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𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐀

Our kiss was gratifying; my hands were against his cheeks, feeling his stubble against my fingers. His warm lips were surprisingly soft against mine, moving in sync with me. His brawny arms pulled me closer and wrapped around my small waist pressing our bodies against each other. My heart exploded. It felt good being in his arms; I relaxed immediately.

I tilted my head to deepen the kiss, wanting to taste him more. I had to stop myself from devouring the man, I couldn't have a full make out session in front of all those people. It was delicate and perfect, I wanted - needed more of him. He smelt good too - a natural, familiar scent.

It was by far the best kiss I had ever experienced.

I ended the short but sweet kiss first. I slowly pulled away, meeting his radiant hazel eyes once more. I couldn't tell how he felt but I knew there was passion coming from him. He didn't kiss me back for nothing. He loosened his hold on me. The challenges my heart had faced that evening wore me out. I could hear the cameras flashing making me remember that it wasn't just the two of us in the room. The hushed chatters magnified and I could feel the amount of people staring at us. It was exactly what I expected.

I let my hands slip away from his face onto his broad shoulders. Leaning into his neck, I whispered faintly into his ear, "come upstairs with me."

Pulling away, I left a final kiss on his lips. He looked at me with great peculiarity as I smiled, taking out my silk, pale handkerchief and gently wiped the gloss away from his lips.

I winked flirtatiously at him before turning and leaving, once again speaking to guests as though nothing had happened.

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Upstairs had a private bar where I was to meet Leonardo. I was sure he was already there waiting for me.

After the event ended, I left Iris to take care of all the guests that wished to see me after I had essentially revealed my engagement. Once again, the JOY Gala had been successful with Giovanni managing to raise millions for his charity. He expressed his appreciation for my appearance once more before I departed.

On my way to meet him, I felt the chill breeze from outside. The building was much emptier with people leaving the hotel, ending their socialisation for the night. Through the large glass windows I could see the usual extravagant cars lined up outside, collecting people. I held my shawl tighter, my hands felt clammy. I knew I needed to compose myself before meeting him.

I reached the top floor to hear quiet, classical music playing from a vinyl record player. Stopping, I looked around. I had personally requested that no server was to enter the premise. The light in the space was dimmed, but just enough for me to see his prominent silhouette standing by the the doors to the balcony. The man had doubled in size; Leonardo had become significantly bulkier.

I pondered on how he was going to react to my request, whether he would reject me, making things go back to the way they were or if he could voluntarily accept me which would ultimately change my life.

My heels clicked as I slowly made my way towards him. I kept my breath steady, calming myself as I moved. He continued to sip from his glass. I reached him and stood besides him, looking down at the city below with my arms folded.

It was alive with lights illuminating the bright sky, the streets were filled with humans from all walks of life busily moving around the wide avenues. Noisy vehicles zoomed around, contributing to the heavy smog filling the dark sky, noisily beeping as they moved, turning into different roads.

He had an aura to him. Just by merely standing beside him, his authoritative spirit made me feel slightly tense. I opened my mouth, about to speak first until he beat me to it.

"You invited me."

His voice was a huge indication of his growth, much deeper than it was when we were teenagers. He spoke calmly and yet his words radiated so loudly to me. I felt the breeze, forcing me to hold my shawl even tighter, the cold up flew my dress which made me instantly regret wearing such thin material. I had to admit, I was freezing.

I responded with a short nod, wondering if he too was feeling chilly. I pushed past the thought of the horrible weather. I decided to muster up some courage and eventually came out with it.

"Marry me, Leonardo."

With those words said, he finally looked at me, his eyebrow raised. A small smile came onto my face at his slight shock. He must've thought I was joking. I sighed softly, looking out at the skyscrapers with amusement. I hoped we could go through with it. I wriggled my fingers in front of my face, showing off the diamond ring on my left finger. The kiss wasn't for nothing.

"I hear after that incident with your weapons you've been quite short on the resources needed to destroy Javier," I began in a light tone, "I always hated that brute." He seemed to tense up at the name of that demon, glancing away and clenching his jaw - I felt momentarily sympathetic for Leonardo who was still clearly affected.

It was hard to believe that there was once a time Leonardo had been bullied. He hated such a word, but he and I both knew what happened, how it ruined him for a long period of time. He wasn't always the big, powerful man that he was. Javier was someone who had tortured Leonardo but was one of the catalysts that made him stronger physically and mentally. With the evil things that jerk had done to him, it was no surprise that Leonardo was going to seek revenge.

"You're finding a way to meet Francis Lemaire for support, right? It's not as easy as people think to be able to meet him." He stared at me with great interest, clearly wanting to know where I was going with this. Francis and his wife were people who were everywhere yet nowhere; they saw who they wanted. "And how do you know?" He questioned me in a curious tone. I shrugged with a small chuckle, "he just happens to be one of my biggest fans. I'll set a date."

The connections I had made just through being a ballerina were some even mafia leaders like Leonardo could kill for. More people loved the dance than others thought, that included one of the biggest French dealers, Francis Lemaire, a dear friend of mine who was also an enemy of the smuggler Javier.

Leonardo let out a soft chuckle, surprising me. The man wasn't someone who laughed often. He nodded at my words, he must have found it strange how easy it was. "Go on," he mused. I was glad he wanted to know more.

My smile deepened as I went on, "I'm sure he'll be more open to your request if I'm involved." He seemed to nod in agreement until what seemed to be a small smirk came across his face as we met eyes. He questioned me once more, "do you think that I would be unable to meet with Francis? That I need your help in order to do so?" My smile dropped slightly at his sudden matter-of-fact tone.

I kind of knew that wouldn't be enough for him; he was one of the biggest leaders, it wouldn't be too hard for him to arrange or force a meeting with Francis. I assumed he found entertainment in my little plan.

I inhaled, nodding, "very well. You don't need me. Just like you said." I half regretted adding that final sentence to my words. It came out harsh and petty; I hated how I let my mind affect me and reveal my secret sense of anger at him for the past. I was glad that he didn't react to it, perhaps he couldn't recall our last conversation, so I was able to continue to attempt to persuade the cold man.

I changed the subject slightly in a more positive tone, "I was told you're interested in Dream." He nodded before lifting his glass and finish the last drop of red wine. I watched as his Adam apple bobbed, forcing down each gulp of the alcohol. It was quite attractive seeing him drink. I looked at him more seriously, my eyebrows narrowing as I bitterly asked, "care to explain what you're doing with my company?"

When I found out Leonardo was interested in gaining control of my ballet company, I was furious. It didn't matter who was trying to buy it now that my uncle had decided to explore other business ventures - the company was my mothers, mine to inherit. I had been waiting years, enduring hours and hours of torture to make myself suitable for the position as head. How dare he now try and take over?

"If you're so bothered, I'll give it back to you. . .if I feel like it." It vexed me more that he didn't answer my question. What could he possibly want with Dream? I was so close to grabbing it until he swooped in first.

I decided to get to the point, beginning to feel the rage building a silent storm in me. "Look, I have to be engaged to inherit that company which you know I've been fighting years for." I rolled my eyes at the thought of my deceased mother for cursing me with such a contract. My voice became more sincere as I remembered how badly I wanted Dream. I met his hazel eyes that thankfully were willing to listen to me. "She wanted stability, in case I was unable to lead her self-founded company - you know what she was like - so if you marry me and your intentions with Dream is to be involved with it, you'll have access." He didn't seem too convinced.

I sighed again, thinking about all the crazy shit I had been through for that company. I spoke more seriously as I gazed into his eyes, empathising, "look, you owe me."

He looked as though he was thinking of our last, heartbreaking encounter, that traumatising day where we separated all those years ago.

I gave him a final appeal, hating myself for appearing so weak in front of him. "I also. . .I also need your. . .protection." I lost eye context with him as I looked upon the dark sky, searching for a single star poking out of the blanket of dust.

"I'm being stalked.  .  . I thought I could handle it, I thought it would no longer affect me but. ." I shook my head, thinking of the daily torture the unknown person was giving me. It was normalise to have fans who overstepped their boundaries once in a while but being stalked was different - feeling like a constant target made me live walking on eggshells. It was messing with my head.

"Different ballerinas have gone missing over the last few months - even teenagers. It seems this. . .this person seeks to psychologically play with them before capturing them in their most vulnerable point then moves onto their next target." I looked firmly into his eyes, "I will not be another one. I had my own protection but it isn't enough - I know you can give me what I need and also find out where the hell all these girls have gone."

Leonardo nodded which seemed to be in agreement. "A few are from your company from what I've heard with some girls that were taken that worked for me." This surprised me, I thought through the list of missing girls, shocked that Leonardo had connections with them. I realised we both had the same mystery to solve.

"So-" my phone vibrated, I opened my purse to grab it. It was my guard, Aife calling me which spiked my interest as she never usually rang me. "Aife?" I answered, immediately hearing the sounds of sirens and commotion. I tensed up at the sound. She had gone with Iris, I momentarily worried for their safety.

"Come home! Your apartment-"

She was cut off by a voice - Iris's voice from elsewhere that was desperate and sounded frustrated, "why did you call her! She can't know about this!" Her exclaims made me feel more dread. The phone cut off abruptly and I stared at it for a second before quickly shoving it into my purse. I looked at him again in slight alarm, he heard the commotion.

"Drive me home."

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~ Author's Note ~

The first POV from Maria! Was it insightful seeing her thoughts?

What do you think is happening at Maria's apartment?

Their first conversation was quite business focused. Will Leonardo take up her offer?

For more releases, please Vote, Comment, Share, Follow!

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