A fairytale without name (Rose and Marco)

Instead of a prologue

Rose

Today is going to be a good day. I keep saying that to myself for the past two years, every morning when I wake up.
At first it was just a sentence, but as the days, the months and the years went by, I smiled and I meant it.
I've been living in New York for the past two years. I left my hometown, in search for something different, something better. Chasing the American dream. Kidding.
I left my loving family and my hometown, because I couldn't stand being a burden to my parents anymore. I couldn't bare people's pitiful eyes, sad looks and whispers. One night I decided that I've had enough. I packed my bags, left a letter and headed for the airport.
The next direct flight was to Newark airport. I hadn't thought about anything else, just that I needed to go away. To a place where no one knew me, a stranger among strangers.

The first few weeks were difficult and on the seventhieth day I broke and I called my mom. That went better than I thought and I was glad I did it.

I had never been to New York before. A beautiful, multicultural city, where no one gives a damn about the other. That's what I thought. I was fortunate enough to find an apartment in a nice building. Friendly neighbors, peaceful families who always smile and say hello when they see you.

I was eager to find a job, but reluctant to be around many people. So my degree in business administration was useless at the time.
I took an online course in translation and subtitling and I'm currently working as a freelance translator from home.
Having been raised as a bilingual helped a lot. I speak Greek fluently. The Greek Community in New York was more than helpful and I can say that I successfully earn my living for the past one and a half years.

I grew up in an affluent environment. My mother is a cardiologist and my father is a lawyer. He owns his own law firm with his childhood friend and partner John Mathews. We'll get to him later on.
So, even though we were always well off, I was raised learning the importance of gaining what you want through work. I worked as a teenager; I worked while studying in college. Not because I needed to, but because it gave me a sense of accomplishment.

Being an only child has its perks. I grew up having the undivided attention of six loving people. My grandparents from my mother's side migrated from Greece when my mother found out she was pregnant with me. She was their only daughter and they wanted to be there for her. I've always admired them for that. They sacrificed their life in Greece, to move to a foreign country, without speaking the language, to be able to support their daughter and help with my upbringing. I will forever be grateful to them.

My father's parents were also very close to me while growing up, but I can't say my grandfather was always fond of me. Being the chief of police and your granddaughter getting arrested a few times, is not a means to bond further, right? Well let's say that most of the times we agreed that we disagreed and the honesty and the passionate conversations between us, helped me grew an immense respect for him.

Now that you know a little bit of where I come from, I think you will be more prepared to understand me and the reasons behind my decisions. I'm kidding again. Not even I can understand or justify the things I do half of the times. Let's just say that I am in a process of healing, trying to find myself and becoming a better version or at least to regain some of the assets I used to have before......... well you'll see what I mean.

Taking a deep breath and checking if everything is in my bag, I lock the door behind me and head for the stairs.
Although I live in the sixth floor, I never use the elevator. I can benefit from some exercise and test my lungs daily.
Some six months ago, I started hanging out in a small, cozy but very elegant café, within a walking distance from my apartment. Beautifully decorated, reasonably priced and friendly staff. What else is there to ask for a morning coffee? I always opted for a table outside, at the far corner. It's as if there is an unspoken rule, but every day when I reach the café, my table is always there, waiting for me.