One thing Via learned in a small span of time on Matt's life is that his friend's opinions matters a lot in his every decision. And that his friends can't say no to their wives. So she imposed a plan. Kailangan niyang mapa-oo si Matt. She has no other alternative. Hindi siya tumatanggap ng understudies or plan B. If she sees it, she'll make it.
Via parked her car sa isang kilalang mall sa Ortigas. She grab her phone and dialed a number while heading out of the car. It's just 2 rings when someone answered.
"I'm so sorry, I'm late. But I'm already at the parking. Going up on the elevator," aniya sounding a lot apologetic.
She's meeting the girls of Warrior Five. Matt has to be her prince. She will do everything no matter what.
Mabilis na nakarating siya sa restaurant na usapan nila. The four seemed to be regulars. When she said her name, itinuro na agad siya ng usherette sa table ng apat. The girls wave at her when they saw her coming. Malapad ang ngiting lumapit siya rito.
"I'm so sorry. I didn't know you'd come early," bungad ni Via as she seats on one of the couch na iminuwestra ni Alli. She's sitting between Alli and Wallen. Nasa harap niya si Terrenz. Elai was not there yet.
"Oh, you're still early," ani Terrenz. She has still the fierce "ate" face amongst the four. It's as if ito ang pinakamaldita sa apat but the heroic maldita like. "We're just too excited to have lunch with a prestigious celebrity that's why we came early."
"Elai is coming. Well, she's the typical fashionably late all the time anyway," explain ni Alli. Alli seemed to be Ms. Prim and proper. She's an aristocrat in action. She stand straighter, sits properly and speaks lightly. Parang hindi ito nagagalit. But she smiles a lot na parang beauty queen. The first thing she notice when she met her, JV had a very good catch at this princess-like lady.
"We can order, Elai will just help herself," ani Wallen, the softest amongst the four. Via was surprised when she first learned that Wallen had a twins already. Buboy must've have taken good care of his wife for Wallen still looks as fresh as everyone else in this group.
"Yeah, let's order. Andito na rin naman ang lukaret," turan ni Alli who saw Elai rushing towards their table.
"Am I just on time right?" pakikay na turan nito. Umupo ito sa tabi ni Terrenz. Elai was the loudest amongst the four. Alli maybe the youngest but Elai was the most child-like. She's crazy in a beautiful way. Nakakahawa ang magulong aura nito. She is the life of the party. "I'm starving."
"Elaija, Via was apologetic when she arrive not late but later than us and you are claiming you're just on time," pasaway na sita ni Terrenz.
"Galit ka? Hindi naman ako late eh," parang batang paawa na sabi nito. "Your ok with that, Via?" ani Elai.
"No harm done. Kararating ko lang naman," ani Via.
"I really like you. I hope you and Aguimatt gets well enough so we can call you sister," diretsang turan ni Elai. She was just like Thor sa katabilan.
Nahuli niya ang panlalaki ng mata ng tatlo sa tinuran nito. Tila sinasaway sa katabilan ng dila.
"What? Kesa naman sa starlet na pinagkakaabalahan ni Matt."
"Elaija!" Wallen exclaimed.
Natatawa lang si Via sa akto ng apat. She meet the four twice but it still facinates her how close the bond they have. She have Monique, but Monique was more of a sidekick to her. There are times na ramdam niyang katrabaho lang din ito. Unlike this four as if they were real life sisters. To note that they only met because of the Warrior Five.
"Pasensya ka na talaga, Vi. You know her, she's Thor's alter ego," sabi ni Terrenz.
"Well, they grew up together. She could've have learned it from Thor," natatawang turan ni Alli. She knew that Elai was Thor's childhood crush. They became close friends bago narealize ng isa't-isa that they were meant for each other.
Umingos lang si Elai na parang batang pinapagalitan. They decided to order na. When they're done ordering. Kinompronta siya ni Terrenz.
"So, to what pleasure do we owe you with this lunch?" ani Terrenz.
"I was really like excited when I received a message from you. I almost screamed and JV would know. Buti na lang talaga nabasa ko that this should be a secret," kwento naman ni Alli.
"Well," napalunok pa si Via. She didn't know how to start this. As always, wala naman talaga siyang matinong plano. She only have goals. "It's about Matt," she start.
"Oh no!" Elai exclaimed. "You like him?" dumukwang pa ito and said in a loud whisper.
Napaubo si Via sa sinabi ni Elai. Tila ito nasamid. "It's not that."
"You don't like him? Did he propose to you?" tuloy-tuloy na tanong ni Elai.
"No!"
"Did he do something wrong? Was he flirting with Samantha Mistia during rehearsals?" tanong naman ni Alli.
"No, he's not!"
"Is he bothering you? Was he being demanding?" tanong naman ni Wallen.
"No!"
"What about Matt, then?" ani Terrenz.
Via took a deep breath. "Wow! This is harder than I tought." she mouthed. "Ok," she breathe again. "It's not about liking him, or whatever could he possibly done. It's just that..." umikot ang tingin niya sa apat. Saka tuloy-tuloy na sinabi, "I want him to cast as my main lead prince!" She clenched her teeth. Waiting for the reaction of the four.
Napatanga ang apat. Alli's jaw dropped. Terrenz eyebrow raised. Wallen's lips twitched and Elai's eyes widen.
"D-does it sound crazy?" nauutal na tanong ni Via.
"A little! But I think I understand where you're coming from," natatawang turan ni Terrenz. "Just because you think Matt has a mom for an actress, he has the heart of an actor? You're reading it wrong, darling."
"Matt could be that good looking leading man vibes, but trust me he doesn't act," komento naman ni Wallen.
"He couldn't even execute a good lie. I mean he couldn't even act it out," iiling-iling na turan ni Elai.
"But wait, I am with Via on this," biglang turan ni Alli. "I mean Matt is definitely fit for the role if Via sees it. I mean she definitely know what she's doing, right?" ani Alli looking at her.
Napayakap si Via kay Alli. "I love you for that." She felt she can win this, atleast she has one back up already.
"Can we just hear her out first?"
"Sorry, for jumping into conclusion that early. But Alli is right, we should hear you out," sabi ni Terrenz.
"Yeah, enlighten us," ani naman Elai na nakakunot noo na.
"Well you see. The supposed to be main lead actor, backed out. He said he doesn't want to work for free. Since this is a charity, we cannot give in to that, obviously."
"Was Borris Ismael, the hunk guy supposed to play the part?" tanong ni Alli.
"He backed out working with you?" bulalas ni Elai. "Wow! I didn't know he's a jerk!"
"Well, he's kind of. But it's more on the demand of the agency. But moving forward, we just let it go," patuloy na kwento ni Via.
"I'm sorry, but how did you come up realizing that Matt would fit the role?" tanong ni Wallen na medyo natatawa sa idea.
"Well, he showed up at the theater yesterday, he played the piano and I was slight...ly..." Via couldn't find the term. She rejected to say, 'fallen inlove' because she know it will sound different.
"Mezmerized?" ani Alli.
"That's it! I-I was mezmerized!" nauutal na turan ni Via. 'It sounded platonic, right?' aniya sa utak.
The four women seemed bought what she was trying to imply. They exchange looks and she tries to weight in what could the reactions would be.
"Well, we know that amongst all five Matt is the most talented," sang-ayon ni Terrenz.
"He' s the beauty and brains of the group. He may be softer and calmer on the outside but he got the masculinity when you get to know him deeper," ani naman ni Alli.
"Just like a real life prince charming," ani naman ni Wallen.
"OMG!" nanlalaking mata turan ni Elai. "He do fit for the role!" ani pa nito realizing Via's case.
"But how are we related to this?" ani Wallen.
"You see, I can't convince Matt to take it as you all said, he's not up for it. And baka tawanan lang ako ng mga kaibigan niya. But then, I know that the Warrior Five can't say no to their wives. So I badly need your help," she clasps her hands as if praying to show her sincerity.
There's a moment of silence and exchange looks before Terrenz spoke again.
"Don't get me wrong, Vi. We do wanna help you, b-but how are we going to do that?"
"Warrior Five maybe the closest friends we know, but trust us, hindi sila nakikialam sa desisyon ng bawat isa unless one asked to," sabi ni Alli.
"And as you said, tatawanan lang tayo ng Warrior Five if we tell it to our husbands," dagdag pa ni Wallen.
Lumapad ang ngiti ni Via. She folded her arms with confidence. She knows what she's doing. And she insists on it. Once he declare it, it will happen. Makahulugan lang ang tingin na binigay niya sa apat, sit up straight and started to explain her plan. A one hit brilliant plan!