Chapter 49

Edmalyn is looking at her phone when Ria saw her sitting on the four-seater table at The Coffee Club. 'Friend!" she called when she reached the table. Edmalyn looked up. 'Friend!" Ria greeted her former classmate with a kiss on her cheek before she sat down opposite her. 'Sorry for making you wait," Ria said. 'It's okay," Edmalyn replied. Ria noticed the cup in front of her. 'What did you order?" 'Just some caramel macchiato," answered Edmalyn. 'Let's order some snacks." Ria called the waiter and ordered some hibiscus tea for herself, and taco empanada for the two of them. 'Thanks for coming on a short notice," Edmalyn said. 'It's okay," Ria said. 'I also need a breather." 'The person that I asked first could not make it. She has already made plans," Edmalyn explained. Ria frowned. 'Carla," Edmalyn said. 'She said someone asked her to come to the amusement park, for free." Ria just blinked at her. 'I mean, don't you think she's secretly dating someone?" Edmalyn asked. 'You asked me to meet you today just to tell me that you think Carla is secretly dating someone," said Ria. 'Oh, come on, Ri! I know you're curious as well," Edmalyn said. 'You're also her friend, right?" 'Yes, but if she doesn't want to tell me about her love life, then I can't do anything about it," said Ria. 'Yes! I understand, okay? But it's different in my case," said Edmalyn. 'I'm her best friend. She should be saying those things to me." Ria paused. Edmalyn has a point, and she can't blame her for scowling because of sadness. 'But how sure are you that Carla went out on a date today?" Ria just asked. 'Maybe she's just with a friend?" 'Ri, they went to this new amusement park in San Manuel. I checked about it on the net." Edmalyn showed her cellphone to Ria. 'It's a Korean theme park, and it screams romantic. And, it's the guy's treat." Ria looked at the cellphone. Since when did Edmalyn become a private investigator? Is this how a nosy best friend acts? 'I doubt that it's just a simple stroll on the park. I doubt if they will be able to resist the romantic charm of the place," Edmalyn said as she looked at her cellphone again. 'What if she went out with a girl friend?" Ria asked. Edmalyn looked at Ria with shock. 'Oh no! Carla has become a lesbian?" Ria was so caught off guard she wasn't able to respond. 'Or bisexual," Edmalyn added. 'I mean, there's nothing wrong about it, but why did she keep it from me?" 'That's not what I mean," Ria said when she recovered from her surprise at what Edmalyn said. 'What I meant was, she might be with a friend who is a girl. You know, girl friend." Edmalyn seems to understand what Ria said. 'Also, she might have gone there with a group of friends," Ria added. 'What did she tell you by the way?" Edmalyn shrugged. 'She's going out with a friend and she is being treated with a free ticket." 'So, it could mean anything," Ria said. 'Just let her be. Maybe it's not a big deal that's why she didn't tell you the details." Edmalyn contemplated. 'Maybe…" she finally said. Ria felt relieved that her friend was somehow appeased. Edmalyn just looked at her cellphone again. 'This amusement part looks amazing," Edmalyn commented as she scrolled her cellphone. 'Whoever conceptualized it is really very good. A theme park based on Korean wave. It also has some representation of the location of the famous Kdramas." 'You know what? I know someone who could give me tickets to that amusement park," Ria said. Edmalyn was filled with excitement. 'Really?" Ria nodded. 'Yeah. If you like, I could ask him to give me free tickets, then I'll give you two. Take whoever you want to take." Edmalyn's face lit up. 'Ri! That is perfect! That is so plain perfect!" Ria frowned. 'Actually, I'm looking for a gift for a special someone…" Edmalyn smiled coyly. 'It's his birthday next week. That is the reason why I asked Carla to go out with me, so that we can buy a gift for him. I guess I'll just give him the tickets." 'That's good!" Ria said. 'But, it's that okay? I just got the tickets for free," Edmalyn asked. 'But you thought of bringing him there out of all people you can take with you. It's the thought that counts," Ria answered. 'And besides, he wouldn't know you got the tickets for free. And, just consider it my help to your budding love life." She winked at her. 'You're right," Edmalyn said with a smile. 'Thanks, Ri. You've been very helpful, really." 'Don't mention it," Ria said. The following day, Edmalyn was able to meet up with Carla on the same location. 'So, how was your Daebak Park adventure?" Edmalyn asked her best friend. Carla smiled slyly. 'It was okay… It's a wonderful place, Besh. For sure you'll like it there." 'You didn't take me with you," Edmalyn said, sulking. Carla winced because of embarrassment. 'Anyway, there's something that I need to tell you," Edmalyn said. 'Can you come with me next week? It's Carlo's birthday, and he invited me." Carla was surprised. 'He said I can take you with me," Edmalyn said. 'You seem to have become close to him," Carla commented. 'Actually, I think it's more than just us being close." Edmalyn smiled shyly. 'Are you two… dating?" Carla does not know how to react with Edmalyn's answer. 'Not yet," answered Edmalyn. 'But we hung out a few times. It feels like coincidence, but it's as if Fate is pulling us together. You know what I mean?" Carla did not answer. 'So, are you coming with me?" Edmalyn asked. 'Sure." And so, Carla came with Edmalyn to Carlo Reyes' birthday. Edmalyn said that the dress code for the party is just casual, but she made so much effort on her outfit that Carla felt underdressed. Though, Edmalyn is not overdressed, but she's just very noticeable in her dark blue cold shoulder blazer dress. A lot of guests are already on the party when Edmalyn and Carla arrived. They immediately looked for Carlo, since he is the birthday celebrant. They found him talking with another guy. 'Carlo!" Edmalyn shouted. Carla cringe at the obvious excitement on Edmalyn's voice. She just followed her friend as she approached the birthday celebrant. 'Hey!" Carlo said when he saw them. He was obviously glad to see them, particularly Edmalyn. 'Happy birthday!" Edmalyn said, then kissed him on the cheeks. 'Thank you," Carlo said with a smile. Carla also greeted Carlo, minus the kiss on the cheeks. She felt they are not that close for her to do that. 'Thanks for coming," Carlo said. 'Of course, I will come. Why do you even doubt that?" Edmalyn gushed. Carla was not able to stop her eyes from rolling. Her friend is just too obvious. But looking at Carlo, she can see that the feeling is mutual. He obviously likes Edmalyn as well. Carla confirmed that by the way Carlo is holding Edmalyn. His hand is not just simply resting on her back. He's holding her possessively. Carla realized that it was because the guy he was talking to have been eyeing Edmalyn since they came to them. Maybe Carlo noticed that, so he's trying to impose that Edmalyn is his. In a way, Carla felt happy and giddy at what he did. And she also felt annoyed at the guy he's talking to when they met him. When Carlo introduced them and made him know that Edmalyn is off limits, the guy's attention suddenly shifted to Carla. 'Let me introduce you to some people," Carlo said to Edmalyn. 'Sure!" Edmalyn smiled widely. Carla wanted to come with them, but the guy that Carlo was talking to – whose name is Edwin – blocked her way. 'So… you're a doctor?" he asked in an arrogant manner, which Carla hates. 'Yeah," Carla answered as she looked on to Edmalyn and Carlo. She wanted to follow them before they disappear from her sight, but Edwin blocked her way again. 'Wow! That is so cool," the guy said. 'I'm a pilot." Carla looked at him. She was about to tell her that she doesn't care, but the guy spoke again. 'I travel to a lot of places and the pay is not bad. What a perfect job, right?" He looks like he feels that Carla is impressed. But in reality, she's actually irked. If only it's not wrong to speak to him rudely, for sure she already did that. 'So how did you know Carlo?" asked Edwin. 'Are you a friend of him?" 'Not really," Carla answered, out of politeness. 'Oh! So you just happen to be on this party and you met me. I think that's what they call Destiny," Edwin said. Carla could not take it anymore. 'Excuse me–" 'Babe!" Carla turned to look at the guy who spoke. It was Joshua Socorro, and at that moment he's already come at her side. And he didn't just stayed beside her. He put his arm around her shoulders. Joshua smiled at her. 'You're late." Carla realized what Joshua was playing. 'W-Well… Tats… She took so long to get ready." She suddenly felt her heart race when he felt Joshua's arm around her shoulder. Or, did the racing of her heart started when she set her eyes on him? 'Oh… I see." Joshua went closer to her and whispered, 'She's making sure to be pretty for Carlo." He then smiled playfully. Then he looked at Edwin. 'You are…?" 'Edwin," the guy simply answered. 'Hi, Edwin." Joshua held out his hand. Edwin shook his hand hesitantly. 'So, if you'll excuse us…" Joshua said. He did not wait for Edwin to answer his question as he immediately led Carla away from him. 'I don't like that guy," Joshua said when they finally got away from Edwin. Carla did not answer. She still could not make her heart stop from racing. Joshua noticed her silence. That's when he realized that he's still holding her. He immediately removed his arm from her shoulders. 'Uhm… Haha…" Joshua smiled shyly. Carla forced herself to look at his face. 'T-Thank… you… for saving… m-me…" She's fully aware that she's stuttering. She still wasn't able to appease her racing heart. 'It's nothing… As I've said, I don't like that guy. I don't feel good about him." 'Good thing you came." She could not have thought of a more perfect way to get away from that guy. 'I saw how he looked at Tats earlier. Then when Tats left, he shifted to you. He looks like a predator if given the chance," Joshua explained. 'You saw us earlier?" asked Carla. Joshua nodded. 'Since you arrived. I just could not come to you... You know… Just want to stay unnoticed…" Carla understood what he meant. 'That's what you get for being a famous celebrity." She smiled to make Joshua feel less timid. 'Well…" He smiled shyly. 'It's true, so you don't have to be shy," Carla said. Joshua smiled. 'So, where were you hiding earlier?" asked Carla. Instead of answering, Joshua took Carla to where he was staying earlier.