"But still my favorite."
"That's because I'm your only daughter." She laughed softly.
"I don't care." He brushed her off. "You haven't answered my question."
She ran the tip of her tongue over her lips. "I'm fine, dad."
"And how is Felix?"
Diamond squeezed her eyes shut, biting her lower lip. Her parents don't know about the breakup yet. They really like Felix and rooted for their relationship. They will surely be disappointed if they find out the truth. Well, her father will be disappointed in Felix while her mother will always be disappointed in her.
Diamond love her father so much and even in school, she was tagged as 'daddy's girl' not like she cared. But as for her mother? They weren't that close.
"He's...fine." She simply answered.
"I have not been hearing from him lately. Hope all is good between you two?"
Diamond forced out a 'yes'
"When are you two going to come around?"
"Dad, please not this again." Diamond grumbled.
"Don't you miss me?"
"I miss you so much, dad but I have a life now."
There was a long pause at the other line.
"What about the company, princess?"
"Are we really going to have this conversation now?"
"You are my only child. That company legally belongs to you so why are you hellbent on becoming a writer?"
"Dad, I don't want to disappoint you or let you down, you know that, right?"
"Yeah."
"And I know you really want the best for me and I appreciate but I don't want to depend on you forever. I want to make my own money."
"You keep refusing my help."
"I want to make you proud."
"You will make me proud if you come down here and take charge of the company."
"Being a CEO isn't my thing." She sighed. "I love writing."
"Okay, you can at least stop refusing my help and money?"
"You've done enough already. Because of you, I can never get broke even though I don't work for five years. I am fine." She said.
"If you don't spend my money, who will?"
"Your wife?"
Rhodes laughed. "You mean, your mother."
"Yeah, yeah."
"I made money for you not for your mother or myself. You are my princess. My life. My everything. I love you so much and I want the best for you too."
"I know. But just let me do my thing, okay? And if it doesn't work out or I give up...I will come back home to take over the company."
"Promise?"
"Dad, you want me to give up?" Diamond chuckled.
"If that will bring you back home then...yeah." He laughed.
"Dad."
"Okay, I'm kidding. You are the true daughter of your father and I never give up."
Diamond nodded, grinning widely. "Me too."
"Good. Do you want to speak to your mother?"
"If she wants to speak to me, she would have called."
"Diamond_"
"Dad, let's talk some other time, okay?"
He let out a deep breath. "Alright dear."
"Love you."
"Love you more, princess."
"Kisses." She hung up.
Zara walked in.
"Hey babes."
"Hey."
"Who were you on the phone with?"
"Dad."
"Oh. I miss him so much!" Zara grinned.
"Me too."
"So what did he say? Wait, did you tell him?"
"Tell him...what?"
"About that cheating jerk."
"No."
"No?"
"You heard me."
"Why not? Your father of all people should get to know."
"I..." Diamond shrugged. "Dad really likes Felix and he was willing and ready to take care of the bills on our wedding day."
"Unfortunately, there is no wedding."
"Exactly why I couldn't bring myself to tell him."
"I'm sure he would have understand. And most importantly, he would have dealt with that idiot real hard. Felix is who he is today because of you and your family. And yet he had the nerves to cheat on you."
"Don't talk like that, Zara. Simply because we helped him doesn't mean we own his life."
"Technically...you do."
"Ugh, stop it. I don't." She muttered.
"But you know, your father will soon hear about it... sooner or later."
"I know."
"You really should have told him."
"Hmm." Diamond hummed.
"What about your mother, did you speak to her?"
"No."
"It's funny how you aren't close with your biological mother but rather, you are so close with your step father. I really admire you and your step-dad relationship."
Diamond smiled. "Me too."
Her phone beeped, it was a text message.
AMIR: ARE YOU COMING FOR THE PARTY?
Diamond groaned loudly, running her fingers through her hair.
Zara frowned at her. "Are you okay?"
"Amir wants me to come to this...party."
"Then go."
"You don't just say something like that. You know I hate parties."
"Oh please. You are a writer,,,you need to explore."
"And where does it state that writers need to explore?"
"You can check it up online."
"Whatever." Diamond hissed.
"Go for the party." Zara urged.
"Will you come with me?"
"Of course!" Zara answered.
"Thank you. What about Ayden?"
"He went out on a date."
"Another date? Again?"
"You know that guy is a man whore."
Party**
"How do I look?" Diamond asked for the tenth time, readjusting her dress.
"You look amazing, Diamond." Zara said.
"Thanks."
"Are you nervous?"
"A little."
"Don't be. I'm sure Amir is expecting you."
"Uh...i didn't tell him I was coming."
"Oh. You want to surprise him, I see." Zara winked.
"Stop it. Let's go inside."
They both went inside. Loud music blared through the four corners of the house. Alcohol and sweat filled the air.
Diamond looked around in search of Amir. She sighted his friend, the one she had met with him at the restaurant, his name is John.
"I think Amir is over there!" Diamond shouted over the loud music so that Zara could hear her.
"Okay. Let's go!"
They strolled towards the gathering and as soon as they got closer, Diamond mouth were left hanging open. Zara eyes widened in shock.
Amir and a girl were grinding each other aggressively as they kissed while the guys were cheering them on.
"Amir." Diamond called out.
They detached himself from the girl and quickly sprung up to his feet, gaping at Diamond.
He clearly wasn't expecting her to come around since she didn't reply his text message.
"Diamond_" He began but she held up her hand, shushing him up.
"Don't." She let out a deep breath. "Why am I not even surprised? You don't need to explain yourself to me, Amir. After all, we aren't dating so, you owe me no explanation."
"Listen,"
"Why?" She cut him off. "Why should I listen to you, hmm? I'm sorry for distracting you and your...girl. Continue, okay?" She turned to leave but he caught her wrist. "Let go."
"Please listen, I'm sorry."
She sniffled, fighting to hold on the tears. "You of all people should have known better than to do this to me...again. Why do I always end up with cheaters? Just why? Am I cursed or something?"
"I'm sorry."
She shook her head. "Don't apologize. I blame myself for coming here in the first place." She yanked her wrist from his grasp and walked away.
Zara turned to leave but stopped. "No. I can't leave like this." she grabbed a glass of whiskey from a table and splashed it on Amir's face. "I blame myself for rooting for you. I should never have convinced her to come here. Shame on you, Amir." She rushed out of the house.
Bff's Apartment**
"I'm craving for ice cream." Diamond grinned widely, skipping to the refrigerator. "Do you want some?"
"No." Zara slowly shook her head, giving Diamond a weird look. "Are you okay?"
"Why, don't I look okay?"
"You know it's okay to cry."
"Cry?" Diamond laughed. "Over a boy again? Nah. I'm way past that, okay?"
"You are hurting. I can see it."
"Actually, you are right. I am hurting. Not because of what happened tonight but because I shamelessly believe that love matters."
"Love does."
"Nonsense. Love is a predator. It looks for a prey to devour. It caught me once,,,I won't let it catch me again." She opened the ice cream and giggled. "I love strawberry flavor."
"What are you saying?"
"I said I love strawberry_"
"I'm not talking about that but what do you mean by...you won't let love prey on you again?"
Diamond simply shrugged, putting a spoonful of ice cream in her mouth.
"I'm done living in my belief. I'm done being a prey. It's time I become the predator." She paused. "Boys will always be boys, Zara. They won't change not now...or never."
"Are you saying...you want to be gay?"
"What? No. What I'm saying is,,,I'm done fucking with boys. Real men are the real deals."
"Who are you? And what have you done to my best friend?"
Diamond chuckled. "I am still your best friend but somewhat different. Can you stop talking now? I need to concentrate on my bowl of ice cream."