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The Grand Performance was in less than two months.

The event that would shape many pieces of Maria's life was that evening; the final gala was the last event before the long-awaited end of the season.

Everyone would be there: directors, dancers, musicians, artists, and celebrities—anyone who was anticipating the great performance of the year that season. There were too many important figures that would be there that couldn't not be disappointed. She was nervous about everything and anything that could possibly go wrong; nothing could go out of plan.

It had to be perfect; Maria had spent weeks with Iris planning and arranging the gala to be the best one yet after taking feedback from last year's performance. The dancers would have to be exquisite, the ambience had to be splendid, the security, the food, and the quality of music—everything had to be perfect. Not a single error could pass.

It had to go well. It was all she could focus her mind on to relieve herself from the anxiety consuming her every day since Rosa had gone. Sure, her lifestyle habits had improved, but only recently was she able to eat normally again and sleep for a full night. Rosa was no longer around. Maria had been in sorrow over her best friend for the previous few days; however, following that, Maria had become more determined in seeking whoever had taken all of the innocent girls. That willpower alone had made her stronger in seeking out the stalker.

Maria was fiddling around with her diamond necklace around her neck, struggling to clasp the expensive piece of the superlative jewellery on. Maria's nerves were high; although she was maintaining a fierce look, her heart continued to race in her chest, thumping harder and harder as the hours grew quicker and quicker. It was almost time to leave.

Maria exhaled slowly and tried to calm herself down after realising that her hands were starting to shake every time she was close to closing the necklace around her. She hadn't been that glammed up in a while. Her hair was straightened to perfection. Maria hardly ever straightened her hair; the silky strands were over her bare shoulders, hanging down her back. She fit perfectly in her white satin, off-shoulder dress that hugged her small waist and accentuated her hips. Of course, she could barely breathe through the tight corset, but Maria chose beauty with a price.

Her makeup had made her look flawless; a seductively feminine appearance matched the ravishing dress she had on. A simple glance from her mesmerising, grey eyes could send a man to his knees. She was unstoppable that night.

Maria stood from her desk as she heard Leonardo call out, "Ria, Hai quasi finito? Non voglio metterti fretta, ma hai detto che volevi essere puntuale. {Are you almost done? I don't mean to rush you, but you said you wanted to be on time}." Maria smiled a little at the sound of his cautious voice from downstairs. He was so cute to her.

"Soon!" She yelled back, already feeling as though the heels she had gotten last month were going to hurt by the end of the night. She sighed, trying to wiggle her feet into a better position, though it was pointless.

Maria was still fussing over the necklace that would match perfectly with her dress and fit beautifully on her chest, just above her cleavage.

Leonardo had quietly entered the room in hopes of carefully speeding up Maria without her getting mad at him for rushing her. His eyes landed on her the moment he came in and widened as he appreciated her beauty from afar. He was flabbergasted by the immense power Maria unknowingly held before him. He would let her control him in whatever way that she wanted.

She was elegant just by the way that she sat; Maria was a fine woman who sat with a straight and graceful posture, clearly a ballerina. Maria's chest was pushed out, shoulders straight, and her body curved as his eyes lowered downwards. Her head was held high, the light hitting her clear-cut jawline. His heart fluttered simply gazing at her. He was reminded of how divine his woman was.

Her white dress was slowly developing an image of a wedding gown on her. Then he thought back to the ring he had been waiting for the right time to give to her. Leonardo's breath hitched as he imagined Maria walking down a flowered aisle with a wedding gown, her diamond earrings shimmering, a delicate smile on her flawless face. He was slowly losing himself in a deep fantasy as though it was happening right before him.

Maria noticed Leonardo's presence through the mirror. "Mi amore, how do I look?" Maria sulked, feeling as though her face had morphed into a donkey's and her body was disfigured the more that she looked into the mirror. Leonardo blinked as he was drawn back to reality and couldn't restrict his admiration as he blurted out, "Wow—I mean, beautiful, angelic—I mean, gorgeous, sexy—stunning—wow. ." She would have no idea about the things Leonardo was thinking about.

She laughed loudly as Maria turned, her shining hair whipping round as she faced him, her radiant looks making his jaw drop. "Leo!" Maria melodiously laughed, surprised by his awestruck expression. Maria unexpectedly felt shy under his gaze, her eyes glancing to the mirror to see if she really looked as good as he was making it seem.

"I don't know. ." She hesitated, looking at herself again in doubt. "Do you think it's too much? Don't I look too..." she pursed her lips and sighed, questioning her choice of clothes.

"Don't," Leonardo interrupted, his eyes wide at her self-destructiveness. He grabbed her shoulders and brought her closer, a cutely stern look on his face. Leonardo's bare cheeks looked so sweet, and his eyes were full of innocence as he adorably said, "Mia regina, don't question your beauty ever again. It's never too much." Maria's eyes lit up at their close proximity as she chuckled, nodding her head. "You're so beautiful, Maria. You really are." He once again appreciated her alluring eyes, her grey orbs gazing up at him.

"Mi amore," Maria smiled and caressed his cheek, thankful in her heart for such a man in her life. "Mmm..." Leonardo hummed as he lowered his head downwards towards her, his lips softly leaving short kisses on her lips as she chuckled. "Not too bad yourself, handsome." Leonardo always looked good in a suit. He kissed her again; a loving few minutes were shared between their lips as his hands trailed up and down her sides. She slid hers around his neck, lifting herself upwards against him to reach his lips better, softly moaning as she tilted her head.

"Mia cara, are you sure we have to go? You're making me debate between cherishing you under those sheets right now or walking out that door and treasuring you in the car on the way," he huskily whispered into her ear, his lips travelling to her neck as his hands snaked around her waist. Maria was unable to contain her light laugh, pulling away as she chuckled, "You're going to ruin my makeup, Leo." She tried to ignore the sensations he had caused her to feel between her legs, surprised by his directness.

Maria's eyes glanced between his eyes and lips, a captivating and teasing gaze onto him. "Hmm... tonight," she whispered tantalisingly, "if you're lucky, mi amore, you can treasure me all you want for hours and hours till your heart's content..."

"Mmm... I don't think I can wait that long, bella," he tauntingly continued, sucking in a breath through his teeth as his lustful eyes gazed into hers. Maria smirked, her face drawing closer to his as she slowly left a kiss on his lips, a tempting and strong touch that immediately made Leonardo desire more. "You really can't, Leo?" She moved her head to the side and chuckled, her hand rubbing his shoulder. "I'll give you something to look forward to later, shall I?" Maria leaned in and gave Leonardo a taster of what he could be enjoying later on that evening.

It satisfied him, and as she tried to break free, Leonardo pulled her back to him again as he seductively grumbled, "Where are you running off to?" Maria burst out laughing and lightly slapped his chest; it was rare seeing him be so winsome.

Their noses brushed together before Maria connected their lips once more, affectionately cupping his cheek as he tightened his arms around her body.

Their intimacy stopped there the moment they heard, "Can you guys stop being a gross couple for a minute so we can leave? Tonight is supposed to be very! Important for me! Very!"

Luna was standing by the doorway with her arms folded as her jaw clenched and her eyebrows narrowed towards them. All she wanted to do was go and meet some famous designers she had been waiting ages to see. Luna was giving her sister a dark glare as Maria moved away from Leonardo, who had freed her, and chuckled, looking down at his watch as he realised they seriously needed to leave.

Maria laughed as she took her napkin and began wiping Leonardo's lipstick-covered lips as she jokingly replied, "Okay, okay, Luna! Can't you see your sister is having a very important moment with your brother-in-law? In our bedroom?" Luna rolled her eyes and fake gagged, her hand to her chest, as she complained, "Oh, I can see and freaking hear it too! Can't you see I'm still in this house too?"

Maria chuckled again, her spirited eyes looking into her sister's irritated ones. She noticed her eyelashes had suddenly grown in size. "Mia sorella {my sister}, we're gonna leave now. Go remove those lashes first, then we'll go." Maria tossed the napkin in the bin and went towards the desk to pick up her lipstick again. Luna frowned and was about to object until Maria raised her eyebrows at her, a somewhat motherly, stern look cast towards Luna.

"Okay. ." Luna slowly agreed before testing her luck as she quickly asked, "If I do, can I use some of your jewellery?"

Maria nodded as she warmly chuckled again, "Of course you can. Take any." Luna grinned and was about to leave happily until she swiftly added seriously as she looked between the two of them, "Okay, but you guys stop! It's...it's...ew!" She childishly stropped off, making her sister laugh once more.

Leonardo awkwardly rubbed the back of his head, feeling his ears heat up as he asked slowly, "Why can't she wear lashes?" He didn't know if he had stepped too far by asking but couldn't help but think that Luna was old enough to wear them without permission.

Maria glanced over at him as she closed the lipstick. "Damaged her real lashes once by going too far. She complained about it for months. Maybe in the future." Maria shrugged before adding, "And I want her to learn to appreciate her own self first. The last thing she needs is low self-esteem." She held off from adding, 'like me.'

He nodded in acknowledgement, sheepishly shoving his hands into his pockets. Maria had a fair point. "You really look after her."

"I have to," Maria replied, checking her makeup once more and making a few adjustments in case things had changed during their kisses. He took in her beauty again from afar. She took her purse, finally somewhat satisfied with her look, and her eyes met Leonardo's once more. "I'm all she's got."

"I wonder if...." Leonardo paused before continuing, "if Luna and Sienna would've been friends." Maria's eyes lost contact with his as she swallowed, placing her phone into her purse. She silently inhaled deeply before looking up at him once more and smiling brightly. "I think so. Right?" She managed to maintain a normal look, despite her heart beginning to speed up again in her chest. The anxiety was beginning to settle in again. It always did, and they were getting closer and closer to reaching the event.

She thought of Iris again and suddenly felt the need to tell him. Maria went with her gut feeling and tried to let it all out right then. "Leo, I. ." She had started so strongly, but Maria hesitated again, her eyes lowering from his warm ones as the fear had captured the words trapped in her throat, stopping her from telling the truth. She swallowed roughly, trying to remain calm. "I...I..." Nothing could come out of her mouth. Her chest tightened as her heart began to race again, terrified of what he'd say. She backed out again, falling into her bad habits. It was a mistake to lose that opportunity again.

"Hmm?" He softly questioned eagerly before kissing her cheek. He held onto her hand, swinging it by their sides gently, awaiting an answer. Leonardo was too loved up to realise the depth of what she wanted to say. In his eyes, she was an angel before him, and he was grateful he was hers. Maria couldn't handle his full attention, unable to bring herself to darken the mood.

She simply shook her head with a smile before pecking his lips again. "Nothing, bambino. I just love you."

"I love you too, Ria, more than I can ever say." He was so lovestruck that she couldn't do it.

She slowly exhaled in disappointment in herself.

There had to be another opportunity.



Once Luna had chosen her necklace, they had left to attend the gala.

Before they had even entered, reporters were outside taking picture after picture. Maria and Leonardo's hands remained together as they walked in, with Luna in tow, in awe at the magnitude of the gala. Her sister truly was a famous person.

The hall was vast, with organised tables situated everywhere, each arranged to be for specific people to sit at. The wide stage was before all where smaller performances would be held during the night; Maria's would be one of them.

Her presence alone had sparked conversations and stares on her. Maria always had that effect on people; her very authoritarian being was enough to change the entire atmosphere in the building. She smiled as she passed familiar faces, briefly greeting a few people before they were seated by an attendant. Leonardo was the gentleman he had always been, pulling out the chair for her and carefully tucking it in as they sat down. Luna admired his gentleness towards her sister. She was glad Maria had someone like that in her life.

Leonardo felt out of place; he was surrounded by a bunch of high-end, rich people who were probably self-absorbed and out of touch with reality. He never liked places with lots of people and noise. He was already regretting not escaping under the sheets with Maria. Leonardo sighed, looking around and seeing all he'd have to deal with that night: constant judgements, constant introductions, and constant attention. He once again noticed that all eyes were on the irresistible woman sitting next to him, who was content and sipped her drink peacefully as though she wasn't the centre of attention.

"Lu?" Maria began, turning to her side to cast her eyes onto her sister, who had already stood and made her way to the woman who was designing her outfit for the Grand Performance, Adeline White, one of Dream's most famous and successful designers. Maria's eyes widened as she went to her feet to follow her sister, who had left without notice. But the moment she saw how easy it was for Luna to strike up a conversation with one of the most powerful designers in the industry, she sat down and smiled, admiring the courage of her sister.

Luna's bright eyes flickered towards Maria. She looked so cute with her pink blush under her bambi eyes, Maria thought. They reciprocated the same knowing smile, and Maria left her to it, confident Luna would be fine. She had grown. Maria was sure that Luna would end up choosing fashion design.

It wasn't long until Iris had arrived, which had relieved the stress beginning to build again in Maria's mind. She felt better knowing Iris was around, who was already using the cupcakes as a meal rather than a decoration on the table. When it was time for the gala to begin, all eyes were focused on the host, who presented the first performance by the newer ballerinas Maria recognised. She had been to a few of the practices to ensure it was good enough for the high expectations at the gala.

During the performance, her eyes caught a familiar face only a table away, Jorge. He was wearing a black shirt that was unbuttoned enough to see his muscular chest. Maria wasn't surprised at all by the females around his table. He had changed from the respectful dancer to the player that he became once the fame had come in. She didn't let his presence faze her inside and knew his eyes had been on her for a while. Maria hadn't realised that her face had turned cold at the sight of him, his eyes running all over her body, licking his lips like a hungry jaguar. Her attention was pulled back the moment she felt Leonardo take her hand into his underneath the desk.

Her eyes met his warm ones, and she smiled, squeezing his large hand before focusing back onto the dance. She hadn't realised that Leonardo had followed her eyes to Jorge, someone he hadn't met for a long time. It was the first time Leonardo knew Jorge was in Dream. His eyes glanced towards the posters promoting the Grand Performance with Jorge right beside Maria. He was the male lead, Leonardo realised, and he tensed up slightly, his other hand curling into a hard fist.

He knew of the Ivanov family. The Russians. He wasn't exactly simpatico with them either. Who could blame him? They killed an elder in the family, and once the revenge had severely outweighed their crime, the Russians never touched the Italians again. Leonardo also knew of Jorge, the castaway son of the Russian mafia. He was no one of importance, Leonardo knew. But with him being around Maria, his perspective had changed. Jorge was no one of importance until he was around her. He didn't want any problems to come towards Maria; therefore, he had to know why they kept glancing at each other throughout the performance.

When it was time to socialise once more, Maria and Leonardo walked around with wine glasses in their hands as they greeted what felt like hundreds of people to Leonardo. Leonardo found Maria's graceful and polite mannerisms commendable and her ability to speak so eloquently and articulate her words impressive. She knew her way around people and conversations, knowing how to stop one and how to get something out of someone. There was a reason why she was always praised for her personality.

Leonardo found seeing her speak about her career impressive. He could never forget that Maria was a great and successful woman who had achieved impressive achievements despite her young age. People sought to speak to her, sought to get to know her because she truly was sophisticated and spectacular.

"Camille?" Maria was surprised. Leonardo's head turned round to see that Camille were coming towards them. He held back from rolling his eyes. Great, more talking, he impatiently thought to himself.

"Darling!" Camille hugged Maria as tightly as she always did and kissed her temple. "I've missed you!" Leonardo has seen it all before, their extended greetings. He was surprised to see that Francis wasn't there; that was until he heard Maria squeal just as Leonardo had looked away for one second.

He turned to see that Francis's arms were wrapped around Maria's small waist, and he was hugging her from the back. An intense wave of annoyance overcame Leonardo; he darkly glared at the man touching his woman. She turned in his arms, not expecting to see him. "Francis! You came!" With his head drawing closer down to hers, she turned her head so that his lips landed on her cheek.

Leonardo, who was about to tear apart Francis if his lips ever touched Maria's, was surprised to see the change. There was a stark difference from months before when the two made out in front of him. His eyes landed on Maria, who had taken herself out of Francis' arms. His heart relaxed as he realised she intentionally moved away and back towards Leonardo's side. She didn't let Francis cross the line and had set a boundary. Her arm linked back with Leonardo's, right where it belonged.

Francis glanced between the two of them together. He seemed to understand the boundary Maria had established. He brightly grinned as usual as he greeted the two of them, expressing his enthusiasm for the upcoming performance.

"I saved you guys the best seats; I'm glad you'll be there." Maria smiled before noticing that Camille and Francis were standing beside each other and yet seemed miles apart. The two were usually all over each other if they attended an event together, but that night, they seemed distant. Not even a single touch. Maria thought it was all in her head that night and didn't think too much of it.

"When this is finished, I've already got a holiday ready for us in Spain! We need a girls vacation!" Camille beamed, excited to share the news.

Maria chuckled and nodded, although she knew as soon as the Grand Performance was done, it would be time once again to prepare for even more events. A lot was to plan with Dream. "That sounds great! I—"

Her eyes caught Iris swiftly approaching with her iPad in her hand. "Ria," Iris awkwardly glanced between the four of them, realising she had interrupted a conversation. "There's something I need you for." Maria quickly excused herself and followed Iris; there was another performance that needed to be rearranged in the evening's timetable.

Leonardo mentally groaned as he was stuck alone with the Lemaires. He hoped the night would go peacefully and quickly.

But it was anything but that.

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~ Author's Note ~

Leonardo and Maria are being cute as always, and Luna is finding her place pretty well in the gala.

Camille and Francis on the other hand seem to have something going on between them that isn't right. 

That was a chapter with a couple of hidden clues or hints for later on.
Can you see any of them?

These next few chapters are a pivotal turning point for Maria and Leonardo.
Keep reading to find out!

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