DIANA I could not believe the words that just came out of this man’s mouth. “You just bought this house?” I repeated like I hadn’t heard him.“Yes.” He stared at me like I was the weird one.Like he didn’t just buy a house for a date!I laughed, looking at him expectantly, waiting for him to laugh as well and tell me he was joking. But the laughter died down when all he did was cock a brow as he watched me. He was serious.I stole a glance at the house again, The looming pillars and shining lass windows seemed to stare back at me in irony. This house was massive.I wasn’t exaggerating.“Why would you buy a house??” I gasped, staring at him with parted lips.“I didn’t think you’d be comfortable in a hotel.” So this man bought a house on a whim, because he thought I’d be uncomfortable at a hotel?“You’re unbelievable.” I shook my head at him, my lips rising in a disbelieving smile.He smirked and took me by the hand, leading me into the house, and my jaw almost reached the ground
DIANA I twiddled my thumbs, staring out the window in hopes I could find out where exactly we were headed.But for goodness sake, everything was in French!“Can you at least give me a hint?” I asked after trying and faking to read another sign board we passed, turning to Mr Leota with a sigh.“It’s in Paris.” He only smirked at me.“Really?” I rolled my eyes, my lips pursed.“We’re almost there.” His smile softened. “-just be patient, princess.”I huffed and looked out the window, trying to think of where exactly we were going. I’d never been to Paris.. but at least I knew a few landmarks.. like the Eiffel Tower.. and the Louvre museum..But I doubt Mr Leota flew us all the way to Paris just to see a museum..“Sir, we’ve arrived.” I liked out the window again as the driver announced, and to my surprise there was no restaurant around, no Eiffel Tower, no Louvre Museum.. just the usual houses..Where exactly were we?“Let’s go.” Mr Leota smiled, I nodded as the driver opened the door
DIANA I stared with slightly parted lips as he walked off, his entire figure on edge.Did I say something wrong? I didn’t think so.All I said was that his company was the biggest, and it wasn’t a lie.I didn’t move for a moment, before pushing my chair back as I stood, rushing after him with furrowed brows. He had walked out to the deck on our left, his knuckled white as he gripped the rail tightly, his head down.“Did I say something wrong?” I slowed as I reached him, standing next to him in hesitation.“You knew my company months before now.” He lifted his head, but he was staring at the lake straight ahead. “Yes… ” My frown deepened. “I don’t understand what the problem is..”“So why’d you act like you didn’t know me?” He turned to me now, standing straighter, and I nearly took a step back with how hard his gaze was.“What are you talking about?” I stared at him, my forehead creasing. “When we first met-” he began, his jaw clenched. “You pretended like you didn’t know who I w
DIANA It happened so fast. I was already beneath the waters before I realized what had happened. As I sunk deeper and deeper, like there was an anchor dragging me to the depths, my eyes caught their figure.It was blurry, rippled by the surface of the waters, but I could tell someone was there.Hope filled my lungs along with the fresh water, as I raised a hand in a plea for help, to be saved. They gazed at me for a moment too long, and they left. They left me to drown. To die. Once I realized this, I began to struggle, my limbs moving frantically in an attempt to get to the surface.I only sunk faster, and the piercing pain in my lungs was almost unbearable, but not as the thought of dying.Lost in the middle of a lake in Paris. It truly took my breath away. It was my throat that tightened first. I felt my lungs squeeze under the pressure of the lake, the blood that flooded to my head as I struggled felt like fire beneath my skin, it was funny because now that I paused to consi
DIANA It didn’t take long before we reached the house, or maybe it did - I was too lost in my thoughts to notice.The driver opened the door for us and as usual, Mr Leota held his hand out for me, and helped me out of the car. I gave him a tight smile as he led me into the house, his hand firm on my waist, like he was afraid I’d leave and end up in the water again. He placed me on the couch gently, “Wait here.” He said and went into the kitchen. I clasped my hands together tightly as my mind raced. Why would someone try to kill me?I mean, I understood people stalking me, taking pictures of me. But murder?? That is not something I envisioned would happen. Mr Leota came out of the kitchen with a mug in hand, walking over and sitting next to me. “Here,” he said, handing me the mug in his hands, the smell of coffee immediately hitting me. “Thank you.” I gave him a small smile, and I took a sip of the coffee. It burnt my tongue a little, but I didn’t mind. I was freezing, the he
DIANA The second after he locked lips on mine, he lifted me in his arms and carried me up the stairs. His eyes were fixed on mine, dripping with a desire we both shared. As he got to my room, he kicked the door open, and dropped me on the bed, climbing on top but careful not to put all his weight on me, joining with my lips once more. My eyes closed shut, as I wrapped my arms around his neck, urging him to come closer, diving deeper into his kiss. He placed his hand on my breast, giving it a tight squeeze, causing a moan to flee from my throat and instigating a stir in my lower belly. And immediately I felt his hand move to my back, I froze. Suddenly my hearts dropped to the very depths of my belly as his fingers play with the zipper of my jumpsuit on my back. I couldn’t let him see my body. If he did, he’d never be interested in me, with all my scars. Then I closed my eyes, and all I saw was Kevin, the look in his eyes when he saw me for who I was… what I’d become. And sudde
JEROMESince I’d woken up I haven’t been able to stop staring at her, snuggled in my arms, her face buried in my chest.She looked so beautiful, so at peace…I clenched my jaw as I gazed at her, my hand stroking her face lightly.She looked so serene when she slept, I furrowed my brows as I remembered how she’d looked at the bakery… she was disguised, ever so poorly.Her life has become so chaotic with just being involved with me.She would be so much better off without me..So much safer. My phone rang from the bedside table, and I reached for it, careful not to move too drastically, so she didn't wake up.“What have you found?” I asked as soon as I answered the call.“We interrogated the stewardess and the driver, and their statements correspond.” The investigator announced through the line.“So which one of them did it?” I turned my gaze to the window as my jaw tightened.“None of them, sir.” “How can - “ I was about to raise my voice when my anger rose, but then I paused, turnin
DIANA My eyes were stuck to the window, watching the buildings pass me by as we drove.I couldn’t even look at him.Why was I feeling this way? Like I wasn’t in his arms the night before.The last time I’d slept that peacefully was when he slept with me in my apartment , and for some reason, I thought I’d never experience that again. And yet here I was..I turned to him, watching him quietly as he drove, how his hands gripped the steering wheel… how much I envied the steering wheel- DIANA! “What happened to the driver?” I swallowed, tearing my gaze away from his hands.“I fired him.” Mr Leota said plainly.“Why?” I stared at him in shock, my brows drawn together. “Did he do something? “His services are no longer needed.” Was his inly explanation.“I see…” I mumbled, but i couldn’t help thinking that he only fired him because of that incident. “Is it because of what happened last night?” I asked, blurting out exactly what I was thinking.“It’s safer not having a third party arou
DIANA The kisses were cold, the ones the wind left sporadically on my skin as I stood by the window of my apartment. A heavy sigh left my lips as I watched the sight before me - it was nothing like Paris. The streets of Paris would have brought out the artist in me, if I had stayed a bit longer. I would have filled pages with the unmatched charm they had to offer. I would give anything to go back there…To him. Was Paris really beautiful, or was it just him? The way he made me feel? The way everything he did made me believe I was special? That i was the only one he’d ever do those things for? Then there was a knock on the door, that pulled me out of my thoughts.I walked over to the door, wondering who it was when I opened it.My eyes widened as I came face to face with Kevin, my heart skipping a beat at the two figures behind him, their faces concealed with masks.“What are you doing here?” I felt utter fear at the sight, but I held my ground, staring Kevin dead in face.“To pu
DIANA What was he doing here??? I stopped in my tracks when I saw Kevin outside the restaurant, his back turned to us.“Dee, don’t engage, let’s just leave.” Lily shook her head frantically as she pulled me away.“Can’t I have one day-” I scoffed in irritation. “-Just one day free of this asshole??” “Don’t let him ruin your day Dee, let’s go.” Lily held my hand, her eyes pleading as she led us away. I frowned at her, my eyes lifting to Kevin’s figure ahead.“Were you asking me to leave because of him?” I scoffed, staring at her with a scowl.“What, no! That’s not it ,” She turned to look at Kevin. “I’ll explain when we get to your apartment, but I don’t want a scene.” She stressed, leading us away.“You think I’d cause a scene?” My lips parted in disbelief.“When you and Kevin are in the same room? Yes, the both of you will cause a scene-” She pursed her lips, staring round. “-and we can’t have that with your current situation.” She shook her head.“What do you mean?” I took a step
The flight back home was beyond soothing.It was just me in the jet, with the exception of the flight attendant and the pilots, but that was okay. I rested my head against the soft seat, staring at the departing city of Paris with a faint smile.I can’t believe I just traveled to Paris.For a date. I shook my head, turning back to the empty space of the jet, still in disbelief.My gaze wandered a bit too many times to Mr Leota's seat opposite mine, and I bit my inner cheek at the empty seat. I’m already missing him..I sighed, leaning back as I thought about everything that had happened. How chaotic can one date go? We traveled, he bought a freaking mansion, we had a date on a boat, I nearly drowned, we had another date at a restaurant he completely booked, and now..Now I’m here.On my way back. Alone.What was so important that he couldn’t come back with me?I didn’t want to know the answer, staring out the window as the buildings shrank as we flew higher, and eventually the smoot
DIANA I gaped at him in disbelief. He couldn’t be serious.“You booked the whole restaurant???” I stared at him wide eyed.“Don’t you like the privacy?” Mr Leota cocked his head to the side.“That’s not the point, Mr. Leota!” I let out a breath, staring at him in disbelief.“This soufflé is really good.” He said calmly, taking a spoon into his mouth, completely disregarding what I said. “Are you always like this?” I chuckled, shaking my head slightly.“Charming? Yes, all the time.” He smirked as he sipped his champagne.“I meant do you always go above and beyond for a woman?” I rolled my eyes, leaning back.“You think this is above and beyond?” He raised a brow. “If this isn’t, then what is?” My brows drew together to a slight frown.“Something I can’t pay for.” He said, his voice was low as he stared at the dish.“And what’s that?” I couldn’t stop my curiosity when I asked, raising the spoon to my lips.“Something I do not have to give.” He sounded guarded as he revealed, meeting
DIANA My eyes were stuck to the window, watching the buildings pass me by as we drove.I couldn’t even look at him.Why was I feeling this way? Like I wasn’t in his arms the night before.The last time I’d slept that peacefully was when he slept with me in my apartment , and for some reason, I thought I’d never experience that again. And yet here I was..I turned to him, watching him quietly as he drove, how his hands gripped the steering wheel… how much I envied the steering wheel- DIANA! “What happened to the driver?” I swallowed, tearing my gaze away from his hands.“I fired him.” Mr Leota said plainly.“Why?” I stared at him in shock, my brows drawn together. “Did he do something? “His services are no longer needed.” Was his inly explanation.“I see…” I mumbled, but i couldn’t help thinking that he only fired him because of that incident. “Is it because of what happened last night?” I asked, blurting out exactly what I was thinking.“It’s safer not having a third party arou
JEROMESince I’d woken up I haven’t been able to stop staring at her, snuggled in my arms, her face buried in my chest.She looked so beautiful, so at peace…I clenched my jaw as I gazed at her, my hand stroking her face lightly.She looked so serene when she slept, I furrowed my brows as I remembered how she’d looked at the bakery… she was disguised, ever so poorly.Her life has become so chaotic with just being involved with me.She would be so much better off without me..So much safer. My phone rang from the bedside table, and I reached for it, careful not to move too drastically, so she didn't wake up.“What have you found?” I asked as soon as I answered the call.“We interrogated the stewardess and the driver, and their statements correspond.” The investigator announced through the line.“So which one of them did it?” I turned my gaze to the window as my jaw tightened.“None of them, sir.” “How can - “ I was about to raise my voice when my anger rose, but then I paused, turnin
DIANA The second after he locked lips on mine, he lifted me in his arms and carried me up the stairs. His eyes were fixed on mine, dripping with a desire we both shared. As he got to my room, he kicked the door open, and dropped me on the bed, climbing on top but careful not to put all his weight on me, joining with my lips once more. My eyes closed shut, as I wrapped my arms around his neck, urging him to come closer, diving deeper into his kiss. He placed his hand on my breast, giving it a tight squeeze, causing a moan to flee from my throat and instigating a stir in my lower belly. And immediately I felt his hand move to my back, I froze. Suddenly my hearts dropped to the very depths of my belly as his fingers play with the zipper of my jumpsuit on my back. I couldn’t let him see my body. If he did, he’d never be interested in me, with all my scars. Then I closed my eyes, and all I saw was Kevin, the look in his eyes when he saw me for who I was… what I’d become. And sudde
DIANA It didn’t take long before we reached the house, or maybe it did - I was too lost in my thoughts to notice.The driver opened the door for us and as usual, Mr Leota held his hand out for me, and helped me out of the car. I gave him a tight smile as he led me into the house, his hand firm on my waist, like he was afraid I’d leave and end up in the water again. He placed me on the couch gently, “Wait here.” He said and went into the kitchen. I clasped my hands together tightly as my mind raced. Why would someone try to kill me?I mean, I understood people stalking me, taking pictures of me. But murder?? That is not something I envisioned would happen. Mr Leota came out of the kitchen with a mug in hand, walking over and sitting next to me. “Here,” he said, handing me the mug in his hands, the smell of coffee immediately hitting me. “Thank you.” I gave him a small smile, and I took a sip of the coffee. It burnt my tongue a little, but I didn’t mind. I was freezing, the he
DIANA It happened so fast. I was already beneath the waters before I realized what had happened. As I sunk deeper and deeper, like there was an anchor dragging me to the depths, my eyes caught their figure.It was blurry, rippled by the surface of the waters, but I could tell someone was there.Hope filled my lungs along with the fresh water, as I raised a hand in a plea for help, to be saved. They gazed at me for a moment too long, and they left. They left me to drown. To die. Once I realized this, I began to struggle, my limbs moving frantically in an attempt to get to the surface.I only sunk faster, and the piercing pain in my lungs was almost unbearable, but not as the thought of dying.Lost in the middle of a lake in Paris. It truly took my breath away. It was my throat that tightened first. I felt my lungs squeeze under the pressure of the lake, the blood that flooded to my head as I struggled felt like fire beneath my skin, it was funny because now that I paused to consi