~LEONA~
*It's time, I'm coming for you.
Your shadow*
My heart flipped multiple times after reading the message. Tears blurred my vision as I paced forward to turn on the lights but I couldn't find the switch.
I couldn't stop staring at the screen.
Fear engulfed my being as I tried to switch the light on but it didn't come on. Panic gripped me when I thought of Dave.
I went through call logs and dialed the number that sent the message. My heart felt as if it was being ripped out of my chest at each ring. I started hyperventilating and sweating. Before I knew it, my hand went on the red button.
No, I don't think I can face him. I can't face Yolando. I'm not ready to face him. At least not like this.
I ran back to the washroom and let the cold water run down my body. After cleaning myself, I stepped out, picking my clothes and wearing them at a go...
I braided my hair and pinned it around my head before putting the wig on.
My feet slipped into my shoes and I grabbed my bag, ready to go.
I looked around the hotel room to check that I left something even though I didn't bring anything other than my handbag.
It was hard to believe that the bliss was over. That I won't be seeing Dave again.
I reached into my bag and fetched my notepad and pen.
I thought of leaving a note for Dave before leaving. I don't want him chasing me when he comes back and doesn't see me.
Tears blinded my vision as I tried to write something down. Even my hands were shaking. I kept cleaning my overflowing tears until I couldn't anymore. I tore the wet page and scrambled it before throwing it under the bed.
Faced with a fresh page, I forced myself to write every shit there is to know about me with the help of my phone light.
I think he deserves to know that at least.
It's a shame that I haven't gathered enough courage to tell anyone about this but even if I did, I know they won't be able to help me. They will only end up hurt. This is my shit, I have to take care of it myself.
When I thought I'd written enough, I began to fold it but stopped halfway when I heard a movement in the next room. The room I had woken up from alone.
I paused and got up from where I knelt while writing.
My hands trembled, causing the paper to fall as the person's footsteps got closer. My shivering got to its peak and my body got drenched with my own sweat as if water had been poured deliberately on me.
"I.. was.. going.. to come.. please. I didn't intend on.." I stammered, thinking it was him.
"Leona? Leona is that you? Where are you?"
The hearing of Dave's voice should've calmed me but whatever I was feeling escalated. I was suddenly not able to breathe as I began to gasp for air.
I felt Dave's hand on my shoulders, causing me to jump in fright accompanied by the lights coming on.
"God, Leona! Why the fuck are you sweating so much? Are you sick?" He placed his palms to my forehead.
He tried to lift my chin for a closer look but I stepped away from him. But he wouldn't give up. His feet quickly swallowed the gap between us.
"Maybe you should take your clothes off."
I stepped back yet again.
His brows furrowed. "What's going on?"
The next backward step I took brought my feet on the ball of paper that fell from my hand.
"Why are you all dressed up? Where are you going?"
I wanted to leave this letter somewhere for him but now that he's here, I don't think I can anymore. I just realized I can never face him with the truth.
I moved my second feet on it but unfortunately, his eyes followed my movements and dropped to my feet.
"Why are you stepping on that?" He asked and bent.
I bent quickly and got a hold of a part while he held the other.
I looked up at him with my tear-stained cheeks.
He let go of the paper and gathered my face in his palms. I used that opportunity to push the paper into my bag before letting it drop on the floor.
"You've been crying? Wha...what.. happened?"
I got up along with him as more tears spilled from my eyes and he tried to wipe it.
"Leona. Tell me what happened. Why are you crying so much?" He whispered worriedly.
"Please talk to me. What happened? Did I do something?"
I shook my head and tried to get his hands off me but he wouldn't. He quickly brought it back once I removed it.
"Don't do this. Not this time." He pleaded.
" It's nothing, Dave. Calm down. I promise this has nothing to do with you."
" You don't have that right to tell me not to worry after I came to meet you in this condition."
His persistence was making things difficult for me.
" I said it's nothing! Please just understand." I screamed and more tears poured.
" What should I understand, Leona Grande? Please tell me. I don't understand why you always try to shut me out.I don't understand why you don't wanna ever answer my questions. I'm sick and tired of it. Why can't you just open up to me? What is there that you're hiding that you can't tell me? Why do you always have to be secretive and mysterious? You don't even know what plans I have for us. You don't know anything yet you keep giving me reasons to doubt you. Why? Or you think we fuck so that's all I want? You think I am only interested in fucking you and that your welfare doesn't matter to me?
What do you really think of me?Do you just want us to be fuck mates or something forever? Don't you want more? Now please tell me what hell is going on in your world. For goodness sake I am begging you this time. Please!"
" What do you want to know, Dave?" I asked and his eyes sparked with hope.
" Every detail. I'm interested in knowing the woman I've been fucking with."
I took a deep breath.
" I'm sorry but you have to go to hell Mr. Anosova. Stop trying to know everything." I picked my bag back from the floor.
His face dropped hopelessly.
" You've got to be kidding me right? Where the hell do you think you're going and what makes you think I'm going to allow it?" He walked straight to me, grabbing my bag and throwing it somewhere.
The hell. I didn't buy the phone inside the bag with my money. I glared at him.
"It is now or never. You have to tell me whatever I need to know now."
" I said no! Stop trying to force it out of me!"
" I don't give a fuck!." He grabbed my shoulders tightly.
" I won't!"
" Oh yes, you will."
"I said I won't so you better get your filthy hands off me! Don't fucking force me!"
"Oh so now my hands are filthy huh?" He chuckled. " You never complain when I'm using them on you, do you?"
I flushed.
" I didn't tell you but now I'msaying it. Get them off me. What is even wrong with you?"
" Me? Nothing is wrong with me but you. You let me fuck you but you don't want to tell me anything about you. What does that make you Leona? What in the world does that make you? What kind of a woman are you? A slut? Oh yes, it is only them that doesn't give information about themselves to their clients because they're afraid...."
My hands went violently against his cheeks. I almost regretted it when I saw the hurt in his eyes. But...
How dare him? How dare him question my character?
"Even if I truly am, you should know sluts don't do twice."
He signed heavily, his tongue rolling inside the cheek I slapped. I could see the redness.
" Are you accepting that? I didn't mean it" His voice was low.
"It's not like I have a choice. You and your mum have already branded me as one. What can I do other than accepting it?" I whispered.
" I'm sorry Leona. You know it's not like that. I really didn't want to say that. I was just..you know.."
" That's okay! You've said enough and now please don't try to stop me from leaving."
" That is not happening!" He gritted.
"Look." I began." There's more to me than you think. I have too many flaws. I have troubles and too many problems. My life is a complete mess and if I am a danger to myself, how much more those around me? You're too perfect for me, Dave. I don't want to take your peace and happiness from you."
"A problem shared is a problem..."
"Don't finish that bullshit! It doesn't work in my case."
" I don't know what you have going on but whatever it is, I am sure I can do something about it and together we can conquer it."
"It will cost you so much. I can't bear it."
" I don't care what it will cost and neither do I care how much of a mess your life is. I want you like that; with all your mess and flaws." He wiped my cheeks, staring into my eyes.
"Keeping you away from it will do you a lot of good than bad. Please let's keep it that way." I begged.
"Don't keep me away from looking out for you, from protecting you. I had wanted to make you my sole responsibility since the day I found you in the rain but I came back and you left. Let me fulfill what I've always wanted to do please."
And he left me with no choice. "Fine. I just doubt if things will be the same after this."
" What are you saying?"
" The truth, Dave." I turned my back to him and bit my nails nervously.
" I'm connected and tied to some dangerous people and there's nothing I can do about it.."
"You're what?"
"If you interupt, I'm done!" I warned
" I'm sorry"
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