Chapter 23

Leo's POV.

“Now I am feeling like I am with someone who is more than just a teacher. Your eyes are no longer the type that drowns me in but now makes me feel a little more alive and safe. They look cold, but deep inside gives me warmth.” She muttered, blinking those pretty eyes that seemed like they were seeing through my soul.

“Soon I will tell you everything about me. All. So we don't have any secrets between us. No lies, okay?” I smiled, and her eyes lit up as she nodded.

“Follow me in, please.” She begged, and I chuckled, shaking my head.

“Whenever we are in an enclosed space, your body tempts me the most, and I feel vulnerable to your charm. We will see each other in school tomorrow, but for now I have to go and deal with some important issues.” 

Her eyes turned gloomy as she looked down to the ground.

“Leo, I am scared. The night will be like a terror, and maybe I won't be able to sleep because I just killed someone. His face will haunt me.” She sniveled.

“Then remind yourself he ordered your death and raped you. Let your anger take away your grief and guilt because you're a strong woman.” I held her chin, raised her face to look at me. “No dickhead has the right to touch you, and whoever does should rot in hell. You are mine alone.” 

Her cheeks shone red as she blushed, gazing into my eyes. 

“I can't wait to meet you tomorrow. Once I am apart from you, I miss you so much, like it had been years since we separated. Do you also feel the same?” She smiled sweetly, biting her lower lip, and this really took my breath away. 

“Do you know your eyes were my favorite color, and the sound of your voice was my best tune? Then slowly, little by little, everything about you became my favorite. You have one of those rare smiles that feels like a day of warm sun in winter.”

My words made her laugh, her eyes shining, and the initial sadness that had clouded her after what Jaden and Alan did really vanished. 

This was what I wanted. To make her feel alive again and take good care of herself for me, because it would all soon be over and no one else has the space in my heart except her. 

For the first time, as I gazed at her beautiful figure, I imagined my future with her, away from the dark world. Just us living in a house she would turn into a home, with our kids and pets. 

It was so perfect, and my heart fluttered in pure excitement.

“You haven't tasted my food before, right?” She quizzed.

“No. Do you plan on bringing some for me tomorrow, because I am already craving it?” I yawned, rubbing my stomach.

“Let's go in. I will prepare…” I placed my index finger across her lips. 

“Cook it and bring it to school tomorrow. For now, I have to leave, baby.” I whispered, and her lips curled into a cheeky grin. 

“Okay, sir.” She leaned in and kissed me before stepping out of the car and scurrying into the gate. I didn't even realize I was grinning from ear to ear till she was out of sight.

A heave of a sigh slipped my lips as I brought out my phone to make a call and be sure all evidence had been cleared by my men. 

Before I could call them, my phone rang, and it was Kane, my boss.

“She got enrolled today. I was expecting your call.” I heard his voice through the phone, and my face squeezed in confusion.

“Who?” I asked before remembering today was the day he had told me the Sofia would get into the school.

“Did you just ask me who? Wait? Didn't you attend school today? And how did you forget?...”

“I attended. My head was just clogged with thoughts, and I am a bit tipsy. Something came up in school, and I had to follow the proprietor to a meeting, I replied, but I was sure he didn't believe me.

“The men I gave you have been busy lately. What job are you assigning to them? I hope it won't affect your mission!” 

“No, it won't.” I shrugged, and he hung up.

I dialed the number of one of them, and when picked up, I could hear the waves of the river. 

“Done?” I asked.

“Yes. We have dropped the bodies in the river and made sure to inject drug substances in their systems. There are also no fingerprints anywhere.” The response made me smile.

“Good. Now y’all should depart from there and return to your positions. Don’t ever take your eye off her. She must be safe at all times and not hesitate to follow her whenever she leaves the house!” I instructed before hanging up the call.

It was night when I got home and I just took my bath and laid off. As soon as I closed my eyes, her beautiful face reappeared and clouded my mind.

I remembered the food she would bring tomorrow, and happiness filled my heart. A wide smile spread across my face, and I realized in that moment how much Diane had changed me.

That first encounter we had in the bar was frustrating, and I disliked her at first sight because she stained my shirt out of clumsiness. But when she came and sat around my table, I couldn’t walk away even though that's what I would normally do to any girl who pestered me. 

The feelings started off as a mere curiosity, and next she forced a kiss on me, which I couldn’t break. 

Right now, I just can’t help missing her. Tossing and turning on the bed, wishing she was beside me.

My phone rang, and I reached out to it with the speed of lightning, thinking it was her, but I was disappointed to see it was Zena. Anger waved through me as I flung the phone away, hugging the pillow tight. 

Morning came really fast, I guess because it didn’t seem so long since I slept before my alarm jerked me up. Or rather, I had been having more peaceful nights lately with these sweet dreams of Diane I’d been having.

In my dreams, everything just works fine and perfect till I wake to realize I still have to deal with a lot of shit.

Getting to school, there was a loud silence; the sad news of Jaden and Alan missing already spread around.

As soon as I entered my office, I was called to the proprietor's office.

When I got in, Jaden’s father was there with all the other teachers. Shortly, Diane was brought in.

“Where is my son?” Jaden’s father roared as his red eyes shone dangerously at me and Diane.

“I don’t understand.” My face was contorted in confusion, same as Diane's. Hers even looked more real.

“Don’t dare act dumb. Where is he? I am very sure you know! Just provide him, and we are even!” 

“I was with you yesterday. After that, I went back home straight away.” I replied, and he snorted, his face red in rage.

How will he explain our meetup yesterday? He drugged me and kept me in a room so I wouldn’t save Diane, only for me to disappear and suddenly his son and Alan are missing. How can he understand that Diane, who should be dead, is standing right here with us? And he can’t find any trace of his son.

“Diane, didn’t you meet my son yesterday after school? He told me he would see you to ask for forgiveness!” 

“No, I didn’t see him.” She sighed with a shrug and glanced at me. 

“I can’t believe I am here with these people watching as they lie to my face!” He thundered, standing up to his feet to attack me but was held back.

“Sir, is there any evidence, no matter how little, that they know what happened to your son?” One of the two cops with him asked, but he only scoffed, gritting his teeth as he glared at me.

“None yet, but I will definitely find it, and I swear, you both will rot in hell!” 

“Thank you, sir. I will gladly cooperate to make sure whoever is behind this is caught and dealt with.” I muttered with a fake sympathy, and I could see the little smile on Diane’s face as Jaden’s father stormed out, breathing heavily.