Chapter 7 Exams and an Awkward Dinner

Scipio and Abby walked out of the Stella. They looked around, the alleyway was deserted. They walked toward Casa Massimo. It was a trek back to their house. When they arrived the sky started to get dark.

"Where were you both. Your father has been waiting for you. " the maid said as they walked up the steps from the front entrance.

"Sorry we lost track of time" Abby said as she followed Scipio up the grand staircase to their bed rooms. She took off her Thief Lord outfit and put on a white blouse and her green plaid skirt. She put on a brand new pair of skin color tights. Abby went to her walk-in closet and fished out some black ballerina flats. As she exited her room she looked across the hall at Scipio, who was dressed in the same black trousers, loafers, and sweater shirt combo his father always made him wear around the house.

They walked together to the lesson room, which was set up with two tables and chairs. Signor Williams was waiting for them.

"You two are late" He said acknowledging their presence in the room, "Sit. Your exams start now."

Scipio and Abby sat down at the desks. Exam sheets were waiting for them. Abby looked at Scipio with a look of annoyance. Scipio smiled.

Abby was done but Scipio still needed some time to finish, so she stared at the clock ticking by.

Exams were the worst, they took forever. Finally, Scipio was done and they turned in their sheets to Signor Williams, who put them in his briefcase and walked out of the room, down the stairs and out the front door.

Scipio and Abby walked down the stairs and entered the enormous dining room. Dottor was sitting at the head of the table waiting for them. Dinner consisting of the finest seafood, steak, and vegetables was already laid out on the table.

"Sit you two" Dottor pointed to the two chairs on one side of the table.

Scipio and Abby exchanged glances as they sat down next to each other.

"I wanted to talk to you both about your futures. As you know I am training you, Scipio, to become an officer with the military and Abigail I am training you to become a proper officer's wife. I was hoping that you would be Scipio's future wife" Dottor started

Scipio and Abby looked at each other with shock.

"I don't know if I want to be an officer's wife, at least not right away. I want a chance to study music." Abby replied slowly, she was having trouble finding the the words and her voice.

"You are a Russio, Abigail, there are certain things expected from you. Your parents knew that and that why they left you in my care. They knew that I would properly train you for you place in society." Dottor said rebuffing her remarks.

"Dad, I don't want to be an officer. And Abby can be whatever she wants. " Scipio forcefully chimed in interrupting his father.

"Nonsense. As long as you are under my roof and my son and my ward I will train you to be whatever I want you to be." Dottor stood up.

"Now follow me to to my study, Scipio. You need a lesson."

Scipio got up and walked to the next room over followed by his father. Abby put her head down. Scipio was going to get beaten again. He always got beaten when he stood up to his father.

From the other room she could hear Scipio cry out as a belt struck his back. Abby closed her eyes, trying to block everything out. But it didn't work. With every cry Scipio let out a tear ran down Abby's cheek.

A little while later Dottor came back. A shirtless Scipio in tow. Scipio looked like his spirit was broken. Abby dried her eyes with her napkin as they came in. Scipio sat down next to her as Dottor took his seat at the head of the table.

Dottor started talking about his brother's military exploits. Abby was not paying attention. Scipio just stared at his food. Abby moved her left hand off the table, laid on to Scipio hand and interlocked their fingers.

After dinner Abby and Scipio walked upstair after saying goodnight to Dottor. They entered Scipio's bedroom. It was a navy blue with not much on the walls except pictures of him and his mother or of him and Abby. Abby went down the hall to the bathroom and came back with a warm damp cloth and some gauze. Scipio sat on his bed with his bare back facing Abby. He ran his fingers through his hair.

"I will get out of here and I am taking you with me" Scipio said as Abby sat behind him.

Abby tended to the slash marks on his back. She ran her fingers along the scars of old wounds. Once she was done Scipio got up to turn around and looked at her. His tanned skin accentuated his muscles on his abs and arms.

Scipio laid down on his bed he stretched his arm around Abby. She laid her head on his shoulder. He kissed her on the forehead.

"We will get out of here and have wonderful adventures by ourselves." Scipio said.

He started to tell the stories of the adventures they would have. Abby closed her eyes as Scipio talked. His breathing lulled her to sleep.