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MARIA

"What do you mean 'you can't make it'? This is one of the most important rehearsals, Maria, everyone is going to be there! I can't get you out of this with Madame Rodriguez teaching! If I have to drag you here, I will - please don't make this hard for me and come!" Iris whined over the phone, her voice full of desperation.

It was early morning, not long until I was supposed to attend Dream which of course had frustrated Iris.

I sighed. Leaving wasn't even an option; there was no way I could leave Amalia at the hospital after what happened. Rehearsals would have to wait.

"You're the manager, Iris!" I hissed quietly, glancing around and hoping no one was listening. I looked out the window, mentally groaning. "I can't come so figure it out for me!"

She whined again like a child and pleaded, "Riaaa! Please, I don't want to be murdered today! That woman is so scary - scarier than you when you don't sleep! Please, please, please get your butt over here! Why can't you just tell me why you can't come?"

I sighed again, gently rubbing my forehead. It had been quite a busy night, I wasn't sure that I had even slept much on that hospital sofa. My back was aching and my muscles were sore - I hadn't done my usual evening stretches and could feel the consequences of it.

"I'm not changing my mind, I can't come to practice today, Iris. I'll catch up later-"

All of a sudden, the phone was snatched from my hand. A little gasp left me as I turned with wide eyes only to see Leonardo, seriously looking at me while saying in a stern tone, "she'll be there within an hour, Iris."

As soon as he swiftly hung up the phone and handed it to me, I glared at him. "Why are you making decisions for me? I am not going-"

"Yes you are," he sharply interrupted, his eyebrows narrowed and a strict look on his face. I furrowed my eyebrows, placing my phone back into my pocket. "Amalia is still-"

"She's fine," Leonardo shot back. I groaned, placing my hand on my hip. He added, "her grandmother is coming back later to pick her up and I'm here so you don't need to worry so much." Putting his hands my shoulders, he intently looked into my eyes and reassured me, "go to practice. You can't miss out too much for that performance."

I bit my lower lip, feeling apprehensive about leaving. ". .you sure?" I quietly questioned, my eyes flickering to the sight of Amalia's room in concern. He nodded, a convincing look on his face: I shook my head at my own words. "I really shouldn't. . ."

"You really should. She's gotten a clear from all her tests so she's fine. Don't let us hold you back."

"You're not holding me back," I retorted a little too snappily before uttering a quick apology. "Don't say that, Leo. I don't want to leave her," I admitted in a more soft tone. A small smile came onto his face. He then pulled me to him, his arms engulfing me. A little shocked at his sudden affection, I lifted my arms and hugged him back, letting him hold onto me and place his head on top of mine.

"Go to practice, Ria. I'm thankful for what you've done for us and how much you're willing to stay. But you need to go back now." I fell for his words and was convinced to change my mind. With a small nod and I agreed and lifted my head away from his chest and quickly pecked his lips, surprising him.

"I'll see you tonight," I softly said, his hazel eyes locked with mine and his hands loosened from my waist.

"See you tonight," he gently replied, intently gazing at me, with such a smile with those lips that almost made me pull his face down and kiss him again.

I thought about him on my way to Dream. Something about his 'goodbye' felt earnest as though he didn't want me to leave - or maybe he had something to tell me, his eyes were telling me something I couldn't read.

Iris pulled me out of my thoughts by pushing me into the changing room, rambling about how soon practice was going to start.

After changing into a leotard, tights and my new shoes, I followed Iris upstairs as she explained, "thank goodness you're here, I thought she was going to eat my head off if she found out!" I chuckled a little though she stopped and noticed the distant look on my face. "What's up?"

"Amalia was sick. ." I informed her, immediately bringing a look of concern over her face. "She's better now. I just hope she's feeling alright." Iris gave me a sad gaze, "why didn't you tell me? I wouldn't have pushed you so hard to come." I shrugged, linking arms with her as we slowly walked.

"It's fine," I brushed off before asking with a brighter tone, "I saw your message, how's the house search going?" Iris groaned as though she couldn't hear the thought of it.

"Not as easy I thought it'd be," she complained, a sulk forming on her face. "I just need a normal house, with a garden and a decent amount of space - why is everyone over-complicating it? Gabriel's mom keeps pushing for a bigger one because she thinks we'll have more kids and of course, he's taking her side because she's his mom!"

"And what do you want?" I asked with empathy, seeing the stress showing on her face. "I thought you'd be down for a bigger house? You said the apartment was too small."

"The problem isn't so much to do with the house, I think," Iris went on, sighing. "Every time we discuss a new place, it always goes back to the number of bedrooms, which goes back to the issue of kids. I don't want anymore - at least for now. I think Gabriel and I still have a long way to go - Eli literally came from a one night stand and I work a lot, I don't have time."

She then paused and looked at me in a alarmed way. "Not to say that I don't want to work! I enjoy my job! I choose to come here!" I laughed a little, reassuring her that I didn't take her words the wrong way.

I thought for a moment over her words. "Well. .I understand you, you're thinking logically. Go with three and don't back down, it's your choice and your body - and your home."

"Three?" Iris thoughtfully said with a confused tone.

"Yeah, one room for me. I need one for the sleep overs - the biggest one, of course."

We both laughed, despite how serious I was being, and reached the room. I groaned, "this is going to be a long one," I murmured, before looking into the glass windows to see how busy it was. Dancers were already inside, stretching in preparation for the lesson.

I looked around to find Rosa but she wasn't there yet. With a sigh, I was about to ask Iris if she knew if Rosa was coming until a particular male caught my eye.

My eyes darkened with fear as all the memories flooded my mind, an arrow of terror stinging my heart. The ache in my chest suddenly intensified as I struggled to breathe normally, my breath pace increasing by the second. With my eyes wide, I watched how he, the tall and muscular man, walked up to one of the female corps, that familiar smirk plastered across his face as he spoke to her with a clear confidence radiating from him.

I suddenly became rigid, my eyes wide and my mouth unable to form a coherent sentence as my brain was all scrambled. I swallowed hard, my panicked eyes meeting Iris's.

"What is. . .what is he doing here?"

Her eyes expanded as she too looked into the room, gasping a little before looking into my eyes again. "Ria. .I forgot to say. .Lucas dropped out of the performance, he went abroad to train so-"

"We needed a professional and experienced lead," the sound of his mundane voice made me force myself to fight the urge to punch the life out of him.

Victor approached us, a sinister and arrogant look upon his face as he intensely from head to toe, focusing too much on my cleavage where my necklace hung low between my breasts. I scowled at him, my eyes shooting daggers right at him.

"Her eyes are up there, you motherfucking pervert," Iris snapped, beginning to stand protectively in front of me, her small hands curling into fists by her sides. He chortled, his eyes still creepily on me.

"You. . ." I began in a low and hard tone until he rudely interrupted, "your prince left you so we swapped with Russia. The world star, Jorge Ivanov will bring international fame and audiences from across the globe. Good choice, right? He's been selling out shows this entire year, he will be a fantastic addition."

The sooner I got my company the better. I was still in shock that Lucas had actually left.

I rolled my eyes, hating his presence before me. "It wasn't too expensive, contract is short and he was more than willing to join. It's a win win situation, isn't it?" Victor added, his smirk extending. He momentarily faked a concerned look, "why the sad face? Is there a reason to disagree, Miss Amante?"

I clenched my jaw, faking a smile. "Of course not. I just think it's a little sudden and I should've been informed as-"

"Your uncle didn't want to make a big deal out of it and stress you out," Victor butted in strongly, a smug look on his face. I hated the undertones in his words. He shrugged and continued, "so there wasn't much said on this change. It's to protect you from unnecessary pressure."

I briefly extended my smile. "You interrupted me, Victor," I countered, raising an eyebrow. Taking a step closer to him, I coldly looked into his eyes and warned, "know your place, Victor. I don't need you or my uncle to make decisions for me with a fake appearance of care."

I wanted him and Jorge gone but it wasn't an option with the lack of control I had. I would have to put up with it. Somehow. Temporarily.

He chuckled, his eyes dropping to my lips for few seconds. "There's no need to be so harsh, beautiful. We can talk some more once that company - if it reaches your hands."

Thankfully, he walked away before I could slam him into the wall and choke his brains out.

I immediately looked at Iris in panic once he had turned the corner. "Fuck! He's back, Iris! I did everything I could to get away from him and he's here! It's just one thing after another in this place!"

"I know, Ria, I know," Iris sighed, running her hand through her curly hair as she grimaced in anguish. "I tried what I could but they were so set on bringing him in - fucking profit, that's why. They still feel like the donations shouldn't be the priority, greedy pigs."

As pathetic as it sounded, I practically whispered, "I can't be near him. He's. ." I looked into the window once again, seeing how much closer he has become to the girl. "A fucking manipulative psycho!" Hearing how distraught I sounded, Iris pulled me to her for a quick hug, rubbing my shoulders.

"We could deal with this through Aife-"

"No," I firmly said, holding onto her tightly as I rested my head on her shoulder. I exhaled as I blinked back the tears beginning to brim in my eyes. It would be a last resort. "No I. . .I'll see how this goes. It's something I have to deal with myself."

"I will and have our people to protect you and watch you." She pulled away and took my face into her hands, seriously staring at me.

"Why did Lucas leave?" I asked her desperately. I would have rather of had him here instead of Jorge - anything instead of Jorge! Lucas was once my friend. .I couldn't completely despise him. Yet.

Iris shook her head. "I don't know. He suddenly handed in a request to join the annual programme in abroad. It was sudden but he's replaceable with better material and he'll come back later this year so they let him go. I doubt it's just for training. .I think something happened." She sighed again, "I'll have a deeper look into it."

I seemed to have looked frenzied and she wiped my cheeks that I didn't even realise had tears running down them.

"Don't let him fuck up with your head. You're stronger than him and the girl you used to be." Iris' hands tightened a little on my shoulders as she seethed in a low tone, "if he messes with you again, I won't hesitate to show him the consequences. You have my word."

"Whatever games he plays, play it. And make sure you fucking win it."

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"Tout le monde, tout le monde, veuillez accueillir notre invité spécial pour cette saison, Jorge Ivanov!"
{Everyone, everyone, please welcome our special guest for this season, Jorge Ivanov!}

The ballerinas clapped for the star himself, the multi award winner, one of my worst nightmares, Jorge Ivanov himself.

He hadn't changed much.

Those dark eyes gave him that mysterious look that could appeal to any woman, as it once did to me. That dashing smile that used to win over a thousand was still there, but I knew the dangers of such a false impression of a sweet man. He had grown a stubble which simply just added to the entrancing look he had, matched with the toned muscles that bulged out from his leotard, having all the girls' eyes swooning over them. They weren't as grand as Leonardo's. I instantly scolded myself mentally for even comparing the two; Jorge was nowhere near the same level as my Leo. I almost barfed at the sight of such a duplicitous man.

Like the innocent yet sexy man he projected himself to be, he bowed politely and smiled at his fellow dancers, his usual persona engaging well with the people.

I clapped slowly, keeping it minimal as to not draw attention to myself. Trying my best not to glare, I planted an emotionless look on my face, staring at whatever appealed to my mind in the room; the beige walls, the window, anything that would allow me to not have to gaze upon that Machiavellian bastard.

"It's a pleasure to meet you all. I hope we can all work well together to create a magnificent performance."

Fucking people pleaser

That earned him a few more claps - none from me.

His voice gave me the shivers. I remembered how dangerous that deep voice could be.

"And I would like you to meet our star, Miss Maria Amante! I'm sure you have heard of each other. Didn't you work together once a few years back?" Madame brightly said, glancing between the two of us with adoration.

My eyes flickered upwards and instantly met his. I held back from scowling again and as usual, plastered a sweet smile on my face.

His eyes ran all over my body, his lips slowly curving upwards into a smile that could be seen as kind, but to me, it was full of shit, a evil smirk hidden beneath.

"Of course," Jorge replied, deeply gazing at me, as a sudden lustful look filled his eyes. "I could never. .ever forget."

The urge to snap his neck grew greater by the second. I averted my attention back onto Madame, ignoring the rough pounding of my heart inside my chest. "Yes, Madame."

She nodded with a grin, "I hope you two will work well for some great chemistry to show on stage! It should be since you've met before." She looked astounded and proud as she continued, "with you two together, we can be assured that this season will be a success! We're grateful you decided to join us, Jorge. Is that right, Maria?"

I didn't answer straight away, I was too focused on mentally murdering Jorge right there and then with my eyes. I pulled myself out of my thoughts and widened my 'sincere' smile, "of course. We are so. .so grateful to have you here. It will be a great experience for us all."

He smiled at me, that usual glint of danger in his eyes.

You just wait, you freaking bastard. .

I managed to push through the long rehearsal as my mind became focused on the bigger goal. Whenever it drifted away, I forced myself to remember the reason the performance was happening, for the charity. I had to push through and ignore all the other problems tormenting for the audience.

But it was difficult. I hated every single thing about him.

How his arm held onto my waist during the grand allegros, the feeling of his hot breath fanning against my neck whenever our bodies moved together while dancing, his hands touching my legs, my butt, my hips. It all reminded me of the past, brought back the fear brewing within me of my mistakes, our mistakes.

"Your chassé is far too stiff, Maria. Connect with him! Move in sync!"

It was hard - hard to let him in again, to feel him against me, look at him, become intimate with him. That took a huge effect on my dancing; I had to let go of my feelings and force myself to be professional because that was what I did, who I was, a dancer who wouldn't let petty things disrupt my performance.

He brought me down slowly after lifting me, my feet getting closer to the ground. I swallowed roughly as we locked eyes, a longing look in he gazed at me, his hands tightly holding onto my body.

"I missed you," his deep voice murmured into my ears, only for me to hear, sending shivers down my spine as he leaned in briefly. The feelings were not reciprocated, all I felt for him was hatred.

"I hate you," I whispered back in a deadly tone, a smile across my face as I landed and held onto his shoulders but my eyes were full of anger.

"And I will fucking kill you."

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~ Author's Note ~

Well. . .

Ivanov will be an interesting piece to the story and is definitely a part of Maria's past that she does not want to confront.

That is all I will say for now on this unexpected matter. . .

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