Sabina x Lucilius

4

The next morning, I awoke with a faint blush on my cheeks. I pictured Lucilius's piercing eyes gazing into my own. I sighed with delight and rolled out of bed.

In the culina, my dad eyed me curiously. "Have fun last night?" he asked with his eyebrows wiggling.

I tried to fight the smile creeping onto my lips but I let it take over. I beamed back at my father and hummed "mhmm."

His face quickly grew serious and he said, "Listen, Sabina." He narrowed his eyebrows and took a step back. "That boy... I don't want you to see him again. His family is powerful and I don't want you to get swept up in scandal and power struggles."

I felt hot tears sting my cheeks. "You- you can't do this to me. Please-" I begged. "Just let me be happy," I wailed as I stormed out of the room.

Without turning to see my dad's reaction, I left the insula and started walking to the popina to see my Aunt Rufina. I walked across the street and was intercepted by Alexander. Ugh.

"vale, Sabina!" he shouted at me.

"vale," I mumbled, trying to dodge him. We used to be together but I broke it off a few month prior.

"Wait, Sabina," he begged. "Can we talk?"

I stopped walking and finally met his eyes. I glowered and said, "What do you want, Alexander?"

"Erm- I just wanted to see how you're doing," he said sheepishly, scratching the back of his neck. "We haven't spoken since you..." he trailed off.

"Maybe that's for a reason," I retorted. "Sorry but I really don't have time for this right now."

I stepped around him and through the door of the bustling popina.

"Hi Amita Rufina!" I said cheerily, trying to forget my encounter with Alexander. I plopped down on a bar stool and felt tears well up in my eyes when she asked how my day was going. I told her what my dad said as I tried to resist sobs.

"I understand, Sabina." She finally said to me once I was done talking. "He might have a point, but sometimes the forbidden romances are the most exciting. Faustus just wants to keep you safe, but you should prioritize your own life."

I leaned over the bar and gave Rufina a hug, amazed at how she always makes me feel better. "Thank you, amita mea," I said sincerely and I got up to leave.

As I stepped out into the Subura sun, I was hit with a wave of heat that immediately made me sweat. Gods, this heat wave was going to be unbearable. I began making my way to the forum to browse since I didn't want to face my dad at home. As I entered the forum, I saw a familiar face and heard him shout "Sabina!" while waving me over.