Not first, but the best...

Dan in anger: How dare you touch her?

Von frowned, confused:What do you mean?

Dan:You're holding my girlfriend, and you're seriously asking me that?

Von let go of Jane's wrist, stepping back slightly:I'm sorry... I just needed to talk to her.

Dan turned to Jane: Do you have anything to say to him?

Cruz scoffed: She doesn't. He's just forcing her to talk.

Jane hesitated: No, Cruz... I want to talk to him.

Cruz and Dan exchanged shocked glances as Jane and Von moved a few steps away.

~cruz started conversation with Dan~

Cruz: Nice meeting you, Dan. I'm Crystal Winters. But you can call me Cruz. You probably don't know me. I am Jane's bestfriend.

Dan: I know you. Jane told me today that she was going to hang out with you. What do you do for living?

Cruz: I am working in a corporate company as marketing strategist. They are paying me so low. So, I am looking for another company.

Dan: ohh... Our company currently have no vacancy. So... are you going to tell me who that guy is?

Cruz hesitated:I think it's better if Jane tells you herself.

~Jane and Von's Conversation~

Von studying Jane carefully: So... he's your boyfriend?

Jane crossed her arms: Is that why you're here? To ask about him? Yes, he is.

Von's expression softened: Are you sure you don't have any feelings left for me? If you're willing, we can try again...

Jane sighed in frustration: Look at him, Von. See that man over there? He's not just some random guy! I love him.

Von's jaw tensed: At least hear me out. Do you even know why I broke up with you? my company had to—

Jane, cutting of his words:That's none of my business anymore.

She pulled something from her bag and handed it to him;a silver chain.

Jane:I found this recently. It was lost before, but now I'm returning it. I kept it in my bag for a moment like this... an accidental meeting. Now, everything between us is done. Let's be strangers,Von. If we ever meet somewhere, let's just walk past each other like we never existed in each other's lives. Goodbye.

Von stood frozen as Jane turned away and walked back to Dan and Cruz.

Cruz:What did he want? And what was that thing you gave him? I couldn't see from here.

Jane:Just a chain he gave me once. I returned it to him and told him we should never talk again. It's over for good.

Cruz smiled proudly: I never knew my little girl was this mature. I'm proud of you!

Jane laughed: Dan, sorry about that. He was my ex.

Dan's gaze lingered on her: Are you sure you've completely moved on? I can give you time if you need it.

Jane shook her head: I don't need time. If I was still stuck on him, I wouldn't be your girlfriend now.

Dan nodded but said nothing.

After a pause, Dan: I should probably go. I came here with my friends, but they already left. You two should continue your time together.

Cruz grinned: No need. I booked a cab already since my apartment's far from here. You two can go together.

Cruz turned to Jane, hugging her before whispering: You didn't tell me Dan was such a green flag. Your little revenge on Von is done! But don't even think about leaving Dan.

Dan raised a brow: What's with the secret conversation?

Cruz smirked.Oh, nothing. Just some girly talk. See you later, lovebirds!

With that, she hopped into her cab and left.

~The Car Ride of Jane and Dan~

Jane got into Dan's car as he started driving.

Dan:So... what did Cruz say? Must've been something big.

Jane with a soft smile:She said we're perfect for each other.

Dan chuckled: Oh really? Are we?

Jane turned to him: Aren't we?

At that moment, the red light flashed, forcing Dan to stop. Their eyes met, a soft smile playing on both their lips.

They both knew this relationship wasn't built on real love. Yet, in Dan's mind, Jane loved him more than anything. In Jane's mind, Dan had proposed because of deep love for her.

And in both their eyes, there was an unspoken pity, one neither could voice.

~ A sudden honking came~

Driver behind them: Hey, kid! It's a green light. Move!

Dan quickly snapped out of it: Ah, sorry, sir!

A few minutes later, he pulled up in front of Jane's apartment. She got out of the car.

Jane:Thanks for the ride, Dan. Good night.

Dan waved: Sleep well. Good night.

That night, Jane lay in bed, her mind replaying Dan's voice at the mall. His anger, his concern, his words. Every scene flashed like a movie in her head.

Meanwhile, at Dan's house, Dan sat at the dinner table, barely touching his food. His mother noticed the small, dazed smile on his face.

His mother:Dan, what's with you? Eat before your food gets cold.

Dan cleared his throat and quickly picking up his spoon: It's nothing, Mom. I'll eat now.

But even as he took a bite, only one word echoed in his head:

"Aren't we?"