STACEY LET OUT A SIGH. Pinatong niya ang braso sa mesa, itinukod ang isang siko para ituon ang noo sa bukas na palad. She slowly shook her head.

“I’m sorry,” nanghihina niyang saad. “I don’t mean anything with that. It’s just that…”

Tinitigan siya saglit ni Kylie. Tinimbang muna nito bago sinabi ang tumatakbo sa isip.

“I see. It’s really my fault,” natatawang tampal nito sa noo, mamasa-masa pa rin ang mga mata. “You’re now in a relationship with Renante. I should respect the boundaries now… I mean, the things that should remain between the two of you.”

That’s not really the issue but… Stacey’s eyes mirrored sadness. But, I guess, it’s better for you to think of things this way… Kylie.

Pag-angat niya ng tingin, nasalubong niya ang nag-aabang na mga mata ni Kylie. There was this sad, hopefulness in the way she looked at her. A tinge of fear was right there… in her teary eyes.

Muling nagbaba si Stacey ng tingin. “Huwag kang mag-alala. Ayos na kami ni Renante. I just wondered… kung paano niya nalaman kagabi kung nasaan ako.”

Ngumiti ito. “Pasensya na sa ginawa ko. Halata rin naman kasi kagabi na may dinadala ka. I was hoping that… if Renante would come over to join us, baka makatulong kami nila Fritzie na maayos anuman ang misunderstanding ninyo.”

“Thanks for the thought,” tuwid niya ng upo. “But next time, just let us be. Okay?”

Nahihiyang napaiwas ito ng tingin. Tipid ang ngiti na tumango-tango. “Yes, Stace. I will. I’m sorry again.”

Bago pa mamayani ang katahimikan sa pagitan nila, pinasigla ni Kylie ang tinig. It was as if the confrontation did not happen at all.

“So, what should we order?”

Wala sa loob ang ngiting ginanti niya rito. Hindi makuha ni Stacey na itugma ang nararamdaman sa pinapakita. Dapat kasi, diniretsa na niya si Kylie. Dapat tinanong na niya ito. Dapag nilinaw na niya mula rito kung ano ang ibig sabihin ng mga sinabi nito kagabi.

Kung bakit nabanggit pa iyon ni Kylie.

Kung nasa nakaraan na lang ba ‘yon? Ang pagkakagusto nito kay Renante?

“I’ll get my usual,” dampot niya sa menu card. “So, what are you up to this day, Kylie?”

Kylie’s eyes scanned the menu card. “May WIP ako ngayon.”

“WIP?”

Natatawang nag-angat ito ng tingin sa kanya. “While In Progress. Kahapon ko lang sinimulan ang artwork. It’s a personal project of mine. Aside from that, may mga commissions akong tatapusin this week… and an online digital comics to update.”

“What is the comics about?” baba niya ng menu card, hindi maalis-alis ang tingin sa kausap.

“Oh,” she shrugged and strayed her eyes away from her. Nakatulala na lang si Kylie sa menu card. “It’s about an mermaid meets space. A sci-fi fantasy na medyo dark. Dystopian ang setting.”

Stacey blurred a little. Oo, nauunawaan niya pero medyo magulo sa kanya ang scenario ng comics. Nangingiting sumagot siya.

“I’ll check it out now. Is that okay?” labas niya ng cellphone.

“Sure! Tell me what you think about it,” Kylie met her eyes. “Tapusin ko lang ang pamimili ng io-order.”

Stacey opened her cellphone. Walang missed calls o text mula sa kahit sino. She opened her browser. Pagkatanong ng pangalan ng website at title ng comics, hinanap niya agad iyon. Pinasadahan niya ng basa ang unang parte na inabot lamang ng walong panel.

Natigilan siya sa balak na ilipat ang binabasa sa susunod na parte nang may mag pop-up na notification.

Nabasa niya ang preview ng text sa kanya ni Renante.

Boo, where to after work? 💕

Pigil niya ang mapangiti. Nakasanayan na ni Renante ang pagtawag sa kanya sa pangalan mismo. It’s either Stace or Stacey. Kahit oa napagkasunduan nilang Boo ang magiging tawagan nung sinagot niya ang binata.

What made her smile was the fact he called her Boo.

Kadalasang ginagawa iyon ng lalaki kapag naglalambing sa kanya.

“Unahin mo muna iyan,” ngiti sa kanya ni Kylie, nasa himig nito ang panunukso. “Kakabati niyo lang, right? For sure, magbabawi nang magbabawi ‘yan sa’yo.” At binuntutan iyon nito ng kinikilig na bungisngis.

Nangingiting nireplyan niya si Renante.

She forgot to send it when a call took over her screen.

Nasa screen ang pangalan ng receptionist ng Hibla— ang nananatiling brand name ng woven bags business na binenta na niya.

Naguguluhang sinagot niya ang tawag. Sinabayan iyon ng pag-gesture ni Stacey ng kamay kay Kylie na sasaglitin lang niya ang tawag.

Kylie’s lips formed to an O then responded a nod.

Nilisan ni Stacey ang kanilang mesa. Dumistansya siya.

Una niyang natagpuan ang balkonahe ng  na nahaharangan ng glass wall. It had this breathtaking view of a lush, green garden with climbing plants and flowers.

“Hello, Frances. Napatawag ka?” magaan niyang bati.

Ma’am Stace, may naghahanap po kasi sa inyo rito. Ilang ulit po naming pinaliwanag sa kanya na wala kayo rito at hindi na kayo ang may-ari nitong kompanya pero—

Is that her? A feminine voice interrupted— dry and matured with clear diction. There was bite of spoiled to it. Like a leaf, it floated in the air and easily stole attention. Give me that. Let me talk to her, honey.

Ma’am, please, stay seated po. Kausap ko na po siya—

“I’m going there,” mabilis na pasya ni Stacey. “Pakiusap, do anything you can para hintayin niya ako diyan.”

She disconnected the call. Nagkukumahog na bumalik si Stacey sa kanilang mesa.

“Let’s order na?” masiglang salubong sa kanya ni Kylie.

“Kylie, may kailangan lang ako asikasuhin. Sa Hibla. Pasensya niya.”

Namilog ang mga mata nito. Kylie didn’t even have to ask. Basang-basa na nito sa kanyang mukha na may problema.

Kinolekta na rin ng kaibigan ang gamit nito. “Samahan na kita!”

Stacey was in too much hurry, she didn’t really boyher anymore to answer. Hinayaan na lang niya si Kylie na gawin nito ang gustong gawin.

Basta siya, kailangan niyang bilisan ang kilos.

She had to talk to that woman.

She doesn’t hear her voice often but she always knew that voice.

She always knew.

.

.

DON’T BE FOOLED BY HER SOFT, ROUND FACE. By her round, clear chestnut eyes. By her plump, prominent cheekbones and small pouty lips.

She’s petite, a height that reached Stacey’s shoulder.

It made her look soft. Look sweet and serene.

She was named Luz and she embodied the name perfectly— a glance at her from back then up to now was like looking at a peaceful glow that she carried everywhere.

Nang marating ni Stacey ang gusali ng Hibla, nadatnna niya ang babae na nakatayo sa tapat ng isang display. She looked bored, scanning the woven bags where only a wall of glass separated her from them. Nakatayo sa likuran nito ang dalawang alalay— mga katulong na kapwa nakaputing uniporme na may grey accents.

Luz’ eyes seemed half-closed, when she only kept a straight face and gazed down at the bags positioned at the lower rack of displays. She wore a white wrap dress— white v-necked top with loose, flappy bell sleeves that clung to the shape of her small waists narrowing down to a tight pencil skirt. On her feet were a pair of white pointed high heels, glossy and made of high-class material. Nakasayad sa mga balikat nito ang maikling itim na buhok. Alon-alon ang mga ito, sinadyang istiluhan nang nakahawi palayo sa mukha ang mga hibla. Her accessories glittered at the slightest touch of contrasting light— a pair of diamond earrings and a silver chain with a diamond drop pendant.

There was a soft, sad glow about her.

But again, don’t be fooled by that.

Inip na gumawi sa kanila ang lingon ng babae. Nasa mukha nito na magrereklamo na naman sana sa receptionist nang mapapiksi. She really just did that, her shoes even clicked off the tiled floor.

Luz immediately recovered from her shock. Sumugod papunta sa kanya. Nagkukumahog na bumuntot dito ang dalawang alalay.

Tiningala siya ng babae. It was just because of their height differences.

“I knew that I came to the right place,” she chattered, eyebrows furrowed and she spoke fast when irritated.  Luz even managed to side-eye the receptionist, Frances, “Bakit ganoon ang tinuturo mo sa mga receptionist niyo rito, Stacey? Ganoon ka-out of reach ba talaga ang gusto mong relationship with your customers? Are you hiding from someone or what?”

Kanina pa hinanda ni Stacey ang sarili sa sasakyan, pero iba pa rin talaga kapag ka-face to face na niya…

…ang nanay ni Renante.

She didn’t even know what to call her yet.

So…

“You know, that’s really a turn off,” Luz waved a hand. “I have visited the shops and workplaces of my amigas,” she blabbered on, “and I have never been treated this way—”

Maybe it’s because nabigyan na ng heads-up ang staff nila na darating ka. Eh, dito, wala ka namang pasabi man lang—

“—in an instant, they welcomed me once their staff let them know that I came for a little surprise visit.”

Pumaling ang kanyang ngiti. Stacey was trying to hold it all together. Ayaw niyang may masabing kahit ano sa nanay ni Renante.

“Tita, you look gorgeous.”

Doon lang niya naalalang sinamahan siya ni Kylie. Lumagpas sa kanya ang tingin ni Luz at napunta sa kaibigan na nasa likuran niya.

She smiled sweetly, the round of her cheeks puffed a little.

“Why, thank you, Kylie darling.”

Ginantihan ni Kylie ng ngiti ang ginang.

“Maybe you should join us,” patuloy ni Kylie. “We’re discussing something important kasi sa coffee shop ni Stace. That’s why, hindi niya agad ma-accommodate ang pagbisita mo.”

Napunta ang tingin ng ginang sa kanya. “But sabi nung staff—”

“Let’s just talk outside,” yakap ni Kylie sa braso nito, nagmamadaling niyakag ang ginang palabas. Panakaw siyang sinulyapan ng kaibigan. She gave her an encouraging smile, a gaze that signaled her to prepare emotionally.

Pinanood niya ang paglagpas ng dalawang babae.

“And don’t be so mad now at Stacey. It’s all my fault. Working hours na working hours, niyaya ko siyang makipagkita sa akin.”

“She doesn’t have to make her staff tell me that she doesn’t own this company anymore if she’s not available to see me!” naulinigan niyang sagot ng ginang, palabas na ng pinto at sinusundan pa rin ng mga alalay nito.

Stacey took in a deep breath and glanced at everyone who were left with her in the shop proper of the company building.

Nahihiyang napailing siya. “I’m sorry for the inconvenience this caused all of you. Huwag na sana ito makarating sa boss ninyo.”

The sales ladies and receptionists gave her an understanding smile and gazes.

Stacey breathed in deeply. More like swallowed mouthfuls of air to fill her chest with confidence.

Siyang usad ng kanyang mga hakbang para sundan sila Kylie.

The two women were already at the parking, facing each other.

Mukhang hindi pabor sa kanya ang tinakbo ng usapan dahil paling na ang ngiti ni Kylie sa ginang. Palapit pa lang siya sa mga ito, nakaabang na ang mga mata nila sa kanya.

“I’m sorry about what happened,” diretsa ni Stacey sa nanay ni Renante. “Pero totoo ang mga sinabi nila. Hindi na ako ang may-ari ng kompanyang ito.”

She didn’t really bother if she sounded cold or harsh. Unlike, Kylie, she just couldn’t imagine herself stooping that low and being a people-pleaser.

It wasn’t just her cup of tea anymore. She tried to please people back then and pretend to be someone she wasn’t. All the lies and deception had cost her a lot— she lost Renante once because of that, she lost potential friends like Sondra. She wouldn’t do that again.

Hindi na siya babalik sa mga pagpapanggap.

“And even if I am still the owner of this company, I could have accommodated you better if you came announced.” She prepared herself for Luz’ reaction— a disbelief enveloped by the narrowing of her eyes, crisscrossing of her perfectly bowed eyebrows. “Please, don’t do this again. Not just to me but to anyone. You’re only embarrassing yourself.”

“Why—”

Nanatiling malumanay ang pagkausap ni Stacey dito. “I am only saying this because you’re Renante’s mom. And I care about you. I know, you mean well and just wanted to see if I am doing well in life. Pero ayokong isipin ng mga tao na masyado ho kayong paimportante dahil sa ginagawa niyong ito.”

“If you don’t own this company,” she reeked with arrogance, tilted her head high, “then it means you lied to my husband about it? You lied to my son about it?”

“I founded this company. But I got bored of it, so I sold it. Please, don’t tell, Renante. And in return, I won’t tell him that you barged in here just because you feel like it.”

Si Kylie naman ang tinapunan niya ng tingin. “Thanks for saving my ass back there. Mukhang close kayo ng nanay ni Renante, so you stay with her and console her.”

At iniwanan na niya ang mga ito.

As she got inside her car, the weight of the events felt heavier. Pakiramdam niya, napagkakaisahan siya.

Kailan pa naging close si Kylie sa nanay ni Renante?

Stacey shook her head, still absorbed by her thoughts while holding the steering wheel and not yet driving.

Is Renante’s family investigating her? Ayaw din ba ng mga ito sa kanya kaya sinusurpresa siya ng ganito?

If they wanted to see her or get to know her better, why not invite her in some place to bond and talk? What with the surprise visits? At sa mismong workplace niya?

Tama nga ba ang mga asumpsyon niya sa mga Villaluz? That the only thing that mattered to them is whether you have something financially or business-related to contribute to them?

Mas mahalaga pa ba iyon sa mga ito kaysa sa kilalanin siya? Kaysa sa magustuhan siya ng mga ito bilang kung sino siya? Bilang nobya ni Renante? Sa simpleng dahilan na mahal niya ang anak ng mga ito?

Binuhay ni Stacey ang makina ng sasakyan. Wala siyang balak tapunan ng huling sulyap sila Luz.

Kailangan pa niyang ihanda ang sarili. Kung hindi pumabor sa kanya ang mga pangyayari, kakailanganin niya ng mahaba-habang paliwanag kay Renante.