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.
I instinctively rubbed my wedding ring. I will
never marry again. Lorenzo, my husband,
would forever be in my heart.
“Have you heard that Lucca and Tatiana were
already in town?” I asked to change the
subject about marriage and my thoughts to
my husband’s 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. “Really? Are they
staying for good now?”
“That’s what Tatiana told me when I talked to
her over the phone last time.” I replied
casually, taking his offered champagne.
“If they were already in town then why the hell
they weren’t here?” He asked, looking around
the glittering crowd. “I assumed that the great
duke wouldn’t let the opportunity passed in
showing the society that his wife was already
five months pregnant with their twins.”
Taking a sipped of my champagne, I told him.
“He just phoned awhile ago telling me they
couldn’t come because Tatiana is not feeling
well.”
“Ah, that’s the problem, isn’t?” He inquired
mockery flashed on his dark eyes. “He’s
totally fallen to his lovely wife? He couldn’t
bear to be away from her even one night.”
“That scornful comment just really came from
a man who’s currently looking for his own
bride.”
“There’s a difference, cara mia.” He said with
a rakish smile on his Roman god face. “He
married his Tatiana out of love while I need to
get married or I will be disinherited.”
I raised my eyebrows at him. “You are
forgetting, Signore. That Lucca and Tatiana
started their marriage as convenience look at
them now they were so in love with each
other.”
“No one force the duke to marry that Russian
heiress…” He opposed, giving me the same tilt
on his strong eyebrows. “…he did it all by
himself. Lucca wedded the woman the whole
world thought died on the sea a week after
she’d gone missing…”
Every time I remembered how my friends
started with marriage I still couldn’t 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 I’m so glad that Tatiana finally let go of
her revenge and starts a new life with her
husband.
“…while I need a wife because my grandfather
is forcing me to take one. So you have to help
me.” 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. “I told you for a millionth time now.
I can’t help you to find your bride, Signore.”
“Oh, you will.” He said stubbornly.
I shook my head in resignation. Answering
him was only futile. He wasn’t going to listen
to me.
Then he surprised me when he spoke again in
nonchalantly tone. “Such a pity that Lucca
couldn’t attend this charity ball I know he’s a
strong supporter of this things.”
Now that he mentioned it I felt somehow
poignant about it. He’s donation would be a
great help to the tonight’s cause. “Yes, you’re
right.” I agreed to this annoying man as I
frowned at him. “But now that you mention it
I’m surprise to see you here this is not your
usual crowd.”
“You wounded me, Francesca.” He grinned
devilishly. “I’m a strong supporter of charities,
my dear.”
I couldn’t help but to smile to that.
“Truthfully?”
To be continue
