Suddenly, the music changed. "The Way You Look at Me", originally sung by Christian Bautista, started playing. Dianne froze for a moment. Could the band really have done that on purpose? She just muttered to herself.
"DJ, you take care of Dianne, okay?" Amy's voice rang loudly over the music. DJ simply nodded.
"Will you dance with me?" DJ asked, now standing in front of her, offering a hand.
Dianne hesitated for a moment, but Amy playfully nudged her closer, forcing her to take his hand. DJ grasped it firmly, pulling her into a dance.
There was nothing she could do but move to the rhythm with DJ. She glanced at Amy, who was dancing with her own partner. Amy winked at her, smiling knowingly.
Dianne then noticed her other friends dancing with their partners. Her gaze drifted to Kier and Athena. They were laughing together, clearly affectionate. A pang of envy hit her—she wished she were in Athena's place, sharing that tender connection. She even imagined herself dancing with Kier, their movements sweet and synchronized like the intimacy she was witnessing between Athena and him.
Her eyes returned to DJ. She could hardly believe it—she was actually dancing with him, the same man who always teased her, the man who somehow made her pulse race every time they met.
'Cause there's somethin' in the way you look at me…It's as if my heart knows you're the missing piece…
The band's music carried the lyrics. DJ smiled at her, and for a brief moment, their eyes met. And suddenly… everything changed.
It felt like the world had stopped.
What was happening? Her heart pounded so loudly, she thought it might echo in her ears. No, this can't be real. Maybe it's just the alcohol… she reasoned, even though she hadn't been drinking.
Her heartbeat accelerated even more as DJ drew closer.
No! her mind shouted. She was terrified he might sense how wildly her heart was racing.
"Dianne, are you okay?" DJ's voice cut through her panic.
"You look pale," he added.
"I… I just suddenly feel dizzy," she admitted, clutching her head.
"Sit down for a moment," he instructed, helping her to a chair.
Suddenly, darkness enveloped her vision, and she fainted. DJ immediately scooped her up, carrying her to her room with Dansel following. Once Dianne was comfortably laid down in the bedroom, they paused on the veranda of the mini-hotel.
"She probably overdid it with the alcohol," Dansel said quietly. "Dianne isn't used to drinking. She's always like an angel to our friendship, watching over us whenever we overindulge. She's the only one who doesn't drink. Being the eldest, she's incredibly protective. That's why we all love her like a sister. Did you know she's the breadwinner of her family? Because of her, her siblings finished school, even though money was tight. She made sure to support them, and now her brothers and sisters are doctors, teachers, engineers, accountants. We admire her so much. And that's why she hasn't had a boyfriend—she's focused on her family," Dansel explained, while DJ listened quietly.
Hearing this, DJ felt a twinge of guilt for teasing Dianne and, simultaneously, a sense of admiration. He recalled that fleeting moment on the dance floor when their eyes met and time seemed to freeze—his heart had raced then, too.
DJ decided that Dianne wouldn't need to come into work the next day.
The next scene unfolded on the beach. Dianne ran along the shore, laughter spilling from her lips, pure joy in every step. The man chasing her, laughing just as hard, suddenly caught up and scooped her into his arms.
"I've got you!" he said, breathless.
Dianne tried to break free, but his grip was firm. She gasped in surprise, only to find herself staring into—
DJ.
Dianne nearly toppled onto the soft sand. "It was just a dream… what does that even mean?" she whispered to herself.
She sat up, realizing she was in her bedroom. Panic struck—she was late for work. The clock read 9:00 a.m.
"Oh no! I'm late!" she fretted.
Dansel entered the room. "You're awake! I didn't wake you earlier because you were sleeping so soundly. Rest for a while—you fainted last night."
"Really?" she asked, frowning.
"Yes! DJ even carried you here. He said not to go to work today. After all, he's the boss, right? Don't worry," Dansel reassured her with a knowing smile.
Dianne decided to go in the afternoon, even if only for half a day. She didn't want DJ to think she was taking advantage. Athena, Kier, DJ, Amy, and Amy's boyfriend had already left; Dansel and his partner stayed behind to accompany her home.
The days seemed to fly by. It felt like only yesterday they had their Friendship Date, and now it was Saturday again.
Dianne sat on a large, soft sofa in a mini-bar, accompanied by Amy, Dansel, and their partners. The place was their usual hangout spot during Friendship Dates, chosen for its private karaoke room. Athena was still on her way with Kier.
When they arrived, Dianne's eyes instinctively searched for DJ. Even though she saw Kier first, her heart sought DJ. Despite seeing him every day at work, she couldn't deny the excitement at seeing him again.
Could it be the effect of their first dance together? That moment had felt like magic—her anger and irritation had been replaced by emotions she couldn't comprehend.
"DJ will arrive later; maybe he's busy," Kier said, overhearing Amy's question.
A rush of happiness surged through Dianne's chest at the thought of seeing DJ.
Soon after, DJ arrived with Gerlie. He introduced Gerlie to her friends, and then, holding her hand, approached Dianne.
"Hello, Dianne, right?" Gerlie looked her up and down, her gaze sharper than any critical aunt Dianne had ever encountered.
"Is it true you have a crush on my boyfriend?" Gerlie asked sarcastically. "I'm DJ's girlfriend, I've been introduced by Kier, remember?" Her words silenced Dianne, and even her friends were taken aback.
"Well, if you're my only rival, I'm not worried. Seems like there's no thrill in competing for my boyfriend," Gerlie added with a mocking smile.
"Gerlie, enough!" DJ intervened, scolding her.
What does it feel like to face the girlfriend of a man you once despised, only to be told you're no competition?
Who will truly be Dianne's forever? Kier, the one she secretly admired, yet knowing that her stunning friend Athena also desires him—or DJ, the man she once disliked, now slowly making her heart race, despite having a girlfriend?
Is forever even real, and will she ever be able to recognize it?