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Nyc start
0Chapter 2
The highest exercise of charity is charity towards the uncharitable.
-J. S. Buckminster
Francesca Marcoliniâs 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 couldnât 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 tonightâs event would be successful I hope weâll acquire enough money for the orphans in the asylumâŚ
âCongratulations, Francesca.â An-all-too-familiar male voice drawled behind me, so much for my luck tonight. I should have known that heâs coming to this event. âIâm proud of you.â
So what choice do I have than to face him? I placed a regal smile on my face as I looked at my nemesis. âBuonasera, Signore.â
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.
âHow are you,mia regina di ghiaccio?â 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. âYou lookâŚfabulous.â
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 sheâs 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. âIs she your bride-to-be?â I asked in saccharine sweetness. âHow rude of you not to introduce us.â
The blond supermodelâs 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.
âDarling,â He said to his beautiful date. âI thought I saw your friends there awhile ago. Why donât you join them for awhile?â
âButââ
âI will join you later.â 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. âNow, Francesca, that was rude.â
âI, rude?â I scoffed.
âYes. You are.â He answered conceitedly. âYou gave her wrong ideas.â
âBut I thought sheâs your fiancĂŠe.â I told him innocently though I only said that to annoy him. âYou arrived with her so I assumeâŚâ
âWhy 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?â
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.0I instinctively rubbed my wedding ring. I will never marry again. Lorenzo, my husband, would forever be in my heart.
âHave you heard that Lucca and Tatiana were already in town?â I asked to change the subject about marriage and my thoughts to my husbandâs memory. I still saddened me every time I remember him.
A twitched smile fitted his sinful lips as I helped himself with two fluke of champagne on the passing waiter. âReally? Are they staying for good now?â
âThatâs what Tatiana told me when I talked to her over the phone last time.â I replied casually, taking his offered champagne.
âIf they were already in town then why the hell they werenât here?â He asked, looking around the glittering crowd. âI assumed that the great duke wouldnât let the opportunity passed in showing the society that his wife was already five months pregnant with their twins.â
Taking a sipped of my champagne, I told him. âHe just phoned awhile ago telling me they couldnât come because Tatiana is not feeling well.â
âAh, that’s the problem, isnât?â He inquired mockery flashed on his dark eyes. âHeâs totally fallen to his lovely wife? He couldnât bear to be away from her even one night.â
âThat scornful comment just really came from a man whoâs currently looking for his own bride.â
âThereâs a difference, cara mia.â He said with a rakish smile on his Roman god face. âHe married his Tatiana out of love while I need to get married or I will be disinherited.â
I raised my eyebrows at him. âYou are forgetting, Signore. That Lucca and Tatiana started their marriage as convenience look at them now they were so in love with each other.â
âNo one force the duke to marry that Russian heiress…â He opposed, giving me the same tilt on his strong eyebrows. ââŚhe did it all by himself. Lucca wedded the woman the whole world thought died on the sea a week after sheâd gone missing…â
Every time I remembered how my friends started with marriage I still couldnât believed. It was like story from a movie or drama series. The wallflower only wanted in life to avenge on the people who played her fool. But now Iâm so glad that Tatiana finally let go of her revenge and starts a new life with her husband.
ââŚwhile I need a wife because my grandfather is forcing me to take one. So you have to help me.â Marco Orsini dragged me out of my reverie.
I sighed. So much for our talked about our common friends we were once again back to this thing. âI told you for a millionth time now. I canât help you to find your bride, Signore.â
âOh, you will.â He said stubbornly.
I shook my head in resignation. Answering him was only futile. He wasnât going to listen to me.
Then he surprised me when he spoke again in nonchalantly tone. âSuch a pity that Lucca couldnât attend this charity ball I know heâs a strong supporter of this things.â
Now that he mentioned it I felt somehow poignant about it. Heâs donation would be a great help to the tonightâs cause. âYes, youâre right.â I agreed to this annoying man as I frowned at him. âBut now that you mention it Iâm surprise to see you here this is not your usual crowd.â
âYou wounded me, Francesca.â He grinned devilishly. âIâm a strong supporter of charities, my dear.â
I couldnât help but to smile to that. âTruthfully?â0âOf course.â 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 Orsiniâs donation instantly vanished.
âOf courseâŚâ He said again, placing his empty fluke of champagne on the passing waiter and get a new one awareness sneaked up to my spine. ââŚI will donate a generous amount if you will help me in return, Francesca.â
âWhat theâŚâ I glared at him.
The devil merely shrugged. âA fair trade, wouldnât you say?â
âAre you saying thatâŚ?â
âObviously.â He smiled adoringly at my direction like Lucifer who wants to claim my soul. âIf you promise to help me find a bride I will contribute a generous amount into this charity.â
Sweet Lord, heâs really heartless.
Marco Orsiniâs 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 widowâs face as I told her that I will not donate a single centavo in this charity ball if she didnât help me with my quest.
The look sheâd been sending me was enough to freeze the entire Italy. Why sheâs so stubborn in not helping man with his quandary? It is not enough that Iâm 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 Iâve been force to seek. She gave, Rebecca Kendrick, the hot supermodel the wrong ideas. From the amused look sheâd gave me awhile ago she now thought that Iâll pop the question anytime after this party. I should have got rid of her tonight.
I donât think my old-fashioned nonno would approve that my bride was seen half-naked on billboards and magazines across the globe.
Thatâs right. Itâs up to this icy woman to find me a bride that my grandfather will approve. Sheâs a teacher of fine etiquette, hasnât she? She can teach my bride how to act properly in the society. Sheâd done a pretty good job in polishing Luccaâs bride several months ago. The once wallflower heiress was now every inch of a refined duchess Lucca Cavelli could be proud of.
Thatâs 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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Like My Page On Facebook: http://www.Facebook.com/meshackshaxee0Lol….
Francesca hadn’t even praise Marco with a good word…
& Marco is also proving her right by blackmailing her knowing fully well that she had no option……
How do Marco want a teacher to find him a bride???
He should just went straight to his point that he want Francesca to act as his bride(which would even turn to wife)
Cat & Dog…0Chizzy
- "Posts & Comments"45761
- Legend
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From d look of things, they may end up getting married
0Chapter 3
Unless both sides win, no
agreement can be permanent.
-Jimmy Carter
Francesca Marcoliniâs
POV
I couldnât believe it. I
stared at the report on last
night charity ball. He wasnât
lying, I thought furiously.
He didnât donate even a
single centavo because I
refused to help him with his
ridiculous quest. That
heatless man walked away
without giving donations to
the charity he claimed heâd
been supporting.
I stood abruptly from my
chair and grabbed my bag
on the table. âLucy,â I told
my young secretary just
outside my office without
stopping from my tracks.
âCancel all of my
appointments today.â
âMay I ask where are you
going in case someone looks
for you, Mrs. Marcolini?â
I gave her a grim smile as I
look back where sheâd been
sitting. âIâm going to see an
exasperating man.â
I didnât wait for my
secretaryâs reply before
marching to the elevator
purposefully. Right now, I
only have one thing in my
mindâthat is, to confront
that womanizer devil whoâd
been a plague to me ever
since I have the misfortune
to meet him years ago.
The moment I saw him
fifteen seconds of his
company I concluded that I
didnât like him as much as he
didnât like me. He was the
personification of what I
hate in a person. Heâs
sarcastic sharp-tongue
libertine who viewed the
world with such cynicism in
his pitch black-eyes. You
couldnât say a single
observation without him
replying in sardonic manner.
Sometimesâno, most of the
time weâre forced to endure
each otherâs company I am
sure as hell that we only
prevent ourselves in killing
each other.
Heâs my nemesis. My
archenemy.
So why in the world he
suddenly wants me to find
him his bride?
Why heâs plaguing me with
this stuff?
Is this the new way he
thought to amuse himself in
annoying me?
I have enough of this. I
flagged the taxi and barked
his office address to the cab
driver. I will confront him
and demand what is wrong
with him. I will not let him
toyed the charity just to
infuriate me. Those children
seriously needed his
donations.
After suffering from the
gruesome traffic in Rome the
cap finally pulled over the
pavement in front of the
Orsini Industries. I took a
deep breath as I slid of the
cab. I can do this, I told
myself once again as I
repeated those words inside
the car.
I strode at the magnificent
modern lobby where Marco
Orsini ruled like a king he
thought he was. I rode the
elevator ignoring the
curious stares being thrown
in my direction by the people
inside the lobby. I held
myself with such dignity. I
never let them affect me
with their curious stares.
Once I arrived at the top
floors where his office
located I strode inside not
bothering to ask his
secretary if heâs available
or not. By now I have only a
thread-bare of patience left
for him as I invade his office.
âYou are sarcastic.
Heartless. Ungrateful. Man.â
Marco Orsiniâs POV
I wasnât entirely surprised
when Francesca Marcolini
barged in my office and spit
those words with such
menacing fervor, given that
I didnât donate even a
single penny on the charity
event where sheâs one of
the organizers.
Oh, I intend to donate to
that charity but I thought
keep my endowment first
and used it as lever to this
woman so she can help me
with my problem.
And I am not mistaken, I
thought smugly. Sheâs
standing in front of me,
wasnât she? With all of her
refine glory.0âTo what I owe you this
unexpected visit, Signora?â
I asked innocently as sat
back from my chair and
studied her fully. âHave a
sit.â
âNo. Thank you.â
As always sheâs 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 sexinessâŚ
âYou know why I am here.â
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. âDo I?â
âYes, you do.â She snapped
abruptly.
âHmmâŚâ I pretend to think
why sheâs in my office early
this morning.
âStop playing games with
me!â She said furiously.
âYou know why the hell I am
here in your office.â
âRemind me again.â I goaded.
âYou are sarcastic,
heartless, ungrateful man.â
The ice queen repeated her
opening speech when she
entered my office, her eyes
flashed with anger towards
me. âYou are not bluffing.
You really walked away last
night without giving donation
to the charity.â
âI told you last night if
youâll help me with my
search of bride I will give
your charity hearty
donations.â
âThis is all just game to
you, wasnât?â 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. âMany
children depend on that
money.â
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 didnât
threatened to give the
company to my cousin Fabio
if I didnât present my bride
on his birthday I would not
bother to ask for her
assistance.
âDo you think its all game to
me?â I asked her. âDio. If
nonno didnât give me
ultimatum I would not bother
to look for a bride,
Francesca.â
âSo youâre serious about
that?â
âOf course.â 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.
âIfâŚifâŚâ She bites her
bottom lip which I find it so
alluring. âIf I help you with
your quest in looking for a
bride how much money youâll
donate?â
This time I couldnât help the
grinned that broke into my
face. Because I knew Iâve
already won this battle with
the formidable Francesca
Marcolini. âHalf a million
euro.â
The shocked in her face
was priceless, her pretty
eyes went saucer wide.
âYou canât be serious!â
âI am.â I smiled at her
reaction. Really, itâs not
every day I get to stun this
ice queen and I am vastly
happy about it.
âDo you promised to donate
half a million if I help you to
find your bride?â she asked
again after she regained
her composure.
âOf course.â I replied. I
couldnât help the glee that
roared inside me as of this
moment.
She exhaled deeply. âAll
right, fine. I will help you to
find your bride-to-be. When
do you want me to start?â0 -
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