Racing Rivals, Racing Hearts ☆ [Diego Brando x Reader]

It Should Be Me (48)

The door to your room rattled and then swung open, revealing Diego Brando, holding a gift in his hand. Surprise washed over you; you hadn't expected to see him here. He gently placed the gift on a nearby table before approaching you.

Without a word, he held out his arms as you stood up from your bed. He wrapped his arms around you in a big and warm hug, one that you desperately needed.The emotions you had been holding back broke, and you clung to Diego, tears streaming down your face. The weight of your father's passing and the pent-up grief overwhelmed you, and you let it all out.

After a while, you pulled away from the hug, your teary eyes filled with apology for the argument you had with him a few days ago.

Diego, his expression softened, remained silent, understanding the unspoken apology that hung in the air.

You wiped away your tears, "Why'd you come here?"

Diego sighed, "I had initially planned to give your father a gift but was informed of the situation at the front door."

Sniffling, you questioned, "Why did you come here to my room?"

Diego smiled softly, his hand gently rubbing your back. "I had a feeling you might need someone," he confessed. "And I thought, maybe it should be me."

His presence was oddly comforting, and you appreciated his silent support. You glanced down at your outfit, still dressed up for the party.

Diego noticed and commented, "You're a bit too dressed up to not be downstairs enjoying the party, don't you think?"

You sighed, "I had decided to not join the party after I finished getting ready. I didn't feel like dressing down afterwards."

Diego offered his hand to you. "Well, how about we change that?" he suggested with a faint smile.

You declined his hand, "I don't want to go downstairs to the party, Diego."

He smiled reassuringly, shaking his head. "We're not going downstairs to join the party, Y/N. We're going for a walk," he clarified, "to enjoy the Christmas weather. It's Christmas Eve, after all."

He took your hand and led you out the room.

You both tiptoed out of your room and made way downstairs to the front door, trying not to draw the attention of the guests.

When you reached downstairs, you saw that there's plenty of people who came. It sure was a big party. Some guests seemed as if they wanted to approach you.

As you reached the foyer to grab your coats, Diana intercepted you. "Where are you two off to?" she inquired, her brows furrowed in mild skepticism.

You hesitated for a moment, then replied, "We're just going outside for a bit, Diana."

Diana studied you for a moment, her expression filled with concern. She trusted you but still warned, "Be careful out there."

Diego and you left the house and started walking towards the city. Christmas Eve had transformed the town into a lively, enchanting place, with twinkling lights, street vendors, and people wrapped in warm coats.

Diego had been fairly quiet, but as you strolled along the festive streets, you opened up the conversation a bit. "How's your wife?"

You didn't know why you asked that, but it was something to break the ice.

"She's alright. Back at home, resting," he assured, his response short and simple.

———

The city was abuzz with Christmas spirit. You reached a frozen lake, where a ice-skating rink had been set up. It was so inviting that you and Diego couldn't resist trying it out, even though you didn't have proper ice skates.