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With the Grand Performance coming up, time had surely passed by quickly,

Maria had been busy in Dream practicing day and night both physically and vocally but her work had not finished there. She was due to perform in Greece for a friend, Azia, who had begged Maria to join her concert.

Azia was one of the top charting female artists globally and had attended one of Maria's performances years ago when her popularity was soaring internationally. Since then, the two had become relatively close which was why Maria had agreed to do Azia a favour as one of her featuring artists had dropped out, after a series of drug allegations, falling from fans' good graces. Maria would not only be saving her concert space but also a part of Azia's reputation.

She had made sure that Rosa was being checked on by Iris to alleviate her worries and that her sister was aware of her departure for the next few days.

Conveniently, Francis had spotted an appearance of Javier, who had been on the run after numerous closures of his businesses, in Greece. It would be the perfect opportunity to destroy the man who had wrongly crossed not only the
Romanos, but also the Lemaires which meant Leonardo would be joining Maria over a few days in the balmy country of Greece.

"Welcome!"

The luggage moved in front of the two by workers wearing white linen clothes, perfectly thin for the scorching heat blistering from above. Leonardo felt incredibly uncomfortable from the sweltering heat that stuck his long sleeved white shirt against his burning skin and wiped the sweat trickling down from his forehead away with the back of hand. He grumpily slogged along and couldn't wait for moment he would come into contact with the AC in inside.

Meanwhile, Maria beamed with happiness as she excitedly made her way up to the grand villa beside Leonardo. Her attire was well suited to the scorching weather; a floral knot front cami dress with a thigh slit which unknowingly attracted the eyes of certain workers. She skipped as she moved, completely opposite to Leonardo who was jet lagged and running low on energy after a long flight.

With each movement, Leonardo could smell her familiar vanilla scent that filled the air. He noticed how she had changed up her hair, blow dried her long strands into loose wavy curls that bounced off her shoulders as she walked. He would never say to her face how radiant she looked under the blue sky but merely appreciated her beauty from inside.

The two were being ushered inside by the villa's housekeeper Orion, a short yet bubbly man who walked in front of them with a feminine flair to him, his hand was on his swaying hips as he walked. The first thing Maria noticed about him was how his hair was excessively gelled back and his skin was exceptionally smooth, glowing under the hot sun's rays.

Orion was genial and placed in charge of Leonardo's villa while he was away, taking care of household cleaning, organising, protection and utilities. Leonardo trusted him in his Greek home. Maria had never travelled to Greece and was amazed at the grand villa Leonardo owned in such a historically gorgeous country.

His luxurious and traditional villa, designed by an Athenian architect, oversaw his private pool below. The high walls were painted white with numerous French windows catching Maria's attention as they followed Orion through the courtyard.

They entered the villa and as Leonardo expected, were slammed with the cool breeze of the air conditioning, something that was most likely going to be kept on for the next few days. The visit would be short, Maria still had lots to continue to prepare for back home.

Orion opened his arms widely with a grin, "Καλημέρα {good morning}. I sincerely hope your flight was magnificent! The staff will be carefully taking your luggage to your room and in the meantime, I would be honoured to show you around the villa, Miss Amante. I believe this is your first time here, δεσποινίδα {miss}?" Maria allowed the worker to take her bag away before returning a smile to Orion and nodding.

"Yes it is! I would be delighted to." Nonetheless, the home owner himself Leonardo decided to tag along.

The place was massive. Much bigger than Leonardo's home which surprised her that he had even bought that place. The floors were glossy and clean and there was not even a speck of dust anywhere. Orion spoke about the history of the villa with pride as they toured around, whilst mentioning a few facts about the country of Greece itself. Maria loved the ambience of the place, inhaling deeply as she moved in tranquility, all she could hear were the sounds of the sea and the chirping of the birds outside. It was much better than the constant buzz of vehicles in the city that she was used to.

There were all sorts of rooms besides from the basics; a wine cellar, an office, a butler's pantry, pools, an art room, an extra few large bathrooms and bedrooms as well as lounges, an observatory. So many had put Maria in awe.

They were brought up the stairs where they reached the final destination; the bedroom. Two workers pushed the great doors before them revealing a romantically decorated, large bedroom. The space was immense, as was the bed that was covered in red rose petals. The drawers had candles waiting to be lit. Maria loved the tall windows that oversaw the magnificent view before them and she peeked into the stone walled en suite that looked comfortable to bathe in.

"We have come to the final part of the villa, or if you ask me, the best part."

Leonardo cleared his throat and questioned, "what's with the decorations?" He felt his ears begin to heat up. Orion chuckled playfully, walking towards the small drawer beside the bed and opening it.

"As we heard the news of your arrival with your fiancé, Don, we arranged several items around the villa suited for your age and, well, circumstance." Orion lifted an item and blurted with a giggle, "προφυλακτικά {condoms}." Maria's eyes widened at the sight as she covered her mouth with her hand and laughed. Leonardo rolled his eyes, his heart was racing.

Orion placed the item back into the drawer much to his boss' dismay and clapped impishly. "Thank you, Orion," Leonardo tightly said, "you may leave now," Leonardo sighed with a glare, rubbing his forehead. The workers bowed and left saying to call if they required anything. He could never fully hate his annoying housekeeper.

Maria then laughed sweetly as she plopped herself onto the big bed, exhaling in relaxation as she propped herself up with her hands behind her. "I like your housekeeper," she chuckled, moving her wavy hair off her shoulder which showed off her defined collarbones.

Her twinkling eyes met Leonardo's tired ones. "Orion," he mumbled in slight annoyance as he thought of him. He pulled opened the drawers to see the excessive packets of condoms in each one; Orion had littered them everywhere in the villa.

Leonardo couldn't stay frustrated, he was too tired and knew the loyalty of his worker. He laid in his back on the petals beside her and sighed, slowly closing his heavy eyes. Leonardo felt her small hand place itself on his thigh. "You didn't sleep much on the plane. You should rest here," her gentle voice was music to his ears, a lullaby for his exhaustion, melodious and ethereal.

Unexpectedly, his hand reached out and pulled hers. She gasped as her body moved forward and landed practically on top of him. He didn't mind, wrapping his arm around her slim waist as her head landed on his hard chest. "Let's sleep," he murmured, already beginning to be taken away by the power of fatigue. He focused on the rhythm of her heartbeat against him but it was a little too quick for his liking. She blinked in surprise, groaning as she tried to get up but was held down by him.

"I slept enough on the plane. Sleep alone, Leo," she complained, pushing his arm in an attempt to remove it from her. He held onto her tighter, wishing she would stay still. His eyes continued to stay closed and she gave up, resting in his arms. "I can't sleep well without you."

Maria groaned, "I won't always be around when it's time to sleep," but she stayed in place, and eventually nuzzled her head into his chest, letting her arm wrap around his waist. Leonardo's large arms engulfed her onto him, unwilling to keep Maria distant. He relaxed in her embrace, deeply inhaling her familiar and comforting scent.

An unintended yawn leaving her and before she knew it, Maria fell asleep minutes after Leonardo.

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Maria woke up to the sound of gentle knocking on the bedroom door a few hours later. Leonardo's grip had loosened around her body and she sat up groggily beside him. He was still sleeping. She got up away from his warmth, sliding her feet into the comfortable white slippers and adjusted her dress that had moved as she slept. Maria brushed down the petals they were lying on and held back a yawn. Swiftly, Maria glanced into the mirror and fixed her hair before opening the bedroom door slightly to see the cook.

Maria smiled at her. "Good day, ma'am. Lunch is ready to be served." The cook had a thick Greek accent and was short with short curly, brown hair. Maria asked for her name which was Sofia. "Thank you, Sofia. Please store the food for later, I'm going out and the Don is still sleeping." Sofia shortly nodded and bowed her head politely before leaving.

Maria went back to Leonardo and picked up a small blanket to cover him. He surely looked handsome despite sleeping.

She eventually left the villa and arrived at the dance studio, taken there by an arranged chauffeur, where Azia was waiting impatiently for a friend she hadn't seen in a long time.

Azia ran out towards Maria excitedly. Her shorts were hugging her curves and her thinly strapped crop top looked more like a bra than a top. Her arms wrapped around Maria as she tightly squeezed her. Maria laughed as she hugged her back. They were an unlikely pair of friends with completely different personalities. Azia toured a lot since she had numerous albums out, it was difficult to meet with her and with Maria's schedule, video call wasn't always available according to her timetable. The two understood that distance didn't mean friendship had to end. Therefore when the two did meet, their conversations were always more interesting and meaningful as time and distance had kept them apart.

Azia's figure was impeccable; she worked out a lot to shape her thin, hourglass body which was showed off in the majority of her music videos. She was taking ownership of her body and promoting an image of empowerment for other women. Aside from that, her voice had won the hearts and millions internationally. After splitting from a former group created on a talent show, the singer had sold more album copies as a soloist than she did in a group. Her career was hitting off and she wanted a change by bringing a ballerina to open her show.

"I'm so glad you came!" Azia pulled away and her ecstatic honey eyes gazed sincerely into hers. Maria brushed off her gratefulness and smiled. After the two had caught up, the dance choreographer had arrived.

"Sexy?" Maria blurted out in disbelief after hearing the theme of the stage. She was baffled that Azia had expected her to perform in such a way. Azia grinned at her, her arms folded across her chest which pushed her breasts upwards. The male dancers had already begun to fill the room and Maria stared at each of them in bewilderment as she began to realise what she would be actually dancing on stage.

"Yes!" Azia insisted, tugging Maria's arm. She flicked her jet black hair over her shoulder. "The first song is 'Vibe with you' so I need you to bring in some of those sexual vibes!" Maria's eyes were about to explode. She laughed in shock and slight fear while shaking her head. The last thing she wanted to do was become a stripper on stage, especially with all that was going on back home.

"The song was well received, it's number one on the charts so I need a little ballet flair from you!"

Maria wasn't even sure that her body would be good enough for it. She began to think about how she looked in front of the mirror. Maria had been watching her weight again as the Grand Performance was drawing near without Leonardo knowing. She bit her bottom lip and thought about it as Azia continued to attempt to persuade her.

"Look, it'll be a good change from the usual image you show. I get it, you're a fairy princess, but sometimes don't you wanna be a foxy enchantress? Channel your buried burning desires into this performance and I'm sure you won't regret it! Come on, Ria!" Maria gave Azia a sigh and slowly nodded, giving in. She would just do that one opening stage and that would be it, a favour to a friend.

Azia squealed, kissing her cheek and hugged her once more. So Maria pulled off her light jacket and immersed herself into the first practice which was a lot harder than she had expected.

"I've heard you've got a fiancée now, sounds like someone I have heard before," Azia said before gulping down some of her water, "I always thought you stay as the last single Pringle." Maria sat beside her on the ground. Practice had ended and after trial and error, Maria had managed to nail the basics of the choreography, there would be one more before the actual performance. Maria laughed a little, gently pulling her hair into a messy bun at the back of her head, the waves on her hair had turned into frizzy clumps.

Maria replied teasingly, "and you? Since when did you meet that basketball player?" The photos had been all over magazines. Azia pushed Maria's shoulder jokingly, still breathless after a difficult rehearsal. She stretched her left arm into the air, her aesthetic tattoos becoming more visible. "It's not that serious. I just like his height, he sucks in bed. You however-" her caramel eyes intently gazed at Maria as her eyebrows narrowed. "Have a real thing going on. What's he like?"

Maria's smile extended at the thought of him. "He treats me well. Kind, amusing. Protective." She was sure Leonardo would never describe himself that way.

"Protective? Does this mean you can't go out with me tonight?"

"Go out?" Maria repeated, she hadn't been out on a night out for a while. She started to debate whether to be or not to be an introvert for the evening. She could do with an adventure outside in a new country.

"Well, not exactly out." She turned over to face Maria with a large grin on her face. "Come with me to my place! A bunch of people are coming over anyway, including Camille! Come on, it'll be fun." Maria felt more comfortable knowing that someone else she knew would also be there so she accepted Azia's offer and later went to her house to change.

It was a difficult night trying to engage herself into the party. With random people Azia had invited dancing all over the place and on each other, drinking excessively, smoking and sniffing, Maria was feeling more and more out of place. She hadn't drank much. It wasn't really her scene but nonetheless, she tried her best to engage with her friends that she hadn't been out with in a long time.

But all Maria could think about was Leonardo. What was he doing? Had he thought about her that day? Did he sleep well? As the hours went by, she was growing more and more distracted.

Maria suddenly felt the urge the speak to him. She unlocked her phone and opened her messaging app only to realise how straight forward their conversations were over text. She found entertainment by simply scrolling through their brief conversations.

Have you ate?

Not yet. Waiting on Iris.

Send me a picture of what you're eating.

Okay, officer.

Can you bring back some toys for Bear?

He has enough.

Please?

Fine.

I miss you. Come home so we can watch a movie together.

I'm working late.

I miss you more than you can imagine.

Go to sleep.

She found herself smiling at her bright phone screen as if the world wasn't moving hectically around her. She could hear his voice in her ears. The desire to see him grow stronger the more she read. Maria's thumbs were about to tap sentences to him until Camille clutched onto her arm and shook her while giggling. "Ria! Dance with me!"

Maria didn't get to send the message. Her phone went back into her purse and the thoughts of Leonardo began to dissipate as she was dragged back into the crowd once more. It was incredibly loud and sweltering hot with all the bodies moving in one space to the heat of the thumping music bouncing off the walls.

Camille and Maria had spoken all night amicably as though they hadn't seen each other for ages. Camille drank much more than Maria and was intoxicated with alcohol. Though Maria was moving her body to the music with her, she slowed upon realising how out of it Camille seemed.

"Cammy, are you okay?" Maria sincerely asked in a loud voice, her eyes filled with worry as she took a good look at her. "How much did you drink?" Neither could recall. Maria scanned the room the best she could but the last time she had seen Azia that night was when she had been running upstairs with a guy at least an hour ago.

Camille looked sick; her pale cheeks were clammy and her eyes had lost focus. She struggled to stand straight and her smile had become lopsided. Her sweaty hands held onto Maria's shoulders for security. "Ma cherie, je suis tres fatigue!" Maria's eyebrows narrowed at her slurred words. Camille needed to go home; something wasn't right.

She frowned, holding Camille up more steadily. "Should I call Francis-"

"No!"

"No," Camille firmly answered too quickly before realising her swiftness, before barely coherently mumbling, "I'm a big girl. A big girl that needs another big girl's help. Take me home." Maria stared at her in slight bewilderment as she understood further how drunk Camille was. Camille rested her head on her shoulder, on the verge of passing out.

She sighed, placing her hand on Camille's head. The night was about to get even longer.

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