‘You don't have to say you love meI just wanna tell you somethin'Lately, you've been on my mind’ — Adore You By Harry Styles.LEOMy heart feels like it is trying to hammer its way out of my chest.I pause in my advance towards her, still not hearing her say anything to me. I need a word. Just one word. Even if her response will be non verbal, like just a nod, or the shake of her head, I will take it. I will accept it wholeheartedly, because right now, all I want to do is to show her that whatever assumptions she may have about me and Madison still hooking up are all wrong.She is still hesitating, but when I dare another step forward, showing her how badly I need her to hear me out, she senses my desperation and finally gives me permission, stepping aside.“Thank you.” I murmur, walking past her and entering inside her room. The familiar scent of her cozy abode wraps around me instantly, just like the first time I entered her room. The scent of black orchids and roses and so
DIANE I am so happy right now. So happy that I only realize how tight I am squeezing Leo in my arms when I hear him take in a muffled breath, his hands also wrapping around me. Oh shit– “I'm sorry.” I unlock my arms instantly and step away from him, feeling a flush of hot embarrassment spreading all over my face. A flush of hot embarrassment that has me dropping my gaze to the floor. “There's no need to apologize,” Leo chuckles lightly, and I gasp when his fingers gently lift up my chin, making me look at him again. Every inch of me suddenly feels paralyzed by his touch. His eyes are digging into mine, and there is amusement shining in them. But something else is in them too. Something else that feels so intense and suddenly so addictive that it is making me dream of never pulling away from him. My heart is thumping wildly inside my chest, and a feeling I have always sworn time and time again not to resurface is now clawing at my insides, begging me to be free. But I can't risk
DIANE “Mrs Jones, where are the new arrivals?” “Check the second shelf dear.” About half an hour after our meeting with Jen back at the cafe, Crystal and I parted ways, and I took a cab, heading straight home. Wait, let me rephrase that: I had wanted to head straight home, but just at the nick of time, I decided to make just one tiny stop at Mrs Jones' bookstore to check out the new arrivals I saw pasted on the mini billboard displayed right outside her fantastic store. And thank God I did. I promise I won't stack up so many books. I might just buy maybe one or two. But on second thought, it won't be such a bad idea to stack up so many books. It’s not like it's going to hurt anyone, and besides, I am still going to try my best to read all of them, and more. Following Mrs Jones’ answer to my question, I take a quick right and walk towards the second shelf, my hand adjusting my bag about to slip off my shoulder. I finally arrive, and to my greatest pleasure, it does not take me lo
DIANE Kate Brandon follows me behind as I walk towards the checkout carrying the basket containing the books I want to purchase. Mrs Jones is leaning on her checkout desk, her eyes and fingers busy on her tablet with whatever that is holding all her attention to the screen. Whatever that is, I am too selfish right now to care or know. I am dying to pay for these books and get out of here. To be in any place that is void of my mother's presence. The scent of her Fenty is killing my wish to be away from her, and the more I get closer to the desk, the more my throat feels parched. Scorched. I am stuck with her. When I finally arrive in front of the desk, I tap on it a couple times to get Mrs Jones’ attention. She looks up from her tablet, adjusting her small eyeglasses on the bridge of her nose as she shifts her attention from me to my mother, and then right back to me. I keep the small basket down on the desk. “Mrs Jones, I am done shopping. I want to pay for—” “Allow me darling.”
DIANE My question hangs in the air, intermixing with the soft jazz music playing from the car's radio.I miss Leo…..“You will find out, darling.” Her voice pokes into my head, bringing back my focus and dragging me out from that tiny moment of relief.Her eyes are still glued to her phone even after she is done speaking, and I have never hated the unexpectancy of the universe the way I do right now. Why the fuck did its forces bring her to me now? How the hell did she even find me? Did dad tell her? But if he did, I know he would have asked me first if I wanted him to tell her about my whereabouts or not.Gosh. This entire thing is so fucked up.I know and I perfectly understand that Kate Brandon is my mother, and that I really miss her sometimes, but now that I am in this car with her, breathing in her scent and her nonchalant insolence, I don't think I am ready, really ready to face her now. To even talk or discuss anything with her.I am not. I am scared I will lash out hateful
‘The intent of love between two people can be questioned. Investigated. Doubted. But a mother's love for her child can never be judged by anyone, because that type of love is only meant to be one thing: TRUE.’ — Unknown DIANEStill wallowing in my misery and in my hesitation not to speak further, the chauffeur gets down and opens the door for my mum.The instant he does and she steps out, I grab my shopping bag containing my precious story gems and open my door myself. I am not in the mood for any princess or rich girl treatment right now. I have never felt to be in that mood whenever I am with my mother. Never.I bang the door of the car shut, not giving a fuck when the loud sound makes my mum flash me a subtle warning glare.She turns to the chauffeur. “James, you can now go to pick up my friend Stella from the airport and take her straight to her penthouse. She will be landing in about twenty minutes from now. I will call you when I am done spending some time with
"Half of the troubles of this life can be traced to saying yes too quickly and not saying no SOON ENOUGH." –Josh Billings DIANE I am still standing, and her hands are still balled into fists on the table. “Diane, sit down.” She voices out the words of her silent command, and I feel their itch on my skin. Okay. Alright. I will sit down. Besides, I have gotten a bit satisfied with what I wanted from her. For now. I pull back my seat gently and settle down, proceeding to make myself comfortable and to keep my new books on the shiny plush floor near the feet of my seat. I hear her exhale slightly in relief. Yes. That serves her right. After keeping the bag on the floor, I take a short glance out through the open windows beside us. It is just for a moment, but I see and absorb the soft warm hues of the dipping sun—a blend of oranges and purples. The palette is a beauty, with just the right mix of the color signs of the evening dusk that is almost here and now. I should be home. I
“People come and go. But life is simply about seeing who cares enough to stay.” ― Ziad K. Abdelnour DIANE She falls silent at my acidic response, just the way I expected her to. She is guilty. She is fucking guilty, and she knows it. However, I still do not know why the hell she is here. I am still finding it hard to believe that she is really here just to visit— “I know you are angry, but you have to hear me out.” She speaks, interrupting my thoughts and making me pause in my mind. “I know there is no amount of excuse I can give to justify what I did, but you have to understand that I never expected such a behavior from you, Diane. For God’s sake Diane, you are my daughter. I gave birth to you. I raised you for years. I taught you how to be the perfect woman for yourself. How to be the best version of you that no one can mess with. I gave you everything you ever asked for and always ensured you were guided in the right path—” “Really mum? You still don't get it?” I flare up, c