Chapter 10

Do you know Helen?” He asked, and my heart skipped a beat; a little gasp slipped from my lips as I heard the question.

“She is my teacher. Um... Computer science teacher. What about her?” I asked, trying to keep my tone smooth.

“She hates you because she thinks we are dating secretly.” He scoffed, and I acted shocked, covering my mouth.

“What? Why would she think such a thing?”

“If she ever threatens you, let me know. I will make sure…” His voice paused, and the car came to a screeching halt. His eyes had landed on my wrists, and he seemed to have seen the red stripes of that rope Helen used to tie my hands.

“Who did that to you?” He asked with a deep growl, those eyes growing darker as he took my hand and stared into the lines.

“No no, no... it was a game. We…I…” My voice was stuttering. Helen had warned me not to tell anyone and I am scared she would hurt me.

“If you don't want to tell me the truth, then it's fine.” He shrugged.

“Why do you suddenly care? You said I meant nothing to you, remember?”

He heaved a deep breath. “Yes, I remember perfectly; that is why I have to make sure you aren't hurt by people like Helen, who think we are having any secret relationship. I don't know who is spreading the lies that we are dating.”

He hissed and looked away.

“My house is that black gate ahead. You can stop here; I don't want my parents to see…”

“I understand.” He cut me off as he parked at the roadside.

“You didn't tell me why you picked me up.” I asked, squinting my eyes at him.

“Maybe because I was thinking Helen would come to you. That woman is so obsessed with me and thinks you're an obstacle.” He replied, gritting his teeth. “I hope she is not the one that did that thing on your wrist.”

“She is not the one.” I lied, swallowing hard.

“Alright.” He sighed, and I could notice his eyes dim a bit when I opened the car.

“My crush in class finally gave me a green light, so I will be having a boyfriend real soon. That will surely clear the air about the rumors of us dating. Helen won't have to attack me again.” I grinned, but his face was grim.

“As long as he is better than that dickhead Jaden.” He shrugged, and I nodded.

“For sure. Goodbye!” I bade, and he only nodded, those eyes losing every glitter. I don't know why he looked so sad. I think it is all in my head. He would be overwhelmed with happiness to hear I would have a boyfriend and leave him alone.

That must be what he always wanted. If only he knew I was forced by Helen, and it was so painful to think of it. I am so in love with him, and I really wish we had met in a different place, as different people and not teacher and student.

I brought out my phone, hoping to see any message from him, but none. He was offline.

My head turned, and the car was gone. He didn't even wait to watch me enter. I am sure he would be heading to the club to celebrate my departure from his life.

I reached home and made sure to wear a long-sleeve top and trousers to cover the red stripes of that rope because I won't want to answer questions again.

The day went by fast, and soon I was already lying on my bed fighting with my body to sleep, but it couldn't come. My hand was in my hand, and I was staring at Leo's message wall, hoping he would text me.

I had sent him a lot of messages, asking how he was and if we could chat. I even added some math questions just so he would reply, but nothing happened. Worst of all, he didn't even view the message while online.

I slept off, woke up the next day, and the first thing I did was rush and check my phone. Maybe he had replied when I dozed off, but disappointment slapped me in the face as I saw it was still the same. He didn't open my messages. I felt like crying.

Leo's POV

As each day passed, I found it harder to control my feelings. It has been four days since she got a boyfriend. After that day I took her home with my car; I saw her the next day talking with this guy. Now it was no longer a rumor that they were dating.

I had really thought she was lying when she said she would get a boyfriend that day in my car, not until I saw her in the cafeteria with this guy. They were sitting together having some sort of discussion I couldn’t hear since I was far from them, but she was smiling happily, and he would peck her in between.

“How is she attracted to such a guy?!” I had asked myself in sheer jealousy, walking away like I didn’t care.

I had visited their class only twice and saw she had changed her sitting position and was now sharing the same desk with this guy. 

It was a lot of struggle to teach them, but I tried as much as possible to hide it all and act like I can’t even see her.

A knock jerked me out of my thoughts, and I found myself scurrying to the door thinking it was Diane who had come to explain everything to me.

I know I was stupid. There was no way I was feeling this way seeing Diane in a relationship when I should be the happiest man on earth.

As I got to the door and opened it, a rush of anger swept through me as I saw it wasn’t her here. 

Helen stood there with a smile, displaying her teeth, and I just couldn’t understand what was amusing. 

“How are you?” She asked, and I sneered, not leaving the door so she won’t have the chance to enter my office.

“”What are you here for?” I asked bluntly, my eyes peering at her.

“It has been four days since we met. I just came to check up on you. Is that wrong?” She blinked, her eyes gloomy.

“You should know by now that I don’t entertain…”

“At least let me in.” She whined.

“The last time I did, I ended up with sheer bad luck for the rest of the week. I don’t like seeing your face!” I snapped, trying to shut the door, but she blocked it.

“What do you mean by all this? Leo, you…”

I slammed the door shut in her face as I couldn’t stand her anymore. I knew I may not be able to keep my hands to myself if I keep hearing her talk. 

I really can’t tell why, but I felt she was the reason Diane is out of my life. After seeing those red lines on Diane’s wrists, my suspect was Helen. She must have threatened her, but what I didn't understand was why Diane won’t tell me.

I brought out my phone and couldn’t still see any message from her. She didn’t even reply to the ones I sent to her. It had taken a lot of courage to send her those messages yesterday asking her how she was faring, but since then till now she hadn’t responded even when she was online.

Frustration ate deep inside me as I grunted and ran my fingers through my hair, burying my face on the table.

I heard my phone beep, and I hastily picked it up thinking it was Diane, but I saw a message from the mafia leader.

With a loud hiss, I opened them, and it was to ask me if I had found the woman to date. Anger swelled up in my chest, and it took a lot not to fling the phone on the wall.

Almost at the same time, his call came in.

“Hey.” I growled, trying to keep my cool as I answered the call.

“It’s four days. What the fuck is wrong with you?!” His harsh voice came in, and I sighed, taking a deep breath.

“I know you can’t fall in love! Just get any woman. We will get rid of her when you are done with the mission! I know you have a lot of women around you, so what is the fucking problem?" He rasped in frustration.

“Okay, I will get one. This girl should get enrolled quickly so I can end this!” I hissed.

“It is closer than you think!” Kane retorted before ending the call. 

I snorted and dropped the phone, burying my face in my palms. Since they would get rid of the person, then Helen is the only option. It was just frustrating that I would have to live up like a boyfriend to her.