Chapter 75

Gail Samonte continued to greet the attendees at the CPRU's Annual Homecoming Party. This time, it was Ria's turn on the red carpet. 'So, I'm guessing you're wearing your mother's creation," Gail said to Ria. 'Yes, I am," Ria answered. She then looked at the camera. 'So please continue supporting my mom so that she will continue being rich and I get to have dresses all the time." The two of them laughed at her joke. 'Well, thank you, Ria, for giving us some of your time. Enjoy the party." 'I will. Thank you as well." Ria went inside the venue and immediately saw her classmates. After greeting the rest of her friends, she went to sit beside Dianne. 'You're looking good, girl," Dianne told her. 'That dress really is stunning." 'You look better," Ria countered. 'Oh! Don't be silly," Dianne said, pretending to be humble. 'That's obvious already, so no need to mention it." Ria laughed at what she said. 'So no one will really talk about my dress?" Jovie whispered to Jeralhd who smiled at her. 'You also look good tonight, Mayor," Ria said to Jovie. 'I think that's what love can do to a person, huh?" 'There you go again, Gossip Girl Madame," Jovie said to her friend. 'I just hope you share with us those gossips, you know," Mark said. 'Another gossipmonger spotted," Jovie said. 'Mayor, you should be proud of your love life," Dianne said to Jovie. 'Don't tell me the guy's not proud of you?" 'We're proud of our relationship, of each other," Jovie said. 'It's just that we want the people to talk about our service to the public, rather than our relationship. That's what's more important to us." 'You're acting too righteously, Mayor," Mark said. 'We are your friends, so maybe you can share your personal life with us?" 'Someday, maybe," Jovie answered. 'But right now, what we should talk about are those two love birds." 'Oh yeah," Mark agreed. 'Why are they not here yet?" Ria just shrugged at Mark's question. That time, Joshua and Carla just arrived at the red carpet. 'Are you ready?" Joshua asked Carla. 'I've been like this for four months. I'm kind of getting used to it," Carla answered. Joshua smiled as he led Carla to the red carpet. Gail Samonte immediately met them. 'How is the power couple doing?" she asked the two. 'Great!" Joshua said, then looked at Carla. 'We're both excited because it's been a while since we last saw everyone." 'Dr. Carla, you recently did a medical mission in Capas, Tarlac." 'Yes. I want to thank Mayor Art for inviting us," Carla said to Gail. 'The people in Capas are very thankful for the help you've given them." 'We had fun, and you know, when you help other people, it's an achievement because not everyone is given the chance and capacity to do that. So, I'm very thankful that me and my team were given that opportunity to help." 'The words of a real kind person. Thank you for your time, Dr. Carla and Joshua. I'm sure your friends are waiting for you." After thanking Gail, Joshua and Carla proceeded to the venue hall. 'I think you're becoming more popular than me," Joshua whispered to Carla. 'I'm actually very nervous right now," Carla said. Joshua chuckled as they both walked to their classmates. After a while, the program for the party started. Joven is the host, and after some few messages, he called Jovie to deliver her speech. 'Hi batchmates!" Jovie wasn't able to contain her giggle, making the others laugh as well. 'I just can't believe that I'm the one who's making a speech tonight. I was not even our batch's valedictorian. I guess I'm one of those students before that our teachers kind of hated because of the pranks I did to them, but mostly to my fellow students. If you're one of those I have pranked before, I apologize. I'm quite sure that you're not too many, because if ever, I will not win in the elections. Right?" The audience laughed again. 'But seriously, who would have thought that I will be this city's mayor? Right? I'm sure that like me, a lot of you here also did not think before that this will be your future. Surely, there are those people whom since high school, we already know what path they will take. Joven has always been our class' informer, so it's not surprising that he became a talk show host. I guess since elementary, everyone thought that Ria would end up like her grandfather. But I always thought that Mark would be the actor and not Joshua, because he's the smuggest among the members of Pure Act Dancers during high school." 'That is very bad, Mayor!" shouted the laughing Mark. 'But Mark became a businessman, a good one, as well as James and Jeralhd. They did not become celebrities like what everyone thought back then. And the mischievous me became the mayor. And all those just mean that we really cannot predict the future. But whatever happened to us, one thing is for sure. Here, in this school, this is where it all started. This is where we first knew who we really are, what we wanted, what we are capable of doing, what we can achieve. And to some, this is also where we found true love, our forever." Jovie looked at Carla and Joshua, and the others look at the couple as well. 'So batchmates, I want to say that it's nice to see you again tonight. It's nice to know how you've been, what you have become, and it's nice to hear your life stories for the past ten years we've been apart. And to our teachers, those who are here with us tonight, and those who have gone ahead of us, we extend our deepest gratitude. Whatever we have become, you have been a great part of it. And personally, I would like to extend my apology for all the mischief that I have caused you before. And I promise to make it up by being a very good public servant." Everyone clapped their hands at what Jovie said. 'So I hope everyone would have a great time tonight. We're old enough to drink alcohol, right?" Everyone laughed again. 'And there's no curfew, so sky is the limit, guys! Enjoy the party tonight!" The audience shouted with glee as Jovie gave back the mic to Joven before going down the stage. 'Thank you, Mayor. That was a very… reminiscent message," Joven said. 'And to continue the nostalgia, may we now call the group that we all cheered and swoon over during high school. Give it up for the Pure Act Dancers!" The four danced a medley of the dance hits during their high school days. The audience clapped and cheered at them, and some even danced in their seats with them. Everyone really enjoyed their dance number. After their performance, as Joshua went down the stage, he saw a woman watching them by the side. 'I'll just go talk to someone," he said to his three friends. The three just nodded as they leave him. Joshua went to the woman he saw. 'I didn't know that you're out batchmate, D," Joshua said. Destiny smiled. 'I am everyone's batchmate." 'Right." Joshua smiled. 'This party is so fun! Oh! You're happy even without a party." Joshua laughed at what she said. 'But since your love life is now happy ever after, then it's time for a new mission." Joshua suddenly became serious. 'I sent your new mission to your Cupid phone. From now on, you will receive more than one mission because you're not too occupied with your personal life anymore. So expect to be more busy as a Human Cupid beginning today." Joshua smiled. 'Okay, then." Destiny smiled as well. 'Okay then. I'll leave you now because it looks fun at the bar area. I think they're giving some unlimited free drinks and food." Joshua laughed as he watched Destiny leaves. He then saw Carla from the corner of his eyes as she walked towards him. 'Who's that?" she asked him. 'Destiny." Carla gaped at him. 'Destiny?" She looked at the direction where the woman went. 'Why didn't you introduce me to her?" Joshua was surprised with what Carla said. 'Why would you want to meet her?" 'Nothing. Who would not want to meet Fate?" Joshua smiled. 'Maybe someday, you'll also meet her." He put his arms around her shoulders as he led her back to their table. 'You think, she can make me a Cupid also?" Joshua laughed at what she said. 'Fine, Blockbuster Cupid!" 'Huh?" Joshua frowned. He stopped walking and faced her. 'Because you're the blockbuster king, right…? Can I be Doctor Cupid, then?" Instead of answering, Joshua just laughed at the woman he loves the most.