TASHAThe questions keep vibrating in my head even when I enter the greenhouse. Nate is talking to the man. They turn around at my presence, Nate's smile vanishing off his face the instant his eyes meet mine. Nothing stabs more painfully than when you feel your heart squeezing so tight like it is been ripped right out from your chest.That is exactly what I am going through right now."Tasha Quinn, come over here." The man beckons to me. I drop my bag on the table and dust off my hands against the jean material of my skirt, my restlessness growing more and more every second I walk closer to them. Nate looks away when I reach them."You both are in luck today." The man says, showing us a large mass of green vines and shrunken branch sticks with dried brown leaves heaped together. "The labourers did half the work during the weekend, so all you have to do is to just pack them up and burn them right in that incinerator there." He points to the big black incinerator just less than a hundred
NATE"Come on Cage!" Alex spits out as his fist lands a solid blow to my jaw, reeling my head back in a sharp swirl. I can already taste the metallic tang of blood on my tongue as my body falls backwards.Damn."Back off the ropes!" Marco yells from the sidelines just a second late after my sweaty back grazes the thick black ropes of the ring. Alex's fist lurches to attack me again, but I roll aside on the ropes, dodging his incoming punch just a hair breath past my left cheek. His fast body force of missing out on me throws his chest on the ropes, giving me just a few scrappy seconds to regain my footing.He bounces off the ropes and snaps round at me, fists raised, stubbled jaw clenched, dark brown eyes blazing at me in thick concentration. Alex Davis stands a whooping 6ft tall, his muscular body hard and toned from years of fighting and training most of the deadliest MMA fighters around the world. He barrels towards me in an all-out attack. Shit he is so fucking fast, but his fists
NATEI exhale a tired sigh, pulling myself up into a sitting position and resting my aching arms over my knees. Tasha is all I think about, and I will be so damned and fucked up this Saturday if I lose focus. I do not know if her presence on that day will be a blessing or a distraction, but I really hope it turns out to be the former.After a while, Alex stands and offers me his hand, which I accept. He helps me up to my feet."I would have suggested we spar some more, but it is clear you are not mentally in shape right now, so I am gonna leave you to figure out your shit," he pats my shoulder. "Go home and get some rest. Tomorrow we continue, but before then, please get your mind together."I nod. "Sure. Thank you Alex." I mutter.He corks me a smile, patting me some more before walking out of the training area, heading to his office. I watch him close the door after he steps inside."What's bugging you man?" Marco asks, giving me a quizzical look."Nothing." I bend and pick up the to
TASHAThe sun is exceptionally bright this Friday morning. Its heat pricks on my bare skin as I walk towards the school building. No one spares me a glance from their phones, afterall, a spicy video of Conrad working out shirtless in his home gym was posted on Ville Secrets yesterday and some of the girls around are literally going nuts. I reach my locker, dipping my hand into my bag to bring out the keys."Tasha Quinn and Nate Adams!" Principal Salazar's voice blares through the loud school comms speaker. "To the Principal's office now!"Oh God. What the hell is it again!? Ever since she banished me to that Green Den, my life has never been the same. I wonder what she wants now.And Nate. . . . . .my heart sinks just thinking about him.I sigh and zip up my bag, heading down the corridor and taking a bend leading to the Principal's office. I do not usually get tense for any reason, especially if I did not do anything wrong, but getting called into Principal Salazar's office, especial
TASHAA mixture of instant pain and anger coils and twists in the pit of my stomach at Diane's unsolicited presence approaching us. When she stops in front of us, I notice her picking at her fingers, and I nearly recoil at the thought that stings in my head that we still have the same stupid habit that we share despite everything that has happened between us. Her eyes fall to me, staring at me like they are trying to beg me for something. "Tasha," her voice is nearly a mere whisper. "Can we talk?""No," My voice is firm and hot with the anger brewing inside me. "We don't have anything to talk about.""Please," she begs, taking another step further towards me. I take a step back, nearly stumbling. Nate holds onto me, steadying me. I can feel my tears coming, welling up in my eyes, the anger and pain I feel because of her not enough to quench them. After hurting me by fucking with Jason and treating me like trash just to fit in, what else does she want again? Isn't she yet satisfied wi
TASHAMy heated conversation with Diane still lingers in my head even after the classes for the day ended. I have never talked to her like that before, but damn, I am so fucking done with her. She should learn how to swim and stop relying on divers to save her fucking, jealous, unsatisfied ass every single time she feels like she is drowning in her stupid, pathetic mistakes.When the dismissal bell rings, I almost literally hop out of class, thrilled that I will be going straight home, but I wait, my eyes searching around for Nate. Worry bubbles inside me when I do not see him in class. Did he leave already?After looking around some more and still not seeing him, I gather my books and exit the class, heading straight to my locker. My mom will be so glad when I tell her that my punishment has been terminated. She has been worried sick that I might fall ill or that my grades would be affected, but gladly, none of that happened. To be honest, serving that punishment made me learn new th
TASHAAfter tossing around on my bed nearly all morning and going downstairs to watch TV with my mum in the afternoon, Saturday evening finally crawls in, meeting me in the shower. The anticipation of getting to watch Nate fight has been eating deep into my bones, especially since yesterday. I have never been to a fight before, but damn hell will that make me miss this. I feel bad for lying to my mum about going to watch a couple movies with Jennie this evening, but I think it is worth it. Besides, she will never allow her precious daughter to go watch a bunch of sweaty hot ass guys fighting to beat each other into a pulp, so I had to tell her the lie Jennie and I prepared. Jennie should better keep to her word by coming to get me.Done with taking my bath, I step out from the bathroom and begin to prepare, getting dressed and styling my hair into long straight strands falling past my shoulders to the middle of my back. I take my time in applying some makeup before gathering a few thi
TASHACage.The name keeps ringing in my head as we push through the doors of the underground gym, walking into a swarming, cheering crowd already going crazy. The air is acrid with sweat and smoke and heat, and for a couple seconds, I try to adjust my nostrils and lungs to a new temporal pattern of breathing.I push my way through the noisy crowd chanting Cage! Cage!, staying close enough to Jennie and Marco as we head towards the front to get a better view. Sounds of heavy grunts and punches coming from the ring fill the smoky air, mixing with the buzzing chaos of the crowd, booming louder to my ears the closer we get to the front.We eventually arrive. My mouth falls open, and I finally get a glimpse of why the crowd is so damn fucking loud and crazy.The fight has already begun.Nate sharply evades a deadly blow from his opponent, a massive muscular guy who looks like a grim tattoo drawboard with so many black tattoos coating almost the entire skin of his back and running down his
Dearest Reader, My heart is full. Writing Diane and Leo’s story has been a beautiful unforgettable adventure, and I hope it brought you as much joy, tension, laughter, and definitely a few buckets of tears as it did to me. Diane and Leo are two characters I will never forget. Their journey from enemies to friends and finally to hardcore soulmates was crafted with the same ups and downs that make real life so beautifully complex. My baby girl Diane, most especially, gripped me by the throat throughout her journey in this book, and I cried several times whenever I found myself digging and exploring deeper and deeper into her mind and who she truly is. Leo King, well, he played with my heart as well. He made me believe he was some rich fucking brat who couldn't care less about anything, only to crash me with the truth of who he really is—a true lover king with so much indepth layers that had me lusting and thirsting for more. Thank you for staying with Diane and Leo through every twi
THREE YEARS LATER DIANE I wake up submerged in paralyzing pleasure that sends shivers sizzling down my spine. Warm lips, a hot tongue, and the unmistakable expert touch of the man I love. My body reacts instantly, stretching beneath him as I surrender to the bliss he is inflicting into every cell in my body. This is Leo’s favorite way of waking me up—and, if I am honest, mine too. I love our morning fun so damn much. “Leo…” I breathe out, my fingers threading through his dark strands, clutching tightly as he teases me, pushing me toward the edge of pleasure with every flick of his tongue, every stroke of his fingers. He knows every spot, every way to pull me apart and put me right back together again. I feel myself melting into the softness of the bed, barely able to keep my eyes open. Leo is there, between my legs, working his magic, his mouth and fingers moving with a determination that is both sweet and very sinful. I tangle my fingers in his hair, holding him to me like he
‘All I do is win.’— All I Do Is Win by DJ Khaled, Ludacris, Rick Ross, Snoop Dogg & T PainFOUR WEEKS LATER DIANEThe entire departmental auditorium is buzzing with energy, filled with students, distinguished professors, and families all seated in anticipation.It is the annual game competition event, and the tension in the air as everyone waits for the announcement of the winners is so thick that a knife can easily slice through it without stress.I am standing beside Crys amongst other competitors, our hands clasped tightly together as we look up at the stage. My heart pounds as I take in the scene before switching my attention to the rest of the audience, searching for the same familiar faces there that are present to cheer me today.My parents. Tasha and Nate. Marissa. Dante. Asher.And the king of all, my Leo King.He is seated beside Marissa, looking so dashing and magnificent in a dark blue tailored suit with a seductive smile added to his smexy appearance. Despite how far ap
LEOI swing the door open and step into Frosty's room.My eyes land on her and Tasha sitting together on the bed. They look so happy, with Frosty's face glowing so bright that the sight tugs at something deep within me, causing warmth and relief to settle right in the center of my chest.“Oh, hey, Leo,” Tasha says, spotting me with the small bag containing Frosty’s medications in my hand. Before I can even respond back, she turns swiftly to Frosty and taps Frosty's lap gently.“I’ll leave you two lovebirds alone," she teases, giving her lap a gentle squeeze before she stands up. “I’ll be back tomorrow morning.”“Wait I'll escort you to—”“Don't worry.” Tasha stops her from getting up from the bed. “Just lie back. Also remember to take your meds, alright?”Frosty nods, giving her a soft smile. “Thanks, Tash. For everything.”“You're welcome darling. Goodnight.”They both hug each other before Tasha moves past me, patting my shoulder on her way out.“Take care of her, Leo.”“I will.” T
DIANEI am alive.It has been a few days since the nightmare with Cole. The police officially informed my family that he is fucking dead.He is gone. And so is my nightmare too.Being back in the familiar warmth of my bedroom is pure heaven. I have never liked hospitals, but my stay there was worth it and wasn't boring for me. Crys and Dante always came to see me, Asher dropped by too with lots of dark chocolates. My parents were already with me the next day after I was brought to the hospital.And Tasha, well, she barged in a few hours after my parents first arrived and literally slept in the hospital with me and Leo throughout my entire stay there.The duration was short though, because I didn't sustain deep injuries and was just kept there for a few checkups and to stabilize my health.Now, I am back home, and thank God that I am propped up in my bed, with a cozy blanket draped over my body. Tasha’s boyfriend, Nate, couldn’t come, but he sent his love, as well as a giant, absurdly
LEOIt is fucking scary how the people we love can be ripped away from us so fast in the blink of an eye.A chilling wind whips through the abandoned warehouse district as I pull up to the location that bastard sent to me. Yesterday's passing has stretched my nerves to their breaking point, and every second I spend away from Frosty feels like an eternity of torture since I got that horrifying call.I step out of the car and close the door, my gaze set firmly on the cold bricked structure in the distance.Gripping the money bag tightly,—one million dollars in cash—I feel the leather biting into my skin. My heart pounds, fear clenching in my chest and making it difficult for me to breathe properly.But I can't let my fear and anxiety show. Not with Frosty’s life on the line. Not with that deranged bastard waiting to kill her if I slip up.Detective Kane stands a few blocks away, spying on the area with his team. I don't need to turn to check if he is in position because I know he alread
DIANEMy eyes flutter open, my vision still a little blurry as I survey my surroundings.The dimness of this dusty place looms around me, doing nothing to help stabilize my sight. My wrists ache, and I realize that I am tied to the back of a chair, with the cold metal digging into my skin.I struggle against the binding ropes, feeling bruises forming from each twist and pull as I yank forcefully.However, it is pointless.The ropes are too tight, and every time I shift, the chair groans, echoing ominously through the vacant space. Fuck.I can barely wrap my mind around the horror of what is happening to me. Today was supposed to be filled with good news. The new hopeful beginning I now have with my mum. The moment I have dreamed and waited my whole life for.The closure, the forgiveness…No evil omen should have happened today. But now, being here like this, I feel like my life is about to be taken away from me.This situation nauseates me, and my stomach churns at the thought with a
DIANE A WEEK LATER “Mum, I am only here because Dad convinced me so much to give you a chance. And because I want to. I'd hate if it all goes for nothing.”My voice is steady, although the emotions swirling within me now feels like a storm I am barely trying to prevent from crashing all over me.Sitting here with Kate Brandon feels almost like I am watching this moment from the outside of a charred plane of glass. She is settled across from me in the quiet corner booth of the diner I chose, the one where Dante, Crys, and I came to when she first moved into her new apartment.I chose this place because its familiarity feels like a shield of protection, not some alien restaurant that only brings me nausea and tension.My mother looks at me with softened eyes, nodding slowly. Her hands are clasped tightly around her mug of coffee as if it is her lifeline.A small frown is creased across her forehead as she speaks. “Thank you, Diane. I know I don’t deserve this. Not after everything. I.
DIANEI am lying on Leo’s bed, feeling the warmth of his skin pressed against mine as he stretches out beside me. We are freshly showered and now wrapped in each other's arms.His steady breaths match the rhythm of my own, and I am here with him, wearing one of his oversized shirts that does little to hide my ass. The cotton feels soft against my skin, and I'd be lying if I deny that I am not falling in love with him all over again because of how fucking good his familiar scent keeps intoxicating me.Gosh.We both have been quiet for a while, just enjoying the warmth of each other's skins and letting the morning light filter in through the blinds, casting its soft streaks across the room and over us.Leo is my safe haven. He makes baring out my mind and feelings to him so easy and without any fear of judgements.I know I have told him so many things about me, secrets that I don't share with just anyone. And that is because he earned my trust. He didn't take advantage of me when he cle