THE BRIDE - By Shaxee

Chapter 37

There is always a sneer in Las Vegas. The mountains around it sneer. The desert sneers. And arrogant in the middle of its wide valley, dominating those diligent sprawling suburbs, the downtown city sneers like anything. – Jan Morris

Francesca Marcolini’s POV
At the age of twenty-one, I had this simple and intimate wedding which was attended by a number of guests from the cream of Italian society. And when my husband suddenly died on our wedding day, I thought from that moment I would never wed again.

But seven years after that faithful day I met and then slowly fell in love with my infamous adversary, Marco Orsini. Since the day I met him, he’s being too much for my peace of mind. I guess at that time I was still worshipping my late husband’s memory; I thought I would betray him if I started to feel something for another man.

That’s why I was always cold and rude to Marco those years before, I feared that one day he might replace Lorenzo in my heart.
And I’ve never been wrong. After I learned about my late husband’s betrayal - the truth that he never really loved me as much as I loved him. That he was in love with someone else. It opened my eyes that I should get a life and let go of the past.
Now once again I am a bride. It is my wedding day with Marco Orsini. I stared in the full length mirror in the suite Marco and I shared in one of the most luxurious hotel in Las Vegas. At twenty-nine I feel like a blushing bride again. I don’t know why Marco was so eager to get married. We were engaged just two days ago and after our hasty visit to his grandparents we flew straight to Vegas to get married. Honestly, it doesn’t really matter if we wed today or next year, as long as we love each other I’m fine if we just live in sin. For me marriage is just a formality for what we really feel for one another.

I wore a simple white knee length cocktail dress I brought awhile ago. The simple white bouquet Marco purchased before he left the suite to get another room so he can change into his tuxedo before the wedding ceremony.
He told me that the groom can’t see his bride before the wedding it’s a bad luck. I smiled at the thought, who would have thought that he'd believe that myth.
I never thought that I would marry again after my first husband’s death—but it certainly never crossed my mind that when I tie the knot again it will be in Las Vegas with Elvis presiding the ceremony. It’s hilarious, we might as well consider this an elopement since we didn’t invite any family member to witness our wedding. When I tell Tatiana about this sudden wedding, I could almost picture her laughing so hard.

My mobile phone rang. I went near the bed to pick it up. I smile when I saw Marco’s number I pressed the answer button.
“Hello?”
“Are you ready, my beautiful bride?” Marco greeted on the other line.
My heart leaped at his words. “How did you know that I am a beautiful bride?”
“I just did.”
I laughed when I heard the signature arrogance in his voice. How I love this man with all of his arrogance.
“Flatterer.”
“Are you ready? Marco asked laughing loudly. “Come down to the lobby, I want you to meet my—well, I think I could consider him as my friend when he’s not being his obnoxious self.”
“Hey!” I heard a reprimand from another deep male voice on the phone. “I am right here beside you, you know.”
“Has anyone told you it’s rude to listen to someone else’s phone conversation?” Marco replied to the man. He must be our witness at the wedding, the Greek billionaire Nikos Pallis. “Francesca?”
“I’m still here.” I told him with a smile.
“Come I want you to meet him.” Marco said. “I think he can spare us with his sarcastic wit.”
I laughed at the easy banter Marco and Nikos Pallis shared. Clearly, they were good friends more than they cared to admit. I hung up my phone and went out of the suite. I walked straight to the elevator and waited until it reached the lobby. Once I was inside the slightly over crowded lobby, I scanned for my husband-to-be and his friend. After a few seconds of walking inside the huge lobby, I saw the familiar back talking to a very handsome man at the far end of the reception area.

When I approached them, the very handsome Greek man nodded in my direction which made Marco turn to look at me. The sight of him in his tuxedo knocked my breath away. He’s painstakingly handsome, I didn't miss the longing glances women inside the hotel give Marco and his Greek friend.
“Francesca…” Marco said extending his hand towards my direction.
I took it without hesitation but I am still aware of the burning gaze the Greek god threw in my direction. He’s studying me with his unusual pale blue eyes like the color of the clearest sky during summer in Italy.
Marco dipped his head to kiss my cheek. “You look ravishing, darling.”
I tried to fight the blush that wanted to flood my face. Why does he behave like this when we are in front of his friend?
“Aren’t you going to introduce us, fíle mou?” The Greek god spoke, forcing us to acknowledge his presence with his assistant standing behind him.
Marco straightened and performed the introduction his friend demanded. “Francesca, this is Nikos Pallis, the Greek b-----d that lent us his villa in Sardinia out of the goodness of his heart.” He raised an eyebrow in his friend’s direction. “Do you have a heart, my friend?”
“Not that I am aware off.” Nikos Pallis replied, his pale blue eyes gleamed in delight. “But let me make this clear to you, Orsini, as far as I am concerned I was born in wedlock so if you will, just be careful with your words, fíle mou.”
“You were?” Marco retorted to his friend dryly but the Greek man ignored him.
“I am a good friend of Lucca—the Duke of Caprielle and this humorless man who is about to become your husband any moment now from way back in college.” Nikos Pallis said to me with a quiet smile on his ruthless face. “Pleasure to meet you, thespinis.” He boldly kissed my hand which made Marco glare darkly at his friend. This man was worse than Marco when he was still at the pinnacle of his bachelor’s days.

This Greek man was lethal, he could get any woman he wanted without as much as trying. Anyone who will try to win his heart will need as much luck as she can get. But then again, he just claimed awhile ago that he doesn’t have a heart right?
“Stop charming my wife-to-be.” Marco practically dragged me to his side.
Nikos Pallis grinned evilly in Marco’s direction. “That’s no way to treat the man who will act as witness at your wedding, my friend.”
“Then stop being alluring to my Francesca or I will give you a black eye before the wedding.” Marco threatened darkly.
His friend sighed deeply. “You've joined the duke in the jealous husband clubs, haven't you? Now I am an island to myself, fíle mou."
Marco grinned at his friend while he sneaked his hand round my waist. “You should marry too so Lucca and I will never leave you behind.”

The Greek billionaire feigned a look of horror. “Curse your tongue, Orsini.”
My fiancé just laughed as he looked down at me. His dark eyes dance with laughter. “Being married to the woman you love is the best thing that will happen to your life.”
Nikos shook his dark head in acquiescence. “You have really fallen, Marco.”
“You will too.” Marco said cheerfully to his friend. “Someday. When you meet the right woman.”
He snorted as he looked away. “That might be a billion years from now.”
Marco laughed out loud. “Don’t lose hope, amico.”
Nikos stared at his friend like he just spoke dirty words in front of the ladies. “Let’s get this over with, shall we? Then I can go back in New York.”
“What a great idea.” Marco agreed brightly. Tucking my hand in his, we walk into the chapel-like room in the lobby of the hotel.
To my immense relief Elvis was not waiting for us in the small makeshift chapel. But a man dressed in priestly attire.
“I hope he’s a real priest, Marco.” I whispered to him once we are walking down the aisle. “I don’t want a hoax wedding.”

“I know you want to be married by Elvis, my love.” He whispered back evilly as we near the altar. “But sadly he took the day off today.”
I couldn’t help but  laugh at his humor but deep inside I am freaking nervous right this moment. The priest opened the bible and started the rite of the wedding ceremony. Nikos and his personal assistant took the place near us.
“Do you Marco take Francesca Marcolini to be your lawfully wedded wife—?”
“I do.” He replied cheerfully without waiting for the priest to finish his words.
The priest looked at Marco dryly. “At least wait for me to finish before you answer.”
“Do you Francesca take Marco Orsini to be your lawfully wedded—?”
“I do.”
The man shook his head. “By the power vested in me, I pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride.”

Marco didn’t waste time before he encircled me in his arms and bent me backward for a deep kiss. I am officially married to Marco Orsini.
“So, Signora Orsini…” Marco said after our first kiss as a married couple.
“So, Signore Orsini…” I mimicked him with a smile on my lips. I felt like we are the only people inside the
 room. We never looked at Nikos and his assistant when they left us after they congratulated us.
“How's about we start with our wedding night, wife?”
I laughed as I hug him tightly. He’s really incorrigible. But before I could reply his mobile phone rang.
He frowned when he fished out his phone from his pocket.
“Excuse me, darling.”
Marco moved a little farther to me as he answered the phone call. I visibly heard him. “Hello, Lucca.”

Marco Orsini’s POV
“Haven’t I told you to invite me to your wedding?”
I mentally cringed when I heard the accusing voice of Lucca Cavelli on the other line.
“How on earth did you know about it?”
“Imagine this. I am in the middle of a very gruesome board meeting when I received a phone call from a certain egotistical Greek babbling that he’s going to act as your witness in a wedding in Las Vegas. That he will not miss it for the world—that he’s so sorry that I am not there to watch our good friend tie the knot.”
I cursed as I scan the place looking for Nikos Pallis. I want a word with him now! Too bad he’s nowhere to be seen.

“So you won Fran-I-Mean-The-Girl, after all?”
“Stop playing games with me, Lucca!”
I heard the duke chuckled. “Are you going to tell me who is your bride?”
“Why do you want to know?”
“Because she’s my good friend, you know.”
I loosened the bowtie around my neck. It seemed to be too tight at the moment. “How did you—”
“I’m not an idiot, Marco.” Lucca said confidently. “I knew there was something between the two of you long time ago.”
I guess he’d been right. There had being hidden sparks since then. “Does your wife know about this?”
Lucca took a deep breath.
“No.” He said after a pause. “I think she works for your Nonna. She’s been acting suspicious since your grandfather’s birthday.”
“I think so too.” I agreed with him glancing at my bride briefly.
“She’ll have your head in a silver platter, you know.” Lucca warned frankly. “Your Nonna. You robbed her the opportunity to plan your wedding. Expect her wrath when you come back.”
“I know.”
“I can only give you few days to have a honeymoon. After that Tatiana will start to question me. You know that I can’t lie to her about anything.”
“Thank you, Lucca.” I said to him honestly. He’s really a good friend when he’s not teasing me mercilessly.
“Take good care of her, amico.” He said seriously. “She’s been through a lot with her past marriage.”
“I love her, Lucca.” That’s all I replied him before I disconnected the phone call. “Ready?” I asked my wife. God, she’s my wife now.
Finally.

I extended my hand for her and she took it without hesitation. We rode the elevator and I couldn’t wait. I started kissing Francesca with such fervor. I probably looked like an impatient bridegroom but I don’t care. At last, we arrived at our penthouse, I nearly reap her clothes off in the elevator. I swung her into my arms and she squeaked a little.
“It’s tradition, my love.” I said once we crossed the threshold.
“Marco!”
We finally arrived at the bedroom I carefully brought her back to her feet. I stared at her pretty hazel eyes. There was now piece of paper stating she’s mine.
“You are now officially mine, Francesca Orsini.”

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