PROCLAIMING LOVE

CLARA'S POV
"Oh my! " I was just starting to read Leo's diary and was still at the first page, which was talking about how I inspired him to own a diary where he could write his secrets and let out his pain. The first page was about how he came across my diary and took it along with him. I couldn't stop smiling, never have I thought that Leo would ever think of writing a diary. Leo's footsteps frightened me because what I was doing was clearly wrong, going through his diary without his permission. While I stared at the diary not knowing the next action I was to take as I didn't know if Leo would get angry on seeing me with his diary. I quickly flipped through Leo's diary and several books on the desk before Leo got to me. "Nice books you've got here" I told Leo forcing a fake smile on my face, though I was scared of his next reaction because of the frown he had on his face. "I just flipped through them and I'm like wow" I played with my hair while talking, trying my possible best to avoid looking at Leo. "Oh no ! You are talking off point" I whispered to myself, facing opposite direction. Leo wasn't helping matters either by staring at me with his narrowed face.
"Remember we are going out together this weekend, probably on Friday so get prepared. Also let me know if you need anything" Leo said while arranging the books which I apparently scattered.
"Ugh? Oh, that's not a problem" I wasn't sure if I heard Leo properly, I just had to reply quickly, probably of my guilty conscience. I took a glance at his diary again and suddenly remembered what I saw while flipping through it earlier. "I think I might have fallen in love" I recalled the line perfectly and couldn't help but smile. I was lost in my thoughts, and was already in another world when I heard Leo shout "Fallen in love? With who?" I looked up at him immediately with my eyes wide open, covering my mouth with my two hands while I stared at him in shock. Leo attention was fixed on me, he was waiting for a reply which I couldn't give. " Did I say that aloud? " I asked him, scratching my head, pretending to be confused and not knowing what he was talking about.
" Yes, you did. Don't joke with me, who did you fall in Love with? Me or Jack? " Leo just made things worst. I wondered how he was able to ask boldly. Now that he threw the question at me, I realized my answer which I had always found difficult to admit. I was in love with Leo, but I couldn't tell him that so I needed to think of a way to divert the conversation or better still end it.
"In love? "I asked him. Leo suddenly looked away and I could see a change of facial expressions. He was obviously embarrassed but there was nothing I could do as I needed to save myself first. But why would Leo be embarrassed? I know he likes me, but I wanted him to say it first. I didn't want it to seem like I was the one forcing myself on him just like people thought, neither did I want to look cheap before Leo. "Truth is I think I'm in love with Jack" I decided to tease Leo a bit, just to see how he was going to react. I began to walk towards the window but froze at the sound of Leo's voice.
"What!? Jack!?" Leo shouted in rage as he moved closer to me, boiling in anger. I saw his hand fold into a fist as he got nearer. I became scared, regretting why I teased him. If only I knew he was going to react this way. Leo grabbed my hands forcefully, and drew my closer to him. "You love Jack? Answer me" Leo shouted loudly. There was high probability that anybody at the hallway could hear him. My chest was beginning to get heavy and I was finding it difficult to breathe.
"You are hurting me Leo, stop it" I cried out when I felt a sharp pain on my wrist, he was squeezing my wrist so tightly, unaware that his finger nail were beginning to pierce through my soft skin. It was so unlike Leo not to care if he was hurting me or not, but surprisingly he didn't care. I looked closely at my hand and saw that I already sustained bruises on my wrist. "Leo! Please, you are hurting me, stop. It's painful" I cried out loudly as the pain was getting excruciatingly unbearable. Like a flash, blood began to gush out profusely from my skin, Leo had pierced through my skin deeply. I began to cry uncontrollably. Leo looked like he was suddenly possessed and nothing I did was going to stop him. Never have I seen Leo like act up like this.
"Stop! Leo, I love you, not Jack. I was only trying to tease you" I screamed with my highest voice. Like a miracle Leo left my hands the moment I let out those words, he looked up at me, and for the first time I noticed Leo had also been crying. Though, my heart softened when I saw him cry but my heart was still broken. I pushed him away, running towards the door while I kept on crying.
" Clara, Clara, Clara" Leo called me running behind my back but I increased my pace. Surprisingly Leo got to me even before I got to the door. He locked it and threw away the key to no where in particular. My eyes widened and I began to move back step by step, looking straight into his eyes while he did same.
"Did you mean what you just said? "Leo asked me, but I didn't reply. He wasn't concerned about the injury he caused on my wrist, rather he was desperate to know if I meant what I said. "I need a reply" Leo shouted in an hoarse voice, causing me to shriek in fear. I begged him to leave me but Leo didn't, rather he kept on insisting. Leo looked so fearful and heartless at the moment, this was another side of Leo I have never seen. Although, the first day we meant, he had a fearful and murderous look on his face but today's was just the worst. When I saw that he wasn't going to give up, I decided to pour out my heart to him.
"Yes! I love you and I mean every word, but I don't think I can keep on loving you after seeing this part of you today. I can't keep on loving you, Leo. I only teased and look what you did to me, imagine if I did something worst you would probably kill me. So please, treat me like other maids and don't stop me from leaving" I said these words with a heavy heart, as hot tears drop down my cheeks profusely without stopping. Leo placed his two hands on my shoulder and pulled me closer to him which I tried resisting but as usual he overpowered me. I was distracted by the door knob, which began to move continuously, someone from outside was trying to open the door but unfortunately it was locked.
" Clara! Clara! Are you okay?" I heard Jack's voice and I tried to run towards the door but Leo stopped me. Instead Leo grabbed my waist harshly with his left hand, pulling me closer to him while he used his right hand to lift up my chin and forcefully placed on kiss on my lips. I removed my face in anger and tried pushing Leo away from me, but I wasn't that powerful and my attempts in freeing myself wasn't successful as Leo kept on pushing harder. "Of all times, why would he want to kiss me now? "I thought, still struggling to be freed. Leo gave up on trying to kiss me, rather he wrapped his hand around me tightly. Tears from his eyes dropped on my bare neck.
"I'm sorry Clara, I'm sorry for how I acted up. I never meant to, I was only scared because bad memories were flooding my head at that moment and I couldn't control myself. I love you Clara, but I don't know how to love, neither do I know how to trust. Hopefully you can teach me if you give me one last chance to make everything up to you. Don't run to Jack Clara, stay with me instead" At the juncture I was lost and confused after hearing Jack's confession. I slowly looked at him and he did same, our eye met and he looked away. He was either shy or too embarrassed. "I mean the almighty, dangerous and most fearful Leo was crying like a baby in my presence. How ironic" I thought while looking at his handsome face which looked quite sad.
"I love you" I said to him and he turned to look at me immediately. Before he could say a word, I stretched up my legs and lifted up my head to kiss him. Leo and I kissed passionately, while Jack kept on knocking on the door, calling out my name loudly.