This is the story of how I fell in love with the most infuriating, stubborn, cold, witty, intelligent, beautiful, sad and gentle woman I have ever met in my short life.
This is the story of how I lost everything I love because, sometimes, love isn't enough.
But, I am pretty sure you want to hear the story from the very beginning, right?
Well, then, I guess everything started when Aurora, sweet, lovely, innocent, playful and loving Aurora was given to us after a terrible accident. She was an orphan and we were the only ones left to take care of her. We were throw into an unwilling situation of raising a child that wasn't even ours.
We didn't even like each other! Some said we hated each other!
Wait, this is how the story starts but I guess you should also know this is not how we meet. The story of how we met goes like this:
Chapter 1
Unwilling Meetings
"No." He said firmly shaking his head, waving his hands in front of him and most importantly closing his eyes.
He knew if he were to open them Leah would be doing her best impersonation of puppy dog eyes and Diaval would be falling all over again by her cuteness. He was decided to never let those dangerous blue eyes convinced him to do something against his will or utterly stupid or dangerous. Not again, anyway.
"Dival! Please!" She all but begged him her warm hands closing around his, her voice uttering her childhood nickname for him.
"No, I said not to you before when you tried it in college, when you got a job, and let's not dwell when we were in high school or way before that." Diaval replied dryly, he opened one eye to see Leah pouting at him wearing her wedding dress.
"Oh, those weren't so terrible! I did get you laid, didn't I?"
"No, you didn't!" Diaval moved away indignantly. "It was my handsome self and my incomparable charm what got me laid nothing else."
"Oh, Diaval, I promise you she is beautiful, smart and I know you'll like her." Then as an after thought. "And please, laid down the ego, ou're not as charming or handsome as you think you are."
"How dare you!" Diaval replied dramatically, Leah giggled and Diaval winked at her.
"Please?" Leah asked again.
Diaval sighed placing his hand on the nape of his neck; glancing at Leah with the same tenderness he had done so all his life.
"You know that isn't the problem, Li." Diaval commented affectionately at her, the young woman smiled nodding.
"I know. But you need to go out, meet new people." Leah sighed. "I'm not asking you to marry her; I just thought you may like her. She is really nice once you get to know her and I know you'll like her if you give her the chance."
"Isn't she the ex of your husband?" Diaval gauged the reaction from Leah, the woman winced her eyes darting around before returning to her best friend.
"No, they were never together." Leah mumbled Diaval noticed the sudden change of tone and he knew there was a story there he didn't know about. "But I was told she did have feelings for him."
Diaval made a face but Leah soon erased his expression with a punch to his arm. He smiled apologetically at her, it was no secret between them Diaval didn't like Stephan LeRoi. But Leah, for some unknown reason, had fallen in love with the man starting a lasting relationship that ended up with them getting married. As her best friend, Diaval had been made honorary best man of the bride; the wedding had been perfect for the both of them to reconnect and for Leah to arrange a sort of blind date for him.
"Come, I just ask you to make her company. I really don't want her to feel alone or anything." Leah commented hooking her arm with him. "I was surprised to see she did come. You just have to accompany her, don't let her feel alone and out of place and that's it."
"That's it? I can let go, make her company without you arranging a surprise blind date dinner in your new home or anything?" Diaval eyed his friend with suspicion.
"I promise." Leah said placing her right hand on her chest.
"Very well, let me do my speech and then you can introduce me to this Maleficent woman." Diaval shook his head scrunching up his nose. "Who the hell calls their children Maleficent anyway?"
"Oh, be nice, Diaval." Leah hit him lightly on his arm rolling her eyes leading them to the table were her husband was waiting for her.
Leah arrived to the reception with Diaval by her side, her eyes shone brightly when they fell upon the form of her husband. Diaval rolled his eyes but stretched his free arm in front of him indicating his friend she could join the man of her heart. Leah made her way to the main table hugging and then kissing Stefan under everyone's claps and happy expressions.
Diaval looked around the room where he could spot familiar faces. Most of them were university friends, childhood friends, some of the people that Leah had known at work and his parents. The people Diaval didn't know well came from Stefan's side. Stefan was an orphan, or so Leah told Diaval once, apparently he had grown in the system and made his way to the state government as a representative. For no one was a mystery the man was aiming to be a Senator.
The room went silent Diaval turned to realize he was standing up in front of an audience with a glass of champagne on his hand. He smiled sheepishly; clearing his throat he lifted his glass.
"I met Leah when she was still innocent." Some laughter, he winced when Leah hit him. "What I meant to say, of course, is that I met her when we were still learning to walk."
Diaval smiled charmingly at his public, he even winked to one of the young bridesmaid before speaking again.
"When she introduced Stefan to me," Here he turned to the man in question, Stefan shook his head in embarrassment for the man remembered the day pretty well. "I waited until she left us alone and I threatened him."
"Go Diaval!" More laughter, Diaval inclined his head to his friend in the back. For a brief moment, his black eyes found the form of a young woman sitting in the back, almost as if she was hiding from everyone else.
"I told Stefan they would ever find his body if he were to hurt Leah." Diaval smiled wickedly at Stefan, winking at Leah who merely rolled her eyes. "Then, Leah told me I was the one who was going to disappear if I ever do something to Stefan."
Diaval chuckled when Leah hit him again, "I've never seen you so happy or so in love with anyone Li. You have never threatened before after I threatened your boyfriends. And I mean, I've met all the men you have dated. All hundredth of them."
"Diaval!"
"What?" Diaval exclaimed innocently, Stefan raised his eyebrows at his wife who was blushing while glaring at her best friend. "I mean, I'm exaggerating, of course, I think they were less than fifty…and most of them I scared away with my prowess and threats."
There was more laughter, Leah's face softened even though she was still trying to glare at his best friend. Diaval shook his head pursing his lips wishfully.
"Sorry, Li, you know I love teasing you." Diaval winked at her, Leah shook her head resting her back against Stefan, the man was smiling as well listening attentively to Diaval's speech.
"Leah is happy and it is all because of you Stefan. She really has been my best friend all my life and I've always asked for one thing to every shooting star I see in the sky." Diaval looked at his audience then back at Leah. "I've always asked for your happiness, and today…today I could see my wishes were heard. For Leah and Stefan and their happy ending!"
Everyone in the room cheer, all of them lifted their glasses and toast to the happy couple. Diaval turned his eyes, the woman from early was still sitting, crossed leg looking cold and serious her glass had long ago be emptied.
"That was a nice speech." Stefan commented drinking from a glass of water, he then narrowed his eyes first at Diaval then at Leah. "Fifty?"
"Oh, don't you start." Leah said playfully, Stefan chuckled kissing her softly. "Diaval likes to exaggerate mainly because he thought I have someone new in my room just like him."
"Hey! You can't blame me for being my handsome self." Diaval smiled cheekily at her both, Stefan and Leah laughed at the proud expression on the man.
Music started filling the room; people would talk animatedly while the food was being served. Diaval stood up excusing himself when the couple started kissing and whispering sweet things to one another. He loved Leah, but this show of affection made him shiver in an exasperate way. He really found those shows cheap, the story of a really fake relationship between two people. Of course, he knew they were at their wedding which may excuse them for such behavior…still; one should never eat in front of starving man.
The young man walked around greeting the people in the room, Diaval nursed the glass of rum he just stole from one of the tables with his mind taking in the new faces. He liked this game; he would watch people and try to see what made them work. They used to do it when they were teens, Leah and he would sit for hours watching people in the football field or the canteen laughing at some of their theories. Diaval cocked his head; his black eyes took in a young couple whispering to one another while glancing at the corner of the room. Diaval frowned he knew these two; one of them was Leah workmate and the other one was the shallow boyfriend of hers. They were the biggest gossipers Diaval had ever met. The woman, Reba, knew every single story happening in the office and her boyfriend, Carl, knew every single one happening in the school he taught.
Diaval furrowed her brows; he saw the judgmental glint in their eyes. She recognized the look of pure disgust crossing Reba's face and the sneer and tiny bit of lust shown in Carl's face. Reba would, from time to time, turned her eyes to the corner then back at Carl, the man would nod shivering in disgust.
Diaval turned to see the poor victim of Reba's judgment when his eyes fell upon a solitary figure. It was the woman he had seen when giving his speech. For a moment, his black eyes took in the young woman who was glancing at nothing in particular. From his position he could see she was young, perhaps she was his same age or a year or two older. She was beautiful, with sharp cheekbones, long neck, slender frame and long, smooth legs. She had beautiful hair, black and straight, falling comfortably on her back, her lips were full and red complementing those bright eyes.
The woman tensed her hand rolling slowly the glass in her hand; she blinked slowly and then turned to the source of her discomfort. Diaval felt a jolt of electricity when those eyes locked with his; she had the most intense stare he had ever seen. And yet, there was no emotion behind it, she was cold lacking interest when her eyes took in his presence. Her perfectly made eyebrow rose questioningly at him.
The young man lifted his glass in a gesture of toast, his smiled bright and cheerful. The woman pursed her lips, rolling her eyes before turning around. Diaval scoffed, it wasn't as if he was trying to make a move on her! He was trying to be polite; after being caught watching her, after she probably noticed Reba and her boy watching her with not so kind eyes. Diaval winced. The woman didn't seem to know anyone at the party; she was alone in a corner of the room. The young man sighed moving away from his spot walking towards her.
"I'm not interested." She had a deep, velvety voice; entrancing if it wasn't by the coldness and the authority behind it.
Diaval opened his mouth, huffing indignantly at those words, "I just wanted to apologize for staring, and I don't think we know each other."
"I'm not interested either way." The woman said shooting him an annoyed stare.
Diaval stood frozen in place, he opened and closed his mouth trying to come up with a response but; what do you say to a comment like that? He could certainly find some colorful words to reply but, that wouldn't be right…right?
"Oh, I see you're getting to know each other." Leah hooked her arm with Diaval's one smiling cheerfully at the both of them.
Diaval cocked his brow shooting his best friend an incredulous stare while the woman snorted shaking her head. Leah hesitated for a moment before squeezing Diaval's arm in warning.
"Maleficent, I'm so happy you could make it." Leah said softly at the woman, her lips curling into a gentle smile. "This is Diaval. My best friend, I trust you remember me mentioning him sometime?"
Maleficent eyed Diaval with disdain, her lips curling up into a sarcastic face, "Yes, he is just as charming as you told me he was. You just forgot to mention he likes to watch."
Leah shoot Diaval a glare, but Diaval merely deepened his frown at the woman.
"I'm sorry; it wasn't my intention to stare." Diaval commented."Not that there was anything worth staring at. However, I was curious what was doing a woman like yourself, a stranger, alone in a room full of familiar faces."
"Diaval!" Leah exclaimed letting go of his arm while reproach filled her face. Diaval had the sense to feel bad about his words; he didn't know why he reacted in such a way. He turned to find himself under the woman's glare.
"What a charming little thing you are, Diaval." Maleficent replied standing up, the young woman turned her eyes to Leah. "I see you like to surround yourself with the best specimen of the male kind. Not a wonder you marry Stefan."
The woman turned around and left. Leah watched her while biting her lower lip, Diaval blinked confusedly having a feeling he was missing something from the interaction. Leah sighed tilting her head to make sure no one but Diaval was listening to her.
"She is a little difficult, but you could have been more kind. I've seen Reba and Carl glaring at her ever since she arrived." Leah shook her head.
"Sorry, it's just… She implied I was a creep!" Diaval crossed his arms. "Besides, she was being a bitch when I approach her to apologize…"
Leah smiled weakly at him, "Don't worry. I think I'm going to talk to her."
Diaval watched Leah leave. There was an uneasy feeling in his heart, something he knew he was missing from this interaction, Leah had always worried about the people she got to know and love. It was part of who she was and more times than Diaval cared to count, it usually was the cause of heartbreak from her part. The black-haired man turned around to see Stefan was looking around before sneaking out. Diaval frowned and soon found himself following Stefan.
Diaval walked around the private garden of the club.
The area had been reserved for the wedding by Diaval's parents with the help of Leah's god-father, one of the most important senators in the country. Leah's parents had died when she was ten; her father had been a senator as well, one of the most important people in the politics of the country. Diaval's father had been best friends with Leah's father, that's how they met. That's how they forged their friendship. The custody of Leah had fallen in the hands of Hank Blackwings who took her in like a daughter while Diaval protected and love her like a sister. While Leah could have paid her wedding with the money she inherited from both her parents; Hank had thought an honor to make everything for her. Leah had accepted with tears in her eyes.
Diaval walked down the rocky path stopping when he reached voices. It was a man and a woman, both of them seemed to be arguing about something. Diaval frowned looking around only to notice he was alone, hesitating he stepped forward to a dinosaur shape bush.
"…You can't!"
"Why the hell no?" The woman exclaimed, Diaval looked affronted he knew those voices. Stefan and Maleficent.
"Mal, you…"
"Do not call me that." The voice was low and dangerous, filled with anger and hatred. "You made your choice, you don't have a right to try and direct my life anymore, Stefan."
"Wasn't this what we want?" The man said and as Diaval listened he felt dread taking hold of his heart.
"Fuck you, Stefan." The woman suddenly sounded broken. "Fuck you. This is what you want. Leah…Leah is a good woman."
"She isn't you." Stefan mumbled before the sound of something hitting flesh reached Diaval's ears. Diaval leaned forward to see what was happening.
Stefan had his head turned with Maleficent standing in front of him with her arm raised. Her faced was expressionless, but her breathing was agitated. Stefan shook his head caressing his cheek, he gave Maleficent a once over sneering at her.
"You were always like this." Stefan scoffed. "Whatever, do whatever you want, Maleficent. I don't care anymore."
Stefan left.
Maleficent stood there, stoic and frozen.
Diaval was dizzy trying to digest this new information. On his best friend wedding. He clenched his fists, he never liked Stefan. Never. But, Leah was charmed by him and Stefan always treated her well, he was always special with Leah. Diaval's mother loved him and his father was ready to sponsor him to move forward in his career as a politician. But this…Diaval turned around and went looking for Leah.
It took him about fifteen minutes to find her. Leah was coming into the room from one of the adjacent doors. She brightened up when she saw him, Diaval's face must have given him away for the young woman looked worriedly at him.
"Are you okay?"
"Leah, I need to tell you something…"
"Oh, there you are wife of mine!" Stefan approached them dramatically placing his hand on his forehead, Leah giggled when the man picked her up placing a kiss on her forehead.
Diaval scowled looking away for a moment, he tried to calm himself thinking on a way to speak with Leah alone.
"Diaval, are you okay? You look…angry." Leah said, Stefan eyed him kindly and it took Diaval every ounce of self-control he possess to not say anything in the room full of people on his best friend's wedding.
"No, I…it's oaky…"
"Oh, don't tell me you're still angry at Maleficent." Leah said, Stefan perked up at the mention of the woman.
"Maleficent? So, you met Mal?" Stefan said wincing. "I hope she wasn't a lot of trouble. I know she can be difficult…"
"No, she was okay." Diaval cut in, Leah narrowed her eyes, Stefan opened his shocked. "She was really fine, as a matter of fact, I wish to speak to her, apologize for my lack of tact and perhaps…start over."
Stefan turned his attention to Diaval, his eyes gleaming strangely at the young man, his brows furrowing slightly. Leah for her part smile brightly at him.
"Oh, I knew you like her!" Leah said triumphal turning to her husband. "See? I told you Diaval would like her and Maleficent would come around."
"I still think Diaval is not Maleficent's type." Stefan said stifled. "No offense, man. But Maleficent is…picky."
"Oh, I've always like a challenge." Diaval replied suddenly feeling in a strange zone. "But, anyway, where is she?"
"I was looking for you, by the way." Leah spoke softly turning to Stefan first. "Did you talk to her? She seemed…off."
"Yes, I noticed. I try to but…" Stefan trailed off, Diaval narrowed his eyes at the man Stefan caressed his wife's face. "She is angry. I don't think I should speak with her. You seem to get to her better, dear."
Leah pursed her lips, her clear, blue eyes turned to Stefan then to Diaval; the DJ chose that moment to announce the official dance of the couple. Leah opened her eyes in delight, there was some hesitation there too, Diaval knew what was worrying her at the moment.
"Go." Diaval said his eyes softening at the childish delight and happiness in Leah's face. "I'll look for her."
"Thank you, Dival." The woman leaned in to kiss him on the cheek, she moved in between the claps from the presents calling to Stefan who didn't move from his spot. Stefan smiled signaling Leah to wait for him.
"Look, Diaval…" Stefan started but he soon stopped when Diaval's hand closed around his forearm with more strength that was necessary. Stefan almost winced when the grip from Diaval turned painful on his arm.
"I don't know what your deal is. But if you hurt Leah, I'm going to fucking kill you." Stefan opened his eyes, there was fear behind his brown eyes and then Diaval smiled sweetly at him. "Now, I'm going to escort Maleficent like Leah asked me and perhaps, she can clarify to me what the both of you were speaking about in the garden."
Stefan stood rigid watching as Diaval left.
They would never speak of this incident ever again. But Diaval would watch Stefan closely and Stefan would always feel the black eyes of Diaval on him at all times.
Diaval met the woman in the parking lot, she was speaking to someone on the phone her face was a mask of indifference but her eyes were telling another story. The young man approached her, clearing his throat he gave her a tentative wave.
"Hi." He greeted her morosely, the woman rolled her eyes turning her back to him. Diaval felt his eyebrow twitched at the obvious dismissal. "Look, I just want to say I'm sorry about my words and…"
"You don't need to." Maleficent cut in. "You obviously mean them but this is unimportant for I don't care what you say or think about me. You can go now and tell Leah I forgive you and you and I are going to be friends forever."
Maleficent was dripping sarcasm and contained anger from every word, Diaval pursed his lips taking a deep breath.
"Leah asked me to take you home."
"What?!" Maleficent looked outrage, for a moment her mask faltered and Diaval saw fear and anger there. "I don't need your pity or your help…"
"Why would I feel pity for you?" Diaval replied confusedly, he lifted his hands stopping any retorted from the woman in front of him.
"Look, Leah asked me to…" Diaval trailed suddenly aware he wasn't completely sure what Leah wanted from him. He knew Leah wanted him to hook up with this woman because his friend had met her through Stefan and suddenly she thought they were a match made in heaven.
Leah was sweet like this. She met a woman she kind of like and suddenly she was perfect for Diaval. For Diaval was really hard to say 'no' to every set up mainly because Leah used her puppy, dog stare on him. Now, standing in front of this woman who was obviously troubled, have some kind of deal with Stefan and was glaring at him…well, Diaval knew for sure this time around Leah had screw up greatly and her radar for finding the perfect woman for Diaval was broken.
"Well, what did Leah ask you to do?" Maleficent asked a tad impatiently, her brows rising up.
"To make sure you were okay." Diaval finally said. Maleficent tensed, she evaded Diaval's eyes grabbing her mobile again.
"I'm perfectly fine. I just call for a taxi that should be here any minute now. You can go now."
"A taxi?" Diaval snorted. "It would take him at the very least an hour, and then, wherever you want to go, it would take you at least two hours."
"Then, that means I'll wait." The woman replied stubbornly refusing to turn and face Diaval.
Diaval shook his head, he glanced at the woman then turned his head to the building were the reception was being held. He hesitated.
"You can go, I don't need a babysitter or whatever Leah wants you to be." It was the tone of voice Maleficent used what made him decided.
"I can't do that." Diaval finally said. "Come, my car is just over there, I can take you wherever you want."
Maleficent stopped pretending she was playing with her phone, she lifted her face tilting her head until her eyes were firmly locked with Diaval's ones. For the first time, Diaval noticed the tones of green and golden there.
"I don't need…"
"Please, I insist." Diaval spoke softly at her, "I…I judged you and kind of insult you back there. What if you allow me to apologize to you by taking you home? I promise you I'm not a stalker and I won't ask for your phone number or anything."
Then as an afterthought, "Unless you want to give it to me because you realized my handsomely self is worthy of you."
Maleficent felt her lips curled up at the cheeky smile from the man in front of her, she saw those black locks falling on his eyes, his fair complexion made it for him to look really handsome. But she hesitated, her eyes drifted towards the club then back to Diaval. She couldn't afford the taxi, she knew this, she knew when she arrived home she would have to ask Regina for a loan and she hated it. She hated she had to ask for help; she hated even more the help came from Leah.
"I don't feel comfortable with people giving me things for free." Maleficent commented, Diaval nodded.
"I understand, but…look, any friend of Leah is a friend of mine. For me is as simple as that." Diaval offered her a half-smile. "And, I really want to do this, to make up for my harsh comment."
And Maleficent believed him.
For some crazy reason, against all her believes and the warnings in her head, Maleficent believed he was being honest and doing this without seeking personal gain.
"Then, I guess I can take your offer. Just for today."
Diaval smiled brilliantly at her, "Good, then come."
"Aren't you going to say goodbye?" Maleficent questioned.
"Aren't you?" Diaval shoot back, Maleficent tensed her eyes shadowing with hidden emotions.
"No. I've already said good-bye." The woman replied darkly.
Diaval opened the passenger door for Maleficent; the woman snorted rolling her eyes at the gesture.
"I'll meet with Leah tomorrow before her honey moon flight." Diaval explained while entering the driver's side turning on the engine. "And, probably today after she had hot sex with her husband; because she would like to know if I somehow have hot sex with you."
Maleficent pursed her lips glancing at Diaval out of the corner of her eyes, her cheeks warming up a little but her expression cold enough to make Diaval wiped away the half-smile he was wearing. The woman then placed her hands on her lap looking out of the window while Diaval drove out of the private club.
"I thought Leah and Stefan were leaving tonight." Maleficent made the comment with an even voice, evading any eye contact with the man beside her. Diaval frowned, he remembered the scene he had witnessed before replying.
"No, Stefan gifted Leah with a night at the Ironclaw Hotel. They're going to spend their first night as husband and wife there." He replied softly. For a brief moment, he took his eyes from the road to look at Maleficent, the woman had rested her forehead against the window and her expression was one of pure sadness.
"You know? You can sleep if you want." Diaval finally said. "I can wake you up once we're on the highway."
Maleficent mumbled a 'thank you', she closed her eyes but couldn't bring herself to sleep in a car with a stranger. Diaval couldn't help but think about what kind of relationship this Maleficent and Stefan really had.
Almost three hour later, after the traffic jam in the highway, they reached an average neighborhood. Diaval parked his car in front of an apartment building with kids playing and running down the street. He saw a couple of teens and some adults walking up and down the roads, several cars passed him by as the lights of the city surrounded them. At some point, Diaval had figured out Maleficent hadn't slept in, but she was happy with avoiding any kind of conversation with him. They only spoke a couple of times and only for Maleficent to give him instructions as to how to get her home.
When Diaval parked in front of the building he found himself suddenly uncomfortable for the burning question he had in mind.
"Thank you." Maleficent finally said. "I appreciate you bringing me all the way here."
"It was no problem, really." Diaval trailed off then; before Maleficent could exit the car he spoke. "Look, I want to ask you something."
Maleficent stopped, her whole demeanor changed. Her eyes were wary, she went rigid as if expecting some sort of attack. Diaval hesitated wondering for a moment why was she so defensive all of a sudden.
"What is it?" Even her voice denoted she had raised her guard.
"You and Stefan…" Diaval started but then realized it was the wrong thing to say or mention.
"There is not a 'you and Stefan'." Maleficent's eyes burnt with anger and unshed tears.
"I just…" Diaval spoke again clearly confused about the whole thing, but also rather curious and more determined to know what was happening.
"Thank you for the ride." Maleficent spoke sharply not looking at Diaval. "Have a nice life."
Then, Maleficent left.
Diaval sat there for a long time feeling a burning headache. The whole deal was crazy!
Just a few days ago he had thought perhaps whatever wariness he felt towards Stefan was just stupid, protective, big brother feelings. Now, this strange situation presented itself to him. He groaned he really needs a nice rest before figuring out what to do. What he had clear, though, was he didn't want Leah to get hurt. He would try to observe the situation closely before making a decision. For a brief moment, Diaval's mind reminded him of Maleficent, of the pain he saw there, the anger, the hatred…
Whatever had happened to her? What was the story behind the strange meeting with Stefan?
The answers to these questions would come two years later when Diaval would meet with the woman again. This time around, though, the circumstances and their lives would have changed dramatically.
And they would find themselves unwilling participants of another unexpected meeting and unpleasant circumstances.
AN: Hello there, as you can see I'm working on another Maleval story because there aren't enough out there! Anyway, this one is a version of the movie 'Life as we Know it' which I thought would fit Diaval and Maleficent perfectly. Also, you will see many familiar characters in here,, over all Regina Mills from Once Upon a Time because in the TV series she and Maleficent are best friends and I thought in this universe that may be perfect. Some character from the show may appeared her but only as support characters, nothing else. This is going to be set in a modern setting with a slow build. I really hope you like it, comments, suggestions and such are very welcome.