Tiago Cartel: Dahlias Story

Dahlia's Big Day

Dahlia stood in the mirror and admired her figure. Feeling of nervousness and excitement ran through her body as she admired her while Chanel heels and white pants suit she bought herself. Her hair perfectly curled with a pin in the side and her body smelled of coco butter and vanilla. She started to put on her jewelry on, starting with her Pandora bracelet that her family had bought her. Her Chanel earrings she gifted herself not too long ago, and a necklace her Mother bought her last year for her birthday. She put mascara on and looked at herself one more time before leaving.

She decided to show up a little late to her event to make an entrance, and an entrance was made. When she walked in people automatically knew that she was the woman they were waiting on. She was almost like a magnet in a great way, everyone had questions and her welcoming spirit allowed them to ask questions freely. She went in front of the receptionist desk and allowed everyone to settle down before saying a few words.

"Before we get started. I want to thank everyone for coming out tonight. I know there are lots of things you all could be doing but you saw fit to stop by and spend time with me while I prepare to do the things I desperately love. To help people. I made some appetizers, deserts, and of course two main course meals you all can chose from. I want you guys to help yourselves and I will begin the tour shortly." She said all in one. Everyone clapped, then went towards the food.

Dahlia went closer to the door and looked around to Diego, Frankie, and Mariana. She wanted them to be there. She considered them her friends. She took a deep breath, then her phone rang.

"Body looking like milk." Mariana rapped from the other side of the phone. Dahlia smiled.

"I seen you looking sad. I'm on the rooftop making sure everything goes smoothly." She finished. She seen Dahlia lift her head up a little.

"Don't look up." Mariana said quickly.

"I'm sorry I can't come in. You look beautiful." Mariana continued. Dahlia smiled and the sadness she didn't know she felt lifted off of her.

"Thank you Ri." Dahlia replied as her eyes started to water. They both grew silent for a moment.

"Frankie wanted to come so bad." Mariana said changing the subject. Dahlia let out a laughed and Mariana felt relieved to see her laugh. Dahlia put her head down a bit and faced the crowd.

"Yes. It feels a little different without him here with me." Dahlia admitted.

"That'll change when he starts to open up. You'll be begging for him to go back to 'Quiet Frankie." Dahlia laughed.

"Ima' go and start interacting with the guest." Dahlia said.

"Okay. I got you." Mariana said.

"From all the way over here." She continued. Dahlia laughed then hung up the phone.

Inside Dahlia wanted them here so bad. Here with her. She felt like they should be here and it felt wrong that she couldn't acknowledge the three people that GOD sent to somehow make the hardest months of her life the easiest months of her life. She went and got back to the crowd.

Frankie walked into the building against his better judgement. Nobody knew him and Santiago were brothers, they'd never been seen together. Nobody knew anything about him. He was the brother that was seen and nobody knew about. While Santiago was the brother that people knew about and never seen.

He walked upstairs to the rest of the group and seen Dahlia in the middle of the floor talking. She had everyone's attention and when she intended for them to laugh, they laughed. They were so involved and interacted well with her. She looked around the room, making sure to include everyone, then she locked eyes with him.

Dahlia wanted to cry. She didn't expect anyone she knew to be here. Not her family, and not her new friends. This was just a little step before a big one. Seeing Frankie made her feel like she wasn't alone and she realized she did in fact need her family and friends in every step she took rather big or small. Frankie gave her a loving smile and she knew he knew exactly what she was feeling. She smiled back and looked away to continue her speech.

When her speech was over, she made sure to acknowledge every single person that showed up.

"Please! Please! Take some of this food home." She yelled over everyone. They laughed. She put out to go plates and the food was gone in a matter of minutes.

When the even was getting ready to wrap up she made one last announcement, then went toward the door to shake everyone's hand. When everyone was out the door, she took a deep breath.

She seen a group of men pull up outside of her building. Her phone rang.

"They're from Diego. He said go home and get some rest. They'll clean it up. Goodnight and your speeches were good. I'll see you later." Mariana said before hanging up. Dahlia smiled and headed home.

Dahlia starred at herself in the mirror. She looked beautiful still. Her hair held up, and she still looked brand new. Before she could take her clothes off another figure stood in the mirror with her.

"You know. You could knock." Dahlia said without turning around. Diego came closer and now he was directly behind her. He wanted to embrace her but didn't want to make her uncomfortable.

"Just trying to show you I'm better at breaking and entering than you." He replied. She laughed.

"It was one time!" She exclaimed.

"You, Mariana, and Frankie keep doing it." She continued. She turned around and her laugh slowly silenced when she realized how close they were. He stared at her for a second, then pushed her hair behind her ear before lifting up her face with his finger on her chin.

"You looked so beautiful tonight and you still look beautiful. The way you spoke, your movements. Everything about you was beautiful tonight. I loved how you were about to grab everyone's attention and keep it. Everything looked amazing, especially you." Diego said. Dahlia could feel herself getting a little moist and Diego could feel it too. He could tell by the color change in her eyes. He smiled at her but still didn't touch her because she hadn't gave him permission. Dahlia knew he wanted permission, but she didn't want anything happening. It was too soon.

"I-"

"You didn't bring plates for us?" Mariana asked busting Dahlias room door.

"Oh." Mariana said with surprise in her voice.

"So sorry." She said before closing the door. Dahlia laughed and smiled at Diego.