Melina's pov:I was playing with Ariana in her playroom waiting for Stavros to return from work. It was Friday and we had arranged to spend the weekend alone in the cabin in the woods. Aggeliki would take care of Arianna as she was like a nanny. Although the nanny we hired was funny and kind, Arianna preferred Aggeliki to her. As they were doing very well, we decided to let Aggeliki raise Ariana. She was like a grandmother to her after all. Stavros returned in the afternoon and after we ate together, we prepared to leave for the cabin. We went to the stable and got our horses. My horse, Autumn, although old, still has it! After thirty minutes of riding we arrived at the cabin. Everything was neat and clean as always although we haven't been here for a long time. We tied the horses to the oak tree near the cabin and got inside. We took the basket with the food our sweet Aggeliki has prepared us and put it on the table. Then we headed to the lake. We took our shoes off and put our feet
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Around 1.910 A.C. in a small town in Greece~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Melina's pov:The night of the annual ball is approaching and I still haven't decided what color my dress will be. I am waiting the seamstress to show me some more samples to choose. But all I am thinking lately is him! I am so in love with this man that I can't keep my mind away from him. My God! How much I miss him! I haven't seen him for days. I don't want to wait until the following Saturday, when the Ball will take place. I want to see him sooner but I know that our affair must be kept as a secret at the moment, so I have to wait until he is available again to meet me.The only one who knows my little secret is my most trustful maid, Maria. I would like to have confessed it to my father too, but since he married that woman, Tina, I cannot. When I was little, I used to share everything with my parents. My thoughts, my emotions, my fears...everything that troubled my little mind. Both my father and moth
Melina's pov:I was coming back from my date with George when I heard shouting and yelling coming from my house. As I entered the house the voices got louder especially when I crossed the hall making me realize that the voices were coming from the living room. I approached it quietly and saw my father arguing with two large men dressed in black. Their attitude was very threatening. I stood behind the door and hid. I knew what I was doing was wrong, but I wanted to know what was going on. I was worried. I have never heard yelling and screaming in my house before. I carefully looked left and right to check if anyone was coming, and when I was sure that no one was around, I continued to eavesdrop, hoping that my stepmother, Tina, would not catch me, or I would be severely punished.-"The deadline you were given has expired. Our master wants his money back. So give us the money!" one of the men shouted at my father."I did not know that my father owed money to these men. How much? And why
Melina's pov:The days passed very quickly and the day of the Annual Ball arrived. I was in my bedroom preparing my clothes for tonight! Although I knew that George maybe wouldn't be able to come I felt excited. I couldn't wait to tell him the good news!! Oh my God! Father finally agreed to marry the love of my life! I couldn't be happier!My bedroom is quite comfortable, located in the south corner of the house on the first floor. It has two large windows that allow the sun to enter almost all hours of the day. It is decorated in the colors of pale yellow and orange. It has a double bed made of walnut, a mahogany desk and two beautiful chairs decorated in upholstery with flowers in the colors of pink and white. It also has a large wooden wardrobe where I keep all my clothes and hide my diary. But no one can ever know about it.I arranged my evening clothes and went downstairs to have breakfast with my father and stepmother. Breakfast with her isn't the easiest or most pleasant thing t
Melina's pov:-"Hello Miss.....?" the handsome man asked me with a wide smile. Apparently my game didn't displease him. On the contrary, it pleased him, very.-"Er.....I....." I managed to say. I couldn't say a word. I looked like a kid caught stealing a jar of candy. Embarrassed was an understatement. My cheeks should probably be tomato red with embarrassment. How could I do this? What was I thinking?-"Cat ate your tongue Miss?" he asked sarcastically. He seemed to enjoy the whole situation, especially my awkwardness.-"I'm ....I'm terribly sorry Sir. I thought you were someone else......" I mumbled.-"I assume the Mayor wasn't the man you expected either... "he said ironically.-"I .....I .....must.... go" I mumbled and headed quickly to the door.-" Wait" the man ordered taking my hand. In a split second, he was out of his chair and right behind me. He turned me around. Our faces were inches apart. I could feel his breath on my face, so could him. But I couldn't look him straight i
Melina's pov:-"Maria, please tell John to prepare my horse. I am going for a ride!"-"Another date with Mr. George Miss?" Maria asked mischievously.-"Hurry Maria I want to return home before the sun goes down" I scolded her. I feel bad talking to her like this but at the moment I am not in position to explain anything to anyone.-"Yes ....yes.....Miss right away" Maria replied timidly.-"Thank you Maria!"A week passed and although I have informed George that my father knows about us, he has not come yet to my house to ask me for marriage. I understand that he has a busy schedule but I cannot understand why he is avoiding me. I've sent him several messages but he replied to none. What happened? Did Venieris tell him what happened that night? Βut how could he? I never told him that George is the man I was expecting that night and there is no way for him to find it out by himself. Nobody knows about our relationship. Only me, George and my father. Then why George vanished into thin air
Melina's pov:After an awful night I woke up late in the morning with one thought in my mind. I had to find George to sort things out! If what my father told Tina yesterday is real my heart won't endure it! How is possible for the love of my life to refuse me because I don't have a dowry? All his love words, the feelings he showed me for so long were all a lie? Furthermore, I have a bigger problem. I have to find a way to avoid marrying that Old Russian Ambassador, because now that George is out of the picture Tina will insist this marriage to be done and my father won't go against her. Especially now, that my father owes so much money. The end of the week is in 3 days. These guys will be back and I'm sure my dad does not have a penny to give them and they won't be so tolerate as the last time. Oh my God what should I do? Especially now, that we owe so much money. The end of the week is in 3 days. These guys will be back and I'm sure my dad does not have a penny to give them. Oh my God
Melina's pov:I was getting ready for Sunday's church service when Maria told me that father wanted to speak with me. I bet he wants to tell me about George's rejection. He doesn't know that I already know about this and their plans as well. Even if we stay on the street, I won't marry whoever man they have chosen no matter how much my father pressures me. I cannot sell myself for money. Ι can't sell my happiness, my dreams, my feelings. I just can't and my father must understand this one way or another. I'd rather live poorly in a small house than live in a golden cage with a man that his presence alone disgusts me.I know that all these years, my father raised me with all the riches and gave me everything, but what he asks of me is too much.I went down the stairs hesitantly. I headed to my father's office psychologically prepared for what he would ask me. I wouldn't back down. I knocked the door and heard my father's voice from inside telling me to come in. I opened the door and got