TASHAAfter a couple more minutes of resting and cuddling up against each other on the sofa, we both decide, for obvious tempting cautious reasons, to take different turns freshening up in the mini bathroom situated in the left corner of the room. The warm water feels so good on my skin, but I do not spend so much time immersed in it.Later, after dressing up and turning off the lights in the room, Nate and I step out, meeting just a few people still in the gym. Just then, my mind clicks. I dart my eyes to my wristwatch.Oh thank God. I sigh out in relief. It is just 9:15pm. I promised my mom to be back home from the cinema on or before 10:30pm. I definitely do not want her suspecting my folly."Uhm, do you wanna grab some dinner?" Nate's question deflects my thoughts back to him, his fingers lacing into mine."Sure." I nod. "I'd love that. We just have to be quick though because I lied to my mum about going to see a movie with Jennie and I also told her that I will be back by 10:30pm
TASHASundays are specially made for me enjoying my lazy ass on my bed, especially if I do not have any homework to do. It is also one of those splendid days of the week I choose to binge watch tons of movies while cuddled up close to my mum on the sofa, just like I am doing right now.I throw some popcorns into my mouth as I continue watching the TV show, stealing quick glances up at my mum, who seems obviously engrossed in the film, her arm draped on my shoulder, with her hand subconsciously rubbing my arm. Moments like this make me wish I have the superpower to just attend my dream college from home when the time comes. But I guess some things are just inevitable. They are just a part of the processes of life and growth.I nuzzle closer to her to inhale more of the papaya scent of her shower soap, which feels more like a sedative to my busy brain right now. I am thinking about a lot of things. About how crazy my past weeks have been. About how I found my peace within myself and my s
TASHAMy mum continues eating the popcorns in silence, her eyes never leaving mine. I feel her worry and love for me interwoven together into that single statement. I knew that there was a one hundred percent possiblity of her saying something like that, and she definitely did not disappoint.But Nate is not Jason. Nate is different, and I choose to believe that. One lesson my past relationship with Jason taught me is to always not disregard the red flags. No human being is perfect, but some are just spawns of the devil. I am not saying that Jason is a spawn of the devil, but there were so many red flags he possessed in the start of our relationship then that I ignored just to continue being with him. I was so obsessed with him, loving him like a fool despite how he continued making me feel like I was forcing myself into being stuck in a one sided love relationship with him. A relationship where he gave me his sex and not his love for me.I still persevered with him, until I found out
TASHAI know I have said it sometime before, but I will say it again. I hate Mondays.But this week's Monday is not really starting out bad for me. Thanks to my flirting boyfriend Nate who is lousily resting on the locker near mine. He is unapologetically messing with my head as I try to focus my attention into scrambling inside my locker in search of my Geography textbook. I definitely kept the textbook inside my locker. I did not take it home with me for the weekend.Nate folds his arms across his chest, nudging closer to me. "Babe, you have been—"I pinch his stomach through his shirt. "Hey, half of Westville is here. Remember our deal."He winces, rubbing the spot where I pinched him. "Sorry, I forgot that. Not that it is any of their fucking business though."I force out a wrinkled smile. "I know that. But I am not ready for half of Westville girls on my neck this morning."He chuckles, biting down on his lower lip. "What do you mean by that?"I want to stop staring at him and f
TASHAAfter spending two solid, boring, heart wrenching hours in the library, I finally make it back to class. Anger sizzles hot and raw in the blood flowing through my veins as I storm through the class door, darting straight towards Diane's desk, not giving a fuck that she is happily chatting with her viper friends Claire and Samantha, the two bitches sitting beside her.No teacher is in class because we are having a free period right now. God fucking help me because I am about to rip Diane's tongue off if she is the one who fucking took my textbook and made me miss class."Where the fuck is my geography textbook Diane!?" I snap, banging my palm on her desk and bringing their nasty giggles to a halt. She flinches back, staring at me like she is seeing a ghost. I glare at her, a silent warning to her not to even think of messing with me. The entire class falls into a dead silence. Everyone's attention darts to us."I. . . .I do not know what you are talking about Tasha." She stutter
TASHAI exit the class in a jiffy to go in search of all four of them. When I entered the class earlier, I was too focused in reaching Diane that I did not notice their absence.My heart is beating so fast as I hurry down the empty hallway, looking around the corners and straining my ears to know if I can hear any familiar voices, but all I can hear is the optimal silence of the empty hallway. Something just does not feel right. This I know.Just as I try to speed past the door leading to the school empty gym to continue my search for them, low echoing murmurs coming from inside the gym draws my attention to the slightly open door.What the hell? Apparently, no one should be in the school gym by this time.Curiosity grabs the best of me, and I retrace my steps back. I take a look inside the gym through the slightly open door, squinting my eyes to try to make out the two male faces in there while also being careful not to touch the door. Rage pounds hard and deep inside me when I see
TASHANate recoils back in shock. "What?" He seethes lowly in order not to garner the attention of the chattering group of people sitting at the table near ours."What the fuck?" Marco whispers. "Did you just say that you. . . . .that you saw Killer with Jason?"Instead of repeating myself again to them and wasting time trying to explain, I bring out my phone from my pocket and show them the pictures I took. The cookie in Jennie's hand drops back into her plate immediately she sees the images.She palms her mouth. "Oh shit. This can't be fucking happening.""What the hell is he doing in our school?" Marco scowls. "And why the fuck is he with your ex?""I do not fucking know." I answer, switching off my phone. "But whatever this is, I have a really bad feeling that it is definitely not good.""Gosh, this is crazy." Jennie mutters, taking a sip of her water. "How dare he come to our school?"Nate clicks his tongue against his teeth. "So my hunch was right." He nods. "Jason is actually t
TASHAJason snirks a chuckle at me and unhooks Diane's hand from his arm, tucking his hands into his pockets before stepping closer to my face, his dark gray eyes digging into mine. "You know Tasha, you really amaze me with that sharp tongue of yours that sometimes, I wonder if I really dated a girl like you. You want me to give you back your textbook right?""So that means that you are actually the one who stole my textbook." I scoff, my blood boiling. "Look Jason, I am not going to answer that bloody question you just asked. And I am not going to repeat myself.""Just who the hell do you think you are Tasha?" He sneers, his breaths fanning against my cheeks.I stare daggers at him, remaining unfazed by his arrogant attitude. "I am the girl who is so ready to fuck you up right now if you do not return back what you fucking stole from me. You are so pathetic Jason, stopping so low just to prank me in order to soothe your sick, disgusting ego. I guess you wanted my attention. Now you h
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