Change Your Mind [Completed]

Chapter 14

"Dahlia, Miguel is downstairs. Sabay daw kayong pupunta sa birthday party ni Aspen tonight?" takang-takang tanong ng Mama niya sa kanya ngayon.

Dahlia just finished her make up at kasalukuyan siyang nagbibihis sa walk-in closet niya ngayon.

She never agreed to go with him but why is he downstairs? "Ahhh, pasabi na lang po na pababa na ako in a bit."

"Okay," was all her mom said. Her mom was about to leave the room ng bumalik ito sa harapan niya. "Dahlia, tell me the truth. Is there something going on between you and Miguel?"

"Ma, wala," was all she said. Totoo naman ang sinasabi niya. Yes, they may be having sex every now and then pero hindi naman ibig sabihin noon ay sila na.

"But he always seemed to pick you up everytime we're off to the Alcaraz mansion, as if he's announcing to everyone especially to Aspen and his family that you're... his."

"Ma, he's friends with Aspen. We are all friends."

"Then why isn't Aspen the one picking you up?"

"Ma, Aspen is busy."

"No one is too busy especially if he's your fiance!"

"Ma," she interrupted her. Dahlia was getting annoyed already. "This engagement between me and Aspen is what you and dad want. It's what Aspen's parents want. I'm just not sure if... this is what Aspen and I really want. But for your sakes, we are willing to put up a show. Ayaw namin ipahiya kayo today. We both know this is an important day especially for Tita Celine and Tito Atticus."

"I... I didn't know that's how you felt, Dahlia. I thought you were more than fine with this whole idea."

"Ma... come on. I am fine."

"You've always been such an obedient daughter... I never even bothered asking if you were okay because you always seemed to be fine with everything." Her mom looked close to crying na para bang awang-awa ito sa kanya.

"Ma, stop it. Hindi kita sinisisi, okay? All I'm saying is I want to help as much as I can. I like making the people around me happy."

"At your expense," was all her mother said. "Don't worry, hija. I'll talk to your dad. You don't have to worry. If Miguel is man enough to tell us he wants to marry you, we will allow it."

Natawa na lamang siya sa sinabing iyon ng Mama niya. "Ma, he's just a friend, okay?" He doubts he would ever do that - go to her parents to ask for her hand in marriage. Palagi nga itong patagong umaakyat sa balcony door niya para hindi ito makita ng mga magulang niya lalo na noong teenagers pa lang sila.

*****

"You didn't have to pick me up. Nagtataka na sina Mama sa'yo," iritang balita niya pagkasakay ng SUV ni Miguel.

"Aspen might bring Katrina," ganting balita rin nito sa kanya.

"I... didn't expect that." She was shocked. So ipapakilala na ni Aspen si Katrina sa mga magulang nito on the same day na darating ang importanteng investors na si Aspen mismo ang nag-invite. They need the Yangs to invest in a new business development headed by Aspen. It's his personal project to prove to his dad na karapat-dapat siyang maging tagapamahala ng holdings company nila.

"I know. I just want you to know I'm here."

"What for?"

"If you want to run away from the event. If you want to run away from Aspen and all this," he replied.

She just shrugged. "I just want to help Aspen today, that's all. If given a chance, gusto ko rin sanang makausap si Katrina. I want to make peace with her and tell her that I'm okay and I'm not after Aspen."

He just looked at her like she was crazy. "Other women would usually pull the hair out off their fiance's mistress."

"Who cares? I'm not like other women."

"You clearly aren't," he said as he held her right hand to give it a light squeeze. "Shall we go now?"

Tipid na sagot niya at sumandal na sa passenger seat. Hindi na lamang niya sinabi but his hand on hers was giving her so much comfort. But the fear inside her head was getting bigger and bigger - what if masanay na naman siyang nandiyan ito sa tabi niya? Will she be okay again once he chooses to leave?

*****

Dahlia entered the office of Atticus Alcaraz. Her mom said hinahanap daw siya ng Tita Celine niya at kasalukuyan itong nasa opisina ngayon ng asawa nito.

As soon as she was inside, she saw Aspen, his mom and his dad circling around him.

"Dahlia," he greeted with hollow eyes. It looked like he was calling her for help.

She just smiled at him. "Tita, Tito," bati niya sa mga magulang ni Aspen and gave them both a hug.

"You look as beautiful as always, hija," bati sa kanya ng Tita Celine niya. "That dress is beautiful."

"It's from Tita Ashley's latest collection," magalang na sagot niya.

"Oh, wow. I would need to check that out."

"Sit down, hija," masayang bati ng Tito Atticus niya as he pointed out to the couch beside Aspen now.

Aspen looked like he was about to be executed.

"We called for the both of you here dahil may bigla kaming naisip. And we ran this over to your dad, too, Dahlia. He agreed only if you will agree, sabi niya," panimula ni Atticus. She knew how he could be intimidating. Aspen partly got that from him.

"What is it, Tito?"

"We realized we haven't even formally announced your engagement yet. And we figured, since the Yangs are going to be here, what better day to announce than today? The Yangs would surely gain more confidence knowing that the Tantocos are behind us every step of the way. I know it's a business thing, hija. I just wanted to see if you're okay with this. Whatever you want is what we will do."

Her Tita Celine was smiling in front of her while Aspen was speechless beside her. She turned her head to Aspen to ask him, "B-Babe, what do you say?"

Aspen looked at her emotionlessly. She clearly knew he realized how fucked up this was. She saw Katrina outside bago siya pumasok dito so he clearly intended to introduce her tonight to his parents. Naunahan siguro siya ng mga magulang nito tungkol sa plano nitong i-announce formally ang kasal.

He was clearly fucked! How could Aspen say 'no' if nakataya doon ang project na pinaghirapan niya along with the investors he so badly had to be on the good side of the last couple of months?

"I think it's the perfect time," Aspen said, a little too firmly, na parang rehearsed iyon at ilang beses nito iyong sinabi sa isipan nito.

Dahlia just nodded. "Well, then, let's do it!"

*****

A/N: Sinong gusto ng double chapter update? RAISE YOUR HAND! Hahahahah good luck na lang kay Dahlia. Sobrang bait nya, di ko kinakaya ang siz nating ito.

Ano kayang magiging reaction ni Miguel sa announcement?????