Chapter 6 A cancer patient
GREENVILLE HIGH SCHOOL, LOS ANGELES.
Leo had a plastered grin on his face as he made his way to the gym. He didn't think having sex with someone so random will make his heart flutter. Since he spent the night with Darby, he found himself feeling the need to talk to her again. She had left the moment he slept off which prevented him from getting her contact. There is a different aura that she emitted when they were together and it was starting to feel like he has a known her since forever. He would love to meet with her again and probably get to spend some quality time with her and get to know her. It feels like he already met his future partner. This thought made him break into a loud chortle. Aaron met him halfway.
"Is everything alright with you, man? What's with the sudden laugh?" His friend asked.
Leo shook his head as he entered the gym. Everyone appeared busy getting their body in check. He walked towards the locker to change after greeting the guys. Dillon nodded at his friends while they lifted some dumbbells.
Dillion raised his voice to speak first. “So I heard Darby was able to shag Leo during the party." He cackled looking towards Leo to be sure he heard.
"That girl is such a slut. I won't be surprised if she ends up sleeping with the entire team at this point." Another added laughing.
“I remember the day we spent time together, I really enjoyed her coochie. She moans quite well.” Another laughed
"I didn’t know you have gone down with her. Well that means she has slept with the five of us and other guys in her class. Now that Leo has joined the queue, I guess that makes him number fifteen or twenty on the list." Dillon bellowed. "She did run her charm on him."
Slamming the locker door shut angrily, Leo dragged his bag and stormed out of the gym. He was confused as to what was going on. Aaron ran after him immediately.
"Leo! Wait up!" He called out, catching up with him. "What the hell is the matter, man? Why would you concern yourself with dickhead Dillon and his friends? So they have slept with the girl you also slept with…so what? It shouldn’t be a news to you anymore that there are no virgins in this school. Every girl has a thing or two with guys around here."
Leo heaved clenching his fist. "I just need to get home. Tell coach I will practice tomorrow!" He replied running off.
Getting into his car, he drove into the road like a maniac. He finds it really annoying that he is angry at the news. None of the girls he has shagged were virgin or decent but he had just thought this one was different. For a moment, he wanted to ignore his playboy instincts and spend some time with her. But just like everyone else, she is nothing but trash.
His anger knew no bounds and he could almost feel tears sting at his eyes. There is no way he would cry over a random girl. It was just a one night stand like every regular one. It shouldn't hurt this much. Leo couldn't believe himself for falling for a girl he has barely known for days.
Throwing himself into the bed, he screamed into the sheets and didn't realize his phone was ringing. He let himself stay still for a long minute as he breathed slowly. Someone knocked on his door but he didn't respond. The door opened letting in his stepsister, Scarlett.
"Hey, big bro." She called out while pulling at his leg.
Taking a deep breath he turned to look at her. "What do you want, Scar? I am really not in the mood to talk to you."
Scarlett let out an awkward chuckle. “Yeah, I get it. But dad has been trying to reach you and was worried that something might be wrong. So I told him you are home."
"What does he want?" Leo inquired looking disinterested.
"I don't know. You should pick your call." She mused walking out of the room.
Sitting up, Leo searched his bag for his phone. He had about five missed calls from his mom and dad. It made him feel torn on who to call first. He decided calling his father would be best, he hardly calls anyone when he is at work. Whatever he has to say must be important.
Ethan picked the call on the first ring. ‘What happened to you, boy?’ He bellowed into the receiver.
Leo pulled the phone away from his ear at the noise. ‘I didn't realize the phone was ringing. What's wrong?’
‘Your mom. She has been calling you for a long while and called me when she couldn't reach you. You know how easily worried she gets, endeavor to keep your phone close to you please.’ His father sounded frustrated. Knowing how his mom can be. Leo could imagine how much stress she must have put his father through.
‘I am sorry about that, dad. I will call her now.’ He replied.
There was a brief pause on the other line. ‘Are you okay, son?’
‘I am perfectly fine. You should get back to work.’ Leo urged hanging up.
He hates being asked personal questions like that. Inhaling, he leaned further into the bed trying to conserve his energy to speak to his mother. Dialing her contact, he counted his breath.
‘Hello mom.’ He mumbled the moment the line went through.
‘Hey baby.’ Her voice sounded really off.
Leo sat up abruptly. ‘What happened to you, mom?’
‘I am not feeling too well, baby. Please don't panic. I have breast cancer.’
He jolted from the bed. ‘How? When did you find out? Why am I just hearing about this?’ He questioned frantically.
‘Relax, honey. This is why I told you not to panic.’ Grace mumbled. ‘It's not at a critical stage. I will get surgery and be fine. But I will need you to be here for me baby.’
‘Definitely, mom. I will right there when you need me. I can get on a flight to where you are right this minute.’
‘Take your time,baby. I know your finals will be done in few weeks time, my surgery has also been scheduled to take place in about a month time. You can come then. I promise I will hold on till then.’
‘Come on, mom. I can always take the exams later on.’ Leo insisted.
‘No, baby. I don't want you stopping anything for me. Get done with your finals and you can come, please.’
He hummed reluctantly. ‘But please stay strong for me, mom. I will come to you as soon as I am done.’
‘Sure, honey. I love you, baby.’
‘I love you too, mom. Please take care of yourself. I will ask dad to find a way to discuss with the school authority if I can get my exams done online, so I can be with you on time.’
‘It's fine, baby. This is the time you need to enjoy your last days in high school. I'm sorry I had to ruin this for you. If only I was next to you.’ Grace drawled.
‘Don't be like that, mom. I don't care about anything else but you. Just hold on for me. Alright?’
‘Sure, my love. Bye, baby.’
‘Bye, mom.’ Leo ended the call with a heavy heart.
He had heard a car drive into the premises and he could tell it was his father. Stepping out of the room, he got down the stairs to find the rest of the family seated with a gloomy expression. He rolled his eyes. "Can you all quit with the faces? She isn't going to die."
Ethan stood up to meet with him. "I'm really sorry, son. She wanted to break the news to you herself. I just had to let you hear from her. When would you like to leave? I could talk to your principal to let you have an online exam."
"It's just two weeks. Mom said her surgery isn't due until after three weeks from now. I don't want to exhaust my privilege. Also there is a need for me round up a lot of things in school. As soon as it's all cleared, I would leave." Leo said.
"Are you okay?" Evelyn asked in her usual concerned voice.
He nodded with a stiff smile. “Sure, how about we eat out tonight. Bills on dad." Leo joked.
Ethan rolled his eyes as they all laughed. "With all pleasure."
Chapter 7 His denialFEW WEEKS LATERSGREENVILLE HIGH SCHOOLDarby stared hard at the pregnancy test kit in her hand, she didn't want to believe that a living being was growing inside of her. She had been dealing with heartbreak for about three weeks since her encounter with, Leo. Moreover, because her dreams of having him ask her out to prom or the both of them getting to talk more and get closer was all in shambles when he didn't even acknowledge her presence when they bumped into each other some days after their intimate moments.She felt like dirt. Her mother was probably right about her being jinxed and that no one wants to have anything to do with her. Not even the one who appeared to be a bit interested in her. She must have misunderstood his intentions. It would have been best if things didn't result to this. All through the final papers, Darby had a hard time concentrating as she was down with fever. Thinking it was just that, it took her some days to notice that her period
Chapter 8 The good, the bad and the uglyMILLER’S HOME, LOS ANGELES."What are you talking about, Abigail?" Noah asked as he removed his reading glasses and placed it gently on the stool next to him. "Who is pregnant?"Abigail folded her arms against her chest with a defiant look. "Darby of course. She has been sleeping around with different guys in school. It's such a shame to watch."Emma swallowed hard when Noah gave her a knowing stare. "How did you know this?"Searching her bag, Abigail presented the pregnancy test kit. "Darby couldn't hold herself back that she had to run a pregnancy test in school."Snatching it from her, Emma stared hard at the result and her hands shook as she held it. "How dare that wench? How could she do this to me!" She screamed.The door opened and a depressed looking Darby walked in. She looked shocked seeing everyone seated at the same time. "Good evening, mom and dad."Noah glared at her. “What is this that I hear about you being pregnant?" He querie
Chapter 9 The Huge StepMILLER’S HOME, LOS ANGELES.Darby kept turning all through the night till the next morning making her body ache. She couldn't sleep a wink as her mind was plagued with different thoughts. Her discussion with Abigail the previous night made her realize that things might have worked out between herself and Leo if her stepsister didn't get so spiteful and spread rumors about her. At the same time, she has learnt a hard lesson that being loved has to come from within. She has to be her own cheer leader.Would Leo have turned his back against her if he knew the truth? He couldn't even try to figure out the truth and be sure of what he heard about her. Just like her mother treating her as a regretful mistake and not bothering to know her as her biological daughter. It shows how ridiculous the human is.Sitting up, she checked the clock by her bed stand, it was past eight already. She must have slept off in the early hours of the morning. Getting off the bed, she sear
Chapter 10 Zac the saviorFIVE YEARS LATERDARBY’S APARTMENT, SAN FRANCISCO"Easy there, Sinclair. I don't want you having a bruised face!" Darby called out at her four years old son.His nanny, Isabella laughed softly. "He is such an hard worker, so full of life." She noted as the little boy settled to arrange his Legos after jumping off the couch.Smiling to herself, Darby kept arranging the stuffs into the carton. She hates packing so much, but has no other choice but to do it. It has been a long time coming and she has to move on to make a better life for herself and Sinclair.Five years ago, she had left Los Angeles with her few weeks pregnancy to save the life of her innocent child. She had been worried that her decision would flop at first, especially when she faced so much inconvenience during the first three months of her arrival in San Francisco. Darby doubted if she was capable of loving the child she carried. But her doubts were out of the window the first time she met her
Chapter 11 About to wedLEO’S HOME, LOS ANGELESAdjusting his tie properly, Leo straightened his collar and suit. Satisfied with his look in the mirror, he grabbed his office bag and left the room. Stepping into the living room, he sniffed the air. "Wow! The house feels like a chicken restaurant. What are you both up to?" He inquired, looking towards his fiancee, Chloe and the chef."Hey, baby." Chloe cooed drying her wet hands on a napkin, before walking towards him. "I was hoping you would have breakfast before leaving." She muttered kissing him.Rubbing at her back with his free hand, he smiled weakly. "I have something important to attend to at work. I will get something on my way out."She looked a bit disappointed, but managed to hold up a smile. "Alright. How about I send you the food later on?"He shook his head in disapproval. “That would be too much of a hassle. Just put it in the fridge or something. I would eat when I return.""Okay. I will be going out with my godmother
Chapter 12 Most influential designerDS FASHION HOUSE, LOS ANGELES"Wow, this place is amazing! Checkout these gorgeous dresses!" Chloe squealed in delight as she surveyed the store.Desire laughed sweetly. "I knew you would love it. I tell you, Darby is a talented stylist. I just knew she would be a force to reckon with in the fashion world. The world isn't ready for her at all."Chloe nodded in agreement. “Her works are truly breathtaking.""I have been waiting for so long and feared you would never visit." Darby said behind them, wearing a bright smile on her face with a measure tape hanging around her neck. "I came as soon as the secretary called me.""Darby, my darling." Desire spread out her arms for a hug. "I am sorry it took me this long to come. Here, meet my goddaughter, Chloe. She is getting married and here to pick a befitting wedding dress for royalty.""Hi." Darby waved at her. "Congratulations on your engagement."Chloe gasped lightly, she didn't think the designer wou
Chapter 13 The Meet AgainLEO’S HOME, LOS ANGELES.Leaning his head against the bed frame, Leo tried to pay attention to Chloe's description of how her day went. She seem unusually excited which makes him more interested in whatever she has to say. Even if he lacks the ability to show her affectionate love, the least he can do is be a good listening partner."You should have seen the space! My wedding dress will definitely be the talk of the town!” She said walking out of the bathroom while ruffling her wet hair with a towel."But don't you meet different designers everyday? What is so special about this one?" Leo asked yawning lightly."That is a good question. Her creativity is what makes her different. And she got featured on FORBES under thirty influential women. She might not know this, but I am inspired to become great in my work as an interior designer. She has indirectly given me hope and to think I will be wearing the dress made by a FORBES lady? That's like the ultimate goa
Chapter 14 Making AmendsDS FASHION HOUSE, LOS ANGELESDarby held Sinclair back shielding him from Leo. "Isabella, come get him." She yelled feeling her blood boil."Mommy, come with me!" Sinclair whimpered, pulling at her hand. Isabella rushed towards them panting hard. "I don't want to go with Bella." He whined."I just need to do something quickly, baby. I will be with you in a minute. Please take him." Darby said, pushing him towards his nanny. Taking a deep breath, she turned back to Leo. "What can I do for you today, sir? What dresses would you like to pick out for your significant other?"Leo blinked rapidly, he almost got confused forgetting how he got there. "Oh, so sorry please. I am not here…here…here …to..to buy any dress." He stuttered."So, what are you here—“"That's my son, right?" He cut in holding her gaze.Staring at him unfazed, Darby raised a brow. "He is not yours. And I don't know why a stranger would walk in here to lay claims on my son. Please leave before I