Dianne slipped quietly through her bedroom window. She moved with the practiced stealth of someone used to defying rules. Once outside, she carefully climbed down the gate and hailed a taxi, deliberately leaving her phone behind so Seven couldn't track her.
When she arrived at the bar, she immediately scanned the crowd, spotting Miyuki and their group of friends.
"Hey, guys!" she called cheerfully, weaving through the crowd.
They spent the night drinking, laughing, and dancing under the pulsating lights, the music vibrating through the floor.
Meanwhile, back at the mansion, Seven knocked on Dianne's bedroom door. No answer. Frowning, he retrieved the duplicate key to her room.
Upon entering, he found the bed empty and the window wide open.
"Shit… she got away," he muttered. He grabbed her phone from the nightstand and dialed her number. It rang—somewhere beneath the pillows.
"Damn it," he cursed, pulling the phone from under her. Scrolling through her messages, he quickly figured out where she had gone and headed straight for his motorcycle.
.....
"Whooo! Party time!" Dianne shouted, twirling in the center of the dance floor.
"Bestie, I have to leave… we have a shoot tomorrow," Miyuki said reluctantly.
"Okay, take care!" Dianne replied, never breaking her dance rhythm.
Miyuki barely made it to the exit when she accidentally bumped into someone.
"Oops, sorry!" the young man said.
Miyuki froze. The man in front of her was breathtakingly handsome.
"I-I… it's my fault. I'm sorry," she stammered, flustered.
"I think I know you… Miyuki Funtabella, right?" he asked.
"Yes… and you are?"
"Drew Zake Parco," he replied smoothly.
Miyuki's eyes widened in disbelief. Drew Zake? The famous model from New York?
.....
Seven entered the bar moments later, scanning the crowd until he spotted Dianne in the middle of the dance floor, completely oblivious to him.
"Hi, Miss. You're… looking hot tonight," he said casually, stepping closer.
"So?" Dianne shot back, blinking at him, clearly unimpressed.
"Well, someone's bold," the man next to her murmured, reaching for her leg.
"Bastard!" Dianne slapped him across the face, her eyes flashing.
The man frowned, gripping her arm tightly. Dianne struggled, panicked.
"Let go of her!" Seven barked.
Both Dianne and the man froze. The man quickly released her, and Seven swooped in, grabbing Dianne and dragging her toward the exit.
"Ouch! You're hurting me!" she complained, kicking and struggling.
Seven shot her a deadly glare. "I told you not to leave! What if something bad had happened? Do you know how worried you make me?"
Dianne swallowed hard. The anger in his voice was terrifying.
A few moments later, his tone softened slightly. "Get in the car. We're going home."
She obeyed silently. The drive back was quiet… until halfway home, the car sputtered and came to a stop. Out of gas. Seven slammed the steering wheel in frustration.
They got out and waited for a taxi.
"Ugh, why is there no taxi!" Dianne groaned, impatient.
Minutes passed. Still nothing. Seven checked his phone, but the battery was dead. "No choice… we'll have to walk."
"What?! Walk? Seriously? I'm in heels!" she exclaimed, pointing to her stilettoed feet.
Without a word, Seven bent down and removed her heels, tossing them into the car.
"You expect me to walk barefoot?" Dianne shrieked.
"What do you want me to do—carry you?" he replied flatly.
Dianne had no choice. She stomped along the pavement, feet sore and red.
"Are we there yet? My feet are killing me!" she complained.
"Can you just shut up?" Seven muttered.
"Hey! Don't forget I'm your employer!" she shot back.
"You're not the one paying me, so walk faster," he said coolly.
"Ugh! You're impossible! I quit!" she huffed, sitting down on the curb.
"Get up," Seven commanded.
"No! It's dark, there are mosquitoes, rocks, it's cold, and you're with me! I'm not moving!" she shouted.
Seven grabbed her arm, pulling her upright.
"What? I said I'm not walking! My poise will be ruined!" she protested.
"One more complaint," Seven said, leaning close, "and I will kiss you."
"I'll—" Dianne never finished. His lips pressed against hers, and for a moment, she froze—stiff as a statue, caught completely off guard.
.....
Dianne froze, her mind blank, her heart hammering like a drum. She had never been kissed like that—forceful, yet not rough; commanding, yet deliberate. Her wide eyes stared at him as if expecting him to disappear, but Seven's calm, dark gaze held her in place.
"W-what are you doing?!" she stammered, finally finding her voice, though it trembled.
"You heard me," he said quietly, his tone deceptively gentle, like the eye of a storm. "One more complaint, and I'll do it again."
Dianne's cheeks flamed crimson. She shoved at his chest, more out of instinct than strength. "You—how dare you! I'm your employer! You can't just—just—"
"Employer?" Seven's lips quirked into a hint of a smirk. "I get paid by your father. He's the only one with that right. Remember?"
She gaped at him, caught somewhere between shock, anger, and a fluttering, confusing heat that she didn't understand.
"Y-you're impossible!" she spat, trying to sound indignant, but the words fell flat against the weight of his presence.
Seven didn't answer. He just reached down, slipping her bare foot into one of the heels he had removed earlier, and nudged her forward. His touch was deliberate, controlled, careful—but firm enough to remind her that he had the upper hand.
As they walked, Dianne kept glancing at him out of the corner of her eye. Seven's expression was unreadable, calm, almost untouchable. And that, more than anything, made her pulse race.
"You know," he said finally, voice low and smooth, "if you keep running, I'll always find you. And I won't just drag you home next time."
Dianne stiffened. "I—I'm not afraid of you!" she blurted, though her voice wavered.
Seven raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure?"
Her face heated further, and she clenched her fists. "I'll… I'll find a way to make you miserable!"
He chuckled softly, a sound that sent an unexpected shiver down her spine. "Good. Because I was hoping you would."
For the rest of the walk back, the silence between them was thick, charged, and strangely intimate. Dianne couldn't decide if she hated him—or if, deep down, she didn't entirely want to.
By the time they reached the mansion, her thoughts were a chaotic storm. And Seven? He simply looked at her, eyes sharp, unreadable, as if he already knew exactly what she was thinking… and was planning to enjoy it.
.....
Dianne couldn't sleep that night. Every time she closed her eyes, she remembered what had happened—the way Seven had kissed her… the intensity, the warmth. A few minutes felt like an eternity, and when he finally pulled away, she was left with a strange fluttering in her chest. What the hell is this feeling? She was confused. Why was her heart beating so fast? And then, almost shockingly, she realized… don't tell me… I'm falling for him?
Meanwhile, Seven lay awake as well, unable to shut out the memory. Why did he feel so drawn to her, so tempted every time he looked at her? She was complicated, intriguing… a challenge he couldn't resist. He enjoyed annoying her—it gave him a strange pleasure and made him want to be closer to her. If she weren't the daughter of his employer… perhaps he could act on it. But he shook his head. It would be far too complicated if he did.
.....
The next morning, a quiet tension lingered between them. They walked side by side in the mall, their usual banter replaced by an awkward, almost shy silence.
"The thing that happened last night…" Seven began, his voice low.
Dianne cut him off immediately. "Don't. Just don't say anything," she said, flustered.
Seven grinned. "Why?"
"You only did it to shut me up! So please, don't mention it again!" Dianne shouted, her face flushed bright red.
Seven couldn't help but be amused. The tough, intimidating woman he knew so well was now completely vulnerable, her cheeks burning from embarrassment over last night's kiss.
"Why… am I your first kiss?" he asked, smirking playfully.
Dianne's face turned an even deeper shade of crimson. "I said… don't say another word! Urgh! I hate you!"
Seven chuckled softly. She's so cute when she's flustered…
But then his expression shifted, growing serious. "What if I told you I didn't just do it to shut you up… that I had another reason?" he said, his voice low, intense.
Dianne gazed at him, confused. "Why do you keep annoying me? You're starting to get on my nerves again," she said.
"No. I meant it," he admitted, seriousness burning in his eyes. "I like you, Dianne. I've liked you since the very first moment I laid eyes on you…"
Dianne's mouth fell open. She hadn't expected him to say that—not so boldly, not so openly. Her heartbeat stumbled in her chest, tripping over a rhythm she didn't recognize.
Seven reached for her hand, his touch surprisingly gentle for someone who always argued with her. His fingers brushed against hers—warm, steady, grounding.
"And I want to know…" he said quietly, searching her eyes, "what do you feel for me?"
Dianne felt her face burn. Her breath hitched. Her heart raced. What was this feeling? He was annoying, reckless, impossible—but… that kiss. That one kiss changed everything. She couldn't stop thinking about it.
Why did her heart start beating so fast whenever he was near? Why did she feel so embarrassed just looking at him? Why did her usual fire and words fail her when he was around? It had only been one night… one kiss… and yet…
Did she… really like him?
Her gaze dropped to his lips, then back to his eyes. The feelings that had been simmering inside her since last night flared up, undeniable, scorching.
"I—I like you too," she admitted, barely above a whisper, as if the world might steal this secret meant only for him.
It was true.Painfully, undeniably true.
Somehow, without even realizing it, Seven had become part of her days—her arguments, her moods, her laughter, her chaos. When he wasn't around, everything felt hollow.Too quiet.Too dull.Too empty.
And that kiss last night… it had shown her the truth she hadn't admitted even to herself. She was in love with him—without realizing it, without warning, without choice.
Seven's expression softened at her confession. A smile—gentle, real—touched his lips as he wrapped an arm around her shoulders, drawing her close in a way that felt natural, right.
Dianne leaned into him, her chest warming.For once, she didn't argue.For once, she didn't complain.
Hand in hand, they walked together, their steps falling in quiet rhythm—two hearts, slowly learning to move in sync.
.....
Back at the mansion, Dianne immediately opened her laptop and video-called Miyuki.
"OMG! Is it true? You and your hot butler?" Miyuki squealed, practically bouncing in her seat.
"Yup," Dianne replied, grinning. "Even I can't believe it. I'm in love with him. Truly, deeply, madly."
"By the way," Miyuki said, giddy with excitement, "I have good news too. Drew and I… we're together!"
"Drew? The model?!" Dianne exclaimed, eyes wide.
Miyuki nodded enthusiastically, and the two friends chatted happily, sharing in each other's joy.
.....
Later, Dianne and Seven strolled hand in hand through the park. The serene evening felt like a bubble of normalcy in their chaotic lives. The stars shimmered beautifully above, and with her hand held by the man she loved, she felt a deep sense of peace and comfort—until her phone rang. It was her father.
"You need to come home immediately. This is important," Don Agustin said tersely over the phone.
Dianne glanced at Seven, her expression tense. "Okay, we're on our way," she replied, her voice calm but with a flicker of unease. She ended the call and set the phone down, feeling the weight of whatever awaited them at home.
Upon arriving at the mansion, they were greeted by two male guests.
"Dianne, I want you to meet Mr. Fortalejo, the owner of Fortalejo Palace—the hotel we visited previously," her father said, gesturing toward the older man.
"Hi, sir," Dianne said politely.
"And this is his son, Damon Fortalejo. He will be your fiancé," Don Agustin added.
"What?!" Dianne's eyes widened in shock. "No way, Dad! You're kidding, right?"
Her father shook his head solemnly. Dianne looked at Seven, who quietly turned his back and left the room. She felt a pang in her chest—she knew he was hurt.
Alone with her father, Dianne spoke quickly. "Dad, I can't marry him! I don't even know him!"
"You'll get to know each other," her father insisted. "You two should go on a proper date. Get to know him first."
"Dad, I'm in love with someone else!" Dianne cried, her voice breaking slightly.
"With whom? Your butler?" Don Agustin's voice hardened. "You think I don't know there's something between you two? He's just a butler. You're my daughter—I know what's best for you."
"No. There will be no wedding, Dad. None!" She spun on her heel and stormed out of the room, tears threatening to fall.
What Dianne didn't know was that Seven had overheard the entire conversation.
The next day, she couldn't help but notice the subtle distance he kept from her. His usual easy presence felt restrained, careful, and it made her uneasy. For the first time, Dianne felt a pang of loneliness. Was he avoiding her because of the unwanted arranged marriage her father had forced upon her?