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 did he borrow money? " I wondered.-"I do not have it! How many times do I have to tell you?' replied my father, disappointed.-"Then give us something valuable" the other man suggested.-"I gave you everything I had last time" my father countered.-"Then we'll take what we can find. Search the whole house!" ordered the other.-"No! No you can't do this! What a scandal! Please! Do not search the house!" my father pleaded.-"We can not return empty-handed to our master" the other man explained.-"Here! Take my pendant watch. It's an heirloom. It costs a fortune" my father said taking the watch out of his inside vest pocket and offering it to them. The taller one grabbed it greedily and after examining it for a few seconds said:-"This watch isn't enough to pay off your debt, you know that my Count."-"I know it, but it is the only available at the moment" my father said bowing his head in shame.-"We can't give him only the watch! He will be furious" the shorter man said.-"Tell your master not to worry! I am a Count I have many rich and powerful friends. He'll get his money. Just give me more time!" my father reassured them.-"We'll be back in a week. You better have all the money you owe us or you'll lose your house," the man said as he prepared to leave. I quickly hid behind the velvet curtain that covered the hall window and was only a few inches away from the living room door.-"Don't worry I will have it. I give you my word" said my father defeated.-"Your word isn't worth much, my count" one of the men said sarcastically. When they all got out I quickly ran upstairs to my bedroom crying.-"Have I seen correctly? Did my father give my grandfather's watch to these men? Has he completely lost his mind? This watch costs a fortune! How much money does he owe them after all?"Later, in the Earl's bedroom.
Count Aggelos' pov:
-"We have to do something! They'll be back in a week! I have nothing to give them" I said in frustration.
-"Αsk your friends to lend you" Tina proposed.-"I have already borrowed large sums of money from almost all my friends. They won't lend me more you know that" I said frustrated.-"Τhen give your daughter to that Russian Ambassador, what was his name again.........Alexandrovich? He has asked for her several times. He wants her as his bride."-"How can I give my only daughter to that wreck?"-"We all come to the point of making sacrifices. You must tell your daughter the truth. All these years she lives like a princess without lacking anything. It's time for her to repay you for what you offered her for so long."-"How can you ask me such a thing? She's my only daughter for Christ's sake!" I scolded her.-"Why not? He has status, power and a lot of money! And if your daughter soon bears him a child, she will inherit all his fortunes!" she suggested shamelessly.-"No! Don't you dare tell me that again! I will not sell my daughter! Let alone to a man decades older than her! Just the thought of him disgusts me!" I scolded her.-"Then what other choice do you have"' she said giving me a questioning look.-"I'll find something" I said and walked out of the bedroom. I couldn't stand her anymore. Her proposals were crazy. I still can't believe how she wants to marry Melina to that old bag of bones. I don't want to and I won't allow it! Even if this decision costs me my life. I'd rather be dead than marry her to that despicable man. But Tina was right about one thing. I can't leave Melina in the dark anymore. She must know the truth about everything!After a short walk in the garden I finally found the courage to tell Melina the whole truth. It was now or never. I knew I would never find the courage to be honest with her again. I hurried up the stairs and headed to her room, knocked on the door and waited. My heart was beating like crazy. My beautiful daughter opened the door with a smile on her face. She really looked like an angel. "How did I do this to her? How did I manage to ruin her future? Within a few years I had consumed all my property as well as all her dowry. How is she gonna marry without a dowry? What man of noble birth would want to marry her? Oh God what did I do?" Regrets and resentment began to haunt me.
-"Father!" she exclaimed happily. "I didn't expect you so late. How can I help you?"
-"My beautiful daughter I want to talk to you about something very important"-"Come in father. Would you like anything to drink?" she asked.-"No, thank you. Please Melina sit with me" I said pointing to the spot next to me on the couch . She sat near me smiling the whole time looking calm and happy. How can I spoil her happiness? I pushed all the bad thoughts out of my mind, took a deep breath and continued.-"Melina there is something very important I need to tell you"
-"Tell me father. What is it?"-"You know my daughter, some of my investments that I made recently did not go well at all...."-"Please father don't worry. I am sure we will recover soon"-"Unfortunately my dover we won't! We are in a very bad financial situation"-"Oh....." she exclaimed.-"And what's worse is that your dowry is gone too. You have nothing. I ......I....... ...I'm really really sorry honey" I said lowering my head in shame. Tears started to fall. I couldn't help myself.-"I.....I..... don't know what...to say....please father don't cry...I cannot see you like this"-"We....we lost them all........"I said amid tears.-"Father I really don't care as long as we love each other. I have you and you have me. Right?"-"But honey.... how are you supposed to get married without dowry?"-"You know father I have something to tell you too....I am in love with a man. A noble man. And he loves me too. I am sure that the lack of dowry won't be a problem to him"-"Who is this man?"-"It's George, George Andreadakis"-"Of the Andreadakis family? The...the aristocrats? Are you telling me the truth daughter?" I asked completely surprised. I didn't expect this turn of things!-"Yes father we have been in love for two years. I know him. He doesn't care about money and properties. He has so much. I don't think he needs my dowry."-"Are you sure about it my daughter?"-"I am sure father." she said giving me a wide smile. I smiled her back. Her certainty removed any doubt from me and gave me courage and hope.-"Then send him a message to come as soon as possible so we can talk"-"You...do you really mean this father?' she asked excitedly.-"Yes my beautiful. The sooner the better."-"He is in a business trip to Athens. He will return on Saturday or Sunday"-"Ok then I'll wait for his return"-"Oh my beloved father! How much I love you!!!" she gave me a wide smile and fell into my arms completely happy.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
Melina's pov:Days have passed very quickly with me mostly staying at my bedroom avoiding everyone. I never gave an answer to my father. He realized that my silence was my way to show my acceptance to my fate. My future husband visited our house many times as I was informed by Maria but I didn't want to see him. I couldn't bear the idea of marrying a complete stranger. A man I knew nothing about. Even if I asked for his name, nothing would change my opinion of him. What man agrees to marry a woman only out of interest? It's so humiliating! Today is my wedding day and it is clearly not what I have dreamed of! Since when I was little I imagined a man who will love me and cares for me like my father did for my mother! The day of my marriage would be full of smiles and happiness, not sadness and pessimism. Maria interrupted my thoughts by entering my bedroom to bring me breakfast.-"Good morning, Miss!"-"Good morning Maria" I said and wiped my tears away.-"Today is a beautiful sunny day!
Melina's pov:The reception was held in my house. The trip to my new house was silent with Stavros looking at me inquisitively. I avoided crossing eyes with him and kept looking outside all the time. I don't know why but his gaze made me feel awkward and uncomfortable. When we arrived all our guests were waiting for us in the garden. We entered the garden and everyone cheered and clapped. All of them wished us to have a happy and long-lasting marriage. It would be the best wish I heard under other circumstances.Although, it was mid- October the weather was sweet and warm, completely different with my inside feelings where there was a tremendous storm. The night was magnificent. The stars illuminated the sky while little candles were placed on the perimeter of the garden and on every table. The tables were beautiful decorated with flowers and there was a big variety of food and sweets on them. I can say that although poor we did a luxurious reception. Ι guess the money came from my new
Melina's pov:I woke up from the sunlight that entered the room. I looked around anxiously as I did not recognize where I was. Then I realized I was in my new bedroom, in my new home. I made a big sigh. It wasn't a dream. I was really married with a completely stranger. I looked frightened to the left of the bed to realize that the spot was empty. Stavros did not sleep with me yesterday night thank God! Although he reassured me yesterday that he won't do anything I do not want, I wonder how long he'll leave me free from my marital duties. Before self-pity and depression overwhelm me from my thoughts, a knock on the door was heard. A woman in her mid-fifties entered the room with a girl around 18 years old following behind. She held a small tray with a glass of orange juice.The older woman greeted me cordially while the younger put the tray on the table, made a bow and left. I stood up, wore my robe and headed towards the table where the tray was. I took the juice and gently took two s