To Girls You've Ever Loved | ✔️

Chapter 24

Dahlia Meadows

Four years later, I was now 27.

"Congratulations to.. MS. Dahlia Meadows!" I was finally back in the Philippines. My parents came closer to me, hugged me as they congratulated me. I was a hot issue up in Canada, calling me a "fashion enthusiast" ever since I released my own brand. I plan to open it here in the Philippines, and tomorrow I am flying back to Michigan.

"Are your debts paid now? The one you were talking about when I was in Michigan?" I asked them seriously. "We didn't, because the one who let us lend money called us and found that there was no need." They were happy since they had no more problem to worry about, all of their debts were paid. Even though they weren't my biological parents, I always had been very proud of myself that I looked up to them as one. They sustained my life and I finally reached this point of success.
"Who did you have debt to?"
They grabbed their phone, and looked at the message this person sent. "It says 'Mr. Everett' in here. His assistant messaged us." I grabbed the phone, and looked at the message carefully. All along, he knew my family owes a debt to his family. What is this? My heart's throbbing.. Why'd he do this? He shouldn't be doing this, he shouldn't be really doing this. When he does this, it makes me fucking guilty.

I felt a breath of relief because I knew that he was just doing fine, and I was thankful he thought of being so genuinely nice to my parents. "How's Helen?" as Ma asked me. "Mom's doing great, they said it was a good thing she had discovered her cancer earlier." Ma sighed out of happiness, knowing her sister was all safe and sound. I was already comfortable with having two mothers, it made me feel so appreciated. "How's Royce?" My little brother had grown up so well now, he's almost reaching senior high school, and I felt so old already. It was just like a year had only passed. "Ate!" (Filipino call term for an older sister) Royce immediately hugged me as he saw me after a long time, "You really missed me, hm?" as I rubbed his head. "I did!" He looked at me, giving me a simple but vibrating smile. "Inaaway kasi ako dito."
TR: I'm always being fought here.
He rolled his eyes on Pa, and I gently laughed. I missed this feeling – feeling of being complete as a family. It was a nuisance that I had to fly to Micihigan with my mother immediately, since I had a brand briefing there since my second shop would be here.

"It's a shame now.. I have to go to Ma, Pa, and Royce. Take care, okay? I'll book you tickets once I'm finished with my business there so we can live there from now on." I looked at them, grinning from happiness. "Dahlia, di' mo naman kailangan gawin yun. Naiiyak tuloy ako sayo."
TR: Dahlia, you didn't need to do that. I'm about to tear up because of you now.

Ma came over to me and hugged me as she patted my back, quietly yet softly whispering "Thank you." I looked at her as we broke our embrace. Pa came over to me, and hugged me tight. He patted my shoulders. I had to go now, I bid my farewells and left to go to the car now.

Pa drove me to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. It was around a thirty-minute drive. "You know, in Hamptons, I'm sorry." Pa blurted out. "What do you mean, Pa?"
"I'm sorry I forced and pressured you. I know you didn't want to be pressured, we couldn't congratulate you as we thought going harsh on you would make you study harder." I looked at him, then spoke. "I became a child that craved affection, but now I'm a woman who does not believe in her worth anymore. I gradually was able to accept everything as past, Pa." I carved a smile on my face. Pa didn't leave me when I was child, I just craved attention until I thought I wasn't worthy of receiving affection. I left the car, and waved as I distanced far away from him. I saw him, as he was almost tearing up.

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A few days later

"Oh, dear! It's you, MS. Dahlia! How are you feeling as you brief your brand internationally now and it's located at the newest mall, built by the best engineers here in Michigan!" The reporter came closer to me. I wasn't feeling well, but I needed to strengthen myself. I forced a smile out of my face, and swiftly replied. "I'm feeling so happy! Everything that's happening to me feels so unreal. I'm glad I have been able to build my second shop in the newest mall, here in Michigan."

"The ceremony will start now." The event holder had informed me to go back as the engineers and mall holders will come to make their entrance. I stood alone near the shop's door, and the crowd immediately swayed their attention to them. The flashes from the camera were blinding me, I closed my eyes for a while.

Then, I heard the reporter's shout. "MR. Dallas Everett! How are you feeling now?"
Say his name, and everything just stopped.
The people crowding him soon became blurred where I could only see him. I had mixed feelings whether I should be feeling happy that I saw him once again, or sad because I had broken his heart.

He continued walking forward to me, I was trembling in fear. I wasn't just gonna fall on my knees. I was steadily standing there, all so anxious. Deep inside, I felt this happiness I haven't felt – it was like my heart was finally complete, and he was the last piece.
"MS. Dahlia?" I looked at the guys beside me, as their voices started getting clear. I glanced at Dallas, he was on the far-right side. We locked eyes that lasted for ten seconds. He hasn't changed, at all.
"Let's start." The event host nodded to me, and I answered her with a nod too.
"MS. Dahlia will be starting this opening with a speech." The host stepped aside, and I made my way. I carefully grabbed the mic, and started speaking.
"I'm so glad to see people coming over here to celebrate this type of occasion with me!" I smiled, and looked at the crowd, then him. "My journey to get to this point was really hard. I was just interested in fashion & media, until I went this far. I had to go to another country, and sacrificed a lot." I sacrificed love. "I'm the happiest right now, and today. Cheers!" I glanced at him as I raised my glass to make a toast, and ended my speech.

I made my way to greet the visitors who had found their way here. I looked at January, for the longest time, I have never found my truest friend. I embraced her so tight, yet careful. "I missed you, Dahlia!" I looked at her, and held her hand. "So did I! I couldn't reach you everywhere when I was in Canada because my other phone fell in Detroit Metro Airport. I was also really terrified, but I had to immediately get on." I softly spoke as I explained why I couldn't get myself to reach her at all. "Have you seen Dallas?" January asked me. I fiddled my fingers, and restlessly answered.
"I have."
A loud thump in my heart ached me, as I heard a voice from behind. "Dahlia." He said my name like a little prayer.
My hands slowly started shaking, as I shifted my body to him.
I suppose after all the ugliest side of love, I still felt his warmth creeping up to me.