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MARIA

My body was a ready to drop by the time I had reached the penthouse that evening.

The shoes, that made my feet feel like I was walking on molten fire, had to come off as soon as I entered. I could barely hang my coat onto the hanger as I trudged along.

I deeply yawned as I moved. The lights were dimmed and the apartment was quiet as usual, a peaceful atmosphere to return to. I was glad the heating was already warming me up from the cool night air I had just been in before. My shoulders ached making it difficult to walk straight.

Bear waddled along to greet me and I smiled, running my fingers through his soft fur as I gently welcomed him with a croaky voice, "hey, my little Bear. Did you miss me?" I was glad he was still in one piece after staying with Vincenzo for a short while. I stifled another yawn while making my way into the house and washing my hands in the closest bathroom I passed.

It wasn't long before I discovered Leonardo typing away in his office as usual. The man was sat behind his computer completely oblivious to me leaning against the doorway with a mug of hot chocolate in my hand, ready for him.

His eyes snapped upwards from his lenses the moment I lightly tapped on the door, bringing him out of his own thoughts. "When did you get back?" I smiled at his cuteness, realising he was wearing the striped pyjamas I had gotten for him in Greece. Leonardo almost never wore pyjamas. A lot of things he never used to do had changed over the time we had spent together.

As I walked in, he stood and kissed my cheek, thankfully taking the mug and having a drink. "Just now," I answered and he noticed my tiredness straight away, his eyes already troubled at my state. I gave him a reassuring look, standing more straight and trying to seem more awake. I glanced at his laptop, moving to get a better angle as I asked, "what are you up to?"

He quickly closed the tabs before I could see. A look of confusion came onto my face as I looked at him. "Just the stalker," Leonardo honestly told me, holding my hand delicately, like I was a sacred jewel, and bringing me closer. He wrapped his arms around my waist as I was taken to his lap, his warm, hard torso against mine. "You don't need to see all of that."

"I'm not scared, Leo," I tried to put his mind at rest. He rubbed my hand and I quickly glanced down to make sure my long sleeves were covering my dark wrists. "I know. I just don't want you to feel any extra stress, you have enough on your plate right now."

"I didn't tell you," I revealed in a low tone, as I remembered, before bringing out my phone and showing him the messages I received after the performance. I yawned before saying, "I didn't want to think about it then." I looked at the landscape on his computer home screen. "I. .I just wish it would all stop," I quietly told him, thinking back to my encounter with Jorge. His jaw tightened and he tossed my phone onto the table, one hand curling into a large fist on the desk.

Leonardo turned slightly to get a better look at me and questioned more seriously, "Ria, why didn't you say anything?"

I shook my head, already feeling overwhelmed again. My chest felt heavy as I sighed, staring down at my hands. "I'm tired."

I registered that tears were starting to fall down my cheeks. Surprised at myself, I quickly wiped them away, inhaling deeply. I gently let out a laugh, shaking my head at my silliness. "I don't know what's wrong with me." A lie, I knew exactly Jorge had triggered me that day.

"I'm sorry," Leonardo gently replied, lowering his stern tone from before. I shook my head again, glancing up at him.  "You've had a long day," Leonardo kindly empathised, comfortingly rubbing my tight back. "I'll kill those bastards." Then I felt guilty again for his kindness. He was completely unknown to the truth. He turned his head, gazing at me as I wiped my face from the stray tears. I felt like I was beginning to break right before him.

"What's stressing you?" He seemed to hesitate before inquiring more intently, "is there something. . .something I need to know?" His compassionate tone almost made me pour out my mind. My heart was shattering at the lost opportunity that I had rejected for myself.

I could've told him then when he was willing and ready to hear. The complete and entire truth, all right there when he might have understood me better. But the oath and fear stopped me, completely shielded me from telling him what was truly eating me alive all this time. I knew I had to tell him, I knew it would be harder since we were officially together, but I couldn't ruin what we had. We were finally going good. I needed more time and a better time to truly be connected with him. I hoped he'd understand.

But I lost that chance. I should've told him then.

I shook my head, weakly smiling at him again. "Nothing, mi amore. It's just ballet stuff, preparations, the stalker-" I sighed, catching my breath. Then I said again, "I'm just tired." Another lie had slipped right out of my mouth. Those weren't the true matters messing with my head in that moment of time.

"Tell me about something more positive then I'll cheer up," I optimistically requested, the tears subsiding as I called myself down, fighting the tingling in my nose and eyes.

Leonardo's concerning look didn't cease but nonetheless he informed me, "I'm looking at places for us. What do you think?" One arm rested around me as he clicked through the properties listed on his computer. "You, me and Amalia," Leonardo continued, drawing circles on my hip. "I'm being serious about change." He was doing a lot better; sleeping by himself for longer and at more reasonable times, not draining himself into work and letting go of his sleeping tablets.

"I know you are," I agreed, placing my arm over his shoulder and nodding. "I'm grateful. . .but don't forget Bear." He chuckled, correcting himself, "and Bear." As I looked through the houses, a desire for a fairytale happy ending for us was there. I imagined us in the rooms, watching movies together, laughing together, cooking together, resting peacefully with each other. Taking Amalia out in the garden to play, putting her to bed when it's late. Would it be possible with my secret? Or would everything shatter before it came into full fruition.

"You don't like this one?" Leonardo asked, I looked back at the screen, realising I zoned out. I shook my head and tried to look more uplifted. "I do. .I'm not too sure about the bathroom sizes though."

"This garden has no room for plants."

"I think there isn't a good amount of space in the hallways."

"Two bedrooms? I don't think that's enough."

"Not enough. .?" Leonardo slowly asked, his eyes sheepishly looking at me as though I was insinuating something and he needed further confirmation.

I nodded, "yeah. Bear needs a room too." He laughed and showed me a few more but they all had parts to them that weren't quite perfect.

"Wow," Leonardo breathed out as we came to the last one. "I didn't realise they had all these problems." He sighed and I gently squeezed his shoulder.

"We'll find one. It'll just take some time, mi amore," I reassured him, starting to feel a bit better. He yawned. Leonardo looked as though he'd been in there for a while. Three empty mugs, once filled with coffee, had already been stacked up to the side.

He placed his hand against my cheek and I leaned into his warmth, closing my eyes and relaxing. Only he could keep my sorrows away.

The pain of him not knowing was torturing me.

But the heartbreak of him finding out would be was worse.

I pushed those thoughts away and inhaled deeply. "I'm going to take a shower then get ready for bed. If today was long, tomorrow is even longer," I conversed, lifting myself off his lap.

"Don't cry," Leonardo sweetly said, his glimmering eyes gazing at me.

"I won't," I chuckled, noticing his worried face as I started to walk away. "You've already made me happier just looking at our future."

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He was in the bedroom after I had showered. The lights were barely on, dimmed to the lowest they could go and the curtains were pulled. Leonardo was still fumbling around with his buttons. Those big hands couldn't unfasten such small things. I walked over and began unbuttoning his shirt for him, his hazel eyes deeply gazed down at me. "Sure you don't want to talk about it?"

I shook my head, giving him an affirming smile. "I'm okay, Leo."

I wrapped my arms around his bare torso and hugged him, placing my head on his warm chest. "Things are going to get a lot busier from now on. I won't be spending much time at home."

Leonardo stroked the back of my head. "I know. It just means I need to take care of you more. Don't forget about prioritising your health, Ria." I nodded, lifting my head and looking up at him.

Then a coquettish grin spread across my face. "I think you can redeem yourself tonight," I poked fun at him, placing an ardent kiss on his lips before pulling off his shirt entirely and dropping it on the floor.

I pressed my hands against his chest, forcing him to move backwards as I followed him. I never let my eyes leave his. I walked slowly, as though I was targeting my prey and his eyes fluttered, unable to remain calm under my steel gaze. I could see it; his chest quickly rising and lowering at how much closer I was getting, his cheeks had already begun to warm up and an inviting blush was all over his face.

He was cute in his reserved state, glancing at me uneasily. He couldn't even hide his shyness. I pushed him hard into the bed, his body bouncing on the mattress on the edge and his legs wide open, perfect for me to stand between. His eyes bashfully flickered between my eyes and my body. I tilted my head to the side and chuckled. My single finger teasingly trailed across his thigh, up his chest and lifted to caress his cheek. "You're blushing, Leo."

His gaze danced over me, a deepened interest grew as I was right before him, giving a conspiratorial look down at him. I had great plans to take over Leonardo Romano that night.

Leonardo's hands unexpectedly went forward, as though he had suddenly grown confidence, and unknotted the strings of my dark purple, silk robe, opening it and revealing my bare body, surprising me. I gasped quietly as his eyes explored me. I was all his. He slowly exhaled, unable to look back up onto my face momentarily.

He held onto my hips as I climbed onto him, one leg at a time, straddling him. I crashed my lips onto his and kissed passionately as though we hadn't seen each other for weeks. His body was a wonderland underneath my hands that roamed his muscular frame. My hands lightly trailed his back as we shared loving kisses together. Our warm, soft lips were noisy, smacking against each other. He smelt amazing, an alluring scent that made me bury my head into his neck and trail kisses along his skin, allowing him to catch his breath shortly before placing my lips on his again, sharing a desperate breath.

His hands roamed my waist down to my thighs, squeezing and rubbing me up and down. He held me closer, my chest against his as my hands became trapped into his hair.

I pushed his shoulders backwards again, his back against the mattress and our warm bodies collided, my chest against his. We yearned for each other, his hand kept our hips together before dangerously getting higher up my thigh. A deep groan erupted from his throat and I could feel him beneath me, a strong desire under his trousers. I pressed against him, another moan coming from him as he more deeply kissed me, becoming hungrier and eager at the feeling. I was throbbing, I needed him.

He trailed his kisses down to my neck and across my collarbones before reaching my chest. His hand and mouth worshipped my breasts, his sensitive touch sending immense shivers across my body. "You. .you don't own protection," I breathlessly realised, hoping he would prove me wrong so we wouldn't have to stop. I didn't even need to check to know that Leonardo didn't own a single thing relating to intimacy and that would have to change after we discovered each other in Greece. There was no going back, he was starting to slip my gown off my shoulders. I couldn't stop moaning, holding onto him.

"I don't right now," he honestly answered between a kiss. He never needed to before. His mouth went downwards again, allowing his tongue all over my chest. Groaning softly at the satisfying sensation, I closed my eyes, unable to take the pleasure. "But I found some in my stuff." Orion, it had to be.

My robe was off and he pulled the covers over us, the darkness of the room hiding my wrists. It wasn't long until all clothes were off and the atmosphere grew more passionate, a loving time spent together. I had never experienced as such before being with him.

I thought I'd be the first to wake up the next morning but Leonardo was still beside me, awake. I was glad to be in the same bed as him when I woke up. His hand was rubbing my arm and his lips left morning kisses against my cheek.

"Wake up, Ria. You've slept through your alarm."

I groaned tiredly, already feeling a desire for him at the sound of his husky and attractive morning voice. "I did?" He chuckled, a deep rumble against me. I pulled his arm tighter around me, snuggling into the pillow. "Five more minutes. I could get used to this." He pinched my butt cheek and I squeaked, squatting his hand away. "Hey!" It sounded muffled as I kept my head in the pillow.

"You're gonna be late and running around here like a headless chicken if you don't get up now. Move it." I turned, an amused look covered his good looking face. I gave him a strained hopeful glance but he shook his head, moving the covers off my shoulders, the cooler air immediately slapping against my bare skin. "You don't want me to rest!" I whined, trying to pull the duvet back over me but he held his arm down, having fun by himself watching me struggle.

"Just a little longer," I nuzzled into his chest, covering myself with his large and heavy arm. "Four minutes."

"Two."

"Three."

"I'll push it back to one."

I groaned, wrapping my arm around him and closing my tired eyes. "It's your fault for being too good last night." He deeply chuckled again, his bare chest moving against my face. His hand stroked my hair as he kept me warm.

"Come on, Ria," he encouraged with a laugh as I lifted my head, letting him kiss my forehead. I decided to listen after a minute and sighed. I sat up and looked back down at him after stretching my back. His dazed eyes weren't so focused on my face. With my eyebrows narrowed, I tossed a pillow at him, he huskily laughed as he realised I caught him shyly eyeing my breasts again.

I smiled, laughing lightly as I slipped out of bed, grabbing my lonely robe and wearing it as I walked into the bathroom.

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At Dream, I decided to meet up with Iris before another hectic day started.

The weight of Jorge's words hit me again that morning. It might've been easy to forget after spending some time with Leonardo but the moment I was alone again, the anxiety was biting back at me.

"First of all," Iris began, a serious and stern look on her face as she placed her mug down, her eyes strong and captivating. "Calm down." I nodded slowly, letting out a deep breath as I continued to fiddle with the empty plate before me. We had just had our breakfast together in a quiet cafe, outside of Dream, where only the two of us were seated.

"This man has no hold on you and never will," Iris sharply stated. It was the most serious I had heard her in a while. "He's a fucking idiot for even crossing you. Don't you know who you are?"

My face fell slightly. "I don't anymore!" I helplessly responded. I groaned, burying my face into my hands as I said, muffled, "I don't know. All I know right now is that I'm a witch for being like this. I know why I can't tell him the truth, but I know why I need to. Jorge is putting a fucking timer on me and it's freaking me out!"

"You don't usually freak out over stuff like this-" Iris started, slightly worried for me.

"I have to when it comes to him!" I exclaimed, lifting my head and miserably looking at her. I sighed before more softly saying, "I don't want to lose him. I can't. It'll finish me - it'll finish him." Leonardo was everything to me. Everything that could fall completely apart if things didn't go to a plan.

"Let's j-just go back to the past, Iris said, stammering slightly and looking as stressed as I was. "You knew this would come one day if you pursued things with Leonardo again. It was a given fact. By now, I thought you would've told him."

My eyes shifted onto my hands, my fingers beginning to claw at my skin. "I should've. But it just. .never felt right." 

"It was never going to feel right, Ria," Iris empathised, her eyebrows low and her face in distraught, "you're telling him something life-changing."

I rubbed my tired eyes, already feeling the weight of guilt burden my chest, "it's killing me, Iris. Every time I think about it, I feel so shit for not telling him. He deserves to know."

She sighed, giving me a knowing and sympathetic look, "I know, I understand. Let's not make this worse and focus on what to do next."

Iris held my hand in hers, stopping me from picking. "You have options here; remove the problem, i.e, Jorge. There's no way he'll sit tight until the show." I shook my head despite considering it many, many times. "I need him for the show. Replacing the main dancer right now would be a nightmare."

She nodded, rubbing my hand. "Okay," she more brightly said before humming. "Mmm, then your final option is to simply tell him. Find the right moment, whether that be on an evening to yourselves, taking a walk in the park or even after a meal." Her earnest eyes gazed into mine and firmly told me, "the main thing is removing a reason to be messed with. Tell him the truth before the show and before Jorge has an opportunity to use it to his advantage."

She held my hand more tightly, "you must tell him."

"I know," I agreed quietly, "I'm just scared - worried about how he might react." I rubbed my temple, fearing the worst.

"You know it won't be great. He's not exactly going to be jumping for joy, is he?" Iris replied, her eyes worried for me. "But at least you told him the truth. It's not right if you keep going like this. For yourself and for him."

"You're right," I agreed quietly, thinking about him. It would break him. "I knew this would happen when I chose to see him again. We all did. I have permission now so I will." I thought back to an unexpected phone call a few days before.

"Don't lose that chance, Ria," Iris advised me, her eyes gentle yet serious. "If he finds out from someone else, it'll be worse."

I gave her a nod before affirmatively saying, "I won't. He'll hear it from me and myself only."

Iris' phone starting ringing, breaking our private conversation. She glance down at who it was and gave me a remorseful look. "Oh, sorry, Ria. Gabriel's calling. Eli wasn't well this morning."

I shook my head and gave her an encouraging smile. "Iris, it's fine, please go and answer. If he's not well, go home." She nodded before quickly standing and giving me a short hug before she left, answering the phone.

I ran my hand through my hair and kept my eyes closed.

I was on the verge of losing everything and on a time limit to stop it.

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~ Author's Note ~

Maria finally told Leonardo about those horrible messages and the mention of the stalker has come back up again. It seems that this impending revelation of that stranger is soon to come!

As for their relationship, the two of them are a lot closer now that they're together, opening up to each other and being more optimistic about their future! Leonardo really wants to make things work with Maria which is cute!

But how far will this optimism go with this growing guilt and anxiety Maria has from a secret she is struggling to reveal.
What could be so bad that she's even fearful of Leonardo's reaction?

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