Hindi napigilan ni Via ang malapad na ngiti when she saw Matt walked thru the main door ng theater. The ladies of the Warrior Five had told her already and she's kind of expecting Matt to come by. He had a slight smirk on his lips. As if sarcastically telling her that she have won. But she knows deep inside, Matt likes it too.
"My guardian angels told me that you're accepting the offer," she had this very wide grin.
"Guardian Angels or 4 evil witches?" Matt said in a sarcastic tone. He may say yes sa apat na babae ng Warrior Five but he's still looking for other option amidst what they had agreed upon.
"They're my guardian angel. I am happy they got my back," ani Via.
"You haven't heard my conditions," Turan ni Matt. If he'll loose in this, he'll loose with something to gain.
Nagkibit balikat si Via. "Bring it," hamon ni Via. Whatever Matt's condition were, she's contented that she'll have Matt as her main male lead. It's just fair to give Matt what he actually wants.
Naglabas si Matt ng papel mula sa bulsa nito. It's folded in pocket size, color pink and scented. Natawa si Via.
"It's well written by my newly appointed assistant. To give you a heads up, she's a pretty sweet 9 years old," Matt jokingly said but sarcastically.
Via laughed louder. She unfolded the pink paper. And saw a kid's handwritting. Its probably Belle's. It's legibly written. It says Contract on the title.
"It may look like an invalid document but to correct you, it is valid and binding," ani pa ni Matt.
Via was so amused on how Matt executes his cuteness and she couldn't help but play along. She read the enumerated conditions.
"Number one," ani Via. "The client must have workshop to enhance talent but should be trained personally by the Director of the play, specifically Director Alvianna Alguerra." Napatingin si Via kay Matt with an eyebrow raised.
"What?! I am not an actor. I need to be trained. And it has to be you. This is a one time gig. I'm not doing this again. So I would like to do the things you specifically like. Not another's opinion," Matt explained.
Hindi na sumagot si Via. Whatever Matt means, ok na siya dun.
"Number two," patuloy niya. "The Client, Mr. Aguimatt Aragon, is not a full time actor. Therefore, the production must provide an understudy for the main leads--- I don't do understudy!" apila agad ni Via.
"I'm only doing this on opening night. It's clear that I am not a full time actor," mabilis na paliwanag ni Matt.
Actually, napapaisip na rin si Via. With the recent immediate backing out actors baka nga it's safer to have understudies. This could also show sa iba pang actors that if they choose to break the contract, she'll have an easy back up.
"Fine." aniya with a mental note to cast understudies. "Number three, the Director shall not expect nothing much from the client. He maybe good looking and prince-like," natawa ng bahagya si Via sa binasa. "..but all he had was raw talent. I can live with that." ani Via nodding her head while looking at Matt. Ipinagpatuloy niya ang pagbabasa.
"Lastly," turan niya.
"That's the most important part," singit ni Matt.
"During the whole production, if ever Mr. Aguimatt Aragon needs a date to any event related to the production, Ms. Alvianna Alguerra will be his date. Seriously?!"
"What? I don't know how showbiz parties works. Atleast consider it as part of the training."
"You said this is a one time gig, what's the party for?"
"I don't know. Celebration of the whatever. I don't know what's it for. But I have read in some showbiz magazines, there's after party or something."
Bahagya na namang natatawang turan ni Via. This is really cute. But like what she have decided, she's ok with whatever Matt likes.
"Why me? I thought you have many flings."
"Dating your fling is risky. Too much drama. Atleast with you, it's platonic."
"Alright. I'll do that. But, don't expect too much. The person I dated with says I'm boring," sabi ni Via.
"Well atleast your pretty," turan ni Matt. In Via's ear, it's a compliment. Tila namula ang tenga niya sa sinabi ni Matt. But shrug it off.
'Platonic,' bulong ni Via sa sarili.
"Are we doing rehearsals today?" tanong ni Matt na napatingin sa mga taong tila nag-eensayo sa stage.
"Yeah. But informally. The actors are just trying out some scenes. More of a workshop. Would you like to join in?" ani Via.
"Where's Samantha?" tanong ni Matt nang di makita ang main actress.
Napabuntong hininga si Via. "I have the same question. But she should be here anytime now."
"If that's the case, can we do lunch first? It's past 12"
"Go ahead."
"No. I want you to join me," Matt demanded. Hindi nakasagot si Via. Napatingin lang siya kay Matt. "Comm'on," aya ni Matt. Umakbay ito kay Via at pahilang lumakad palabas ng theater.
Bahagyang pumalag si Via ngunit napasunod na rin siya kay Matt. They went to the same coffee shop they had first dine with together. This time Matt ordered some pastries and pastas with shakes.
"They don't serve much but this can fill up bellies, I guess." ani Matt as the waiter put the meal in their table.
Via sip on her Mango Shake. Napatango-tango pa in approval.
"So what made you said yes?" tanong ni Via when they start to dig in.
"I was put on a curse by 4 evil witches that I have no other choice but to oblige," sagot ni Matt eating the lasagna.
Bahagyang natawa si Via. The 4 evil withches is her 4 guardian angel.
"Oh commo'n! I can sense that you also like doing it from somewhere deep inside you."
"Is that some psychological overview?"
"It's a fact! Coming from a professional," tukoy ni Via sa sarili. She could feel that Matt likes it too but she can't decipher the possible reason for it.
"And why would I want to be an actor? I don't like publicity, I'm good already having parents connected to showbiz, but I find it crazy," turan ni Matt.
"So bakit ka nga pumayag? And don't tell me this is for a good cause, because I am not buying it," pamimilit ni Via.
Matt stopped eating. Natigilan sa tinuran ni Via.
Honestly, wala naman siyang malalim na rason. And he was too embarass to admit it. It's as if he's waiting for a perfect timing. His reasons? Simple lang --- he just wanted to be with Via!
He didn't know how did it started. When they first met and she first gazed in Via's eyes while trapped in his arm, he felt it then. He wanted to see that eyes everyday. After the meeting, he can't stop thinking about her. In fact, he spent all night surfing the web looking up Via's articles. He was so hooked up that he acted like a stalker. Mukhang masyadong pwersado ang tama sa kaniya ni Kupido.
But unlike any other flings, he choose to keep it slow. Bigla siyang natakot na mareject. He may offer a lot of things for Via to make her fall but he knows, that's not how Via likes it. She is surrounded by prestigious men sa uri ng career nito. And he was just like all those pretigious men. For the first time in his life, nabawasan ang confidence niya. So when the offer was given, it sparks a life to his goal. It's too soon to tell if this is for forever but all he can confirm is that he wants to make it right. For now, he just wants Via to be happy.
"Hui!" pukaw ni Via sa kaniya. "What's the long pause for?"
"Nothing. Iniisip ko lang how to tell that reasoning to you in a way na hindi mo na ko kukulitin," palusot ni Matt.
Nagkibit balikat naman si Via. "Okay, fine. Atleast your friends are good actors," turan ni Via na sumubo na rin ng lasagna.
"What?" nagugulumihanang turan ni Matt.
Nakakalokong ngiti lang ang sinagot ni Via. Kasabay nga pagsubo ng lasagna at ang pagtaas-taas ng kilay as if nang-aasar.
"Don't tell me, that 4 witches is your plan!" Nagkakalinaw na sa isip ni Matt kung ano ang tunay na motibo ng apat na babae ng Warrior Five. To his surprise, Via laughed out loud!
"What the hell?!"
Via was laughing hard. Wala siyang balak itago kay Matt ang plano niya. She knows if Matt had said yes, hindi na niya yun babawiin. Sinabi sa kaniya yun nila Terrenz. Kaya kahit aminin pa nila ang ginawa kay Matt, Matt will keep his words.
"Please don't get mad to your friends, they're just helping," ani Via na unti-unting nawawala ang tawa.
"Helping my ass! You don't know that 4 evil witch! What that 4 evil witch wants, my dumb friends obeys. Ganun ka powerful ang curse ng apat na yun," hurumentado ni Matt. "Now, I get it. I'm gonna strangle, Terrenz!"
"But kidding aside, wala ng atrasan? Are you sure you wanna do this?" Kahit pa ipinagpipilitan ni Via ang gusto niyang maganap, at the end of the day, ayaw pa rin niyang gawin ni Matt ang isang bagay against his will. She chose to respect her actors. That's why wala naman siyang balak na itago kay Matt ang plano nila ng apat na kaibigan nito.
Matt looked back straight at Via. She has a serious face now. "Tell me, how would you really feel? No pretentions."
Via smiled weakly. "I'd be disappointed but I'll respect your decision. I'm doing this with passion and I am hoping everyone would be the same."
He felt her sincerity. That gave him more the reason to say yes. He just knew how to win her heart back. He took a deep breath.
"Just don't breach our contract like you promise earlier," ani Matt pagkuwa'y turan ni Matt and started eating again. Lumapad na lang ang ngiti ni Via.