HE DID THE MOST TERRIBLE THING he could do out of love for his mother—to ruin someone undeserving of it.

He never knew that he will love her more than his own mother, more than anyone else, and now he had to pay the price for ruining her.

The pain he experienced while watching his mother turn into a different person—someone superficial and scheming—is happening again.

Tatlong linggo na ang nakalilipas mula nang mag-almusal sina Stacey at Renante kasama ang kanyang mga magulang. Umuwi sila noon sa iisang bahay pero ramdam na ramdam niya na mayroong nagbago.

Stacey would greet him good morning, and say good night. Stacey would kiss his lips gently but would not go deeper like she mostly did. Stacey would prepare their breakfast some times or ask how his day went, but her voice lacked enthusiasm.

Renante did not question all these. He did not confront her. Alam naman niya kasi kung bakit ganito ang naging pakikitungo ng nobya sa kanya. And if Stacey needed time and space to heal then, he would provide that to her. He would always stay by her side, but not confront her about her actions.

It had been like that for weeks and on the surface, the seemed fine.

Renante was in the middle of a phone call when Stacey peeked from behind the door of his office room. They exchanged knowing glances.

His eyes said 'Let me just finish this call, please take a seat.'

And Stacey's eyes replied, 'Okay. I'll walk in and take a seat. But please, hurry.'

Minadali nga ni Renante ang pakikipag-usap sa telepono habang pinapanood ang pag-upo ni Stacey sa isa sa mga visitor's chair.

Pagkababa niya sa cordless phone, tumuwid siya ng upo at itinuon ang buong atensiyon sa babae.

"Hi." He smiled at her but it has a tinge of uncertainty in it. Dahil sa malamig na pakikitungo sa kanya ni Stacey nitong nakaraang mga linggo, hindi malaman ni Renante kung paano ito pakikitunguhan.

"I just dropped by to let you know that I'm going to Gallardo's," pormal nitong paalam.

How could she look straight into my eyes as if I do not make her heart go frantic?

Mula sa pagkalungkot ay biglang nagsalubong ang kanyang mga kilay.

What did she say? Gallardo's?

"Gallardo's? Again?" he muttered lowly.

"Of course. Where else," patay-malisyang sagot ni Stacey sa kanya habang maayos na kinakandong sa kandungan nito ang maliit na shoulder bag na may pagkahaba-habang pinong chain strap.

Napapadalas na ang pakikipagkita niya sa Pierre na 'yon, ah?

Lalong umasim ang kanyang mukha. Hindi niya gusto ang nararamdaman niya sa kasalukuyang nangyayari. He knew it was unreasonable to feel jealous, but he could not help feeling it.

Lalo na nang pinasadahan niya ng tingin si Stacey. She looked so gorgeous in her loose crimson trousers, shiny beige heels, and deep white V-neck tube crop top. A complete set of make up touched her red moist lips, eyelids, her thick eyelashes, and her well-trimmed brows. She wore a pair of silver stud earrings, which is rare because he knew his girlfriend's least accessorized part of the body are her ears! Her blonde-dyed straight hair almost curtained the sides of her face with its tips almost kissing her smooth, bare shoulders.

Habang patagal nang patagal, mas nagpapaganda ang dalaga tuwing bibisita sa Gallardo's.

"You don't have to check on him—I mean, on his production of our items every day." tugon ni Renante sa pagpapaalam ni Stacey. Then, he suddenly remembered something. "Keep in mind also na lahat ng nagastos mo sa mga lakad mo na may kinalaman sa VVatch ay reimbursable sa Accounting Department. By Friday, dapat nakapag-file ka na ng reimbursement request na may attachment ng receipts ng mga binayaran mo."

She remained unfazed. "Don't worry. Hindi ko ire-reimburse lahat ng magagastos ko sa gas."

He sighed. "That's not what I mean. Hindi ang gastos ang isyu rito. I just reminded you that kasi alam kong idadahilan mo na okay lang mag-abono ka sa gasolina para lang maipilit iyang pagpunta-punta mo sa Gallardo's. The thing is, I don't want you to go dahil mapapagod ka sa kabibiyahe mo papunta roon."

"It's okay, Renante. This latest wristwatch model's launch is the very reason why I'm working here and I want to be very hands on with this. So just let me operate in a way where I will be most effective. Okay ba iyon?"

"Baka naman nakaiistorbo ka na sa operations nila sa Gallardo. Isn't Pierre also a busy person? Is it okay with him to accommodate you every day?"

Naningkit ang mga mata nito. "Hindi lang si Pierre ang nakaka-coordinate ko roon. Mas madalas kong makausap doon ang OM na assigned sa production ng wristwatch bands natin—si Marlene." Hindi na rin ito nakapagpigil. Hindi man siya pinagtataasan ng boses ni Stacey ay parang tinarak ang puso niya sa inis na kalakip ng mababa nitong tono ng pananalita. "Is that all, Renante? Should I do my job well or just hang-out here in your office, do nothing, and wait for miracles to happen?"

"You don't have to be mad. Ang sa akin lang, hindi efficient na araw-araw kang bumibiyahe mula Manila patungo Muntinlupa, and vice versa."

"At para sa akin, hindi efficient na tumambay ako rito kumpara sa pumunta ako sa Gallardo's at i-monitor ang production doon."

She was right.

"Fine," lipat niya ng tingin sa sariling laptop para magkunwaring may importante na siyang gagawin. "You can go now."

Mabilis na tumayo si Stacey mula sa kinauupuan nito.

"Thanks. I'll be back by five."

Nang tapunan niya ito ng matalim na tingin, nakatalikod na ito sa kanya at palabas na ng pinto.

She usually comes back at three! Ngayon, alas-singko na!? protesta niya sa kanyang isip.

Renante checked the calendar app in his cell phone. Matapos niyang pasadahan ito ng tingin ay tumawag siya sa telepono ni Eloisa—ang HR staff ng VVatch.

"Good morning, Eloisa," pormal niyang bati rito. "I want you to handle some matters for me next week. Kapag tapos ka na sa trabaho mo riyan, drop by my office for a short briefing."

"Yes, sir."

He smirked mischievously. "Thanks."

.

.

PADABOG na isinara ni Stacey ang pinto ng kanyang pulang Corvette.

"Unbelievable!" she blurted while starting her car. Hindi muna niya ito pinaandar agad mula sa front parking ng building kung saan rumerenta ng commercial space ang VVatch. Just like what she routinely do, pinapalamig muna niya gamit ang air conditioner ang buong sasakyan bago simulan ang biyahe.

Kasalukuyan siyang naggagalaiti dahil sa mga titig ni Renante sa kanya.

"Kung makatingin akala mo, may ginagawa akong kaduda-duda!" Tinanggal niya ang pagkakasukbit ng shoulder bag at inilapag ito sa katabing upuan. "Siya nga itong ang dami-daming lihim sa aming dalawa!"

Ilang minuto pa at tahimik na siyang nagmamaneho. She connected her music app to the car's digital music player to listen to some uplifting songs while driving.

Sa totoo lang, tama si Renante. Napaka-inefficient ng ginagawa niyang pagbibiyahe nang pabalik-pabalik sa Maynila—kung nasaan ang VVatch—at Muntinlupa—kung nasaan ang Gallardo's. Pero para sa kanya, mas makabubuti itong ginagawa niya hindi lang para sa kanilang trabaho kundi para na rin sa kanilang relasyon.

Sa tuwing nagda-drive siya mag-isa, pabalik-balik sa kanyang isip ang sakit ng natuklasan niya tungkol sa nakaraan nila ni Renante. But at least, she was alone. She can cry, she can shout, and she can lash out her emotions on any part of her car without hurting anyone—especially Renante. At tuwing nasa Gallardo's naman siya, wala siyang nakikita roon na anumang pwedeng magpaalala sa kanya kay Renante. Compared to their first meetings, lately, Pierre kept their conversation around topics about their collaboration project. At si Marlene naman na operating manager na ka-coordinate niya ay puro tungkol sa trabaho lang din ang bukambibig.

Nang marating ang Gallardo's wala roon si Pierre at ang assistant nitong si Cherry. Sa loob ng three weeks, nasanay na ang mga staff sa pagbisita niya kaya dere-deretso na lang na tinungo ni Stacey ang production area na itinalaga para sa mga wristbands ng VVatch watches. Sumalubong sa kanya ang init ng silid dahil kasabay ng mga factory worker sa pagkilos ang ilang mga makinarya na kahit may partition ay may grilled windows naman kung saan nasisilip ng OM ang mga ito at ang kanilang operator.

Natanaw siya agad ni Marlene na nasa kalagitnaan ng pag-iikot-ikot nito. Marlene was a very tall woman—almost six feet—and got taller because she always wore high heels. Naka-ponytail ang unat na unat, lagpas-baywang, at itim na itim nitong buhok na may full bangs na halos tumakip sa mga kilay nito. She always wore a short-sleeved cotton shirt and slacks. Mabilis siya nitong nilapitan.

"Good morning, Miss Stacey," seryoso nitong bati at magalang siyang tinanguan.

"Good morning to you, Marlene," aniya at sabay silang naglakad para isa-isahin ng inspection ang mga empleyado na naghahabi sa mga wristband.

"Kumusta 'yong prototypes? Ang sabi sa akin ng guard, wala rito today si Pierre, so I wonder kung kailan niya ma-a-approve iyong mga prototypes bago ipakita sa amin."

"Ah, yes," lingon nito sa kanya. Marlene excitedly clasped her hands. "Bago mag-closing kagabi, bumalik sa opisina niya si Sir Pierre kaya nakita niya ang prototypes ng wristbands na iniwan namin sa kanyang desk. And good news—in-approve na niyang ipakita ang mga iyon sa inyo, Miss Stacey. Pwede mo na rin dalhin ang mga iyon sa VVatch para makita ni Sir Renante."

She could not help feeling a mix of relief and excitement.

"That's great! Pwede ko bang makita sa lunch break natin?"

"Of course!" magalang nitong ngiti. "Naroon lang naman ang mga prototype sa office desk ko. Safe na safe."

She smiled wider. "Great."

At ipinagpatuloy na nila ang pag-iikot sa production at pag-assist sa mga empleyado.

.

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"THREE WEEKS?" singhap ni Sondra. She wore a tight pair of blue jeans and a purple v-neck collared shirt. Her hair was twisted into a low bun and swept on one side.

She sat on the chair across his table at the second floor of Sondra's. Alam niyang malayo-layo ito sa opisina ng VVatch pero rito niya naisipang mag-merienda dahil nababahala na talaga siya sa sitwasyon nila ni Stacey.

Mula pagkabata, si Sondra na ang naging best friend niya. He had sworn to Stacey to distance from her and he had been true to that for three years, kaya siguro naman, hindi masama kung i-approach niya ulit ang kaibigan para hingiin ang payo nito.

"Three weeks...or almost three weeks," sinapo ni Renante ang sentido bago tumuwid ng upo. Galing siya sa VVatch at babalik pa siya roon kaya nakasuot pa rin siya ng long-sleeved polo na puti na nakarolyo hanggang siko ang mga manggas at slacks na gray. He left his gray suit blazer in his car. "I didn't really count. I was busy with VVatch. I was busy observing Stacey. Ngayon ko lang na-realize na three weeks na ang lumilipas at malamig pa rin ang treatment niya sa akin."

Napahalukipkip si Sondra. "At bakit naman binibigyan ka niya ng cold treatment?"

"Nito lang kasi, nalaman niya na..." Napailing siya saglit. Should I say it? He gave it a careful thinking before saying. "Nalaman niya na kaya ilag ako sa kanya dati ay dahil dinamay ko siya sa galit ko sa nanay niya. You see...my mom and her mom has a really bad history. They hate each other."

She slightly lowered her head and gave their conversation a careful thought. Napatitig tuloy siya sa babae.

"But it doesn't matter now," paglilinaw ni Renante dahil baka kung ano ang isipin ni Sondra. "I'm in the right mindset now."

"It's not really about mindset," angat ni Sondra ng tingin sa kanya. "From the start, I think you are already aware na hindi mo dapat dinadamay si Stacey sa anumang galit mo para kay Tita Artemia, right?"

Natulala siya saglit bago ito sinagot. "Yes."

"Even if we know what's right or wrong, our feelings still has power to influence our actions and decisions. Especially when you are overwhelmed by a lot of strong emotions."

I was blinded by my emotions, by a lot of rage, because the night when Stacey and I started our affair...that was the same night you broke my heart, Sondra, Renante realized.

"Still. I shouldn't have let my emotions drive me. I should have controlled my emotions,"

Sondra smiled, but she seemed to disagree with his logic. "So now that you're in the right headspace, what do you plan to do now?"

Kumunot ang noo niya. "That's why I came here to see you. I need your advice."

Mahinang natawa si Sondra. "Why would you need it? Sa ating dalawa, ikaw itong magaling mag-handle sa mga bagay-bagay!"

"Naging close kayo ni Stacey, kaya sigurado akong may alam ka kung paano lalambot ulit ang puso niya para sa akin."

"You see, nakipagkaibigan lang siya sa akin para makalapit siya sa 'yo," malungkot nitong ngiti. "Kaya hindi ko masasabi na nakilala ko ang totoong Stacey dahil all along, nagpapanggap lang siya sa akin."

He lowered his eyes. He didn't know what to say when he just realized Stacey must be hurting more than what he thought. Mula noon kasi ay wala itong ibang inisip kundi ang mapalapit sa kanya... ang mahalin siya at ang matutunan niya itong mahalin.

"There's no one else who knows her heart better than you, Renante, because most probably, you're the only one that she has opened it up to."

Ibinalik niya ang tingin kay Sondra.

"You have to figure a way out of this problem, because once you two get married, leaving my friend—Stacey—will be the last option for you." Then she used a warning tone. "Death is second to the last among those options."

He narrowed his eyes and said with heavy conviction. "Leaving is never part of my options."

.

.

STACEY TOOK IN A DEEP BREATH. Pagkaparada niya ng kotse sa front parking, tinanaw niya muna ang gusali kung nasaan ang VVatch.

I'm going to talk to Renante again. Hopefully, ma-maintain ko ang pagiging professional. I can't let our issue get in the way with his business. I can't let it affect his employees.

She put on a determined face. Pagkatapos, sinabit na niya sa balikat ang strap ng kanyang shoulder bag at binitbit ng isang kamay ang isang corrugated box kung saan nakalagay ang mga prototype wristbands.

Pagdating sa Design Department ng VVatch, nadatnan niya roon si Paige. She was in her usual cream and brown aesthetic outfit while sipping a cup of iced coffee. Abala naman ang isa nitong kamay sa paggalaw sa bluetooth mouse na nakakonekta sa naka-laptop mode nitong tablet.

Tahimik na inilapag niya ang kanyang shoulder bag sa kabilang dulo ng mesa. She carried the corrugated box with her and was about to leave the room when Paige spoke.

"Iyan na ba ang mga prototype wristbands?"

Humarap siya sa direksiyon nito habang hawak ng dalawang kamay ang box.

"Yes," walang-buhay niyang tugon. She already gave up trying to get close to Paige, that was why she was being so formal and serious now toward her.

"Na-late ang pag-approve ng Gallardo's para sa Rosa Cobra design. It was only approved last week, so kailan natin makikita ang prototype para sa wristband niyon? It needs to be prioritized—" Inilapag nito ang cup sa tabi ng tablet nito. "—kasi iyon ang gagawing main attraction sa buong collection."

She showed her a smile that did not reach her eyes. "You are well-aware na late na-approve ang design para sa Rosa Cobra, kaya male-late din ang production ng wristbands para rito. We have to wait a little longer, kasi mabusising pinipili ng QA nila kung alin sa mga na-produce ang pinakamagandang gamitin na prototype para sa photoshoots ng final products."

Kontentong tumango si Paige at ibinalik ang tingin sa tablet.

"It's my most precious design, so keep me updated about it."

"After giving up on it during the approval process, now you're saying it means a lot to you," maanghang niyang wika bago ito tinalikuran.

Bumuka lang ang mga labi ni Paige. Naghalo ang gulat at inis sa nanlalaki nitong mga mata habang tinatanaw ang kanyang pag-alis sa Design Department room. Mabuti at hindi nito itinuloy ang sasabihin dahil kung hindi baka may kung ano pa siyang naikomento.

Habang naglalakad papunta sa opisina ni Renante, doon na siya na-guilty sa kanyang itinuran kay Paige. Hindi por que mukhang malabo na silang ikasal ni Renante ay hindi na niya ta-tratuhin nang maayos si Paige. Nakakainis at nagpadala siya sa init ng ulo niya!

Her guilt was shrugged off when she got closer to her boyfriend's office. Napalitan ang pagka-guilt ng kaba dahil maghaharap sila ulit ni Renante.

She knocked thrice. At nagkataon nga namang hindi ito abala sa phone pagsilip niya mula sa pinto. They greeted each other professionally before she started updating him about the operations at Gallardo's.

Pagkatapos, inilapag niya ang corrugated box sa desk nito at isa-isang ipinakita ang mga wristband na laman nito na nakapackage sa hiwa-hiwalay na transparent ziplock bags. Ipinaliwanag niya kung para saang wristwatch design ang bawat band at kung paano ilalagay sa mga ito ang mismong relo na VVatch na mismo ang mag-aasikaso.

Renante seriously inspected each wristband. In that moment, her heart was thundering wildly.

"Ang bilis yata ng production nila."

"Isa sa mga nagpabilis ay ang one-size feature ng mga wristband, since it is adjustable," paliwanag niya rito. "Isa pa, nahuling i-proseso ang wristbands para sa Rosa Cobra design."

"When can we expect to see the prototype for that design?"

"I told them that we are hoping they'll present a prototype for us next week."

He nodded and since then, he did not ask anything. Nang makita niyang tapos na si Renante sa pag-isa-isa sa mga wristband, nagsalita siya uli.

"How was it? Approved?" Halos pigil niya ang hininga sa sobrang kaba.

Tinitigan muna siya ni Renante. Sumandal ito sa sandalan ng swivel chair bago sinagot ang kanyang tanong.

"Approved," tipid nitong ngiti sa kanya.

Approved na ang prototypes pero hindi pa rin nawawala ang nerbiyos niya. Because she was about to say something that they might argue about.

"Now that our prototypes are ready for showcasing, and production of our items is already at eighty percent, maybe Pierre was right." She paused to subtly breathe then continued. "Wala siya sa Gallardo's ngayong araw, pero tumawag siya sa cell phone ko para kumustahin ang pag-monitor namin ni Marlene sa production. He said that if you're already okay with the prototypes then maybe, it's time for us to have a little celebration. Pierre is inviting us to have some drinks at Port Vivienne club this Saturday."

Naningkit agad ang mga mata ni Renante. "80 percent pa lang ang tapos na. How come we need to celebrate this early?"

"I know it's too early to celebrate, but Pierre has a point, Renante. Once na matapos na kasi ang production, we will become so busy with marketing our latest collection and eventually, accommodate sales, slowly leaving Gallardo's behind to mind their own business. So, why not solidify VVatch's good relations with Gallardo's by attending this littel get-together?"

He eyed her suspiciously. Hindi niya mawari kung bakit napatiim-bagang pa ito at naikuyom ang isang kamao na para bang nagtitimpi ng galit. But when he spoke, his tone was heavy but calm and clear. "Tell him we're declining. We will only celebrate if the launch becomes successful and we meet our sales quota. That's it."

Dismayadong napailing na lang siya. Sabi na ngaba at hindi aayon sa kanya ang desisyon nito.