THE BRIDE - By Shaxee

Chapter 35

If you love someone, the greatest gift you can give them is your presence. –Thich Nhat Hanh

Francesca Marcolini’s POV
This was supposed to be an ordinary day for me at the office. But a package that was delivered to my home and a single phone call changed everything.
My eyes misted with tears on my ride to my destination as I recalled the event earlier this morning…

“There is a package for you, Signora.” My housekeeper had said with a box in her hands as I ate my breakfast. “It has no sender I just found it outside your door.”
“Oh?” Curious about the parcel my housekeeper had just presented to me. For a moment I thought that someone was just playing a prank on me. But then again, it might come from Marco who went on an overseas trip yesterday.
That man loves surprises.


I smiled slightly at the thought that this is Marco’s surprise for me. I took the mysterious package from my housekeeper and opened it like a child opening her gift on Christmas day.
I frowned when I saw a USB flash drive, a red colored necktie and a black credit card owned by Marco. I couldn’t hold back my smile any longer.
What is this plan of his? I asked myself silently.

“Can you please get my laptop from my room?” I asked my housekeeper with a tame smile on my face. I was so excited to see what’s inside the USB.
“Certainly, Signora.” My housekeeper went to my room to get my laptop. I drank my freshly squeezed orange juice. I had traded my favored coffee for breakfast so it will not harm my baby. I am starting to experience morning sickness.
I have not yet consulted a doctor for my condition but that’s the thing I want to discuss with Marco once he got home from his business trip.
“Here’s your laptop, ma’am.”
“Thank you.” I smiled at my housekeeper as I took the laptop and turned it on. After a few seconds, I inserted the flash drive into my laptop’s USB port and waited for my computer to read it. When it was finally okay I checked the content of the flash drive and saw a single file. I clicked it to open as the video player starts to read it.

My heart stopped beating in my chest when the video started to play. I am sure my eyes were just playing tricks on me. My nerves were shaking, my brain refused to translate what my eyes had been telling me.
This is a nightmare!
No, worse than a nightmare.
My hands instinctively flew to my mouth to cover my shock.
Marco…

He’s tied up in a chair with a lamp over his head with two hooded guys by his side. He’s eyes were blind- folded. His surrounding was very dark like an old abandoned building. Even his feet were tied together so he couldn’t escape. He wore his favorite gray Armani suit, he still looked debonair but his necktie was noticeably missing.
I looked at the ruby colored tie inside the box. This must be his tie, they took it from him so they could send it to me along with this video. I can’t breathe, as if something was crushing my heart right this moment. Who did this kind of evil thing to him?
I will die if something bad happened to him.
I couldn’t bear it.

“Speak now!” The man behind the camera snarled at him.
“Who are you?” Marco asked bravely, even though he’s in that kind of situation. He’s at the mercy of those thugs who kidnapped him. “What do you want from me?”
What did they want from him? I asked myself too. Money? Of course, money.
“Say it on the camera that they should follow everything I say or something bad will happen to you.”
“As if, I can see the camera.” Marco muttered sarcastically.
“Say it!” The man snarled chillingly as the man beside Marco pulled a gun and placed it on Marco’s head.
Oh dear God! Don’t irritate your abductors. I want to smack his head.
“No,” Marco said stubbornly. God, what was with this man! “I will not say that.”

I don’t think I can bear to watch it. I’d die repeatedly if I continue to watch it. When I was about to close the video my mobile phone rang. I looked at the screen and it was unknown number.
“Hello?” I said shakily, I couldn’t summon my voice to be calm.
“Did you receive the surprise I sent to you?” The frightening voice sounded on the other line.
“What do you want?” I asked as I stood abruptly from my chair. “How much money do you want? I’m willing to pay you. Just give the figures.”
He laughed harshly which made my blood chill. “I don’t want money, Signora. I want you to do something for me.”
“Anything.” I answered without missing a heartbeat. I will do anything to save Marco. My eyes misted with tears but I needed to be strong for him.

“First, you can’t call the cops or something will happen to the man you love.”
“I promise.” I agreed to his condition.
“Good.” He said with satisfaction. “Just do what I tell you and I will not harm him. First, I need you to buy a beautiful evening gown with the black card in the box and wait for my next instruction. Remember I am watching you one wrong move he’s dead, bring that red necktie if you want to see Marco Orsini again.”
Before I could reply the phone call ended.

I slid out of the cab and hastily went inside the posh boutique to buy a new dress. I randomly selected what I thought will be beautiful enough without really scrutinizing the design. My sole purpose is to save Marco from those thugs.
My mobile phone sounded again after purchasing the evening dress.
“Are you done with the dress?” He asked once I hit the answer button. I looked around, I could swear that he’s just near to me watching my move.
“Yes…” I swallowed hard, leaving the famous boutique.
“Now buy a new pair of heels to match that gown.”
“What is this for?” I asked with a frown as I scanned for my favorite shoe shop in the lane. “Why do I need to buy these things?”
“I said no questions.” The man snarled before disconnecting the phone call.

I sighed and did what he told me to do. I went inside my favorite designer shoe boutique. The saleslady asked me what size of shoes I want. Then it occurred to me that Marco’s kidnapper didn’t say anything about that, so I decided to go for my shoe size. After that I waited for his call when I got out of the shoe boutique.
“Go to the nearest beauty salon and have a makeover on your appearance, wear that dress and shoes.”
I did what he told me without question this time. But I couldn’t help but wonder why I would need to wear this dress, for what reason? But if this is the only way to save Marco so be it.
Once I am at the salon I tried to calm myself as I have my hair and makeup done. Praying earnestly to the Almighty to make Marco safe for our unborn child. When I was done and I wore the things he told me to buy, I exited the beauty salon and waited for his phone call.
“See that black sedan across the street?” He asked without preamble once I answered the call. “Ride that if you want to see the man you love.”

I followed his instruction without any question. I didn’t think my legs will carry me properly as I silently prayed for our safety. I slid inside the luxury interior of the car and I shivered slightly when the driver closed the door firmly. My heart pounded so loudly, I need to be strong for our baby.
After an hour or so of the gruesome drive, the car finally pulled in the dock and the driver gestured me to board the dark yacht. My heels clicked on the wooden floorboard, I am beyond terrified at this moment. This is not an incident I want to repeat in my lifetime.
What if I will die her without seeing Marco? I asked myself silently.
Stop thinking negative, Francesca.
I ascended in the stair of the yacht, I am shaking badly. I need to hold on to the iron railing for support.

“Marco?” I called out once I was on the dark deck of the ship. “Marco? Are you here? Please answer me,
por favor! Marco!”
“Francesca.” My heart leaped at the familiar sound of his voice.
“Marco—” The words died in my mouth when the pitch black surrounding lit with illumination. The almost abandoned ship aglow with beauty.
And there he was standing in front of me without a fleck on his suit. My eyes instantly narrowed. “Aren’t you supposed to be kidnap, Marco?”
“Don’t you like it?” He asked as he started to walk towards me. “The lady rescued her prince? A nice variation in the story where the prince rescued the lady in those fairy tales.”
I stared at him in stun silence. I threw the shoe I’ve been wearing in his direction. “b-----d! You don’t know the fear I suffered when I thought that you had been abducted.”
“Francesca…” He said with a laugh. “I’m so sorry, darling. I just wanted to surprise you. I wanted to give you a unique engagement proposal.”
“What’s with that horrible video?” I asked as the tears threatened to fall from my eyes.

He hugged me tightly to comfort me. I should have shoved him away but being in his arms felt so good. In a moment I will push him away—in a moment.
“I have this friend who is an award winning director, I asked him to help me stage that video. If you just know how many takes I did before my acting could be convincing. I laughed in the middle of my lines.”
“You are horrible.” I sniffed as I clutch the back of his suit.
“I sucked at acting, I know.”
“Idiot.” I said with a snort. “You are horrible as a person that’s what I meant.”
“That’s harsh, my love.” He drew back to look at me. Marco released me from his arms and took a step backward. “Fortunately, for you I have a question to ask.”
“What—”
He suddenly kneeled in front of me. “So Francesca, darling.” He said kissing my hand. “I have your mother’s permit to ask you a very important question.” He fished out something in his pocket. My heart pounded loudly in my chest as he opened a small velvet box. “I know I am not the perfect man but I sure as hell will try to be the best husband for you. Will you marry me Francesca? Will you give me the chance to try to make you happy, my darling?”

Now tears officially fell in my eyes. “Y-yes…”
The happiness in his eyes was the sight I will treasure in my life forever. He slipped the diamond solitaire engagement ring on my left hand. He stood and kissed me sweetly on the lips—our very first kiss as an engaged couple.
“I love you, Francesca.”
Before I could answer him fireworks ricocheted in the dark sky.
“I love you too, Marco.”
He kissed me again. “This is our first day to forever."
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