OF ALL THE PEOPLE, why Pierre? Renante frowned at the thought while sitting on the floor and assembling his white minimalist desk at the bedroom.

'Of all the people, why Pierre?' Ronnie thought nervously but with a serious poker face while he was quickly wiping the beige leather sofa in the living room.

Nasa kusina naman si Stacey at pinupunasan ang may kaliitang dining table na gawa sa salamin at bakal. She looked fine but deep inside, she kept praying that things would go according to her plan.

Bumukas ang pinto mula sa banyo na konektado sa bedroom kaya nag-angat ng tingin si Renante. Nakita niyang lumabas mula roon si Pierre na bagong bihis. Pinahiram niya kasi ito ng damit para makakilos nang maayos.

Pierre reappeared wearing his gray garter shorts and blue T-shirt. Pinasadahan niya ito saglit ng tingin at ginawaran naman siya ng lalaki ng paling na ngiti.

So, he's Stacey's friend now, paniningkit ng kanyang mga mata kay Pierre na palapit sa kanyang direksiyon.

"I hope you don't mind, iniwan ko sa tabi ng sink sa bathroom iyong mga damit ko. Para mamaya hindi ko na hahagilapin kapag susuotin ko na uli," anito sa kanya bago ininspeksiyon ng mga mata ang ina-assemble niyang desk. "Isn't that desk too small?"

"It saves space. Tama na ito para sa laptop ko," balik ni Renante ng tingin sa ginagawa.

Pierre placed his hands on his knees to get a better look at the desk. Buo na ito. Ini-screw na lang ni Renante ang mga dapat i-screw.

"But you're in wristwatch business. Don't you need more space for your prototypes? Or at least, a working table for your future designs?"

"No need," tipid niyang sagot bago bumalik sa kanyang iniisip.

How can they be friends if they only see each other during work hours?

Unless...

Nilingon niya si Pierre at tiningnan nang masama. Nagtaka tuloy ito kaya kumunot ang noo at tumaas ang isang kilay.

"What?" Pierre asked that got him taken off-guard.

Napaiwas tuloy siya ng tingin dito. Bahagyang iniyuko ni Renante ang ulo at tinapos ang pag-i-screw bago dumampot ng isa pang screw at inasikaso ang kabilang bahagi ng desk.

A few seconds later, he mumbled, "Paano ka napapayag ni Stacey na tumulong dito?"

Ito naman ang tila na-off guard. Nahihiyang nag-iwas ito ng tingin, tila may hinanap ang mga mata sa paligid bago sumagot.

"Ang akala kasi ni Stacey, tropa-tropa pa rin kami ni Ronnie."

Pierre sounded uncertain. He spoke slowly as if he was thinking of the next words to say. Pero binalewala na lang iyon ni Renante kasi wala naman siya naiisip na iba pang dahilan para i-invalidate ang sagot ni Pierre sa kanyang tanong. He was really clueless why he had to be here.

"Kaya um-oo ka noong pinapunta ka niya rito?" salubong ng mga kilay niya habang nasa ginagawa ang tingin.

"Hindi ko alam na dito ang punta ko," halos pabulong nitong sagot.

Natigilan si Renante.

Is he being serious?

"Ang sabi niya, may kaibigan siya na gusto makipag-collaborate sa Gallardo's. That explains why I am very dressed up."

Tiningala ito ni Renante. "Iyon lang, napapayag ka niyang pumunta rito?"

"What? You know I always mean business, and while working with your girlfriend I have already seen strong working ethics and focus in her."

He felt a sense of pride. Yes, that's my Stace. But then he shrugged it off. And because of that... do you already admire her so much you are willing to come at her beck and call, Pierre?

Nakaramdam siya ng inis.

Is this Stacey's way of getting back at me? For what I did to her in the past?

"That's why—" patuloy ni Pierre, "—when she said we are going to something job-related, I believed her."

"So, you don't really plan to help here at all?"

Tumuwid ng tayo si Pierre. "Narito na ako, eh. Eh, 'di tutulong na rin ako!"

"Come on, Pierre," Stacey chimed in. Gulat tuloy silang napalingon dito. Siyang lapit ng dalaga sa kanila. She looked at Pierre and kept her eyes on him as she continued speaking. Renante could not explain why he was feeling irritated because of that. "Aminin mo na lang kay Renante ang totoo."

"Ano'ng totoo?" defensive ang tono ng lalaki.

"Look, I just did you a favor. Hindi ba nabanggit mo na interesado kang pumasok sa metal business? Whether you are planning to manufacture or trade, it will be to your benefit if you'll get an insight about it from Renante and Ronnie."

Nagtaas ng hintuturo si Pierre at pinaningkitan ng mga mata si Stacey.

"But that's not what I came here for. Iba talaga ang sinabi mo sa akin kaya napapunta ako rito."

Stacey waved a hand. "I know, I know. Ginawa ko lang naman iyon kasi kapag sinabi ko ang totoo, may biglang umatras sa mga tutulong kay Renante sa pag-aayos dito. Ayoko namang mapagod ang boyfriend ko."

Inilipat ni Renante ang tingin kay Pierre. There was already a goofy smirk plastered across his face.

You hear that? I'm her 'boyfriend,' Pierre.

Pagkatapos niyon ay saka lang rumehistro sa kanyang isip ang pinag-uusapan ng dalawa. Nanlaki ang mga mata niya.

"Balak mo rin pasukin ang metal business?" bulalas niya kay Pierre.

Naguguluhang nagpalipat-lipat ng tingin si Pierre kay Stacey. "I don't really remember I said that..."

"You said that at Port Vivienne. Of course, you could have forgotten it because we were already drunk that time."

Naningkit na naman ang mga mata ni Renante.

So... They seemed to have talked about a lot of things at Port Vivienne. Even their hopes and dreams...

Parang may tumarak sa kanyang dibdib sa isiping iyon.

What did Stacey tell Pierre about her hopes and dreams? Am I still a part of those? titig niya sa babae na nakatingin pa rin kay Pierre dahil sila na naman ang magkausap.

Nakatitig si Pierre kay Stacey. Tila hinahanap nito sa mukha ng girlfriend niya ang sagot sa katanungang gumugulo sa isip nito.

"You said something like, you want to be a Villaluz," Stacey added, crossing her arms while intently staring at Pierre because she was waiting for him to speak.

"I... " He trailed off, trying to recall something. Then his eyes almost bulged out of its socket our of shock. Then they became shifty, as if he was cornered and was trying to find a way out. Until his face brightened and he managed an exaggerated open-mouthed smile. "Ahh... Iyon bang sinabi kong iyon..." He nervously chuckled then continued. "Ah, oo. Naaalala ko na. I meant, I want to be like the Villaluz brothers." Nilingon siya ni Pierre. "Paano pala ako makatutulong dito?"

Inabot ni Stacey ang hawak nitong basahan kay Pierre.

"Ituloy mo muna siguro ang pagpupunas-punas sa dining table," ngiti nito rito.

"O-Okay," wala sa loob na tanggap nito sa basahan bago nag-aalinlangan na nilingon si Renante.

Renante just nodded at Pierre. "Paglabas mo rito, lumiko ka sa bandang kanan 'tapos dere-deretso ka lang ng lakad. Maliit lang naman itong unit, makikita mo agad ang dining area at kitchen."

Pierre stared at the washcloth in his hand before nodding. "Sige."

Tinanaw nila ang paglabas nito ng kuwarto. Kikilos na sana siya nang bumalik bigla si Pierre.

"S-Sorry," anito bago hinila pasara ang pinto. Renante figured that he apologized for not closing the door before leaving.

Nang maiwan sila ni Stacey ay tumayo na si Renante at inilapag saglit ang screw at screwdriver sa ibabaw ng desk.

Humarang siya kay Stacey na nakatanaw pa rin kay Pierre.

"So, one night at Port Vivienne, and you're already friends with Pierre?"

Inekis nito ang mga braso at nakipagtitigan sa kanya.

"Yes. Isn't that a good thing?"

He drew his face closer to her. Renante deeply stared into her eyes.

"I hope you are not trying to make me feel jealous by using Pierre. That will be a very childish game to play."

"And I hope you're not jealous, because that will be very childish."

She burned him really hard with that comeback. Napalunok na lang siya sabay atras.

"I'll just go check on Ronnie."

Tatalikod na sana siya nang biglang hablutin sa braso ni Stacey. Hindi niya inaasahan iyon kaya nahila siya paharap at muntikan pang mabunggo sa dalaga.

Saglit na nagtama ang kanilang mga mata. And it blew his mind, thinking that he would still feel this heartpounding, timestopping sensation once his eyes stared into hers.

Her piercing eyes stabbed his heart. Her lips just made him thirst. He wanted to brush away some strands of her hair to make way for those lips and kiss them. Their nearness was only magnetizing him to pull in closer until their bodies touch—Damn it!

Bahagyang napaawang ang kanyang mga labi habang naghihintay sa susunod na mga mangyayari.

Stacey stepped back a bit, making her hand on his arm slide down like a flaming rub that shot an exciting chill throughout his body.

"Hindi mo ba tatapusin muna itong pag-aayos sa desk mo?"

Napakurap siya at inilipat ang tingin sa iniwang screw at screwdriver sa ibabaw ng minimalist desk.

He took in a deep breath before he gained the strength to slowly gravitate away from her alluring presence.

"I'll screw it first," he breathily answered. "Can you stay here for a little while? Para pagkatapos ko mag-screw, matulungan mo akong ma-testing kung gaano katibay itong bago kong desk?"

Ito naman ang tila nagulat. Napatitig sa kanya ang dalaga at bahagyang napaawang ang mga labi. It took her a few minutes, but for him, it felt like a lifetime before she replied.

"Sure," taas-noo nito na para bang pakitang-tao lang ang kumpiyansang pinaiiral habang kaharap siya.

Renante cocked his head to the side and caressed the side of her cheek. He caught her shudder, as if his touch has brought something delightful deep inside her to life.

Nang matapos sa pag-assemble sa desk salitan silang gumamit ng banyo para maghugas ng mga kamay pagkatapos iligpit sa toolbox ang mga gamit at linisin ang mga kalat kasama ang kahon para sa desk.

Pagkatapos, kapwa nila tinitigan ito.

"Mukhang ayos naman lahat," basag ni Stacey sa katahimikang nangibabaw sa kanila.

Renante could not speak because he was so focused on thinking how he can proceed with his agenda.

"I-check na natin kung gaano katibay," ani Renante habang naglalakad papunta sa likuran ni Stacey.

At bago pa nakahuma ang dalaga, nahawakan na ito ng magkabila niyang kamay sa balakang sabay tulak sa desk. Awtomatikong napatukod ang mga kamay ng dalaga sa ibabaw nito. She turned her head to him and took that chance to peck a kiss on her lips.

"Damn, I miss you," he murmured hotly as his palms rubbed the shape of her body.

Stacey lowered her eyes, stared at his lips as she shuddered at his hands that ran up and down the sides of her body. He dropped his hands to the sides of her hips in time with his crotch pushing against her ass. Nabunggo tuloy ang desk kaya mahina itong kumalabog sa pader na kadikit nito. At dahil itinulak niya ang dalaga, inilipat nito ang mga kamay na nakapatong sa desk sa pader para roon tumukod ang mga ito.

"Eh, 'di galingan mo. At baka mabago mo ang isip ko at pabalikin kita agad sa bahay," nakakaakit na bulong ni Stacey. Dama niya ang init ng hininga nito dahil magkalapit lang ang kanilang mga mukha.

He grinned at her as he reached for her breasts and began massaging them up and down. Mariing itinikom ng babae ang mga labi para hindi mapaungol nang malakas.

"Nah. I know a good fuck won't make you do that. But I'll still fuck you anyway," he leaned down and sucked her bare shoulder before meeting her eyes again. "Because it's been only a week, but I miss you."

"Shut your mouth and take me already," she sighed helplessly.

They smashed their mouths and kissed torridly. He made sure she would feel his intense longing to being with her by sucking her lips, and to being within her by putting his tongue in her mouth. He could not help groaning in pleasure when she sucked his tongue, her lips moving back and forth in a similar way that her lips would do with his cock when sucking it. Dear heavens, her lips just feel so warm and taste so sweet!

As they kissed, he slipped one of his hands inside her top and harshly pulled down her bra's cup to expose one breast. Ah, so thick yet soft! He plucked and twisted her nipple until it was already beady and hard. At the same time, his hips were gliding in circular motion, pressing and pushing his crotch against her ass until he was already having a hard-on.

How long had it been since the last time they had sex? Why did it feel like it had been forever since the last time?

Hindi na siya nagpatumpik-tumpik pa. Tinanggal na niya ang butones ng jeans ni Stacey. He pulled down its zipper and began shoving his hands inside. Mabilis siyang kumapa bago mariin na humagod sa pagitan ng mga hita nito.

Nagpakawala siya ng mahinang maluwalhating ungol. Napatingala siya saglit na tila inaahon ang mukha mula sa pagkakalubog sa tubig—napugto kasi ang kanyang hininga. Her folds were so soft, tight, and warm!

In a matter of minutes Stacey was already under the spell of his moving fingers, her hips slowly shaking left and right like a snake hypnotized to dance by a flute player. She trapped her whimpers and moans in her throat, careful not to alarm anyone with any noise. Renante tried his best to stay quiet by swallowing again and again.

Renante knew that Stacey wasn't that shallow. She would not let him live with her again just because he fucked her really good—but fuck it, he wanted to give his best performance now, as if his life was depending on it. As if it will really make her forgive him!

Renante knew that the only reason why she was still with him was because she was still trying to make their relationship work. Kaya hinding-hindi niya sasayangin ang pagkakataong ito! Hinding-hindi! He will give his best!

Tumigil na siya sa paghagod. Sinimulan na niya ang pagdaliri dito.

"R-Re—" nahihirapang ungol nito sa impit na boses.

"Shh..." diin niya ng katawan dito. "Baka marinig nila tayo."

"I know!" she gritted.

"Buka," humihingal niyang utos. Hindi pa sila nagbabakbakan pero halos mapugto na ang kanyang hininga sa kanilang ginagawa.

"Fuck it." Stacey impatiently pushed him back with her ass then, hurriedly pulled down her jeans along with her panties.

Dali-daling hinubad na rin niya ang suot na board shorts. Ni hindi na nga niya natanggal ito sa pagkakasabit sa kanyang mga binti. Nagmamadaling itinulak niya si Stacey padapa sa desk para maituwad ito sa kanyang harapan. Paikot niyang hinagod saglit ang puwitan nito habang hawak ang sariling armas. He stroked himself with one hand while squeezing her ass.

Stacey busied herself with fingering her slit. Her half-closed eyes looked at him over her shoulder with her lips slightly parted open, sharply drawing in shallow breaths. He read the impatience in her eyes and could relate to it, because he was so eager to get inside her too! Kaya naman nang tirik na tirik na siya ay walang pagdadalawang-isip na bumaon na siya rito.

"Faster, Renante, faster," Stacey seethed as she rocked back and forth on his desk.

Sunud-sunuran naman siya sa iniutos nito. That's why he was jealous when Pierre immediately did what Stacey told him to do—because he himself knew that it was his girlfriend's power over someone who falls hard for her—she becomes the boss and him? Her slave!

Hinatak niya paitaas ang top nito para ilantad ang mga dibdib at ang bra na nakalaylay sa ilalim ng mga ito.

Pagkatapos, banayad niya itong inulos. Kapwa marahan pa ang kanilang mga paghinga, tila mga mamamalaso na humuhugot ng tali bago ito dahan-dahang pakawalan. Tila idinuduyan ang kanilang mga katawan sa ilalim ng maginhawang lilim ng naglalakihang mga puno.

Umuga nang kaunti ang mesa pero habang tumatagal ay kumakatok na ito sa pader sa lakas ng pagsalpok niya sa tuwing bumabaon dito.

"R-Renan—" Stacey swallowed hard before she even released her moan. He grabbed one of her swinging breasts and squeezed it as he kept on thrusting. Napatingala ito at mariing napapikit habang ang isang kamay ay dinadaliri ang sarili.

Nainggit siya kaya isiningit niya ang isang kamay at tinabig ang kay Stacey. Siya na ang nagpatuloy sa pagdaliri rito.

Mariing napakapit ang isang kamay si Stacey sa isang dulo ng mesa habang patuloy ang pag-atras-abante ng katawan nito sa bawat malalakas niyang pagbayo rito. At ang kabila nitong kamay ay laging nagdudulas sa pagkakatukod sa kaharap nitong pader!

Isinubsob ni Renante ang mukha sa balikat ng dalaga habang gumagapang ang init at pagnanasa sa buo niyang katawan. Beads of her sweat activated the sweet, fruity scent of citrus and florals from her perfume—it tormented him with so much thirst for her. Bawat himaymay niya ay tumigas, bumilis sila nang bumilis na para bang nakikipagkarerahan sa oras hanggang sa kapwa na rin sila naghahabol ng mga hininga. Kapwa sila napatingala, impit ang mga ungol at paghalinging sa sobrang sarap ng kanilang ginagawa na pilit itinatago sa mga kasama nila sa unit.

"S-Stace..." he accidentally moaned then bit her shoulder.

"Ah..." mahinang daing ng babae sa pagkagat niya.

He had to bite or he won't take it. He would really moan out loud! It was so hard to keep quiet about how good she was making him feel!

Mariin siyang napapikit. Fuck it! I miss this!

He missed touching her.

He missed her sweet scent, how her voice softens when he takes her, and how her body perfectly dances along to his rhythm. Everytime their bodies combine, everything seemed to fall into place. He is in heaven.

Renante bent his knees to lower himself a bit, then he thrusted upward. Napatuwid tuloy ang katawan ni Stacey kasabay ng pagtingala nito at maluwalhating pag-ungol.

"Damn it!" he muttered, clasping her hips and shoving her violently against the desk.

Hindi na siya nakapagpigil. Mas mabilis niya itong inulos nang pabalik-balik. He felt her walls pulsing and clenching as his cock slipped in and out. It was so good, he was starting to see darkness at the corners of his eyes. He would definitely black out because of too much pleasure! His heart was racing! He was already sweating bullets! His skin was reddish and burning!

"Ah! Ah! Ah!" mahinang ungol ni Stacey na tila papanawan na ng lakas dahil nanghihina na ang mga tuhod nito. She was already squirming, alternatively lifting her feet restlessly then pressing her thighs together tightly.

"Tapusin ko na ba?" humihingal niyang tanong dito.

"R-Renante..." mariin nitong ungol sa mababang boses.

"Tatapusin ko na ba—Fuck it! Malapit na akong pumutok, answer me already, please," hirap na hirap niyang bulong.

"Ahh..." mangiyak-ngiyak na bagsak ng dibdib ni Stacey sa desk nang labasan ito.

"Shit!" he hissed through his teeth at the realization that she already came. "So hot, Stace... So hot..." pigil niya ang mapasigaw.

Pigil niya ang mapaungol sa sarap sa pandinig ng pagsawsaw niya sa dalaga na sumabay sa paglabas ng likido mula rito.

Renante was already gasping for air as he threw his last three earth-shattering thrusts that made Stacey's body rattle with shivering high. She shuddered, biting her lower lip that curled into a smile of ecstacy, then closed her eyes and completely surrendered to him.

Renante immediately pulled out and spilled his cum on the floor. After jacking himself empty, he immediately gave Stacey a back hug. Kapwa sila naghabol ng mga hininga muna bago siya nagsalita.

"Did I do great?"

"Y-Yes..." Napapikit pa ito. "Oh, damn, yes. Why do you have to be so good?"

His voice became smaller and hopeful. "Am I already forgiven?"

"Not yet," she wearily sighed.

He chuckled lowly. He didn't like the answer, but he already expected it. So what else could he do but laugh at his misery?

Stacey quickly added. "But... good news... we're still sexually compatible."

He hugged her tighter. Ewan kung paano sila hindi nangalay sa pagkakayuko sa ibabaw ng desk niya.

"Good news too—" sagot ni Renante dito, "—na matibay itong desk na nabili ko."

Ang babae naman ang mahinang natawa. "Steering away from conversations about our relationship by talking about this desk?"

"No. I just want you to think of it as a metaphor. Na kahit umuuga tayo ngayon, matibay pa rin tayo, 'tulad ng desk na ito."

Then, he gently released her. Naghahabol pa rin siya ng hininga habang isinusuot ang boxers at shorts. Pagtayo ni Stacey, inunahan niya ito. He pulled up her panties jeans that pooled around her feet. Ang dalaga na ang nag-ako sa paghawak sa waistband nito. She did not button it close nor pulled up its zipper.

Instead, she gave him a soft smile. "Matibay pa rin tayo?"

"Yeah. I still have faith in us, Stacey. We'll make it through this. I don't mind how long it takes. I don't mind what I'll have to do to keep us together."

Stacey lowered her eyes. "I hope you have the same energy when I used to ask for a simple thing..." She stared into his eyes now. "A wedding."

"It's not a simple thing for me, Stacey. It's the biggest deal for me that I don't want to mess up. And look what trying not to mess things up has brought me—just messing it up worse than I thought."

"I'll get freshened up," paalam nito bago dumeretso ng pasok sa banyo.

Malungkot niya itong sinundan ng tingin. Stacey...

Nang makaalis ang dalaga, dali-daling kinuha ni Renante ang floor mat sa tapat ng pinto ng kuwarto at pinunasan ng basahan ang mga inilabas niya sa sahig gamit ang kanyang paa.

Nasa kalagitnaan pa siya ng pagpupunas habang hingal na hingal nang bumukas ang pinto.

Gulat siyang napapitlag, tila naabutan sa kalagitnaan ng kanyang kalokohan nang mapalingon sa direksiyon ng pinto.

"Kuya!" bulalas niya.

Kumunot ang noo nito sa kanya.

"Hindi kami nakapagpaalam ni Pierre kasi naghihintay na sa labas ng building si Paige. Sinundo namin para tulungang magbitbit ng mga dala niyang pagkain."

"Oh..." Iyon lang ang namutawi sa kanyang mga labi. Hindi niya kasi ma-digest ang sinasabi ng kanyang kapatid. Ewan pero parang lutang pa rin siya.

Huli na nang mapansin ni Renante na naghahanap sa silid ang mga mata ni Ronnie bago bumalik ang mga ito sa kanya.

"Where's Stacey?"

Naalerto siya sa tanong na iyon kaya bumalik na siya sa wisyo.

"Nakigamit ng banyo," mahina niyang bulalas.

"You're panting. Nag-assemble ka lang ng desk, hinihika ka na?"

"I'm... I'm fine," he replied then breathed in deeply before pulling out a goofy smile.

Medyo mawirduhan naman si Ronnie roon pero hindi na iyon isinaboses pa.

"Okay. Sumunod na lang kayo sa dining room. Inaayos na roon nina Pierre at Paige ang mga pagkain."

"Thanks."

Ronnie shrugged and left the door open when he walked away.

Nagmamadaling ipinagpatuloy naman ni Renante angpagpupunas sa sahig.