Chapter 11

Joshua and Ria transferred to the breakfast nook when Gloria finished preparing her daughter's breakfast. The renowned designer then left the two cupids alone. Ria started eating her breakfast, and Joshua continued drinking his tea. Upon making sure that no one can hear them, they continued discussing Joshua's mission. "Don't tell me you haven't moved on yet?" Ria said after swallowing some fried rice and tapa. "Not really… But, it's still embarrassing." Joshua still feels ashamed whenever he remembers how he used to run after Carla during high school. "You know why you're still ashamed?" Joshua looked at Ria, though he didn't answer her question. "Because you don't have closure." Joshua frowned. "What do you mean 'closure?' There was never an 'us.'" "Closure is not just for romantic relationships," Ria said. "What I meant was, what happened during high school, it was just left… hanging… I guess, that's what we can call it. It ended because we graduated, but you and Carla never really settled things." "Actually, it's not just in high school." "Hmn?" It was Ria's turn to frown. "After high school graduation, I continued courting her even though she rejected me a lot of times," Joshua said, full of embarrassment. "I went to their house, then…" "Then…?" Joshua grimaced. "It came to a point that I was forcing myself to her even though she refused… It was so bad I almost got kicked, literally, out of their house." "Oh…" For a while, Ria stopped eating and just gazed at Joshua. "Her father almost asked the police to stop me. Good thing is I stopped before that happened." "You got into your senses and finally decided to stop?" Ria guessed. "More like, I was forced to. My Dad got sick, and I focused on my family. Then misfortune continued happening. My father died, our livelihood collapsed, we became poor… Until, one day, everything turned upside down again. I was discovered by a talent scout, we moved to Manila… then, that's it." "Well at least, it's still happy ending." Ria continued eating. "Maybe, it's karma?" "What?" "For what I did to Carla." "Josh, I don't think that what you did was too extreme to compensate for your father's life and your family's livelihood. You were just a foolish high school student back then who was totally obsessed with his crush." Joshua flinched at what she said. "You made it sound so bad." "You're the one who said it's your karma." Everything was just so bad back then, that Joshua even thought things will not get better again. He even thought he will be like that for the rest of his life, that he will forever envy his classmates who finished their studies and had a good life, aside from the fact that they were already rich to begin with. "Anyway," Ria continued. "You and Carla did not resolve things, that's why until now there is still this awkwardness between the two of you. And mind you, even if you won't use Carla to fulfill your mission, there might still be a big chance that you may encounter her because you will be Carlo and Edmalyn's guardian. And being Edmalyn's best friend, Carla will always be in the picture and that is something that you have to deal with." Joshua feels like he doesn't have a choice but to reconcile with Carla. It's not that he doesn't want to do it. "What would I do?" he asked Ria. "I'm not even sure if Carla would talk to me. She might even get mad if I suddenly approach her." "I don't think Carla is that hostile. And, if your problem is how you would talk to her, then you must think of a way to catch her where she cannot get away." "How is that? I'll take her somewhere she can't escape?" Joshua asked. "That is literally kidnapping, and that is prohibited not only by the law, but the rules on being a Cupid," Ria answered. "I know. So, how will I do it?" Ria looked intently at him "Seriously? That's the only thing you can come up with?" Joshua was a little bit humiliated. "Of course! I'm not as good as you are." "That's not what I mean. Why are you mad all of a sudden?" Joshua just looked away. "Okay, fine. I'm sorry if I offended you," Ria said. "But, can't you really think of that one way that you can talk to Carla and explain yourself?" Joshua's humiliation subsided. He nodded as an answer to Ria's question. "Okay… Have you forgotten about the date?" "Date…?" Joshua contemplated. "The date on the premier night of your movie. The contest, remember?" Joshua remembered what Ria is talking about. But the problem is… "Carla won't join in. For sure, that would be the last thing she wants to do in her life." "But someone can send a letter for her. Right?" Joshua looked at Ria. He seems to understand what his former classmate is planning to do. "Maybe I can do a letter for her. What do you think?" And, there it is. Joshua does not need to answer that question as he is aware Ria knows the answer is affirmative. She could literally create stories out of thin air faster than she could finish that tapsilog breakfast she's having. "Of course, I won't put my name on it because Carla might ask who sent the letter and she can't know it's me. It's between you and me, okay? It will be our secret." "But are you really sure that she will be chosen?" "Of course, not!" Ria answered. "In that case, we will be needing some divine intervention. First, you have to make sure that Carla's letter will be on the final choices… How are you going to select the winner?" "Well, our producer will choose the top three, then Caith and I will be included in the panel." "There it is!" Ria said. "Just make sure that the Guardian of your producer will influence him to choose Carla's letter- err, my letter about Carla. Then, you have to talk to Caith's Guardian. By the way, you also have to disclose that she was your high school classmate because that might be an issue." Joshua feels like he doesn't have a choice but to use Carla to get close to Edmalyn. If only he could think of another way to fulfill that mission. Three days after, Joshua went to meet with Caith and their producers to choose his date for the premier night. Joshua is beginning to hate the idea of the promo. When it was proposed by their producers, he immediately agreed thinking it won't be a problem to him. Now he's regretting that decision. He was quite surprised when Caith called him. She wants him to pick her up so they could go together to the meeting. He said yes, and after their conversation, he felt kind of weird not thinking about it himself. Maybe because he was too occupied with this Cupid thing. Caith excitedly hugged him when they met. He actually felt better feeling his girlfriend in his arms. He really missed her. She excitedly told him stories while they go to the meeting place. "How about you? How have you been?" Caith asked him. Joshua felt alarmed. He can't think of anything but this Cupid thing, which is something he cannot tell her. "Well, you know, the usual… I'm just in Pure Act all the time." Which is quite true. Only recently did he go out often, and that's because of his 'training' as a Cupid with Ria. Then he suddenly remembered the second rule. He can tell his red thread that he is a Cupid, and he is sure that Caith is his red thread even though he can't see it. He is very sure that Caith is his destiny. "Actually, something happened these past few days…" He looked at her, ready to tell her about him being a Cupid. Suddenly, Caith's phone buzzed. It was their handler, Tony. He's looking for them, and Caith told him they are about to arrive at the meeting place. But that call suddenly gave Joshua a change of heart. "So, what were you about to say?" Caith asked after the call. "Ahm… I've met some old friends… Ria Nelmida, the writer. Remember?" "Of course." Joshua knows Caitlyn is having a fangirl moment right now. He kind of felt relieved knowing her attention was diverted. "We kind of… bumped into each other one time. Maybe after your gig in Dubai I could make you meet her." "Promise me that, okay?" "Promise." When they arrived at the meeting place, their handler Tony was already there, as well as Abby, their manager, and Ramon, their producer. They immediately started the meeting. "These are my three choices," Mon started. Joshua suddenly felt nervous. He is worried that his plan with Ria might not work. It really won't work, because he did not do what Ria suggested he would. He did not speak with the Guardians of Caith and their producer. Well, admittedly, he is not in favor of him dating Carla. Maybe there is still some other ways he could do this? That is why at the last minute, his mind changed, so he did not call the Guardians as planned. "First is Mia. She's a fan of your love team for seven years now. She's the typical die-hard fan who watches all your movies and teleseryes. She also supports all your albums and concerts. She is really invested in your love team," Mon explained. "Then, she deserves to be somehow compensated for her support in you," Abby said. "I agree," Caith said. "What do you think?" she asked Joshua. Joshua nodded. "Yeah… I agree. She's spending her money, time and effort for us… She deserves to be chosen." "I agree with you, but there are still two more," Mon said. "The next one is Jane. She's also a fan for seven years, but unlike Mia, she is a fan of only you, Josh. Though she said she's happy for you and Caith because she can see that you're happy with her. But since you're the one who will go on this date, I thought it would be good if a fan of yours will win." "She won't snatch my boyfriend, right?" Caitlyn asked. The two bosses laughed at what she said. Joshua also tried to smile because he seemed to be the only one who didn't smile. Even their handler, Tony, who was just quiet, smiled as well. "Okay, the last one is special," Mon said. "Because unlike the first two, she's not a fan of yours." Caitlyn frowned. "Why did she join?" "She didn't, but someone wrote a letter for her," Mon answered. "Interesting," Abby said. "Who is she?" "She's a doctor, and she's from Tarlac," Mon answered instead. Joshua's heart rate doubled. It feels like his heart is going to burst out of his chest. "You're from Tarlac, right?" Abby asked Joshua. "At least there is still a connection." "Yes, and I kind of like the story of this doctor that's why I chose her," Mon said. "The sender said that she is a fan of the doctor because this lady doctor is a philanthropist of some sort. She does medical missions, feeding programs, charitable activities… She really has a good heart." A philanthropic doctor? There is a great chance that she is not Dr. Carla Labao. Joshua suddenly felt worried because he was guilty for not doing what Ria asked him to do. "She's too focused on her work and her advocacies that she forgot to take care of her personal life. So with this date, the sender wished that somehow, this good doctor can have a good time outside work and her charitable activities," Mon explained. "I like that," Caitlyn said. "What is her name." Mon looked at the list. "Dr. Carla Labao." Joshua's mind was blown away.