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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
'I'm a sucker for all the subliminal things no one knows about youAnd you're makin' the typical me break my typical rulesIt's true, I'm a sucker for you — Sucker by Nick JonasLEOFrosty is not back home yet. The time is almost 9:30pm, and she is not back home yet.I am pacing around the living room right now, the thoughts inside my mind running haywire. This is strange. I look up at the time again, and when I discover that it is 9:30pm now, I cuss quietly to myself inside my mind.Fuck.I am not worried about the time of the clock staring right back at me. I am alarmed because Frosty has never stayed out late like this before. I'd be lying if I say that I am not dying of suspense right now. The bone drilling feeling is getting more unbearable for me during each second that passes by. The curiosity and the fear of the thought that something bad could have happened to her is killing me.I am still pacing around the living room, thinking of what to do next, where to check ne
LEOMy car speeds down the road ahead towards her destination, a speed I am sure is quite above the standard speed limit. Jesus is surely on my side tonight, because all the way, I am wondering how lucky I am not to have been caught and stopped by any bobby in a jam butty.When I finally reach the bar destination, I park the car outside and quickly step out, shutting the door behind me. As I rush towards the door entrance of the bar, I begin to pray desperately that I am not late.My mind is racing with worry and fear as I push the door open and enter inside. The bar is dimly lit, noisy, and filled with different people who are either getting themselves wasted, high, or simply enjoying laughs and happy chats with one another.I scan my eyes around quickly, and instantly, I spot Frosty in a corner, alone, slumped over a table with an array of empty bottles and an empty glass in front of her.Shit.Just then, I catch a guy dressed in a black shirt and jeans smiling slyly and walking ove
‘You'll always have my shoulder when you cryI'll never let go, never say goodbyeYou know’ — Count On Me by Bruno MarsLEOThe drive back home is quiet, the silence only disturbed by the soft hum of my driving car and the occasional murmurs from Frosty as she shifts in the passenger seat. Her head keeps slipping from the headrest towards the window, and I find myself continuously adjusting her head back to the headrest.However, I keep losing the battle whenever her head slips again and again and again, and eventually, I allow her to rest her head against the window glass.Every now and then, her soft murmurs and sighs filter into the silence between us. They are incoherent, just a jumble of sounds and words that I can't decipher, but the pain and vulnerability I hear in them makes my heart squeeze and ache even more than it did back then at the bar. I try to keep my focus on the road ahead, but my eyes can’t stop glancing at her to keep checking for any signs of discomfort. My
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