Stars Aligned

Insert 97

THANDO'S POV

Me: Okay, set up a meeting with this Nomi chick and email the details to me tonight. I have to get home.
I took out my phone and immediately requested a ride from my bolt app. It read 2 minutes away, great I'm so beat plus I can't stand being in the same space as Mark.
Mark: Wait you not going back to the office? Thando you know that we have to solve this case asap and it has to be your number one priority. You can't just leave.
Me: Well it's not and I can, just send the damn details Mark. My ride is on the way I don't have time for this.
Mark just stared at me in shock like I had grown another pair of eyes on my face.

Mark: You need to take this case serious Miss Mashilo, this is big and Mr Mosane trusted you with it and for some reason I don't know why because clearly you not trustworthy.
I sighed. Was this guy serious right now. I didn't need all of this and I was deadbeat to listen to all the garbage spitting out of his mouth, I checked my phone and saw that my ride was a minute away.
Me: Listen Mark, I'm not one of the people you get to walk all over at work. In case you haven't noticed I am as good as you if not better so I don't need this bullshit coming from you. You the last person to talk about trust when you'd sell your own soul to the devil just get more money and fame. My ride is here, schedule the damn meeting.

I left him and strode to the car that looked to be like an Uber ride. I got in at the back and sighed. The Uber drive looked at me from the rearview mirror.
Driver: Bad day?
Me: Worst day, keep it quiet and please step in it.
I was thankful for the compliance of the driver and found myself taking a nap. I know taking a nap in a stranger's car was risky and I know as lawyer I should be more careful, but really I was just tired and the guy didn't seem like anyone I wouldn't be able to take on. I wasn't lacky looking either, I had some skin in me. Soon I was at my apartment complex. I paid and thanked the driver. As soon as I was in my room I collapsed on the couch.

Not even two minutes had passed when a knock was heard. I cursed under my breath for whoever disturbed my peace. I knew it wasn't my brother because he was back at school and living in the dorms. And it was not my landlord because I paid my rent for the next two months. I didn't quite get along with anyone on the complex except for the security guard. I wondered who it was. The knock came again and I sighed.
Me: I'm coming...
I wore my slippers that I had just next to the door every time. I yanked the door open and was met with the most beautiful eyes I have missed so much. Leone stood there looking as baddass and sharp as always.

Black jeans, black t-shirt and a black leather jacket with black air Jordans. My lips parted on their own but nothing came out. What was I to say anyway to someone I hadn't seen in a while. Someone I was mad in love with.
Leone: You look great.
I guess he also didn't know what to say. Because great was definitely not what I looked. In gray suit pants, a white blouse tucked in them and my hair in a low bun.
Me: W-what are you doing here Leone?
I cleared my throat. He didn't have to know how much him being here affected me.
Leone: I needed to see you. Can I come in?
My heart did a stupid flip at his words.

I opened the door wide enough for him to get in. Leone got inside and I closed the door after and didn't turn around. I didn't want to face him just yet. I knew he was looking at me but I couldn't bring myself to look at him.
Leone: Is this it for us, that's just it?
Me: There was no us Leone, there won't ever be.
I mumbled as I let go of the doorknob. My breath hitched in my throat, my hands got clammy and my heart pounded hard against my chest. Leone was behind me, not evening touching me, just close enough for me to feel his presence. And I felt it alright.
Leone: Look at me love. Turn around and look at me when you say that.
That stupid endearment didn't help the situation I was in at the time.

Why did he have to make everything so damn hard. Why can't he just leave and forget about me, about us? I did however turn around to connect my eyes with his broad chest. I couldn't look at him in the face. I knew I would break if I did, I would become this person who was hopelessly in love with the handsome and witty Italian man. Jesus I looked like a dwarf in front of the man.
Leone: Little did I know that I would fall in love with you when I took you to that hospital. Little did I know that you were going to be this person who I couldn't live without, the person I wanna wake up next to every day. I love you and I miss you so much. Please just make me feel like I am winning, because without you I feel like a complete loser. Please.
My heart was in my throat and I couldn't for the life of me find steady pace. I was sure he felt it as well. I dared to will my tear filled eyes up and look at him. What I saw almost made me crumble to pieces. Leone's eyes were filled with so much love and tears.

Me: I can't, I can't bring myself to do it Leone.
Leone: Just tell me you love me too and I'll do the rest love. I need to know you feel the same way for me. Please.
Why did he have to beg like that. Why did he have to look like that. It pierced at my heart.
Leone cupped my face in his large warm hands I had missed so much brought his face close to mine. I wanted to kiss him, I wanted him to dip just a little lower and connect our lips.
Leone: Say it love. Say that you love me.
I couldn't do this, I can't do this. Immediately as my boss, the case and everything he had told me came to my mind I closed my eyes and opened them again. Leone saw the change in my eyes and backed away.

Leone: No, don't do that Thando. Don't close me off. You know you can't take back whatever you going to say right love?
Me: I don't love you Leone, I never did and never will. I'm a lawyer, you a criminal get that into your head that we'll never be together. I need you to leave or I'm filing a restraining order against you. Get out.
The look in his face, the way his shoulders slumped and the way that tear fell from his eye. I wanted to take it all back and tell him the truth. But my tongue was tied up. Leone walked to the door and walked out without a second glance. He was gone and I chased him away. I fell to the couch and it took a second for me before I cried.

The sobs couldn't stop coming and I didn't stop them either. Clutching where it hurt the most, my chest I sobbed so hard. I found myself curled up in the corner of my sofa and crying myself to sleep. It fucking hurt to see him like I had shot him in the back. It felt like my heart was breaking into pieces. What was the point of this love shit if it hurt like hell. Wasn't love supposed to be some kind of solitude you found in the people you loved. Then what was this I was feeling because it sure as hell didn't feel like peace to me.