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MARIA

Embarrassment would be an understatement as to how I was feeling while walking beside the man I had just argued with, at a beach where I wished I was alone at. My eyes squeezed closed as I tried to fight off the uncomfortable feeling within me, targeting me over everything that had happened that night.

I slowly brought my right hand to my left bicep, gently holding it as we strolled in complete silence. My head faced the opposite direction to him, focusing on the rippling, calm waves before us, easing in and out against the shore as my feet sunk into the soft, warm sand below us. It was dark outside but with the few lampposts and restaurants close by, it didn't feel empty or deserted at the beach; there were others also taking an evening walk.

I enjoyed the refreshing air gently blowing over me, freely flowing through my hair and against my clothes, cooling me down. I no longer felt the same way I was before in that villa all frustrated. My chest was no longer compressed and aching - I could finally breathe in the fresh air. Everything before felt like a blur the more I pondered on it, a blur I wished had a better outcome.

I had made my mind up, that night, I didn't plan to pursue anything with Leonardo anymore. I had been hurt enough and neither of us were happy. There was no way we could be the same after what had happened. That was what I had kept in my mind until he broke the bittersweet silence between us.

"When I first met you, I thought you were crazy."

My head whipped, with lowered eyebrows, around to look at him, my lips separated in surprise not only to hear him talk, but the words he had said. He had a smile on his handsome face. "Who runs around in snow in a summer dress?" I was surprised that he still remembered our first encounter well.

Our pace slowed as we approached a wooden bench and as we sat down, our eyes were cast onto the immense sea before us, calmly inching into the shore and away. I sat closer towards the edge, a substantial gap between the two of us whilst he sat further back. "And the more I got to know you, the crazier you seemed to be." I looked down momentarily, remembering our past.

"From the start, you changed me. If it wasn't for you, my first and only best friend, I'd be dead, and I. ." He paused, exhaling gently as he shook his head. "I take that for granted. I take my life for granted. I take you for granted."

I sighed, beginning to feel his guilt radiating off him. "You don't have to-"

"It was selfish of me to ever call you selfish. You're not and you're right," Leonardo attested genuinely. I looked back at him briefly, my leg uncrossed the other as I placed both hands on my thighs, clasped together. Once my eyes met his unfeigned, compelling ones, I moved them back to the sea, my heart being to race again at the face of his candidness. "I push people away. I am selfish. All this time, I've just being thinking about myself, my problems, my sickness, my worries. I act like I don't care about the feelings of others around me."

"And when you've been there to carry the burden with me, I shut you out and expect you to come back. That's not fair." I closed my eyes, my hands tightly intertwined with each other. Then I once again looked back at him, about to speak until he took my hand, holding it in his with a tender grip.

Leonardo honestly and wholeheartedly told me, "Maria, I am sorry. My biggest fear was hurting you, and I've done exactly that. I've not been true to myself or to you."

"I know it wasn't intentional. I know it hasn't been easy for you, so I forgive you, Leonardo," I replied sincerely. I found the tears begin to fill my eyes once again. "I'm sorry for today, for all of today." I stopped again, barely able to speak. I looked away for a second as I swallowed back the pain rising in me.

"But let's stop here."

"Looking back, things went wrong from the start." I fought back the tears, releasing my hand from his and bringing it back to me. "I shouldn't have sent you that invitation thinking so hopefully. So childishly."

"Let's stop here, Leonardo, before we break each other completely."

I concealed my grief with a lowered smile, standing. He blinked a few times, his misty eyes tinged with redness. His lips parted as he let out a breath of sadness.

I began to walk away solemnly before he could say anything else. It was difficult with the sand but I moved as modestly but as quickly as I could before the tears could leak down my cheeks. I deeply breathed in and out to calm myself down, my hand dabbing my eyes before I could allow the tears to wretch my entire face again. All sorts of negative thoughts surrounded me, all sorts of pains were shattering my heart that was flooded in sadness.

But it had to be done was what I told myself. We had to free ourselves from a constant cycle of nothingness. I whimpered gently as I fought to not cry, feeling exhausted, depressed. All I wanted to do was curl up in a ball and sleep away the pain. I wanted him. I still needed him. But I told myself I could no longer try to have him.

"Maria," I heard him call. I groaned tearfully, sniffling as I tried to walk faster, realising he was behind me.

"Leo, please don't," I seriously interrupted, my agony worsening at the sound of him, the sound of his optimism. The tears began to fall, staining my cheeks again.

"I can't, Maria. I can't stop and I will never be able to stopping loving you."

I closed my eyes, letting out the tears. His dear words halting me. "Leo. ." I whispered, wishing for him to let me go. I kept moving, walking and walking to escape, my heart aching for him.

A strong arm pulled mine, the action causing me to turn, my feet crossing over each other as I unwillingly moved. I landed in his arms and with barely a chance to pause then his lips were against mine, muffling my gasp.

My eyes closed as I relaxed, the unexpected action giving me amnesia as to what had just happened before. I let his fingers intertwine with mine, holding my hand with a loving grip. His head tilted right ever so slightly, his gentle hand cupped my cheek, caressing my skin softly as he wiped the salty tears that had tainted my cheeks. His lips slowly separated from mine and kissed my cheek delicately, taking away my sadness. His arms kept me close to him, my chest rose and fell against his own chest and Leonardo's arms slid around my waist.

Slowly, I lifted my head allowing our eyes to lock and as I gazed into his sincere, mesmerising eyes, a gentle sigh came from me as I said, "that was the first time you've kissed me." He smiled as his eyes twinkled, my heart fluttering at the sight.

He lightly planted a kiss on my lips again, making me blink in surprise. Ardently, he spoke, "I promise to put you first, Maria." Leonardo intently gazed into my eyes, a soothing look from him instantly bringing me peace. His hand continued to caress my cheek. I focused on him; what he was saying felt genuine and true. "And I promise to work on myself and never hide my love for you ever again."

"Mmm. ." I nodded, blinking back the stinging tears. He wiped my cheeks faintly again, "I'm sorry for making you cry, mia cara."

I felt renewed the moment he hugged me, his large arms wrapped around me and protected me. With my eyes closed, I exhaled in peace, a peace I had never felt before. His embrace was like a blanket I needed to rest, a comfort I had never experienced before, a confirmation that he loved me and felt an immense feeling of longing and desire to be with me.

So I cried. I cried in solace and delight that Leonardo was finally freeing himself and being with me.

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With an hour left of Leonardo's birthday, we were sat on the large, fluffy rug beside the fireplace after playing UNO, which I had pathetically lost at, and having some cake. Leonardo had just finished his slice of tiramisu and complained, "I'm stuffed." I wasn't surprised since he had eaten every single dish Sofia and I had made. He really was a big eater for Italian food.

He placed his arm once again around me and held me. I leaned back against his warm chest, relaxing as we watched the animal documentary before us. Leonardo really loved animals. I placed my hand on top of his, beginning to feel the tiredness seep into me. I stifled a yawn and looked down, realising my left hand felt bare.

"My ring," I whispered without hesitation. I frowned thinking I'd lost it and began searching with my eyes across the ground, hoping a diamond would catch my eyes.

"You dropped it earlier," Leonardo informed me, his hand wriggling around in his pocket then moving to my lap, to show me the ring in the palm of his large hand. I instantly remembered how I lost it once I saw it.

"Oh." Relieved he had taken it, my hand reached for it but Leonardo's hand curled into a fist quickly, leaving my hand mid air.

"Do you want this one?" He asked and I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion. "Yes. . ?" I glanced down at his hand again. I was a sucker for jewellery.

"What if I had a different one? A real one. One that would change the future for you and I?" It took me a second to realise he wasn't talking about the diamond. I felt my cheeks heat up and smiled. I turned on his lap so I could see him better, his eager eyes giving away his intention.

Then, I failed to hold back a laugh. "Leonardo," I chuckled, shaking my head at him. "If that was your way of proposing, then it was pretty shit." The tips of his ears were red hot, and he looked down, a sheepish smile stretched across his shy face.

I lifted his chin, locking eyes with him. "But you know what? Hold off on it for a little while," I honestly said. We knew each other well enough to get married on the spot, it would be my dream to be his wife. However I knew that Leonardo and I needed some time together first. A lot had happened between us and a lot needed to be discussed therefore was for the best that we waited. The fake engagement would have to continue for a bit longer. "And when we're ready, and your proposal is at a better standard," I teased, "I promise," I began with a sincere tone, my eyes never leaving his. "I promise I'll say yes." I pecked his cheek, thankful for his commitment.

"Would you ever ask me?" Leonardo made me roll my eyes as I lifted myself off his lap, standing and brushing down my dress.

"Only when pigs fly, Leonardo."

I came back downstairs with Leonardo's gift.

His precious reaction drew me in; I had ever seen him so excited before. It was as though Leonardo had never unwrapped a present. His happiness made me want to preserve the image I had of him right before me. His large hands struggling to unwrap a tiny box while he sat on his knees, a giddy smile on his face like a child on Christmas Day.

Endearingly, I gazed at him. My heart warmed at his curious, cute facial expressions, how his eyes lit up as he looked at the wood carving I had made for him weeks before. His wide eyes met mine as he bursted, "you made this?" I nodded with a deep smile, glancing over at the lion carving. "You have a thing for lions and I never got to make you one like you used to for me."

"Wow. ." He was genuinely astonished, his eyes intricately staring at the wood statue. "Thank you, Ria, really."

"It's not as good as yours were." He shook his head, taking my hand into his and squeezing it gently. "Thanks for making something so thoughtful."

Leonardo's smile extended as he lamented, "I should make one for Amalia. I stopped making these years ago after. . ." He trailed off and I deciphered why; Cristiano was the one who showed him how to make wooden statues. Sensing it wasn't a pleasant topic, I lightened the conversation by brightly suggesting, "I'll make some too. Maybe I'll try to make a unicorn for her."

He gave me a funny look so I tossed a pillow off his shoulder with a sulk. As he laughed. "I'm joking - I'm sure she'd like it." My face made it clear that I didn't believe his reassurance, making him chuckle.

As Amalia was brought up, I lumberingly began, "if we're. .together." He raised his eyebrows in curiosity for me to continue. I must've had a muddled look on my face as I questioned, "what does that make me to Amalia?"

His hazel eyes studied my face. "It depends what you want to be to her." Unsatisfied with his response, I looked at him more seriously. "Leo. ." I adjusted myself to sit more comfortably. "I'm not sure." I hesitated before adding, "and I don't actually know anything about her mother."

Leonardo nodded in understanding, a mature and willing look overcoming him. "I should've clarified things more instead of avoiding it." I expectantly looked at him for answers.

"Elisa only gave birth to Amalia. She is not her mother," Leonardo strongly explained, "she left the moment Amalia came home from the hospital."

"Why did she leave?" I further inquired in a softened voice, as I attentively looked at him.

"She was a deceptive person. Lying, sneaking around, scheming," Leonardo commented with a hint of anger in his tone at the thought of her. "The marriage was for business, not love. Rumours were said that she looked for pleasure elsewhere." He shrugged and added, "it's not like I gave her what she wanted. We had our own separate lives and hardly spoke. I didn't want anything to do with her."

"After I became Don, I didn't need her anymore, she clearly didn't need me but my money. The door was open and she left." I slowly nodded, inhaling deeply. I never liked Elisa, something about her never sat right with me.

Leonardo scoffed before drinking some of his wine. His face began to turn hard, "she never even looked at the baby that came out of her, and when Amalia cried, her face. ." He shook his head in disbelief, "it was as if she gave birth to a monster. I had to beg her to keep Amalia from the start."

I came closer to him and placed myself on his lap once again, holding his hand gently. "Thanks for telling me, Leo." I was aware it wasn't exactly the most simplest topic to discuss. I was grateful for his honesty. "I thought. ." I smiled a little in disbelief. "I thought you did like her, Amalia was confirmation of that to me. That's why I thought you were doing pretty well for yourself before."

He moved my hair over my shoulder and kissed my cheek, gently squeezing my hip. "The only woman I've loved is you and it will only be you." My heart fluttered at his words.

"She wasn't planned. At all. I never thought I'd have a child," Leonardo honestly told me, holding me close. "I was drunk and she took advantage of that." My eyebrows furrowed a little as his words seemed to imply that only he was drunk. My lips parted to object but he didn't seem to want to explore that particular event further, his eyes closed as he sighed. "But finding out about Amalia. ." The corner of his lips rose once again as his eyes began distant. "Shocked me. I suddenly wanted to love and become someone for her."

I held off on my questioning of justice and more importantly said, "when Amalia grows up, she'll have peer pressure, boy drama, hormonal changes. She'll have tears, her first period, first kisses-" Leonardo gave me a weary look and I chuckled before continuing, "and she'll need encouragement, girl talk, shopping trips. Someone other than her dad to explore certain things." I looked at him more seriously. "I'll be that person."

His eyes warmly gazed at me. "And I'll give her the love and care she needs." I smiled at him and as he leaned in, I closed my eyes and allowed him to melt against me, his delicate and tender kiss soothing me.

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~ Author's Note ~

44 chapter later and they are finally together!

Maria and Leonardo reconciled and spoke about their true feelings. Leonardo has finally accepted to love and to be loved by Maria!

The next couple of chapters are really sweet so keep watching for the next update!

Thoughts on this chapter?

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