Chapter One
Nika! The Rise Of Modern Greece: Part II
“Maria, are you ready?” said Antonis as the Alexiou servants brought out the luggage and loaded it on the car.
“Yes, I’m coming dear,” replied Maria, shouting from inside the house. She came out in her yellow dress and Antonis’ heart melted. Her blonde hair and bronze skin made for an amazing contrast that no man could resist. ‘She’s so beautiful, I can’t believe she married me!’ Antonis thought.
The couple got into the silver-painted Model-T and drove of, the gates of their villa closing behind them. They drove for about an hour, when they finally reached the industrial city of Ioannina. They came to a small runway slightly outside the city. It was one of the few airports in Greece. With combined Alexiou and Lekkas money, a small private plane was rented out for the couple to fly in. They greeted the pilot, and they were off. After a short while, they were high enough to see far out across the Ionian Sea and see the islands.
“Wow, this is so exciting!” said Maria.
“Yes, you can ever see Kerkira from here,” Antonis added.
After a couple of hours, they landed on the island of Lefkada. Its golden beaches and sunny skies were perfect for a honeymoon.
“Oh Antonis! This place is beautiful,” said Maria, as their rental car rode up to the wonderful hotel.
The Odyssey Hotel was indeed beautiful. It had beige walls and large columns. Its grand façade looked like the ancient Greek temples of old. They entered the lobby and checked into the room. They unpacked their luggage, but by the time they were settled in and had “broken in the bed” so to speak, it was late.
So they went out for a night on the town. After a wonderful dinner, they snuck onto a closed beach and the romantic fire was set aflame once more. As the kissing grew to something more, a strange feeling came across Antonis Alexiou. Someone was watching them. Something was in the air that was not right. And then it all went black…
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“Antonis!” screamed Maria, with a bloodcurdling shriek.
The blood was all over her bare skin. ‘My God, they’ve killed him!’ she thought in disbelief. He was dead. His brains were laid out on the cold Greek beach. The bullet had pierced his skull just as Maria’s screams pierced the silent night sky. An unknown man in the distance raised his gun as a silhouetted figure. And with that distinctive Lekkas accent and demeanor he shouted…
“An Alexiou is not worthy of the pearl of the Lekkas girls!”
The war had begun…