376 Christmas Eve - Part 4 - Lillian and Diego - Dinner at the Eberto's house!

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*****

The ruined castle reeked of darkness, and blood rains streamed everywhere. Dead bodies of foul creatures and night ravens eating their carcasses embodied a bloodied battle. Moreover, Lillian grew weak after killing all of the demon king's subordinates, and her attacks are not working on the final big boss. To her great despair of losing this fight, eventually, the demon king unsheathed his sword with utmost ominous vigor and swung with all his might.

"Argh!"

Lillian shrieked as she opened her eyes to a completely different scene.

It was supposed to be a simple nap, but it turns out that Lillian was busily invading the demon king's castle and fighting a death match with him in her dream.

She woke up inside a modern dwelling. It was spacious yet secluded. An upgraded atmosphere with comfort and-

There was no demon king!

"This is- my place!"

She finally woke up to realize all that was a dream. The frightful shriek had given her a heavy head, and she stroked it to ease.

Looking around in search of something, she then saw her mobile on the coffee table. Its screen flashed with signals. She reached out to grab and check.

There were several missed calls from Diego, along with his many more messages.

Even while noticing it, she received a new message, and it read-

"Why are you ignoring me, Lillian? Please tell me what's going on? Are you not coming to the dinner?"

Lillian wondered after reading his frantic text.

'Di- nner."

"Dinner!"

"Dinner?"

"D- Dinner!!"

Lillian realized that it is still Christmas Eve. The memories reentered to her cognizance. She remembered going out to meet Shane in the morning to get something for her evening dinner with Diego's parents. She recalled meeting Jenna there, and they all had fun times.

After returning home, Lillian fell on the couch to take a nap and ended up snoring her way to invade the demon king's castle.

Rushing out to check the time, it was sharp at six in the evening.

She was supposed to get there before seven. Lillian panicked to remember that she hasn't taken a shower since morning and still smell sweaty from visiting the market.

Just as worry overtook her, her mobile rings to her alarm.

It was Diego who's calling.

Lillian hesitated before answering.

"What's up, best buddy!" she greeted brightly.

"Lillian!" Diego screamed.

He soon realized his erupting roar might scare Lillian when she finally chose to answer his call.

"I- I'm sorry!" he apologized right away to question why hasn't his calls been answered.

"What're you saying? I'm busily getting ready here! After all, I'm meeting your parents after a long time! I wanted to look presentable," Lillian replied enthusiastically, not missing a beat or showing any trace of dullness despite waking up just a few minutes ago. Her reliable choice of words moved Diego to buy her act.

"Alright- well, it doesn't hurt to answer a call, right! It's not like I'm going to disturb your grooming time!" Diego countered, feeling guilty for raising his voice earlier.

Lillian dared not to mess up her effort in successfully persuading her best friend. She remained quiet to let Diego control the conversation. Soon, to him feeling regret, he withdrew his anger to let Lillian continue to get ready.

"Thanks, Diego! I'll make sure to look pretty tonight!" she reassured him.

"You are already- pretty enough!" Diego remarked shyly.

"Am I? Anyways, I'll meet you soon!"

Lillian urged to end the call quickly before she gets to waste any more time now.

As soon as the call ended, Lillian sprang out of her comfortable couch and rushed upstairs to her room. She assembled a neat dress from her closet. Donna loves seeing Lillian wear a pretty skirt and blouse, so Lillian chose a white blouse and red-colored A-line bottom. She ran to the bathroom to take a quick cold shower despite hating them during winters.

***

Meanwhile, Diego already reached his parent's place to wait for Lillian Grey.

Seeing how his endless worry finally resolved, his face still showed signs of anxiety. Probably because of his secret oath to confess his love tonight after dinner. Although he had considered expressing his emotions several times, they were all decided half-heartedly or out of pity. However, tonight, he sincerely wishes to reveal his true feelings for his long-time best friend.

Tonight's biggest hurdle would be finding the right time. Diego knew that he couldn't do anything after Lillian arrived. His mother, Donna, would keep Lillian to herself, chatting forever. The only chance he would get is after they had dinner.

Diego prepared himself to be on alert, finding the right moment after dinner to escort Lillian somewhere private and finally reveal his true feelings.

All of these thoughts only hurt his head, yet it should be worth holding back all these years. His anxiety has been getting stronger throughout the day to makes him slightly clumsy. Even Donna's voice didn't reach him.

"Diego!" Donna patted his back to wake him up from his dull state.

"Uh? Yes," Diego answered to finally notice his mother standing behind him, looking somewhat concerned.

"What happened? Did Lillian answer yet?" Donna asked.

"Ah- mom, Aah- Yeah, she did! We just got off the phone. She was getting ready busily and couldn't answer, that's why-" Diego stuttered his response.

Donna noticed how his son seems to appear queer than any of the times. His face screamed his anxieties, and it affected his mother.

"Why don't you join us downstairs!" Donna invited.

Seeing how his mother's crumpled face worried for him, Diego obeyed to agree. He convinced her to leave first, and soon he would join his father in the living room.

Coming downstairs, Diego saw his father sitting alone, drinking his hot-buttered rum and watching television. He joined him to give a company and waited until his special guest arrives.

***

Lillian reached a little late after seven because of the traffic. She never spent too much time getting ready and rushed out to drive quickly. However, the holiday celebration packed the roads with bustling cars, delaying her arrival. Fortunately, she didn't reach too late but managed to make it around the edge and save herself from getting chewed out by both mother and son.

***

"Hey, Diego!" Lillian greeted with running puffs, hinting how she raced her journey to arrive fashionably late.

It was Diego who answered the doorbell. His harsh stare greets gasping Lillian Grey, suspiciously watching her pant heavily.

"Don't be mad! I'm here finally!" Lillian spoke to appeal.

Diego's face softens from seeing her struggle terribly, and he sighed to welcome his special guest inside.

"Thanks! I hate to admit, but I did fell asleep!" Lillian whispered the truth to admit answering the call after waking up late from what's supposed to be a short nap.

"I knew it!" Diego grunted under his breath fumingly.

"Sorry! So don't sell me out to your parents!" Lillian patted him on his shoulders to plea and assumed that he would heed her request to walk ahead.

"Lillian, wait-" Deigo called out.

Lillian halted to wait.

"Ah- I'm glad that you're here!" he humbly spoke that it surprised Lillian.

"What do you want, Diego? Did you already tell Donna that I slept- wait, I just told you, there's no way she would know-"

"Lillian-"

Lillian stopped talking.

"Can we talk after dinner- privately?" he asked.

Lillian was not sure what concerns this formal appeal, but she agreed to it.

Diego nodded to let her go first.

Lillian enters the living room to meet Diego's father, Clemente Eberto, who's watching classic television Christmas specials with his drink. Diego shortly joined them.

Lillian moved to greet Clemente, wishing him for the holidays. Just as Lillian chatted with Mr. Eberto, Mrs. Eberto, Diego's mother, enters the living room to find tonight's guest finally making her appearance.

Donna Eberto, Diego's mother, prepared snacks as soon as she heard the doorbell ring. She stepped into the living room with a tray full of bite-sized food for everyone. Placing it on the coffee table, she went to embrace Lillian with a tight hug.

"Oh, dear! How long has it been!" Donna greeted to kiss and shower Lillian with love. She cupped her face to study those matured features and admired how she has grown over the years.

Lillian smiled to free herself to parade her attire.

"I wore this for you, Donna! Do I look pretty?" she twirled around in her pretty red skirt.

"You always look beautiful in skirts. I used to say that, right?"

Lillian nodded with a full smile to stop swirling around.

"The last time I saw you was at Anna's wedding, and that's it!" Donna said to frown dejectedly.

Growing old has clearly made her more adorable to resist. Donna had taken the role of a mother ever since their families grew closer.

Lillian began to feel guilty for ignoring this lovable woman. She coaxed her words pleasingly to make sure that she had them in her heart always.

Pleased Donna, kissed Lillian on her forehead again to make her sit down first. Meanwhile, Clemente had already set up the drinks for his guest. He poured Lillian a glass of hot-buttered rum.

Lillian seated comfortably to receive special treatment and extreme care under the Eberto family's presence. Clemente returned to join with his son as the three sipped the holiday drink. Meantime, Donna went back to the kitchen to set up the dinner table. Before leaving, she urged everyone to taste the snackable while she arranges dinner.

Lillian had three sips of the delicious hot buttered rum before excusing herself to go and help Donna.

Diego smiled to let her go.

**

"What are you doing here?" Donna asked the sight of meeting Lillian enter the kitchen.

"Just helping! Like old times!" Lillian replied coolly.

Donna beamed to pass the cutleries as Lillian arranged them neatly on the table.

"Smells good, Donna!" Lillian sniffed the air to remark.

"Ah! Special dinner for you!" Donna remarked.

Lillian grinned foolishly to continue setting up the table.

"How's dad?" she asked after noticing how quiet Donna acted around. She anticipated a thousand questions from Edwin's best friend already, but sensing how she remained silent meant something else.

"You know I should be the one asking you that question! How is your father?" Donna returned.

"But you guys are friendly rivals! You two often speak than I do! So?" Lillian confronted her directly.

"I can't seem to fool you easily, do I?" Donan exclaimed, knowing how her silence can deliver its message.

"That's correct! I spoke to your old man this morning!" Donna admits to Lillian's expectation. She grunted from remembering their thick friendship despite living far from each other.

"So, how is he doing for Christmas?" Lillian inquired.

"He is doing- good, but surely misses you!" Donna reported.

"Did he say that?"

"I got him to spill it!"

Only Donna could make the stubborn old Edwin Grey spew his worries out loud. As enthralled by their bond, Donna's voice intruded Lillian to confront her reasons for not visiting her father this year.

"You're tough! What's up with everyone this year! Anna, Diego, you- all are telling me to visit dad!"

"Holidays are best when you spend it with your family and loved ones!"

"Hmm..."

"Don't hmm... and carry this pot to the table. It's heavy!"

"For you? I don't believe it!" Lillian remarked to tease.

Donna bit her tongue in warning, and Lillian submitted to carry the heavy pot to the table. As she placed it carefully, she opened the lid to take a sniff.

It was Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup.

Lillian heard her tummy grumble.

"That's one loud grumble! Haha! Just wait a little more, and we can all enjoy good food! By the way, your father is also cooking a feast, if you haven't heard- for his fishing friends. They are all visiting Edwin to keep him company on Christmas Eve, which should be his daughter's responsibility!"

"Argh! I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'll visit him next year, I promise."

"Hmm... I hope so! He must be having fun with his friends already!"

"Good for him! Better company than his fool daughter," Lillian ridiculed herself for the moment.

"Oh, stop, he loves spending time with you. He only thinks that now you're all grown up, he wants to respect your freedom and is being a gentleman. I won't do that, nor do my husband. We would be furious with Diego if he stops visiting his parents."

"Wow!" Lillian gaped at Donna's sweet intimidation.

'Diego, you are so great! I admire you so much now!' she thought.

"All set! Call the men!" Donna announced.

Lillian walked out as she used to when they were kids. However, it's only Diego and his father this time, so she announced them to join the dinner table. Both men stood from their seats, stepping into the dining room, where in front of their sight was a table full of delicious food. Everyone took their seats to say a little prayer before diving into the spread.

***

There was hardly any space left free on the table as Donna outdid herself with the mouth-watering feast. Not knowing where to begin, everyone winked in awe, looking at each other at the dinner table.

Typically, the Christmas Eve dinner at Eberto's house has quite fascinating dishes, but the numbers usually stick to fit the number of people. However, tonight, even though there's only an added appearance by Lillian Grey, the number of dishes that arrived at the table increased drastically, not including the desserts.

The rumbling sound of tummy growls echoed around as drool started to arouse their appetite.

"Let's start with these pancakes!" Donna said to serve the roasted mushroom and bacon dutch baby.

The savory pancake paired with a side salad disappeared as soon as they landed on the clean, polished plates.

Donna smiled to signal the group to relish the food to their choices, relieving everyone at the same time.

Hypnotized from the spread in front of them, Diego, Lillian, and Mr. Eberto all appeared speechless until they got the signal from Donna to cater to their likings. The starving eyes and craving tummies approached the table with a hurdle. The hands followed an intuition to grab anything that caught their interest.

The lemon mashed potatoes brought out bright flavors when accompanying the meat dishes, especially the pork chops smothered in a buttery bourbon-molasses glaze. The thinly pounded boneless turkey breasts filled with seasonal fillings came with choices like fennel-apple, bacon-mushroom, or sausage-cornbread, giving an option to choose from the three.

Lillian liked the fennel-apple filling and devoured it heartily without holding back. But tonight's highlight is the main dish that Donna cooked with care, and it is a classic herbed chicken with beets and brussels. Bringing in the veggies along with the meat, Donna sliced the whole chicken into several pieces, serving everyone following their pork chops and turkey breasts.

"There's more for everyone, so don't rush and eat slowly!" Donna said to finish serving herself the last slice of the herbed chicken.

Everyone took a bite along with the vegetables to get showered under flavors.

"Every bite tastes so good, Donna! I'm slowly getting full here," Lillian cried happy tears.

Diego and Clemente followed her to add their appreciation to the lovely Donna, who worked hard to prepare this delicious meal.

As heartily as everyone ate with big smiles, Donna watched her son behave differently from before. His sneaking gaze kept peeking at Lillian Grey, hinting at his anxious demeanor. He acted nervous and excited around Lillian, matching her beat.

When Diego suddenly called his mother to inform her that Lillian is to join them on Christmas Eve dinner, Donna couldn't help but speculate the unexpected news. She wondered what happened all of a sudden between the two friends. Diego had never invited Lillian before. Even when Donna suggested the thought, he would brush off lazily without pursuing the idea. However, right now, she heard her son invite Lillian out of nowhere. Plus, his voice sounded serious when he spoke.

All these little details that Diego's mother noticed from before and now made her misjudge.

"I got it! You two are dating, right?" Donna revealed to shock everyone at the table.

"What?" Lillian gasped to stop eating at once.

Diego's face grew much horrified from his mother getting involved unexpectedly.

"Mama!" Diego groaned in his rare deep voice, calling out on her furiously.

"Is that true?" Clemente asked.

Diego stopped eating as well as his eyes caught Lillian's expression in dread. It appears that she seemed stupified but not uncomfortable.

"What's wrong? You two are dating, correct? That's why Diego invited Lillian!" Donna continued to add her assumptions frantically.

"No, Donna!" Lillian spoke to interrupt her from conceiving aimlessly.

"I'm not dating your son! And-"

Diego joined to admit that he invited Lillian since she was planning to spend Christmas alone this year. It bothered Diego to say these words since he did have hidden intentions behind requesting Lillian.

Diego began to sweat anxiously and worried if this little blunder by his mother might ruin his plan to confess. He kept glancing at Lillian's side, only to find her holding composure.

From what it appears that she was justly smiling while clarifying the whole mess to Clemente.

Diego relaxed and sighed to find his mother completely heartbroken by Lillian's reply. As much as he wished to tell her the truth behind his love for Lillian, still, it might be wrong because of the atmosphere.

Diego didn't want to entertain anything that could potentially threaten his hidden motive for tonight. Hence, he turned a blind eye to his mother's sad face, praying that the subject should change soon to make Lillian forget this whole mess.

"Why don't you then?" Donna spoke again to silence the tense atmosphere.

Both Lillian and Diego's faces grew dark from hearing. They looked at each other, appalled. Lillian laughed at such an absurd suggestion. Diego played along with her to resolve the breaking-out chaos.

"Donna- What are you saying?" Lillian said to laugh out loud, regarding it for a joke.

"Am I suggesting anything weird here?" Donna sternly spoke to shut the roaring laughter.

"You two have been best friends for a long time enough to understand each other well. Also, I see how the two of you don't show any interest in dating. Look at Anna! She found a good partner and got married happily. Her parents have nothing to worry about, but look at us-" Donna resigned wearily.

"By the way, when I said 'us,' it includes Edwin as well," she added to stare at Lillian.

"I don't think my father worries about me, Donna!" Lillian chuckled to reply.

"I'm sure he is, dear! No parents would ignore their kids, especially when they are at the age of getting settled down."

"Hmm," Clemente added to show his support.

"We're doing fine, mom, and please- stop talking-" Diego, who sat across Donna, cut in to end the conversation.

"Don't shush me, Diego! You're fine now, but you need someone in life. Everyone does! You cannot stay alone forever."

Donna paused to turn to Lillian, who sat next to her.

"My son will take care of you well, Lillian. You know that right! He will respect your freedom and-"

"Mom, please!" Diego raised his voice, knowing as his mother crossed the line.

"Lillian?" Donna refused to heed her son's rage and kept pushing Lillian to a corner.

"She is right!" Clemente finally spoke up to join his wife's rally.

His addition to the conversation only made it worse for Diego and Lillian. Both kept glancing at each other in need of a solution to escape from getting dragged into this pitfall. No matter how much they try to convince the elders, it was simply impossible to persuade them. Slowly, Lillian began to get bothered with the whole situation. However, she was restraining herself from getting annoyed at Diego's parents.

"Donna, it doesn't work that way-" Lillian appealed to make her stop.

"Then, make it work! You two are good friends, so try going out on dates," Donna appealed more.

"Donna!"

"Mother!"

Lillian and Diego were losing their patience faster than expected.

"I thought she was joking or wrong, but this makes sense. If you two have no interest in others, then why not start to show interest to each other," Clemente followed to speak out his opinion.

"Alright! That's enough. I'm not going to date Diego," Lillian loudly declared from having enough of dragging this pointless subject.

Her sharp words stopped everyone from advancing.

"I'm not!" Lillian repeated.

"He- is my best friend, Donna. You two should know that. You've seen us over the years. I'm not going to start dating Diego just because I'm alone at my age- this is ridiculous!" Lillian erupted.

"And, you don't need to worry about Diego either. I'm sure there is someone for him as well. But if he is not showing any interest, then let him be. You shouldn't force someone to love because it never ends well," Lillian gasped from bursting out.

"Okay- Okay! I apologize. I'm sorry, dear. Let's- let's eat. You are visiting us after a long time- what am I blabbering about dating? Please eat- let's not talk about that anymore," Donna realized to withdraw quickly. Of course, she felt discouraged from seeing how it ended. Still, she seemed glad to have attempted. After all, his son has been in her worries for a long time.

"What your mother said isn't a crime. There are couples who got married after staying best friends for years. She is only worried about her stupid son and his best friend, staying single forever. Anna has someone now! Be it good or bad- she can face it with him. But you cannot remain alone forever. It will be exhausting to find that people around you finding happiness through love and family when you're still single," Clemente explained to justify his wife's conduct.

Nonetheless, his continuation received a stern glare from his wife, Donna.

"Alright! We're sorry if we made you uncomfortable, Lillian. Let's enjoy this dinner now," he added to retreat immediately.

**

Seeing how both Donna and Clemente's faces shrink from withdrawing, Lillian felt sorry for getting enraged. She sighed to herself, feeling the need to make peace with the elders before they get disheartened.

"I'm actually seeing someone-" Lillian revealed openly to fill the dead silence.

Startled by the sudden confession, Donna and Clemente looked up at the same time. They saw her not touching the food, and the few remaining pieces of the herbed chicken sat still on the plate, getting cold.

"What?" Clemente gaped.

"Is it true?" Donna followed.

Meanwhile, Diego was the only one who didn't react since he knew the story behind Lillian's confession. The hand holding his knife and fork clenched tightly. His heart pounded from fearing if Lillian is going to admit here that she is already dating Giselle. From his knowledge, he knew that the two hadn't reached that stage yet. He waited patiently to pray that wasn't the case. If so, then his opportunity to confess could fail miserably.

"Wow, that is good news. You should have said so already, Lillian. Now I feel bad for saying such things to you. I'm so sorry, dear," Donna revealed.

"No, it's okay! I felt bad, so that's why I'm telling you- Donna, you don't need to worry about me," Lillian replied.

"Then, I hope it's going good then- you're relationship?" Clemente inquired.

"Almost! I am staying loyal so, I hope that person can soon come back to me!" Lillian confessed.

Diego, who remained quiet, finally released his tight grip to continue eating. He had assumed that the worst, but hearing how things are still the same between Lillian and Giselle, his hopes returned. He still has the opportunity to confess his love tonight.

"Oh, they will, dear. Don't you worry! You are a great person. Who can resist your charms, say?" Donna cheered with a warm smile that seems to wear out when her gaze fell at her son.

Diego knew that he felt his mother's gaze on him, keen and piercing. He held back from talking back to her. Instead, he glanced at Lillian, glaring coldly for several reasons.

"What?" Lillian asked innocently.

"Why are you saying irrelevant things!" Diego groaned at her begrudgingly.

Lillian mistook Diego's harsh stare for selling him out like that. Since she had admitted being sincere in a relationship, it now leaves Diego alone in the spotlight to get targeted by his parents. Lillian felt sorry for his state. But as a friend, she chose to aid him in his tight spot.

"Donna, you shouldn't worry about Diego too. I think he'll be fine soon!" she cheered the worried mother.

Donna sighed to shook her head in distress.

"I'm sure he would find someone pretty!" Lillian supported.

"I hope so! He is not getting any younger now, is he?" Clemente uttered to finish his herbed chicken and veggies.

"Dad!" Diego raged at his father for his rude comment. Donna and Lillian chuckled.

"Now, now, calm down! Your father is right, buddy!" Lillian joined teasing.

"Donna, you should ask Anna's help in this matter. She had a lot of contacts and could help set your son with someone trustworthy!" Lillian added to inform, for which she received a hard kick from Diego under the table.

Lillian whimpered mutely to hide the pain and smiled proudly at her best friend.

Diego continued to stare at her coldly, feeling tormented underneath.

"Yes. Yes, let's do that, but now, there's still more to taste! Look, Diego, I made your favorite! Lillian too-"

Donna said to pass the Shrimp chowder and pumpkin paste. The rest of the dinner went pretty calm, with occasional conversations elected by Clemente, who talked about Lillian's latest book and her recent publicity. Soon, the tension between everyone ceased to fade, and the rejoicing mood returned as Lillian gloated about visiting Deigo's school event. Her engrossed praise about how Diego shone in his job pleased the listeners. Donna couldn't be more proud of her son, and Clemente looked as if he knew that Diego would follow his legacy to serve the school diligently.

Dinner ended smoothly with everyone filling their tummies with delicious meals and fancy desserts. After spending some quality time with the family, Lillian decides to retire.

Diego invited her to spend the night, but Lillian respectfully declined. Having said long farewell to both Donna and Clemente, who apologized again for being intrusive. They assumed that Lillian was still single and hence thought of suggesting the two best friends to date. However, after hearing the truth, they regretted entertaining such a proposition. They requested Lillian to forgive and hope that her friendship with their son wouldn't change because of their trivial misunderstanding.

Lillian reassured that she never mistook their good intentions and was aware of their concern to ensure only for the better.

Donna and Clemente asked Lillian to stay in touch and visit them often. She agreed to obey and finally bid her goodbye. The couple remained in the living room while Diego escorted her to send off.

Stepping outside, it was rather chilly. Lillian had worn her winter jacket perfectly to protect herself. The two friends stood in silence, awkward to start a conversation after experiencing such a twist at the dinner table.

Minutes passed as Lillian waited as promised earlier. However, Diego should no sign of interest in any conversation. Lillian pondered if Diego had forgotten it already.

Unlike Lillian, Diego knew that it was his time, a perfect opportunity to confess his love finally. He had no one disturbing them, except for his poor mother, who dropped a surprise earlier.

Regardless, the current atmosphere made him extremely nervous, and he was struggling with how and where to start. To his desperation, he thought of using his mother's shocking misunderstanding to his aid. That way, he could suggest that it is not a bad idea for two best friends to date each other eventually. He hoped that this could lead him to confess his love conceivably.

He glanced at Lillian to find her gentle face showing no trace of disinterest. Even when his mother suggested wildly, Lillian never showed any hostility. To his own conjectures, Diego determined to speak out.

"It- is not a bad idea!" he spoke casually.

"What is?" Lillian asked, her face still facing the sky above as she spoke.

Diego flinched from her disregarded relapse. As he strived to open his mouth, Lillian volunteered for his sake to admit if he was referring to his mother's proposal.

"It's a pretty good idea, isn't it?" Diego hinted smoothly.

"Come on, Diego! Don't you dare joke about it!" Lillian replied.

She still appeared normal, not resenting the topic, nonetheless.

"I'm not! But, why not give it a try!" Diego muttered.

Seeing him still sticking with the same topic, Lillian playfully hit him to stop talking nonsense. Diego played along to receive her soft punches, but it made him very timid at the moment. Sensing how he kept an eye out, finding for the right moment to confess his love, his mind raked every second, contemplating if it is now or never! Meantime, Lillian stopped punishing him and stood by his side.

"You know that I'm trying to get back together with Giselle, right!" she declared.

Diego's fear quivered when he heard the name of his foe. His temper seemed to drop at the mention of Giselle.

"Lillian, we have talked about this!" he uttered, feeling exhausted.

"I understand, but I know what I'm doing!" Lillian replied to admit sincerely.

Diego becomes annoyed how every time Giselle gets involved in between them. Even at this moment, despite her absence, she is still dearer than Diego could ever get.

"Giselle this- Giselle that- Giselle- Giselle!!" Diego grunted under his breath, his anger ruling his unstable state.

Startled from his moaning, Lillian grew surprised.

"Do you really think that you can get a chance with her! She doesn't like you anymore, Lillian. Why don't you see that!" Diego raged furiously.

Lillian quietly watched him in a daze.

"How long are you going to keep on dreaming? Can't you see that you are wasting time with her!"

"I am not, Diego!" Lillian interrupted to stop him from overstepping the bounds.

"I am not wasting my time. Also, I'm going to dream about Giselle as long as I live! Let me say this- no one else can replace Giselle or take her place in my heart. I love her!" Lillian declared.

"I certainly don't understand what got into you! But I don't like seeing this side of you!" she exclaimed confusedly, then bidding her farewell to withdraw. Nonetheless, Diego stopped her from leaving.

"I have something to confess!" he stuttered to admit finally.

"Is it important?" Lillian asked.

Diego couldn't find the courage to say after seeing Lillian's face drenched in disinterest. It hurt his pride to be in a position where he had to beg her to listen to him.

"I am not sure if it's important to you!" he replied abstractedly.

"Then I suppose it's nothing important," Lillian sternly responded.

"Thank you for inviting me tonight. It was great to meet your parents after a long time and please thank Donna for feeding me delicious food. I'll make sure to brag about it to my father, and- take care, Deigo,"

"Goodnight!" Lillian said to leave at last.

Diego stood there frozen from hating himself more than ever. Despite having the perfect chance to confess, he blew it off from getting influenced by Giselle. No matter how much he cursed at the turn of events, he couldn't help from pitying himself for openly getting rejected again and again even before revealing his honest feelings.

Disappointed, defeated, and feeling dead inside, Diego sat down on the steps to cover his face underneath. At the sight of a blackout, his eyes got teary. No longer was he feeling nervous or his heart pounding anxiously, but his body ached all over to feel the fatigue from carrying this burdened love for a long time.

Under the silent night, Diego cried mutely all alone.

***

Lillian carelessly drove her car from Eberto's house. The path she chose guided her to reach a strange place.

Lillian found herself arriving at Giselle's apartment. She parked her car across the building to stare outside quietly. She knew that Giselle isn't home, and so is Lia and Ethan. They are all celebrating Christmas with Giselle's parents.

Staring at the building made her miss Giselle even more. She wished for her to be present here with Lia so that Lillian could leave her car to rush to her side. The holiday chants echoing around the neighborhood heavily aroused Lillian's desire to meet Giselle and Lia. Still, no matter how much she yearns, there is no chance for such a happening.

Lillian imagined how everyone is currently spending Christmas Eve with their family and loved ones. Such a thought inferred her a strange idea, and she looked at the time. It was closer to getting midnight.

'I hope if I could get a ticket!' Lillian wondered if she shall surprise her father by visiting him.