Unexpected encounter

It was a tricky decision to leave that night when Giselle had just returned. Even so, Lillian left because she needed some space to organize her racing thoughts. Starting from taking responsibility for Lia, the past weeks had seriously taken a toll on Lillian Grey, and she was exhausted. There was nothing to regret in that decision. However, ever since learning about Lia getting bullied at school and how she got into a fight with a boy, along with the gossip floating around the school as people try to judge, Lillian grew depressed just thinking about it. And whenever she got depressed, she had a bad habit of seeking support from alcohol. As if that would help, but Lillian needed just a drink to calm her nerves.

Reaching the usual bar she used to visit during such situations, Lillian ended up meeting Diego, who occupied her usual spot, which was close to the bartender.

The bartender working there for a long time recognized the double trouble but found them acting strange.

"Is something wrong?" Diego timidly asked upon seeing Lillian's displeased face. He was just as shocked as her, but it didn't stop him from talking.

There was no response as Lillian sat stiff and frozen. Diego was the last person she expected to meet that night, especially ever since Jenna made her visit this morning to talk about giving a personal interview. Shane had received multiple pictures of Lillian and Lia together. There were a few media outlets that had reached out asking for the details about Lillian's new life with a kid. That's why Shane had to pull some strings to create an opportunity for Lillian to come clean.

Jenna visited this morning to talk about a special radio interview that will give Lillian a chance to get personal about her life. Shane had sent Jenna to convince her author if she didn't want random gossip to fly around her. Jenna, too, implored Lillian to use this interview to make things official. While being put

under pressure to stop spreading the rumors, Lillian had to learn what was the

little girl going through in her once peaceful school life. These battling conflicts

arrested Lillian from determining her current circumstances.

Giselle's absence had been killing her, only making it tough to resolve. Lillian couldn't talk about her personal life without consulting with Giselle. Shane made this arrangement so that Lillian could stop people from running their mouths for amusement. He wanted her to tell the whole world that she now has Giselle. It doesn't even matter if she wishes to drop names, let alone tell people she finally found someone to spend the rest of her life with. That way, all the circulating gossip would die eventually instead of randomly birthing absurd assumptions.

By the time Jenna and Lillian had gone out for lunch and were about to separate, Jenna requested Lillian consider this opportunity sincerely.

***

"Lillian?" Diego called.

The bartender had served Lillian's drink a long ago, and she looked away from Diego's call to take a hasty sip at once. Only after that alcohol went down her throat did Lillian gather some strength to digest Diego's presence. Frankly, she wanted to walk out the moment she noticed him, but Lillian didn't have the strength to allow her pride to take over. Besides, there was no need to run away since she never committed any regrettable sins. It must be Diego who should run away. But, this guy stayed regardless, which angered Lillian. She peeked a look at him coldly.

"What's-"

"Why? You're going to stab me from behind again and watch me suffer?" Lillian snapped back before letting him finish. Her demeanor continued to remain dismissive.

"You're unbelievable!" Diego remarked to ignore her right away.

"Am I, Diego?" Lillian returned, feeling enraged.

Angrily, Lillian finished her drink to signal for round two. Diego glanced at her, worrying even under such treatment.

"Watch yourself? You're finishing it in one gulp- you know you can't handle it if you keep-"

Lillian stopped him from speaking any further. She knew how to take care of herself without his supervision.

"Oh yes, you do. I'm sorry! I was just looking out for you."

"Yeah, you did a very good job of it for several years."

Diego got upset that Lillian's words were hurting him when he was well aware of it. Silence fell in between for a while before Diego chose to defend himself.

"You know I am not a bad person," he began.

"But you became one, dude!" Lillian exclaimed.

"Because I had feelings-"

"Stop. Stop speaking, Diego. I told you that I don't want to talk to you."

Lillian raged to finish her second glass in seconds again.

"Alright. I won't talk," Diego replied as he feared her temper.

***

Time passed as Diego sat mute in his seat while sipping away his last drink. On the other hand, Lillian began to lose hold of her feelings. Her anger subsided as fretting thoughts took over her sense. Diego finished his drinks, but he stayed there because he was able to meet Lillian after a long time. They went separate ways after that fight on the birth of the New Year. Their friendship died after Lillian discovered Diego's ugly past with Giselle. Since then, they never spoke to each other. Lillian never answered his texts or calls. Regardless of him trying hundreds of times, trying to reach out to Lillian so he could explain himself and make peace. He did selfishly wish to take her back from Giselle initially. However, as Lillian kept ignoring his contact, Diego's intention accepted its defeat as his desire changed to at least maintain his friendship with Lillian. He didn't want to get abandoned by her. Therefore, Diego waited. This was his only chance to save his relationship with Lillian besides getting banished from her life. And Diego wanted to make use of it carefully.

Meanwhile, Lillian had already failed to keep her promise with Giselle, which was to stop with one glass of drink. Lillian slowly ascended to a state of delusions, where she imagined Lia's bullying continued to affect the little girl. It reaches their family and destroys their peace. The painted picture terrified Lillian out of her gloom. She looked around to find Diego's presence, clearly grabbing her away from the nightmare. It was then she got reminded of how this guy, who was sitting by her side, used to warn Lillian over and over again. Whenever Lillian dated a girl, Diego got mad. He always asked her to pick a man.

It was a fancy bar where couples and friends gathered to drink and celebrate. Lillian glanced around once again to find that she couldn't find a single pair of lovers of the same sex. The reality burned a hole in her heart. Why do her feelings get ostracized by society?

Why can't people understand that her love for Giselle was just as similar to feelings between a man and a woman?

Why are people like her somehow getting bullied and humiliated for their preference?

Does that mean her love for Giselle is fake?

Does that mean her love for Giselle isn't valid and respectable?

Does romantic feelings between two women or two men considered to be a sin?

If so, who said only men and women should fall in love?

Is there a rule to follow whom we should desire?

Lillian had endless questions to scream out of her lungs, but none came out except a surrendering acceptance.

"Now, I understand what you meant," she whispered her words dizzily.

"What?"

"The society doesn't let you live in peace when you are- a bit different? Isn't it?" Lillian uttered.

"Why- What happened?"

Lillian faltered, questioning herself why she was talking to her enemy now. Wasn't there anyone else to share these emotions?

'Why did it have to be Diego?'

Lillian pondered why she stubbornly chose to leave Giselle, only to meet this guy who was the cause of her despair. Still, he was once a guy she trusted and turned to whenever there was sadness. What these two shared for many years naturally guided Lillian to share her troubles with Diego. Despite being tormented by the comfort he built, Lillian tried to restrain herself from reaching out to him. However, her emotions played otherwise.

"Lia got bullied at school, and I didn't know until today. I thought she at least received some extra attention, but it seems that some took the chance to tease her," Lillian admitted against her will.

"What for?" Diego inquired.

"For our relationship, duh! For my relationship with Giselle."

It was expected. Diego knew where this was going because he had pictured Lillian in this state long ago.

"Didn't I warn you?" he remarked.

"You did, traitor."

It was painful to see Lillian wear thick skin and act cruelly. But nothing came close to the wound he carried in his heart. The loss of an acquaintance from his treachery.

"Well, weren't you so confident you wanted to be with Giselle," Diego replied, fighting back for himself.

"I did, and I will."

"Then? Why does it bother you now? It never did in the past."

"Exactly! It never did in the past, yes, I know. It never did in the past because- I never cared what others thought of me. But now, I fear that Giselle might get hurt because of me."

Lillian worried that her recent fame might ruin her relationship with Giselle, causing her to suffer.

"Well, that's given to your relationship," Diego replied heartlessly.

"Asshole. Traitor."

Hearing it the second time hurt Diego just as it did the first. Yet, it never stopped him from reaching out to Lillian Grey.

"Idiot," Diego mumbled to turn away.

"Excuse me? I didn't threaten people selfishly. I didn't backstab a good friend." Lillian recalled to blame.

"That hurts!"

"It should. I meant for it."

Diego went back to being muted. The two refused to talk to each other anymore. Even if Diego wanted to, he couldn't withstand hearing insults coming straight from Lillian. Nevertheless, his decision to give some space hopefully let Lillian calm down. Diego maintained the silence as Lillian's trouble sank with him. Unlike her, he wasn't feeling dizzy. So, Diego was able to understand what Lillian was going through. Seeing her sad had always left him speechless. He rarely helped Lillian because he never knew what to do with the anger that boiled within him from hating Giselle. That's why he left the job to Anna. However, right now, Anna wasn't there to help. Besides, it was his only chance with Lillian. Diego couldn't accept what he was trying to achieve, but he chose to do it anyway.

Giselle was his enemy. She was the one who took Lillian away from him. It's because of her existence that Lillian never settled with someone else or moved on. Even after being away for several years, Giselle still managed to win over Lillian today, something that Diego couldn't accomplish all these years. Lastly, Giselle and Lillian are together. Lillian's wish came true, and now, she looks in pain from facing the harsh reality.

Diego wanted to leave. He would rather disappear than utter what was running inside his head. He denied it with all his might. Nonetheless, the kind of guy he used to be was still alive to let him walk the path of truth. After all, he wanted to cheer for Lillian since they met as grumpy middle school kids.

"How long do you think it took Giselle to stop caring about others?" Diego spoke.

"What?"

"She's been like that since young, so you're only seeing the reality now. But unlike you, she had always faced such things, including me. Anyways, none of that is my problem. It's yours."

It struck Lillian in shock to hear him take Giselle's side for once. She remained speechless from seeing him address the struggles Giselle faced throughout her life.

"Hell, right! It's mine," she returned loudly.

After realizing what Diego meant, Lillian could make sense of her situation. Somehow his words sparked hope within her, and she felt a little grateful to him.

"I get it. That's why I don't want her to get hurt. I just want to be with her forever- happily. And, I hope Lia stays strong. She is stronger than me. She will whoop your butt Diego- if she ever comes to know what you did to Giselle. She will hate you more than anything," Lillian ranted to her drunken thoughts.

Meanwhile, Diego thought of the child. Seeing his face, Lillian discovered that somehow Diego was past his secret feelings for her. It was obvious that he looked forlorn. Not the Diego she used to know. This guy looked weak and broken down mentally.

"So what's your deal? Finally admitting the crimes and repenting your sins now?" Lillian inquired casually.

"No. It stays with me."

"Good for you," Lillian murmured, only to rage again at him.

"You idiot. I used to trust you so much- I don't care if people think you are rude, but you were always gentle with us. Why aren't you accepting Giselle?" she grunted,

"I would have been happier if you had accepted Giselle!" Lillian revealed.

At that moment, Diego realized maybe his dislike towards Giselle had also pushed Lillian to stray away for too long. He could have easily controlled Lillian whenever she went astray following Giselle's absence. But he never did and remained quiet like a shadow behind Anna, who worked most of the time taking care of her.

Thinking about it now, Diego felt guilty. He had been feeling guilt-ridden a lot these days. And going to therapy somehow lets him continue with his daily life. His therapist strongly advised him to stay away from alcohol, but he begged to get a hall pass once a week. On top of that, he was only allowed to consume less amount.

Diego was already done with his limit for this week, and he looked over at Lillian to find her drunken to the point of falling over the counter to start snoring. She kept mumbling to herself, repeating why Diego never accepted Giselle and how she never expected to turn out like this for them.

It was a pitiful sight to witness but also tragic for Diego.

"Geez… would you look at that?" he groaned.

Diego then paid for the drinks. Since Lillian got hammered, it was up to him to drop her home.