Chapter 29

Diane's POV

I couldn’t believe my eyes as I watched the cops put the handcuff around his wrist, confusion written all over his face, but he didn’t struggle or try to contest.

My eyes wandered around, and I could see the bewildered look on everyone’s face as they stared at him, unsure if they could possibly believe he was a killer.

Leo’s eyes fell on me at that moment, and I could see sadness and disbelief in there. It was as if someone betrayed and sold him out.

My heart squeezed tight, and every part of me froze as I sniffed the tears that welled up in my eyes. It was like slow motion as Leo was taken away, disappearing from my eyes just after he had promised he wouldn't be caught.

How did they trace it to him? Didn’t he assure me that all evidence was cleared? And also, he told me he didn’t kill Jaden’s father, so why are they accusing him of that too?

He was poisoned. How could he possibly kill someone? But then I remembered Helen was dead too, so there was no one to confess to him being unconscious unless the colleague he talked about.

But what if it was her who gave him away!

My heart was pounding so fast and hard, every part of me crippled with crushing pain as I thought of ever seeing him again. A wave of dread pooled in my stomach, and I found it difficult to breathe.

Just then my phone beeped. I took it out and checked to see an automated text from Leo.

It was an instruction. One that was shocking yet sounded so important as if his life depended on it. It was an instruction for me to get rid of something for him in his house and office, including a cellphone, file, and pistol quickly.

I didn’t waste any seconds before storming out of the class, telling Sofia to wait for me when she tried following.

He must have thought of a moment like this when he would be arrested. This may be concrete evidence to ruin him, so he set up this automated text to be sent to me.

I got to his office and saw the secret lock. With the code he gave me, I opened it and my eyes widened at what I saw. It had the files with the most dreaded mafia gang badge on it. His picture was there but had a different name.

There were two phones there, so I packed them all and locked it back. Stuffing it inside my bag, I quickly ran out, breathing heavily as terror struck at me.

A lot of things were running through my mind, and it was causing pure fear to hit me. Leo wasn’t the innocent man I thought he was, and I just found that out, but yet I couldn’t stop myself from helping him.

Without wasting any time, I called the number he told me to call. Telling them the exact message he wrote, which was all like a coded instruction, but I could guess he was ordering the man to get rid of the evidence in his house.

As I finished the call, I began to hear loud, crowded footsteps heading to his office. I quickly entered the classroom.

The cops were already on their way to the office, maybe to get these same things in my bag. I fought to keep my composure, wiping the sweat on my face as I pretended to be normal.

Sofia suspected but didn’t say anything.

The lecture went on, and I was praying school would end. What if they find out I entered his office? What if the cops storm in here and search our bags and then find all these with me?

I would be charged as an accomplice, and my life is ruined.

Time seemed to move slowly, every noise outside the class making my body tremble the most. It was like everything was well planned to get Leo today.

The school bell finally rang, and a deep sigh of relief escaped my lips as I quickly stood up to leave.

“Hey, you have been acting strangely since he was arrested. Do you think he did all that?” Sofia asked with her eyes squinting at me. I shook my head, unable to talk.

What do I have to say?

Not only have I found out he was a dangerous mafia, but I also had his membership document with me, with his gun and cellphone, which I have no idea what are in it.

Leo isn’t innocent, and I was just realizing the man I was dealing with.

“So why are you so scared? Where did you go earlier?” She questioned, her eyes scanning mine as if to find out the truth from there.

“Please stop those questions. I need to go home real quick. My head is aching, and I feel like I will pass out.”

She held my hand.

“Whatever evidence they find on Leo must be really huge for him to be arrested with such a troupe. I don’t know, but I don’t think it’s safe to stay in your house today. Why not come with me? You will be safer.” She offered, and I swallowed hard, inhaling sharply as I clutched my bag tighter.

“I don’t know…Am I unsafe because we are friends? I…”

“Let’s go…” She cut me off and took my hand as we both left the class.

We got outside the class and out of the building. But just as her driver drove us out the gate, I found out there were policemen doing stop and search right outside the gate.

Every student was being searched thoroughly.

“No. No. No… Sofia, I am dead. I am dead.” I gasped, a silent whimper slipping out of my mouth. I held my bag tighter as the line drew close to us.

“What?” She asked in surprise. “Do you have something you’re hiding?”

Not only did I have something to hide, but I literally had with me what they were doing all this for. They must have seen that the files they were sure were in the office weren’t there suddenly and believed one student or teacher took it, so they are doing this search.

“Sofia, please, my life depends on you now. Is there a way to stop them from searching us?” I asked, and her eyebrows arched as they peered at me.

“What is in that bag of yours? You have never held it with such…”

“Sofia, it is getting to our turn just two in front. Please…” I sobbed as I watched my life flashing in front of me.