THE BRIDE - By Shaxee
Chapter 32
In courtship a man pursues a woman until she catches him. -Proverb
Francesca Marcolini’s POV
I stared outside the window without seeing 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 which my secretary told me was delivered earlier. I opened the huge box and gasped a little when I saw a gorgeous cocktail dress inside.
I picked the card that was tucked in the beautifully arranged 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 my heart at that moment I couldn’t stop it. After our encounter at Signore Alfonso Orsini’s birthday party after I gave myself to him again, after he—he told me that he loves me…I was so stunned that I couldn’t answer him.
You weren’t just stunned by the confession, You got scared a voice inside my head joined my reverie. You were scared because he is the only man who has managed to creep into 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 only got hurt in the end when my late husband proved that he didn’t love his young bride as much as I loved him.
I had gotten over that tragedy of my past but it taught me 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 new student a reassuring smile.
“I’m fine, dear.”
“I've called for your attention now for the third time, ma'am.” The girl informed me with a shy smile. “Is everything all right?”
“Yes, dear.” I smiled in her direction, pushing away the unwanted thought from my head. For now I will focus on my student. I am here in their magnificent house in Rome teaching her the fine etiquette of a woman fit 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 on 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 a very young age, she lost her mother. Her father showered her with everything life had to offer. I first thought when I accepted the job that I would have a hard time with this rich girl but upon meeting her, she proved me wrong. She’s a 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 on her face was contagious. I couldn’t help but smile back. “I will tell papa when he gets home, Signora.”
“I’m sure your father will be proud of you.”
She beamed at me. “I certainly hope so, Signora.”
My reply was interrupted by the incoming call on 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 at my student browsing the French book silently. I moved a little farther away from our study table. “I am teaching the daughter of Signore Grimaldi. Why?”
“I just want to ask if you received the package I sent to your office?”
My heart leaped again once I remembered his gift.
“Uh…yes, why?”
“I just want to find out your answer, Francesca.” He said over the phone. “Yes or no?”
I removed the mobile phone from my ear and stared at this thing in horror. Is this Marco Orsini who just called me? I might just have mistaken 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's never asked for anything before.
“Are you asking me, Marco Orsini?” I asked playfully, though deep inside me I already knew the answer to his question. “What about your fiancée?”
I heard him sigh on the other line. I hid my grin.
“Yes, Francesca.” He answered in clipped tone. “And let me make this clear to you, Laila and I don’t have any relationship other than friendship, maybe. I just made that scheme up to make you jealous.”
My heart danced with happiness at the admission from him. He doesn’t really intend marrying the Sicilian goddess Laila Fiorenza, does he? He just wanted me to get jealous.
“Francesca…?”
“You sound so snappish, Marco.” I informed him with a laugh. “You are asking me for a date, isn’t it? You should try to win my favor.”
“Is that a yes or no?”
I drew a deep breath. As much as I'd like to have this banter with him I need to resume my teachings with Isabella Grimaldi. “Yes, Marco. I'd like a date with you tonight.”
“Yes.” He said a little too cheerfully. “I’ll pick you up tonight at your penthouse. 7PM.”
“All right.” I agreed with a smile.
“Good. Wear the dress I bought for you, okay?” Marco Orsini 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 was patiently waiting. He’s really something.
Later that evening my nerves were tingling with excitement for my date with Marco. I checked myself in the full length mirror for the tenth time now. I couldn’t help but notice the unusual sparks in my eyes as I stared at my reflection.
Oh my goodness, I am really nervous. Who would have thought that my nemesis would have this kind of effect on me? There wasn’t a time before that we didn’t let the opportunity pass without slinging arrows at each other. We’ve seen the worst of 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 ran
to the elevator. I couldn’t wait to see him.
Once I got outside, I
was a little breathless from my sprint to meet him.
My breath was knocked out 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 on my cheeks.
“After you.” He
gestured for me to slide into the opened passenger’s
door of his limo. I slid eagerly into the cool interior of
the car.
“Where are we going,
Marco?” I asked when we were finally on the
road. Butterflies in my stomach were in residence
tonight.
He smiled in 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 grins that made women swoon over him always.
Few minutes into 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 one of the
best tables inside the elegant restaurant. I frowned
once we walked inside. As usual, women were giving
Marco wistful glances as if hoping that they
would get his attention.
But to this man’s credit he took no notice of them or he’s just too used to 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 as I slid into his offered chair.
“You have been frowning
since we stepped inside the restaurant,
Francesca.”
“Don’t mind me.” I
muttered taking the offered menu from the waiter. I hope
that he will just get off the subject of 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 was your
day?”
I smiled sipping my
water. “It was fine. I have a new student.”
“How is she?”
“She’s a very nice
girl with a cheerful manner.”
He nodded with a
smile. “That’s good to hear. I hope she will not
give you a hard time.”
“I can manage.” I said proudly to him.
We talked about 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 on our table and the smell of pesto cream caused some rebellion in my stomach.
“Oh God,” I breathed, 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 on Marco’s face but I didn’t wait for his reply
before I went straight to the ladies’ room.
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