Chapter 14 - Cinderella

"Mia, I've been looking for you everywhere. Where have you been?" Leo asked, as he finally found her on campus.

"I got caught up with my study group. I have a gazillion things due this week. I swear, sometimes I feel like an indentured servant," she said exhausted.

"A very sexy one I might add." Leo dropped his head to give her a kiss on the lips.

Mia's eyes flew open. "Leo, we're in public," she said swatting him in the arm.

"Y?"

"Did we not go over this? You know I don't like all the gossip."

"Well, it's too late for that. Everyone knows about us at this point, people around here talk a lot you know?"

"Yeah, it's crazy. I feel like all people do is ask me about you now."

Leo shrugged. "Just don't pay attention to them. They don't matter. The only thing that matters is you and me." He wrapped his arm around her and pulled her against him. He noticed she felt uncomfortable though, and let her loose.

"Okay, okay. I'm sorry. I can't help it. Can you blame me? I have a smoking hot girlfriend."

Girlfriend? When did that happen? We've only been going out for a few weeks, Mia thought.

"Anyway, I wanted to ask if you wanted to come over to my place tonight. What do you say?"

"I'm not sure Leo...I have a lot of work to do," Mia said immediately.

"C'mon Mia, are you gonna make me go through this again? You need to unwind. It'll be fun. I promise to have you home by midnight, Cinderella style."

"Leo, it's a school night and I have a test and a presentation tomorrow," Mia insisted.

"Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around every once in a while, you could miss it," Leo quoted.

"Isn't that from Ferris Bueller's Day Off?" Mia asked incredulously.

"You know it," Leo replied with a smile.

"Fine, point taken. Only because I love that movie. But if I get a bad grade, it's going to be on you."

"As long as you're the one doing the punishing," Leo said with a grin.

She arrived home from school later that day and the doorman greeted her at the entrance.

"Ey Carlos, cómo estás?" Mia asked.

"Nada, que tenéis un paquete."

A package? "Para mí?"

"Si, ha llegado esta tarde." He handed a box over to her.

That's odd. I don't remember ordering anything, Mia thought. But it had her name on it so it was intended for her.

"Gracias, Carlos," she said, as she walked towards the elevator.

"Venga!" he called out behind her.

She walked into her apartment and noticed it was a huge mess. She would have to clean that up later. She placed the package on the kitchen table and couldn't help the anticipation of its contents. When she finally opened it, she stood mesmerized.

White chiffon fabric? She pulled the garment out to find an astonishing dress from Carolina Herrera. It had a one-shoulder neckline, a black empire waist, and vertical ruffles running through the skirt. It was perfect. She looked back into the box and saw a note.

Get ready for the ball, Cinderella. Your coach arrives at 8pm.

Yours, Leo

Mia looked at her watch. 7:30pm. No time at all. She would have to hurry. Leo always had a way of keeping her on her toes. What the hell was he up to? He had made it seem like they were just going to hang out at his house or something. It seemed odd he had asked her over in the middle of the week, especially since she had only been to his house that one other time.

She got dressed excitedly, completely forgetting about the mess in her apartment and all the school assignments she had due. She put on some sexy gold pumps to go with the dress and twirled in front of the mirror. She felt like a princess. Mia loved the color white, she thought it contrasted nicely with her tan skin. She didn't think she had ever worn a white gown like this.

But as she looked at herself, she remembered the last time she had worn an all white dress. It had been for New Year's Eve in Bogotá a few years ago. That's when she found out...Unexpectedly, the memory made her feel sad and she quickly stepped away from the mirror, trying to dismiss her thoughts.

*****

Leo picked Mia up at 8pm on the dot in a black limousine, dressed in a sharp tuxedo. He smiled widely as he saw her come down from her apartment building. The way her dress flowed in the wind made her look like a goddess. He knew she would look lovely in white. He took her hand and escorted her into the limo. Once they were seated, he gave her a single red rose.

"Leo, what is the meaning of all this?"

"Didn't you read the note? We're going to the ball."

"What ball? I thought you said we were going to your place."

"Change of plans. You'll see when we get there. Champagne?" He took out a bottle of Moet from the mini fridge and popped it open.

"What's the occasion?" Leo poured two glasses and handed one over to Mia.

"Paciencia, querida. Canapé?" This time he pulled out a tray from the fridge.

"Leo, do you know how insane this is? What else do you have hiding back there?"

Leo laughed. "This is it, I swear. So which one do you want?"

Mia was about to pick up a pastry, when he softly pushed her hand away.

"Allow me." He picked it up and placed it gently in her mouth. It felt so sensuous, he instantly got turned on. He looked at Mia and she seemed to be enjoying it too.

"Más?"

She nodded. He fed her another small pastry, but this time left his fingers lingering on her lips. She kissed one of his fingers and brushed her tongue against it, before taking it into her mouth.

Leo looked at her with complete hunger in his eyes. His gaze seemed to devour her. He leaned into her and whispered against her ear. "Sweetness, you have no idea what you're doing to me."

"I think I do," she replied sexily and licked her lips.

Leo couldn't handle the foreplay any longer and kissed her mercilessly. He rained butterfly kisses all over her face and neck. The power she had over him was undeniable. He was at her complete will. And he would do anything for her. All she had to do was ask and it would it be hers.

******

Mia walked into an extravagant banquet hall. She scanned her surroundings to find glass chandeliers hanging elegantly from the ceiling, lavish table settings accented with white orchids, and even a grand fountain filled with water lilies and candles. It appeared as if it were a million dollar wedding reception.

Leo led them towards a lounge area filled with bar tables. Waiters were circling around serving cocktails and hors d'oeuvres.

"I never imagined I would end up in a place like this tonight. Thank you for inviting me here. This is absolutely beautiful," Mia stated.

"Not as beautiful as you." Leo cupped her face and rubbed his thumb against her cheek. He lifted his gaze over her and seemed to recognize someone walking in from a distance.

"I just spotted my parents coming our way. They're really excited to meet you."

Parents? Mia gulped and suddenly felt nervous. "You told them about me?"

"Of course. Why wouldn't I tell them about the best thing that's ever happened to me?"

Before Mia could answer, his parents approached them.

"Mom, Dad, this is Mia," Leo introduced her.

She smiled nervously and gave them both kisses on the cheek. "Mucho gusto," she managed to say.

She was surprised to see that Leo was a carbon copy of his father. He had an air of authority about him and was refined in a way only British people were. He was also easy on the eyes, even at his age. Mia could immediately see where Leo got all of his confidence from.

His mother, on the other hand, looked nothing like him. She had wavy blond hair and green eyes. The twins looked more like her, and Max was a mix of both of them, Mia concluded.

Despite the fact that Leo's mom was elegantly covered in jewels, her presence was warm and inviting. Leo had definitely inherited the Spanish flavor from her.

"Leo, you never told us how beautiful Mia was." Leo's mother stated, looking affectionately at her.

"I did, Mom. Remember?"

"Well you didn't do her justice, darling. She's lovely."

Mia blushed. They were talking about her as if she wasn't even there. While the compliment was certainly nice, she felt embarrassed by all the sudden attention.

"We'll let you two love birds alone. We have to make some social rounds before dinner. Duty calls," Leo's father said. He patted Leo on the shoulder before they walked away. "Enjoy your evening."

Once they left, Mia looked at Leo in disbelief. "You could have given me a bit more notice! I didn't even know what to say."

"Mia, you were great. They like you already, I could tell." Leo responded.

"I literally said two words," Mia pointed out.

Leo laughed. "But really great ones. Tell you what, next time you can spring your parents on me unannounced and I won't complain."

"It's not the same, that comes naturally to you. Besides I don't think that will happen anytime soon."

"Why not?"

"Well, my mom maybe, she wants to visit, but my dad barely ever travels now. Plus there's the fact that they're separated."

"Oh really? You never told me that."

Mia shrugged. "I guess I never got around to it."

"So when did it happen?"

"Right after I left for college. My mom hadn't been happy for a long time. I guess she was waiting for my sister and I to start our own lives before she made the decision."

"They're still separated then? They didn't divorce?"

"No, not officially. It's been almost seven years. I know, its weird."

"I guess. But you know, people do what they gotta do," he said kissing her forehead. "What about your dad?"

"That's a really long and complicated story," Mia said sighing.

"I take it you're not close?"

"Is it that obvious?" Mia said shaking her head. "He traveled constantly when we were younger, for months at a time. Apparently, we wouldn't even recognize him when he came back from his business trips. I guess we never formed a connection after that. We talk a few times each year, emails here and there, but sadly that's really the extent of our relationship."

Why was she confiding in him so much? She had never told that to anyone before.

"I'm sure he loves you," Leo said.

The comment caught her off guard and she swallowed hard. He must have seen doubt in her eyes, because he immediately brought her close to him and answered the next question in her head.

"How could anyone not love you? It would be impossible, baby," he whispered in her ear. And then he kissed her deeply, not caring about where they were or who would see. It made her forget everything. He had a way of doing that to her.

After a while, she pulled back regretfully, not wanting to get kicked out of the party for excessive PDA. Leo smiled warmly at her.

"Well, your parents seem really great. And you look exactly like your dad, I'm sure you've heard that before."

"Yeah, many times. At least I know what's in store for me when I get older. Who do you look like?"

Mia had to smile at that question. "My dad, too. Go figure."

"It wouldn't make sense any other way."

He grabbed her by the hand and led her towards their dinner table. A few people were already seated and they introduced themselves before sitting down.

"Do you know them?" Mia asked.

"Not at all. I hardly know anyone here. It's hard to keep up sometimes."

"Do you come to these type of events a lot?"

"Not so often. It's more because of my dad so I just tag along. But enough about me. I've been meaning to ask you about the trip to Shanghai. Are you excited?"

"Yes, I'm really excited. I still can't believe MBS is taking us there as a residential period. It's going to be a crazy week!"

"I can't imagine what it's going to be like to have 100 students running around Shanghai. Have you been there before?" Leo asked.

"No, but I've always wanted to go. I've been to Beijing and Hong Kong, but that was years ago, so it'll be exciting to see what China is like now."

"I actually went a couple of years ago so I can show you around. There are some really nice places I want to take you to. This one place in particular, Bar Rouge, looks over the bay and the view is amazing. We have to go there."

"Sounds really great, actually."

They continued talking intimately over dinner throughout the course of the evening. While it seemed like a picture perfect evening, Mia couldn't help feeling overwhelmed.

There she was, sharing her hopes and dreams with the perfect gentleman in front of her. Had it really been only a few weeks since she had met him? The last thing she ever contemplated was getting involved in another relationship during her year abroad. Hadn't she told herself she needed time to herself, to reflect on her past, to concentrate on her studies? Yet, she had jumped into another relationship, all of a sudden, without feeling properly healed from her demons.

Leo seemed to offer her the world. He wasn't holding anything back, as if he was so certain of everything. He didn't care about people seeing them in public, or gossiping about them. He had even introduced his parents to her like it was the most natural thing in the world, like she was already a part of his family, a part of his life. Would she be able to offer him the same in return? Give herself completely to him, just as he had done for her?

Suddenly, she felt like she was getting ahead of herself and needed more time. Her feelings towards Leo were real and her attraction undeniable. But somehow it felt like it wasn't enough. Leo deserved someone that could commit, and she couldn't offer that commitment. It wasn't fair to him.

"Mia?"

"Hmm?"

"I think I lost you there for a second," Leo said.

"Oh, I'm sorry. Did you ask me something?"

The band had started playing a soft jazzy melody and couples began walking towards the dance floor. Mia recognized it was Etta James' At Last.

Leo stood up and bowed before Mia, offering his hand to her. "May I have this dance?"

She took it and they walked towards the dance floor. He wrapped his left arm around her waist and grabbed her right hand, lacing their fingers together. They started moving around in slow circles.

Leo lifted her right hand again and brought it to his lips. He kissed it before placing it on his chest and holding over it. He started playing with a ring on her finger.

"What's the story behind your ring? I've noticed you always wear it."

"It was a birthday present," Mia shrugged.

"By who?" Leo pressed.

Mia hesitated before answering. She knew he wasn't going to like the answer. "Ex-boyfriend," she managed to say.

"So why do you still wear it? I thought you said it ended badly."

"It did. But this is actually from my first ex-boyfriend."

"First?" Leo asked confused.

"Long time ago. I'm talking high school, so almost eight years ago."

"So what happened? It's a bit strange, no?"

"I guess. I took it off when we broke up. He stayed in Mexico and I moved to New York. I found it in a jewelry box a few years later when I was moving to a new apartment and it reminded me of home more than anything. I guess I was feeling nostalgic. So I put it back on and have been wearing it ever since."

"Do you still talk? I mean are you still friends?"

"Not at all. We're friends on Facebook, but that doesn't really count. He's had another girlfriend for quite a while."

"So, how many of these boyfriends do you have running around?"

Mia was taken aback by his snarky comment, but let it slide for the moment. "More serious ones I guess three. Leo, where is this coming from?"

"Three counting me?" Leo pressed.

"Um...no. I actually wanted to talk to you about that...you see..."

Leo interrupted her. "You don't count me as your boyfriend." He said it as a statement rather than a question, and Mia could hear the pain behind his voice.

"It's just that...this is all happening so quickly and I..." She paused trying to collect her thoughts. "Leo, it's only been a few weeks if you think about it."

He seemed taken aback by the comment. "It has to be much more than that."

Mia shook her head. "No, I've been counting. Trust me."

"Well, who cares? The exact time we've been together isn't the issue."

"We had agreed to take things slow. We were supposed to be friends," she pointed out.

"How can you be so naïve? We were never friends, Mia."

No, we were more than that, she thought. For some reason, it hurt that he never saw her that way. Even if it was someone to talk to and confide in.

"Is that what you want? To be...friends?" he asked, sounding disgusted by the word.

"No. I just...I don't know how to explain it."

"So where does that leave us?" he suddenly demanded.

"Why do we have to put a label on it? What's the rush?"

Leo raised his hand and stepped back. "You don't need to explain any further. I can see where this is going." He started to walk away.

Mia ran after him. "Leo, I told you I didn't want to be in a relationship. Te lo dije muy claro."

Leo stopped and looked at her. She could tell her words had stung. "So you've been using me," he accused again as a statement.

"No! How could you ever think that?" Mia asked, in shock.

Leo paused, searching her eyes for a long moment. His anger began to fade, and was replaced with doubt and confusion.

He ran his fingers through his hair, and rubbed his neck. He sighed, and softly spoke his next words.

"What did he do to you, Mia?" he asked, looking despondent.

She wasn't expecting that question from him and it really hit home. Not so soon, not now. All she could do was gape back at him.

"Your ex...the last one," Leo clarified begrudgingly. "What did he do to you?"

"Leo, please...don't," Mia managed to say.

He painfully cleared his throat. He reached out towards her, and gently caressed her cheek.

"Sometimes, you...flinch when I touch you," he stated.

Mia looked back at him in dismay. "What?"

"You do it automatically. I don't even think you notice it," he explained. "At first I didn't know what to make of it, I thought you were just nervous or something. But then I realized you relax into me almost immediately. I figured out it wasn't about me. I wasn't the one making you tense."

"God Leo, that's not..." Mia began, but then stopped and shook her head.

"There are other things. Like the times I've seen you get hurt...physically hurt, that is. It's like you just take it. You hardly react, almost as if it were normal or something. Anyone else would have been curled up in a ball crying."

He stopped for a moment, looking back at the crowd that was now far behind them.

"Did he...hit...you?" he asked, struggling through the words.

Mia's heart sunk at the question. "No," she whispered.

Leo sighed in relief. Still, he looked at her doubtingly.

"Did he...cheat on you then?"

"Leo, just please...stop. I don't want to talk about it," she said.

"How are we supposed to trust each other? There's this huge wall between us. If you would just tell me about your past, we could work through it."

"My past is none of your business, Leo," Mia stated callously.

"It is if you can't let go of it and move on. I'm not the one that hurt you. You're making me pay for his mistakes, Mia. It's not fair."

Mia frowned at that. "What about you? What about your past relationships? You don't talk about it either," she said defensively.

"There's nothing to talk about," Leo said.

"Oh sure, Leo. Coming from the guy that has the entire female population from school swooning over him."

"They're not important. They don't mean anything to me. Believe me, they don't care about me either," he said.

"I find that very hard to believe," Mia retorted.

"Then don't believe it. It doesn't matter anyway."

"Why not?"

"It just doesn't, okay?" he snapped.

"That's the whole point of this conversation! According to you, it clearly matters. If you're not going to say anything, then why should I?"

He looked back at her filled with irritation. He was being a hypocrite, and she had called him out on it. He knew it too, as he didn't say anything for a full 30 seconds.

He studied her silently before answering. "I've never had a real relationship before, alright? That's why there's nothing to talk about," he said agitated.

"How is that possible? You must have had a huge line of hopeful women at your beck and call."

"It's all been meaningless."

"Not even in college?"

"Especially not in college. I don't think I've ever dated anyone more than a week," he confessed.

"So, I guess I'm long over due then," Mia said sardonically.

"God, Mia!" he said, shaking his head. "What the fuck do you call the last two weeks? Since we met? That was all some game to you?" he yelled.

"No, Leo. It wasn't like that! You're so wrong," she said, feeling a lump in her throat.

"So there you have it. Now you know all about my non-existent relationship history. Are you happy now?" he continued yelling.

Why was he being like this? He had never even raised his voice at her before. "I'm sorry, Leo. Thank you for telling me about your past, but..."

"But you still won't me tell me yours," he finished for her.

"I can't..."

"That's rich, Mia. After you just lectured me on double standards. God, I knew it. I knew you wouldn't say anything and I still told you anyway...like a freaking idiot," he said looking away.

Guilt washed through her and she couldn't even respond. This was going horribly wrong and there was nothing she could say to fix it.

"Do you think that was easy for me? Admitting that to you? I've repeatedly bared myself to you, and you won't give me anything in return. Do you see how that doesn't work for me?"

"I need time, Leo. I didn't come to Spain for a relationship. I've told you this. I came here to study and further my career. That's it, nothing else."

"Really? Nothing? So now I'm nothing to you? You're reducing me to nothing," he said exasperated.

"I didn't mean it like that. I just meant that since I met you, everything is upside down. I had it all perfectly worked out. I had a routine, a system. Suddenly, you come in and I can't find my bearings anymore."

Leo dropped his head and silently shook it. He took a painfully deep breath and looked back at her. His expression was absolutely devastating. She wanted to reach out and hug him. She wanted to comfort him and tell him it would be okay. She wanted to say anything to remove that look from his face.

"Well, let me make it very simple for you. You can have your boring little life back. I won't bother you anymore. The only reason I ever tried anything is because I thought you wanted this too. If you don't...that's another story."

"Leo, please, can't we just..."

"No, we can't. It's over." Leo turned his back to her and started walking away. "I'll see that the driver takes you home," he stated coldly over his shoulder.

Mia watched him walk away. She felt her heart break with every single step that he took. When he disappeared into the darkness, it shattered into a million pieces. She clutched her chest, as the pain surfacing from inside was unbearable. It felt like someone had removed all the oxygen in her body and she couldn't breathe.

How did this happen? She wished she could rewind the clock to the last 15 minutes and have just kept her mouth shut. She imagined him reappearing from the darkness and wrapping his big arms around her, attributing their fight to a colossal misunderstanding. But she knew that wasn't going to occur. The reality was they had reached an impasse. He wasn't coming back for her. She thought she might be sick. She looked at her watch and it was just past midnight. The spell had broken.