THE BRIDE - By Shaxee

Chapter 25

Yesterday's the past, tomorrow's the future, but today is a gift. Tha's why it's called the present. -Bil Keane

Francesca Marcolini's POV
"Happy Birthday, Signora." I smiled at my trusted secretary for years. "For you, I hope you like it."
"Oh, thank you, Gina." I took the offered paperbag from her hands before I went to my office.
Goodness, I just turned twenty-nine today but these past few weeks I felt that I am older than my age.
I sighed as I tucked away my secretary's gift. I have tons of works to do. I looked at the new folder on my desk my ever efficient secretary must have put it here.
I took the folder and opened it. I have a new client that wanted me to teach his daughter how to act in society. His daughter will have her debutante party a few months from now.



I sat back in my chair to think for a moment when my mobile phone rang. I took it out of my bag and smiled when I saw who the caller was.
"Boungiorno, Tatiana."
"Happy Birthday, Francesca!" She sang merrily on the other line.

I laughed at her cheerful manner. She's one of my dearest friends; I only met her over a year ago but for me it feels like we've known each other for years.
I am so touched that she remembered my birthday.

"Any plans later, dear?" Tatiana asked offhandedly.
"I have tons of work, duchess." I said with a rueful smile looking at the mountains of paper on my table.
"Are you at the office now? Can I drop by?"
Although I am so busy today. I always have time for her. "Sure, what time do you think you will arrive here?"
"Actually," Tatiana said with laughter in her voice. "I am at the door of your office."

Before I could comprehend what she said the door to my office opened and the very beautiful duchess entered my office.

"Surprise!" Tatiana said with a paper bag in her hands. "Happy Birthday!"
I am so speechless by this unexpected visit from my friend. I stood up from my chair and hugged her warmly. "Thank you for visiting me, Your Excellency. My eyes are misty now. The age of twenty-nine is making me emotional, Tatiana."
"Twenty-nine is just a number." Tatiana said with laughter in her rich violet eyes. "You still look pretty, Francesca."

I laughed wholeheartedly. "You do know how to make me feel better, Tatiana."
"I learned it from you." She said gratefully. "You taught me how to feel better and believe in myself over a year ago when I was still the wallflower heiress who dreads the society."
"That's all because of you, Tatiana." I told her truthfully, smiling at the woman who has overcome so much in her twenty-six years. From betrayal by the people she trusted most, to meeting the powerful duke and falling in love with him and now starting a happy life with Lucca.

"Enough of this drama, Francesca." Tatiana laughed while wiping her wet eyes. “This is supposed the happiest day for you. No drama."
I joined her laughter. “Yes.” I agreed. “You are right, Tatiana.”
“For you,” She said with a grin as she presented the paper bag she’d been holding. “I hope you like it.”
I took the paper bag and muttered. “Oh, thank you. But you should not have bothered to buy anything for me Tatiana.”

“Pshh…” She waved her hand as if my protest wasn’t important. “I wonder what this is.” Tatiana surprised me when she wiggled her eyebrow evily. “Open it once you are at home. Trust me, you will like it.”
“Why do I have a feeling that it is a one of a kind gift to me?” I asked looking curiously at the posh paperbag.
“It is!”

I had a strange feeling about her gift. But I ignored it. “How are the twins?” I asked, changing the subject. “Did you finally decide to take a nanny for them?”
Tatiana shook her head. “Nope, only a part time one, Lucca persuaded me to get one even if only as a parttime nanny.”
“Lucca is right, Tatiana. You can’t take good care of the twins on your own while running your family’s hotel empire.”
“You have no idea.” She said ruefully. But I could see the blissfulness in her eyes. “There are times that I just want to take them with me to the Rostov Hotels.”
But before I could reply her mobile phone rang.

“Excuse me, Francesca. Hello? Oh—alright I’m coming.” She smiled regretfully in my direction. “As much as I'd like to chat with you more the nanny just called, the twins refused to settle. They got their father’s temper.”
“That must be it.” I agreed with a laugh “Go now, Tatiana.”
“Yes.” She hugged me once again before leaving my office. “I hope you’ll like my gift.”

The rest of the day went uneventfully. Even Marco didn’t bother me today. Was he busy with the Orsini Industries? Even if, I told myself that it is better that he leaves me in peace part of me— okay, a huge part of me - wished he'd just make a single phone call to me on my birthday. But I guess he didn’t even know that I am celebrating my birthday today.

At exactly 5p.m. I left my office. I want to rest today, enough of work for now. A woman needs to rest at least once on her special day.
I am in the lobby of the building when I saw a familiar figure outside the glass door. My heart leaped considerably in my chest.

He’s here!

As much as I want to tame the happiness that bubbled inside me I can’t dampened it.
“Mar—”
“Get in.” He said as soon as he saw me with his signature rudeness.
“Where are we going?”
He permitted himself to smile a little. “It’s a surprise.”

I knew from experience not to question him further because it will only be a futile try. So I slid into the Ferrari a little reluctantly but my heart danced with happiness.

After half an hour on the road, we finally pulled up in front of one of the most expensive restaurant in Rome.
After he tossed the key to the waiting valet, he gripped my hand and led me inside.
“What?” Marco asked when I stopped in my track.
“I don’t think they are opened tonight, Marco.”
He frowned at me. His intense eyes focused on me which made me nervous like a teenager. “What makes you say that?”
“No other customers are present.” I whispered to him.

“Simple.” He said casually as if it wasn’t that important news to him. “I have the whole place rented.”
“You did what?” I gaped at him in astonishment. I didn't think I heard him right.

He threw me a heart-melting grin as he continued to walk further inside the room. “It’s your birthday, I don’t want any nuisance tonight.”
He did know my birthday, after all. The maitre d’ approached us with a smile on his face.
“Signore Orsini.” He said with much enthusiasm, “This way, please.”

He led us to the beautifully arranged candlelit table. The whole place was dimmed to create an ambiance at the table for us.
I slid into the chair the maitre d’ pulled out for me with shock still on my face while looking at Marco Orsini.

We gave our order first before Marco finally spoke.
“Happy Birthday.” He said pulling something out of his jacket pocket. “For you.”

I took the square red velvet box he presented. I gasped when I saw what’s inside. It’s a Cartier love bracelet.
He took the gold love bracelet from its nest and placed it on my wrist. He screwed it until it fit my wrist perfectly.

“You’ll wear it everywhere.” He announced arrogantly. “I will keep this key. Don’t bother to get a new key for that bracelet. That is custom made, only this key can unlock that.”
“Why do you need to do that?” I asked with a slight frown in his direction.
“So it gives people a message.”
“What message?”

He smirked like he’s enjoying a joke at my expense.
“That’s a secret, Francesca.”
I stared at this man in front of me, glancing at my new handcuff. I am in trouble, I think my heart is already halfway from falling for him. No. I need to do something about this…

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