Change Your Mind [Completed]

Chapter 15

A/N: Double chapter update bilang ang bibilis magcomment nina @PawAngeles at @lourdes0712 HAHAHAHAHAHA

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Dahlia wanted to talk to Miguel before the announcement, but there was no more time. Pagkatapos nilang magkasundo-sundo sa announcement in Atticus' study, she was thrust into the backstage in time for the opening speech of the Alcaraz couple - Celine and Atticus.

Aspen was in front of her and he was pacing back and forth.

"How could you bring her here? Didn't you know this was gonna happen?" she asked Aspen. She was deeply concerned for Katrina na nakita niya kanina.

Malungkot na umiling ito sa kanya. "I never thought we needed to do something as drastic as this. I thought all we needed to do was appear before the Yangs and greet them together. I brought Katrina here to introduce her to you and... to my parents. I planned to come clean to them after the party."

"Pero naunahan ka ni Tito?"

Tumango-tango si Aspen. "I fucking don't know what to do, Dahlia."

"We'll get through this. After the announcement, you can just pull Katrina to a corner and we can talk. I can testify with you that this engagement is nothing but a business agreement and that we're only friends."

Aspen hugged her quickly. "Thank you, Dahlia!"

"Do you love her?" she, then, inquired. She's a sucker for a good love story, kahit na hindi iyon love story niya.

She saw the deep concern he had in his eyes for Katrina. Parang takot na takot itong masaktan ang dalaga.

"I do," he replied. "I do... I just don't want her to see this fucking announcement. I hope she forgives me."

"Don't worry. She will! It will be quick. Puntahan mo kagad siya after your speech."

"Okay," was all he said.

"Ma'am, Sir, standby na po kayo," singit ng event organizer. "Nagbibigay na po ng speech sina Ma'am Celine at Sir Atticus."

The woman pushed them to ready themselves to go out into the stage.

Dahlia heard her Tito Atticus speaking. "Wala na akong mahihiling pa sa araw na ito kung hindi... magkaroon ng apo. As such, I would like to take this opportunity to announce a very important undertaking. My son has been gone for a while now to pursue his studies abroad. He has gotten back with more knowledge for the company at nakita ko ang potensyal niya in the short time that he's been back in the Philippines. But more than going back home for the company, he also went back to pursue his childhood sweetheart."

At halos lahat ng mga bisita ay nag-react sa sinabing ito ni Atticus. Everyone seemed to be clapping and shouting with joy.

Except for the both of them. Aspen clearly looked horrified at this turn of events. And Dahlia just laughed to herself. How funny destiny really was.

She escaped Miguel only to end up in a fake engagement. Pero hindi naman niya pwedeng sisihin si Aspen for finally finding the person he loves. Love is really, indeed, a privilege for the few.

"My son is now engaged to the wonderful Ms. Dahlia Tantoco. Let's please both give them a hand," her Tito Atticus continued. And the event organizer pushed them towards the stage.

The laughter and clapping grew even louder.

Aspen held her hand as they went into public view.

She tried to smile, but deep down, she just wished the whole world would eat her up. Her life has always been about other people - she has always taken pride with helping other people and putting other people first before anyone else.

She liked being of help to others.

But she never knew she would also hate herself for it.

She looked at Aspen. He was also fakely smiling at everyone. She tried to look for Katrina among the audience but she was nowhere to be seen. Wala na ito sa table na kinakitaan niya dito kanina. She was deeply concerned for her.

And she also realized - is anyone else concerned for her state? She seemed to always be concerned about what other people are feeling, what other people need. And now, she's wondering if someone ever did the same for her? Did someone care about her enough to wonder what she's truly feeling, behind her smiles? She looked for Miguel among the audience but he was also nowhere in sight.

She was trapped in a fake engagement that will soon be announced to be a complete farce sooner or later. But she tried her best to smile again for the sake of her friend beside her.

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A/N: Hay pagdadal nyo rin ako, mga siz. Hahaha matagal na rin ako single. Feel na feel ko disappointment na nararamdaman ni Dahlia. 😒