"Hey!" Dianne called out to Seven, but he didn't even glance her way.
"Hey! What the hell? Pay attention to me!" she shouted, frustration rising in her chest.
Seven finally stopped walking and turned to face her, his expression unreadable.
"Why are you making this so hard? Why won't you talk to me?" Dianne's voice trembled, tears welling up in her eyes.
"Because I don't want to anymore," Seven replied bluntly.
Dianne froze, shock rooting her to the spot.
"W-What do you mean?" she stammered, her voice barely audible.
"I don't want to, Dianne. Let's stop this game. I'm done," he said, his tone flat but heavy with finality.
"A game? You think this is all just a game?!" she shouted, anger and hurt mingling.
"Yes! I was just playing with you. Because I never really loved you. So… it's game over," he said coldly.
"Liar!" Dianne screamed, fury and pain cracking her voice.
"I'm not lying! I don't love you. Tell me—would I really fall for someone like you? A spoiled brat with such a terrible attitude?" Seven's words cut deep.
SLAP!
Dianne's hand flew to his cheek, striking him with all the force of her heartbreak.
"I thought you loved me… but I was wrong! You're a liar! I hate you!" she cried, tears streaming down her face as she turned and ran away.
Seven stood frozen, stunned. Every fiber of him ached at what he had just done to her, but he knew it was necessary. Her father had commanded him to end things. If he didn't, Dianne could lose her inheritance. He loved her too much to let that happen—even if it broke both their hearts.
.....
Dianne ran without caring who saw her tears, her sobs echoing in the empty street. She stumbled to a stop, her legs giving way, and collapsed onto the ground. Pain clawed at her chest, each heartbeat a fresh reminder of betrayal.
She screamed, raw and desperate, the sound tearing from her throat. She couldn't believe Seven—Seven, the one she thought she could trust—had been playing with her heart. She had believed his feelings were real, and now the truth cut deeper than anything she had ever known.
The ache in her chest was unbearable. She didn't know how she could ever stand again. Her tears streamed down freely, soaking her cheeks as she curled into herself, refusing to move, refusing to return home.
Time passed unnoticed. The world around her blurred into darkness and silence, and still, she stayed on the cold pavement, lost in the agony of a love that had betrayed her.
.....
For days, Dianne locked herself in her room, refusing to see anyone. She had no choice but to obey her father and prepare to marry Damon. Seven had resigned from his position as her butler, disappearing from her life entirely.
One night, Seven sat slumped at the bar, a glass of whiskey in hand. Night after night, he drowned himself in alcohol, trying to forget the girl he loved. He took a long sip, grimacing at the burn of the liquor, when suddenly someone slid onto the stool beside him.
A man in white, holding a strange little book, gave him a small, knowing smile.
"One Kamikazee," he ordered casually.
The man glanced at him. "Looks like you've got a heavy problem. Let me guess… a woman?"
Seven ignored him and downed his drink in one gulp. "Another," he barked to the bartender, his voice rough.
"You know," the man continued, scribbling something in his book, "if you really love her, fight for her. Go ahead. If you let her slip away to someone else, you'll regret it…"
Seven said nothing. He kept drinking, trying to bury the ache in his chest.
But the words lingered. If I really love Dianne… I have to fight for her. I can't just let her go…
He looked over at the man, but the stool beside him was empty. He turned again, scanning the bar, but the stranger was gone. Only a small card remained on the counter. Seven picked it up and read the name scrawled across it:
"Eros…"
The name burned in his mind, a reminder that someone—some force—was pushing him to face the truth he had been avoiding for too long.
.....
The day of Dianne's wedding had finally arrived. Everyone around her was smiling, radiant with excitement—everyone but her. Her eyes were red and puffy, betraying the storm of emotions inside her, though thankfully, her makeup hid it well.
They were parked outside the grand church. Inside, the groom waited, along with the guests and her father. But Dianne remained in the car, her mind racing, questioning whether she could go through with it.
A gentle tap on the window pulled her from her thoughts. Miyuki and the other bridesmaids were there, their expressions filled with concern.
Dianne stepped out of the car, and Miyuki immediately wrapped her in a tight hug.
"Are you sure you want to do this? What about… him?" Miyuki asked softly, her voice trailing off as she didn't dare speak Seven's name.
Dianne shook her head. "He doesn't love me, Bes. I… I have no choice but to go through with this," she replied, forcing a calm she didn't feel.
She began to walk toward the church, each step heavy with reluctance—but then a sleek black car suddenly pulled up, blocking her path. The door swung open on the driver's side, and her heart froze.
Inside the car… it was Seven.
"Dianne…" he said, his voice trembling with emotion.
"W-What are you doing here?" she whispered, her eyes filling with tears at the sight of him.
He stepped out of the car and moved toward her, urgency in every stride.
"I'm sorry, Dianne," Seven blurted, voice thick with regret. "Everything I said to you… it wasn't true. I only did it to make you angry, to push you into agreeing to marry Damon."
Dianne's tears threatened to spill. "Why? Why would you want me to marry him? Why lie to me like that?" she demanded.
"Because… I didn't want your father to be angry with you, or for you to lose your inheritance," he admitted, his voice tight with emotion. "I couldn't bear to see you suffer, Dianne. It would have broken me to watch you in pain."
Her voice was steady now, filled with a mixture of hope and determination. "Then one question. One answer. Do you really love me? Yes or no?"
In response, Seven pressed his lips to hers, and the world seemed to stop around them. Even Miyuki, watching from nearby, gasped at the boldness of the moment.
"That's my answer," he whispered against her lips. "I love you… more than anything. I'm ready to fight for you, Dianne. I can't… I can't lose you. I won't survive it."
Tears of joy streamed down Dianne's face as she clung to him, holding him tightly.
"Let's go," Seven murmured.
"Where are we going?" she asked, voice soft.
"To a place where it's just us… a place where we can finally be at peace," he said. "Will you come with me?"
Dianne smiled through her tears, squeezing his hand. "Yes," she whispered.
They climbed into the car. Dianne glanced back at Miyuki one last time.
"Tell Dad I'm sorry. I can't do what he wants. I'm in love, and I'm willing to fight for it. And tell him not to worry—I'm safe. Seven will never hurt me. And… don't forget to take care of himself when I'm not around. I love him," she said firmly.
Miyuki could only stare in shock as the car pulled away.
From a distance, Eros watched the departing car. A small, knowing smile curved his lips…
.....
As they drove, Dianne's phone rang.
"Yes, Dad?" she answered calmly, her eyes on the road ahead.
"What the hell are you doing, Dianne?!" her father barked from the other line.
"I'm sorry, Dad. This is my last request. Please… set me free. I want to be with Seven. I know he'll take care of me."
Without another word, she ended the call and tossed the phone out the window.
Seven glanced at her and smiled, his hand finding hers. One of his hands rested on the wheel, steady and protective, while the other held hers tightly.
At that moment, they were truly free. Free from expectations, free from interference, free to love each other. No one could stop them now. They would fight for their love—together, until the very end.
.
.
.
The End