139 Will You Kiss Me

The car was silent as John drove all the way back to the hospital. He parked the car properly and remain seated. John saw Diane's hands were clutching her purse tightly. Her eyes were looking outside but not seeing.

He seriously observed her and saw her unsettled. "Diane?"

"Hmm?"

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah … sure," she answered with an uncertain tone.

"You say you are but you're so quiet."

She turned her head on him and clutched his hand. "Will you kiss me?" she said with pleading eyes.

John never expected this but kissed her. Diane's lips were shaking as John's lips touched hers. Her arms around his waist were trembling as well.

He gently kissed her for a time and let go of her lips. Diane laid her head on his shoulder, breathing deep, her hands still around him.

"What happened?" John asked.

"I can't explain. I was agitated and on edge. My heart seemed to beat faster than usual. I could not calm my nerves."

He looked down and searched her face. "Does it have anything to do with what that man said?"

"I'm not sure." She lowered her head.

Silence.

"You want to say something?" John asked.

"That man is Dennis. He is my ex-fiance."

"Okay, I got it. No need to explain more."

"No, I have to. The two of us are over. Please trust me."

"I know." He hugged her tight. "Calm down."

"Are you not angry?" She wanted to be assured.

"Angry? No, worried instead. You left right away without waiting for me. Why?"

The heaviness she felt earlier became lighter. She snuggled in John's embrace. Diane shared to him what she saw from the start when she saw Gallante in the hospital, then emphasized the bus full of girls and until the time she met Dennis accidentally.

"Please understand. This is really important to me, that's why I left. I also trust that you can hear me in case I need you," said Diane.

"You promised not to go and I can't protect you if something happens while I'm not there." His voice was slightly rigid.

"I'm sorry, but please understand. I can't always wait for you before I'll do anything."

He felt frustrated. "Diane -," he made a fist at his side. She quickly moved out off his arms and tilted her head back to look square in his eyes.

"John, this is my life and that was my father who died," she said with her voice strong and loud.

"Your ex-fiance even told you to stop. You can't bring your father to life by doing this. Most likely, you're putting your life in danger. Who will look after your mother if something happens to you?" His voice was louder than her.

"Diane?" His face was stern and getting red but controlled his emotions.

She gave him a cold shoulder and fixed her eyes outside the window.

John slammed a fist on the steering wheel. "Okay, I give up. But please next time bring me with you. At least, I'm there to protect you," he said as he faced her.

She also faced him unperturbed. "But your job?"

"I can find a way. Please, Diane, I'm really worried about you."

"I know but if an opportunity comes and you're not around, what will I do?" Diane would not back down not just because of her ego, but mainly after the chance meeting with Dennis, she saw how much she needed John's support and presence. She desired to convince him to rally with her.

John held his tongue from retaliating more. He was getting nowhere with this argument. The car became silent. He sighed. Fine, he told himself.

"How about this? I'll bring you to where I got your earrings and show you the people who could help you with your investigation. I also want you to meet someone important. She is someone you could ask about that prostitution den…"

What registered in her mind was meeting a girl from the prostitution den. Elation rose in Diane's brain. She could not stop getting excited.

"Really?" She interrupted before John could continue.

John saw her enthusiasm came back instantly, making him partly regret instead. He looked up the car ceiling as he blew some air out his chest. For the life of him, he could not believe he had to succumb to her. He desperately wished to keep Lisa and Leonard's base off-limits. However, this could be good and hoped that from now on she would not do unnecessary things without his knowledge. Chiefly, she would be protected by the agency.

John scratched his head. Since he fell in love with a headstrong woman, there's nothing more he could do but help and protect her.

"On one condition," he raised a finger to her, "that you would never go snooping without me."

"Okay, I promise." She smiled but he needed more than a promise she could not keep. Seeing his grave expression, she added, "I mean to keep it this time."