee in the table. Too late
before I could send away the maid with the coffee
Francesca stood from the sofa and dash off the
room.
Once Francesca left the room Nonna gave me a
strange looked. “Aren’t you going to tell me
something, figlio?”
“What will I tell you?” I answered her innocently.
Now even my grandfather get interested with this
new twist inside the library.
My grandmother got teary-eyed again, as she placed
her hand in her heart. “I’ve suffered the same thing
twice and I saw my daughters-in-law suffered the
same thing with Francesca.”
*
Are we going to be great grandparents at last,
Marco?” Nonno asked but more like only a formality
than a real question. I am sure there is no doubt that
they knew now about Francesca’s condition.
“We need to have the wedding really soon now.”
Nonna added with a triumph in her eyes. “Let’s do it
next week.”
They are planning ahead. I want only a simple and
intimate wedding. I don’t want a circus. “You know
what?” I told them when Francesca came back again
inside the room with a quite blush on her cheek. “I
think my fiancée needs to rest. We will come back
when she’s fine.”
“Marco…!” Nonna said when I grabbed Francesca’s
hand and went out of the library without saying
proper goodbye. “Come back here we need to talk.”
“What’s that for?” Francesca asked when I let her slid
inside my car.
“Let’s get married tomorrow.” I said once I started
the engine and drive off the vineyard.
Her eyes widened considerably. “What? Tomorrow?
What’s the rush?”
“Nonna wants a circus wedding I want the opposite.”
“I want a simple wedding too.” She confined at me
softly. “But where are going to get married in such
haste?”
“Las Vegas.” I answered as I fished out my mobile
phone and dialed someone. After a few rings the
Greek b-----d finally answered. “Nikos? I need a
favor again. Can you fly to Las Vegas tomorrow
morning? What reason? I need you—and probably
your secretary to stand as witnesses.” I looked at the
woman sitting silently beside me. “Because I’m
getting married tomorrow.”

To be continued

THE BRIDE CHAPTER 35

The Bride
Chapter 35

If
you love someone, the greatest gift you can give
them is your presence.
–Thich Nhat Hanh
Francesca Marcolini’s POV
This was supposed to be an ordinary day for me at
the office. But a package that was delivered to my
home and a single phone call changed everything.
My eyes misted with tears on my ride to my
destination as I recalled the event earlier this
morning…
“There is a package for you, Signora.” My
housekeeper said with a box in her hands as I ate my
breakfast. “It has no sender I just found it outside
your door.”
“Oh?” Curious about the parcel in my housekeeper
had just presented to me. For a moment I thought
that someone just playing prank on me. But then
again, it might come from Marco who has an
overseas trip yesterday.
That man loves surprises.
I smiled slightly at the thought that this is Marco’s
surprise for me. I took the mysterious package from
my housekeeper and opened it like a child opening
her gift on Christmas day.
I frowned when I saw a USB flash drive, a red
colored necktie and a black credit card owned by
Marco. I couldn’t prevent my smile any longer.
What is this plan of his? I asked myself silently.
“Can you please get my laptop in my room?” I asked
my housekeeper with a tamed smile on my face. I
am so excited to see what’s inside the USB.
“Certainly, Signora.” My housekeeper went to my
room to get my laptop. I drink my freshly squeezed
orange juice. I traded my favored coffee for breakfast
so it will not harm my baby. I am starting to
experience morning sickness.
I have not yet consulted a doctor for my condition
but that’s the thing I want to discuss with Marco
once he got home from his business trip.
“Here’s your laptop, ma’am.”
“Thank you.” I smiled at my housekeeper as I took
the laptop and start it to life. After a few seconds I
inserted the flash drive to my laptop’s USB port and
waited for my computer to read it. When it was
finally okay I look at the content of the flash drive and
saw a single file. I clicked it to open as video player
starts to read it.
My heart stopped beating in my chest when the
video started to play. I am sure my eyes were just
playing trick on me. My nerves were shaking my
brain refused to translate what my eyes had been
telling me.
This is a nightmare!
No, worst than a nightmare.
My hands instinctively few to my mouth to cover
my shock.
Marco…
He’s tied up in a chair with a lamp over his head with
two hooded guys in his side. He’s eyes were blind-
folded. His surrounding was very dark like an old
abandoned building. Even his feet tied together so he
couldn’t escape. He wore his favorite gray Armani
suit he still look debonair but his necktie was
noticeably missing.
I looked at the ruby colored tie inside the box. This
must be his tie they took it from him so they can
send it to me along with this video. I can’t breathe as
if something was crushing my heart right this
moment. Who did this kind of evil things to him?
I will die if something bad happened to him.
*
couldn’t bear it.
“Speak now!” The man behind the camera snarled at
him.
“Who are you?” Marco asked bravely even though
he’s in that kind of situation. He’s at the mercy of
those thugs who kidnapped him. “What do you
want from me?”
What did they want from him? I asked myself too.
Money? Of course, money.
“Say it on the camera that they should follow
everything I say or something bad will happen to
you.”
“As if, I can see the camera.” Marco muttered
sarcastically.
“Say it!” The man snarled chillingly as the man beside
Marco pulled a gun and pointed it on Marco’s head.
Oh dear God! Don’t irate your abductors. I want to
smack his head.
“No,” Marco said stubbornly. God, what was with
this man! “I will not say that.”
I don’t think I can bear to watch it. I’d die repeatedly if
I continue to watch it. When I was about to closed
the video my mobile phone rang. I looked at the
screen and it was unknown number.
“Hello?” I said shakily, I couldn’t summon my voice
to calm.
“Did you receive the surprise I sent to you?” The
frightening voice sounded on the other line.
“What do you want?” I asked as I stood abruptly in
my chair. “How much money do you want? I’m
willing to pay you. Just give the figures.”
He laughed harshly that made my blood chill. “I don’t
want money, Signora. I want you to do something
for me.”
“Anything.” I answered without heartbeat. I will do
anything to save Marco. My eyes misted with tears
but I need to be strong for him.
“First, you can’t call the cops or something will
happen to the man you love.”
“I promised.” I agreed to his condition.
“Good.” He said with satisfaction. “Just do what I told
you and I will not harm him. First, I need you to buy
a beautiful evening gown with the black card in the
box and wait for my next instruction. Remember I
am watching you one wrong move he’s dead. bring
that red necktie if you want to see Marco Orsini
again.”
Before I could reply the phone call ended.
I slid out of cab and hastily went inside the posh
boutique to buy a new dress. I randomly selected
what I thought will be beautiful enough without really
scrutinizing the design. My sole purpose is to save
Marco from those thugs.
My mobile phone sounded again after purchasing the
evening dress. “Are you done with the dress?” He
asked once I hit the answer button. I looked around I
could swear that he’s just near to me watching my
move.
“Yes…” I swallowed hard, leaving from the famous
boutique.
“Now buy a new pair of heels to match that gown.”
“What is this for?” I asked with a frowned as I
scanned for my favorite shoe shop in the lane. “Why
do I need to buy these things?”
“I said no question.” The man snarled before
disconnecting the phone call.
I sighed and do what he told me to do. I went inside
my favorite designer shoe boutique. The saleslady
asked me if what size of shoes that I want. Then it
occurred to me that Marco’s kidnapper didn’t say
anything. So I decided to go for my shoe size.
*
After that I waited for his call when I went out of the
shoe boutique.
“Go to the nearest beauty salon and have a
makeover in your appearance wore that dress and
shoes.”
I did what he told me without question this time. But
I can’t not help to think why would I need to wear
this dress for what reason? But if this is the only
way to save Marco so be it.
Once I am at the salon I tried to calm myself as I
have my hair and makeup done. Praying earnestly to
the Almighty to make Marco safe for our unborn
child. When I was done and I wore the things he told
me to buy I exited the beauty salon and waited for
his phone call.
“See that black sedan across the street?” He asked
without preamble once I answered the call. “Ride that
thing if you want to see the man you love.”
I followed his instruction without any question. I
don’t think my legs will carry me properly as I
silently prayed for our safety. I slid inside the luxury
interior of the car and I shivered slightly when the
driver closed the door firmly. My heart pounded so
loudly I need to be strong for our baby.
After an hour or so of the gruesome drive the car
finally pulled in the dock and the driver gestured me
to ride that dark yacht. My heels clicked in the
wooden floorboard I am beyond terrified at this
moment. This is not the incident I want to repeat in
my lifetime.
What if I will die her without seeing Marco? I asked
myself silently. Stop thinking negative, Francesca.
I ascended in the stair of the yacht I am shaking
badly. I need to hold at the iron railing for support.
“Marco?” I called out once I was on the dark deck of
the ship. “Marco? Are you here? Please answer me,
per favore! Marco!”
“Francesca.” My heart leaped at the familiar sound of
his voice.
“Marco—” The words died in my mouth when the
pitch black surrounding lit with illumination. The
almost abandoned ship glow with beauty.
And there he was standing in front of me without of
fleck in his suit. My eyes instantly narrowed. “Aren’t
you supposed to be kidnap, Marco?”
“Don’t you like it?” He asked as he started to walk
towards me. “The lady rescued her prince? A nice
variation in the story beside the prince rescued the
lady in those fairy tales.”
I stared at him in stun silence. I threw the shoe I’ve
been wearing in his direction. “B-----d! You don’t
know the fear I’ve suffered when I realized that I’ve
been abducted.”
“Francesca…” He said with a laughed. “I’m so sorry,
darling. I just want to surprise you. I want to give
you a unique engagement proposal.”
“What’s with that horrible video?” I asked as the tears
threatened to fall in my eyes.
He hugged me tightly to comfort me. I should have
shoved him away but being in his arms felt so well.
In a moment I will push him away—in a moment. “I
have this friend who is an award winning director I
asked him to help me stage that video. If you just
know how many takes I did before my acting can be
convincing. I laughed in the middle of my lines.”
“You are horrible.” I sniffed as I clutch the back of his
suit.
“I s----d at acting, I know.”
“Idiot.” I said with a snort. “You are horrible as
person that’s what I meant.”
“That’s harsh, my love.” He drew back to look at me.
Marco released me from his arms and took a step
backward. “Fortunately, for you I have a question to
ask.”
*
What—”
He suddenly kneeled in front of me. “So Francesca,
darling.” He said kissing my hand. “I have your
mother’s permit to ask you a very important
question.” He fished out something in his pocket. My
heart pounded loudly in my chest as he opened a
small velvet box. “I know I am not the perfect man
but I am sure as hell will try to be the best husband
for you. Will you marry me Francesca? Will you give
me the chance to try to make you happy, my
darling?”
Now tears officially fell in my eyes. “Y-yes…”
The happiness in his eyes was the sight I will
treasure in my life forever. He slipped the diamond
solitaire engagement ring on my left hand. He stood
and kissed me sweetly in the lips—our very first
kissed as engaged couple.
“I love you, Francesca.”
Before I could answer him fireworks ricocheted in
the dark sky. “I love you too, Marco.”
He kissed me again. “This is our first day to forever.

To be continued

THE BRIDE CHAPTER 34

The Bride
Chapter 34

There is such a special sweetness in being able to
participate in creation.
-Pamela S. Nadav
Marco Orsini’s POV
“Signore! Signore…” Francesca’s loyal secretary
blocked my way again like the first time I went to her
office and asked the young widow to find me a
bride. “You can’t just barge in Signora Marcolini’s
office without appointment. Plus, my employer was
on the foul mood since she arrived. She’s out for
blood—your blood precisely.”
I raised an eyebrow in her direction while I ignored
her and continue to walk inside Francesca’s office. My
sole purposed was to see the woman who has the
habit of slipping out of my bed without waiting for
me to wake up. I want to have a word with her on
that matter.
I opened her office door and shut it firmly on the
secretary’s concerned face. “Francesca…”
I instantly ducked when an object flew straight in my
way. What was that? I asked myself silently as I tried
to calm my heart with the adrenaline that surged me.
This crazy woman nearly killed me if I didn’t bend. I
looked down at the shattered crystal paper weight in
the floor.
“What is wrong with you, woman!” I snarled at her,
while she stood behind her table with murderous
intent in her eyes. “You nearly fracture my skull with
this thing!”
“You are a monster.” She said throwing things—
whatever her hands could get in her table—towards
my direction. “You are a brute! I will kill you, Marco
Orsini. Just wait when I get my hands on you.”
“What’s with this icy welcome, my love?” I asked as
I dodged the object flying straight to me. “Only last
night you were so warm and cuddly. What
happened, my beautiful Francesca?”
“I should have had killed you last night when I have
the chance!”
I tried to give her a winsome smile once she’s done
tossing things in my path. She’s really heart-breaking
beautiful when she’s maddening angry with me, her
eyes sparks with fire. The love of my life. My
soulmate. “Before you murder me, darling. May I
know the reason what I am guilty about?”
She opened her drawer and pulled out something
and once again she threw it in my direction harshly. I
looked down at the small white rectangular thing on
the ground. Curious at what must be that thing I
picked it up and laughed.
Finally, every cell in my body sighed in relief as I
stared at this small object clearly announcing to the
world that Francesca is finally pregnant. I first
thought that there was something wrong with my
virility because I can’t create a child fast enough. But I
guess it takes time to see the result.
“Yours?” I blurted out like an idiot because I am
dumbstruck at the news that I am going to be a
father at last.
“No,” She said acidly, her pretty brown eyes
snapped with inferno. “That’s my secretary’s. You
made her pregnant.”
“Very funny, il mio amore.”
Francesca still glared at me intently. “You are a liar.
You promised me—promise, Marco! That I will not
get pregnant.”
I stared at the clear two blue lines in the object in my
hand. Trying to be sure that she’s really pregnant
with my child. “There are some risks when you have
unprotected s-x, my darling.”
She expelled a heavy breath. It seems that energy left
her body straight away. She leaned her bottom in
her heavy desk for her support and rubbed her
forehead. “I am so dumb to believe you that I will
not get pregnant. I always believed that you don’t
want to have an unwanted child with a woman who
was just having an affair with you.”
*
I want to come in her placed and take her in my
arms. But she wasn’t ready yet. She will just push
me away. I need to reassure her first that everything
will be alright if she will just trust me.
“Shh…” I reprimanded her tenderly. “Don’t say
‘unwanted’ our baby might hear you, Francesca.”
She gave me a strange look which I couldn’t
decipher. I hope that she wants to keep the baby as
much as I did. That is the proof of our love growing
inside her belly right now.
“Marco…”
“We have to get married now, Francesca.”
She looked straight at me in the eyes. “No.”
“What?” I asked in bewilderment. Trying to ignore
the pain my chest as of this moment by her rejection
to my marriage proposal. “You don’t want to marry
me?”
“We don’t have to marry each other because we will
have a baby now, Marco.” She replied squarely. Her
eyes told me her decision was resolute. “We can
raise this child without tying the knot.”
“Are you serious?”
She looked away from me. I knew from that
moment she’s lying. She couldn’t even look me in
the eyes for her answer. “Yes.”
“You want our child to be born illegitimate?” I decided
to play dirty with her. If I need I will use her
conscience to surrender. So be it.
“Do not say something like that.”
I moved where she stood. I need to handle this
situation with care. “Then what’s the reason behind
your refusal of marriage, Francesca.”
“I—I…”
“Is it about your previous marriage?” I prodded
when she hesitated to answer. “Don’t you trust me
enough to be your husband?”
“Marco…” She gasped. I could see her beautiful eyes
gleamed in the sunlight. “Don’t say something like
that.”
I stared down at her beautiful face. “I want our baby
to be born in wedlock. Time flies so fast nowadays,
Francesca. Before you know it this little guy will have
his crush at his play school. When that time comes I
don’t want people to question his paternity.”
“School?” She asked with a laughed. “Aren’t you
thinking ahead of yourself? In addition, we were
being sidetracked with the real issue here.”
“So what’s the problem, my darling?” I asked gently.
“Maybe you don’t love me enough to agree in
marrying the man made you pregnant.”
She glared at me. Her eyes filled with hurt. “I love
you so much that I think my heart can’t bear it.”
“Then why?”
“I’m scared, Marco.” She confessed finally her reason
of refusal. “I’m scared that we are moving faster in
this new chapter of our lives. What if you wake up
one day and realizes that you feel trap in our
marriage I don’t think I can bear it.”
“Oh, darling…” I tucked her in my arms. The most
precious thing in this world for me is in my arms. I
will protect this treasure with my life. “You are the
love of my life, Francesca. The very air I breathe
without you I can’t breathe.”
“Truly?”
“Yes,” I smiled at her. “So you will agree to marry
me, darling?”
*
Where’s the ring?” She asked with a smile.
I smiled ruefully. I should have bought her the
engagement ring long time ago. “Actually, I don’t
have it with me now. The last thing I expected when
I went here was to propose to you, Francesca. But I
promise you I will buy you a ring.”
She laughed wholeheartedly. “I am just kidding you.”
She said. “I don’t mind if I don’t have an engagement
ring but does this mean we are now officially
betrothed?”
“Not yet.” I said as I kissed her nose affectionately.
“Not yet?” She repeated with a frown.
I shook my head. “Not until I buy you a ring and
give you the proposal you deserve.” I placed my
palm on her still flat belly. “Are you sure you are
pregnant, il mio amore?” I want to be sure.
She eyed me dryly while an odd blush crept to her
cheeks. “I have at least half a dozen pregnancy test in
my drawer do you want to see them?”
I grinned at her. Oh, how love her tart mouth. “I’m
going to be a father, at last. I want our first baby to
be a girl with her mother’s pretty eyes then we’ll
have a boy after two years. I don’t want this baby to
grow up as an only child.”
“Marco—”
“I love you, Francesca.” I said before I dipped my
mouth to kiss her squarely in the lips.
The next morning unknown to Francesca I left the
country for a very important appointment with one
of the most important person in her life. According
to my secretary this where that woman reside with
her second husband.
I stared at the magnificent chateau, the wealthy
French banker named Alain Broussard owned. I
walked slowly at the marble foyer that leads to the
grand receiving room where the maid ushered me. I
took slow measured breath. I am so nervous
meeting this woman she’s Francesca’s mother and I
have to ask her something. I dressed carefully for
this day I wore my best suit.
“Please, wait here while I call madam.” The maid said
in slightly accented English.
While she ascended on the grand staircase I left alone
to admire the grandeur of the castle like home of the
Broussard.
After a while I saw a fashionably dressed woman in
her late forties descending regally on the staircase. I
stood from the sofa and took a deep breath.
“What can I do for you, young man?” Now I know
where Francesca got her beauty.
I can do this, I reassured myself silently once
Francesca’s mother stood a few feet away from me.
“I—I…” I swallowed hard and cleared my throat. “I
came here, madam, to ask for your daughter’s hand
in marriage.”
Lianna Broussard eyes lit with naughtiness. “About
time I finally meet you. I’ve been waiting you for
months since my dear daughter took unexpected
visit here…”
Alfonso Orsini’s POV
“If you keep staring at those baby clothes they are
liable to vanish one of these days.” I commented
dryly when I saw my wife looking at her personal
memory box where she hides Marco’s baby clothes.
“Time flew so fast, Alfonso dear.” She said with a
quite smile on her face, she run her hand on the
decades old garments. “It felt like it only happened
yesterday when Marco still fit in these clothes. I
remember it clearly when I first held my grandson in
my arms.”
It never failed to set my heart to accelerate when
she’s like this. The gentle woman I have fell head
over heels in love with her more than fifty years
ago…
*
“I wonder what took them so long to create a child
for me.” Her outlook changed instantly. The tender
woman I saw in our bedroom reminiscing the past
was instantly replaced by this impatient lady who
was cunning with her matchmaking skills. “You hit
the target with astonishing clarity when you made
me pregnant with our Alessandro. Why Marco
seemed having a difficult time?”
I looked away from her as I fought the stain that
wanted to spread in my cheeks. “I don’t know what
are you talking about, mia moglie.”
“I am starting to lose my patient in waiting for my
great-grandchild.” She said tucking away the baby
clothes of Marco. “When I see them again I will hint
that I want to see my great-grandchild before I die.”
She’s really frightening when she wants to be.
If I were you, my boy. I will start making babies for
your Nonna. She will not stop until you presented
your first child to her.

To be continued

THE BRIDE CHAPTER 33

The Bride
Chapter 33

Health is not valued till sickness comes.
-Thomas Fuller
Francesca Marcolini’s POV
It’s been a week since my dinner date with Marco.
Ever since that day he gave me a bouquet of flowers
and a beautiful dress almost every day I find a gift in
my office. Those gifts weren’t that expensive as I first
thought.
From office pillows, personalized mug and one time
he gave me a picture frame with a picture of him in
it. There is a message inside the box to place the
picture frame in my office table so whenever I
missed him I will just have to look at his picture.
I shook my head as I pulled out my drawer to peek
at the picture frame with his model like pose image
beneath the glass cover. I smiled like an idiot his ego
was really over the top.
I am patiently waiting in my office for him to arrive.
He promised me two days ago when we last met
that he will treat me lunch today. I glanced at my
wristwatch it’s almost 11 a.m. now he should be here
any moment.
I finished my work early so I will have a quite long
lunch time with him. Who would have thought that I
will enjoy his company? Before I avoided him like
plague whenever we have the misfortune to meet.
But now I am enjoying his company more than I
should have…
My desk phone rang. I frowned who might be it? But
then a slow smile fitted my lips. It must be Marco
and his new stunt. I picked up the receiver and said.
“Hello?”
“Signora Marcolini?” I frowned again when a
woman’s voice sounded on the other line.
“Yes,” I answered, as I straightened my sit in my
chair. “Who is this?”
“This is Signore Orsini’s personal assistant.” She said
in her no-nonsense voice. “He wished to inform you
that he has to cancel his appointment with you
today.”
Disappointment crept inside me. “Is that so?” I asked
amiably, hiding my regret over our cancelled lunch.
“Does he have a meeting?”
“Oh no, ma’am.”
I sulked if he doesn’t have an important meeting then
why he canceled our lunch last minute. “May I know
the reason why Mar—I mean, Signore Orsini call off
our appointment?”
There was a long paused in the other line that I
thought Marco’s secretary had hung-up on me
already. “Hello…? Are you still there?”
“I’m sorry, Signora.” The woman in the other line
answered. She’s clearly distress in discussing about
the reason of Marco’s last minute cancellation of our
lunch. “But I was under very strict orders not to tell
you about the reason even if you point gun in my
head.”
Despite the fact of my distress in the reason why he
withdrew to our date I couldn’t help but to smile at
his tyrant instructions to his assistant. Only Marco
will think I will point a gun to his secretary’s head to
get the information of his whereabouts. But he’s
mistaken I don’t have to do that. I can squeeze the
information I want without using drastic measure.
“Can you tell me the reason?” I asked in a pleasant
tone like talking to an old friend. “I promise not to tell
him that you told me.”
“But Signora…”
“Tell me, per favore.” I said in desperate tone. “What
happened to him? Is everything, all right?”
I heard his personal assistant sighed heavily. “He
threatened me Signora, that if I told you he will
throw in the dungeon of their family’s vineyard
without food and water.”
*
That just made me more interested in knowing what
was the reason why he can’t come to our lunch? “I
will defend you from him. I promise just tell me the
reason.”
“Signore Orsini…” His trusted secretary had started
after awhile. “…actually, he’s been out of the office as
of yesterday, ma’am. The Signore had been suffering
from severe fever.”
“What!” I nearly leaped out of my chair. “Why didn’t
he tell me?”
“I believed he doesn’t want you to worry about
him.”
“That’s ridiculous.” I muttered furiously. That man
he’s suffering from sickness and didn’t bother to tell
me. “Where is he right now?”
“He’s in his home, Signora.” The secretary informed
me. “Please, don’t tell him I told you the reason. He
will get back on me once he recuperates from his
illness. He’s quite scary when he’s mad.”
“Don’t worry,” I reassured him, standing from my
chair. “He can’t do that to you. I will see to it.”
“Thank you, Signora.” The relief in his secretary’s
voice was palpable before I hang up the phone. I
picked my bag and went of my office.
I rapped the door of his penthouse with my knuckle
hardly. D--n, this man. He’s really impossible—is he
eating and drinking his medicine in time? Is he alone
to take good care of his fever? Dio, how I want to
strangle him with my bare hands.
“Marco!” I said, tapping his heavy door loudly.
“Marco, I know you are there open the d--n door
now! Marco…!”
“Stop it, woman.” A shirtless Marco finally opened
the door he was only wearing his pajama bottom. I
could see that it took time for him to unlock his door.
“Do you want to take down my door?” His eyes
narrowed in my direction. “I see my assistant spilled
out everything when—”
“When you threatened her to throw the poor
woman in the dungeon in your grandparent’s
vineyard? How very kind employer you are, Marco.”
I supplied for him when I entered his home without
waiting for him to invite me in.
“What are you doing here?” He mumbled weakly.
“To check if you are still breathing.” I told him
sarcastically, throwing my bag unceremoniously in
the sofa nearby.
“I’m still breathing.” He replied with equal sardonic
manner. “Now get going. I don’t want you to get
infected with my virus, Francesca.”
“No.”
He scowled darkly in my direction. “Now, don’t be
stubborn, woman.”
I ignored his thundering looked and moved closer
where he’s standing half-naked. I placed my palm in
his forehead. He’s still feverish. “Do you eat and drink
your medicine in time?”
“Yes,” He said curtly, looking away from me. “I am
drinking my prescription but I don’t have appetite.”
I glared at him. “What did you ate since yesterday?”
“Instant noodles.”
I sighed deeply and looked at him helplessly. If it
wasn’t for his assistant I have no idea that he’s sick.
“Come let me take you to bed.”
A slow mirthless smile fitted his sexy mouth. “Why,
il mio amore? That’s the best thing I heard of you in
ages. Come let’s go to bed together.”
*
“Behave.” I warned him with a stern glare. “Or I will
crash that priceless vase in your head.”
“Merciless woman.” He muttered to himself while I
help him to his room. Once we arrived at his
bedroom it noticed that it was typical bachelor’s
room with black and white motif.
I tucked him to bed and pulled up the bed sheets to
his waist. I was about to go out of his room when I
heard him again. “Francesca, come back to bed. It’s
so lonely here.”
“Shut up.” I told him with a smile. “I’ll cook
something for you.”
I invaded his kitchen and look for ingredients in his
huge fridge. Wow, it stack of everything his
housekeeper must adored him so much. It’s
complete of everything. I decided to make chicken
soup for Marco. I pulled out the ingredients in the
refrigerator and place them in the granite kitchen
countertop. I sliced diced and boiled when
everything is in order in the kitchen I went back to
his room and check him he fell asleep.
I tiptoed in his room and went to the living room to
watch movie in his plasma TV while cooking the
chicken soup. Once in a while I went to the kitchen to
stir the pot of soup while watching his collection of
James Bond movies.
“Smells good.”
I nearly jumped in my place when someone
breathed behind my neck. “Marco! You scared the
hell out of me.”
“What’s this?” He asked while he placed his hands
between the countertop trapping me in my place.
“Chicken soup.” I said a little breathlessly, my heart
was galloping in my chest right now. “My
grandmother’s recipe.”
“It’s not cook yet. Let’s go to the living room.” He
pulled me out of the kitchen and led to me to the
living room. I sat in the sofa as I resume watching
the movie. Marco surprised me when I laid his head
in my lap. “This feels nice.”
“You should be in bed, Marco.” I told him, preventing
myself from touching his silky hair.
“I’m fine here.” He murmured softy as his eyes drift
to shut. “It so nice to sleep in your lap, my love.”
We spent our day together in his penthouse
watching James Bond movie marathon. His fever
had gone down now but he kept his head in my lap
as we watched. By 10 p.m. I am preparing to leave
him but he stopped me.
“Please stay.” He said when I was about to grabbed
my bag in the sofa.
“Marco…”
“I don’t want to be alone tonight.” He said with
solemnly in his eyes. “I promise I will not touch you
—unless you want it.”
“I can’t, Marco.”
“Why?” He said stalking towards me. I instantly
move back until I was cornered in the door. “Are
you scared, Francesca?”
“No.” I looked away from his burning gazed. “I’m
not.”
“We’ve dancing this issue around for awhile now,
Francesca.” He said dangerously soft. He’s too closed
to me. I could feel his hot breath. “I think it’s time for
us to have talked matters of the heart.”
“Marco—”
“Do you love me, Francesca?” He fired the question
to me unexpectedly. I don’t know how to answer.
“Do you feel the same way for me?”
“I—”
“I guess not.” He said moving away from me. “You
do not love me like I love you, Francesca.”
*
What? Wait, what is he saying? I didn’t think twice
and blurted my heart’s content. “I fell in love with
you. I don’t know how. I don’t know when. I just
did.”
The look in his face is the sight I will keep to my
memory forever. “Really, Francesca?” He moved
back where I was standing. “Say it.” He urged. “Say
it. I want to hear what it sounds like.”
I took a deep breath. “I love you, Marco.”
“I love you more, darling.” He answered while
kissing my forehead. “As much as I want to kiss
your lips—I can’t. I don’t want you get the virus.”
“You are crazy.” I shook my head in amusement.
“And you’re like a woman who has monthly period
today.” He retorted back playfully. “So prickly
woman.”
Monthly period… Oh goodness, when was the last
time I have my period. But before I could deal with it
he scooped me in his arms and went to his
bedroom.
The following morning I tiptoe from his bed and left
his penthouse silently with a sole mission. I want to
confirm if my suspicion was correct—if yes? I shook
my head praying earnestly I certainly hope not.
Before I went home I went to the pharmacy and
bought a pregnancy home test. My nerves were
shaking badly as I stood in my bathroom debating if
I shall continue this. But I want to be sure. I am
suffering from slight nausea and loss of appetite
since last week.
I took a deep breath and face my fears. I peed at the
white rectangular thing and waited for the longest
three minutes of my life.
I stared at the pregnancy test kit and my world tilt
upside down.
Two blue lines…
“Marco Orsini you are dead to me.” I muttered to
myself as I stared at the two clear lines.

To be continued

THE BRIDE CHAPTER 32

The Bride
Chapter 32

In courtship a man pursues a woman until she
catches him.
-Proverb
Francesca Marcolini’s POV
I stared outside the window without looking at the
scenery. My expensive handcuff glinted in the
sunlight. I still couldn’t believe what I saw when I
arrived in my office earlier this morning. A huge
bouquet of flowers with a big box with pink ribbons
my secretary told me that it was delivered earlier. I
opened the huge box and gasped a little when I saw
gorgeous cocktail dress inside.
I picked the card that was tucked in the beautifully
arrange flowers and read it:
Will you go to a dinner date to me tonight?
-M
My silly heart galloped in my chest at the sight of the
unmistakable penmanship of Marco Orsini. As much
as I tried to extinguish the happiness in heart that
moment I can’t stop it. After our encounter to
Signore Alfonso Orsini’s birthday party after I gave
myself to him again, after he—he told me that he
loves me…I am so stunned that I couldn’t answer
him.
You weren’t just stunned by the confession. You got
scared. A voiced inside my head joined my reverie.
You were scared because that he was the only man
who managed to creep in your heart since Lorenzo.
So what if I am scared, I answered back. I don’t think
I want to remarry. Marriage is not for me. I’ve done
that before I got only hurt at the end. When my late
husband proved that he didn’t love his young bride
as much as I loved him.
I get over with that tragedy of my past but it taught
me that never to enter marriage again with another
man when your heart is clouding your brain.
A woman can’t take risk twice in her life.
“…Signora?” A soft melodic voice of a sixteen-year-
old girl dragged me out of my reverie. “Are you all
right, ma’am?”
I tried to give my news student a reassuring smile.
“I’m fine, dear.”
“I called for your attention now for the third time,
teacher.” The girl informed me with a shy smile. “Is
everything all right?”
“Yes, dear.” I smiled in her direction, pushing away
the unwanted thought out of my head. For now I
will focus with my student. I am here in their
magnificent house in Rome teaching her the fine
etiquette of a woman fitted to be in the high society
of Italy.
“I’m already done with the test you gave me in
French, Signora.” The girl said with a smile in her
pretty face as she offered the paper I asked her to
answer awhile ago.
“Let me see.” I checked her paper while she looked at
me intently. She was a very bright child of a wealthy
Italian widower. At the very young age she lost her
mother. Her father showered her in everything life
has to offer. I first thought when I accepted the job I
will have a hard time with this rich girl but upon
meeting her she proved me wrong.
She’s kind and cheerful girl who loves animals.
“Very good,” I said once I finished checking her
paper. “You can translate French phrases now,
Isabella.”
“Really?” The happiness in her face was contagious. I
couldn’t help but to smile back. “I will tell papa when
he got home, Signora.”
“I’m sure you’re father will be proud of you.”
*
She beamed at me. “I certainly hope so, Signora.”
My replied was interrupted by the incoming call from
my mobile phone. “Excuse me,” I told my student
while I looked at the screen of my phone. “Hello,
Marco.”
“Good thing you answered your mobile, darling.” I
shivered slightly when I heard his deep sexy voice
over the phone. “Your secretary told me you are not
at the office today. Where are you?”
I glanced over when my student browsing the
French book silently. I moved a little farther away
from your study table. “I am teaching the daughter
of Signore Grimaldi. Why?”
“I just want to asked you if receive the package I sent
at your office?”
My heart leaped again once I remembered his gift.
“Uh…yes, why?”
“I just want to inquire your answer, Francesca.” He
said over the phone. “Yes or no?”
I removed the mobile phone in my ear and stared at
this thing in horror. Is this Marco Orsini who just
called me? I might just mistake this guy to be him
unknowingly. He’s asking if I want a date with him or
not.
Marco Orsini didn’t ask—he just commanded
everyone around him. He never asked for anything
before.
“Are you asking me, Marco Orsini?” I asked playfully,
though deep inside me I already knew the answer
for his question. “What about your fiancée?”
I heard him sigh on the other line. I hide my grinned.
“Yes, Francesca.” He answered in clipped tone. “And
let me clear you this, Laila and I don’t have any
relationship other than friendship, maybe. I just
made that scheme to make you jealous.”
My heart dance with happiness at the admission of
him. He doesn’t really intend of marrying the Sicilian
goddess Laila Fiorenza, isn’t he? He just wants me to
get jealous.
“Francesca…?”
“You sound so snappish, Marco.” I informed him
with a laughed. “You are asking me for a date, isn’t?
You should try to win my favor.”
“Is that a yes or no?”
I drew a deep breath. As much as I like to have this
banter with him I need to resume my teachings to
Isabella Grimaldi. “Yes, Marco. I like a date with you
tonight.”
“Yes.” He said a little too cheerfully. “I’ll picked you up
tonight in your penthouse. 7PM.”
“All right.” I agreed with a smile.
“Good. Where the dress I bought for you, okay?”
Marco Orsini had informed me arrogantly.
I laughed softly in case my student will hear me.
“Fine. I am hanging up now. I am in the middle of
my lesson with my student.”
“Wait, Francesca…”
“What?” I asked with a laugh.
“Ti amo.” He whispered seductively before ending
the phone call. I shook my head in resignation as I
went back to the table where my student patiently
waiting. He’s really something.
Later that evening my nerves are tingling with
excitement with my date to Marco. I checked myself
in the full length mirror for the tenth times now. I
couldn’t help but not to notice the unusual sparks in
my eyes as I stared in my reflection.
Oh my goodness, I am really nervous. Who will
have thought that my nemesis will have this kind of
effect with me? There wasn’t a time before that we
didn’t take the opportunity to pass without slinging
arrows at each other. We’ve seen the worst on each
other.
*
My mobile phone sounded in my room. I smiled
when I saw the name on the screen. “Marco!”
“Excited, darling?”
“Silly.” I said picking up my pouch on the bed. “I’m
done.”
“Good, I’ll be waiting outside.” I ended the phone call
and literally run through the elevator. I couldn’t wait
to see him.
Once I am outside I am a little breathless with my
sprint to meet him. My breath was knocked at the
sight of his handsome face. He was waiting patiently
at the passenger’s door of the shiny black limo he
already took of his tie and opened the two top
bottoms of his crisp white shirt.
“Buonasera, Signora.” He said with a smile and
kissed my hand like a true gentleman. “You are so
beautiful tonight.”
“Thank you for the complement, Signore.” I replied,
fighting off the blush that wanted to escape in my
cheeks.
“After you.” He gestured for me to slide at the
opened passenger’s door of his limo. I slid eagerly at
the cool interior of the car.
“Where are we going, Marco?” I asked when we
were finally in the road. Butterflies in my stomach
were in residence tonight.
He smiled at my direction tenderly. “To a quite place
where we can dine tonight.”
I gave him a guarded look as I stared at his beautiful
dark eyes. “I hope you didn’t rent the whole place
this time.”
“I assure you I did not do that tonight, Francesca.”
Marco laughed wholeheartedly. “I want to show you
off.”
“Flatterer.”
“It’s the truth, Francesca.” He gave me one of those
disarming grinned that made women swoon over
him always.
Few minutes of the drive we finally arrived at the one
of the highly recommend restaurants in Rome by
magazines and travel books. The maitre d’ ushered
us to the one of the best table inside the elegant
restaurant. I frowned once we walked inside. As
usual, women giving Marco wistful glance as if
hoping that they would get their attention.
But to this man’s credit he took no notice of them or
he’s just too used with such female adoration being
thrown in his direction wherever he went. He
continued to walk to our reserved table with his hand
holding mine tightly.
“What’s wrong?” He asked me once we arrived at
our table. “Don’t you like it here?”
“Uh? Oh, it’s not that…” I said when I slid at his
offered chair.
“You are frowning since we stepped inside the
restaurant, Francesca.”
“Don’t mind me.” I muttered taking the offered menu
by the waiter. I hope that he will just let of the
subject why I am frowning. I don’t want him to
know I don’t like other women looking at him. He
will just tease me about it.
He eyed me for a moment more before he focused
his eyes on the menu in his hands. He waited for me
to give my order before giving his. I ordered Pasta
with Pesto Cream sauce. I don’t think I can eat
anything tonight with my nervousness while he
ordered Pepper Steak Potato.
Once the waiter left out table. His eyes started to
study me. “How’s your day?”
I smiled sipping my waiter. “It’s fine. I have a new
student.”
“How is she?”
“She’s a very nice girl with a cheerful manner.”
He nodded with a smiled. “That’s good to hear. I
hope she will not give you hard time.”
“I can manage.” I said proudly to him.
We talked among other things like any other old
acquaintance while waiting for our food. A few
minutes later the food finally arrived. The waiter
placed our order in our table and the smell of pesto
cream did some rebellion in my stomach.
“Oh God,” I breath my nose wrinkled at the smell
and look of my food with green sauce. “What’s with
this awful smell? And the color—ugh.”
I could see the confusion in Marco’s face but I didn’t
wait for his reply before went straight to the ladies’
room.
*
To be continued