Lovers Long Ago

A New Beginning

Saturday, August 1st, 1739

Athena set down her quill next to her roll of parchment. "Ready Miss?" The housemaid asked. "Yes, of course. I will be there in just a minute Temperance." Athena sighed and placed the parchment in a cabinet. She stood up and made her way over to the maid and let her lead the way. Temperance lead Athena to a dressing room, and sitting in that room was a box with a silky ribbon wrapped around it. Athena couldn't wait to open the dazzling box. Excited, Athena placed the silver box on her lap, and untied the ribbon. She put put the lid of the box next to her, and Temperance would gently pull out a dress. "Your mother picked this wonderful dress for you, Athena. I do hope you will like it." Athena was presented with a beautiful green dress with white ruffles around the neck and sleeves. "My! it is a darling dress!" Athena exclaimed. "I do wonder though, Temperance, what is it for?" Athena questioned the housemaid, her face filled with confusion. "A meeting with the Marino's, ma'am." Temperance replied to Athena, while she tried to form a smile at her, Athena felt her heart drop to her stomach. Furious, of what she had just heard. She tried to question her but she found herself speechless. She quietly put the dress on. While Temperance was tying the corset, Temperance's words repeated in Athena's mind. "The Marino's." Athena's thoughts went away when Temperance spoke once again."Well Miss, you are all ready." Athena took a look in a mirror, and soon all memories about the Marino's were gone as Athena was admiring the beautiful dark, emerald green dress on her. But, before she could admire herself anymore, Temperance rushed her out of the room, to the grand staircase. "Come, Athena, they will arrive soon." As Athena heard those words she forgot all about the gown and dreaded on what would come next. As Athena was walking down the stairs, there the Marino's stood. Athena knew she would have to speak to the selfish, cocky, man who was deemed to be her husband. She felt the steps get closer down the stairs, as each step filled with dread, she finally reached the ending of the stairs where her mother came, walking to Athena. "Darling, you look wonderful. Come now as we will discuss the uh... meeting." She exclaimed, grabbing her hand and rushing Athena to the dining room. "Mother, I do have to ask, why are we having a "meeting" with the Marino's?" Athena questioned her mother, in which she replied "To discuss your arranged marriage, of course." In disgust with what her mother said, she tried to speak again but before she could, she was interrupted by a somewhat cocky gentleman. "Athena, my future wife!"Antonio presented himself, by doing a sarcastic bow. "Oh what a gentleman!" Her mother said, thinking nothing about how sarcastic it was. Athena would roll her eyes at the sarcasm, and soon said "Greetings. Antonio." She said, trying to be as kind as she could to him. Antonio soon loudly spoke,"How does it feel Athena, knowing you're going to marry a handsome man like myself?" Antonio said to Athena. "You know all the ladies swoon over me, Athena. All of them." "I wouldn't say all, Antonio," Athena replied to the over-confident man. Antonio stood there in disbelief of what she had said to him. His eyes wandering while trying to change the subject, he soon came up with an idea, and bragged "I am an expert at handling money if I do say so myself." "Of course Antonio, you grew up working for your father. Who is a businessman." That's when she felt someone's gaze on her. She looked to her side and saw her Mother giving her a death stare, and realized she would have to be kinder. "I apologize-" Before Athena could finish, he spoke again, "Well, I guess I will just HAVE to forgive you." Once again, Athena rolled her eyes at Antonio. It seemed like forever before it was eventually time for the Marino's to say goodbye. Athena's parents did not seem to be aware of his rude behavior. Athena definitely was after what happened. After the Marino's left, she went to a wise man she knew as Robert. Athena has grown up with him, and she could tell Robert anything. Athena spoke to him about the time with Antonio, knowing he wasn't going to speak to anyone else about it. "Hello Athena, I am your Royal rude wealthy man!" Athena mimicked Antonio. They both laughed. "You are a funny one, Athena!" He said, smiling at her. Together they talked for quite a bit, but it was soon time for Athena to rest.

Sunday, August 2nd, 1739

After Athena had awakened, she went to greet her parents good morning but instead was greeted with a scolding mother. "Athena Salvatore! You were incredibly rude to Antonio last night." Athena tried to speak, "Mother I can explain-" but was cut off by Temperance giving out plates of food for breakfast. Temperance had saved her, once again. When Athena's parents weren't looking, she gave Temperance a smile of gratitude. When breakfast was over, Athena went to speak to Robert again. "Athena, Athena!" Robert said, happy to see her once again. "What would you like to talk about?" He said happily. "Temperance saved my life today." "Is that so?" Robert replied. "Yeah, my parents were shouting at me, and Temperance saved me by giving them breakfast." Robert replied, "She is a lifesaver, that Temperance. "Indeed!" Athena laughed. "Well I should get back to work, I do not want to get in trouble, we will talk later Athena," Robert said quickly. "Farewell, Robert!" Robert replied, "Farewell Athena!" Athena quickly got up from the bench and walked back into her house. "Mother, I am going for a stroll, I will be back shortly" Athena said loudly enough for her mother to hear. She'd walk out the front door and went for a walk. She went to retrieve the daily newspaper when she noticed a sentence in bold. "France declared war on Italy. She kept rereading the sentence, until an idea shot across her head like wildfire. She didn't feel worried, panicked, or angry. She finally found an escape.