That was a week ago.
After a while, I shook my head. What was I expecting to change between us if I were to wait? That he would suddenly wake up one morning and realize that he was in love with me?
Wake up, Diana, I reminded myself.
In front of me was the man who was willing to love me and risk for me. I had spent eight years of my life under the illusion that Alexis would one day return my feelings for him. But if that were to happen… then it would have already taken place years ago.
What if I end up losing everything just because I pushed this and still waited for him?
I didn’t want to wait for another eight years expecting a miracle.
I was done waiting.
A smile curled my lips as I watched how buckets of sweat formed on Jake’s forehead. It was cold but he was sweating profusely. He was in love with me. I could see it in his eyes. I should know. I mean I was once like that too with Alexis.
I’d seen that same expression in my eyes whenever I would look in the mirror and think about my best friend.
My heart was unbelievably calm. There was no doubt or uncertainty in my chest. It was like I was on a boat ride on a sunny day where everything was just… peaceful, smooth-sailing, and bright. And I felt my heart’s desire to love again and to be loved this time.
Slowly, I nodded.
Jake’s face lit up along with his beautiful blue eyes. He rose and rushed to my side before he spun me around.
“Thank you so much! You won’t regret this, I promise! I love you so, Diana!”
I smiled genuinely and closed my eyes. It was not that hard to think about a future with Jake in it. He was important to me. And one day, I know I would feel more than that.

(Alexis)
SOMETHING had changed. I could not deny that while watching Diana walk towards me. We were inside the yacht I rented specially for tonight.
She used to be so excited at the thought of us being together. I would often see that on her face. But tonight, she was taking her time while she walked. She was not rushing as if she had all the time in the world to get to where I was at.
Diana was smiling at me but why did it feel like even her smiles had changed?
My heart pounded. I started to see things in a different view the moment I acknowledged my feelings for her. I could notice everything now. My heart was always racing each time I was with Diana but I only realized that now.
And again, that was because of my insecurities which had trapped me for such a long time.
“If I didn’t know we were best friends, I might have thought you were proposing tonight,” Diana said in a playful voice. “But because we are best friends, do you know what I’m thinking? That you wanted to check out this venue with me all for that special someone in your life.”
Diana glanced around as if she was looking for something or someone. “And because you are normally nervous at times like this, you would require my presence here. That’s my purpose here, isn’t it? So, where is the girl, Axis? Is it Lea?” She returned her gaze to me. “Don’t tell me it’s another woman because I would really smack you. You just broke up not too long ago, Serrano.” She glared at me. “Did you already find someone new?”
I was about to smile but it faded when I heard her say those words. “Why? Didn’t you ever think that being here is possible between us too? That there are no other people involved and I just really wanted you here?”
My heartbeat thudded in my head as she glanced around. There was a band playing on one corner. On her way here, there was a red carpet and on the center of the yacht, there was a table for two.
“To be honest? No,” Diana answered after a few seconds of silence. “So, don’t you dare try to play a prank on me, Serrano. I know you. First of all, everything is beautiful, Axis. Everything was romantically arranged so it was really hard to think that this could be for the two of us. The stars, the violins, the table, the carpet and… you.” She pointed her finger at me. “I’ve never seen you wear a three-piece suit before. But I admit I once dreamt of this back when we were in college… when I fell in love with you.”
Diana winked at me. “Yes, I once fell for you, Axis. Don’t look at me like that. The romantic ambiance just makes me want to say it now. But don’t worry. That was all in the past. You are a hundred percent safe with me now.”
And then she laughed.
Diana closed her eyes and spread her arms open as if she was fantasizing about something. While I just stood there, unable to move. I didn’t know which one of the things she said I should focus on. Was it the idea that I had never given her the possibility to think that there could be an us? Or in the idea that she had gotten over her feelings for me.
It was the first time Diana confessed those things to me. Was it really a sign that she had moved on?
“You are a hundred percent safe with me now.” That sentence rang in my ears. That was the problem. I didn’t want to be safe. Not anymore.
“So, what do you really want to say, Axis?” Diana asked when she opened her eyes. “If you are going to propose, I don’t want Lea to see me here. You better hurry so I could go and leave the both of you in peace. Was this your way of winning her back?”