Purify Me

24

EPISODE 24.

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"Why are we here?" Diana asked, glancing around the restaurant, which was filled with youngsters.

The restaurant was known as Blue Moon. When Michael called, and informed her about hanging out, she was stiff, wondering when they planned that. However she has plans to use the opportunity to tell him about her mom seeing him.

"We're here for our first date. What do you think about this place?" Michael replied.

Diana paused, hearing the word "date."

"Our date, like a date?" she asked, gaining a confirming nod from him.

"So, do you like it?" he asked again.

Diana nodded, staring around and observing.

"It's beautiful," she replied.

"I'm glad you like it. This restaurant is known by its name, Blue Moon."

" Ever since I was a kid, my parents, my twin, we always came here to have family time together," Michael said. Diana's attention was drawn to him, noticing some insecurities that lingered in his tone.

"So... Do you guys still come here?" Michael murmured a no, adjusting his seat. "Not anymore.A lot has changed, and it's been a while since I stepped in here. I was thinking about how I should make today special for us, so this place came to mind," he replied.

"It must be really special for you and your family," Diana mumbled. Silence settled, and Michael's gaze became fixed on her. Diana noticed his intense gaze on her skin and wondered why he always looked at her that way. She felt a flutter in her chest as their eyes met, and she couldn't help but think about the connection they shared. The silence between them was palpable, but it wasn't uncomfortable. It was as if they were both savoring the moment, enjoying each other's presence.

Michael's eyes seemed to hold a deep affection for her, and Diana couldn't help but feel drawn to him.

She smiled softly, feeling a sense of happiness wash over her.

"Dave apologized, didn't he?" It was a sudden question she never expected. But how did he know? His friend came to apologize.

"How..." she stammered.

"How did I know? I have my ways. It's my father's school, so I know what goes around.

"You know what goes around in the school?" she asked, her voice laced with skepticism, ensuring she had heard correctly.

Michael nodded, a quick smile flashing across his face.

"Does that mean you also knew about Zoya releasing the video? You knew before it happened, you had an idea of it... and you still allowed her to post it, not stopping her," Diana's voice rose, her anger simmering just below the surface.

"Do you really hate me that much back then?" she asked, her fists clenched tightly on the table, her knuckles white with tension.

Michael's gaze locked onto hers, his eyes unyielding, refusing to blink.

He didn't utter a word, merely staring, the silence between them thick and heavy. The weight of his silence was palpable, and Diana's eyes searched his face for any sign of guilt or remorse.

The memory of the video, released months ago, which had left her beaten and humiliated, still lingered in her mind.

It was all planned by him, though the idea had been his friend's.

Michael's jaw clenched, his face a mask of calmness, as he struggled to find the right words.

Should he lie?. Anything to escape this situation would be worth it. With a sudden movement, he stood up, his chair scraping against the floor. He walked behind her, his footsteps deliberate and measured.

His hand landed on her shoulder, heavy and warm, and he bent down to her height, his breath whispering against her ear.

"If I had known and I hated you just as you think I do, I wouldn't have come to you that very day in class, begging for you to wipe your tears when it inched my inside," he whispered, his voice low and husky, sending shivers down her spine.

"If I hate you, I wouldn't be standing up for you when those girls tried harassing you. If I hate you, I wouldn't be opening my emotions to you. If I hate you, I wouldn't have approved Ms. Evana to send Zoya on further strict rules. If I hate you, you wouldn't be seated here with me, hearing all this."

His words dripped with conviction, his breath caressing her skin, sending goosebumps down her arms.

"So tell me, Seducer, do you still think I hate you?" he asked, his voice a gentle whisper, yet laced with a hint of challenge.

The air was thick with tension, the silence between them heavy with unspoken words.

Diana's heart pounded in her chest, her mind reeling with the weight of his words.

*

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"Thanks for the evening, Michael," Diana said, swinging her handbag around her shoulder, the strap sliding smoothly over her arm.

"What's there to thank me for? I mean, we didn't do anything special," he replied, his hands tucked into his pockets, a casual smile playing on his lips.

Diana faced him, adjusting her head slightly to the side, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

"We did... You told me about your special place, and we cleared up our misunderstanding," she said, her voice filled with warmth.

Michael turned to her, nodding thoughtfully, and heaved a sigh, his gaze drifting away before he began to walk beside her.

"By the way, why did you suggest a walk? We could have booked a cab or had your driver come pick us up," he asked, his curiosity evident.

"Just wanted to," he replied, his voice simple. Diana nodded, her eyes fixed on the path ahead.

Ever since they left the restaurant, she had wanted to tell Michael about her mom wanting to see him, but the tension in her body had scared her.

What if he opposed? The uncertainty made her hesitant.

Noticing her dismay, Michael wondered what could be the reason for her sulking.

"What's bothering my Seducer?" he asked, his voice low and gentle.

Diana's eyes narrowed, her expression playful.

"Stop calling me that," she complained, whining softly. "And nothing's bothering me. I was just thinking about tomorrow's class," she added, trying to sound nonchalant.

Michael raised an eyebrow, his eyes locked onto hers. "Has anyone ever told you you're a bad liar?" he asked, his voice laced with amusement.

"Am I your boyfriend, right?" he asked, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

"Then why are you lying to me that nothing's bothering you when you're clearly lost in thought?" He leaned closer to her, his breath fanning her face, making it hard for her to breathe due to the intimate closeness.

"I..." She stammered, not knowing what to say, her mind racing with thoughts.

"You can tell me anything. I'm all heads," he said, lifting her chin up for her to stare at him, his eyes locked onto hers with an unspoken promise.

Diana's heart sped up, her pulse racing as she stared straight into the eyes that had captured her attention at first sight.

"I told my mom about... about us, and she demands your presence on the weekend," she said in one breathless go.

Michael slowly released her chin, stepping back with a frown as he processed what she said.