Maria's cheeks flushed with embarrassment, a rush of unfamiliar emotions swirling within her chest, threatening to overwhelm her fragile composure. She struggled to contain the tumultuous storm raging within her, the conflicting feelings of vulnerability and warmth warring for dominance in her shattered heart. Leo's exuberance was a stark contrast to her own guarded demeanor, his unwavering optimism a beacon of light in the middle of her own darkness.
As she attempted to regain her composure, Maria found herself drawn to Leo in ways she had never experienced before. His infectious energy, and his unwavering support, sparked a glimmer of affection within her hardened heart. For the first time in her tumultuous journey, she allowed herself to entertain the notion of friendship, of companionship that transcended the barriers she had erected around her wounded soul.
"You say you have no friends, but what about that girl who stood by your side when Joanne threatened you in the castle? I apologize for not recalling her name," Leo prodded gently, his eyes filled with genuine curiosity and concern.
"Margarita?" Maria's voice was soft, tinged with a hint of melancholy. She didn't know what to call Margarita. Margarita was a steadfast presence in her life, a pillar that gave her strength, but what was Margarita to her? An acquaintance? A friend? or simply another thaumaturgy apprentice like her.
"She's like an older sister to me, I suppose."
A wistful longing crept into Maria's voice, a yearning for the familiar comforts of companionship and camaraderie that Margarita had offered. Yet, beneath the surface, a well of unspoken emotions simmered. As she turned her gaze skyward, seeking solace in the vast expanse above, Leo mirrored her actions as a silent gesture of solidarity.
Maria's heart ached with a longing for the companionship she had left behind. The memory of Margarita, with her kind eyes and gentle smile, lingered in the recesses of her mind like a haunting melody.
"I also miss my group of strangers, especially Anna," Leo confessed. "I hope she's okay."
Maria gazed at Leo, her eyes searching his face for clues to the emotions that lay beneath his words. Leo's confession struck a chord within Maria. She could sense the longing in his voice.
"That Anna," Maria's voice was soft, barely a whisper. "What kind of relationship do you both have?"
"I'm not entirely sure," Leo admitted. "I may have fallen for her, but it feels like a one-sided affair most of the time. My presence seems to stir painful memories within her, yet there are moments when I can see a glimmer of hope in her eyes. I am willing to do whatever it takes to help her, to ease her burdens."
"The consequences can be disastrous," she said after a few seconds of silence. "In this world, we can’t always get what we want. Amid the misery and scum that rules this place, only a few have the opportunity to achieve what they really want. You are not the exception. However, you think like an idealistic child, hardly knowing your limitations or your own power. You are too proud a guy," Maria's voice was grim.
"Yes, you're right!" Leo chuckled as if he had forgotten his sorrow from a few seconds ago. "I am an idealist. That is what drives me to do the things I want. To do the right things. I’ve had my bad moments, very bad moments, but my pride prevents me from giving up; it's because of my pride I keep on! Things won’t go my way all the time, but I’m willing to learn from my mistakes,"
Leo's chuckle felt like a fleeting moment of levity. Maria observed the play of emotions on his face as she tried to suppress a smile.
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"You are an interesting guy. Stubborn and stupid, but interesting!" Maria's words were tinged with both amusement and affection as she met Leo's gaze head-on.
The soft rustle of fabric accompanied Leo's hug and pat on her head. As Leo stood up, Maria felt a pang of reluctance tug at her heart.
"Let me give you some advice, Maria." Leo's voice was gentle. "You must learn to have fun. You are too young to be so sad!"
Maria's frown deepened as she absorbed his words, the conflict within her heart felt like a storm.
"If you feel like talking again, I'll be all ears!" he smiled.
A blush crept across Maria's cheeks; she couldn't find words to say.
"Sweet dreams," Leo's departure was accompanied by the soft click of the sliding balcony glass doors, the sound of his footsteps fading away. Maria was left alone on the balcony, with only silence to accompany her.
Maria went on her feet, her gaze fixed on the vast expanse of the night sky above. The stars twinkled like distant lighthouses as a gentle breeze ruffled her hair, carrying with it the faint scent of jasmine and rain.
"Don’t you find it interesting?" Maria's voice was soft, a whisper in the stillness of the night.
“Yes,” the ghostly voice from before replied, its tone ethereal and haunting. “Indeed.”
A giggle bubbled up from Maria's throat. "Someone like him will go far!"
Her heart quickened its pace, a rush of adrenaline coursing through her veins. The thrill of the unknown mingled with a sense of trepidation, a feeling she hadn't experienced since the day of the fire as a few memories of that fateful day flashed through her mind.
"Someday we'll know, don’t you think?" Maria smirked. With a final glance at the night sky, she turned and made her way back into the apartment, the soft click of the balcony glass door closing behind her.
Leo lay sprawled on one of the beds, his chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm, accompanied by soft snores that filled the room. Maria watched him from her spot, her gaze lingering on his peaceful form. The gentle moonlight filtered through the curtains, casting a silvery glow over his features, highlighting the curve of his jaw and the softness of his hair.
A soft smile tugged at the corners of Maria's lips as she admired him. His features were handsome, his expression serene in slumber. She couldn't help but notice the way his long lashes fluttered against his cheeks, the curve of his lips in repose.
But as her admiration deepened, a different emotion stirred within Maria. A warmth bloomed in her chest, a sense of longing that she couldn't quite name. She found herself biting her lip, a small gesture of restraint as she fought against whatever she was feeling.
With a soft exhale, Maria tore her gaze away from Leo, her eyes seeking solace in the shadows of the room. She focused on the flickering candle on the bedside table, its flame dancing in the darkness. The warmth of the room enveloped her, a comforting presence amid her tumultuous emotions.
Maria closed her eyes as if praying for clarity and strength. The sound of Leo's soft snores was as soft as a whisper, a soothing backdrop to her inner turmoil. And in that moment of quiet contemplation, Maria made a silent promise to herself: to guard her heart and protect the fragile connection that had begun to bloom between them.
Then she stood by a full-length mirror, her reflection staring back at her with defiance. With a determined look in her eyes, Maria began to undress, the fabric of her green waist-shirt dress falling to the floor in a whisper of sound.
As she stood before the mirror in her tattered undergarments, her gaze drifted to a few holes in her pantaloons and some old stains on her shirt. With a deep breath, Maria shed her undergarments, standing naked before the mirror revealing a few scars.
One scar on her right shoulder, a scar on her left thigh, and finally, a dreadful scar between her breasts. A scar that had a pointed side and a squared-off side, appearing as a neat, thin triangular shape. Each mark told a story of pain and survival, a reminder of what she had endured.
Tears welled up in Maria's eyes as she traced the outline of each wound, her fingers gentle against her skin. She allowed herself to be vulnerable, to embrace her scars as a part of her story, not as a symbol of weakness. But as she looked at her reflection, a flicker of determination sparked in her eyes.
In a moment of quiet defiance, Maria slipped into the white camisole dress that Roberto had found for her, the fabric cool against her skin. Without a trace of self-consciousness, she chose to forgo her undergarments, leaving them in a pile next to the mirror together with her other dress.
With a final glance at her reflection, Maria turned away from the mirror and made her way to Leo's bed instead of hers. She slipped under the blankets, the warmth of the bed enveloping her like a cocoon.
As sleep claimed her, a sense of peace settled over Maria, a rare moment of tranquility.