5: Her Rejection

Mariella's Pov 

I dressed up in a white dress that I got on my way back from work. I couldn't get Leonardo to back off earlier, he was coming.

He insisted. 

The dress was short, flair and gorgeous. I tied my hair in a ponytail with a blue ribbon. A little bit of lipstick, and not much noticeable make-up. 

I could see the street lights through the reflection on my mirror. It shone bright, so bright, and beautiful.

I turned around, drawn to the beauty of the evening.

For some reason, the weather seemed nicer, and even warmer.

The sky was faintly blue making everything seem more colorful than usual.

But most importantly, it felt as if I was starting to glow.

These changes were something I've always looked forward to, but it seemed to be influenced by the sudden change in my heartbeat.

My heart was beating again.

I halted my thoughts, when I noticed a car that pulled over in front of my building. 

When the door of the driver's side opened, it was no other than Leonardo, he was holding a bouquet of red roses.

The sudden music in my head, and the smile that creeped on my lips, caused me to become cautious.

He was the reason for the sudden changes.

When he was about to enter the apartment, he caught me by the window and waved. 

I clenched my eyes shut in shame, and covered the cottons as I hurried to the living room. 

“Welcome.” 

Leonardo pursed when he entered as he stared at me. There was a glint of excitement in his eyes, as they swept my body.

“You look lovely.” He complimented and suddenly kissed my cheeks. “I hope I didn't keep you waiting?” His brows raised as he stared into my eyes.

“Not at all.” 

“These are for you.” 

The roses smelled as though they'd been freshly picked from the field, but when I sniffed longer, I could smell a trace of perfume.

The perfume made it more pleasant and soothing to my nostrils. 

I couldn't stop sniffing on the roses and then-

“Do you want me to help you? It seems the roses are more special than me?” 

“Shouldn't that make you feel better? That I love what you brought.” I pouted.

“I brought something else.” Leonardo leaned closer. 

“What else did you bring?” 

“My heart, Mariella. I brought my heart for you.” 

I chuckled, slightly pushing him off, but he was sturdy. Leonardo leaned closer, and just like that, he pecked my lips.

My feet rooted to ground, and my body froze. I could hear my heartbeat, and it was thumping really fast.

He smiled, as though he was enjoying taunting me.

“I see it's an open kitchen. I brought the ingredients.” He laid out the ingredients on the table and started chopping them.

I quickly came back to my senses and assisted him. 

“You know, Tatiana has changed a lot. It took me time to notice, but she's been making progress since you became her teacher.”

“I was planning to take time to come to know who the teacher was, and then I found your invitation in her textbook.” 

“She still needs to make improvements.” I sighed, Leonardo's hand suddenly took mine.

“I'm certain, with you around, she will do much better.” His eyes glowed as he stared into my eyes.

For a moment, I could picture what my life would look like if I decided to become his wife.

One word, ‘dangerous’.

Living as a ‘Ricci’ didn't seem much like a luxury to me. 

They are not only the most powerful family in the city, but also dangerous and involved in all kinds of dealings.

They had enemies everywhere.

I can't imagine what it's like to be afraid every minute. 

I batted my eyelashes and instantly looked away. 

The sound of his knife gently hitting the chop board as he chopped the vegetables filled the air.

“You know, since my ex left, it's been difficult to trust another woman again.” He pursed, “I never want to become that vulnerable. Until that day, at the meeting hall.”

“When I saw you, all I could think of was Tatiana, but when you reminded me it was you, Mousy Mari, I was startled at first…”

“Back then in highschool, I was stupid Mariella, I hope you let me treat you right this time. I can trust you, can you trust me?” 

He gently held my chin up. When my gaze met his, I saw the tears that were huddled in his beautiful eyes.

He leaned closer, and he smiled gently that it caused me to lose my sense of restriction. All I could think of was to give myself to mend his broken heart.

“I want to marry you, Mariella, no one else but you.” He mumbled as he wrapped his hands around my waist line.

His hips gently hitting my thighs. He stroked my face and then stopped on my lips. His eyes lingered further as if asking for permission.

He leaned closer, staring into my eyes as I froze in place.

My breath became heavier by the minute. My whole body was alarmed as it senses danger.

But I couldn't resist.

When he placed his lips on mine, the walls I built around my heart all those years instantly crumbled. 

I was vulnerable again.