The tears were now dropping as he said those things. His words have ways of touching the deepest part of me... he has his ways of making me feel safe and good just by being with him or him saying things like he is saying to me now.

"These past years and week that we weren't really in touch has been hard on us both but I want you to know that no matter the distance, I'll always be there for you" he said and I wrapped my arms around his neck then let the sobbing begin.

My body shook from the hard sobs that escaped my mouth while he took me in his embrace and rubbed my back as a means to comfort me. 

GOD, I am so blessed to have someone like him as my best friend. He is the best person anyone could have in their life. I even forgot about the little misunderstanding that we had about a week ago.

"I am so scared... like really, really scared" I drew back and sniffled then look down at my fingers entwined with each other.

"I have this feeling that... something is going to happen and its bad... it's not like the time I kept having dreams and ill feelings of what eventually happened to me... this time, I feel like it would be worse and..." I couldn't continue my sentence and bow my head as I sobbed.

"It's okay, I understand how you feel... I have grown with you for so long and I know when you feel this scared, even I couldn't be at peace because I felt that something was wrong and I was wrong to have called you that. I knew you so well and wouldn't have said that to you," he pats my back and I felt a bit calm from that gesture.

"I feel like it will end soon but it will be bad... I am so scared Leo, telling mum is like putting her in more of a panic and that's the last thing I want right now" I cried. "I told her he was coming because I can feel it, she looked so worried this morning and I didn't like it" I said to him.

"You have me to rant to so that shouldn't be an issue" he said comfortingly and I sighed then looked up at him with a smile on my face.

He wiped the fresh tears that rolled down my cheek and I closed my eyes then leaned closer to him.

"I am so sorry for what happened those years, I am so sorry for not being there when you needed me the most, I am so sorry for neglecting your feelings for me and neglecting what I truly felt for you and I am so sorry for choosing him over you, I am sorry for slapping you that day, for everything Leo, for everything," I opened my eyes and looked into his eyes.

"All those years that we have been apart has made me realize what I truly felt and who my heart beats for, even though Chris came back after getting out of rehab and somehow threw my feeling into a whirlwind of hurricane" I placed my palm on his cheek and saw him take in a sharp intake of air.

"At the end of the day, I knew who my heart wants and who it loves..." I sniffled and took in a really deep breath, closed my eyes, waited for about three minutes, opened my eyes that were now locked with his before saying those four beautiful words "I love you Leo"

He let out a sigh and his demeanor looked relaxed which made me happy.

I mean I will want him to say those words to me but if he can't say them now then I totally understand, I just want him to know that.

"I love you so much and even though it took me a really long time to have it figured out or confidently admit it to myself and telling you now... I just want you to know that I love you so much Leo and I do really wish things were better with us" I told him and he hugged me then placed a kiss on my head.

"So many things have changed between us Ella, so many things and if I could go back in time..." he trailed then let go of the hug, held my hands in his and looked into my eyes that weren't teary anymore.

"Nothing has changed how I feel about you, yes I do admit that I felt lonely those times and just needed to leave so that I can breathe in some fresh air but along the way I met with an amazing girl like Amara" he chuckled when he saw how my face changed at the mention of Amara.

I am still trying to get used to her being around and knowing that he still has feelings for her made me sad but what can I do?

"Amara is cool, can be a lot sometimes but you'll love her when you get to know her truly" he commented and I resist the urge to roll my eyes.

Same thing she told me. I wanted to say but I just kept it to myself.

"So, as I was saying... things changed a lot, especially between you and me but it never changed how I truly feel about you" he whispered the last part and brought my hands up to his lips so that he could place a kiss there.

"I have loved you for a really long time Daniella Bamidele and I still and will forever love you" he flattened my palm on his chest where his heart was located and I could feel it beats rapidly and it somehow dueled with mine. "Only you that makes this heart beat this fast and it beats for you forever"

I choked up a sob and bowed my head at my loss. I was so, so stupid to have denied all the feelings I had for him in the past.

"I love you so much Daniella but I have a girlfriend who has been there for me and who I love too so I can't bring myself to hurt her that bad because my long-time crush suddenly admits that she loves me back"

'Ouch!' I wanted to say because as much as it's the truth, it hurts so badly and I am already going through some kind of pain and fear, I don't need this kind of hurt as an addition so it was high time, I just come to terms that Leonard Olumide Adeniji will never truly be mine, like I imagined in my freaking head.

We can't be more than friends.

"I am not trying to cause you any hurt by saying that, I just want you to understand where we all stand in this thing going on around us" he told me and I nod my head then swallowed the sob that was at the tip of my mouth and blinked away the tears that tempted to fall.

"I do understand Leo, thank you for always being there when I needed you" I said when I was finally able to speak.

"Forever and always" he held out his pinky finger and I smiled then crossed mine with his.

"Forever and always" I whispered then went into his embrace. 

Leo, aside from my family keeps me safe and assured. That's all I need.

"Thank you"