Chapter 3 - The Ball

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 to do early in the morning, but I have no choice. I have to be kind and respectful to her. I know for sure that our relationship can affect my father's mood a lot. I wouldn't want him to change his mind about my marriage to George. I have learned from the maids that she was trying to persuade him to marry me to an old man who had a lot of money. Oh my God! She is such a meddler!

-"Good morning" I said with a smile.

-"You are late as always" my stepmother told me, looking at me sternly.

-"Sorry, I was arranging my clothes for tonight" I gave an excuse.

-" Better look presentable at the ball and find a good husband. You'll soon be an old maid if you don't find a man this time.''

I tried to hide my annoyance. I knew he was clearly challenging me to reveal some of my secrets. But unfortunately for her, I had no intention of doing her a favor. I looked at my father annoyed. My father remained silent. It was obvious he wanted me to ignore her. So I complied with his wish. My father is not a quarrelsome person. In fact, he has never faced anyone. It's not that he's weak. He just prefers dialogue to fighting. But sometimes you need a fight to be heard, especially when you're dealing with someone like Tina. Although she seems weak, she can be very demanding and domineering. And my father can't resist her. He is so enchanted by her that everything she does or says looks wonderful in his eyes....Even when he knows she is wrong he doesn't want to upset her. He always tries to make her happy by satisfying her every whim.

Once again I felt completely hopeless and alone at home! I sat down and started eating, avoiding eye contact with Tina. I knew all it would take was just one look from me to start over again with her bitter comments. I quickly ate my breakfast and excused myself.

The day went by very quickly with me doing various things. I have been helping my father in his work for a long time. At first, I saw it as a way to get out of the house and avoid Tina, but as the days went by I really liked it. And now I am responsible for many things. When I marry George I will ask him to let me come here and help my father. I believe he will not object.

Time to get ready for the ball has come. Maria, my maid, helped me put on my corset and skirt. Then she helped me put on my dress. My dress was dark green, strapless with short sleeves and flower patterns. I decided to accompany it with a pair of white knitted fingerless gloves. Although my dress was not so fashionable anymore, being Victorian style, on such occasions as tonight, every high society girl should wear something like this.

It was clearly a matter of status, a display of power and wealth by every family in the area. The heavier the dress, the larger each bride-to-be's dowry. These dresses are uncomfortable and I would have preferred to wear a simpler dress, but Tina didn't want arguments about it. Mary also helped me with my hair. An imposing bun was created, decorated with flowers while curls came out to the left and right of my face. I put on my favorite red lip stick and some eyeliner and I was ready for the big night! I only wish George was there!

The annual ball was held in the event hall of the City Hall. All the high society of the area was invited, such as the Mayor with his wife, the Duck and the Duchess of the area, several counts and countesses and many rich people who did not have a title but got an invitation with their money. The room was decorated with beautiful white roses while in the middle of the ceiling two golden ornate chandeliers were hung. Every year there is a live orchestra who plays waltz and other dances and it was an opportunity for young people to dance with each other. I remember my first meeting with George. It was three years ago in the same ball. I was sitting in my chair chatting with my best friend Eugenia when George asked me to dance with him. At first I was very hesitant but at the urging of Eugenia I accepted. Since then we are together and soon we will be a happy married couple.

We entered the hall after being announced by name and title and then a waiter escorted us to our table. The tables were arranged according to the title and status of those seated. Fortunately, again this year I was lucky enough to sit with my best friend Eugenia and her family. Her father is also a Count. When she saw me she waved to me and I hurried to go next to her. I know Tina would be pissed by now, but I really don't care. She always tries to show that she belongs to the upper class, but the truth is that neither she nor her family had a title compared to my mother who was the daughter of a Duke.

-"Wow Melina you look like a princess tonight! Your dress is wonderful!"

-"Thank you Eugenia. You look beautiful too" I returned the compliment.

-"Now you are lying! I hope I had a dress like yours!" Eugenia told me.

-" And I hope I had a simpler one and not this extravagant one!" I countered. We were sitting in our seats and talking about various topics when Eugenia interrupted our conversation and exclaimed in surprise:

-"Melina look! There he is! The man of my dreams! Oh my God he is so handsome!!"

-"Where?"

-"At the door, the one who just entered. How could you not notice him? He is the most handsome here!'

-"The man with the black tuxedo?" I asked and Eugenia nodded affirmatively.

-"He is ok but not like my George!" I contradicted.

-"Yes, yes we know....George is the most handsome man in whole Greece!" Eugenia mocked me.

-"Now you are being jealous....." I told her playfully and then continued. "Who is he?"

-"He is one of the richest men in the area. His name is Stavros. Stavros Venieris, and I am dying to meet him! What do you think of him?"

-"I can't deny that he is good looking ... but what about his character? What do you know about him?"

-"He's not from here. He came to stay here two years ago. Do you know that he managed to become the largest landowner in the area before he turned twenty-five?"

-"Twenty five? That's impressive!"

-"And how old is he now?"

-"He is 32 years old and already a millionaire!" Eugenia said excited.

-"Thirty two years old? Isn't he too old for you? You are only 22!" I reasoned.

-"So what? My father is 15 years older than my mother and they are doing great!" Eugenia responded incredulously.

-"George is only two years older than me and we have an age difference in many matters! I couldn't be with someone who is so much older than me.''

-"I do not mind that. The unpleasant thing is that he does not have a title and my father will not allow a relationship between us."

-"Have you already met him?" I wondered. I thought she wanted to meet him not that she has already spoken to her father about him!

-"No, although I would love to!" she said disappointingly.

-"Then how can are you so sure of your father's opinion about him?"

- I know my father. He will never accept as my husband a man without a title of nobility, even if he has all the money in the world" she said desperately.

-"How sad! Fortunately my father doesn't care about money or titles! He just wants me to be happy" I said proudly.

-"How lucky you are! Have you told him about George yet?"

-"Yes!!! And he is very happy about it!!" I confessed full of joy!

-"Congratulations Melina!! I am so happy for you! We have to hurry up! We have to find the best dressmaker for your bridal dress" she told me excited.

-"Relax Eugenia, we haven't even got engaged yet! We have plenty of time for it! Don't you worry! It's not that I am getting married in a month!"

-"Who knows?" Eugenia said giggling.

-"Good evening my beautiful ladies! May I have this dance my lady?" a male voice was heard. We turned around to see who interrupted our conversation. A man in his mid-thirties was standing behind us. He was tall with blonde hair and wore a blue tuxedo. He smiled at Eugenia, offered his hand and asked her to dance with him. I signaled her that I didn't mind her leaving me alone. Eugenia gave him a timid smile, got up elegantly and gave him her hand while I kept devouring my dessert.

I was enjoying my dessert watching the couples dance beautifully on the dance floor when I thought I saw George motioning me to follow him to the Mayor's Office. I could not describe my joy! He was back! I had to see him, hug him and kiss him again!

Oh my God how much I've missed him! Without wasting any more time I quickly excused myself, got up and headed towards the Mayor's Office. I knew that even though there were many people in the ballroom, there were always prying eyes. I made my way to the office very carefully trying very hard not to be noticed. I didn't want to cause a scandal; our honor as well as our good name was the most important things for our family!

I carefully made my way to the corridor leading to the mayor's office. I quickly crossed the corridor, opened the large wooden door and entered the room. The room was dark. Only the little green lamp on the desk was on. George was sitting in the Mayor's office. His chair was facing the window behind the desk. With great impatience and joy I approached the chair. I put my hands over his eyes and whispered in his ear "Guess who!" and gave him a quick kiss on his right cheek. It was a game we used to play at school when we were little and when we started dating we brought it back.

The chair immediately turned and I realized to my complete surprise that the man sitting in the chair, unfortunately for me, was not George. The man was glaring at me with a wide grin, while I stood completely dumbfounded. Oh my God what have I done?