The blonde snorts in a rhetorical manner. She pauses before going on any further in the discussion. Finally after a minute of recomposure. She grabs him again by the elbow and leads him up the stairway to her suite on the top floor.

You forget how well I know you.  She begins. She pushes open the door once they reach the top floor. The painter looks around at the brightly lit room. The curtains blowing slightly in the wind as she talks.

So who is she? She asks as she begins a bath for him. The man collapses there on her overstuffed bed of feathers.

She is a temptress. a demon for sure and possibly a witch who has cast some evil curse upon me.  He says almost to the point of tears.

The blonde stops in her tracks. When will you see her next?  he asks quickly.

The painter slowly sits up from his position in the bed.

Tonight Franceessca tonight, I will be completed with her portrait tonight. Francessca looks around . Well where is it ? She asks as she makes her way over to the man. She helps him stand and drags him over to the bath tub. She quickly helps him undress and pushes him into the tub. The man soaks there in the tub with his head sitting back against the rest behind as he talks.

Where is what Francessca?  He asks.

The portrait, what has this girl done to you? You cant be broken ! She says in exclamation. You must be getting softer. You wouldn't  have been phased 5 years ago. She says. The man sits quietly smelling the jasmine floating through the window. The blonde beauty next to him walks over to the window and shuts the hanging curtains.

 I was phased 5 years ago. My heart was broken and damaged and still bleeds to this day.  The man quietly barely  whispers . The painter thinks about what had happened earlier that day. Suprised that it escalated so quickly he smiles to himself as he walks back to his studio. He tries desperatly to think of something else . Anything but that damn succubus of a model! He rounds the next bend and notices her again off in the distance. No that wasnt her couldnt be her. He had run into her too many times today. He couldnt think straight he couldnt paint his portraits as usual. He was totally distracted. He even wonded if she worked for the inquisition Getting upset at himself for becoming so enthralled, he decides to put an end to it all and walks swiftly away in the opposite direction. Finally he notices a face in the crowd.

Francessca ! He shouts. She spins her head in his direction, the action that resulted in locks upon locks of golden hair spinning in the sunlight. She smiles to him noting that she has indeed recognized him. She makes her way through the crowds of people walking along the new formed path in Venice. She reaches up and kisses his cheek upon greeting him.

I wondered if you would be here,  she announces. She gazes over his shoulder to stare at the courtesans standing on bridge over the waterway. Leaning closer she whispers in his ear.

So how many courtesans have you ...painted? She asks him nudging him slightly in his side.

None. I have been preoccupied.  She says flatly.

Francessca looks into his eyes. She studies his face long and hard.

You seem exhausted. Come on let me take you away from this crowded street.  She comments as she grabs his arm. She begins to escort him back to the Inn from where she came. The man walks with a weary exhausted gait unable to resist.

 So who is she?  the blonde asks him as the reach the entrance. The man looks down audible.

Don't start with me. We both had choices to make. You made yours, I made mine. She comments.

The man looks up from his point in the tub at the blonde. She smiles to him. You look famished! She comments.

She sits down next to him and smiles so whats so different about this one? She asks. The man grins. she is insatiable. No matter how much she receives she always waits for more. He comments. I have dealt with her from morning until night. She was chained up all night last night. But she has this way about her. When she enters a room you can feel her entrance before you ever see it. The man shakes his head hardly believing it himself.  I can't explain it.  He continues.  I don't know what to make of her myself.

The blonde stands up and pours them a glass of wine. She hands one of the glasses to the man. My dear friend, I didn' t know what to make of you either. She smiles. She adjusts her sash nervously. I mean here I was a courtesan and a good one. I held more knowledge and power in one hand than most of the aristocracy. That is, until I met you. You knocked me down a peg or two. I remember that first night we met. You had paid me double my normal fee for a complete night. We went to theater and then for a walk. I remember that night vividly. The moon was full a cool breeze from the east. You took me out in the field. I thought you were the normal fee. Boy was I wrong! The blonde blushes bright red. before continuing. You demanded my attention you took it actually, I was enthralled and intrigued by you so deeply. I couldnt believe it when I began to take off my clothes and you grabbed that branch and whipped me. I thought I had seriously done something wrong. I couldn`t believe it was happening.  She says excitedly.

The man looks up and climbs out of the tub. You seem flush. The mans says.  I am sorry to carry on. I should be asking how you are. The blonde takes the linen from his hands as he puts his clothing on.  I will be ok. The man says.

Francessca looks at him curiously. Your gotten a little older looking since I last saw you, she comments. Well it has been a couple years Francessca. He adds.

The man walks over to the window and opens it slightly.  This ok for you?  He asks He spins back around to see that she had already disrobed.  Yes it is fine. She comments. The man walks up to her nad cradles her facee in his hands. Perring into her face he feels the sorrow swell up within his heart again.  You know your opening up a wound again, she adds. But it is good to see you again my love  Francessca gazes into his crystal eyes as the tears swell within her own. She looks down quickly.  Still cant bear to let me see you cry. The man comments. Francessca slides over to the chair in the middle of the floor. You put this curse upon me. Now You must deal with it.!  She snaps.  I did no such thing. The man comments with a mischivous smile.  I never had to get beat before. I never had that hunger within me until you came along. Now I am bound to you forever! I cant keep any relationships No one can give me what I need and want! The girl almost breaks down in tears.

The man looks around the room , searching for something. Finally he finds the leather strap he had been using to bundle his art supplies together with. He walks over to the chair and gazes upon the woman's swollen bottom. It had been quite some time since he had seen a bottom this firm and perfect.  Exquisite in every way He thinks to himself. He tested it with his hand. The crack from his hand landing upon the skins surface bounced off the wall. He left his hand there for a brief second. To his suprise she didn' t budge. He the lifts the strap and continues to bring it down over and over across the woman' s bottom. Her legs dangling in the air, begin to kick slightly as he picks up the pace. Soon the man notices nothing. The rythmatic strapping entrances him. Soon, Francessca starts to kick her heavenly legs in a fury of protest. Her blonde curls bouncing about as her head feverishly shakes from sided to side as she cries out over and over. Still the strapping does not stop. The long drawn out swings continue. Each contact has leaves her hopping more and more. Her bottom bounces and snaps under the contact of the leather. The man sweating now, continues the leather strapping with new strength. The leather strap working its was in concession up and then back down along the surface of her bright red bottom.

Suddenly, the girl screams.  OHHHHH!  Her voice sounds throaty deep and almost primitive She shudders violently as she races her way into a bittersweet mixture of pleasure and pain. The man stops and walks away to the window leaving the woman leaning over the back of the high throne like chair quivering and quaking in a storm of sensation.  She will be at my place at sunset. Your free to come if you would like. He says as he heads out the door.

The rest of that day the man tries to work on the painting there in his studio. In a fit of rage he throws the brush.  Not enough emotion. Face is totally blank, No real _expression. He tries over and over until finally he is ready to give up for the moment. He heads out of the studio for some fresh air. As he stands their looking up at the growing night sky he hears the woman's footsteps. He turns his head to see her heading up the pathway. Her hips slide from side to side in a slow roll. Her steps precise, almost calculated. Her shoulders straight and confident. He lifts his eyes to her face. She wasnt so beautiful as she was exotic and mysterious. Her eyes penetrating. her hair dark and long. She wore it down instead of being wrapped up. Like so many Venician woman did. She paused and smiles his way. Good day to you Master Painter. She says in her raspy sensual voice.  Shall we begin right away?  She asks with a revealing smile. You may go get yourself ready.  He answers.

The woman walks into his studio as he stands there outside looking.  Guess she wont be joining us tonight.He says to himself. He enters quietly and slowly into his studio. deciding to keep the door slightly ajar in case she shows up late.

Upon entering, he sees the woman standing there naked in the center of the floor fidgetting slightly with her hair. She glances up at his through her eyelashes. Her left leg turns slightly in at the knee and her lips form into a slightly pouty look.

Are you angry?  She asks the man as he sharpens another piece of charcoal. she walks over to him then notices stops short. Not speaking she points to the door. The man spins around as a tall blonde woman enters. She quietly settles herself into a chair back in the shadows. The man smiles and turns back to the brunette.

She is my colleague and friend,  He announces in a quiet voice. The model standing before him gives him a look. Francessca quietly covers her mouth as she gasps. The look the man received was not the normal jealous model she was used to seeing. It looked more like a look of disappointment. She saunters over to the shadows and looks into Francessca' s eyes. Feeling very vulnerable and uuncomfortable from the penetrating stare Francessca looks away .

OK we are ready,  The man announces. Quickly, the model walks swiftly over to the platform on which she stood earlier. The blonde watches as the girls full bottom bounces slightly with each step. As the girl slips into the light she can see that her bottom has markings similar to her own.  She has been whipped by him! She comments to herself with a smile. I should have figured . Has he not whipped any of them ?  She wonders

The next few hours go by without a problem. Occasionally, he pauses to allow for the patient model to relax. After pinning her hair up and slipping on her robe she gracefully slips off her podium and walks out the door silently to stretch her arms and legs. Francessca watches her every move until she closes the door behind her.

Who the was that? she asks her friend in an excited yet hushed voice. The man sighs as he swirls his brushes in the jar of linseed oil.

That my dear is my cursed temptress. The man says in an almost sad tone.

You whipped her. I saw the marks.  The blonde comments flatly. The man looks back at her. Did you see her bottom? Its simply addicting. How could I not? He asks. And she is so good at her part it.  He comments quietly. Whats that ? The blonde suddenly seems quite agitated at what is being said. She submits and accepts whatever is asked. To be honest she doesn't  have to be asked anything. She does everything desired without my input at all.  The man says as his voice trails off to some distant memory.

Francessca scoffs at this. She looks back to the door, then to her firend. She shakes her head and prepares to leave. She brushes her bl;onde curls off her face revealing a hot red flushed tone in her cheeks.  I'm sorry I interupted you this time. She tells the now dreaming man. It wont happen again. She spins on her heels and heads for the door.

The nerve of that man. He couldnt even give me the common courtesy of some time after all we have been through together. She thinks to herself as she opens the door. She quickly slips out the door quietly as the woman hands her a goblet of wine. The mystery woman stands there leaning up against the wall of the building running her finger along the rim of the goblet. She stares intently at Francessca. The girl quickly clasps her hand and leads her down the walk

You know why he acts that way about me?   The girl asks. Francessca stands there blank, listening. The woman smiles with her heart-shaped lips. Francessca exhales audibly and quickly gulps down the wine. And then snaps.

You fulfill his illusions of control. That' s all.. And you have a pert little bottom that he adores. Your nothing new He jumps from girl to girl every model he has ever had was his toy at one point or another. I was going to be married to him. So don' t play coy with me and don't act like I have no right to see my friend. He wants to control the will but will settle if he can simply control you. In a while your face will be replaced by some new face. The blonde pauses. She looks back to the girl as they walk.

That's why he can never do the face. You all are beginning to blur together to him. Francessca says in a unusually startling tone. The girl does not respond the way Francessca figures. She instead slowly makes her way to a building nearby. Francessca interested now follows her into the building and over to a private courtyard. The woman beckons her to sit down next to her. She leans foward to whisper in Francesscas ear

Not after tonight my dear. He will indeed know my face. That much I can assure you.

She the sits back and looks at Francessca. She smiles again and says quietly to the blonde  By the time I am finished here You wont forget me either my dear lovely Francessca. She clasps Francessca's wrist tightly as she attempts to squirm away.  Oh no you don't. She says in an almost amused tone. She looks at Francessca in a wild and glazed way. Francessca looks to the girl with a slight amount of fright in her eyes.  Remove your clothes for me. She reaches down and pulls out a long willow branch. Francessca, nervously looks around trying to decide what to do.  I will not wait all day Francessca. I have to get back . Francessca trembling begins to untie her waist strings. She looks down but the tears in her eyes make it hard for her to see what she is doing. Her hands feeble and trembling pull at her clothing until finally it falls to the cobblestone beneath her. The dark haired woman slowly makes her way over around Francessca . Moving in deliberate steps she places her hand on the girls hip and slowly drags it to the back where she smacks the girls still red bottom.

Seems like someone has gotten to you first. Oh what a shame! She teases. Suddenly she pushes the girl donw to her knees. She walks around and sits herself upon the bench.

Do not rise or I will truly whip you uuntil you pass out from the overwhelming sensation. Shocked at what was being told to her Francessca looks at the cobblestone beneath her knees. She winces from the pain caused from the bits of rock digging into her knee.

What an evil little woman she is!  She thinks to herself. Looking down at the cobblestone she feels herself being pulled foward over the womans lap. She nestles into the comfort of the position. From her position a gentle peaceful quiet envelopes her. She remembers the soldiers saying that it happened in the chaos of war. She watches the ants crawling on the cobblestone. She notices the woman' s curvy legs from her inverted postiton. In her entranced state, she feels the first crack of the willow branch. To her surprise the crack feels surreal. The cracks continue as she fells the land blow after blow. She lays there still allowing it to happen waiting to feel something. Then in one crack she feels a sudden rush of heat as she races out of her dream state into the real worl felling every lash that had been dropped. She hears the long wail of a cry coming from her throat. She gasps at each land of the willow branch. She screams and kicks but to know avail she is pinned down. The blows land over and over across her already tender bottom.

Wicked Wicked woman! She cries out between her sobs.

Then as quickly as it began the whipping stopped. The mystery woman who' s name she didn't even know pushed her off her lap. She stood up and smoothed out her garments and began to walk away. She turned back around to face Francessca lying on the ground in a heap. Francessca looking up stared at the woman. Studying her face. The woman gave her the most unusual and mysterious look she had ever seen. She saw all of her mystery in that one look and it frightened her

You belong to me now woman. I will come looking for you again very soon.. She turns and walks away. Francessca feels a slight smile form on her lips as she watches the woman go.

After a while and the sun sets Francessca decides to walk back by the studio.

 Do I tell him what happened? She wondered. She knew it was none of his business. She slowly made her way around the town taking her time letting her mind wander. She thought of the encounter. That look on that woman s face. Her smile her eyes. What mystery she held! Francessca smiled as she walked. Finally sees the studio and makes her way towards it.

Francessca stands there for a second in the crisp night air. She looks up at the full silvery moon hearing the sounds she so often longs for. The cracking of the leather. The whimpers. The heavy breathing. She wipes the tears out of her eyes and begins to walk away from the studio, this time for good.

The Dark haired beauty leans herself over the railing exposing her already blushing bottom. The wide leather cracks across both cheeks and the ripples cross her swaying bottom like waves . She hisses through her teeth.

yessssss She hisses. The man swings the wided leather over and over cracking her all over. She jumps and wiggles all over the railing. The sight of her jumping and bouncing becomes fuel to the fire. She is picked up by the man and gathered in his arms The man seating himself on the railing flips the girl over and commences to cracking her well rounded bottom over and over as she scoots around on his lap he smacks her harder and faster than anyone he had ever done before. The girl screams and cries out in a mixture of torment and ecstacy. Each time the swat lands she raises her bottom up with an inviting gesture, begging him for more. The man stops for fear the girl will be severely damaged.

To his surprise, the girl quickly grabs his wrist and with the most primitive pleading look in her face she begs him to continue.

Please....not yet I was almost there! She begs.

The girl, naked, runs to the wall and places her hands flat on the wall, backing her feet up she bends forward at the waist . She arches her back jutting her perfect globes of flesh in a most appealing manner. Not being able to resist it the he quickly grabs the long willow branch she had brought him earlier that day and begins to crack it across her bottom. She jumps and fights but does not move her hands. Francessca standing outside is mystified and intrigued. She peeking through the cracks in wall, stands there eyes wide open, breathing heavily.

I gotta get out of here, she comments to herself. She hurries off as the sounds of the whipping slowly faded into the sounds of the night.

A week goes by, no sign of the mystery woman. She searches the studio. no sign of her. She wades through town day after day. No sign of her. Frustrated she returns back to her home. She is greeted by a familiar face.  What do you want? She asks the man.

Do you have plans tomorrow?  He asks. She shakes her head no. The man looks at her.

Are you ok ? She asks

You look absolutely exhausted! He comments.

Well I have a showing tomorrow if you could come. He comments.

I would be happy if you did. He quickly adds.

She nods her answer. He smiles brightly. Something she hadn't seen in a very long time from him before he hugs her and walks off.

The following night she arrives just as the show is beginning. She walks around the Ballroom looking at his older pieces they bring out for ever showing. She makes her way up to the front of the massive room to see him standing there. Next to him was the mayor of Venice. And a few of the other politicians that always come to these blasted functions. She grabs some wine off a tray as it passes. Finally the unveiling of the new pieces. The first few are very good but average by his standards. the next few were better. Finally, the last one. He pulls the sheet and there on the canvas was a woman. She walks closer to get a better look. She clasps her hand to her mouth in shock. She knew that look. Frozen still she just stares. She did indeed know that look. the mysterious smile, the eyes hinting mystery but revealing nothing. She looks from the picture to her friend. She gasps again as she watches him absent mindedly rub his bottom. He face flushed slightly. He smiles. unable to speak. She glances around. The Mayor too! A quarter of the aristocracy in the room begin to fidget and move around nervously. She scoffs at what she sees. Finally someone asks the question

What is the name of that last painting?  Her friend comes forward nervously.

It is called Mona Lisa,  He says aloud. The room breaks out in applause directly afterwards. The ceremony ends and the party begins. Francessca makes her way over to her friend

I see you got her face down perfectly. She says nudging him playfully.

She leans up and whispers in his ear.

She told me you would never forget her face. She says smiling. She then comments, Good work Leonardo, but you understand that the rest of the world will never know what that smile is all about, She comments.

You do. I know that much. He says smiling. Discretely he reaches down and squeezes her bottom.

Hold it for me. I only want you to know it's whereabouts. I don't want the rest of the world turning it into something its not. Francessca did hold the painting until she died. At that point the world had forgotten about the painting.

Once the Mona Lisa appeared some years after its original release most had forgotten its existence. The Art world could not believe they had forgotten about the painting. As a cover up the made up the fact that it had been created when Leonardo was a much older man. Apparently they succeeded. The Mona Lisa did not fully gain its glory until; after Leonardo was dead. No one ever truly knew what had happened to her. She never appeared in society again. To this day her smile and her eyes still hold all the mystery they did so long ago.