"Hey, what are you doing here? Go back to the servants' quarters!" 

It is the other man from the alter. I remember his characteristic cheekbones and his shorn hair. His temperament resembles that of a raging bull.

He storms towards me and grabs me by my wrist. I'm not prepared for this attack as he attempts to pull me away from the fountain.

"Let go of me!" 

I jerk around but his grip is unyielding. His body overpowers me and he pulls me closer to subdue my efforts.

At the outset, his glowing eyes hypnotise me. So much furry, and something else I cannot grasps. Is it an unapparent vulnerability?

"Who do you think you are? Don't defy your master!", he roars.

"How dare you!", I exclaim. 

This closeness is unfamiliar to me. Nobody has ever attempted to near me in this fashion. I have to get out off here. In my desperation, I put all my force in a kick and hit his shin.

"Ahhhh!", he releases the grip around my arm and crouches to his leg. He totters but doesn't get further because I unconsciously shove him. He trips over the bannister of the fountain and falls into the water.

For a second I'm perplexed by my action. Why did I do this?

In the beginning, he helplessly paddles in the shallow water. But after a few seconds, he gets a hold and rises. Water drips from his head and his soaked toga clings to his frame. Every muscle is showing. Strangely, they don't look like the petrous marble of the statues decorating this courtyard. In combination with the water, every tensed tissue vibrates and his sun-kissed skin emphasizes his masculine vitality. Unexpectedly, I am drawn to this male anatomy.

However, I quickly realize my great error. Hate-filled eyes stare at me. His rage right now is nothing in comparison to earlier. I have brought him to a boil.

"You little bitch! You will pay for this!", he grinds his teeth.

Slowly, he wades through the water and climbs out of the fountain.

I stumble backwards and get a bush between us. Like a predator, he stalks me. The tension in the air is stretched to breaking point. Who will make the first move?

"You can't escape me, little lamb."

Flight is my only option. I accelerate my steps without losing eye contact as I reach the roofed gallery and enter the building.

Unfortunately, it's the opposite side of the building. I have to cross the peristyle to reach the main hall. But he is somewhere out there. My only route will lead me through the circulatory hallway, but I am unacquainted with the floorplan on this side of the house.

I'm at a loss. Despair creeps up on me. My body cramps up. My heart is pumping. I can't think straight. What will he do to me?

I hear his advancing steps.

Shit!

There is a massive pedestal which supports an antique vase at the end of the hallway. I duck behind it just in the right moment.

His towering shadow enters the hallway. My kick from beforehand scarcely sufficed. With confident steps, he marches through the hallway.

Abruptly, he stops right in front of my hideout. He looks around the plinth as if he has all the time in the world, but I crouch to the opposite side. The wait stretches my patience. Why isn't he leaving? My heart rate accelerates and I am sure he can hear my rushing pulse.

Steady, he comes closer and closer. This is it. I make myself smaller and smaller. Did he discover me? I cover my mouth to silence my erratic breathing and I pray to the gods he will spare me.

"Dominus!" 

My prayers have been answered. A slave has grabbed his attention.

"Ahhhhh....what is it?", he turns around exasperated and steps out of the niche.

"Your father is looking for you."

"What does he want?", spiteful words hit the servant.

"I don't know, Dominus."

"Why don't you tell this pompous cock to piss off." 

I take a peak. My tormentor's back faces me, however, the slave catches a glimpse of me. Nevertheless, he ignores my presence, being distracted by his master.

"Dominus?", the servant's puzzled expression triggers him.

"What is it about the disobedience of slaves nowadays?"

He grabs the slave by the hair.

"Please! Dominus!", the slave pleads.

"Please! Dominus!", he fools the servant. 

His grip tightens and he jerks the slave's head around. 

"You worthless lowlife!" 

Faint whimpers fill the silence. 

"I could end your life right now." 

His oppressor chokes him. The slave's contorted position gives me a noxious feeling. His face takes an unnatural purple colour and his terrified eyes disturb me. This is not just a punishment. He's letting out his frustration on an innocent. Because of me.

This has to stop. He's severely harming him. I have to prevent this, but what can I do? My tormentor is twice my size and can easily overpower me along with the servant. Besides, he's assuming I'm a slave, as well, and would not stop at a easy slap on the wrist.

"Next time, I won't be so gentle.", he lets go and the slave collapses to the ground.

Becalmed, I move back into hiding. His unwarranted cruelty sends chills up and down my spine. This could have easily been me.

"Thank you, Dominus!"

Out of nowhere, he composes his countenance as if nothing happened. 

"Yes, yes...By the way, have you just seen a girl?" 

My heart stops. He will rat me out, so we can share the same fate.

"No, Dominus." 

This answer startles me. He could have easily given me up for a reward.

"Tell my father I will be with him shortly. Now get out my side!"

The slave bows again and scurries away.

He lingers for a second. What is he waiting for? 

Leave! 

As if he can read my mind he turns around and walks back from where he came from.

Just to make sure, I poise longer than intended. Our earlier collision still grips me to the marrow.

Back inside the hall, it's not hard to find my brother. His shock of hair is easy to spot. He is still conversing with his good-for-nothing companions. Without raising any suspicion, I strive to Flaccus.

"Flaccus!", I attempt to suppress that I'm still shaken from earlier.

"Excuse me.", irritated he turns to me.

"Can you take me home?"

"Why?" 

At first, he seems to be bothered by the request but he quickly senses my discomfort.

"I'm not feeling well." 

This is not an exaggeration. The evening changed for the worse.

"Is it this peacock Titus?", my brother grunts an angry snort.

"No. No, Flaccus. He didn't do anything. Can we just go? Please!", I appease him. 

Mentioning my encounter from before would only instigate a physical altercation and I don't want to embarrass my father.

With some indecision, he says his goodbyes. My commiserating face has persuaded him. Just in time, as I discover my tormentor. From the opposing side of the room, he has joined the festivities and addresses Sabinus. His wandering gaze across the hall doesn't suit me.

"Let's leave." 

I pull Flaccus by the arm and we exit the hall.

....

The way home proceeded without an unnecessary chat for what Lucretia was thankful for. An obtruding interrogation by Flaccus would have been a trial Lucretia could not defy. She closed her eyes for much of the ride and counted the minutes until their arrival.

Finally, Flaccus and Lucretia dismounted the carrying chair and they entered the entrance hall. Luckily, their mother and Cal weren't back or had already retired to their chamber. After an excruciating night, Lucretia wasn't in high spirits to recount her evening with her sister nor her mother. All she longed for was her bed and to forget this function ever happened. Straightaway, Lucretia hurried to her room after bidding her brother goodnight.

She opened the door to her room and was surprised by an unexpected visitor.

"There you are! How was the celebration? I hope you enjoyed yourself and it wasn't too boring without me.", Cal's voice usually lifted Lucretia's spirit, except now she wanted to be left alone.

"Did you meet anyone nice?" 

Another unwanted question followed.

"It was a remarkable night. But I am exhausted.", Lucretia put a big emphasis on the latter, "Tomorrow, I will tell you all about it." 

She joined her sister on the bed.

"You're typically enthusiastic about your adventures.", Cal remarked.

Lucretia recalled her clash with the despicable stranger.

"Am I?", she feigned a yawn.

"Certainly! What are you hiding?", Cal examined her sister closely. She wouldn't budge before her demand was satisfied.

Instead of giving in, Lucretia countered with a question, "How was your evening with mother?"

"It was splendid!" 

She took the bait. Triumphantly, Lucretia laid beside Cal and listen with half an ear. There was always a way to mislead her older sister. 

"You know, as it is tradition, one has to attempt to touch a Luperci (priest), but mother insisted I merely observe. Bad fortune or such and such. If you ask me, it's plainly superstition. Nothing can hinder me. I digress, mother was talking to Julia's aunt at the Palatine. You know her, right?"

"Mhmm..."

"And as you know mother, once she begins a conversation, she is extremely distracted, she wouldn't even notice if my disappearance. Thus, I sneaked to the beginning of the parade. You have the best chances there. So, on my way there, I ran into the most gorgeous man. Oh, his hair, his lips, the nose. I could not take my eyes off him. You see, it was an immeasurable decision to decline tonight's invitation. Just beginning there gave me good luck for a fertile marriage....."

She was accustomed to Cal's insatiable chatter. Her steady singsong and giggles, the way she strayed from the actual subject were a welcomed distraction for Lucretia. Eventually, she drifted off into a comforting sleep until: 

"You aren't even listening!"

"I was! I am...", she squinted at Cal's affronted profile.

"What did I say?"

"Ahm...You ran into the most gorgeous--"

"You totally missed my whole story."

"No, I just forgot what you said. Resume with your account!"

"Just tell me you are wearied!"

"Can you just let me sleep? Tomorrow, I will be all ears. Right now, I can't pay attention. This evening was excessive, not to speak of father's odd behaviour, and this terrifying collision and Flaccus embarrassing me in front of--" Lucretia stopped in her tracks before she disclosed too much information.

"You could have just told me you are tired, but anyway, Flaccus embarrassed you in front of whom?"

"Nobody!"

"Tell me everything about him!", joyously Cal clapped her hands.

"I will, the next day. I told you, it was a long night for me and I'm fatigued."

"At least tell me his name." Cal urged her sister.

"If I recall, Titus. But we didn't talk for long. He seemed nice. You would enjoy his company."

"This is the first time you're talking favourably about a boy."

"Can I rest now?", Lucretia was gradually losing patience.

"Yes, yes. I'm just excited for you. Finally, you can let go off that ridiculous idea of a Vestal Virgin and become a reputable wife."

"Surely!"

Lucretia yearned for good night sleep and did not want to engage in an implausible debate. 

"Goodnight, dearest sister.", she kissed her goodnight and Cal eventually left Lucretia's chamber.

Restlessly, Lucretia positioned herself in bed. She couldn't fall asleep. All she could think about were the mysteries eyes of the unfathomable stranger and the emotions his gaze inflicted. No matter how hard she strove to banish his appearance to the back of her mind, his presence would not let go off her. Ultimately, she fell into an uneasy slumber.