"So, what do you think I should do?" Ceres asked Diana, tilting her head slightly. "Should I just let Ciena and Ryzel be since I also had a part in what happened between us?"
"Of course not!" Diana's voice shot up in disbelief.
"Girlfriend," she continued, "I said I understand Ryzel's insecurities. But that doesn't mean he had the right to cheat. And, even if we say it was your fault that he cheated because he couldn't handle you, because he was too much of a coward, that still doesn't excuse the fact that he lied to Uncle Romos and Aunty Cielo too."
Her tone sharpened, frustration clear in her expression.
"And that sister of yours? She doesn't deserve to be forgiven. It's not just that she lied, she manipulated all of you. If you weren't as strong-willed as you are, and if people weren't afraid of you, she could've done so much more damage. She could've painted you as the villain, made you look evil and vile, even though she's the real spawn of Satan here."
Diana exhaled sharply, her fingers drumming against the table.
"I will never trust a woman like her. Ever," she stated firmly. "So you have to teach those two a lesson. Not for cheating, because, honestly, who cares about that anymore? But making a fool out of you and your parents? That is a different story entirely."
Her lips curled into a sneer.
"She's so vile she managed to deny her own father and sister. Just imagine what else she could do if she had the right backing."
Ceres smirked.
"And that is why we're best friends," she said, taking a slow sip of her coffee. "We think the same way."
Diana grinned.
"Obviously." Then, she leaned forward eagerly. "So? What's the plan? And don't forget, I call dibs on the front seat."
Before Ceres could respond, a sudden voice interrupted them.
"Ceres," Rafael called out.
The two women turned to see him standing nearby, making both of them jump slightly at his unexpected appearance.
"What the hell, moron?" Diana clutched her chest in mock panic. "Can you not do that?"
Rafael scratched the back of his head sheepishly.
"Uh, sorry. Ceres asked me to come here?"
Ceres chuckled at Diana's reaction.
"You really need to cut down on the coffee, Dee," she teased before turning to Rafael. "Anyway, you don't have to sit down," she said just as he was about to pull out a chair. "I just called you here to let you know that by Monday, Zeus's secretary will contact you for a meeting with him. I don't know the exact time since he'll just squeeze you into his schedule whenever he can."
"Seriously?" Rafael's face lit up with excitement. "Thank you! I swear, you won't regret helping me out."
Ceres raised a brow at him. "Excuse me?"
Rafael blinked in confusion.
"I didn't help you," Ceres clarified coolly. "Remember, this comes with a price. I only promised you a meeting. How you present your project to Zeus and convince him to invest in it? That's all on you. I have nothing to do with that."
Rafael scratched his head again, looking slightly embarrassed.
"Still," he said, "thank you. Whether Zeus invests or not, I owe you. So just tell me what the price is. As long as it doesn't get me arrested, I'll do it."
Ceres's lips curled into a satisfied smile.
"Good," she said, crossing her legs. "I heard you're planning a bachelor's party for Ryzel next Friday?"
Rafael's expression turned awkward.
"Uh… yeah," he admitted. "We're going to a strip club."
"Yuck," Diana muttered in disgust.
"Change the venue," she ordered. "Move it to Club Olympus. I'll reserve it for you on that date. But make damn sure Ryzel doesn't find out beforehand."
Rafael still looked hesitant.
"Uh… okay?"
"Oh, and don't forget the strippers," Ceres added smoothly, her lips curling into a knowing smirk. "The more, the better. And make sure they do something extra… daring that night."
Rafael nodded, waiting to see if she had more instructions.
"That's all. You can go now," Ceres dismissed him with a wave of her hand.
Rafael blinked.
"That's it? That's all I have to do?" he asked, looking almost suspicious.
Ceres raised an eyebrow.
"Why? Would you rather I tell you to break Ryzel's legs?"
"No, no! Absolutely not," Rafael blurted out, shaking his head vigorously. "If this is all you want, consider it done."
Ceres merely smirked, leaning back in her seat.
"Just make sure that bachelor's party happens," she reminded him, her tone deceptively light. "Because if it gets canceled... well, you already know what happens next."
Rafael swallowed hard, nodding quickly.
"Don't worry. I'll make sure it happens," he assured her, forcing a smile.
Once he was certain there were no more instructions, Rafael quickly excused himself and left.
Diana let out a low whistle, shaking her head in amusement.
"Damn, girlfriend. I think I know what you're planning, and I love it."
Ceres smirked, her golden eyes gleaming.
"And I'm just getting started."
They both burst into laughter.
After a moment, Ceres turned to Diana with a thoughtful expression.
"Anyway, Dee," she said, "can you do something for me?"
Diana grinned.
"Of course! What is it? Just don't ask me to break up with Caspian, that's off the table," she joked. "Just say the word. Does this have anything to do with Ciena? Because if it does, I swear, I'm already excited."
Ceres chuckled.
"No, this has nothing to do with her," she assured her. "And definitely nothing to do with Caspian, either. I know that man is obsessed with you. Even if you did try to break up with him, I doubt he'd let you. Honestly, he'd probably lock you in a basement before he ever let you go." Ceres rolled her eyes playfully.
Diana laughed.
"Right?! People think I'm the one obsessed with him. If only they knew, the guy would literally tie me to his waist if he could." She smirked. "So? What's this 'something' you want me to do?"
"You're the only person I trust to do this without ruining my plan," she admitted. "Zeus's birthday is coming up, and I want to give him a present."
Diana raised an eyebrow, then smirked.
"Cee, you spreading your legs in his bed is already a present," she teased. "He probably feels like it's his birthday every night."
Ceres's face turned red.
"You're insane!" she sputtered, swatting Diana's arm.
Diana burst out laughing.
"Okay, okay, I'm serious now," Diana said, still chuckling. "What kind of gift are you thinking?"
Ceres hesitated for a moment before explaining. "I want you to make a ring for him."
Diana's expression turned curious. "A ring?"
"Yes," Ceres nodded. "But I want it to be simple in design. And… I want it to be made in a way that my engagement ring can fit into his ring."
She frowned slightly, struggling to find the right words.
"Ugh, I don't know how to explain it."
Diana's eyes gleamed with understanding.
"Like when you put both rings together, they connect, forming one ring?"
Ceres's eyes lit up.
"Yes! That's exactly it!"
A slow, knowing smile spread across Diana's lips.
"Of course, I can do that," she said confidently. "I'll design it tonight and send it to you by tomorrow."
"No!" Ceres immediately protested. "Don't send it to me."
Diana blinked.
"Why not?"
"I want it to be a surprise," Ceres explained. "If you send the design to me, Zeus might see it. He likes scrolling through my phone." She pouted slightly.
Diana's mouth dropped open.
"Wait. What?!" She looked at Ceres like she had grown a second head. "He goes through your phone?"
Ceres shrugged like it was the most normal thing in the world. "Yeah."
Diana gawked at her. "And you let him?"
Ceres tilted her head, looking genuinely confused.
"Uh… yeah?" she said as if she didn't understand the big deal. "I do the same with his phone."
"You're so in love, Cee," she said with a knowing grin.
Ceres rolled her eyes, but the slight twitch of her lips betrayed the warmth blooming in her chest.
"Oh my gosh!" Diana gasped dramatically, covering her mouth as she grinned. "You're not even denying it?"
Ceres exhaled with a small smile.
"Honestly? I'm not sure yet if what I feel for Zeus is love," she admitted. "But like you said, I do things with him that I never did with Ryzel. If that's the definition of love, then maybe I am in love. But I'm going to take my time. Maybe when I can say 'I love you' back to him without having to think about it, when it just comes naturally, then I'll know for sure."
Diana reached across the table and squeezed her hand gently.
"I'm so happy for you, Cee," she said sincerely. "And take your time. Don't overthink it. We both know Zeus would wait for you even if it took forever."
Ceres laughed. "True."
The two of them burst into laughter, sharing the moment.
But their laughter suddenly faded when the atmosphere in Pâtisserie de Luxe shifted.
The energy in the café changed instantly. Other customers at nearby tables turned their heads toward the entrance. The staff moved quickly to greet the new arrivals, but they were stopped with a subtle hand signal.
Diana smirked. "Speak of the devil, and he shall appear."
Walking toward them were Zeus and Caspian.
"Babe," Caspian greeted Diana before pressing a kiss to her temple.
"Hi, Love," Zeus said, his voice deep and smooth as he leaned down to press a soft kiss against Ceres's forehead.
Both men pulled out chairs and sat down effortlessly, their presence demanding attention without even trying.
"Are you two done with your coffee date?" Caspian asked Diana, resting an arm on the back of her chair.
"Not yet," Diana responded sweetly before playfully bumping her nose against his.
Meanwhile, Zeus leaned in close to Ceres's ear, his breath warm against her skin.
"Your dress has arrived," he murmured.
Ceres's eyes lit up instantly.
"Really? I want to see it!" she said excitedly, already rising from her seat. "Let's go."
"Wait, what?" Diana blinked, momentarily caught off guard by Ceres's sudden movement. She had been too busy teasing Caspian to keep up with the conversation. "Where are we going?"
"To see my dress," Ceres answered, already taking Zeus's hand in hers. "Hurry up. You can continue your little romance later."
Diana stuck her tongue out at her.
"What dress?" she asked as she and Caspian also stood, now fully intrigued.
Ceres smirked mischievously, her golden eyes gleaming.
"The dress I'm going to wear... for my sister's wedding," she said with a sly grin before winking at Diana.