Poor and Rich Love(Leonardo Lezama) It was a scorching hot day in ancient Rome, and I was wandering through the busy streets, trying to find some relief from the blazing sun. As a wealthy girl, I was used to living a life of luxury, but today I longed for something different. As I walked, I noticed a young boy sitting on the side of the road, his brown skin glistening with sweat. He caught my eye with his piercing brown eyes, and I couldn't help but feel drawn to him.

I approached him cautiously, not wanting to disturb him, but he looked up and smiled at me. 'Hello,' he said, his voice soft and gentle. 'What brings you out on such a hot day?'

'I was just trying to escape the heat,' I replied, feeling a bit nervous but also excited to talk to this boy. 'What about you?'

He chuckled. 'I live on the streets, so I'm used to it,' he said. 'But it's nice to have some company. My name is Marcus.'

I introduced myself as well and we ended up spending the whole day together, talking and laughing. I was surprised by how easy it was to talk to him, despite our different backgrounds. He was kind, funny, and had a certain charm that I couldn't resist.

As the sun began to set, I knew I had to go back home. My parents would be furious if they found out I had spent the day with a poor boy. But I couldn't help but feel a strong connection with Marcus, and I didn't want to say goodbye.

'Will I see you again?' he asked, looking at me with those intense brown eyes.

'I hope so,' I replied, feeling a flutter in my stomach. 'But I have to go now.'

He nodded and we said our goodbyes. As I walked away, I couldn't help but think about Marcus. I had never felt this way about anyone before, and I knew that my parents would never approve of our friendship, let alone a romantic relationship.

Days turned into weeks, and I found myself sneaking out to see Marcus whenever I could. I couldn't resist the pull towards him, and I knew that I was falling in love with him. But I also knew that my parents would never accept him, and I was torn between my love for Marcus and my duty to my family.

One day, my worst fears came true. My parents found out about my secret meetings with Marcus and they were furious. They told me that I should never associate with someone of his status, and that I should forget about him if I wanted to stay in their good graces.

But I couldn't do that. My heart belonged to Marcus, and I couldn't let go of him just because my parents disapproved. So, I made a bold decision. I packed a bag and ran away from home, determined to find Marcus and live a happy life with him.

It wasn't easy living on the streets, but I didn't regret my decision for a second. I found Marcus and we started a new life together, far away from the judgement and expectations of society. We didn't have much, but we had each other, and that was all that mattered.

Months turned into years, and our love only grew stronger. We faced many challenges, but we always stood by each other's side. Marcus worked hard to provide for us, and I helped him in any way I could. We may have been poor, but we were happy.

One day, we heard that the emperor was throwing a grand festival in the city. Everyone was invited, and I couldn't help but feel a twinge of sadness. I knew that I couldn't attend such an event, dressed in rags and with no jewels or expensive clothes.

But Marcus had other plans. He knew how much I longed to attend such an event, and he surprised me with a beautiful dress and jewelry that he had saved up for. I was hesitant at first, knowing that we couldn't afford such luxuries, but Marcus insisted and I couldn't resist his sweet gestures.

As we entered the festival, I felt a mix of excitement and fear. I knew that my parents would be there, and I didn't want to face them. But as we walked through the crowds, I saw them and my heart swelled with joy. They were smiling and laughing, and when they saw me, they ran towards me with open arms.

I was surprised by their reaction, but they explained that they had been searching for me ever since I ran away. They were worried sick and realized that their love for me was more important than their social status or expectations. They welcomed Marcus into the family with open arms, and I couldn't have been happier.

As we danced the night away, I couldn't believe how far we had come. From a rich girl who was told she could never love a poor boy, to a couple who defied all odds and found true love. In that moment, I knew that love knows no boundaries, and that true happiness can be found in the most unexpected places.

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