NILAPAG NI STACEY ANG MGA MUG NG KAPE SA MESA. Renante gave it a look before lifting his eyes on her. Nakaupo ngayon ang binata sa sofa sa maliit na salas ng bungalow na tinitirahan niya. Umupo siya sa tabi nito at kinuha ang sarili niyang mug.

"Gusto mong makabawi, 'di ba?" walang paligoy-ligoy niyang saad.

"Just tell me already what you want me to do," nakaw nito ng sulyap sa kanya. "You want that stalker caught?" he smirked confidently. "I can do that."

"Not yet," nasa malayo lang ang tingin niya.

"Why not?" ngisi nito bago sumimsim ng kape.

"That will spoil the fun."

Nagsalubong ang mga kilay nito. It was as if he heard an alien word. "The fun?"

"Look, Renante," she sighed, putting down her mug. "I can't let that fucker have all the fun. Masyado siyang nag-enjoy sa pananakot sa akin. Paano naman ako?" lingon niya rito.

There was disapproval in his shadowed face.

"Fuck it, Stace. Why don't we just make it simple for us, hmm?"

"Oh, I get it," taas niya ng kilay rito. "You don't want to overstay your presence around me, hmm?"

"It's not that," he hissed.

"Oh, you think it won't be safe," she mocked him.

"Yes." Lalong tumiim ang pagkakatitig ng mga mata nito sa kanya. Nagkaroon ng kaba tuloy sa kanyang dibdib. "Kung patatagalin pa natin ito, lalong magiging delikado."

"But I like it that way, Renante," she tugged a grin, "dangerous."

"That's why we'll never really get along," at uminom na ulit ito ng kape. "Why prolong a problem, if we can fix it in a jiffy?"

"Kasi, hindi naman tayo sigurado kung sino itong taong ito na ginagago ako, okay?" she blurted.

"Can you please, put down your pitch when you're talking to me?"

Stacey rolled her eyes. "You're pissing me off."

"You just can't express your feelings well."

Lumukot ang mukha niya. "My feelings well?"

"Like, how much you loved me before," nang-aasar nitong ngisi.

Tinampal niya ito sa mukha. "Umayos ka nga, Renante. Umayos ka," gigil na saway niya rito.

Mahina itong natawa bago humarap ang mukha sa kanya. "Hey, you're not laughing."

"Dahil walang nakakatawa."

"Look, since that party when we met again, everything's been so intense. I'm already drowning, Stacey. Let's lighten up a bit."

"Sa sitwasyon na ito pa talaga? Na may kumatay sa kotse ko—"

Natigilan siya nang hawakan ni Renante sa mga braso. He leveled his eyes with hers.

"I am not suggesting that we take your situation lightly, Stace. It's just that, you need to be in a better condition, okay? Para maayos nating mapag-isipan ang mga gagawin natin."

Tinanggal niya ang mga kamay nito sa kanyang braso. "Okay," dumeretso na siya ng upo. "So, ano ang gagawin natin?"

"Matutulog muna tayo," unat nito ng mga binti at maingat na minasahe iyon ng mga kamay.

Nilingon ni Stacey ang lalaki. "Matutulog?"

"Yeah. I'm tired from work, Stace. And I know you feel the same too."

"Okay," tayo niya at namewang habang pinapanood ang lalaki. "Ihahanda ko lang ang kwarto mo."

Paalis na siya nang tanawin ni Renante. "I'm sleeping here?"

She looked at him over her shoulder. "Oo. I'll need someone to help me. Just in case."

"Okay," he shrugged.

Umalis na si Stacey. Bakit parang ako na naman ang naghahabol sa kanya? Ah, hindi. He's here for a different reason. I want him here because I need his help.

Tumuloy si Stacey sa isa sa mga kwarto roon. The light flooded in after she flicked on the light switch. Sumalubong sa kanya ang tambak ng mga gamit doon. Ang kwartong kinatatayuan niya ngayon ay pagmamay-ari ng kanyang Tito Manuel. He was an artist, which pretty much explains the chaotic arrangement of the room. Patong-patong sa iba't ibang sulok ng kwarto ang mga canvas boards. Karamihan ay may hindi tapos na mga obrang nakaguhit. Sa ibabaw ng isang drawer ay punong-puno ng mga pencil at brush holders. Patong-patong din ang mga palette na dinikitan na ng iba't ibang kulay.

Hindi pa tapos si Stacey sa pag-aayos sa kwarto, pero at least, may malinis nang mga unan doon at kobre-kama. Hindi na ganoon kaalikabok. Ang dami lang gamit dahil hindi pa niya alam kung saan ilalagay ang mga iyon.

Pumihit siya at tinanaw si Renante mula sa pinto ng kwartong iyon.

"Dito ka," tango niya sa lalaki.

He nodded back. "Okay, let me just finish my coffee."

Naihilig niya ang ulo. Pinagmasdan saglit ang lalaki habang seryoso sa pagnamnam nito ng kape. She noted on every furrowing of his eyebrows, on the way he licked off the coffee that stained his lips. Binaba nito saglit ang baso para tanggalin ang isa sa mga butones ng polo nito. A decent peek of his chest appeared before he sighed and reached for the mug.

He's still that unaffected ass. But yeah, still fucking adorable.

She smoothly left the room's door open to head to the room beside it. Sa kwartong iyon matutulog si Stacey. Dating silid iyon ng kanyang ina, noong dalaga pa ito. Sa madaling sabi, ang bungalow ay pagmamay-ari ng mga magulang ng kanyang nanay. Dito ito nakatira noong dalaga pa. Noong mas simple pa ang pamumuhay at hindi pa nakakapag-asawa ng foreigner na kasing luho ng kanyang ama na si Thomas Vauergard.

Sa tingin nga ni Stacey, sa ama rin niya nakuha ang pagiging competitive.

'Yung kahit alam niya noon na talo na siya sa laban, umaaligid pa rin siya kay Renante.

Umaasang mapapansin...

She blinked and realized that she remained standing in front of the closed door.

"Are you okay?"

Hindi niya nilingon si Renante nang tanungin iyon.

"May gusto lang akong ipaalala sa iyo, Renante," tinitimbang niya ang bawat sasabihin bago ito hinarap.

Nakatayo na ang lalaki sa salas kung saan tanaw nila ang isa't isa.

"Ano iyon?" seryosong tanong nito sa kanya.

She lifted her chin up. "If you really don't want to help, just leave."

"What with the change of mind?" hakbang nito para lapitan siya.

Tuluyan na siyang humarap sa direksyon ng lalaki, tila sinasalubong ang paglapit nito sa kanya. She threw a sultry underlook to combat his dark gaze. Maingat na sinandal ni Stacey ang sarili sa pinto.

"I'm not changing my mind," she softly spoke, her chest tightening at the knowing that he's getting closer to her. "I'm just saying, kung hindi mo ako gustong tulungan, hindi ka rin makakatulong kaya umalis ka na lang kung gusto mo."

He scoffed, smugly lifted a corner of his lips. Such a sexy demon.

"Why ask for my help in the first place then?"

"Just testing if you'll bite," she spoke now under her breath as Renante reached her. Lumapit pa ito kaya medyo napatingala siya sa lalaki.

"Now that I bit," higpit ng kamay nito sa braso niya, "what are you going to do about it?" he asked heatedly.

"Take responsible for my actions," she replied breathily as her hands caressed his upper arms, "Renante Villaluz," her eyes trailed from his chest, then to his lips and finally to his eyes.

He pulled a knowing smirk. "You trapped me here, didn't you? You planned this."

"I'm not stupid," hablot niya sa kwelyo ng polo nito para bumaba palapit sa kanya ang mukha ng lalaki. Their noses almost touched. She gazed hotly on his lips. "I'm not like those stupid girls who thinks that a guy has changed when he comes crawling back. You'll still treat me bad and use me and be an asshole to me." Then she looked into his eyes. "But I have realized something..." Her voice felt tortured she could taste it, "That stalker knows that I like you—"

"Yeah—"

"Before," pagkaklaro agad ni Stacey para hindi kung anu-ano ang isipin ng lalaki.

"So," she playfully traced a finger on Renante's chest, "naisip ko, kung pagseselosin natin siya... Mapapalabas natin siya sa lungga niya."

"What if he didn't come out?" he questioned with a playful challenge in his eyes. "What else should we do to piss him off?" he pressed his body against hers.

Stacey swallowed a gasp before she managed to reply. "Smartass," she grinned devilishly, knowing where this conversation would lead them. "Just one."

"Just one?" he doubted.

"Just one time. Just this night."

He chuckled lowly. "And you think I'll allow it? I'm an asshole, remember?"

This man is such an ass. Was he tailing her around since the party for sex?

What else should she expect?

Renante immediately lifted her against the door, wrapped her legs around his waists. His hand grew busy with unbuttoning her pants. Hinablot niya ito sa kwelyo at siniil ng halik sa mga labi. Tumigil saglit ang mga kamay nito para tugunin ang halik niya. Tinumbasan nito ang pagkauhaw niya habang humihimas-himas sa kanyang mga hita at puwitan.

Stacey pulled back, rested the back of her head against the door and tried to catch her breath.

She didn't give a fuck what is Renante's reason behind hooking up with her right now. He was still an ass and even if he was too fucking hot and gorgeous to resist, she has a brain to discipline her heart. May iba siyang motibo sa ginagawa at doon siya magfo-focus.

Sumimple siya ng tingin sa paligid. Sinadya niyang iwang nakahawi ang mga kurtina sa ilan sa mga salaming bintana sa salas.

You're supposed to be seeing this, stalker. Be pissed.

She cupped Renante's face and kissed his lips again.

You'll see this and you'll be forced to do something. I can't wait na magtuos tayo.

Stacey blinked as Renante pulled away from their kiss. Sumalubong sa kanya ang paniningkit ng mga mata nito.

"Bakit?" humihingal niyang tanong dito.

"Your mind is away," suspetsa nito.

Stacey didn't know what to say. This man is so damn good at this. He knew when she was focused on something else. Kaya siguro may ideya ang lalaki tungkol sa feelings niya noon kahit anong pagkukunwari pa ang gawin niya.

"It should be on me," he grunted as he reached for the doorknob and pushed the door open.

Malalagot na naman siya sa kwarto.

Inalis niya ang mga hita sa bewang ng lalaki. Renante released a reluctant grunt, trying to put her legs back on him but Stacey already pushed him away from her. Mapanukso niya itong nginisihan bago tinalikuran. Napasinghap siya nang bigla siya nitong diniin sa pinto. His chest pushed against her back as his other hand caressed her waist and smoothed down to her hip while hotly kissing the side of her face.

Stacey lowered her head, a hand pressed against the door as she arched her back. Sumandal sa gilid ng dibdib nito ang likod ng kanyang ulo. She intentionally pushed her ass against his crotch, grinding and moving her hips until he's rock hard. Abala ang isa pang kamay ni Renante sa pagkapa sa kanyang dibdib bago iyon piniga.

"Ahhh..." pikit niya bago gumuhit ang mapait na ngiti sa kanyang mga labi.

I thought you're so smart, Renante? Don't this feel so fake to you? Don't you feel used, having an idea why I'm doing you tonight?

Napadilat siya nang pumasok sa damit niya ang kamay nito.

"R-Renante..." she breathily warned before releasing a soft sigh. Nasasarapang napapikit siya nang malagpasan ng kamay nito ang bra niya. He grabbed on her breast and squeezed before plucking her nipple.

Kiniskis nito ang katigasan sa puwitan niya.

"Dito mo ba gusto? Sa pinto?" mainit nitong bulong sa kanya habang binababa ng isa nitong kamay ang suot niyang pantalon.

Stacey reached for his arms to stop him. "Of course not!" pumilit niyang makapihit paharap dito. Nanunukat ang tingin niya sa binata. He seemed too occupied with his lust to be able to think straight.

Good.

Tinulak siya nito. Bumangga ang likod niya sa pinto. Napaungol siya nang ipitin ng katawan nito roon. Nilapit ng binata ang mukha sa kanya.

"Saan mo gusto?" titig nito sa mga mata niya. "Siguraduhin mong makikita tayo ng stalker mo." Then he sexily lowered his voice. "Or this plan won't work and we'll have to do it all over again."

She could melt right now at his intensity. And drown a little at this pain that just would not go away. No matter how much she tried to content herself with this.

Ah, was she really doing this to make her stalker jealous? To catch her stalker?

Stacey could feel her eyes well up.

She sharply inhaled. "Ah, what are we doing?"

Dahan-dahan itong humiwalay. At kahit anong kaila niya, dama niyang nadurog na naman ang puso niya sa pag-atras nito.

Wasn't she hot? Wasn't she attractive? Wasn't she enough for him to get through this night?

Tulad noon?

Tulad noong wala itong mapagbalingan ng nararamdaman nitong frustrations at pag-iinit para sa ibang babae?

Why was he letting her go? Why was he not forcing her to change her mind? To fuck him?

Oh, yes. It's bad to force someone but... don't he want her so bad? Hindi man lang ba siya nito kakausapin at baka sakaling magbago ang isip niya? Hindi ba nito aalamin kung talagang ayaw niyang maramdaman ulit ang katawan nito na nakapatong sa kanya?

Maingat na inayos ng mga kamay nito ang kanyang buhok. Hindi niya maintindihan kung bakit may pag-aalala sa mga mata nito.

"Have I wronged you again, Stace?"

Lalo siyang nakaramdam ng pagkadurog. She managed to let out a cracked laughter.

"Wronged me?"

"Am I forcing you again? Am I being inconsiderate again?"

Seryoso ba talaga si Renante sa mga pinagtatanong nito? Bakit parang ibang tao ito magsalita? Bakit parang tinototoo nito ang pagkakaroon ng pakialam sa mga mararamdaman niya?

What happened in those three years that made him act this way?

"I'm the one who initiated this," pagtataray-tarayan niya. "And it's so stupid of me. I'm supposed to stay mad at you."

"No," he softly replied. "Don't do that."

Tinalikuran na niya ito. Magtatago na siya sa kwarto. Nakakahiya ang ginawa niya kanina na pang-aakit dito.

She's being so low again. Just like what happened years ago. She thought having sex with him would bring them closer.

"Do you want me back, Stace?" basag nito sa katahimikan.

Natigilan siya. Bukas na ang pinto pero hindi pa humahakbang papasok doon ang mga paa niya.

"Or do you want to test me first?"

She put on a brave face and turned to him.

"I just want to use you," matapang niyang saad. "Sa tingin ko, magseselos ang stalker ko kapag nakita niya tayo ngayon. That's all."

Bahagyang gumuhit ang gulat sa mga mata ng binata. Then he seemed to start comprehending everything.

"If that floats your boat, then I'll hop in," lapit nito sa kanya.

She stopped him with her hand pushing against his chest.

"But this is going to be dangerous. And you're not the type of man who likes that. Hahanap na lang siguro ako ng ibang lalaking magagamit sa mission ko na ito, Mr. Villaluz."

Tumaas ang sulok ng labi nito. Hindi umabot sa mga mata ni Renante ang ngising iyon. Ginagap nito ang kamay niya at inalis sa dibdib nito. He instead held to it to be able to pull her close to his chest. Napatingala siya, napatingin sa mga mata ng lalaki na puno ng misteryo.

Mysteries that she would never be able to unlock in this lifetime.

But revenge is sweeter. Give it to me now, Stace," he murmured as his lips almost brushed against hers. "It's like hitting two birds with one stone."

Hitting two birds with one stone— ang isa ay makakabawi siya sa ginawa sa kanya noon ni Renante, at ang isa ay ang posibilidad na mapalabas niya ang kanyang stalker mula sa pinagtataguan nitong lungga.

Stacey gently pushed his chest to create a little distance.

"Well then," she looked at him under her long lashes, "stay intensely thirsty the whole night, Mr. Villaluz. Your first punishment is you're not getting laid tonight. Doon ka sa kabilang kwarto."

At natatawang pumasok si Stacey ng kwarto bago sinarahan ng pinto ang lalaki.

A few minutes later, she was already on the bed. Nakatitig sa kisame. She was wearing a white silk lingerie, feeling cold despite the comforters snuggling her in. Inaalala niya ang mga nangyari kanina.

Oh, cringe. That's her total reaction about everything.

About letting Renante in, making him sleep over this place...

Kissing him...

Stacey released a heavy sigh.

"No wonder he never liked me," mahina niyang usap sa sarili, "I'm so aggressive."

Tumagilid siya ng pagkakahiga sa kama. Inipit niya ng ulo ang kamay na nakadantay sa unan.

"Ang rupok pa," malungkot niyangbulong.