Chapter 65

Maybe it's true that love can make you look beautiful. Like, when people say that you're blooming when you're in love. Carla proved that because a lot of people notice that she looks blooming lately, and she knows the reason why. She has been dating Joshua for three weeks now. Dating, as in they go out on dates. But until now, they are still not officially in a relationship. She herself noticed that changes in her. She always feels great and light. However toxic they are at ER, however tired she may get, there is still that smile on her face. That's the reason why everyone started noticing that she's blooming. She's always smiling lately. And so, everything is going smoothly and greatly. Until she received that text message from Joshua. Hi doc! Are you free on Aug. 8? Carla checked her schedule. She's on duty that day. She replied on his message and told him her schedule, thinking it was just the same inquiry he does when he wants them to meet. His reply to her looked normal as well. I see… okay. :) So Carla thought everything is fine. Until she heard Lea and Donna's conversation about Joshua. 'Papa Joshy's birthday is coming," Lea said. 'Oh yeah! Will he do a fans' day again?" Donna said. Carla's chest suddenly pounded. She suddenly remembered Joshua's test message earlier. August 8… Could it be…? She immediately searched for Joshua Socorro's birthday on the internet. Maybe his birthday is on the internet? Actually, it's not only Joshua's birthday that's on the internet. He literally has his own Wikipedia page. Carla was not that surprised as she's aware that he's really famous not only in the country but on the whole region. So Joshua's birthday is on August 8. And it's just three days from now. Carla suddenly felt stressed. ************************************************************************* Joshua scowled as he closed the Messages app on his personal phone. He's in Pure Act Café right now, and he's in a meeting with James and Ria. 'But, you did not accept the deal just because I'm your friend, right?" Ria asked the two men. 'Of course," James said. 'I actually like the idea to make lambanog mainstream. At least there's something we can call our own, like soju and sake." Ria smiled, obviously pleased at what James said. 'But aside from that, your Kuya Rico's cable company is growing very fast. I am actually interested in investing," James added. Ria's smile slowly faded. Joshua chuckled at the direction the conversation went to. 'I could have liked it more if you said you did it because I'm your friend," Ria said. James just smiled. Joshua looked at his cellphone again. Of all the days, why does Carla need to be on duty on August 8? 'Someone seems quite detached." Joshua looked at Ria. She and James are both looking at him. 'I… I'm just thinking about something." He looked again at his cellphone on the table. 'About where you will date Carla?" Ria guessed. Joshua looked at her again. 'Have you run out of secluded dating spots here in Tarlac?" asked Ria. Joshua frowned at what she said. Secluded? Ria seems to read what he's thinking. 'Because the public can't see you. That's why you're always hiding." 'Why don't you just reveal everything?" James asked. 'You're proud to date Carla, right?" 'Of course I am!" Joshua was quite offended. 'But of course, I don't know if Carla will be okay with that. She's a private personality, and I'm not sure if she's okay to be put on the limelight because of me." That's one thing that bothers Joshua. It feels like he and Carla can't love each other freely because he's thinking about her privacy. 'So, you're really thinking where you will go for your date?" Ria asked. 'No." Oh well, might as well tell them the truth. 'It's just that, I want to be with her on my birthday." 'Oh! I remember, your birthday is coming," James said. 'When?" Ria asked. 'On the eighth day," James answered. 'Oh! Okay, just a few days from now," Ria said. She looked at Joshua again. 'And she's on duty that day?" Joshua nodded sadly. 'Hey! Celebrities spend their birthday for a month, right?" asked James. 'James, I'm not like that anymore," Joshua said. 'That is showbiz. I'm months over that kind of life." "But the point is, you can celebrate with Carla after the exact date of your birthday," said James. "Just go out when she's not on duty anymore." "When is her day off?" Ria asked. Joshua just stared at her and wondered when will Carla be free. He didn't even bother asking. He was so disappointed that he can't be with the girl he likes the most on his birthday. That's why he immediately ended their conversation because he might get even more disappointed. "You don't know?" Ria asked, sensing his nuisance. Joshua sighed. "I was very stupid for not asking." Ria grimaced at his predicament. James also winced because of his friend's hopelessness. "Why don't you kidnap her?" Ria suddenly asked. Joshua looked at her as if she said something horrible. "You really thought of that?" "Yeah!" Ria is giggling. Joshua just shook his head because of his friend's playfulness. "That's the only way you can get her out of that emergency room," Ria said. "Right?" She looked at James. "You and your wild imagination," James told her. "He's being problematic how he can be with Carla on his birthday. The only way that could happen is for Carla to be away from her doctor duties," Ria explained. "And that could be done by kidnapping her," James said. "Exactly!" Ria said. Joshua is getting irritated with his two friends, particularly at Ria who seems to not take his situation seriously. Okay, this might be quite personal, and his friend have not yet experienced that. But can't she just be a little more sensitive with how he feels? But actually, she has a point. The only way that Carla can be with him is for her to abandon her doctor duties, which is something that she cannot do, and something that he cannot make her do. That would be so bad. Yes, he wants to be with her even just for a few moments, probably an hour or so, just for them to have dinner together. But he doesn't want to take her away from her responsibilities. If only he can be with her even just for an hour on that day. Then suddenly, an idea stuck his mind. Yeah, why not? He and Carla can celebrate his birthday even just for an hour. They don't have to be together the whole day or night. They don't even have to leave TGH. He can definitely go to her and celebrate. But of course, he has to do it discretely. He's not sure that Carla would be okay if the world will find out about their relationship, or at least the entire TGH. And Joshua thought of a good place where they can be together without anyone knowing about it. But of course, he will be needing the help of some people to fulfill his plan. "Ri, when you made Carla come to Dianne's manor, who asked permission for her?" Joshua asked. Ria looked surprised with his question, but she still answered Joshua. "Dianne arranged everything," Ria said. "Their family doctor happens to be one of TGH's owners." Joshua's face lit up. He's confident he can do his plan successfully. And he has to do it now! "Thanks, Ri!" He kissed her head and went out of the restaurant. "You're going?" James asked. "Need to talk to some people!" was Joshua's answer before he completely got out of the restaurant. "I think he finally came out with an idea," Ria said. "You think so?" James asked as he looked at her. "And it's because of my wild imagination." James laughed at Ria's proud smile.