Chapter 7

Diane's POV

I had struggled to tell my parents everything, but I just couldn't. 

As we ate breakfast together in the dining room this morning, I tried again, but I would look into their eyes and see it was all filled with delight and peace. I just couldn't say anything, not wanting to ruin it all.

I listened to them talk about their gradual success in their political ambition; my heart felt like it was squeezed tight, and I fought my tears from falling, knowing soon enough it would all be destroyed by the same guy they had warned me to stay away from.

It would really hit them like a bomb when Jaden leaked my nudes tape and I ended up bringing shame to my family name. 

It hurts more that I just lost on both sides because he has also used me to bring down Leo with that rape allegation.

My heart was racing, and a bead of sweat formed on my forehead as I headed to the classroom. Every eye looking at me shook me with anxiety as I wondered if they had seen it all on the school web. 

Jaden may have posted it, and that would be the trend now. I hadn't checked because I won't be able to bear the pain of seeing the comments under the posts. My heart would shatter every second, and I may end up taking my life.

Today would probably be my last day in this school because I won't be able to bear it when Leo comes at me for lying and accusing him of raping me when he did nothing without my full consent. 

I would also be a mockery; not even the juniors would spare using me as a joke. Every single respect and self-esteem remaining in me would be gone, and my parents will be really disappointed.

As I got closer to the classroom, the thumping of my heart accelerated. I was literally shaking and sweating. 

Just then someone came running at me. I turned to see it was my former friend who had betrayed me. Selene. 

“What is it?!” I seethed, backing away as she got closer as anger flared inside me.

“I am sorry.” She sighed, breathing heavily as if she had run a marathon race.

“Sorry for what? I don't want to see you.” I snapped, but she shrugged and smiled.

“I’m happy for you even though I am paying for my sin. I had to see you today because it may be the last time.” She said with a sad smile on her face. I could see the black circle around her eyes and her swollen lips even though she was trying to hide it.

“Jaden has lost all your tapes, including the recording he forced you to do.”

My eyes widened as I stared at her, wondering if she was joking. 

“Should I remind you we aren't friends anymore? Don't fucking joke around with me?!” I seethed, and she shook her head.

“I had told anyone that asked me about the wounds on my face that I had an accident, which is all lies. Jaden poured his frustration and rage on me yesterday after he lost it all. As he inflicted the pain on me, I was still glad he didn't succeed in ruining you, even though I have no idea how he lost all that,” she explained, and I gasped.

Realizing she was saying the truth made me feel like I would burst out of happiness. I covered my mouth with my palm, exhaling in relief. 

I don't care how he lost it, but the fact that it was all gone made me so ecstatic. Was that why there wasn't so much reaction from students? 

“I am sorry for betraying you. Love blinded me, or rather lust, and now I am stuck. I just want to see you the last time before I leave. You are the best friend I ever had," she pecked my cheek and ran back to her classroom.

My joy didn't even allow me to understand what she was saying as I made my way to the class with my face beaming with joy.

I entered the class, and the first person my eyes met was Jaden with a bandage around his head.

He didn't only lose those files but got beaten. I almost laughed watching him gnash his teeth. 

My mind flashed at Leo, but I shrugged it off. Maybe God had sent a new protector for me, and once I know who just saved my ass from getting shattered by Jaden, I would owe him or her my life.

I sat beside him, and he wouldn't even look at me as embarrassment made his cheek red. He was groaning and clenching his fists as if he would kill everybody the next minute.

“Good morning.” I greeted him with a sarcastic tone, which made him turn his gaze at me, his eyes burning, and it was as if smoke would emit from his ears and nose.

“What is the greeting for, bitch?!” 

“Why are you so aggressive? It was just a greeting.” I smiled, and I could see in his eyes how he wished to strangle me dead.

“I refuse to believe they are just random robbers! Stop playing innocent as if you don't know what you sent them to do!” He bellowed, and I frowned, my eyes squinting at him.

“What are you talking about? I have no idea about any robbery. Were you robbed?” I asked, and before he could say anything, the English teacher walked in.

“So a group of men came as robbers and made sure they got rid of all those videos. Who were they? Who sent them?” I kept asking myself, but I couldn't think of anyone to do such for me. Nobody loves me to that extent.

The professor was done, and next on the timetable was mathematics.

Just as the English teacher was leaving, Leo entered, and my stupid heart skipped a beat and began thumping like it was fighting to break out of my ribs.

He spoke with so much authority and intelligence, in a way that demanded absolute attention and silence. He was really good at breaking down every solution for each question he solved.

I could only watch in pure admiration as he took control of the whole class, including Jaden, who suddenly didn't dare to disturb his class. He was lucky Leo had forgiven him and didn't send him out.

My eyes were fixed on him with an uncontrollable smile etched on my face, but he wouldn't look in my direction. I don't know why.

He was done with the algebra explanation, solving several word problems; then he asked if there were any questions. 

The female students won't stop asking silly questions just to keep him from leaving. One even has to ask if he was single.

“I don't answer anything not related to what I teach.” He responded with a stern tone.

“I'm sorry, but can I bring questions I don't know to your office so you will help me out?” 

“I can only drop my W******p number. Send whatever question you have to me, and I will attend to it. Nobody is allowed in my office.” He said in a firm tone as he wrote his number on the whiteboard.

I took out a paper and wrote it down.

“I am not mandated to reply to everything. And anyone that disturbs me with irrelevant things will get blocked, and once you're blocked, I am never getting you unblocked!” He warned, and for the first time, his eyes flashed in my direction.

I flinched at his gaze, feeling butterflies in my stomach. I don't know why I still feel vulnerable to those sexy eyes. No matter how hard I tried, I knew it would take him just a single look to get me under his charm.

I don't care that he is my teacher. I would gladly sleep with him again and again without any regrets.

He left the class, and we had one more lecture before it was break time.

“My father has the whole cops searching for those men, and once they are caught, you will regret it, I swear.” Jaden cursed at me, wincing at his aching head and arms. 

I giggled. “The only thing you should be worried about is healing up. Stop being hard on yourself.” I winked before rushing out of the class.

Even though Leo said no one should come to his office, I have to enter there and tell him this good news. Not only has Jaden lost my naked videos, but he has also lost the one he forced me to record that would have destroyed him. He needs to know about this miracle.

I knocked on his door, and there was silence. I knocked again, and the door made a clicking sound before opening.

“What did I say about students entering…?” He didn't finish before I maneuvered in from under his arm.

“I have good news!!” I shrieked, my eyes wet, but he kept a mean face.

“I know you hate me, but you need to hear this. Jaden won't be able to leak my videos again because he doesn't have it any longer. Some people came to him at night like robbers, and they took…”

“How did you know?” He asked.

“My former friend dating him told me, and he confirmed it in class. Not only that, there was a video recording he forced…”

“Forced? Maybe you should stop using that word.” He cut me off, and I froze.

“What do you mean?” 

“He didn't force you to do that. You were really going to lie against me. Destroy my entire career and future. Diane, If that video had leaked, I would be dead.” He growled, and it was like my heart was ripped out.

My knees buckled, and my blood ran cold. I stared into his eyes, and it was full of disappointment. 

Did he see the video? How? 

Wait! Was he the one that…