Unless both sides win, no agreement can be permanent.

-Jimmy Carter

Francesca Marcolini's POV

I couldn't believe it. I stared at the report on last night's charity ball.

He wasn't lying, I thought furiously.

He didn't donate even a single centavo because I refused to help him with his ridiculous quest. That heartless man walked away without giving donations to the charity he claimed he'd been supporting.

I stood abruptly from my chair and grabbed my bag on the table. "Lucy," I told my young secretary just outside my office without stopping from my tracks. "Cancel all of my appointments today."

"May I ask where you are going in case someone looks for you, Mrs. Marcolini?"

I gave her a grim smile as I looked back where she'd been sitting. "I'm going to see an exasperating man."

I didn't wait for my secretary's reply before marching to the elevator purposefully. Right now, I only have one thing in my mind—that is, to confront that womanizer devil who'd been a plague to me ever since I had the misfortune to meet him years ago.

The moment I saw him, fifteen seconds of his company, I concluded that I didn't like him as much as he didn't like me. He was the personification of what I hate in a person. He's a sarcastic sharp-tongue libertine who viewed the world with such cynicism in his pitch-black eyes. You couldn't say a single observation without him replying in a sardonic manner. Sometimes—no, most of the time we're forced to endure each other's company. I am sure as hell that we only prevent ourselves from killing each other.

He's my nemesis. My archenemy.

So why in the world does he suddenly want me to find him his bride?

Why is he plaguing me with this stuff?

Is this the new way he thought to amuse himself? ...in annoying me?

I had 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 toy with the charity just to infuriate me. Those children seriously needed his donations.

After suffering from the gruesome traffic in Rome, the cab finally pulled over the pavement in front of the Orsini Industries. I took a deep breath as I slid off the cab. I can do this, I told myself once again as I repeated those words repeatedly inside the car.

I strode at the magnificent modern lobby where Marco Orsini ruled like the 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 to never let them affect me.

Once I arrived at the top floors where his office was located, I strode inside not bothering to ask his secretary if he's available or not. By now, I have only a thread-bare of patience left for him as I invade his office.

"You are sarcastic. Heartless. Ungrateful. Man."

I wasn't entirely surprised when Francesca Marcolini barged in my office and spit those words with such menacing fervor, given that I didn't donate even a single penny on the charity event where she's one of the organizers.

Oh, I intend to donate to that charity but I thought to keep my endowment first and used it as leverage to this woman so she can help me with my problem.

And I am not mistaken, I thought smugly. She's standing in front of me, isn't she? With all of her refined glory.

"To what do I owe you this unexpected visit, Signora?" I asked innocently as I sat back from my chair and studied her fully. "Have a seat."

"No. Thank you."

As always, she's so fashionably dressed in 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 hid 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 a 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 donating to the charity."

"I told you last night if you'll help me with my search for a bride I will give your charity hearty donations."

"This is all just a game to you, isn't it?" She fired back, glaring at me 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 threaten 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 it's all game to me?" I asked her. "Dio. If nonno didn't give me an 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 a 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 so alluring. "If I help you with your quest in looking for a bride, how much money will you donate?"

This time, I couldn't help the grin that broke into my face. Because I knew I'd already won this battle with the formidable Francesca Marcolini. "Half a million euro."

The shock in her face was priceless, her pretty eyes went saucer wide. "You can't be serious!"

"I am." I smiled at her reaction. It's not every day I get to stun this ice queen and I am vastly happy about it.

"Do you promise 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?"

I grinned at her as I stood from my chair. "As soon as possible, cara mia."

Amber eyes flashed icily in my direction. "Keep your promise to donate to the charity, Signore. Or else I will kill you."

"Still don't trust me, Francesca?" I picked up the phone and dialed my secretary's number, still holding the gaze of the ice queen. I spoke to my secretary on the other line. "Gia, donate half a million euros to the charity I've attended last night on my behalf."

I didn't wait for my secretary's reply and ended the phone call. "Satisfied?"

She nodded. "One more thing, Signore."

I scowled. "What is it?"

"I want a contract."

"A contract?"

"Yes. Between us." She answered with a smile that was laced with acid. "I want a contract with a clause stating that you are not allowed to harass me in any form and you are forbidden to talk or look at me with sexual desire or otherwise. It will be a breach of contract. I am free to withdraw my work from you."

I stared at her disbelievingly. She's more devious than I gave her credit for. When I didn't answer immediately, she added. "Do you agree or not?"

I puffed a sigh. "Fine. I will draw your contract and send them to you immediately."

"Good." Triumph flickered in the depth of her eyes. "I look forward to working with you, Signore Orsini."

She didn't even say anything before she walked out of my office as if nothing happened. She's vastly happy with her contract, wasn't she? As if, that would stop me.

Just wait and see, the devious voice inside my head whispered. I will find a loophole in your contract. Just wait and see...