Chapter 32

“Juan Diadam. Fancy running into you,” The woman talked with elegance.
One look and the person would know that she is from the high class. A lady to whom sophistication is the first nature, then her lineage. However, if one carefully observes, one would not be able to ignore her posture. She was standing rigidly. Juan and Heather’s unexpected presence had caught her off guard. Every single second, her gaze flickered toward Heather, who had been looking in her direction with inquisitiveness and eagerness.
It was Juan Diadem who bought her back to the present and compelled her to focus her attention on him. She has yet to decide whether it was a welcome action.
“I could possibly say the same to you, Diona Gonzales,” Juan said with narrow eyes that anybody might have easily overlooked.
Even though his voice was steady, his heart was pounding. He was not exactly keen to meet her. Diona Gonzales's presence in his life was inevitable in one way or another, but he wasn't happy with the way that her name would be permanently linked to his family.
“You possibly could. However, as far as I am aware, there is no restriction on where somebody can travel. I am a proud resident of Warsavor to enjoy this luxury.” Diona said with sass. While Juan was never concerned by it until later when their fate was settled, most people frequently mistook her attitude for something else.
“Who said anything about restriction. As far as I know, this place doesn’t look like something you enjoy taking a stroll in. I am quite curious about your presence here.” Juan arched his eyebrows.
“You might be surprised. And just to correct your presumption about you knowing me. You don't know me as I didn't come here for a walk. I wanted to get acquainted with a couple of the flowers I wish to get in my room.”
He always believed that he knew Diona Gonzales well. If it was old him, he would have argued, but now he would agree with her. He really did not know Diona Gonzales well. However, he was surprised to find her outside the nursery. Throughout their time together, she had never once exhibited an interest in gardening. Surely, she does enjoy flowers, but her appreciation was more for their aesthetic beauty. He had never once seen her show any interest in getting actively involved in the art of flower arranging.
Diona, on the other hand, could see the wheels turning in Juan's mind. She had no wish to add fuel to the fire, stir up the flames, get burned, and scarring Juan for life. Juan Diadem has always been too smart for his own good and, for some reason, has always been able to see through her facade, making her vulnerable in the worst possible way. This did not settle well with her, especially now with a woman beside him. So, to take his mind off her, she diverted the conversation to something more peculiar and test her luck.
“Now, I do not want to sound rude, but it would be impolite for you to not introduce me to this lovely woman beside you?”
Juan looked sideways towards Heather, who was softly looking at them with curiosity in her eyes. “This is Heather Crown. Our special guest and new healer of this town. She would be working closely with Hans. Heather, this is Diona Gonzales, a family friend.”
Juan was not sure how to introduce Diona Gonzales without revealing much. To call her a family friend was a safe bet, and if luck was by Diadem's brother's side, they would never have to deep dive into this woman. However, Diona was more cautious when she saw Heather's mouth opening to speak.
“Greetings, Diona Gonzales. It is a pleasure to meet you.”
“Pleasure is all mine,” Diona gave her an uneasy smile that did not go unnoticed by Juan; however, Heather was entirely oblivious to it. But as Heather greeted her, Diona did, however, appear a little relieved. At least to an extent, yet she was not comfortable in Heather's presence.
“I do not wish to hold both of you any longer. Further, I shall make haste. I need to add some good floret to my room, and there is no better place than this to get it from.” Diona said, ready to flee the scene.
"If it's okay with you, I'd like to propose that you look into Aloe Barbadensis Miller. A excellent addition to any living space. It is not only known for its positivity, but it is instrumental with a lot of medical properties.” Heather could not help but give her recommendation.
She felt drawn to Diona Gonzales for some reason and wished to speak with her. Diona, however, was not sure about how she felt about Heather's presence in her life. Yet she did appreciate her suggestion.
“I am grateful. I will make sure to look through it.”
Juan, though, had enough of Diona and wanted to continue his tour with Heather.
“We must make haste, Heather. We don’t want to worry Alexander if he does not find you before dawn.”
He purposely chose to mention Alexander's name. He was intrigued in knowing Diona's response, his position on her choice, and any indication of Heather's friendship with his brother.
He wasn't sure whether he had made his point clear to Diona or not, but when he turned to look at her face to gauge how she was feeling, he saw that she was giving him a stern gaze without showing any sign of emotion.
"Don't allow me to stop you then. It is not like I ever could." Diona stated.
"You did in more than one way. However, no one can stop you from doing anything. Can they now?" Juan retorted.
Diona Gonzales and Juan Diadem locked their gaze with each other, and Heather Crown was easily able to feel the emotion of tension between them. She wished to ease her surrounding. After a few seconds, when none of them said a word, she intervened, being an honest smile on her face, “It was nice to meet you, Diona Gonzales.”
“Likewise,” Diona said softly as she walked past them, entering the nursery gate with only one thought in her mind that Heather Crown is still the same.