Persuasion

After meeting my room scattered was tempted to tell Luther about this, but I didn’t need his help

But deep down I really felt being under his shoulder.

“Cause I want you, you’ve been there all night “ drunk in love by Beyoncé rang out from my phone as I took my time trying to reach out to my phone, it was Diana.

“Hello Diana” I called out my voice hardly audible.

“Hey girl, how you doing , sorry about last time , I’ll see you soon in 30 min” she said as I hung up at least now I didn’t need to explain everything over the phone.

The doorbell rang severally as I lazily dragged my feet.

“Oh my god rose, did you sleep with your make up on ?” She said out to me as I dragged my body to bed.

Why does this place look a mess ? She added

Someone broke into my home ,I think it one of Vicenzo people or something .

“And why would they do that?”

“Vicenzo wants me back”

“Mmmhh……..” she mumbled dryly as she made way to pour herself a glass of wine.

“I’m thinking of calling the cops on this”

“Don’t you know you would putting them in trouble, since you know who did it just change the locks then” she added as she took a large gulp from the drink.

“I didn’t exactly say it Vicenzo,”

“Now that weird, you don’t need to call on cops , just talk to Vicenzo” she added as she poured herself another glass of wine.

“Let me help you tidy up this place” she said as she carefully arranged the room just exactly as it was.

“How is Luther Lombardi “ she said calling the name like it wasn’t new like she was already used to it.

“I don’t want to talk about him “ I said as I curled into my sheets

Diana turned slowly from the window, wine glass in hand, raising a brow. “Why? What happened?”

I didn’t respond right away. My throat tightened, and my eyes flicked to the mess we’d only half-cleaned.

The air still felt heavy, like whoever had ransacked the place left something behindmore than just chaos. They’d left questions. Doubts. And worst of all. feelings.

Diana sat on the edge of the bed, swirling her wine. “Rose…”

I sighed, staring up at the ceiling. “I saw him,” I whispered.

“Saw who?” she asked, though I could hear in her voice she already knew.

“Luther. I saw him... kissing another girl.”

The words tasted sour, bitter even now.

She blinked. “You what?”

I finally looked at her. “Outside the club. Her name’s Marilyn or something.”

Diana’s jaw clenched as she put the glass down a little harder than she needed to.

“And you’re still lying here pining over him? Rose, come on.

That man doesn’t deserve your silence, let alone your loyalty.”

“I didn’t say I was pining—”

“You didn’t have to!” she snapped. “You’re curled up in bed like someone ripped your heart out and danced on it.”

I sat up slowly, defensively. “It wasn’t what it looked like.”

She scoffed. “Oh, babe. Don’t.”

“I mean it,” I insisted. “I saw the way he pulled away from her after. He looked... surprised. Like he didn’t want it.”

Diana folded her arms, eyes sharp. “So she forced him?”

I hesitated.

“Well? Did you see her force him?”

“No… I just saw the kiss.”

“Exactly,” she said flatly. “You saw the kiss. And you believed his excuse?”

“I didn’t say I believed anything,” I muttered, but it sounded weak—even to me.

Diana stood, shaking her head in disbelief. “Rose, listen to me—and listen good.

You’re not stupid, okay? I know you want to think there’s more to him. That under all that danger and darkness, there’s a heart that beats just for you.”

I swallowed hard, already regretting where this was heading.

“But men like Luther Lombardi? They choose who they want. They don’t get surprised by kisses. They don’t get caught off guard unless they let it happen.”

Her words hit harder than I expected.

“And if he really wanted you—only you—he wouldn’t be outside locking lips with Marilyn or anyone else.”

Silence filled the room for a moment.

I hugged my knees to my chest. “You think I should leave him?”

She looked at me, eyes softening just a bit. “I think you deserve someone who doesn’t make you doubt yourself. Someone who doesn't put you in a position where you're explaining away things you know hurt you.”

I looked away.

But deep down, I knew she was right.

Still… why did my heart ache like it didn’t care?

Diana was pacing now, barefoot on the cold tile, her wine glass long empty, her words sharper than before.

“You need to let him go, Rose. I’m serious. Cut ties with that man before he drags you deeper into whatever hell he’s living in.”

I sat on the edge of the bed, watching her. Confused. Silent. And a little… uneasy.

“I get it,” she continued, gesturing with one hand. “You think there’s something special between you two. That somehow you're different.

That you can change him. But people like Luther? They don’t change. They just ruin everything they touch.”

Her voice cracked slightly on that last word.

Something twisted in my chest.

“You’re acting like he betrayed you, Diana,” I murmured, half to myself.

She didn’t notice—or maybe she chose not to.

She just kept talking. “He kissed someone else, Rose. That should be enough for you. You deserve better.”

Her frustration was so intense, it clung to the walls. Tangible. Bitter. And something about it didn’t sit right.

Why is she more hurt than me? I thought.

Why is she angrier about this than she was when Vicenzo cheated?

I watched her refill her glass again, hands trembling slightly. She was unraveling—and it wasn’t just about Luther.

Diana was pacing now, barefoot across the cold tile, her wine glass clutched like a lifeline. Her voice had turned sharper with each word, slicing through the air between us.

“You need to let him go, Rose. I’m serious. Walk away from that man before he takes whatever's left of your peace.”

I sat quietly on the edge of the bed, watching her. Confused. Tired. And now… suspicious.

“I get it,” she continued, gesturing broadly. “You think you see something in him, something redeemable. But men like Luther? They’re poison dressed in charm. And you—” she pointed at me, “—you’ve been through enough.”

Her voice cracked just slightly, but she masked it with another gulp of wine.

I furrowed my brows. “You’re acting like he betrayed you, not me.”

She paused. Looked at me. And then she said

“So why don’t you just get back with Vicenzo then?”

The room fell dead silent as I turned to look at her with my mouth wide open.