Chapter 2

The highest exercise of charity is charity towards the uncharitable.
-J. S. Buckminster
Francesca Marcolini’s POV
I stood proudly at the ballroom in one of the famous five-star hotel here in Rome as I watched the people mingle around. They were all came from the cream of Italian society supporting the charity event for the orphan children here in Italy.
It was a success, I thought smugly. I couldn’t help but to feel proud that I am one of the organizers of the event. My late husband was a strong supporter of charities and since we began dating I get involved to such affair.
Now six years after his tragic death I dedicated myself to different charities here in Italy to continue his legacy. I hope tonight’s event would be successful I hope we’ll acquire enough money for the orphans in the asylum…
“Congratulations, Francesca.” An-all-too-familiar male voice drawled behind me, so much for my luck tonight. I should have known that he’s coming to this event. “I’m proud of you.”
So what choice do I have than to face him? I placed a regal smile on my face as I looked at my nemesis. “Buonasera, Signore.”
Satisfaction flashed on the depth of his dark eyes, as if he knew that he was the last person I wanted to talk with tonight. But then again, he will never let the opportunity pass not ruining my night. I knew it based from experience in the past.
“How are you,mia regina di ghiaccio?” He asked, running his bold gazed appreciatively on my body. I silently screamed at his audacious stare and his gut for calling me his ice queen. “You look…fabulous.”
I could swore that he was mentally undressing me right this moment, then I happened to notice the venomous glare the blond woman in his arms shot at me. I think she’s a supermodel with that red show-stopping gown and those chandelier earrings and necklace studded with diamonds it was enough to blind me when they were caught in the lights.
I smiled kindly at her as I asked this womanizing devil the question that would put him on the hot seat. “Is she your bride-to-be?” I asked in saccharine sweetness. “How rude of you not to introduce us.”
The blond supermodel’s face broke into a million-dollar smile as she gazed adoringly to her date while the devil merely paled.
Serves you right, I thought silently as I hide my smile.
“Darling,” He said to his beautiful date. “I thought I saw your friends there awhile ago. Why don’t you join them for awhile?”
“But—”
“I will join you later.” He said resolutely, which the woman in his arms reluctantly removed her hand on his arm and drift away where her friends located. Once she was out of sight Marco Orsini glared at me impertinently. “Now, Francesca, that was rude.”
“I, rude?” I scoffed.
“Yes. You are.” He answered conceitedly. “You gave her wrong ideas.”
“But I thought she’s your fiancée.” I told him innocently though I only said that to annoy him. “You arrived with her so I assume…”
“Why would I still send you flowers and gift at your office this past week asking for your help if I already found my bride-to-be thatnonnowould approve?”
Oh, yes. Those flowers and gifts he constantly sent to my office along with cards asking to help him with his dilemma. At first, my secretary thought that I have a suitor but then I explained to her that my nemesis was just annoying me.

“Of course.” He raised his glass for a silent salute to my direction before drinking every last content of his champagne. There was something mischievous in his dark eyes that my instinct told me to raise my guard even higher as the glee inside my heart for Marco Orsini’s donation instantly vanished.
“Of course…” He said again, placing his empty fluke of champagne on the passing waiter and get a new one awareness sneaked up to my spine. “…I will donate a generous amount if you will help me in return, Francesca.”
“What the…” I glared at him.
The devil merely shrugged. “A fair trade, wouldn’t you say?”
“Are you saying that…?”
“Obviously.” He smiled adoringly at my direction like Lucifer who wants to claim my soul. “If you promise to help me find a bride I will contribute a generous amount into this charity.”
Sweet Lord, he’s really heartless.
Marco Orsini’s POV
Coming here to the charity event was only last minute decision when I learned that the ice queen was coming. Looking at her now among the bejeweled crowd she was probably the only woman who was unadorned with jewerlies saved her gold wedding ring and equally her gold wristwatch. She look so untouchable like the ice queen that she was with her demure gown that any red-blooded man couldn’t help but to mentally peel that cover off her body as I do right this moment.
I watched with satisfaction the shock on the pretty young widow’s face as I told her that I will not donate a single centavo in this charity ball if she didn’t help me with my quest.
The look she’d been sending me was enough to freeze the entire Italy. Why she’s so stubborn in not helping man with his quandary? It is not enough that I’m courting her favor over the last few days sending her gifts on her office to soften her up to me?
Then she cold-heartedly asked awhile ago if my date was finally my bride-to-be I’ve been force to seek. She gave, Rebecca Kendrick, the hot supermodel the wrong ideas. From the amused look she’d gave me awhile ago she now thought that I’ll pop the question anytime after this party. I should have got rid of her tonight.
I don’t think my old-fashioned nonno would approve that my bride was seen half-naked on billboards and magazines across the globe.
That’s right. It’s up to this icy woman to find me a bride that my grandfather will approve. She’s a teacher of fine etiquette, hasn’t she? She can teach my bride how to act properly in the society. She’d done a pretty good job in polishing Lucca’s bride several months ago. The once wallflower heiress was now every inch of a refined duchess Lucca Cavelli could be proud of.
That’s why one way or the other I need Francesca Marcolini for the job even I have to blackmail her into submission, so be it!
—-
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“To what I owe you this
unexpected visit, Signora?”
I asked innocently as sat
back from my chair and
studied her fully. “Have a
sit.”
“No. Thank you.”
As always she’s so
fashionably dress with her
hair styled with a neat
chignon, subtle makeup on
her fine-looking face. She
wore a satin royal blue
blouse and a high-waist
pencil skirt with black
stockings and super high-
heels shoes. Her attire was
demure but at the same time
it spoke sexiness…
“You know why I am here.”
She answered vehemently
looking at me with such
coldness in her pretty hazel
eyes.
I hide my smile as I played
with my pen while examining
her intently. “Do I?”
“Yes, you do.” She snapped
abruptly.
“Hmm…” I pretend to think
why she’s in my office early
this morning.
“Stop playing games with
me!” She said furiously.
“You know why the hell I am
here in your office.”
“Remind me again.” I goaded.
“You are sarcastic,
heartless, ungrateful man.”
The ice queen repeated her
opening speech when she
entered my office, her eyes
flashed with anger towards
me. “You are not bluffing.
You really walked away last
night without giving donation
to the charity.”
“I told you last night if
you’ll help me with my
search of bride I will give
your charity hearty
donations.”
“This is all just game to
you, wasn’t?” She fired
back, glaring at my
insolently. I never met a
woman who always glared at
me. Now I wonder if she
ever smiled at me. “Many
children depend on that
money.”
I frowned at her. Did she
think I was just playing
games with my hunt for a
bride? Hell, I am the last
person on earth willing to
find a woman and marry her.
If nonno just didn’t
threatened to give the
company to my cousin Fabio
if I didn’t present my bride
on his birthday I would not
bother to ask for her
assistance.
“Do you think its all game to
me?” I asked her. “Dio. If
nonno didn’t give me
ultimatum I would not bother
to look for a bride,
Francesca.”
“So you’re serious about
that?”
“Of course.” I answered
honestly. I bit back the smile
that threatened to slip from
my face because I have I
feeling that I am making
progress here. It is only a
matter of time before she
submits to help me.
“If…if…” She bites her
bottom lip which I find it so
alluring. “If I help you with
your quest in looking for a
bride how much money you’ll
donate?”
This time I couldn’t help the
grinned that broke into my
face. Because I knew I’ve
already won this battle with
the formidable Francesca
Marcolini. “Half a million
euro.”
The shocked in her face
was priceless, her pretty
eyes went saucer wide.
“You can’t be serious!”
“I am.” I smiled at her
reaction. Really, it’s not
every day I get to stun this
ice queen and I am vastly
happy about it.
“Do you promised to donate
half a million if I help you to
find your bride?” she asked
again after she regained
her composure.
“Of course.” I replied. I
couldn’t help the glee that
roared inside me as of this
moment.
She exhaled deeply. “All
right, fine. I will help you to
find your bride-to-be. When
do you want me to start?”