∘₊✧──────✧₊∘

∘₊✧──────✧₊∘

The dress was perfect.

She loved the way the fabric complimented her slim body, fitted precisely to her.

Accomplished was how she felt; she was proud of herself for once again making a lasting impression for hundreds of people. The nerves that had been eating away at her were pathetic looking back. Maria was happy to know she didn't have to worry. She stood at the top of the hall, her arms against the bannister as she took in the great art surrounding the hall.

She searched for Leonardo amongst the crowd as she felt the beat of her heart increase. She wanted to locate him to feel comforted by his presence. People in velvet, silk, satin outfits were all allocated to different circular tables, drinking aged wine from the waiters walking around the hall, laughing and socialising about the previous performance. There was a lot of people she had to search through. Nonetheless, she couldn't see him, causing a frown to form on her face, lowering her spirits. He had to be there in order for her plan to succeed or it would all be a waste.

As she descended down the stairs, eyes watched her move. She was the main event, the person they were all wanting to see. From head to toe, she was analysed from the way her hips swayed as she walked, the smoothness of her long, toned legs revealing themselves from the cuts of her dress, the display of her beautiful face. She knew how sexualised she was and that the night would be full of different men dreaming of being alone with her. As usual, Maria plastered the sweet smile that her fans loved, presenting herself as innocent and kind. They would never know the more crueler and dangerous side to her.

Her fingers delicately slid against the bannister as she walked and when she reached the bottom, a large hand was extended to her. As she turned, Maria smiled wider at the sight of Giovanni. He was, as usual, beaming at the sight of her. "You never fail to disappoint me, my love." He was an older man with a crooked smile.
Maria let out a hearty small chuckle at his kind words, she was desensitised to the amount of compliments she constantly received. He kissed the back of her small hand, smiling at her, "your skin is so smooth, you take care of yourself."

She shook her head slowly, "thank you, Mr Adami." Her mother had always taught her to be polite, ladylike and feminine. That would be her advantage to receiving the benefits in such an industry. "I really must thank you for inviting me to such an honourable event." Giovanni laughed once more, finding himself loving her more and more. He shook his head, holding her hand between his two, course ones. "The pleasure is all mine, darling. I must say I am grateful to have you here. I will ensure to repay you, your efforts and donations have not gone to waste."

Maria nodded politely, internally satisfied that it was confirmed he would be investing into her company's future projects.

"Come, please," Giovanni insisted, offering his arm for her. She interlocked hers with his. "Let us meet some of these distinguished guests, they have all been hoping to see you." Honestly, Maria despised meeting people, she shared this characteristic with Leonardo. She knew their purposes were ulterior, wanting either her body or some stake in her company. It was rare to meet good business leaders.

As Giovanni led her to various people, her mind was drifting away. Maria shook hands, gave them her usual fake smile and once again, pretended that she actually gave a damn about their conversation. Meanwhile, she focused on where Leonardo could possibly be.

Though she could not see him, he could most definitely saw her. Leonardo was sat at the far corner of the large hall, keeping himself away from the irritating people that filled the building. Marco was on the balcony overseeing the river, trying to close a deal in a hushed tone so he didn't attract attention.

Leonardo's eyes were upon that woman. He felt a need to see her, he didn't want to admit that he wanted to encounter her. He knew approaching her first would give this away so he slightly hoped she would see him first. They needed to resolve this feeling of longing.

He could see how much Maria had changed over the years. His eyes would unintentionally drop down to stare at her body, as many of the others were doing. It would be hypocritical to say that he wanted to snap every neck of each man eyeing her up considering he too was gazing. She looked ethereal in that tulle dress of hers, the colour complimented her thin yet hourglass body, showing off all of her curves.

He watched as she turned to meet yet another couple who had been blessed to see her. Her back was facing him, exposing her skin. His eyes trailed the the bareness of her neck that was soon covered by her long loose curls that she flicked onto her shoulder. She was unreal, she had grown to be a stunning woman.

Leonardo averted his eyes as she moved once again. With her facing his direction once again, he looked at her face. The smile she once had was still there and she was giving it to others. It seemed genuine, loving and kind. Even he felt it soften his heart. He wanted her to smile at him that way, not just to others. He could see why she was so admired.

Leonardo took another sip of his champagne though it wasn't his taste. He criticised Giovanni in his head, believing in a better choice of alcohol.

She looked mature and dignified. There was no doubt that Maria was a confident individual and this was having an effect on others. One bat of her long eyelashes had guests simping over her. It was quite pathetic from Leonardo's point of view.

She was talking with one of the women there, blonde and boisterous. Leonardo could hear her booming voice expressing her love for Maria from his seat. Maria was nodding kindly, expressing minimal emotion to the woman's praises. She looked as though she had heard enough that night. It was then that once again her mind wondered where he was. She glanced around, barely listening to the guest.

Once her eyes found Leonardo, her smile dropped. He too met her desperate eyes, his heart felt as though it had stopped in that moment. From then, they were only concerned about meeting each other. Her glossed lips parted in shock. She was surprised at how much more handsome he had become. She could see more clearly now how attractive he was. The black suit topped it off. Her eyes explored him, the more she stared, the hotter she felt. She struggled to concentrate on her conversation as she thought more intimately about him.

Leonardo was stopped by a guest, where he stood and began an unwanted conversation with. Though they are both occupied, their eyes kept finding themselves again. Maria couldn't read the expression on his face - was he happy to see her? She couldn't tell.

"And I was like. .oh my gosh! I'm going to see her tonight! You totally exceeded my expectations!" The woman who Maria couldn't even remember her name kept yapping. Maria thought she must have been some publicist. "I seriously need your autograph - a picture! Actually no! Your phone number!"

Maria cleared her throat, flashing the woman a quick, short smile. "Err. ." She met Leonardo's eyes once more as he drank, she wished she was right in front of him, her sense of urgency was heightened. His eyes were drilling to her, he wasn't losing contact. Maria had to get rid of that annoying woman.

"So! I would love to have it! We could have lunch and-"

"Well!" Maria abruptly interrupted her, averting her eyes away from that enchanting man momentarily. "Unfortunately, for all bookings, you will have to go through my manager who is. ." She quickly searched for Iris where she found Iris was ensuring she could taste every single appetiser on the other side of the room. She held herself from groaning in annoyance at the sight of Iris placing food in the plastic containers which she had brought from home, Maria was sure to rant at her for doing such an indecent thing at such a formal event. Maria paid Iris more than enough for her to afford what she needed, her gluttonous ways was part of her own personality.

". .currently preoccupied!" Maria finished, beginning to move away from the clingy woman, who attempted to stop Maria from leaving, "oh! But-but!" Maria shook her head, "I'm sorry, but you'll have to excuse me." She left the woman gobsmacked at her sudden departure and began making her way towards him.

She adjusted her chic fur shawl, discreetly picking out the lavish ring from her inside of her dress and slipping it onto her finger on her left hand. As she moved, she avoided people, merely giving polite smiles as she rejected conversation starters and glided between groups of guests talking to other dancers, making donations or taking pictures for social media.

Maria glanced over to her right, seeing the cameras lined up, waiting for the speech from Giovanni. But she knew what she was about to do would be of more use to them.

She was almost there; walking and walking, she held herself back from running to him, until her view of Leonardo was blocked by a white shirt. Slightly startled, Maria's head snapped upwards to meet the eyes of Victor.

"Maria," he brightly spoke, staring down at her. She sighed, not bothering to fake kindness. "Victor." She despised him. He was one of the artistic directors who valued profits over the benefit of the dancers. As soon as Maria regained control, she would seek to remove him.

"Your performance tonight was-"

"Spectacular? Amazing? I know," Maria responded bluntly, she went to move away until he blocked her path once again and she exhaled in frustration, tired of talking. Victor chuckled, his face sinister and uncomfortable to look upon.

"Don't disappear off so easily." She rolled her eyes, folding her arms. "What do you want?"

He sipped some wine, "I hear I've been cut from the preparations for the Grand Performance. Apparently, this has something to do with you. This has caused me a few. .problems." He wasn't wrong. Maria didn't want such a profit seeking man to be involved on one of the biggest events of the year. He had caused enough mishap the previous year. "We all know what happened last time, we don't need a repeat. Now if you'll excuse me-"

As she moved, he grabbed her arm. She appalled at his sudden action. She scoffed as he leaned, gently pulling her back towards him. She didn't resist, glancing around and hoping they hadn't made a scene. Maria then glared at him, burning her gaze right into his dark eyes. "I expect compensation, Miss Amante."

"You won't get any Victor." She tried to free her arm from his grasp but he held
tighter, his eyebrows narrowing further at her. He slightly enjoyed her resistance to him; feisty ones were always more interesting. "Let go of me, you bastard."

Further away, Leonardo could see the unfolding of this dispute that seemed unable to resolve on her own. He left his conversation without a goodbye, ready to rip the disgusting hands off of her precious body. He clenched his jaw, moving swiftly towards them.

The pathetic excuse of a man's hand was on her arm, the other beginning to slide down her bare back. She was shooting daggers at him with her eyes, gently trying to shake herself away from him.

Leonardo made it in time to stop the hands moving lower than they should be. He grabbed his wrist, making him let go of her as he tightened his grip on him. Leonardo was much taller than him, glaring down angrily. The audacity of such a man to dare touch her.

He roughly twisted his wrist, causing Victor to groan, stepping away from Maria who watched them silently, her focus on Leonardo. She rubbed her arm thinking how it was strange to say that she was actually felt ecstatic to see him come to her defence, her heart probably skipped a beat at the sight.

Leonardo didn't even have to say a word to get Victor to retreat, his death stare was good enough to make the man leave, grumbling about his loss.

Finally, the two of them were together, standing right in front of each other.

Maria couldn't lose that opportunity.

In fact, she utilised it to place both of her hands on his cheeks and gently pull his gallant face towards hers.

She leaned inwards, lifting herself onto her inflamed tiptoes and planted her soft lips against his.

∘₊✧──────✧₊∘

~ Author's Note ~

Their first, much anticipated meeting!

Was that a surprising encounter from Maria?

Thoughts?

Please continue to Vote, Comment, Share, Follow each chapter for more!

∘₊✧──────✧₊∘

∘₊✧──────✧₊∘