Chapter 35

"Good evening, everyone. I hope you're all having a good time," Joven Pagala started. Joven Pagala Live just began, and the host is now delivering his daily monologue to start the show. 'Recently, there was an outreach program held in Brgy. Loria, Tarlac City, and it was led by Mayor Jovie Agustin… I was quite hurt because most of the volunteers are my classmates, and I wasn't invited." Joven pretended he is sulking as he looked at the camera. 'Mayor, please invite me next time, okay? I would love to join you…" He then smiled. 'Anyway, the photos of the said charity event are now viral on the internet because of the blockbuster king, Joshua Socorro. And as of this moment, they are still on the trending list because, what did Joshua Socorro do that did not went viral? 'A lot of people commended him for doing that kind of activity, but many people also criticized his intentions, saying it's just for publicity's sake… I am now saying this not because Joshua is a friend of mine, but because this is my opinion about that matter. But, well, maybe it's also because I know Joshua personally that's why I can say these things about him. "Those photos were posted on the website of the Tarlac City government, because that was the project of Mayor Jovie, who happens to be our high school classmate as well. It just happened that Joshua joined that outreach program, and he happens to be an actor as well. But I guarantee that this was done by Joshua not because he wants publicity. Know why? Because if that is really his intention, then why didn't he include it on his vlog on Youtube, knowing that his channel has more reach in terms of subscribers as compared to the Facebook page of the Tarlac City Gov? He could even monetize the video, but he didn't do that. I think it's obvious he's not after the publicity or money or whatever. It just happened that he was there. 'I'm not sure about the real deal, but most of the participants are my classmates. Maybe they decided to join this activity as friends. As I've mentioned, I should have been there had I known about it. You also saw Ria, the novelist, who is also our classmate. Some of the elites of Tarlac City are there. And I think another thing that made the netizens interested was Dr. Carla. Yes, she is our classmate as well. I think Joshua already mentioned that before during their date, if you can remember. 'At the end of the day, I think what's important is that the group made a good job in helping those in Brgy. Loria. That is the thing, that there are some people who wanted to help those in need. It doesn't matter if you're a celebrity, a well-off person or medical professional. All that matters is the willingness to help. I think that's just what we should think about that." Joven ended his monologue by discussing who his guests are for tonight's show. ************************************************************************************ Carla is on night shift once again. But unlike the usual nights wherein she just peacefully waits for a patient to come, almost all the ER staff of Tarlac General Hospital are bugging her. 'Doctor, you didn't even mention that you were friends with Papa Joshy," Donna said sulking. 'That's right, Doctor," Lea agreed. 'You didn't tell us you're high school friends." 'We're not friends," Carla denied. 'I mean, before. We're not that close. Our circle of friends are different. We only interacted much lately." 'I know. You started getting close to each other during your date, right?" Lea asked. 'Not really," Carla answered. 'Now I regret not joining the medical mission," Lea said. 'Me, too. We should have exchanged our shift that day," Donna agreed. 'If I only knew… Doctor Carla, you should have told us that Papa Joshy was joining the medical mission," Lea said. So now, it's her fault? If earlier Carla just feels a little annoyed because of the attention she's getting for being Joshua's high school classmate, now she's totally pissed. 'Why don't you just check your patients?" Carla said to the two. The two nurses want to refuse, but seeing Carla's serious face, they were compelled to follow. They went to their patients to check their condition. ************************************************************************************ 'A lot of fans are requesting for her to guest on your channel." Joshua proved what Jeff, his assistant, said as he read the tweets and comments about the picture they had during their outreach program in Brgy. Loria. He's trending right now, and one of the reasons is that the fans are requesting for Dr. Carla Labao to appear on his channel. 'The video of your date on Valentine's day had resurfaced, and the fans are really drawn to your… chemistry." Joshua looked at Jeff, and the uncertainty on the latter's voice turned into a grimace. 'That's what they were saying," Jeff explained. 'You two became an instant OTP because of those pictures." "What is an OTP?" Joshua asked. "One true pairing," Jeff answered. 'Just like those love teams from the Kdramas, or those fanfictions on the internet. Actually, a lot of fanfictions were already made about the two of you." Jeff showed Joshua the stories on the internet that were made about him and Carla. Their theme varies from comedy, drama, fantasy, and even thriller; adult and teen stories, but all of them are love stories. 'Maybe, if you will team up in a movie, for sure it would be a blockbuster hit," Jeff added. "That is impossible," Joshua said. "She's not an actress, and she's not interested in showbusiness." 'She said that?" Jeff asked. Joshua did not answer, because he's not even sure if Carla would consider being an actress or not. They did not talk about it. "She's a doctor," Joshua just said. 'There are doctors who became actors," Jeff said. 'Remember that Chinese doctor… What's his name again?" Joshua knows who he is talking about. Ken Jeong, the stand-up comedian and actor who is really a licensed physician. But he would not tell it to him, to impede his fantasy about Carla being an actress. "Ms. Ria!" Jeff suddenly said. Joshua looked at Ria who is now approaching them. They are at the Pure Act Café, and it seems his Cupid friend also wants to unwind. Or maybe, she's just bored that's why she decided to come today. 'Hi guys!" Ria greeted them. 'Ms. Ria," Jeff said as he smiled. 'Take a seat." Ria sat down on the chair that Jeff arranged for her. 'Thank you." Joshua frowned when he saw Jeff blush. 'You're welcome," said Jeff, who is obviously shy. 'Ahm, what do you like to drink? Juice, iced tea…" 'Is this your house?" Joshua asked Jeff. 'I'm just… asking…" Jeff said. Joshua nodded. 'Well, then. Get us some drinks from the kitchen." Jeff looked at Joshua, obviously not wanting to obey. 'There's the waiter, so…" 'We're not customers here, remember? Go get some juice from the kitchen." Jeff has no choice but to obey Joshua. He left to the kitchen to get them some refreshments. 'You're too hard on your assistant," Ria said to Joshua. "He obviously has a crush on you," Joshua said. "That's not true," Ria said. "No one will have a crush on me." "How can you say that?" "Because of the immunity," Ria answered. "Remember? We're Cupids." Oh yeah, no one will get attracted to a Cupid, unless… "He might be your red thread," Joshua said. "Is he?" Joshua was not able to answer. He didn't think of checking if Jeff is Ria's red thread, and even if he did, he could not say it. "He probably is just a fan," Ria said. Joshua then remembered that Jeff is indeed Ria's fan. Jeff is actually the only male that Joshua knows who owns a complete set of Ria's romance novels. "Yeah... He might ask for an autograph from you later," Joshua said. "By the way, you didn't help Jovie on her campaign today?" 'She gave me a day off, out of pity, I guess," Joshua said. Ria giggled. "I'm thinking about some content for my Youtube channel... Why don't you do an episode with me?" 'But what are we going to do?" Ria asked. 'Well…" Joshua pondered for a while. 'Mukbang." "Seriously?" Ria asked. 'Yeah. Seafoods Mukbang. I need to make it up to you for what happened last time." Ria just giggled. Joshua smiled as well. 'Come on," Joshua pleaded. 'Just this one time." 'I'm camera shy, you know," Ria said. "Hey! You did an interview with Gail Samonte. Why can't you do it with me, your friend?" 'Oh! So you're mentioning friendship now, huh?" 'Come on," Joshua said. 'People have been requesting that since they saw our pictures in Brgy. Loria." 'I think I'm not really the person that they want to see on your channel." Joshua did not reply. 'Funny, because you have a lot of fanfictions already," Ria said. 'Who would have thought you'll become an instant internet love team?" "Tell me about it." Joshua sighed. 'That's what me and Jeff are talking about just now." 'Then ask her to be your guest on your channel." "You know I can't do that," Joshua said. 'For sure she would decline." "Well, she doesn't like the limelight. But the way things are happening, it's like the limelight is taking over her." Joshua just nodded. "Do you really want me to guest on your channel?" He looked back at her. Ria smiled. "Okay, I'll do it. But, don't regret it if I said or did something on that guesting." Joshua frowned. "Huh?" 'Just tell me the details, okay?" 'Okay," Joshua just said to conform to whatever his friend is thinking of doing.