THE BRIDE - By Shaxee
Accept the way life comes. Things will not always work out in your favor, even when you think they should. -Senora Roy
Francesca Marcolini’s POV
“Please wait at the receiving area, Signora.” The maid had told me in Italian when I arrived at the massive penthouse Tatiana shared with her husband. “I will inform the duchess that you have finally arrived.”
Once the maid left to fetch Tatiana I looked around at the grandeur of my surrounding. This is the first time I’ve been in their house since they bought it. I bet that Tatiana personally designed this house; it has her taste, though the interior was probably considered simple by the standard of the cream of Italian society yet every furniture spoke elegance like the mistress of this house.
“Francesca!” I turned around to face my good friend who I haven’t seen in quite a while.
“Goodness! What a sight you are.”
“I know,” Tatiana answered with a rueful smile, patting her very huge belly. “I’m huge as this house.”
I smiled sympathetically. “It seems the twins are ready to pop-out anytime soon, dear.”
Exhaustion showed in her pretty violets eyes. “They better be.” The mother-to-be said. “I don’t think Lucca will last any longer. The poor man thinks that I am a walking time bomb. Every time I need to go to the bathroom he helps with such care like he’s holding a nuclear bomb.”
I couldn’t help but smile at the scenario. “Lucca is just taking good care of you.”
“I know.”
“Goodness, Tatiana.” I urged her when I notice that she’s already exhausted from standing. “Why don’t you take a sit? You look worn out.”
“Yes.” Tatiana admitted, giving a heavy sigh once she sat on the sofa. “Since I entered the last trimester of my pregnancy standing too long gives me back aches.”
“When is your due date, dear?” I asked as the maid started to serve tea and scones.
“Two weeks from today.” Tatiana answered rubbing her belly. She will be a terrific mother I am sure of it.
Then I recalled the reason I met her early this morning.Tatiana needed a favor from me.
That thought almost kept me awake last night—well, apart from the arrogant devil with piercing dark eyes that kept entering my thoughts.
“Tatiana,” I started. I don’t like where my thoughts were trailing. It took me till nearly dawn to banish him from my thoughts and I don’t want to start my day with the image of his rakish grin plaguing me. It’s so frustrating, he’s so far away from me and yet he always managed to crawl inside my head. “What is the favor that you want from me, dear?”
Suddenly, she became agitated.
“Oh, how rude I am.” She said pouring into the delicate cup some hot tea. “Do you want tea, Francesca? Scones? Perhaps, some Lemon tart I have in the kitchen.”
I laughed and held Tatiana’s hands ignoring the uneasiness in my spine. “No, dear. I am fine. Just tell me what the matter is. How can I help?”
I could see that she was debating whether to tell me her dilemma or not. As if, she’s regretting her impromptu decision to call me last night.
“Well?” I prodded when my good friend remained silent.
“How far will you go to help a friend, Francesca?” Tatiana repeated her question from last night.
I gave her a reassuring smile. “As much as I can, dear. You can tell me what’s bothering you.”
Tatiana squeezed my hands that were holding hers.
“Here’s the thing, Francesca.” She took a deep breath and the amethyst eyes stared at me intently. “I decided to create a foundation in memory of my papa, Nikolai Rostov for the orphan children in Moscow…”
I beamed at my friend. “That’s a great idea, Tatiana.”
“I know.” Tatiana smiled back. “My co-organizer and I decide to have a charity ball next week for event.” “Do you want me to help with the preparation?”
Tatiana squeezed my hands tighter. “It’s more vital than that, Francesca.”
Okayyy… I don’t think I will like this. “What is it, dear?”
“You see,” Tatiana said in a no-nonsense voice. “In order to raise money for the orphaned children in Moscow we decided to have an auction—with a twist.”
I frowned. “I don’t think I understand, Tatiana.”
She avoided my questioning gaze. “Instead of a regular auction that sells rare items or antiques. We decided to have a bachelorette auction. One night date with the eligible bachelorettes of Italy where unmarried men can bid for their chosen lady.”
The uneasiness in my spine intensified. “W-where’s the part there that you need me, Sua Eccellenza?”
“You see, Francesca.” Tatiana gave me a pleading stare. “Everything was running smoothly until one of the ladies backed out because of her modeling assignment abroad next week. I am in a dilemma, I can’t find a replacement for her spot.”
“Shh…” I reprimanded Tatiana slightly. “Don’t stress yourself too much, Tatiana. It will not be good for your babies.”
“I know.” She took a deep breath. “You are my last hope, Francesca. Will you help me? Will you fill the spot the model had left?”
Helping my good friend with her dilemma was one thing but participating in a bachelorette auction was an entirely different thing.
“Will you help me, Francesca?” Tatiana asked solemnly.
“I don’t know, dear.”
“I know it’s too much but you are my last hope.” My good friend said. “I don’t have time to look for another lady who would like to participate.”
I really wanted to help Tatiana but standing in front of the stage while men bid me for a one night date. For me, that was mortifying even to think.
Then, there’s the thing about the arrogant Marco Orsini I am still working with him. What will he say a when heard about it?
I frowned. Why should I care what he thinks about this charity auction Tatiana organized in memory of her father. As far as I am concerned he didn’t own me. He doesn’t have a say about my decision he— I groaned. Here I go again, thinking of him when I shouldn’t be. This is really frustrating.
Being in his company these past months, he managed to creep in through the thick barrier I erected to keep out other people.
I wish no one would ever touch my heart again after the man who didn’t deserve my love broke it into pieces seven years after his death.
“…Francesca?” Tatiana inquired worriedly. “Are you okay?”
“Yes, dear.” I tried to reassure her with a smile.
“You seemed deep in your thoughts.” Tatiana remarked taking a bite of her scones. “If you don’t want to do it, it’s okay, dear. I will look for another bachelorette.”
“You don’t need to stress yourself about that, Tatiana.” I told her with a slightly forced smile.
I know that Lucca was worried about her stressing herself for this charity event even now that she’s in the last month of her pregnancy. This is the only thing I can do for them.
“I will help you. I will fill the spot one of your bachelorettes left.”
The delight in Tatiana’s eyes was palpable. “Really? Oh, Francesca.” She hugged me suddenly, her very huge belly in the way. We both laughed and looked at each other. “I am eternally grateful to you.”
“Of course, I will help you with everything I can, Duchess.”
Was it just my imagination or did I see triumph in Tatiana’s eyes before she blinked it away.
She smiled widely.
“I’m sure we will raise more money now that you are one of the candidates, Francesca.”
It’s for charity, I reassured myself silently.
But why do I still feel that I have landed myself in big trouble here?
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