Chapter 13

February 12 came in a blur. Or maybe, Carla is just too busy that she literally wished for February 12 to come and save her. Patients flooded to Tarlac General Hospital because of the increase in respiratory related illnesses due to the cold weather. The past days have been toxic and she felt the need for the February 12 treat. She was picked up by the staff of Violet Films early in the morning. The venue of the date will be in Manila so they have to travel early to make it to the spa and salon appointment. Of course, everything is being documented in videos. Carla was quite uncomfortable with the cameras following her every move, but she just tried to ignore them and enjoy the surprises that awaits her today. It was lunch time when they arrived in Manila as scheduled. After eating lunch in a fine-dining restaurant, they took her to the spa, where she was pampered by different services they offer. She definitely loved the full body massage they gave her. It was just what she needed after a week of full blast ER duties. After the spa treatment, they took her to the salon. Nothing much was done to her except for some hair treatment, followed by a make-up session. But aside from the pampering, she was praised by the staff as they were also aware of why she was selected as the winner of the contest. The staff were so amazed that Carla wished for everything to finish immediately. After the trip to the salon, she was taken to a stylist, which is not included in the original plan they told her in the beginning. "This is a special gift from Ms. Caitlyn," the staff told her. "Ms. Lorna is her personal stylist, and she told her to give you a dress for this date as an additional gift for Valentine's day." Carla was not able to refuse when Ms. Lorna took her to the clothing racks to choose a dress. Because she does not want to get overwhelmed, and she also does not want to be late because Joshua might think she is being a diva, she chose the first dress she liked in the selection. It was a dark blue long-sleeved dress, with boat neckline and A-line skirt with white flower lace. She looks like a Korean chic as the dress complemented her petite figure. Aside from that, she was given silver high-heeled shoes to match the flowers on her dress. "Isn't this too much?" she asked the staff. "It's just fine, Ma'am. Ms. Caith told us to pamper you today," the staff explained. After saying goodbye to the stylist, they went straight to the venue of the date. It was a fine-dining restaurant in a hotel near the venue of the premier night of the movie. That is when Carla started to feel nervous. Upon entering the venue, she was greeted by the cameras that were waiting for her to arrive. She was aware that their date will be covered, but she still felt uneasy when she actually experienced it. She felt like fainting because of the lights shining on her. She blinked and focused on what's to come to overcome her dizziness. And in the midst of the blinding light, there was Joshua. He's standing handsomely in his all black outfit. He's carrying a bouquet of mixed flowers, and Carla felt quite sure it was for her. When she's about a meter away, he came to meet her. Carla did not expect that, and she almost stepped back when he saw him walk towards her. Good thing is that she was able to stop herself before anyone would notice and wonder why she did that. "Hi…" Joshua greeted her. Carla sensed some uncertainty on that greeting. Great, at least they both feel the same. "Hello…" she greeted back. Joshua gave her the flowers. "For you." "Thanks." She accepted the bouquet, and she flinched as the camera flashes on them. Joshua noticed what happened, so he talked to the cameramen who were there. "Can you please take it easy with your shots? The flash is quite blinding." The staff of Violet Films also talked to the cameramen. "Can you please step back a bit so that Joshua and Dr. Carla can now start their date?" The cameramen did as told. "Sorry about that," Joshua told Carla. "They just need to document everything." "It's okay," Carla said. "I guess I got used to it because I was followed by the camera all day long." Joshua grimaced. "Ahm… Let's go?" Carla nodded. Joshua held her right elbow and led her to the table for two. She stiffened a little when she felt his hand touched her, but she tried to ignore it and just went with the flow. Joshua moved the seat for her, and he waited for her to be seated before he went to his seat. "Ahm… Before we start, there's just something that I want to tell you," Joshua started. Carla suddenly felt nervous. What does he want to say? "I know we're not yet okay. That we have an issue before. And I want to apologize for that." Carla was taken aback. She wasn't expecting that. The least that she expected was for Joshua to bring back the past to her tonight. She thought Joshua will act as the typical A-list actor and pretend nothing transpired between them during high school. That he will pretend to entertain her and give her a good time. "I was young, dense, foolish… I'm sorry, Carla. I hope you forgive me and that we move on from what happened before." She somehow felt relieved. Maybe because this is what worries her about going on that date? Their issue before. Somehow, she's glad that's all settled now. Yeah, finally they could totally move on. "Just don't do it again, okay?" she joked. Joshua smiled. "Of course. Promise!" Carla nodded to acknowledge the closure. "Anyway, you have Caith now. I don't think I can compete with that." "Not really," Joshua said. "I mean, Caith is great, but you're great on your own. I read the letter, and I've learned a lot about you; about your medical missions, your feeding programs. You are a great person, Carla." She couldn't help but feel good at what Joshua said. She looked away as she tried to suppress the smile that that statement caused her. "I just tried to do what I think is best," she said. "Anyone can do that." "Yes, but they don't," Joshua said. "You know what? I've been thinking. Maybe next time that you have that kind of activity, maybe you could ask me. I would be glad to join or help you even just financially." "Really?" She felt glad at what he said. "That's good. We're actually looking for donors." "Yeah, sure," Joshua said. "Just call me or send me a message." "Thanks." That smile she gave him was a genuine one. She's really glad about what he just promised. "So, let's order food?" Carla nodded. Joshua called the waiter and they ordered food. After that, they continued their conversation. "By the way, I hope from this day forward, you will come to Pure Act Café more often, okay?" Carla giggled. "So the reason why you reconciled with me is to add to your customers?" "Not really," Joshua said, who is also smiling. "I'm just glad because I haven't seen my classmates for a long time… You also have other friends on our class aside from Edmalyn, right?" "Of course," Carla said. "Though Tats is really who I hang out with during my free time." "She is your best friend, alright. But speaking off, when you visited Pure Act, am I right to think she was drunk that time?" Carla giggled. "She was. She was going through something that time. Love life." "Oh…" Joshua nodded. "Break up?" "Well, she found out that the guy that she likes is in love with someone else." "Ouch!" Joshua said. "That is so bad." "Yes, but that was not the first time that it happened. So, I guess that made it worse." "What a pity." "Yeah… Love seems to avoid her." "Maybe the right man has not arrived yet? For all we know, he's coming soon. Just like my movie. Coming very soon tomorrow. Tonight, that is." Carla giggled. Then, she suddenly realized, all the anxiety that she was feeling since that morning – no, since she found out she has a date with Joshua Socorro – totally subsided as her conversation with him continues. She didn't expect her to be comfortable with his presence, but that is what she's feeling right now. She won't be surprised if after that night, all the awkwardness she feels just by thinking of him will totally go away. Dinner was served after a few minutes. It was perfectly cooked, and Carla really enjoyed it. Then after dinner, they proceeded to the premier night of Joshua's movie. "We have to pose on the red carpet, then we will go inside the theater. Though I think there's a short interview by the entrance. If you want you can go ahead and I'll just meet you inside," Joshua told her. "I can accompany you," Carla said. "Are you sure? They might also ask you some questions." "It's okay. I'll just tell them that I enjoyed the dinner and the spa and salon treatments." Joshua looked at her gladly. "I really enjoyed the massage," Carla added. Joshua chuckled, then he led her to the red carpet. It was Carla's first time to attend such event, and she feels like a celebrity as she poses beside Joshua at the red carpet in front of the theater where the premier night will be held. After that Joshua needs to do a small interview, and Carla went with him as promised. "Joshua, how are you tonight?" the interviewer asked. "Great! Uh… very excited because this movie is different. The story is different. So I hope the fans will like this because it's not the usual romcom we do… Just watch it." "How do you feel that for the first time Caith is not here to join you on a premier night?" "It feels different, as you said it's the first time. Though this is not the first time she did a show without me. Maybe this will not be the last time this will happen, so at least I experienced it already, right?" Joshua chuckled. "And you're okay with that?" "Of course. It's work. We have to be professional… She's making our fellow Filipinos in Dubai happy, so it's okay. It's fine." "And I guess it's because you have a date for tonight." The interviewer looked at Carla. Carla was taken aback by what the female reporter said. "Yeah, Dr. Carla. As you all know, she won the promo for our movie. So she's here to join me for the premier night," Joshua explained. "So Dr. Carla, we heard about your stories, we admire you for your good heart. How does it feel to be here right now?" Carla might not be used to interviews, but she's used to talking to all kinds of people because of her job. Patients are more difficult to deal with than a nosy reporter, so she's quite confident she'll do good on that interview. "Very good," she answered, which is true. "I love the spa treatment because I really needed that full body massage they gave me. I really appreciated it." "We can just imagine how hectic your schedule is as a doctor. Was it not hard for you to take a leave on duty so that you can come tonight?" "Well, it has been a very busy week, a busy shift for me, so I was allowed to go. Our medical director is very kind, so she gave me permission." "I see… So, I hope you have a good time tonight, and I know Joshua will take care of you." "Thank you," she told the reporter. The two of them left the reporter, and they proceeded inside the cinema. A lot of people were inside already, and Carla felt weird when the people clapped when they went in. She suddenly realized that Joshua is the lead actor of the movie. She liked the movie, though she's really not a fan of that genre. At least, she didn't sleep. But what she really liked is the unlimited free popcorn and soda. Maybe that's what kept her awake the entire duration of the movie? After the movie, she went outside the cinema with Joshua. That's when the staff of Violet Films approached her. "Ma'am, this is the end of your date with Joshua. You have a choice if you want to stay here in Manila, or you can go home straight to Tarlac. We will book a hotel for you if ever you choose to stay for the night," the staff explained. "No need. I'll just go home." She is getting embarrassed with all that they did to her today. She doesn't want to add the hotel accommodation to that. "Are you sure, Ma'am?" "Yes." The venue of the premier night is in Quezon City, and it might not take them too long to get out of Manila and after they enter the expressway, it's just easy for them to go back to Tarlac. "Thank you, Carla." She looked at Joshua. "I'm the one who should thank you. I really enjoyed this night. I even have free dress and shoes." Joshua smiled. "You deserve it. But, I was talking about… what we talked about earlier." Carla smiled. "I'm also glad about that." "So, we're really okay now?" Are they? They should have been a long time ago. Eight years had passed. It's just right for them to forget everything. "Of course. We're okay now," she said with a smile. Joshua smiled back, obviously glad about the closure they had. While on the road Carla revisited what had happened earlier. Yeah, maybe she made the right choice to accept the prize. Thought admittedly, at first she just did that to show Joshua that she is not a coward. That she is ready to face him and have a date with him without the awkwardness and embarrassment. But it turned out to be a perfect night after all. Aside from the spa and salon treatment, the free outfit and free movies, the best thing that happened tonight was that she and Joshua reconciled. It's really not nice to have a grudge with someone, that is why she is really happy they reconciled tonight. She's not expecting him to be her friend, but still, being acquainted with a celebrity has its perks. Carla giggled at the thought as they drove away from the country's metro.