~ Author's Note ~

We are now on Chapter 50.

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MARIA

The dance room had become stifling hot.

The sweat trickled down my skin as I danced, the strands of my hair that had slipped out of my bun, slowly becoming one with my face. My tiptoes pushed against the wood while I pirouetted urgently with a burning need for an escape inside me. My arms flailed in the air, keeping my harsh movements steady. I didn't know what I was doing and my eyes were blurred from all the spinning I was subjecting myself to.

I felt sick. Mama's bruised face was still tormenting my mind, those pills, that heart wrenching cry of hers. I shut my eyes tightly as I whirled my body around across the floor, my heart drumming through my chest, resonating across my face. I always saw her as my abuser, not as an abused woman. A loud huff left me as I span. Why did I have to remember that night all of a sudden? Mama was crying. Mama had her own struggles too. Did I hate her too much? Was I too hard on her?

I swung myself through the room, the hot air whipping around me. The flashing mirrors and lights combined, sending my head spinning. The blurred walls were closing in on me too quickly whenever I opened my eyes. I was breathless - breathless far too quickly. Mama would kill me if she heard how hard I was panting. The air burned through my chest as my ribcage moved up and down.

She was abused. My mother was abused. It wasn't just the arguments. She was so abused that she was prepared to end her suffering that night, taking Luna with her.

How much more did I block out from my childhood?

Then I was twirling, spinning in the abyss of my thoughts as I moved, unable to stop. My heart was beating faster and faster, my mind spanning out of control. I struggled to catch my breath, going over and over in the same spot until a pair of large arms caught me, just as I was beginning to lose my balance. My hands gripped onto their muscular arms, stopping myself from touching the ground.

Breathlessly, I turned, my eyes locking with warm hazel ones as I looked upwards. All tension had left my body as I relaxed, realising it was him.

"Mi amore," I automatically breathed out in surprise, as he slowly lifted me up to my feet. His hands held onto my hips, keeping me still. I looked up at him; there were not enough words in the world to describe how handsome that man was. A beautifully sculpted guy with a strong, sharp jawline, better seen since he has shaven his stubble. His touch was already sending butterflies across my stomach, a reminder of our last encounter was beginning to fill my mind. I held back the excitement in seeing Leonardo as I registered that I actually, seriously missed him.

His mesmerising eyes studied my face, a look of worry clouding his. "You fell," he pointed out slowly. His intent gaze stopped me from speaking. "You never fall," Leonardo said with his eyebrows narrowed, "ever." I slowly dragged in air as I stared at him. It was hard looking up at him, his teasing, buff chest was right in front of me. It felt worse knowing how good underneath was; the buttons were practically begging me to unravel them. The sweat was dripping down my forehead, I could feel it trickling down my back and chest. The heat from my own movement was suffocating.

"What's on your mind?" He earnestly questioned, ignoring my disheveled state. In that moment, it was no longer on what was clouding my thoughts before but completely on him. I didn't reply for a moment, trying to take in as much air as I could, my chest deeply rising and lowering. Mama, I wanted to say. I felt confused on what to think of her. I didn't know how to bring out my uncontrollable thoughts. Shaking my head; I stopped checking him out, my hands were still holding onto his bulging forearms.

My warm hands lifted themselves off him. I pushed his hands off my hips and turned my back on him as I walked towards the window, opening it. Holding onto the barre, I shot him a question in a hard tone, "you remembered me?"

I faced him again, a considerably large gap was between us in that vast practice room. Leaning against the barre, I folded my arms, raising an eyebrow as I sternly looked at him. Leonardo looked confused. Perhaps he was expecting a different reaction when I saw him.

"Yes. . ?"

"Why haven't you been answering, Leo?" I calmly interrogated, feeling bad at the back of my mind for speaking to him harshly. "Not a single phone call have you called back or even texted. Does your phone not work? Or did you just not prioritise me in the many busy things you need to do?"

"If you're in danger, how am I supposed to know? Am I supposed to just guess from your lack of communication that you're fine? What if you were hurt and I didn't know?"

"And how could you just leave like that?" I scoffed, remembering my frustration from before. "I was expecting to wake up next you and you were gone! After a night like that you just disappeared! That hurt. It really did," I strongly said as his face grew more concerned.

"I understand you're a man with a lot of ventures and businesses in your life. But I should be one of your highest priorities," I told him, finishing my rant, "so a simple message would've been nice."

"I. . .I," he slowly stammered. His gentle eyes met mine, an apologetic look across his face. "I didn't realise how much communication was needed in a relationship. I should've talked to you. You're right. I'm sorry. You make a lot of sense." My face softened. That was a lot smoother than I had expected. I blinked at him a few times in surprise. I hadn't gotten used to having mature and healthy discussions in a relationship.

I unfolded my arms, clasping my hands together. "So. .where did you go?" I more lightly asked as he began to approach me. I felt slightly awkward realising how quick he was to realise his mistake and apologise. "Were you a don or were you Leonardo?"

"A don," was all he replied with, nodding slowly as he stood before me. I cocked my head to the side, looking at him with a raised eyebrow. "Is that it?" It felt less worse knowing that he had a reason to go, not just because he wanted to.

"My stance on this won't change," Leonardo strictly reminded me, a definite tone in his voice as he knew what I was going to say. "I'm not telling you. The less you know, the better." I sighed at his stubbornness just as he cupped my cheek, his thumb softly stroking it.

"I'm sorry," he said genuinely again, holding my hand in his large one and kissing it. "I'll never be in danger, Ria, don't even worry about it," Leonardo reassured me, his words sounding convincing. He looked at me again with those captivating, radiant eyes, melting me inside. "It's okay," I quietly replied, resting my hand on his shoulder.

"I missed you, mia regina."

I smiled, the butterflies returning in my stomach again. He pressed his forehead against mine gently before pecking my lips. I placed my hand against his cheek. "What happened to your stubble?" It would take some getting used to. He looked younger without it. He shrugged, "felt like it."

"I signed some papers today. ." My smile widened as his eyes lit up as though he was waiting for me to mention it. He pulled me closer by my hips, our bodies against each other, pushing stray strands of hair away from my face. "You gave me back my Dream," I whispered, unable to hide my happiness. "Thank you," I sincerely appreciated him, lifting myself to my tip toes and kissing his cheek. "You held up your end of the deal."

His eyebrows narrowed at me, a disapproving look on his face. Leonardo's arms snaked around my waist and lifted me up onto the barre behind me, his large hands holding me there with an intense gaze. We were now at a more level height. "Forget that deal, Maria," a scolding tone coming from him. "It's you and me. No contracts or deals." His seriousness was attractive. I nodded with a chuckle, distracted by his manly allure.

"You and me, mi amore," I repeated gently, a smile growing on his face as I played with his hair, our faces close together. "Were you always this handsome, Leo?" I teased amorously, my eyes dropping to his appealing lips. He looked down, chuckling, the tips of his ears growing red.

I cupped his face and brought his lips to mine. What started with tender and sweet kisses, his lips delicate and reserved, continued with lustful desire, a hot, deepened session of us showing how much we missed each other. My hands wandered up and down his muscular arms as we kissed.

His hand held onto my waist, sliding down to my thigh and gently rubbing it, the other helping me lift my head up to him. I softly moaned as he brought me closer, his body between my legs that wrapped around him.

He began leaving kisses across my face, down my neck and sucking it, his face buried itself there. "Leo. ." I managed to let out, stifling back a moan as his lips sent tingles across my body. My heart was racing and I could feel my body unconsciously responding to his electrifying touch, willing to let him in. We were getting a little too intimate for where we were. "Don't-" I couldn't finish, breaking into another satisfied moan, his hungry lips back onto mine again, seeking for more.

I slowly moved back, my hands gently pressing against his shoulders, wanting to break the kiss, but he wrapped his arms around my waist, holding me tighter and unwilling to release me. I chuckled against his lips, feeling his earnest love.

"Come. Here," he roughly commanded between a kiss, strongly pulling me back to him with his hands clutching onto my thighs around him. I gasped against his lips, I wasn't quite used to his touchy side. I laughed again, shaking my head as I moved away. "This isn't the place, Leonardo. I have practice in ten minutes," I scolded playfully, keeping him back by pressing my hands against his buff chest.

He gave me a disagreeing look, leaning in again but I covered my mouth, earning a shocked and disappointed look from him as I laughed. "We have to stop, Leo. Anyone could walk in."

"It's fine. I locked the door," he casually said, an irresistible look on his face. My eyes widened at his quick response as I laughed, his lips back onto mine after moving my hand away strongly, lovingly kissing me again.

"You're turning me on," I sensually murmured against his lips, his hands on my thighs.

The heat in me was becoming too much. "Good," he huskily mumbled back, still stubborn.

"Ten minutes isn't enough."

"Isn't it?" He sexily countered as he lifted my legs, one resting on top of the barre and the other over his shoulder so they were wide open. Leonardo seemed quite surprised how easy it was. "You're more flexible than what you've shown me. Why didn't you show off your skills in Greece-" I pushed his chest playfully as he deeply laughed, stumbling backwards and holding onto my leg.

"Go," I softly encouraged with a smile, bringing my legs back down onto the barre. He sighed, planting another kiss on my forehead.

Leonardo playfully sighed, his eyes sparkling. "But if you keep smiling at me like that, bella {beautiful}, how am I supposed to leave?" I rolled my eyes with a grin at his corniness and pushed him back again, sliding down so my feet were on the floor.

"I'll see you at home," I chuckled, feeling my cheeks warm quickly at his cuteness.

"You're kicking me out," he whined, unwilling to leave.

I groaned at his complaints and sulky face. "Stop being a baby and leave!"

A sweet smile came onto his face as he took me seriously and began walking towards the door, waving his hand as he moved. "Dance carefully, Ria."

"Hey, Leo?" I called, just as his hand went to the door handle. He turned showing me his striking face again. "Thank you. Seriously. You have no idea how grateful I am."

"I love you," was all he cutely replied with before leaving.

I glanced at the clock and sighed.

My next session was with Jorge. Fantastic.

Thankfully, Madame Rodriguez was in the room with us, but that didn't stop the psycho for doing whatever he could to get on my nerves during those two hours. Whether it was the way he touched me to the evil look in his perverted eyes, I was uncomfortable the entire time even though I didn't let it show.

The final hour was for ourselves to practice unsupervised. The moment Madame had left the room, I just knew something was coming.

After the door shut, I walked over to the table and took a few sips from my water bottle, cooling myself down. He was keenly staring and I could disturbingly feel it. I was ignoring his horrible gaze and simply continued focusing on the main reason we were there. The quicker the hour went, the better. I tried to be as professional as I could manage, "remember to run just a few seconds faster on that note, otherwise-"

"You were sexy, little red riding hood."

I immediately rolled my eyes, my jaw clenching at his words. It was seconds before he was behind me, his hands suddenly holding onto my hips, strongly. "I loved the entire thing, kitten." I scoffed, looking down at his hands as I tried to decide whether to let my anger take over or to remain calm. I let out a breath, attempting to keep a collected manner. "Let go of me, Jorge. I'll ask once." He laughed deeply.

'Kitten'. I couldn't let go of the word. He always called me that. Jorge may have looked stupid laughing but the confusion hidden beneath was somehow telling me that the messages at the festival wasn't from him.

Surely not, I thought. I was certain it was him before.

My eyes expanded as he pulled me backwards, his dirty hands touching my butt before wrapping around me, hugging me uncomfortably from behind. "Sneaky Кукла {doll}," he murmured, I could sense that he was smirking as he nuzzled his head into my neck, his lips contaminating me.

The heel of my foot struck the bottom of his, ankle, just as my elbow poked him hard enough to release me. I turned around and forced his arms off of me. Scowling hard, I warned as I watched him pathetically chortle, "is that the best you could come up with?" I taunted, brushing off his disrespectful insult.

"Stronger than I thought, kitten," he sinisterly laughed, just as his eyes lingered on my neck. My skin prickled at the sound of his nickname again. "Oh? It looks like someone else has already tasted you today." My hand sat over the nape of my neck, knowing exactly where Leonardo had been earlier and left a mark.

"Pervert," I muttered, about to walk off after having enough of a wasted conversation. "As soon as this performance is done, you better take the first trip to Russia before I ship you there in a coffin."

As I walked, he grabbed my wrist, swinging me round and pulling me to him, his eyes dark and intense as they stared down at me. His face, close to mine, grew cold, a familiar eerie look was thrown at me. He hated my courage. "You think it'll be that easy?" I tugged my arm, attempting to free myself but he held both wrists, his strong hands tightening around them. It hurt like hell; I tried to mask the pain soaring through my arms on my face. "Let-"

"You'll send me fifty."

"Fifty what?" I sneered back, trying to push down the sense of fear building in me. I hated that I was breaking underneath him again. No matter how hard I tried, he still made the hairs at the back of my neck stand and my heart race whenever he was close.

"Million," Jorge demanded, his domineering tone loud and strong. "Don't you think you owe me that much, you greedy slut?" I mockingly laughed, reciprocating a cold stare, throwing daggers through my eyes. I didn't let his insults get to me.

"'That much?'" I jeered in disbelief, pulling to free my hands but his grip clutched onto me. I looked up at him in fury. "What? Did daddy cut off your credit cards again?"

"It's not easy being the spare part, is it, Jorge?" I provoked, knowing exactly his weak spot. He scowled, his hands holding me tighter and tighter, cutting off the circulation to my hands that were turning white. I winced, beginning to struggle to hold back the pain.

Jorge's intimidating eyes that leered down at me reminded me of our past; that dominant and possessive look he'd give me if a single man looked in my way, if I even spoke to another male, if I did anything he disliked. It always followed with a slap. I wasn't used to talking back to him. I tried to keep my breathing steady. Somehow I still wasn't over what happened between us; I still hadn't recovered from his abuse.

"If you want that silly marriage of yours to go well, you'll listen to every fucking thing I tell you to do," Jorge spine-chillingly cautioned, his face getting closer and closer to mine so our noses were touching. His unbearable eyes never left mine. I blinked, finding it difficult to maintain his hard gaze.

I scoffed again, "what makes you think I'll listen to you like your fucking puppet? I-"

"You will if you don't want that 'great Don' of yours to find out the truth, kitten." I stiffened, immediately losing my front. The blackmailer had won.

"The truth that could get you murdered worse than any of their enemies have ever experienced."

His unexpected words made me tense my muscles, my heart throbbing in my ears. He was right. A secret that could get me killed was hiding within me. I had let my guard down the past few weeks and gotten too comfortable. The fact that Jorge knew was still there; he would torment me over a drunken mistake for the rest of my life. "Bastard," was all I could whisper, the tears beginning to grow in my eyes from the tenseness around my wrists.

I was clouded by a growing feeling of terror. My body shrunk backwards as he pressed me against the wall, his lips practically brushed over mine as a dark smirk covered his face. He had me right where he wanted me. "Precious girl," he whispered, a cruel and twisted look on his face. "Just listen to me, and you'll be alright."

"You'll get me that fifty million and a permanent contract that allows me to remain at Dream." He grinned before adding, "as long as my needs are fulfilled, your dirty secret will remain a secret."

"What?" I questioned, forcing myself to keep in the tears. I didn't let it affect my voice as I coldly asked, "are you gonna make me sleep with you too? You're not getting shit, Jorge."

He laughed again. A full, expressive laugh of confidence that made my heart pound faster and faster in fear.

"Don't give me ideas, red," Jorge teased, his eyes looking directly down to my chest. I tugged again on his hold, quietly gasping at his strong and painful grip, a loud chuckle coming from him before he tutted at my actions. "That might be next," he vulgarly whispered, "you know I love the handcuffs."

Jorge sighed too happily, scanning my face. "I'll let you think about it, dear Maria. Would you rather be killed by your puny Don? Or do as you're told and come to me? It's up to you. You know there's no use in telling him." I angrily tugged again and he laughed, enjoying controlling me like a little animal, his thumbs rubbing onto my skin.

"So feisty!" Jorge taunted as he laughed in amusement, a playful and dark gaze upon me. "Seeing you so frustrated so makes me want to tame you, tigress." He childishly groaned, his lips forcing a rough kiss on mine, moving away fast enough before I bit him.

"Think about it," he whispered again with his charming gaze before releasing his hold. My arms immediately crossed my chest. My clammy hands held onto my wrists in agony as he left the room.

I slid down the wall and closed my eyes, the tears starting to leak out.

A terrible secret was finally breaking itself free.

It would only be a matter of time before it escaped and there was nothing I could do to stop it.

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~ Author's Note ~

Well. . .looks like Maria is in trouble. She has a secret that clearly Leonardo needs to know about. What could it possibly be that she's actually worried about Jorge telling Leonardo?

As for Leonardo and Maria, they seem to be back on track after Greece. Their next few moments are cute! They're finally being a real couple!

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