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
Melina's pov:Two weeks passed with Stavros traveling most of the days and I getting more and more bored every day. The good thing is that I am alone and no one is disturbing my peace. I had already taken breakfast when I decided to go for a ride with Autumn. It is the last days of November and I intend to take advantage of it. Soon the earth will get colder when the first snow will appear on the mountain peaks, and I will have to reduce my walks with Autumn. If I stop riding, I don't know how to cope with being at home all day. I have nothing to do there. I must find something to occupy myself. Thinking all these, I arrived home. I got off my horse and after I arranged it in the stable, I went inside. When I entered, Aggeliki was waiting for me at the door looking completely scared.-"My....my.... lady.......you have to go upstairs quickly."-"What? Why? What's going on Aggeliki?"It was then that I heard loud voices from the direction of Stavros's office. Somebody was arguing. I look
Melina's pov:Last month, I was mainly involved with the work in the company. Stavros has changed a lot of things in terms of management and mode of operation and gave me a hard time to follow the new ways. Father was never so centralized and never audited so thoroughly the accounting books. Thank God, I had Pavlos, the General Manager, to help me.The situation between me and Stavros, for my benefit remained the same. Nothing has changed. He has kept his promise so far and hasn't pushed me for anything. Ηe respected my need for time and space but he is still provocative and snide. He treats me with contempt and that I cannot stand it anymore. I do not know why he must be so jerk. What does he want to prove with this behavior?He tried many times to talk to me the last few days but our hours did not coincide. I wonder what he might want. I hope he won't try to diminish me or provoke me about anything because I had enough of that crap. Husband or not I will confront him.On the other ha
Melina's pov:The days passed quickly and the long awaited Duke ball was just hours away. I chose a long yellow dress that fitted my body with tulle sleeves to wear. I did a light makeup. Cat eyes and red lips. My hair was tied up in a bun.I paired the outfit with a beautiful fox fur coat. After a few hours of getting dressed and doing my makeup and hair, I was finally ready. I took one last satisfied look in the mirror and headed for the door. As I was going down the stairs, I saw the back of Stavros waiting for me at the top of the stairs. He wore a black tuxedo with a black coat over it. He looked very handsome and masculine. When he realized my presence he turned back and looked at me with amazement.-"You look absolutely charming" he said looking me straight in the eyes. Then he took my hand and gave it a small peck. This action gave me the chills. Although this is not the first time a man touches me, never before has a touch had such an effect on me. I just don't understand wh
Several minutes of total numbness passed with me looking at my crying reflexion in the mirror. It was then that I decided to come out of it. I cleared the thoughts from my mind, wiped the tears from my eyes and after I gave a quick look at my reflection in the mirror, took a deep breath and exited the bathroom. Even though my whole life has been turned upside down and everything I thought was standard in my life has come crashing down like paper towers, I refuse to let people know how I feel right now. I won't give them the satisfaction of seeing me broken and devastated. I put on my most seductive smile, looked up and headed for my table.Unfortunately the surprises didn't stop coming that night. When I approached our table, Stavros was nowhere to be found. I desperately scanned the nearby tables to find him there but nothing came up. Out of the corner of my eye I found Stavros dancing with a very seductive and beautiful woman. She was tall, blonde and well built: her beauty unden
Stavros' pov:Several days have passed since Duke's ball and the situation between Melina and I remains the same. Although that day she had almost confided in me that she was jealous, she showed no other emotion after that. I have to admit for a while I felt happy that Melina started to have feelings for me. But they were wishful thinking after all. I don't need to daydream anymore. She will never feel anything for me. This marriage was arranged and this woman is not willing to do anything to change that. I have to get on with my life. Christine is not so bad. She could make a good wife. If things continue like this, I will divorce Melina and marry her.-"Mr. Venieris, sorry to interrupt, but there is someone outside who wants to see you" came Lena's voice. I was so focused that I didn't hear her enter.-"Did you not inform him that I am busy at the moment?" I scolded her.-"I'm sorry sir. I tried to tell him but he wouldn't let me. He wants to talk to you right away”-"Who is he?" I
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
Stavros' pov:I was at the reception desk arranging our check out when Christine came to find me.-"Thank God I found you! I was looking for you everywhere!" Christine said relieved.-"What did you want?" I asked her coldly. After learning about her betrayal, I could no longer bear her presence. How could she do such thing to me? I was always by her side. In every difficult moment she faced all these years, I stood by her. I helped her in every way emotionally, financially, etc.She was taken aback by my behavior. She clearly didn't expect my cold attitude towards her.-"What's wrong my love?" she asked in a seducing way that made me wanna throw up.-"I am not your love. I am a married man don't you forget" I reminded her.-"With a woman that prefers another" she commented venomously.-"Shut it!" I shouted at her.-"Why do you treat me so badly? You've never spoken to me like this before!" she complained. It was then that I realized that Christine was not going to tell me the truth. S
Stavros' pov:I woke up to a knock on the door early in the morning. I glanced at my watch which showed six o'clock! Who the hell is that early in the morning? I thought to myself. Feeling drowsy I got up, put on my robe and headed for the door. When I opened it, I was surprised to see a very dear person to me. Melina! My only love, my beautiful wife! She wore a beautiful crimson dress and her hair was tight in a beautiful ban.- "Stavros" she said and immediately fell into my arms.-"Melina my love! You are here safe and sound! Thank God!"-"I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry I didn't believe you!" she said between sobs.-"My love don't cry! Please don't cry! I was worried sick for you! Where were you?"-"I left Andreadakis house yesterday night!"-"I know I know. Where were you all these hours? I looked everywhere for you!"-"I found refuge in the cathedral!-"But but how?"-"I knocked on the door of the temple and the priest politely offered me a place to spend the night!"-"Thank God!" I t
Stavros' pov:I was arranging some things at the reception when I saw Andreadakis enter the hotel furiously! He immediately approached me and asked to speak to me privately. We took a few steps away from the reception and stood in a corner where we could have some privacy.-"Where is she?" George asked angrily. His face was rigid, his eyes filled with fire.-"Who?" I asked completely ignorant.-"Don't play dumb with me. Melina. Where did you take her?" he asked frustrated.-"Are you kidding me Andreadakis? Melina is at your house! What game are you playing again?" I contradicted.-"I'm not kidding. Melina is not at my home. She is gone. You took her!" George accused me.-"Wait...What? What are you talking about? How did she leave? Why did you let her go? Where did she go?" I shouted at him as I snatched him from his suit. I had enough of his stupidity. Our faces were inches apart. Our breaths were heavy. We were both angry and acted like two menacing bulls.-"You...... you...are telli
Stavros' pov:I skillfully avoided Christine by telling her that I had a very important business meeting and headed to the bar "Casablanca" where Alexandros was waiting for me. We arranged to meet there as we both wanted to prevent Christine from finding out about Alexandros' arrival. She never liked him and considered him cruel and savage while he thought that she was opportunist and fake. Τhe good thing was that emotions were two-way for both of them.I got in the bar and scanned the area searching for Alexandros. After some minutes I found him sitting on a table drinking his whisky. I quickly approached him anxious to tell him everything that happened today at the park. I was dying to hear his point of view! His perspective is always so enlightening! No matter how many years pass, I will not stop learning from this man.Ι sat on the table and ordered a whisky on the rocks when Alexandros spoke first.-"What is sο important Stavros?" he wondered.-"Alexandros I saw Melina and spoke
Melina's pov:I returned home with half a heart. Everything that Stavros told me in the park was disastrous for me. Why so many lies? No one is who he says to be ... My family, my friends everyone lied and betrayed me. Even my husband lied to me. The man I am carrying his baby, the man I share my life with....I went upstairs and locked myself in my room. I had to sort things out for my mental and for my baby's health sake. I had to take a decision about my life, a decision that would affect not only me but many people. The responsibility was great and there was no room for errors or doubts.I was sitting in my chair processing all the information I received today trying to make a decision when a knock on the door interrupted my thoughts.-"I am sorry to bother you my lady but I came to ask you if you'll have lunch here or downstairs?" Lina the maid asked me.-"I prefer here if you don't mind" I replied.-"Should I bring you your lunch then?" she asked again.-"No, not yet. I have no
Stavros' pov:Full of confidence and hope, I headed early in the morning to Andreadakis' house. I decided to watch the place and find the perfect opportunity to meet Melina. It was nine in the morning when George left. I was sure that Tina would probably be inside as Andreadakis would not leave Melina alone, especially now that he knows that I am also in the city.The hours passed quickly without any movement from the people of the house. That made me decide to go in and see Melina no matter what! I was on my way to the mansion when the door suddenly opened and Melina came out dressed in a light pink dress. The view left me speechless. She was stunning! The morning light made her shine. I stood still and watched her as she walked down the street grateful for my incredible luck. I was about to shout at her from a distance when I thought about it again and decided to follow her. I wanted to see where she was heading.She was walking down the street for several minutes window shopping wh
Stavros' pov:I was on pins and needles during dinner with Christine. The news she brought me, broke my heart into several pieces. I just wanted to go. After my constant pressure, Christine finally agreed to leave the restaurant. We went back to our hotel and I was about to go to my room when Christine asked me to accompany her to hers which I did though I did not feel like it. When we got to the door, she very temptingly suggested that we share a drink together, which I politely declined. I returned to my room and locked myself up. I didn't want to make things worse. I felt so helpless and desperate since I heard that Melina refused to give me a chance. I was devastated. I never expected it from Melina to be so absolute and cold. She did not give me any opportunity to explain to her what really happened. She is not interested in my opinion. After everything we went through, she still does not trust me. How could she erase everything we lived together so easily? Our memories, our fe
Melina's pov:I woke up in the middle of the night feeling sweaty and upset because of a nightmare I had. In my dream I saw George dressed as a groom waiting for me in the sanctuary of a church while I was walking slowly down the aisle dressed in a wedding dress. When I approached him I realized that instead of George it was another man who was waiting for me. The same man from my memories, the same man that probably made a scene yesterday night. He was looking at me with a wide smile when he gave me his hand. I reciprocated his smile, took his hand and together we headed to the priest who stood in front of the sanctuary waiting for us.We were saying our vows when George burst into the church holding a knife. He threatened to kill the man beside me. He came closer and attacked him. He was about to kill him when I stepped forward and instead of stabbing him, George stabbed me in the abdomen. I fell down surrounded by a pool of blood. And then something wonderful happened. A beautiful