Ortigas, Pasay City

Jem pulled up in front of Analisa's condo, where Analisa and Mae had been patiently waiting in the parking lot. Kathryn had just stepped out of a rented taxi, completing their group for the Westlife PH Fan group's fanmeet.

"Girls, hop in the car!" Jem called out cheerfully from the driver's seat.

Inside the car, Jem couldn't contain her curiosity and asked, "Girl, when did you get back to the Philippines? Did you get enough sleep?"

"Two in the morning." Mae smiled wearily. "I still have a bit of jetlag, but I'm fine!" she reassured them, grateful for the warmth of her friends' company after a long journey.

Analisa couldn't help but share her reaction about her friend's unexpected visit. "I was surprised when Mae knocked on my condo door so early," she said, her eyes flickering with amusement. "She said she wanted to rest here."

Mae chimed in playfully, "You know I have this inborn ability to pop up out of nowhere." With a playful grin, she continued, "Besides, my phone's battery was drained from watching Shane's previous solo concerts on the plane, that's why I was unable to send you a message."

"That explains it," Analisa said.

As Jem started the car, she turned on the car stereo. The soothing melody of When You're Looking Like That filled the atmosphere as they sang along together.

🎵 She's a 5 foot 10 in catsuit and Bambi eyes
Everybody who's staring wouldn't believe that this girl was mine
I should've known I was wrong when I left her for a life in pity
But they say you never miss the water until it's gone

Guess I failed to love you
And you're taking it out tonight

Am I supposed to leave you now
When you're looking like that?
I can't believe what I just gave away
Now I can't take it back
I don't want to get lost
I don't want to live my life without you
Am I supposed to leave you now
When you're looking like that 🎶

•••

Kamayan Restaurant, Los Baños, Laguna

"We're finally here!" Jem exclaimed happily as she parked the car.

Mae looked at the restaurant they had just arrived at. "Can you believe it? Our fan group has become so upscale. We used to meet up in the mall, but now we're renting places!"

"It's quite an upgrade," Analisa agreed.

•••

It was nearly one in the afternoon, and almost all the fan group members were seated. Each group had their designated tables, representing their favorite member in Westlife: Team Shane, Team Kian, Team Brian, Team Mark, and Team Nicky. Some were new members, while others had been part of the group for a while.

Veniece belonged to Team Kian and was known for her great admiration. . . or obsession to the lad. Her infatuation had reached the point where she desired exclusive rights as a fan. She would occasionally give unfriendly looks to other Kianatics, even refusing to share her table with them. Consequently, some found themselves sitting at other teams' tables.

•••

Kathryn, Mae, Jem, and Analisa stepped into the event venue.

Kathryn scanned the area, searching for Team Kian's table. Her face lit up when she finally spotted it. She walked directly to the table and took a seat across from Veniece.

"Do you have no sense of consideration?" Veniece muttered through clenched teeth.

Kathryn glanced around to see if Veniece was talking to someone else. Realizing it was her, she looked back at the young woman. "What's the problem?"

"Can't you see? You're the only one audacious enough to sit here!" Veniece snapped.

Kathryn paused and burst into laughter, attracting attention from fans at the nearby table.

"What's wrong? Last time I checked, there's no reserved sign with your name on it." Kathryn pretended to search the table for Veniece's name.

Veniece wanted to retort, but their president, Chinkee Hernandez, silenced them promptly.

"Girls, this is not the time to argue. We have an important announcement." Chinkee glanced around. "Other Team Kian members, please join your table."

Veniece clenched her fists and continued glaring at Kathryn.

Chinkee began speaking, "Thank you all for coming today. As much as I'd love to share this in the group chat, it's confidential, so I'll reveal it here."

She paused for a moment and looked around each table. "May I request everyone to put down your phones for now?" She observed if everyone followed her instruction before continuing.

"I guess everybody knows that Brian reunited with Westlife and that they will have a world tour, right?"

Everyone nodded in agreement.

"Great. It is with a great excitement to share that the Philippines is one of their tour destinations," Chinkee added.

Excited whispers and screams filled the event venue, including Kathryn, Analisa, Jem, and Mae. Even though they were apart, it felt like they all shared the same thoughts as they exchanged glances.

Chinkee continued. "We already know the dates. Yes, you heard that right—dates, not just a single date, because they will have three consecutive concerts here."

The whispers grew louder.

Mandy Estrada, the vice president of the fan group, chimed in, "It hasn't been officially announced yet, but we're already aware of it because we have an insider from Westlife's management. The reason Ms. President asked everyone to put down their phones is that we don't want this information to leak outside. We want all our members to be the first ones to receive the privilege of getting the best seats in the concert."

"I know you'll be delighted to hear this." The fans hushed, focusing their attention on Mandy. "We were informed that there will be a meet & greet during the concert. Moreover, there will be a contest called 'Westlife: Be My Date,' where five fans will be chosen to have a romantic dinner with their favorite Westlife lad. The lads themselves will pick who they want to date."

This caused commotion, with two fans even fainting.

"So, start preparing your money because our fan group will conduct pre-reservation. It means that before the ticket selling is announced to the public, we'll already be buying tickets. We'll coordinate with the producers, and further details will be announced soon," Chinkee concluded.

•••

The four friends reunited after the meeting. As they walked towards Jem's car, they noticed Veniece waiting beside it, flanked by her friends Suzy, Venus, Janelle, and Karen. Veniece gazed intently at Kathryn before uttering, "May the best woman win," and then she left.

•••

At the Chilltop Bar in Cubao, Quezon City, Mae expressed annoyance. "Veniece has such an ugly attitude matching her face!" She took a sip of her San Mig Apple.

Analisa chimed in, "She is actually beautiful, but you are right. She definitely has a negative demeanor."

Kathryn sighed, trying to ease the tension, "Just forget about her. Dwelling on it will only stress you out."

"Let's change the subject and discuss the earlier announcement," Jem said. "I was so thrilled that I almost peed in my pants!"

Analisa teased, "That's gross! So that's why the car smelled bad!"

Rolling her eyes, Jem defended herself, "I said almost. . . not I peed in my pants!"

The four friends burst into laughter, with Jem still excitedly talking about the upcoming romantic dinner. Kathryn shared her enthusiasm, "I'm thrilled too! The meet & greet is already amazing, and now they're having a romantic dinner too? It's incredible! I'll do everything to be chosen by Kian. If possible, let's go to Quiapo now. I'll buy a bottle of love potion to put in Kian's drink."

Amused, Analisa laughed at her friend's wild idea, "That's crazy! But remember, you have tough competition with Veniece."

Unfazed, Kathryn retorted, "Well then, I'll just go after Nicky!"

Analisa playfully protested, "Hey! Don't even think about it! He's mine."

The laughter continued as they enjoyed a few more hours at the Chilltop Bar before finally deciding to head home. While on their way, they spotted a familiar figure.

Jem slowed down the car, asking, "Girls, is that Carlos?"

Mae squinted to get a better look, and her face lit up, "Yes, it's Carlos!"

Stopping the car in front of him, Jem rolled down the window, "Hey, Carlos!"

Carlos looked up in surprise, "Ate?" Ate means big sister.

Curious, Kathryn asked, "What are you doing here at this hour of the night? Hop in." She opened the passenger's seat door.

Carlos got in quickly, explaining, "I'm hustling, ate. I heard that Brian has returned to Westlife, and I thought they might have another concert here in the Philippines soon, so I'm preparing early."

Concerned, Jem inquired, "What time is it? You should be asleep. You need to go to school tomorrow."

"Just a few more left, ate. I'm just finishing these, and then I'll go home."

Deciding to help, Kathryn asked, "How many bottles do you still have? I'll buy those so you can go home." She took out her wallet with some cash.

Carlos was taken aback, "Really, ate? I have twelve bottles of mineral water left. Those are twenty pesos each, so that's P240.00."

"I'll take all of that. Here's P1,000.00. Keep the change."

Mae also contributed, pulling out P500.00, "Here you go. This is my tip for you because you're such a hardworking young man."

Jem rummaged through her bag, "Me too. Here's P700.00, Carlos. Go home now."

Analisa, touched by the gesture, offered, "I don't want to give money. I'll cover your VIP ticket if Westlife does have a concert here."

Carlos was overwhelmed with joy and couldn't hold back his tears. He hugged his older sisters, whom he considered as such, being a fellow Westlife fan but not yet a member of the fan group. Since he wasn't registered, he wasn't aware of Westlife's upcoming concert in the Philippines.

With their kind act, the girls dropped Carlos off before going to their respective condo units.