A lot had happened over the past seven months.
After Athena and Kier became a couple, it didn't take long for Kier to propose. Six months after their relationship began, he got down on one knee and asked Athena to marry him. The engagement party was set.
Dianne was preoccupied with choosing the perfect dress. She finally settled on a milky white gown, elegant with pearls adorning the neckline, a choice that complemented her perfectly that evening.
Her beloved DJ wasn't by her side, having traveled to Germany to visit his ailing father. He was expected to arrive only the next day. Despite his absence, Athena & Kier understand him.
They were surrounded by friends, laughter, and celebration—a perfect night, or so it seemed.
Her friends, Dansel and Amy, were also there. The three huddled together, chatting quietly while Athena enjoyed her time with Kier.
"I'm so happy for you, girl!" Dansel called, walking up to greet Athena and Kier. Dianne followed close behind with her friend, Dianne's heart swelling with joy for Athena's happiness.
Kier excused himself for a moment to visit the restroom, leaving Athena in the company of her three friends.
"I told you, you two really have a forever," Amy said, smiling brightly. Her voice carried a mixture of giddiness and awe. "You two really suit each other."
"Congratulations, friend," she added warmly.
"I can't help but be happy for you both," Dianne said softly, glancing at Athena. "Finally, you've found your forever. Back then, it was just me and Dansel hoping for our Prince Charmings. Who would've thought Athena would find Kier, and I would end up with DJ?" she mused, smiling through her nostalgia.
Suddenly, a voice interrupted the laughter.
"Hi!"
They all turned, startled. It was Gerlie. They had assumed she was still in Germany.
"How are you?" Gerlie approached, her gaze fixed on Dianne.
"You know, DJ was right," she said with a sarcastic smile. "You really look like a maid—a rag!"
Shock rippled through Dianne, though the behavior wasn't entirely unexpected. Gerlie had always been brash, with little regard for manners or subtlety.
"Don't you know DJ only dated you as part of a deal? For me to accept his marriage proposal, he had to make you fall in love with him first?" Gerlie continued, her words sharp and cutting.
"Gerlie, enough! What are you saying? Please, don't ruin my party!" Athena pleaded, stepping forward.
"It's the truth, Dianne! You're so gullible! You actually believed DJ loved you?" Gerlie mocked, further wounding Dianne.
Anger surged in Dianne, but it was the last words that truly stung.
"If that's what you think, there's really no difference between you two!" she snapped, grabbing a glass of cold water from a passing waiter.
"If you think I'm a rag, look at yourself! You're like a street cat who hasn't bathed in weeks! Maybe this will teach you something!" she yelled, pouring the water over Gerlie.
Gasps and screams erupted from the onlookers. Gerlie stood drenched, stunned, unable to retaliate. Dianne didn't wait to see her reaction; she ran to the veranda, tears streaming down her face, followed by her friends.
"Dianne, don't mind her! She's just causing trouble!" Amy said gently, pulling her friend into a comforting hug.
"She's only trying to mess with you and DJ," Athena added.
Dianne's hands shook as she wiped her tears. "That's why I was hesitant to answer DJ before. I saw them together, and I realized they had bad intentions. They made me the fool. DJ only played with my heart, and I—stupid me—believed him." She sobbed harder, the memory of seeing them together still fresh and painful.
"What happened?" Kier asked, returning from the restroom, noticing the commotion. Gerlie was soaked, and the events seemed to have escalated in moments.
"Dianne, please, listen to me," DJ said as he opened the door. He had intended to leave it closed, but she stepped inside before he could act.
"Dianne, let me explain," he insisted.
"I don't want to hear it. I've already heard enough from Gerlie. She said you were only playing with me, that it was all part of some deal. That's why everything happened so fast, that you pretended to love me…" Dianne's voice cracked with tears.
DJ had called and texted her countless times, but she had ignored every message. In the end, she had blocked him entirely, refusing any further contact. That was probably why he had come to her house—he wasn't willing to let the situation go.
"I found out from Kier what happened, and Athena confronted me with what Gerlie said. Yes, I admit Gerlie talked to me about some deal, but I didn't go along with it. Everything I told you was true. My feelings are real, and I truly love you," DJ said, pulling her into his arms.
"I don't want our relationship to end like this. I can't lose you," he murmured, holding her tightly.
"Leave me alone… I don't want to see your face ever again…" Dianne said, her voice soft yet firm. Tears fell freely as she tried to protect herself from more heartache. She knew it hurt, but she had to do what she believed was right.
—--
"We didn't know that was the truth, friend," Dansel said, consoling her.
"Athena told us about your diary she found when you left it behind," Amy added.
"Yes, I liked Kier at first, but I never expected to fall for DJ," Dianne confessed.
"It's my fault, friend. I'm the reason you got close to DJ. I thought it would make you happy," Amy said, her voice gentle.
"It's not your fault, Ams. We couldn't have known he would trick me. If anyone is at fault, it's me, because I was foolish enough to believe him," Dianne replied.
Amy took a deep breath, trying to calm her friend.
"He begged me to help you two reconcile," Amy admitted.
"Me and Athena too," Dansel added.
"I think he's serious about what he says," Dansel said.
"I think so too," Amy agreed.
DJ's eyes burned with anger as he confronted Gerlie. His chest heaved as he tried to contain his fury.
"I can't believe you did this!" he shouted.
"It's true, isn't it? You should be happy. We succeeded in hurting Dianne," Gerlie said, her smile twisted and smug.
"Weren't you the one always complaining about her? Always angry? Now I did what you wanted, and she's embarrassed and hurt. And we succeeded in the deal. Because of that, I accept your proposal," she said.
DJ's face darkened, and he stepped closer.
"We've been apart too long," he muttered.
Her smile faded completely.
"Wasn't our agreement—" she began, but DJ grabbed her arm firmly.
"I'm done with your lies and your tricks! Forget about our marriage! It won't happen! I love Dianne and I won't let you hurt her! I will stand against you!" he shouted.
"I still have some respect for you… I hope you won't let it completely disappear," he added, softer but firm.
For the first time, Gerlie felt fear. DJ's anger was real, and unlike anything she had ever faced.
Gerlie's POV
The next day, she packed her suitcase. She had no reason to stay in the Philippines anymore and decided to return to Germany. She hadn't anticipated that DJ would leave her, that he would grow tired of her love. Before, he obeyed all her wishes, but suddenly everything changed.
She acknowledged her own mistakes—why DJ fell for Dianne, why she lost him. If only she had accepted his proposal properly, none of this would have happened.
Germany awaited her now, a place to live peacefully. She knew she would find someone better—someone truly deserving of her heart.
—--
As they say, if you're not happy yet… it's not the ending!