LEO Without wasting any more time, I give in to her drunken request. I take her phone and her bag from her hands, and with a grunt, I lift her up and drape her body over my shoulder. She does not kick her legs in the air or fight me, her silent order giving me the permission to take her to her room. Fuck, she is really drunk. I carry her like that until I reach the door of her room. After opening it and getting inside, I close the door behind me and gently carry her to her bed. Reaching the mattress, I carefully lay her down and begin to pull off her shoes. Done, I tuck her feet back into bed before covering her with her bed comforter. I also adjust her pillow underneath her head and then proceed to keep her phone and bag on the bedside drawer near her bed. After doing all that, I release a sigh, feeling like I just accomplished the most important task in the world as I sit beside her, watching her sleep. Her chest rises and falls in a slow but steady rhythm as she sleeps, and e
‘Nightmares are sneaky little devilsAnd they never forget. —UnknownDIANE My heart is pounding loudly inside my chest, my breathing pumping out from me in ragged gasps as I sprint through the dark, running for my life.That Jayden bastard and his mad brother are fucking psychopaths!“Diane, he is getting closer! Keep running!”Allison's panicked voice bites out into the night air just for my ears only, her flitting figure racing beside me but almost ahead of me. Thick canopies of trees overhead are blocking out some of the traces of moonlight attempting to pour through them, and the night air is a bit cold.But there is nothing cold about the hot blood rushing through my veins. My legs are burning with exhaustion. My throat and chest too, and right behind us, I keep hearing the crunches of twigs and thuds of chasing footsteps closing in, an unmistakable indication that the bastard is still hellbent on following us.Damn. We should have just stayed back at the bonfire with the o
DIANE Shit. Leo knocks again, still not stopping. For a moment, I stay frozen on my bed, my eyes pinned to the door. But my brain is still trying to figure out the details of everything that happened yesterday. I can't really remember much of what happened right after I walked out on my mum and boarded a cab and then— Oh shit. OH FUCKING SHIT! I gasp, my palm flying to my mouth instantly as all the details rush up from the sunken depths of my mind, rising and flaring and flashing through my eyes like a vivid, 3D film like one of those screened in IMAX cinemas. I remember everything. EVERYTHING. Even if the last parts seem to be somehow vague, I still remember everything. I still remember Leo helping me out of the restaurant. I remember him putting me into his car. Bringing me back here. I even remember him carrying me into my room. And I think he made me swallow something too last night. Dear God, what the hell have I done—? His knocks pound again on my door, tearing me out fr
'True friends are like diamonds – bright, beautiful, valuable, and always in style.’ - Nicole RichieDIANEFew minutes later, I am done bathing. I step out of the shower enclosure and wrap a thick towel around my body. Tiny water droplets fall to my shoulders as I walk over to the small white washtub to brush my teeth. Getting there, I pick up my toothbrush and squeeze a little amount of toothpaste on it before I start to cleanse my teeth with it.It does not take long, and I rinse my mouth afterwards. I keep the toothbrush back to where I took it from before turning around to leave the bathroom.Despite everything that has happened to me in such a short period of time, I still feel in control of myself. Of my thoughts and emotions. I have learnt time and time again that no one has the right to make me feel so depressed, unless I give them such a right, which is never going to ever happen again in my life.Also, about my mum's visit yesterday, I am still going to tell Dad a
‘You set the pace to the beat of my heartYou make it so easy — Everything I Ever Wanted by Jordan FisherLEOShit. I shouldn't have said that. I shouldn't have fucking said that!I should have kept my mouth shut, zipped, glued. But I have been feeling guilty about seeing those messages since last night. I am not really the type of person to poke into other people's privacy, but I broke that rule last night. Also, that stuff she said back at the bar, it kept on ringing inside my mind all night.I could not sleep well. I could not. All night, I was pricked with the persistent, thorny urge to know what happened to her. Why she spoke like that with so much pain.I wanted to know what happened, and I still want to know what happened. Also, I do not care if anyone calls me jealous, but I also want to find out the identity of the contact saved with those two heart emojis I saw in her phone last night.Does she have a boyfriend? I really don't think so, but anything is possible and it is
‘The worst part of holding the memories is not the pain. It's the loneliness of it. Memories need to be shared.’ —LOIS LOWRY LEO A little smile spreads on her face, but it does not reach her eyes, which are now looking distant. “Tasha is one of the kindest souls I have ever met in my life.” She continues. “We became best friends towards the end of our fourth grade in high school, and she was always there for me. She even gave me the opportunity to get to know her and her mother, and frankly, I was shocked to my bones the day she first invited me to her house and I saw for myself how close and carefree she was with her mum. They talked like besties, something that I have never experienced with my mum, and that same day, when I got back home, I began questioning everything. That was when I began seeing the loopholes and the cracks in the relationship I had with my mom, but I was like, ‘Tasha’s mum is different from my mum. Everyone's mum is not made to be the same.’ So, I just stu
‘My head gets messy when I try to hide The things I love about you in my mind I don't really know a lot about love But you're in my head, you're in my blood And it feels so good, it hurts so much — About Love by MARINA LEO Her eyes are growing more distant, and I want to tell her that none of this was her fault, that she was just a product of her upbringing. I want to tell her that she is no longer that kind of person now. But she begins speaking again. “I did my time in rehab and went through my healing process every single day. For months. That was where I met your sister Marissa. She was so kind and very supportive of me. Sometimes, I doubted and questioned her generosity towards me, but after a long while, I got used to it. I accepted it. My dad and Tasha were the two most fiercest support systems I had there, and with their help and advice, together with that of your sister and the friends I made there, I was able to get better. My life began to have meaning. Real meaning
‘Freedom is priceless.’ –UnknownDIANEMONDAYI wake up with a soft groan to the annoying but loyal sound of my alarm, my ever conscious time reminder. I cup my mouth as I yawn, tossing from one side to the other on my bed.After that tense, emotionally charged conversation I had with Leo on Saturday morning, he left to go see his best friend Ren, and I worked on expanding the concept of the game. Throughout the entire time I spent on the character sketches, I kept feeling so relieved. So featherweight. Leo really paid attention to me throughout the entire session that I just kept talking and talking, and even though I later got caught up in the moment and tried to kiss him, he pulled me back to my fucking senses, despite the clear indication I saw written all over his face showing that he wanted to kiss me too.But I am glad it did not happen. He saved me from complicating things between us. It is funny how I am the one who almost tried to mess up our agreement that I instituted in t
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