Change Your Mind [Completed]

Chapter 8

Dahlia was sitting in an al fresco coffee shop kasama ang best friend niya, Margaux.

It was the weekend after the date with Aspen which turned out for the worst after what happened between her and Miguel.

"Tanga!" sigaw ni Margaux sa kanya at ibinato sa kanya ang isang packet of sugar. "Isa kang malaking tanga, Dahlia. You really think it was a coincidence? Miguel is playing you. For sure, he pulled all the strings para lang malaman kung saan ang first date ninyo ni Aspen just so he can ruin it. I'm telling you. He's a narcissist! He's doing everything he can to make everything in your life be about him."

Walang masabi si Dahlia. Maaaring tama nga ang kaibigan. That restaurant was in the suburbs at hindi ito masyadong kilala.

"Did he talk to you again?"

"He tried calling pero hindi ko sinasagot. I just... can't accept that I've done that to Aspen. I feel so..."

"Enough about the self pity. It's time to move on, sis. Kung gusto mo talagang makawala sa lalaking iyon, make it clear with him that you're with Aspen now, okay? Push mo na yan. Next week na ang charity ball mo, hindi ba? Show him na wala na siyang epekto sa'yo and that Aspen is the only man for you from now on."

Tumango-tango siya. Margaux is right. It's time for her to put Miguel in his rightful place - and that is definitely not beside her.

*****

It was the night of Dahlia's charity ball. It was being held in a grand hotel's pool area. The whole event was outdoor with a makeshift stage for the bidding on donations.

She just came in to welcome the guests and she was with Aspen. They agreed to go together in the ball.

Some of their family friends were starting to ask why they were always seen together recently. She would just smile and avoid the question altogether.

"Would you like a drink?" Aspen asked as soon as they got into their assigned table.

Dahlia nodded, while looking around, trying to spot her organizer. She wanted to make sure everything was in their rightful place.

But as soon as Aspen left, he was quickly replaced with a bouquet of flowers from... none other than the man he didn't want to ever see or talk to again. "Dahlias for you, Dahlia."

She tried to remain expressionless. Ayaw na niyang patulan pa ito. "Thanks. But I won't be needing those."

"So you're appearing in bigger events now with him?"

Tumango siya. "Sooner or later, our parents will announce the engagement and things will be official."

"I bet," he said sarcastically.

"Hindi ako nagbibiro."

"Who said you were joking? There he is, the lucky man." Binati ni Miguel ang papalapit na si Aspen holding two drinks at iniabot kay Dahlia ang isa.

"Any date for tonight?" tanong ni Aspen sa kaibigan.

Miguel just shook his head. "Wala akong mabolang sumama sakin tonight."

"That's new," Aspen commented. "Well then, should I be afraid na baka agawin mo ang date ko ngayong gabi?"

Miguel winked at her direction. "Only if she wants me to."

Tinapunan naman siya ng tingin bigla ni Aspen. "We can share this table with Miguel, right? Anyway, wala naman siyang kasama."

Dahlia was forced to nod. Of course, she would look bad kung tatanggi siya.

"Let me look for Gio. He messaged me that he couldn't find us. Excuse me," paalam ni Aspen bago muli nawala.

"He is attentive," Miguel commented looking at the drink Aspen gave her. "So do you like him?" He suddenly looked serious now.