The echo of applause was still fading behind her when Isabella stood frozen on the balcony, the night air brushing past her damp skin. Leonardo was only a breath away—too close, too intense, too quietly dangerous. The distance between them was a fragile thread.
"You didn't… have to donate that much," she whispered, her voice still trembling from the performance and the shock.
Leonardo tilted his head slightly. "I told you," he said smoothly, "I did it because you danced." His gaze held hers, unwavering. "Because you made me watch."
Her lips parted, a soft gasp escaping before she could stop it. Her heartbeat thudded loudly in her chest, almost painful.
Gathering her breath, she stepped back just enough to steady herself. "Still… seventy-five million is a huge amount. That money—it can change so many lives."
Leonardo didn't respond at first. He simply watched her, as though memorizing the way moonlight curved along her cheekbones.
Then Isabella's voice softened—grateful, sincere, untouched by the world's shadows.
"Thank you,Mr Leo. Really. Children like them… they never get chances. They survive more than they live. With this… they'll have food, clothes, medical help—maybe even school." Her eyes shimmered, emotions raw and unfiltered. "You're… kind. And nice too, even if you pretend not to be."
For the first time, something sharp flickered in his eyes. Like her words hit a place he didn't let anyone touch.
But before he could say anything, her phone buzzed violently.
Baba.
Isabella flinched. "Oh no… as soon as performance finished I—I came rushing here.....he must be worried. " She glanced at the balcony door. "He gets stressed easily."
Leo raised an eyebrow. "About you?"
She nodded shyly, already turning. "I have to go—Baba must be panicking."
Isabella turned to go back but as soon as she took few steps she looked back. "Uhh...Mr Leo if it's not a bother...I would like to invite you to the orphanage home tomorrow. If you have time then please do visit tomorrow. "
And without even waiting for any reply she hurried off, saree brushing against her ankles as she moved. Leonardo didn't follow. He simply watched her disappear into the hallway, jaw tightening for reasons he didn't care to understand.
---
Backstage
Isabella pushed through the velvet curtains and practically collided with Belrum.
"Isa! Where were you?" Belrum's voice was all worry, no anger. His eyes scanned her as though checking for injuries. "You vanished after the performance. I thought you fainted or someone—"
"No, no," she said quickly, touching his arm. "I was just… catching air. I promise I'm fine."
Belrum exhaled, shoulders loosening. "You scared me."
She smiled softly. "I didn't mean to."
Then something in his expression shifted—pride warming every line of his face.
"You were breathtaking tonight," he murmured. "The whole hall went silent. You didn't just dance, Isa… you made them feel."
Her cheeks flushed pink. "Thank you, Baba."
He placed a gentle hand on her head. "I'm proud of you."
-----
Leonardo remained on the balcony alone, hands resting against the railing as he stared at the city lights.
Her thank you still hung in the air.
Kind.
Nice.
Words no one had dared say to him in years.
And she had said them looking directly into him.
A dangerous softness pushed against his ribs.
Then, unexpectedly, her voice echoed in his mind again:
"Mr Leo… come to the orphanage tomorrow."
She had said it as she was leaving—soft, hopeful, almost innocent. She had invited him.
Him.
He let out a slow, steady breath.
"Isabella Moren…" he murmured to the night, "you have no idea what you're doing."
But even as he spoke the words, he already knew:
He would go.
Nothing could stop him.
---