Thick Skinned

Diana was still feeling warm as she entered the elevator and went up to her apartment. She could feel her cheeks flush red.

When she was told about the engagement party, Diana was already prepared to face ridicule from Chantal's friends. She has already made up her mind to just show up and do what's within reason as part of Winchester Family. Naturally she won't make any scene there as she doesn't really have an opinion on the two people involved.

But when Lucas asked her about her father Osmond's call, she only answered what he asked. She didn't feel like there's a reason to be so secretive about it. Anyway the media will report about it soon. Knowing Chantal, she would make sure that her party would be so grandiose and would be talked about by the media.

However, Diana didn't expect that Lucas would actually invite himself to the event. Only thinking about it is making Diana feel dumbfounded again.

Back at the restaurant, he did tell her of his intention to make her his girlfriend. But she can't fathom why. For powerful people like him, he must have done a background check on her. There's no way he wouldn't find out that she is part of the Winchester Family and it's a family quite inferior compared to his.

Why would he bother with a background that she has?

Isn't it that for these powerful families, they would arrange their members to marry influential partners?

She knows her limits.

Although she has done pretty well at school all her life and although she's a granddaughter of a rich family, she still doesn't think it's going to benefit Lucas in any way.

Unless of course he's only going to see her as a fling.

Would it be too naive to think that he could be genuinely attracted to her?

Such thoughts came into her head.

She fiddled inside her bag to look for the key.

"Diana." A man's voice spoke near her, footsteps approaching.

She looked up to see a man in a blue long-sleeved shirt and khaki pants. His shirt was slightly unbuttoned, his face looked haggard.

She could faintly smell the scent of alcohol from him. It's not even dark yet, but he already looked to be inebriated.

"You need something?" Diana asked flatly, crossing her arms.

Henry was surprised at her bored tone. Before, when they were together, Diana was still patient and gentle with her words.

To him, Diana has always been a timid girl and that she focuses on school too much. Nobody would outright mock her for it or call her names like 'nerd', 'geek' or 'weirdo'. She is beautiful and she has an aura of nobility in her. If not because of

Chantal who has given herself to him wholly, he would still be waiting around for Diana. Diana and Chantal are very different to each other even if they are twins. Not only that they don't look alike, their personalities are also different.

Diana focuses on her studies and would meet him on a fixed schedule. She doesn't let her studies be distracted by anybody, not even him. He did admire that about her. Not only is she beautiful, she's also smart. She is also very independent. Not once did she ask for a favor from him. Even with carrying her books, she would insist on doing it herself. What's more, they were already together for 2 years and the most that he has done on her other than holding her hand, was kissing her on her cheek. It has been hard for him to stay patient and remain in control with his urges. He could still remember how her soft, flawless skin felt against his lips and hands. Every time he would attempt to do more, she would always turn her face away or gently push him off. He was afraid to scare her off so he would always forcefully stop himself. It's 2 years together but both of them have never said the words 'I love you' to each other.

Chantal was different. She was the one who told him she's attracted to him first. In the beginning, he tried to laugh it off.

She is after all Diana's twin. But the more that he would bump into her coincidentally everywhere, the more that he felt attraction towards her. Chantal was also pretty. She looks like one of those celebrities that always have makeup done on them professionally. As someone who loves fashion, she always knew what looks good on her and would only wear clothes that would bring up her attractive features. Compared to Diana's fixed schedule in meeting him, Chantal would always make time for him. She would even initiate intimacy, which delighted him greatly. For 2 years that he hasn't touched Diana intimately, he was able to relieve himself with Chantal. He felt wanted. She would also run to him every time she feels aggrieved in her school. There were times that she would fail to understand her teacher's lessons that she would feel disappointed in herself. Henry felt he was the only one who could make her feel motivated.

Last Christmas, he decided to invite Chantal to their dinner instead of Diana. Before, everytime Henry would invite Diana, she would reject, saying that she needed to spend it with the Winchester Family. Which is true. Grandmother would always remind her to spend the Holidays with them or else she will get a full lecture on family responsibilities. But that year, they made no fuss when Chantal didn't show up. Diana of course didn't make it a big deal about it. It was a quiet dinner because of that. Nobody was comparing the twins that night, instead they only talked about business before retiring to their beds.

When Diana suddenly stopped responding to her messages and calls, and even blocked his number, he panicked. He hurriedly went to her apartment and asked her what's wrong. When Diana straight up told him that she found out about Chantal and him, he froze. She didn't even let him make up an excuse. She just told him that they are over and then shut the door on him. He wanted to talk to her but no matter how he knocked or made noise, the door won't open. He finally left

when the neighbors became annoyed.

Understandably, Diana would get mad at him after finding out about it. But she should have let him say his words, at least on account of being together for 2 years. He has always been respectful towards her, but one mistake in her eyes, and she already broke things off.

When Chantal found out about their break up, she was really happy. She took no time and went to find Henry to comfort him. Henry was happy that he had Chantal to make him feel that he didn't lose anything. Most of his guy friends would comment on how he looked more confident after being out in the open with Chantal.

In his mind, Diana will realize what she lost.

Her actions back at Chantal's party showed that she's not over him even if she claims she is. Who would actually pay a guy to pretend to be her boyfriend? Only those seeking attention, that's what. She wanted to see if he still cares about her. She wanted him to chase her back. Just like now.

Amazing Diana. Who would have thought you to be as scheming as you are now?

"I thought you have no feelings for me anymore." Henry said, his voice hoarse.

Diana frowned. "Uh-hmm."

"Why do you have to find ways to get my attention then?" Henry asked, wanting to hold her shoulders.

Diana side-stepped, walking close to her apartment's door.

"Since when did you become so thick-skinned?" Diana coldly said.

Henry snapped with the insult. "Who's thick-skinned? You are! To break up with me and then now try to catch my attention.

What game are you playing?"

"Game? I have no time for playing games with you." Diana scoffed.

"Then why did you pay some guy to pretend to be your boyfriend? Not only that, you even kissed him! On the lips!!!" Henry

was livid. He dated her for 2 years but he's never touched her lips. But only after 2 months, she was already kissing

somebody else passionately.

"Do you actually think I need to pay someone to be my boyfriend?" Diana smirked.

Henry's eyes zeroed in on Diana. True, before he asked her to date him, there were a lot of suitors just waiting for her.

"Since when were you together? Don't tell me you were already with him while we were together?!" Henry was furious at the thought.

How dare she make him look bad after finding out about his relationship with Chantal, when she herself is also with somebody else?!

Is that why she doesn't let him kiss her? Because she has been doing that with that person?!

Diana clenched her fist. She resisted the urge to slap him. She would only end up hurting her palm if it touches his thick face.

"I'm not like you." Diana said coldly. "If that's all you're here for. Bye." Once again, she closed the door on his face.