THE BRIDE - By Shaxee

Chapter 19 

In politics, everybody is free to choose his friends and allies. - Lalu Prasad Yadav
Francesca Marcolini’s POV
For the second time I woke up in the arms of Marco Orsini. What have I done? I asked myself silently pulling the cover to my chest.
I glanced at the sleeping man beside me. You just tumbled in bed with him again, answered by a sly voice inside my head. After you got home from the party you didn’t protest when he scooped you into his arms and laid you on his massive bed…

I blushed furiously. So okay I didn’t want to revisit what had happened last night.
Carefully slipping off the bed, I intend to get out of here before Marco woke up. I had nearly escaped the bed when I heard his sexy sleepy voice.

“You do have the habit of slipping off my bed during early morning, don’t you?”
I closed my eyes as I slowly faced him. He was breathtakingly handsome with his five o’clock shadowed jaw. He looked a dangerous devil.
“It’s already morning, Marco. We need to get up.”
“The least you could do is wait for me to wake up, darling.” He stretched languorously in the bed.
I averted my gaze when the sheets slid off his waist.
“You wound my ego.” He said. “I feel so thoroughly used by you last night. After you violate my body you just want to slip off like nothing happened.”
I shook my head in resignation.

“You are impossible. I didn’t violate you last night. You were the one who—”
“What, darling?” Marco grinned sleepy. “What did I do to you last night?”
“Nothing!” I ignored his gloating. I snatched my dress that was discarded on the floor. “I don’t want to talk about it.”
I fought back the pink stains that wanted to space in my cheeks. I wore my dress rapidly as I exit the door. “Francesca,” I heard him call after me. “Come back here. I need something to start my day.”
He is crazy, I muttered to myself, praying that no housekeeper will collide with me in the hallways; I don’t want them to see that I had just been in Marco Orsini’s bed.

Thankfully, I finally arrived at my own room. I rushed to the bathroom and stared at my reflection in the mirror. I almost didn’t recognize the woman who stared back at me.
My hair was so rumpled it needs a good brushing. I unconsciously touched my lips, they were swollen from Marco’s kisses last night.
But the most alarming were the eyes, they looked vulnerable yet they sparked with passion.
I shook my head. I must be thinking too much. I removed my dress and hit the shower, I savor the feeling of the water that slide on my body.
Maybe after breakfast we can finally go back to Rome. I have tons of work left in my office. In addition, I need to ask for forgiveness from Claudia Orsini for having stood-up her visitor, Matteo Constanzo.

Once I finished my shower, I went around the huge mansion to find the terrace overlooking the azure ocean filled with bountiful breakfast.
“Morning, beautiful,” Marco breathed behind me, I nearly jumped when I felt his lips graze my neck.
“What are you doing?” I hissed looking around to see if some housekeeper were around.
“Can’t I kiss my woman a good morning?” He asked as he strode to the terrace to start his breakfast. “Come. Let’s have breakfast, darling.”
“Your woman?” I asked with a frown as I near the table. “Who is your woman, sir?”
“You.”
“Since when?” I inquired, fixing my gaze on his Roman face.
“Since the night of the auction.” He said simply, pulling out a chair for me. “Sit.”
I reluctantly slide in the offered chair. But I glared at him when he sat across from me.
“Let me make this clear to you, Marco. I am not someone’s —”
“Do you like fresh fruits?” Marco offered sweetly, as usual completely ignoring my lecture. He placed a healthy amount of variety of fruits on my plate.
“Marco…”
He grinned at me. “Yes, my Francesca?”
I sighed. This man was really impossible. Sometimes when I argue with him, I just want to smack my head on the wall because of his snarky comebacks.
“Why are you only wearing your pajama pants? Why are you walking around bare-chested?”
He leisurely sat back in his chair and shrugged. “I am completely at ease with my body.”
“What about the maids around?”
Marco grinned rakishly which never failed to set my heart to jolt. “They can only stare because you own this beautiful body, my darling. You have the right to do whatever you want to do with me.”

I nearly spilled out my coffee.
“Marco!”
“What?” The devil asked innocently yet his eyes glowed like mercury. “It’s true. Eat. We have a trip in town we will buy you new clothes. I don’t trust your taste in clothing.”
I stopped drinking my coffee halfway. “Aren’t we going back to Rome yet?”
“No.” He answered swiftly, his eyes were unreadable. “I decided to extend our vacation.”
“How long?”
He shrugged, rubbing his unshaven jaw. “A week, maybe.”

My eyebrows snapped together as I searched for answer on his face. “What about your work?”
“I am the CEO I can take a break whenever I want.” He declared without an ounce of remorse in his voice. “I’ll just take a shower.” He stood up from his chair. “Care to join me in the shower and have a quickie?” My eyes widened at his audacious invitation. He was the only man I knew that will ask a woman boldly for a quickie in the shower. The man has a way with his words. Suddenly, I want to laugh.
“No, thank you.”
“That might be enjoyable.” He said wistfully. “Maybe another time. We have so much to do today.”
One hour later, Marco Orsini sat on the sofa of the private showroom of a well-known brand of clothing and I was paraded in front of him in a variety of outfits I wore for his inspection.
Tatiana Cavelli’s POV
I looked at my peacefully sleeping angels when a light knock sounded in the nursery.
“Pardon, Your Excellency.” The maid whispered softly. “You have a visitor. She said she was Claudia Orsini. Marco Orsini’s grandmother.”
Marco’s grandmother is here? What does she want from me? I asked myself silently.
Though this was a surprise visit, I have to admit it made me curious. Placing a light kiss on each of the forehead of my twins, I tiptoed from the nursery to meet Marco’s grandma.

“Your Excellency,” The elegant old lady greeted in perfect English as soon she saw me approaching. “My name is Claudia. Marco’s nonna.”
“Please call me Tatiana, ma’am.” I smiled warmly at the woman. “Have a sit.”
“Thank you, Tatiana.” She smiled back sitting at the settee across from me. “I’m glad that you can meet me on my impromptu visit.”
“What can I do for you, ma’am?” I asked when the maid finished placing tea on the coffee table.
“I need a cohort.” Claudia Orsini said without preamble.
“Cohorts?” I echoed. I couldn’t help but to raise my eyebrows at the announcement. Now I knew where Marco got his boldness.
I poured some hot tea in our tea cup. “You think I fit the criteria, ma’am?”
“Si.” She answered.
I think I liked the spark in her eyes. Deviousness was visible in their profound depth.
“You see, I have this plan of mine to have my stubborn grandson wedded before the year ends.”

I couldn’t help but smile at the thought. Marco’s grandmother playing matchmaker on him, I wonder if he knew anything about it.
But then again, if he has any idea I’m sure he will tell Lucca about it and Lucca will tell me.
Thoughtfully, I asked. “Do you want me to look for a potential bride?”
“Actually,” Claudia Orsini picked up her tea cup and sipped it serenely. “I already found the bride.”
“Oh, really?” I said making sure she didn’t suspect that I am eager to find out about Marco’s prospective bride. “Who is the bride?”
“Francesca Marcolini.”
I nearly spurted the hot tea I was drinking.
“Forgive me.” I apologized, wiping my mouth. “I think I misheard you, ma’am.”

Cunning flashed in the elderly woman’s eyes. “Oh, you heard right, Tatiana. The young widow is my choice of bride for my grandson.”
“Do they even like each other?”
I couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow at her confidence. She’s one heck of a woman.
Claudia nodded with a private smile. “I can see it. The chemistry that sizzles between them, Tatiana.”
Now that she mentioned it, I can also see that there was more to them than meets the eye. It seems that beneath their bickering, there was more to it.
Like the time at the charity auction Marco bid one million Euros for Francesca. The money rocketed sky high due to his donation. But the highlight was their grand exit.
It seems that after my abduction over a year ago they appear to be closer than ever. Thinking about it now, I am sorely tempted to create another charity auction and sell Francesca again.

“Are you going to help me?” Marco’s grandmother asked, dragging me out my reverie.
“Of course,” I couldn’t help but grin at this woman. I think I like her slyness. “I will help you with those hardheaded people.”
Claudia grinned evilly. “I knew you could help me, duchess. I am hoping that your husband will be able to help us with our work.”
It was my turn to smile evilly. “Signora, it is common knowledge here in Italy that the duke dances to my tune.”
“Great!” Claudia Orsini beamed at me. This is going to be fun.
“When it comes to deviousness you can count on me, ma’am.”
She raised her tea cup. “To Marco and Francesca’s happy life together.”
“To their happy life together.” I echoed raising my tea cup in return.

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