When In Rome #ONC 2020 [COMPLETED]

2. Magna Servitus Est Magna Fortuna - A great fortune is a great slavery.

No city in the world equals the history of the Eternal City. The Caput Mundi.

An awe-inspiring mix of houses, where history crawled from every crevice and crack. The buildings with their warm hues of sandstone lined the narrow streets like soldiers of the past. No, not soldiers. Perhaps more like grandfathers of the land on which they stand, watching the city life buzzing beneath them as they have done for thousands of years.

Liv could feel her heartbeat in contentment as she took in the ambiance of the city outside their taxi. Neither she nor Zach or Rachel had said a word since they stepped in, all being too busy taking in the wonders this city had to offer.

Liv felt a tap on her shoulder, and Zach drew her attention to the colosseum as the car swirled around it. The bridges of countless stone arches, each of them perfectly formed, seemed to glow in the afternoon sun.

"I wish I was lucky enough to call this paradise of sandy hued ruins and marble temples, my home." Liv sighed in awe.

"Be careful what you wish for," Rachel mumbled from the passenger seat.

Liv waved the comment away as the next marvel caught her eye, a giant mansion, built with the front of a Roman temple. Ivy and ferns curled around the marble columns, behind which stood twelve marble fountains. Each with a magnificent statue of one of the twelve principal deities in the middle.

As the car door opened, Liv stepped out with her mouth agape. She had never seen such splendor. It looked like they have stepped into heaven.

"Greetings, Ms. Wilson, Ms. Davis, and Mr. Perez. Welcome to Rome." A tall man with golden skin and chocolate curly locks bowed stiffly. His striking good looks complemented by his dark navy suit completed the image of an Arabian prince. He smiled with ease and made gentle arms movements as he spoke. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Amar Murry, Mr. Moretti's personal assistant."

"Well, buongiorno, Mr. Murry. It will be a pleasure working with you." Rachel chimed, fluttering her eyelashes and reaching out her hand for him to kiss.

Mr. Murry didn't miss a beat as he reached for her hand and gently shook it. "The pleasure is all mine, Ms. Wilson."

Liv can barely stifle a laugh as she noticed Rachel's startled gaze, her mouth dropping into a disappointed pout.

"If you would all, please follow me. Mr. Moretti is awaiting your arrival in the atrium."

Zach's eyes light up, "you have an atrium?"

"Yes, Mr. Moretti has personally designed this mansion to invoke the feeling of the golden palace of Nero."

"Well, he most certainly succeeded," Liv said as she motioned to the mosaics floor. "This place is marvelous."

Stepping into the open central court that is the atrium, Liv was at a loss for words. The enclosed doors on all sides were richly decorated with mythical wood carvings. The sunlight made the water in the shallow pool sparkle, drawing the eye towards the recliners standing at the edge of the pool.

On the most extravagant recliner sat a man who held their gaze more fearsome than a tiger. His eyebrows rose in amusement as they approached him.

"Avvicinati," he ushered, letting his guests take a seat.

"Welcome, to my humble abode. I am so pleased to see you all here in Rome, bambini americani."

"We are honored to be here, Mr. Moretti," Rachel said before Liv and Zach chimed in with their words of gratitude towards the old man.

Mr. Moretti let out a raspy laugh, while his leathery hands pluck a grape from its vine. "The bella Ms. Wilson has brought it to my attention that you two are, archeologhe."

"Yes," Liv shouted enthusiastically before Zach added, "well, we have only recently graduated."

Another laugh bouldered from the old man as he turned to his assistance. His hands were moving excessively, exaggerating his theatrical voice. "Mi piacciono, sono ingenui. Ottieni il contratto, ora!"

"What is he saying?" Liv whispered to Rachel, who looked just as lost, only shrugging her shoulders.

"I am so glad you have come here," Mr. Moretti said sweetly, turning his attention back to Liv and Zach. "You see, I am an old man. I might not live much longer, and that makes me very sad. Children these days do not care for our ancestors like we used to. Will you two help me change that? Will you grant a dying man's last wish?"

"Yes, of course," Liv said without a second thought. Zach pulled her back for a moment to inquire. "What is it that we must help you with, Mr. Moretti?"

"I'm glad you asked, bambino. You see, I'm sure you two know how influential ancient Rome has been for the entire world."

"We do," the two archaeologists agreed.

"Then help me prove it to the world by living for one year as they did in ancient Rome. I'll pay you handsomely, of course. One million dollars each."

"Yes," Liv shouted. Her words muddled by Zach loud 'what?' Surprised, she turned towards her boyfriend, "Are you kidding me? We get to live like Romans for a year and get paid two million dollars. We can pay all our debts with that amount of money, and still live comfortably. You say no to that?"

"I didn't say no," Zach sputtered, "I just would like to know more about the details. In what year exactly do we have to live?"

"The house I prepared is dated to AD 73," Mr. Moretti answers.

"The year of the Consulship of emperor Domitian and senator Messalinus. That's not a bad period to be alive." Zach agreed, "And where will we live?"

"I have built a house in the Subura."

"The Subura," Liv and Zach shout out in unison before Liv took the upper hand. "Why would you put us in a neighborhood that's for prostitutes and thieves?"

Mr. Moretti's smile never wavered as he countered her argument. "Well, let's be real, Ms. Davis. The two of you aren't exactly part of the upper class. Or do you think you belong on Palatine hill, among the imperial palaces?"

"No," Liv grunted in defeat.

"Which is why I have rebuilt a Roman Domus for you two. You'll get to live there, and have all the necessities of a wealthy merchant. And you know what, if you two are still a couple after this, I'll add another million to your paycheck. How does that sound?"

Liv and Zach exchange a glance as Amar laid the contracts out in front of them. After scanning through the first page, Liv signed, but Zach took his time reading thoroughly through the document. "It says here that we are only allowed to eat Roman food. What does that mean?"

"Ragazzo sveglio. It means that you two can only eat the type of food that the people in AD 73 could eat. We, of course, want to make it as historically correct as possible, do we not?"

"I guess that's fair," Zach agreed as he as well signed the document and handed it over to Amar.

"Perfetto!" Mr. Moretti clapped amicably. "I knew you two would understand. Come, let me show you you're new home."

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Total word count: 2644