He was also sweet and thoughtful. He would often shower me with different gifts from flowers in the pots, chocolates, stuffed toys, and garden tools which I really loved. There were days when he’d even volunteer to help me fix things in our garden. He would even help me with the flowers that we bought together from different places.
And if only the people would know how nice it was to be with him, I was sure they would line up or would do anything to switch places with me.
Alexis never stopped trying to get to know me from my favorites to the things I disliked. There were times when we would just sit in one corner and talk about almost everything. He already knew my life story. And he told me this as well although to be honest, I first learned about his background from dad.
“As much as possible, I don’t want you to be friends with that Serrano guy, Diana,” I remembered dad saying after I introduced Alexis to him the first time. “I know his father. Even if he’s my business partner, I still don’t like him.”
“You know about Mister Serrano?” My brows furrowed. Alexis hadn’t mentioned anything about his parents to me yet. I guess he wasn’t ready to tell me about the people who made him wear his mask.
But I didn’t ask him about them.
I was waiting for him to tell me in his own time. At his own pace.
“You know how the business world works, sweetheart. You have to be familiar with the giants’ weakest links. The more you know, the better. You can use your knowledge about them and turn that into bullets to strike them when the time comes. Alexis’ father is Senator Alexander Guevarra. He’s one spineless man. And Alexis was his son to his other woman.”
My eyes widened from shock.
“As much as possible, I don’t want you to be associated with those kinds of people-“
“Alexis is a good person, dad,” I said in a defensive voice even if I was still shocked by what I just heard. “So, what if he’s from that kind of family? That’s not his fault. Whatever you say won’t stop me from being his best friend, especially now that I know what he’s going through.”
“Are you aware of what you look like right now, Diana?” Dad asked instead. He looked surprised.
“What?”
“You looked like you’re willing to fight with me if I get in between your friendship with Guevarra’s son.”
It took me a few seconds before I spoke, “Because I will, dad. Alexis is that important to me.”
Dad stared at me for a long time as if he was trying to read my mind. And then he heaved a sigh. “Fine. I can see that he has a good influence on you. You are smiling more these days. The only thing I don’t know whether I’d like is that bravery you are showing me, sweetheart.” Dad laughed for a moment as if he was amused before he turned serious again. “But one wrong move and I will kick him out of your life whether you like it or not.”
I was an obedient daughter. At least, that's what I know. I did whatever my parents asked of me. But Alexis was a different case. I would stand up for him because I knew he would do the same for me, too.
Even if we had only been friends for a couple of months, I felt that. I was able to prove that when he finally trusted me enough to open up about his family.
“Alexis doesn’t know that he’s hurting you, Diana. He’s innocent. I’m sure if he finds out that you’re crying for him, he’d freak out. He might even turn his own self into his enemy because of you,” Laurice said as if to comfort me.
I called her right after I came from the Serrano residence. For the first time in my life, I invited her to a bar. And now, a couple of drinks later, here I was, spilling my heart out.
Maybe I had gotten used to being the only girl in Alexis’ life that’s why it hurt like hell when I saw him with someone else. I forgot that I was only his best friend.
“Why don’t you try telling him you love him?”
“How are we supposed to tell our best friends that we fell in love with them without losing them?” I shot back.
“Well, on the other hand, isn’t this better? With your current relationship status, you get to keep Alexis for a long time. Aren’t best friends for the long term? If you’re his girlfriend, there won’t be any assurance that your relationship will last. This way, you won’t be like the girls he dated. As a best friend, you can be a permanent figure in his life.”
Permanent.
There was no doubt I wanted to be someone permanent in Alexis’ life. But what if I can’t get rid of my feelings for him? I was worried that the pain I’d feel would also become permanent.

(Alexis)
“I’M TRULY sorry, ma’am and sir. Your princess and I had a slight misunderstanding. I didn’t mean for any of these to happen. I promise I will do better next time,” I told Diana’s parents at the doorway.
I’d been restless the entire day after I found out from Renata that Diana came to visit this morning. I took a rough breath. Ever since we became friends, I’d never been with another girl. I didn’t even look at them anymore.
Diana’s presence in my life was more than enough for me.
It just so happened that after I dropped Diana off to her mansion last night, I saw the senator back home. And as usual, we had a big fight after he ordered me to work in his eldest son’s architectural firm once I graduated from college. He told me that he would personally recommend me to my brother.