Chapter 34

His conversation with Diona was still fresh in Juan’s mind. Despite the fact that it had merely been a few hours, he remembered each and every word they had said to each other. It would have been a blessing in disguise If they were just acquaintances, but sadly, that was not the case with them.
They knew each other well. Looking at the current scenario, he was uncertain if he could say the same about Diona Gonzales, but as far as he was concerned, he liked to think he knew her well.
He used to, at least.
Even though it had only been a few months since he had first seen her, spoken to her, and they had only just been associated, despite the fact that they had not known one other for a very long time, he felt whole. It felt like they had known each other for a very long time. The connection they had shared seemed natural.
How wrong he was about that.
After he left Heather with Alexander, Juan could not make himself return to his home. It did not even feel right to call that place home. It was nothing but an empty place where he resided. There was no homely feeling or comfort of calling his own.
Being able to witness firsthand his brother's relationship with that of Heather, he finally understood what the true meaning of home means. The loving surroundings, the laughter, the joy of jesting, and even being firm when necessary. Those two had it all, and he would do everything in his power to keep them together.
Even if it means going against his own family and love.
So instead of going to his room to relax, he traced his steps back to a location that he frequently visits when he wants to contemplate or needs some peace and quiet. That is the only place where he does not need to act in a certain way. A setting where he may be authentic and face his inner beast alone.
It was no longer than ten minutes when he reached his desired location. The sky was filled with stars, and there was a gentle breeze in the air. He knew that no one would dare to disturb him at this hour in this place. The point where he was going was well hidden in between the grove.
As he was climbing the wooden ladder, he smelled a familiar scent. A substantial cent of jasmine he had instead come to love for the past few months.
“What brings you here?” As he walked onto the hardwood floor, Juan questioned.
“Same thing that bought you here.” She replied while giving him a compassionate glance.
"What game are you playing, Diona?" He said as he made his way over here.
“I am not playing any game here, Juan,” Diona stated.
"Aren't you? Don't fool yourself with untrue statements." He scowled.
“No, I am not. Life played tricks on us, and we both found ourselves in an improbable circumstance that was sparked by our parents. None of us could help with what had happened.”
Juan could not help but shook his head in disbelief as she continued to speak.
“We could always help ourselves if we want to. There must be a willingness to do it, Diona. In our situation, only I was willing to wage this battle—not you.”
“You know that is not true.” She said; however, she could not look directly into his eyes as she was speaking. “My fate was already written, Juan. One cannot fight with destiny.”
Juan chuckled in response to what she said. "Destiny has an odd way of giving guidance. In my opinion, it will take a tremendous amount of work for you to fulfil your potential, and even then, the outcome might not be satisfactory."
“One could surprise you, Juan. Even at the most unexpected moment.” Diona said with a determined look.
“Life is going to surprise you, Diona. It will be rather sooner than later.” Juan said with a mock grin.
“What do you mean?” She frowned, unable to grasp the whole significance of his remarks.
“I expressed my desire for nothing more than for you to have real happiness when you made your decision. Yet, given the current situation, I regret having to state the opposite.”
“Is it because of Heather Crown?” Diona asked.
Juan was taken aback by her words. He had not anticipated that she would use Heather's name. It was rather unforeseen and unexpected. He crossed his arms but asked her nonetheless.
"Does she make you feel uneasy?
“I simply find her unexpected entrance into Diadem's family and our community strange,” Diona said she was attempting to hide her curiosity.
"Strange is not an appropriate synonym for curiosity, Diona Gonzales. So as for your curiousness, you are going to have to hold onto your curiosity for a while since you no longer have any right to ask me questions, and I am under no obligation to answer them." Juan said, not willing to reveal anything about Heather and Alexander’s relationship to her.
“We can still be friends, Juan. Not everything needs to change.” Her eyes were filled with sadness.
Although Juan could tell that her feelings were genuine, he had to remain strong at this time. The last time he allowed himself to feel the worst kind of vulnerability was when Diona announced her final choice. He vowed to never let those emotions get to him, and he still wanted to stay true to those feelings.
“Correction, Diona Gonzales. We can never be friends.” Diona flinched at his words which did not go unnoticed by Juan. Yet he continued. “Not now, not ever.”
“We need to get used to each other. We cannot be at each other's throats. You promised that nothing would change our friendship.” She said, taking a step forward.
She expected him to take a step back, but he did not. Instead, he stood still for an entire second before taking a big step. Their toes were in line, and they could feel the warmth between them.
“I am breaking my promise, Diona. I won't stay true to my promise at the cost of my brother’s happiness. If doing so will ultimately hurt you, so be it.” He said firmly.
“Alexander’s happiness or yours? Even those with the finest morals might have their judgment clouded by selfishness.”
“Selfishness to see my brother happy, then yes, I am selfish. To see love succeed for once in my life, yes, I am selfish.”
Diona could not help but add further, “What about the fact that you are going to torment your own love in the process?”
“Torment? If you don't feel anything at all for me, how can any of my acts matter to you? From my vantage point, you are ultimately going to lose your power and selfish motives in the end.” Juan said. As he leaned forward, his lips brushed hers, “I do not love you. Not anymore.”
He then took a step back, turned around, and, without looking back, retraced his steps to his house.