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𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐀

As soon as Iris saw me, she bursted into tears and ran over to me. They all stared as she did so, throwing her arms around me and practically choking me. Once again, she could be quite emotional.

Nonetheless, I still hugged her back, surprised by her sudden outburst. Iris was crying her eyes out, wailing about how worried she was and how scared I must have been.

Instead of her comforting me, it was the other way around, I pat her head, cooing her and trying to calm her down. "I know, I know," I soothed, in disbelief we were the same age.

Despite being my manager, Iris and I had a strong friendship. She was one of the only people I fully trusted and someone I looked to for guidance. In spite of her emotions, she was quite a wise woman who stood by me and supported me through all my troubles. I couldn't do my job without her and made sure she received my gratefulness daily.

Her circumstances hadn't always been the best but she was always confident. during her group interview, she was the only woman who dared look me in the eye. From there, I hired her and ensured she lived up to the title of being my manager; I couldn't allow her to live in that awful place she called home with her child, Elias. She had been my manager ever since and did a great job at doing so compared to my others. My best friend, advisor and teacher was crying in my arms for me, I had to care for her.

"You lied to me!" Iris snapped all of the sudden, the tears disappearing, pulling away and giving me a glare, "all those times you said you ate and you didn't!" She slapped my shoulder and I whined at her, rubbing it. I sighed as I looked away, nodding and giving in. "I know, I'm sorry-"

"You know how much I hate it when you do that, I called the doctor-" she began her regular rambles and lectures on how important it was for me to be nutritious and healthy. Iris wasn't wrong, I had been lying that I ate meals, rested enough and cared for my body. It was my toxic habit, making myself suffer to provide the best performances. I felt the guilt for my act and decided to stick to being healthy. I couldn't hurt her anymore.

I knew she wanted me to be okay after the issues I had before. I was bulimic and anorexic in the past. It took me a long time to be of a healthy weight. I was comfortable with my food at that moment but it didn't cease the worry from Iris. After seeing what I was like, constantly going to the hospital with barely any hope to heal, it was no surprise she was so worked up. She only wanted the best for me.

"-and not to mention, you completely disregarded what I said about taking it slow - you jumped right in to the deep end-"

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" I bursted out, shaking my friend's small shoulders in hope that she'll let me off. Iris could be scary if she wanted to, she could even intimidate me. She stopped and frowned at me, her thick, brown eyebrows narrowing. "I won't do it again - I really won't!"

"I'm glad," I heard the doctor say kindly. She smiled, shaking her head at me. "I hope you stick to our regular check ups." I nodded truthfully, feeling bad about hiding it to her too. Keeping it short, she left with a nod at me and I focused back onto Iris who sighed, tutting at me.

Wiping her eyes, she asked more gently, "are you okay?" I nodded, giving her a reassuring smile, "I'm fine. I feel great actually, it was a good sleep." I rolled back my shoulders and sighed in relief. Until the nightmare, it was, my body felt rejuvenated.

Iris looked relieved and finally smiled before saying more seriously, "I've taken care of all the police's inquiries for you. They say the intruder disabled the system which allowed him to get in. As for those. . ." She hesitated, meeting my eyes before treading carefully on her next words, "those. .pictures, I've made sure to investigate how the hell they were taken. Aife helped me take them all down and they haven't been leaked."

I bit my lip and nodded, happy to know they were gone. "The body has been removed and I've sent your condolences to her family."

"How are they?" I asked quietly, feeling guilty for a crime I hadn't even committed. It felt wrong that she was killed in my house, her blood used to target me. Iris sighed again, "poor girl. They were heartbroken." I nodded, expecting that result. A woman was cruelly murdered by a psychopath, it was no good way to announce her death.

"My question is, where do you want to stay? You can't go back to that place and I need you safe under eyes."

"I have my other apartments," I replied, already thinking of the one with the five different locks ready for me to protect myself with. Iris shook her head, "no, who's to say the same thing won't happen again? This is the worst they've done, they could do more." Her voice was stern and there was no way arguing with that. I sighed and shrugged, "does Eli have space in his crib?" She smiled and chuckled at the mention of her cute child, and seemed as though she was about to say something else until a deep voice interrupted.

"Stay with me."

My head snapped up at Leonardo, actually remembering he was in the room too. His hands were in his pockets and he was staring at me with sincerity in those attractive hazel eyes of his that got me feeling those little butterflies in my stomach, and lower, again. I was reminded once again of how handsome he was; he raised his eyebrow at his suggestion and I almost fell to my knees at how hot he looked just standing there with a shirt tight enough to show off the outline of those huge biceps underneath.

I was hesitant. It was still slightly awkward between us and we still hadn't cleared the air. It would make sense considering I proposed to him and I had been wanting to be with him for years. I hoped that was his 'yes' to marrying me, his help would be worthwhile for me and the company.

I took into the factor that his house was pretty nice too, and in such a society, living with such a strong man would be a benefit to me. I heard the sound of little paws scurrying across the marble floor and noticed a tawny animal running across the living room and disappearing through an open door.

A smile broke out on my face - that was my answer. I had to stay and play with that dog.

I nodded nonchalantly, pretending I had no feelings of excitement at the sight of such a furry little creature. "Alright," I responded in a nonchalant manner. Iris nodded too, her eyes filled with playfulness, she sensed the giddy feeling inside me, giving me a funny look.

She turned and looked at Leonardo, pointing at him. "You," she began, her voice stern once again, "take care of her." His eyes flicked between us and he nodded, a hint of amusement in his eyes. I couldn't help but smile, feeling a little more comfortable at the thought of staying with him.

Iris's phone began to ring and she groaned, "oh, it never ends." She checked the caller ID before finally saying to me, "your schedule today . . . I can cancel-"

"No!" I quickly stopped her, looking as well as I could be. "No, I'll still go! I'm fine, don't worry." She sighed, accepting the fact that she couldn't hold me back from working. "Alright, I'll be back in a few, I've got to sort things out and I'll deliver your stuff. Make sure you eat breakfast."

As she began to walk, Iris gave Leo a smile that really said, 'you better be good to her', then finally told me, "and finish it or else!"

The door closed with a small slam and we were left alone, the two of us in his unique little apartment.

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Sitting at the miniature dining table, I kept my legs closed and under my chair to avoid accidentally touching his. That was how small the table was. I was surprised to even see there were two chairs, I expected only one. His empty house gave me the impression that only he stayed there and had items that were only for him.

In front of me was a bowl of oatmeal, a smaller bowl of fruit and some yoghurt. I was astound to see that he had given me such healthy food, it was in contrast to his side of the table where he was eating what looked like a heavy protein filled breakfast, with things that I couldn't eat. It was nice to see that he was still considerate, though he would never admit it. He was tsundere in that way, he never showed or admitted to his softer emotions but his actions spoke otherwise.

He was eating in silence, he seemed to be used to being alone, taking no notice of me staring at him like a lunatic. In a way, it was cute seeing him eat. He seemed so small at the table, his big arms forced to stay closer to his body, his shoulders raised making him look too big for the table. I smiled at the thought, unaware for a moment that he began looking at me.

"How long to do you plan to ogle at me? Do you want some?"

Slightly startled, I blinked a few times before feeling the warm hit my cheeks again. It was only that man who could make me all blushed. I immediately looked down, took my spoon and began eating the porridge. It tasted good - not too sugary at all which was perfect. I could then feel how hungry I was and began eating quickly, my stomach filling after days of starvation. Food was good, food was amazing, I kept telling myself I couldn't starve again - it was too delicious.

"Why did you stop eating then?" I heard him deeply murmur in entertainment, a soft chuckle coming from him, making me wonder if he heard my thoughts. My eyes met his again and I swallowed the last bit of my porridge, already digging into the fruit. A small smile came to me, "I guess I wanted to look more. . .slim."

"You are slim," he responded bluntly, taking a drink of his black coffee. My mind wandered to thinking about whether he had been looking at my body. I gave him a nod, trying to believe it too. "From now on," he started, taking another sip of what seemed to be some good coffee, "you'll eat with me."

I was surprised and relieved at the same time. Sometimes, I felt too much pressure trying to eat alone. I needed someone to force me when I felt stressed. I nodded, obeying him. I would do anything for him, in this case, it was taking care of myself.

"Your friend. She's unique." I assumed he was referring to Iris. I nodded as he added, "she wouldn't stop crying yesterday after you fell." He went hard on the word, 'fell', reminding me of that embarrassing moment again. He just had to be there. I felt bad again for worrying Iris, the stress I always put her through.

"About yesterday-" I began, a wave of nervousness beginning to fill me.

"Your stalker," he started in a strong voice instead, meeting my eyes. Leonardo could be so intimidating sometimes, but I would never let him know it. "I'm interested." I wasn't sure that was the best word for the situation. "A pervert like that shouldn't be roaming around the place." I was glad he felt a sense of justice too. His words meant he too saw the pictures, the lingerie, the blood. I wasn't uncomfortable with him seeing my body - I would happily strip in front of him. It was more of the circumstances in which he saw them. I felt violated.

I sighed trying to think more positively, poking my fork into some more fruit and finishing that bowl. The strawberries were immensely juicy and exploded in my mouth. I closed my eyes in delight. "Mmm. . ." It was so good, I was about to ask him where the hell he got them from until he spoke again after clearing his throat.

"What's your schedule today?"

"I have to go to the ballet school." The thought of going back to practice bright negative thoughts back to my mind. It was my career that caused me to have fluctuations in my mentality and health. I was exceptional at dancing, but not so good with handling the pressure of maintaining my talent. "I have loads to do there."

He stood abruptly, beginning to stack the empty plates that we'd finished as I started to quickly waffle down my yoghurt before placing it at the top of the plates. He walked over to the kitchen, his broad back facing me. "I'll come with you. I need to see who's around you." He turned on the tap and started washing the dishes which surprised me. "For the stalker," he added as though to reassure me that he wasn't trailing along for no reason. The evening must have changed his perspective on the stalker, he seemed more convinced and interested in it. I nodded in agreement though he couldn't see me.

Curiously, I asked, "do you have a maid? I mean your apartment is pretty small but it's so. . .clean." I questioned why he was cleaning his own dishes, I didn't even do mine. The housekeeper, Reina, did. At the thought of her, I hoped Iris found her another job since I no longer needed her help since I was living with Leonardo. I sounded so stuck up but that was how I was and how I lived my whole life. I didn't actually do much myself at home.

I heard him sigh, scrubbing a plate. "I hate people in my house. Yesterday and today have been an exception." That was his simple answer. The guy didn't usually say much than he needed to. That meant that the apartment was clean because he tidied it, he cared for his own space. My eyebrows raised in slight disbelief. I glanced around the place again, astounded by its beauty.

He finished up and shook his hands in the sink, grabbing a towel and drying them before neatly placing it back onto the hanging rack. Facing me, his eyes trailed down my body quickly as he said, "your friend left you some clothes over there." Leonardo pointed to the drawer not too far away which indeed had some clothes on top of it. "Change then we'll go."

I stood, tucking the chair in and asking a question that was burning in me, "and what about my proposal? Will you accept it?"

He lifted himself off the cabinets that he was leaning against and replied with a sigh as he started to walk away, "fine, dimples."

My eyes widened at the sudden use of the old nickname he used to call me.

I rolled my eyes with a small chuckle.

Looks like we were engaged.

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~ Author's Note ~

Grumpy x Sunshine!

I feel like this is the first proper conversation they've had as themselves and not with business intentions being the main agenda.

So they're engaged! Maria and Leonardo seem to have their differences. Will their differences be a hinderance for the future?

Iris and Maria are the cutest best friends. Read more to see how deep their friendship is!

Thoughts on this chapter?

For more, please vote, comment, share and follow. Votes and comments really help me know how the story is going, if the book is captivating or not, and helps boost my confidence for more updates :)

Thanks for reading!

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