THE BRIDE - By Shaxee
A grandmother is a babysitter who watches the kids instead of the television. -Author Unknown
Alfonso Orsini’s POV
“Stop spying on them, mia moglie.” I reprimanded my wife of almost fifty years as she stood near the window of our library watching our Marco and his lady friend walk towards the vineyard outside.
“I can’t help it.” My stubborn wife replied as her watchful eyes remained on the young people outside. “Look at them. They are perfect for each other. I can see it.”
So can I, I thought silently. I sighed and removed my gaze from the newspaper I was reading and stared at my lovely wife.
“But you heard your grandson, Claudia mia. Francesca is just working for him.”
My wife snickered as she folded her arms in the middle of her chest. “I don’t buy it.” She said obstinately. “When was the last time Marco brought one of his female employees here and introduced to us?”
When I didn’t answer, my wife raised an eyebrow in my direction. “See, Alfonso? Never. This is the first time he’s introduced a woman to us since he reached his teens.”
“Still, it is clear that he’s not marrying that lovely lady.” I reasoned as I resumed my reading.
“How sad.” She said regretfully as she looked back at Marco and Francesca outside. “I thought when he introduced Francesca he would say that she was his fiancée. I nearly wept tears of joy. I thought he had finally succumbed to your ultimatum and decided to get married.”
I unconsciously lowered the newspaper I had being reading and stared at my wife blankly. “W-what did you say?”
She eyed me as if I am a mentally handicap man. “Really, Alfonso. What do you think of me?” She smiled slyly in my direction her amber eyes sparked with deviousness. “You really didn’t think you could hide it from me, did you? I knew you gave Marco an ultimatum using me as an excuse to give you the great-grandchildren you always wanted.”
I clamped my jaw shut to prevent it from hanging open. Dio, in the fifty years that we’d been married she’s still as sharp as a razor blade since the first time I met her. She’s the only woman who managed to keep me on my toes. I swallowed hard.
“You think Francesca is the right woman for your grandson?”
“Yes.”
“Too bad.” I smiled as I stood beside her and watched the young people outside walking enjoying the scenery. “They have a thing or two to say on that matter, my dear.” I have to admit I can see the sparks between them. The attraction that they kept fighting, I know that Marco will never seduce a woman who works for him.
Does Francesca Marcolini work in Orsini Industries? What is her position? I need to investigate—oh wait… I remember now.
Francesca Marcolini is an etiquette teacher. How does—oh, you sly boy, I eyed Marco with silent laughter. You hired that instructor to look for your bride, didn’t you? I wonder how your Nonna will react to this information.
“…are you listening to me, Alfonso?” The slightly irritated voice of my wife dragged me out of my reverie. “Of course, my darling.” I replied smoothly with a genuine smile as I gazed on her lovely face.
“No. You are not.” She chided. “As I said, I will make sure Marco gets married to Francesca before the end of this year.”
“You will?” I couldn’t help but raise my eyebrows while I glanced from my determined wife to Marco and Francesca outside my window. “How? They clearly stated awhile ago that their relationship was purely business.” For now, I silently added.
“That’s a lie.” My wife announced proudly. “Everyone with eyes can notice the attraction between them. Francesca is the perfect wife for our Marco.”
“Are you sure about that?”
“Yes.” She answered quickly, settling her gaze back on the two people outside like the great matchmaker she thought she was.
For all I know she’s already planning the wedding reception inside her head right now. “Marco has been refusing every young lady I’ve introduced to him for years to be his wife. I might as well push him to the woman he likes.”
“What if Francesca doesn’t like our grandson?”
My wife responded with a knowing smile. “You will be surprised what a capable grandmother can do if it means acquiring her adored grandson a good wife, darling.”
I looked at the clueless boy who was busy touring his visitor in our vineyard with a hidden smile. You are in for a big surprise, my boy. I thought silently. Your Nonna has already set her eyes on your intended bride and before you know it you will be married to the pretty Francesca Marcolini.
“I’d love to see how your plan works, mi amore.” I stated, placing my hand on her shoulder watching the future bride and groom talk outside.
“You have my word on it…” My wife announced arrogantly, her eyes gleamed in the sunlight surveying the couple. “…sweet Jesus, they are kissing!”
“I don’t think we should be watching this.” I told my wife even though I shifted my position to get a better view.
Francesca Marcolini’s POV
The last thing I expected when I woke up this morning was to have an impromptu visit to Marco Orsini’s grandparents. Even though they were a lovely couple I don’t think I like the gleam in their eyes when they realized that their grandson brought home a woman to meet them.
I think they got the wrong impression about my association with their grandson.
I sighed, I shouldn’t have let this happen. If I had had any clue where Marco Orsini was taking me I would have refused him.
So why did you come with him? A voice inside my head asked.
Honestly, until now I don’t know the answer. All I know was that before my brain could think my feet had already moved to slid into his Ferrari.
Now here I am, enjoying the picture-perfect postcard scenery before me. I am aware of the presence of the man with a commanding sensuality walking silently by my side.
Since we left his grandparents in the magnificent library, he hadn’t spoken to me again. My heart is pounding loudly in my chest while butterflies seemed to take residence in my stomach.
What is happening to me? Why am I acting like this when I am alone with my adversary, Marco Orsini…
“If you are waiting for an apology you won’t hear it from me.” He announced with a hint of arrogance in his sexy deep voice. “I know I should apologize for the investigation I made on your husband but I don’t regret anything. It’s time for you to start a new life.”
Funny. I wasn’t waiting for him to apologize. Yes, what he did was a cold-hearted move but I appreciate that he showed me the reports and I learned that I should not have mourned for a man for the past seven years of my life who didn’t deserved my love.
The betrayal of Lorenzo wasn’t as hurtful as the first time I learned about it.
There is still pain in my heart but only fleeting. I guess my love for him was slowly fading away like forgotten memories. I want to start a new life where his cruel betrayal would be a distant past on my part. I want to pick-up my life where I left off the year he died.
“Francesca….?” Marco inquired softly.
Really, Francesca. Marco? I asked furiously. Since when did you start to call him by his given name?
“I’m fine.” I answered, for the first time I let myself look at his sinfully handsome face. “I wasn’t really expecting you to give one.”
He expelled a heavy breath. “I only did that so you can stop your daydream about your perfect marriage with him.”
“Why do you care?” I asked curiously. I didn’t understand his reason for showing me the reports other than to intentionally hurt me.
“Because I want you to have a life.” He answered tersely. “You are still young. Don’t waste your time loving a man who has being dead for six years.”
“Seven, actually.” I stopped walking and stared at him. “I think that’s none of your business, Signore.” “Marco.” He stated a little irritably. “It’s Marco, Francesca. Say it.”
“Marco…” I swallowed hard and took step backward when I saw him start to advance in my direction. “What are you doing?” I asked as I tried to look scandalized. “Your grandparents are probably looking at us right now.”
“Did you spend the night crying for that bastard’s unfaithfulness?” He asked in dangerously low voice. “No…” I answered breathlessly as I leaned on the grape vines for support. I could feel the thundering of my heart. I swear he could hear it.
“No?” He repeated, caressing my face tenderly. “Then, why are your eyes swollen from last night’s tears?” “I’m not…”
“You are too beautiful to waste your time crying over him.” He said while his dark eyes heated like mercury. “What are you doing…?” I asked when he started to deep his head towards me.
“I’m going to kiss you.” He said shortly before he claimed my lips. I gasped when my mouth touched his for the second time and I cursed myself for letting him take liberties as I should have slapped and pushed him away.
I closed my eyes and felt the sensation that his kiss gives me. I slowly sneaked my arms around his neck and he drew me closer to deepen the kiss. After a while we drew back to catch our breaths.
“We shouldn’t be doing this.” I told him while gasping for air.
“I know…” I stared into his gleaming dark eyes.
“This is our second kiss.”
“Our third.” He said. “And this is our fourth.”
Before he deep his head again for another kiss I automatically closed my eyes and let him kiss me …
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