CHAPTER 5

"Ma'am, sir, we are almost there," one of the pilots informed.

"Kate, we're about to land now," Jeremy said while his right arm is wrapped around Kate. Kate was still trembling in fear. Her eyes were closed like a child wrapped around Jeremy's body.

As the helicopter landed at the ground and they walked out of it, Kate looked around and noticed that they're not at the school ground. They were in a large white building filled with flags of a certain country. The place was filled with guards. She was perplexed on why on earth are they in a beautiful place. She thought that they would go straight to her university. It was actually the Monaco Embassy.

Confused, Kate asked, "Why are we here?"

Jeremy smiled and clarified, "We can't land at the university ground since there are no available landing spot. And besides, do you want all the people at the party see you in a helicopter?" Jeremy thought that they should land someone outside the University and since the embassy is just minutes away, he instructed that they would land in the embassy ground.

"Well, you have a point but why here? Are we allowed here?"

A man in a coat approached them. It was Spes, the Lord Steward. He greeted, "Good evening! Please follow me." He led them toward the car waiting for them.

"This will be your ride going to the university." It was a Black Rolls Royce Panthom IV with two small Monaco flags at the sides of the hood. In front of the car are two policemen in a motorcycle who would lead them the way going to the university.

"Merci Spes (Thank you Spes)!" Jerem expressed.

"Oh! What's that?" Kate asked.

"It's nothing. I just thanked him that's all."

"Was that French?" Kate guessed.

"Yes!"

Kate teased, "So... You're not only a singer but a linguist as well." Kate has an admiration to people of intellect. She likes men who could express themselves in different languages. Her esteem towards Jeremy added such ability.

"Good evening Ma'am, sir, I am Jacob. I'll be your driver for this evening. Please relax and we will be at the university in a few more minutes," driver said.

"Thank you Jacob!" Jeremy and Kate said.

As they were on their way, Kate smiled and said, "You're really a famous celebrity. You even have a connection with an embassy."

Kate does not know yet that Jeremy is not only a celebrity but a royalty as well. He had no chance yet to tell her his background in past conversations they had. He was hesitant since she might pull herself away from him. She might handle the pressure if he would reveal all at once. In time, he thought, he will tell her.

"It's not because I'm a celebrity." Jeremy rebutted.

"Come on! You're too humble."

"I'll tell you why at the right time."

"When is the right time?"

"Soon...! By the way, I saw your ex-boyfriend at the lobby of your condo."

"Huh?"

"I think his name is Francis?"

"Yes. How did you know him?"

Jeremy said, "He is good looking," which was followed by a mischievous laugh.

"Hello! I am over him now. But... how did you...?"

"From Grace. She approached me when I was waiting for you and pointed at him."

"Hmm, that girl."

"Anyway, I am your date for tonight, not him," Jeremy declared. He wanted to change the subject so that she would not be in hot water with their conversation. He felt that she was still on the way of moving on from her past.

After some minutes, "Ma'am, sir, we have arrived at the university," driver said.

All people who came before them, all the guards stationed at the entrance, all the ushers waiting for visitors are all frozen watching blissfully at them the moment their convoy arrived. Kate and Jeremy were like princess and prince walking along the red carpet. They are elegantly and stylishly matched for each other.

"All are looking at you. I'm with a celebrity." Kate teased.

"No. All gaze are on you. They are seeing a stunning princess before their eyes."

Before they can even enter the door, people have rushed towards Jeremy to take a picture with him. Most of them are ladies who left their escorts. Some have gone crazy, ran and shouted his name just to get his attention. This has been a usual scene for Jeremy wherever he goes. He was comfortable being flocked by ladies. He knew what to do, give some a chance to take his picture and walk out.

Since many have flocked Jeremy, Kate was left at a corner. Not before long, Jeremy asked an apology with everyone and said, "Excuse me! My date is waiting." He quickly rushed towards Kate as he noticed she was left all alone. This is not an awards night that he could give in to people. This night was different. He was with someone special.

"I'm sorry about that." He apologized.

"It's okay. I have expected it. When you are with a celebrity that is to be expected especially when that celebrity is loved by women." Kate teasingly said.

"I'm not the only apple-of-the eye of the party. Look who is popular among men? They are staring at you!" He observed that most men who were left by their dates that rushed towards him were all looking at Kate. She was radiant in beauty.

"That's not true."

"Yes, it is. Look at them." He insisted.

"Come on. Let's just go." She did not want to look at them since she knew he was telling the truth. She felt that there were some eyes on her. Some in admiration while others in jealousy.

As they walked inside, they heard a voice saying, "Hey girl!" It was Grace. She tapped Kate at the back to get her attention, "Hello Jm!" She added.

"Just call me Jeremy, that's my real name!"

"Both of you look wonderful. If there were a king and queen of the night, you would win for sure." She looked at her date and introduced him, "By the way, this is Mark, my boyfriend. I forgot to introduce you to him back at the condo."

Likewise, Kate introduced Jeremy, "Mark, this is Jeremy,"

"Who would not know him? Nice to meet you!" Mark said while they shook hands.

"Have you seen May and Abby?" Kate asked.

"I think they're still on their way. By the way, how come you came in first than them? You were the last one dressing up and what's up with the entourage, great car with flags of some sort and two policemen in motorbikes?

Jeremy just smiled while Kate pulled Grace in her arms and whispered what happened: the helicopter, Embassy landing and the vehicles.

"OH...MY...GOD...! What...!" Grace shouted in shock.

"Hey shut your mouth girl or else I will tape it," Kate said.

"Okay! Okay! For real?"

Kate nodded. "Well speaking of the devils. Here they come," looking at May, Abby and their dates that just entered.

"Hello ladies!" May said while waving her hand.

"How come you came in first?" Abby asked Kate

.

"I'll tell you later. It's a long story."

"You wouldn't believe it," Grace added.

Kate introduced Jeremy to May, Abby and their dates. After the introduction, all of them entered the hall and stayed in one table near the stage. When everyone was settled around the table, Abby asked, "So what's up?"

"Let me be the one to tell them." Grace excitedly said.

Kate nodded.

"I am sure you wouldn't believe as well."

"Come on. Tell us," May impatiently said.

Grace told them what she heard from Kate, the helicopter, Embassy, flagged car with two police escorts. All of them were attentive to every detail that Grace narrated. Time to time, someone would say, "How sweet!". Another would say, "Ah... I wish I was the one." All of them were overwhelmed while Jeremy and Kate were seated comfortably next to each other while listening to Grace.

"We are just curious. Ah... What's your status? Is he already your boyfriend?" May asked while the rest are waiting for the answer of Jeremy and Kate.

"Hey! Don't make any issue here. Come on guys, we are just friends, right?" Kate said while looking at Jeremy.

"Yeah! We're friends." Jeremy added.

"Friends don't do that. That's a boyfriend material. Tell us the truth, do you like our friend then?" Grace asked.

"Ah!" Jeremy could not answer. He was just smiling nervously. When Kate noticed that he was being pressured, she said, "Hey guys! What will you do this coming Christmas break?"

"Hmmm. To the rescue!" teased by Abby.

"No seriously! Who wants to go to Boracay?"

"That seems fun," said by a guy approaching them. It was Francis, the ex-boyfriend of Kate. His arms are wrapped around the waist of Shaine, his new girlfriend. "I'm sorry. I couldn't help but listen to what you are saying. It's a wonderful idea just like the old days. Staying at Ambassador in Paradise, enjoying water sports and the nightlife along the beach." Looking at Jeremy, he added, "Oh! My apology, I'm Francis."

Jeremy stood up and said, "I'm Jeremy. Nice to meet you!"

"Your JM right, the famous singer. Oh my!" Shaine excitedly said. She was a fan of Jm. She listened to his album every now and then. "Come on guys, let us join you," Shaine added, "or why not join us. We will also be going to Boracay next week."

"Thank you for the offer. We'll tell you after we polished OUR meeting," Grace said.

"Okay! Excuse us then. Have a great evening! Nice to meet you... JM? Jeremy?" Francis said and they left.

"Are you okay, girl?" the ladies asked Kate.

"I'm fine. I told you before I am over him. He is just so thick-skinned asking to come along with us."

"Are you sure?" Abby asked.

"Yeah! I'm fine. Let's just continue with our planning. So let's just go with hiking then." Kate suggested.

"Oh! What happened to the Boracay?" Mark asked.

"We cannot stay at the same hotel as those guys." May said.

"Too bad then. It would be better if we push through the Boracay," the date of Abby said.

"If your problem is staying at the same hotel with them, I have an idea. Will you trust me?" Jeremy asked.

All were looking at each other and then stared at Kate for a reply. "Why are you all looking at me? It's a group decision."

"So is it okay for everybody?" Jeremy asked.

Everyone except Kate smiled.

"Kate, is it okay with you? Will you trust me?"

"Okay."

"So it's final then. We will go to Boracay," Grace declared.

"Yes!" they said.

"I will handle everything then," Jeremy reiterated.

"Kate, if I were you, I would already say yes to him," Abby teased.

"Abby, they're just friends!" May also teased.

Jeremy smiled and asked to be excused to make a call. He wanted to polish everything now. He was the type of man who wants that everything be planned out. Every detail must be in order. Although, the adventure was still far, he wants it to be perfect so that he would enjoy it together with Kate and the rest.