Change Your Mind [Completed]

Chapter 1

After eight years....

"Ma'am, may nagpadala po ng regalo sa baba. Para daw po sa inyo," balita ng secretary ni Dahlia pagkadating niya ng opisina. She works for her family's foundation now at ngayon ay busy siya sa proyektong pagpapatayo ng bahay para sa mga mahihirap.

"Thanks, Angel. Just drop it on my table," mabait na utos niya at ipinagpatuloy ang pag-aayos ng article na ire-release sa press para sa project.

Angel dropped a gift box sa tabi ng laptop niya at lumabas na ng opisina niya.

It wasn't her birthday so who could this be from? May kutob na siya kung kanino galing ito pero ayaw pa rin niyang mag-assume.

She picked up the box, pulled the ribbon and unwrapped it. Inside was a black box at pagbukas niya dito ay isang one-piece lacey lingerie ang nakita niya. Dali-dali niyang kinuha ang card sa loob at tinakluban ulit iyon.

Gosh! Hindi magandang makita ng mga tauhan niya na nireregaluhan siya ng mga ganoong bagay.

She opened the card and read, "See you tonight. MM." The signature was all-too familiar.

And she dropped the card on the table. How long has it been? Eight years? Eight years na siyang nagpapakatanga sa lalaking ito. Yes, she loves him. Bakit ba siya maghihintay na magbago ang isip nito for eight years kung hindi niya ito sobrang mahal?

But still, they remained in this set up that they have created since they were in college. Ni hindi niya alam kung anong maiitawag sa kanila. At nahihiya siyang aminin sa sarili kung ano nga ba talaga sila.

Bu her love for him grew as time passed by. Bata pa lang sila, he has always been her companion, her protector. Kaibigan ito ng kuya niya kaya palagi itong nasa bahay nila. And their families were long-time family friends kaya palagi rin silang nagkikita, especially during travels.

It all started when they travelled to Europe as a family nine years ago. Miguel's family was also there. He shared a hotel room with her and his brother, Diego (or Gio to everyone). Her parents and his parents didn't mind. For all they know ay magkakapatid lamang ang tingin nila sa isa't isa.

But that night was still as crystal clear as if it was just yesterday.

*****

Florence, Italy

9 years ago

It was eleven o'clock in the evening already pero wala pa rin sina Gio at Miguel. Mag-isa pa rin sa hotel room niya si Dahlia. They were on their sixth day here in Europe at Italy ang unang destinasyon nila. They roamed around Florence the whole day at pinagbigyan ng mga magulang nila na humiwalay for dinner ang kapatid niyang si Gio pati si Miguel.

It was a family trip pero kasama din ang pamilya ng mga Montenegro. Her dad Yego and Miguel's dad Aries were also long-time friends.

Siguradong nasa bar na at naglalasing ang kapatid niya pati na rin si Miguel. So she decided to take a decent bath at gamitin ang malaking jacuzzi sa CR doon. Siguradong gagabihin pa silang dalawa bago makauwi... or better yet, uumagahin na! She knew how sneaky they both were with girls.

So she was relaxing with a glass of wine inside the jacuzzi. At dala na rin ng pagod buong araw, hindi niya namalayan na napaidlip na rin pala siya ng kaunti. The water was so hot and relaxing na pakiramdam niya ay hinehele siya sa pagtulog.

"Dahlia?!"

Her eyes shot open at the sudden intruder. At nakita niya ang halos naestatwang binata sa harapan niya, looking at her with eyes wide open.