Chapter 73

'Live streaming in 3… 2… 1…!" 'Happy New Year, everyone! And welcome back to my channel. If you don't know me yet, I am Gail Samonte and tonight, I was invited to CPRU's Annual Homecoming. If you're not from CPRU, then let me tell you that Homecoming is CPRU's annual gathering of its high school alumni from various batches. So if you're a graduate of CPRU high school department, then you're welcome to attend every year. 'Speaking of, this year's gathering is special because the batch sponsor for this year includes some of the most sought-after celebrities in the country. And we're so lucky to be tasked on greeting them once they arrive here in the venue because, as you can see, we're now on the red carpet of CPRU's Annual Homecoming Party. 'As you can see, some guests and alumni member have already arrived. Let's wait for these celebrities to arrive- Oh! There's Tarlac City mayor Jovie Agustin. Let's come talk to her." Gail approached Jovie after the later finished posing to the photographers at the red carpet. 'Good evening, Mayor!" Gail greeted Jovie. 'Hey! Hi, good evening!" The two kissed each other on the cheeks. 'How are you doing, Mayor?" 'I'm great! I'm actually happy that finally, our class was able to have a reunion through this Homecoming party of CPRU." Jovie giggled. 'So, who are you wearing, Mayor?" Jovie looked at the black off-shouldered dress she's wearing. 'This is from Casa Rafaela. Thanks, Raquie Cordova for this dress. Actually, this is from last year. It is the second time that I wore it." She giggled timidly. 'Oh! It looks fine, actually. No one noticed it if you didn't tell," Gail commented. 'Anyway, so who is your date tonight?" 'Actually, I don't have a date. He's too busy to join me tonigh." Jovie smiled coyly. 'So, are the rumors true about your love life, Mayor?" 'Uhm… no comment!" The two of them laughed. 'Oh! Here are my dates," Jovie said as she saw the three men who just arrived. It was James, Mark and Jeralhd. The three looks dashing on their black suits. Mark is the first one who joined Jovie. 'Mayor! How are you?" 'Still pretty." The three guys laughed at her joke. Then they started noticing Gail Samonte. 'Good evening!" Mark said with a wide smile for Gail. 'Hey! She's already taken. Her boyfriend is also a mayor," Jovie said to her friend. 'I didn't do anything wrong!" Mark said to Jovie. 'Mayor, I know who her boyfriend is. I mean, who does not know Mayor Art dela Rosa of Capas?" He smiled at Gail, who smiled back at him. 'I just want to be sure," Jovie said. Then she looked back at Gail. 'They are my classmates." 'I know them, actually." The four were surprised. 'Well, they are quite well-known in the business sector here in Tarlac. And aside from that, I did some research. They are members of the group Pure Act Dancers, right? With Joshua Socorro as the fourth member." 'It seems like you have done your homework," Mark commented. Gail smiled. 'So, do you have a dance presentation tonight? Just to relieve the memories of your high school." She looked at James. 'We have, actually," James answered. 'Wow! I'm pretty sure everyone is looking forward to that. Thanks for your time to chat with me." 'Thank you!" James said. 'We'll go ahead inside, Gail," Jovie said. 'Is Art with you?" 'He'll be coming," answered Gail. 'I just came early because I have to do the red carpet." 'Okay. See you later." Jovie smiled at Gail. 'See you later!" The three guys also smiled at Gail Samonte before following Jovie inside the venue. 'CPRU really made this event fancy," Mark said. 'They even hired a renowned Youtuber to be the host of the red carpet." 'It seems like they really prepared for the Homecoming this year," Jovie said. 'Because they know you're coming, Mayor," Mark joked. 'But of course," Jovie said, riding on Mark's joke. 'Is your speech ready, Mayor?" James asked. 'Of course! I'm always ready." The three men laughed at what Jovie said. They arrived at the venue, and they finally met their classmates. After a moment of reconnecting and reminiscing, they went to a vacant table and sat down. That's when Joven came to them. Once again, they became noisy as they talked happily with one another. 'Mayor, good thing you're not late tonight?" Joven asked Jovie. 'That would be embarrassing. They might say I act like a celebrity, even though I'm not," Jovie answered. 'Speaking of, where are our celebrity friends?" Joven asked again. 'Everyone is waiting for them to arrive." 'You know those celebrities, Joven," Mark said. 'They always like to have a grand entrance." 'Actually," Joven agreed. As they speak, Dianne arrived at the red carpet. She immediately posed in front of the camera at the red carpet. She posed professionally as how she does on her viral posts on Instagram. After her pictures were taken, Gail Samonte went to her. 'And the socialite Dianne Agdeppa has arrived," Gail said to her. 'Hi!" Dianned kissed her on the cheeks. 'Good evening! How are you?" 'I'm great!" 'Who are you wearing?" 'Oh! This is Sharon Cruz' latest collection." Dianne showed off her dress like a model. It was a red satin off-shouldered dress with a slit on the left leg. 'Wow! Stunning!" 'Thank you." With another smile, Dianne proceeded inside the venue. She immediately sees her classmates. She joined Jovie and the others after reconnecting with their other classmates. 'Ria hasn't arrived yet?" Dianne asked. 'You know that friend of yours. She's always late," Jovie answered. 'She's only late in the morning, Mayor," James said. 'You know her. She's a night owl." 'And Joshua and Carla as well?" Dianne asked again. 'They'll come together, right?" 'They have been public for four months now. What else will they hide?" Joven asked. 'You're right," Dianne said. 'I hope they arrive already! I want to see their dresses. They both opted for Gloria Nelmida." 'Your dress is also nice," Mark said to Dianne. 'Yeah, but I'm just curious, you know," Dianne explained. 'Aren't you curious who made Mayor's dress?" Mark asked Dianne again. 'I know that's from Casa Rafaela. It's from their last year's collection," Dianne said with an air of disappointment that made the three guys chuckle. 'That is so mean! You know I'm just a lowly public servant. My salary is too low as compared to your income from posting on Instagram," Jovie said, defending herself. 'Oh, don't me, Mayor! Your family is one of the richest in Tarlac. You can afford any designer clothes you want just like me," Dianne said. 'Dianne is right, Mayor," Mark said. 'We will not accuse you of corruption even if you wear some designer gowns." 'I have to maintain a frugal image," Jovie said. 'People might talk about my outfit more than they do about Joshua and Carla's affair." 'That is instant publicity, and it might even help you for the next election," Mark said. 'Stop it, will you?" Jovie scolded Mark. 'Ugh! When are they coming?" Dianne asked again. None among the four was able to answer Dianne's question. **************************************************************************** Carla is wearing a white dress with double pleated bodice and spaghetti straps. The skirt is A-line and the fabric has white speckles that added to the character of the dress. She's wearing the heart-shaped Tifanny necklace that Joshua gifted her on their third monthsary to accentuate her sexy collarbone. Her hair is styled with long combed vintage waves and she is wearing a white pearly accessory to tuck the left side behind her ear. She is also wearing pearl earrings that match her hair clip. Her make-up was done by a professional make-up artist. She doesn't want to compromise because she wants to be perfect tonight. Not just because for the past months, she has been known as the girlfriend of an A-list heartthrob… Well, actually that is the very reason she wants to look perfect tonight. She didn't want to embarrassed Joshua to whoever they will see tonight. Yes, they have talked about this, and not once did he say that he's proud that she's his girlfriend no matter what. But she can't help but keep up with how good looking her boyfriend is. She wants people to say only good things about her boyfriend. That's the least she can do to help him – by building up a good image for him. That's not too difficult, though. She doesn't really need to change herself. She just needs to dress up beautifully all the time especially when she's with Joshua. Now she knows how Kate Middleton felt when she became a princess of the United Kingdom. She always needs to look good because she doesn't know who might see her on random places and times. Though somehow, she kind of enjoys dressing up and looking good, especially for Joshua. Yeah, she likes being her best for him. Speaking off, she received a text message from him. He said he's already waiting for her downstairs. She checked her look once again, and after realizing she is looking perfect, she put on the matching white stiletto strappy sandals and grabbed her white clutch bag. She then went out of her room and as she went to the stairs, she saw Joshua talking to her father. Both of them looked at her, but Joshua's reaction was what Carla focused on. He looked at her as if he is seeing an angel coming down on the staircase. Carla liked it that it made her smile. Joshua stood up upon seeing Carla descend the stairs. But he did not move and just remained staring at her by the sofa where he was seated. He didn't even go to meet her. Carla was the one who approached him. 'H-Hi!" Joshua said like he was lost in a trance. Carla smiled at him. 'Hello." She was pleased upon seeing him on his black suit. He really looks so good tonight. 'You should be back before eleven." The two of them looked at Carla's father. 'Dad!" Carla felt embarrassed at what her father said. Does he think she's still a high school student? 'That was a joke," her father said with a smile. 'I think we should go," Carla just said. She grabbed Joshua's arm to lead him out of the house. 'We're heading out," Joshua said to Carla's father. 'Okay. Drive safely." Joshua's car was parked just in front of the gate. He opened the door and helped Carla get in the passenger seat. 'I feel like we're going to the prom," Joshua said as he was putting on his seat belt. 'Well, this is like a prom… old people prom." Joshua looked at her. 'Who's old?" 'Definitely not me." 'Hey! We were classmates." Joshua started the engine. Carla just smiled as Joshua started driving the car to the venue of the Homecoming party.