The moist summer heat in Athens beckoned its residents to seek more comfortable shelter. Dimitri was among the sun kissed men that afternoon. His curly dark hair glistened with perspiration. He wiped his brow and headed toward his father's grand estate for wine and cheese. Dimitri was a man of passion, intrigue, and prestige. He pressed his full sensuous lips together when he thought about what his father might have in mind today. The old man always had plans up his flowing toga. What Dimitri really needed was time off from his arduous tasks his father set about him. He was well skilled in physical labor and quite talented in architecture. No doubt his father will have another task for his son to master.
Dimitri strolled by over-ripe mangos, sweet jasmine, and honey suckle vines. The scent was intoxicating. He used to eat those mangos as young boy and just lay under trees dreaming, wondering what life could really hold. At night, the jasmine groves would seduce the air compelling lovers to enjoy a tryst or two. Many moons ago, Dimitri enjoyed several nights with one of the servant girls. Nowadays, he was all about proving himself and gaining his father's approval.
The moment Dimitri stepped inside the spacious white estate, servants rushed to his side urging him to speak to his father. He held up his hand to silence them.
"I am here," Dimitri cast a dismissive gaze among his servants.
They all went about their business and lowered their heads in submission.
Dimitri reached his father's imperial business quarters where only men were allowed. Scrolls, ink, and fresh parchment was found among his father's advisors.
His father was reciting orders to them about day to day business, improving the education system, and the celebration for the upcoming festival to honor the fertility goddess.
The busy room boomed with excitement for the emperor's son himself has graced them with his presence. And what a presence Dimitri had!
The months he spent toiling at his father's new architectural design gave him a appreciative build that the warrior god would have smiled upon. Dimitri had his father's masculine strong angular features. There was nothing soft about him. His mother granted him with dark gray smoldering eyes that can burn Greece and anyone that stepped in his path. The women threw themselves at him wherever he went but no woman could match his lust or stamina. He has yet to meet someone of adequate appetite when it came to that.
"You came. Finally! There is something we need to discuss!," his father gave a dismissive wave to his branch of executive staff. They all gathered their parchment and ink alike and trailed out of the room in a hurry.
Dimitri's father eyed him while he ate from a plate of luxurious cream, cheese, fresh fruit, and drank sweet heavy wine. His old eyes saddened when he saw how his son had changed over the last few years. The laughter had died in his large house. Happiness used to reign once but now it has become something elusive. He tried to coax his son to talk but to no avail.
Dimitri was determined to build walls and enclose himself in it. His eyes that once sparkled with mischief now lacked that luster. He worried not just for his son but for himself. His health was slowly failing, his wife refused to talk to him, and just too many responsibilities. He felt a desperate need to hold on to life but when he looked at the one person that he loved more than anyone else, anguish lodged deep in his heart.
He offered Dimitri to savor a bite from the plate.
"Father. What are you about?"
Dimitri's father smiled. "You've grown too observant," he remarked.
Dimitri arched an eyebrow in question. "Have you asked me to tarry a while to eat cheese or is there another matter at hand?" He pillaged the fruit and cheese plate anyway.
"We invaded the neighboring country and gained much profit,"
"Yes. It's true," Dimitri and his father discussed how the past few months landed Athens with much success.
Suddenly the royal palace doors sprang open. Two worried overweight guards came out with a young woman.
"Your majesty-! We are so sorry to disrupt you but this girl is nothing short of trouble!
"She tried escaping for the third time this week!"