The Orsini Bride

Chapter 6: The Husband

Many marriages would be better if the husband and the wife clearly understood that they are on the same side.

-Zig Ziglar

Francesca Marcolini's POV

After a week of cold silence from him, I received a summon from the devil himself. He wants me to come to his office as soon as possible. What could he possibly want from me? I asked myself silently.

After the good start we had at the wedding of Lucca and Tatiana, I deluded myself if we might start a friendship and we don't need any more to try to kill each other every time we had the misfortune to meet. Because the moment we started to dance, he dug the old ground that was forbidden talk for me.

My very own personal life with my late husband.

Now, out of the blue, he wants me to come to his office without an ounce of apology from him. I sighed as I saw that I was nearing his office building. I have not yet completed the candidates he was asking for, for his prospective bride.

This task was more difficult than I thought it would be when I agreed to this ridiculous scheme. Especially when your client is exasperating Marco Orsini.

I took a deep breath when the cab pulled over the magnificent modern building that stood proudly in front of me. I think the moment I stepped out of the taxi, Marco Orsini knew I finally arrived at this fortress.

I walked on the splendor lobby of the Orsini Industries straight to the elevator. I don't want people to speculate why I often come to his office. They might get the wrong impression about our association.

Finally, I arrived at his office and his kind but straight-laced secretary smiled at me once she saw me. "Signore Orsini is waiting for you at his office all morning."

"Grazie." I smiled and went straight to the office where Marco Orsini ruled this building like a king.

"I've been waiting for you all morning, Francesca." He greeted me once I entered his office. I don't think I like the devil's satisfaction in his dark eyes that instantly put me on my guard.

"I haven't had the new lists of your prospective bride, Signore," I informed him coldly.

"Oh, that was not the reason I asked you to come here, my dear." A mischievous smile played on his lips as he played with his fountain pen while starring right at my eyes.

He doesn't have the right to look so devastatingly handsome in his gray Armani suit. I thought silently. Really, Francesca when did you start to notice that your adversary was handsome? I chided myself as I tried to banish that annoying thought off my head.

"Then what do you want?" I asked when I realized that he's waiting for my reply.

Unaware of the wayward thoughts he gestured to the vacant chair across his table. "Have a seat. I have a gift for you."

I reluctantly took the offered chair and eyed him cautiously. "What is it?"

He smiled angelically in my direction as he opened the drawer of his table. Too bad the moment he opened his mouth the spell instantly broke and you will learn that he was such a devil. "For you." He presented a neat folder.

"What is that?" I asked, eyeing the folder in his hands.

"Take a look."

I reluctantly took the folder and opened it. I felt that there's a giant hand that crushed my heart. The content of the folder was all about my late husband, Lorenzo. From his childhood life up to his death, it was meticulously written into this report.