CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Happy Thoughts
The Trinidad Couple, Rizzi and his assistants were already informed to keep Jed and Pia’s engagement a secret first. They all agreed knowing the impact that it might bring once it had been brought about before Pia competed internationally. They were all invited for the formal announcement of their engagement as soon as Pia went home from her international competition.
The Trinidad Couple were also notified that they were to be principal sponsors once Jed and Pia tied the knot after a year. They were also requested not to give any information about Pia’s current whereabouts. They had fully understood Jed’s wishes. They both deserved the privacy Jed and Pia wanted and they respected it.
Pia had been busy preparing for her international competition. As expected, Madam Victoria and Rizzi shopped for her clothes, shoes, bags, jewelry, accessories and more. Madam Victoria had constantly accompanied Pia with all her trainings, pictorials, product endorsements and charity works. Other winners never felt that Pia was having special treatment because they were all included in those activities. As for the expensive clothes that Pia were wearing, they knew that Pia was supported by Rizzi and the Trinidad Couple of Folli.
Jed had seen to it that he visited Pia in the morning before she started her day and in the evening when her day already ended.
May 22, 2010. Saturday. Donned with Rizzi’s creation, Jed and Pia paraded around Victoria Center.
Victoria Coliseum was also beside Victoria Mall-Vienburg, Victoria Condominiums-Vienburg and Yñiguez Enterprises Headquarters. The entire compound was called Victoria Center.
The following day, their photos together had circulated in the broadsheets. BFCI released a public statement regarding the issue. It was stated that Madam Victoria Vega-Yñiguez had personally asked her son to escort the reigning Binibining Filipinas-Universe. But the issue whether they were in a budding romance was not answered. It had also been reiterated that Pia had a boyfriend already.
For the following months, Pia focused on her trainings, pictorials, product endorsements and charity works. Nothing much was said about her private life. Jed and Pia were never seen together publicly anymore after the Santacruzan so they media people had lost their interest over Pia’s private life.
The Domingos had also kept mum for a while. Madam Victoria never received any more calls from Imelda regarding Pia.
August 8, 2010. Aboard the family’s private jet Madam Victoria and Pia travelled to Las Vegas, Nevada.
The candidates were housed in Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino on the Strip. They occupied Mandalay Bay Tower’s deluxe room in where they enjoyed TVs in the bathrooms, floor-to-ceiling windows, well-stocked mini bars, separate soaking tubs and standing showers, comfortable sofas, marble countertops, the iHome iPod docking alarm clocks, and giant 42-in HD flat-screen TVs. The candidates had plenty of space to get their beauty rest.
Madam Victoria stayed in Mandalay Bay Tower as well. She occupied an Extra Bedroom Suite because Jed was expected to join them after a week.
Rizzi Cruz and Dina Trinidad were also expected to come in time for the Coronation Night.
For two long weeks, Pia had been busy with all the activities the candidates had to attend.
August 23, 2010. At the Mandalay Bay Events Center, Pia was crowned Miss Universe 2010.
She also won the special award for Best National Costume, Best in Swimsuit and Best in Evening Gown.
She had wowed all the judges and the audience with her intelligence and confidence in the question and answer.
YOU ARE READING
Art of Love
RomanceJED, a rich guy who just came from a failed relationship and whose father just died recently. PIA, a poor girl who lost her parents and suddenly became homeless, penniless and hungry. JED was PIA's savior, her knight-in-shining armor, her prince. PI...
