Prisoner In The Mafia's Arms

ion. Its large windows were illuminated, casting a

lights. The occasion was the engagement of Ariadna Kallistos and Leonidas Petr

rystal chandeliers hung from the vaulted ceiling, th

fering champagne flutes on silver trays. The mur

the party, Ariadna Kallistos was

xclusive creation that clung to her slender figure like a second skin. Her brown ha

sharp voice. "Where are my eme

ried in, her fac

'm looking for t

with an icy glare. "I don't pay you to think, I pay you to

rvously and ran

intained an elegant, classic beauty, her blonde hair pulled back in a

but firm. "Was it necessary to speak to Mar

yes, not bothering t

rom them, they become lazy. Beside

r. She placed a hand on Ariadna's shoulder, t

e. Please, try..." She paused, searching for the right word

er mother's hand, her

act this way. We are better than them

pond, Maria reentered,

she said, breathless. "They we

ia's hands, opening it to reveal a

" she murmured, putting on the ea

aughter alone again. Athena watched her

you to be happy. True

s about me and Leonidas. About our future, about the em

with a final sigh, she

l be waiting downstair

mirror again. Her reflection showed a bea

om-made suit, moved among the guests like a king among his subjects. His laughter rose ab

a stern-looking man. "Where is that son of

ght smile. Unlike Nikolaos, Theodoros was a man

Nikolaos. You know how young people

ughter, patting Theodo

ss that merger? With our children united, our compa

terest, and both men moved to a

ll eyes turned toward the grand marble staircase. There, at

succeeded. The camera flashes began to sparkle as she

Theodoros, hurried to the base of the stair

th evident pride in his v

o guide her to the center of the hall. The gue

ce soft but loud enough for everyone to hear

s forehead and then turned to

e love between two exceptional young people but also th

ut a murmur of confusion began

, Leonidas was the image of a successful young businessman. His impeccably tailored black

, approaching Ariadna and taking he

ed at him wi

you're here," she said, squ

m his pocket and, under the expectant

ilence of the hall, "you are the most beautiful and brilliant woma

uld have outshone most crown jewels. Ariadna's eyes

as. A thousa

inger. They stood and kissed, a perfect picture of love and wealth. The cam

h a mix of conflicting emotions. Melina Kallist

slim and glamorous; Melina struggled with her weight and preferred comfort ov

r conversations, Melina approached the happy couple. Her black

said, her voice slightly trembling. "Le

attention divided between her new ring a

e responded distractedl

. Their eyes met for a moment, and a c

peak with you for a

ightly, but his cha

law. Ariadna, dear, I'

mersed in a conversation with a g

, near a window overlooking the moonlit garden. O

bout what you're doing. Ariadna is