Chapter 72

"Friends, our next interview is very controversial. Recently, there has been an exchange of viral posts between our guest tonight and his former girlfriend. The exchange resulted in an interview, and tonight, to clear his side, we have Joshua Socorro." The camera shifted from Joven to Joshua, who smiled a little. "Joshua, it's been a long time since you've been here on my show. And it's quite disappointing that it's because of this issue you want to clear." "I am also not happy about this, Joven," Joshua said. "But I have to do this because I have to protect someone. It's very ironic because the way to protect her is to make the public know about her and how she really is as a person." Joven nodded. "Before we go deeper with your relationship with this special person, I think it's better if you answer some allegations about you and that special someone. And also, to clear things up or confirm some statements." Joshua nodded to show his agreement. "First of all, do you confirm that the mystery girl is Dr. Carla Labao?" "Yes." Joshua smiled at Joven. Joven also smiled. "Actually, I'm happy because you're both my friends. But, because of that, there were allegations that you started having feelings for each other even when you were still with Caitlyn Soriano. Is it true that you and Carla had a mutual understanding right after the premier of your movie?" "Before I answer that question, Joven, I think it's better if I tell everyone our history. Me and Carla, during high school." Joven nodded. "You know that I courted Carla during high school. But then, she always rejected me. That's the reason why during that time that she was shortlisted to be my date on the premier night, I was very uncomfortable with the idea. And it's because we're not okay. There is this... indifference that has taken over us. But then, I still let the date happen because I don't want the producers and management to think bad about me, since that issue has been long ago. "So I allowed the date to happen. After that, we haven't seen each other again until me and Caith broke up. Something happened and I went to the hospital where she is working, and that's how it all started, I guess." "So you're saying that you did not see each other again after the date, until you and Caith are no longer together?" "Yes, that's right," Joshua answered. "So it's safe to say that we didn't fall in love during the time I still am in a relationship. During our date, although we didn't clash like I was quite expecting that time, we also didn't interacted intimately. It's just like we're two old friends who met again." "So when exactly did the falling in love happened?" "I guess, after that incident after my breakup with Caith, we were brought together by Fate a lot of times. It was a process, Joven. It didn't happen instantly, also because we had an issue before. We first became friends, then that's how it started." 'I remember we went to a friend's manor, and you told me that you're working on a possible love life. That was months after your break up with Caith." 'Yeah, and that's also the reason why no one should say that Carla fell in love with my charms instantly because Joven, I really had a hard time pursuing her. This is actually the reason why I wanted to do this interview in the first place – to tell everyone that Carla was never at fault in this story. She didn't do anything wrong. She had that wall between us because of what happened during high school. So it wasn't easy for her to accept me." 'Well, during high school, you're kind of obsessed with her." Joshua smiled. 'I guess my heart already knew even that time that she is the one for me. But, as I've said, I was able to move on from her, I met Caith and I fell in love with her. Truly fell in love with her." 'Joshua, I think the other thing that we need to address is the reason why you and Caith broke up. No one really confirmed the reason. You didn't even mention it during the introduction of your Youtube channel." 'You know, Joven, I don't want to be the person spilling the beans. I'm not the one who should explain what happened… That's just what I can say about that." 'I respect your decision, but you kind of told us discretely that the other party is the one to blame for what happened." Joshua smiled. 'I guess I'm not smart enough to know how to conceal it completely." Joven smiled as well. 'So, let's talk about Carla. What do you like the most about her?" 'I guess, her kindness," Joshua answered. 'Her honesty. She's just pure and real. I have been fooled once, and I had issue trusting again, I guess. But she gave me that courage to just believe again. And I think it's also because she understands what I've been through." 'I think you were made for each other." Joshua just smiled. 'Any message for her?" 'Well, I will tell her my message later when it's just the two of us together." Joshua smiled knowingly. 'Oh… wow!" Joshua laughed at Joven's reaction. 'That sounded too private." Joshua just laughed again. 'Okay, fine. How about the fans and the netizens?" 'I would like to thank them because most of them said wonderful things about me and Carla. I would just like to reiterate that we didn't do anything wrong. Our relationship is clean from the beginning. No one stole no one from anyone. Carla is dignified enough to steal someone else's boyfriend. She won't do that." 'And finally, do you have anything to say to Caith?" Joshua paused for a while, as if thinking what to say. In the end, he told Joven, 'I have nothing to say to her." 'Okay… Thank you Joshua for doing this interview." 'Thank you also, Joven." 'Please stand by, and we will be right back after this break." ********************************************************************* Caitlyn Soriano could not hide the anger she felt because of the interview of Joshua Socorro. She feels like wanting to throw the remote control on the TV to break it and not see the various commercials that were aired after the interview of the said actor. 'He really did it, huh? He really did that interview!" Caitlyn is panting after that scream. Or maybe, it's because she is so mad she's starting to tear up and she's trying to make them stop from actually falling. She can't cry right now. She has cried a lot of days and nights because of frustration about her dying career. Instead of getting annoyed at her behavior, Tony is actually feeling sad and pity for Caitlyn. He knows why she's so frustrated right now. Since the breakup, she didn't have a lot of projects. Even though her contract with the management entitles her with a movie and teleserye, no one wants to give her a role because what the producers wanted is a package deal with Joshua Socorro. They also didn't want to give her a new love team, so she really did not get any work. 'They really want to fight me, huh? Fine! I'll give them what they are looking for!" 'Caith, please…" Caitlyn faced her boyfriend. 'What?! Are you going to stop me?!" 'There's no point in trying. As you've said, whatever happens people would still side with Joshua." 'But I can't just let that be! Tony, I can't let my career die just like this!" 'Then what would you do about it?!" Tony could not hide his anger anymore. He's also frustrated at what is happening and what Caitlyn is doing. 'Will you continue making up lies just because you want to compete with them? Do you know how I feel every time you post about your alleged feelings for Joshua?" 'You know they are not real–" 'That's not my point, Caith. What I mean is, I feel sad that you have to lie like that just for you to get projects. Caith, don't you think that's too humiliating? You look so desperate already." Caitlyn did not answer. She kind of realized what Tony meant, that she looked embarrassing because of desperation. 'I guess you deserve it. We deserve this." Even he did not get any job because the actress that he handles did not have any project. 'And what do you mean by that?" Caitlyn felt offended. 'Caith, we cheated on Joshua." Caitlyn was stunned at the realization. 'Call it harsh or cruel, but I think this is our karma." Caitlyn felt like she was slapped with Tony's words. That's when she realized that they were the real antagonists in Joshua's life story. For so long she has been blaming her former love team for all her misfortunes. If he didn't leave her, then they could have done the projects that were lined up for them. But that's not what happened. Joshua left her hanging. She felt so bad, and she was depressed because of what happened. That's why when Joshua's photo with the mystery girl was leaked online, she became more mad because of the success that he was having in his life. Aside from a happy love live, Caitlyn is also aware of the success of Joshua's Youtube channel. But now, she realized that she should not blame Joshua for whatever she's experiencing right now. Tony was right. Maybe this really is their karma. That they were the bad guys, that's why these bad things are happening to them. And revenge is not the solution they should seek. What she needs to do is surrender and accept defeat, and embrace the fact that this is because of everything that they did in the past. That night, she decided to end that madness she had started weeks ago. Yes, she will stop exploiting the issue with Joshua Socorro. She will not have an interview or do anything that has something to do with him. She will also stop posting cryptic messages on Instagram. She's actually thinking of going inactive from social media from the time being. It's hard, but she needs to accept that what is happening to her right now is because of what they did to Joshua before. She feels bad about it, but she needs to accept that. She will stop now before she can do something that could add up to the sins she has done. Maybe time will come that her career will flourish again. But for now, maybe she really needs to rest. Maybe she's the one who needs to take a rest from showbiz. Anyway, she has earned enough as a singer and actress already. Maybe she could put up a business? Whatever. She'll just do what she comes up with in the coming days. She opened her Instagram account for the last time before taking a rest at social media. She decided to erase her cryptic posts about Joshua one by one. Funny, when they broke up she didn't even post a single photo or statement about it. Only now that there was abuzz about her ex-boyfriend's love life. She knows people would be curious about her deleting her posts, but she made up her mind to just ignore it. Also, a part of her is wanting her to somehow atone for what they did to Joshua by affirming his statement on the interview about the breakup. It's the least that she can do for him. 'Now I know what my karma looks like… It looks like you." That was Caitlyn Soriano's last Instagram story before she deleted her Instagram app from her phone.