IT WAS ANOTHER FRIDAY. Nakatunghay si Stacey sa kanyang laptop. Habang maaga pa at habang wala pang ideya si Renante, naghahanap-hanap na siya ng bagong business idea.

A food business had always been a tempting idea. Walang tao ang may kayang mabuhay nang walang pagkain. 24/7 magkakaroon at magkakaroon ng market ang pagkain. Siyempre, depende sa kung ano ang pagkain.

Naalala niya tuloy si Sondra. When they went clubbing weeks ago, Sondra mentioned that she will be opening a bakeshop. Sinabi nitong imbitado silang lahat sa launch niyon.

Its opening was supposed to be last week. But for some reason, Stacey did not receive any invitation. Hindi niya dinidbdib dahil kahit si Kylie, hindi raw nakatanggap ng balita kay Sondra tungkol sa bakeshop. Nahiya naman daw ito magtanong dahil usapang negosyo na iyon ng kanilang kaibigan. Questioning might pressure or frustrate Sondra about her business.

Napailing tuloy si Stacey.

Ayaw niyang isipin ng mga nakakakilala sa kanila na nakikipag-compete siya. So, she crossed out food business off her list.

She’s done with bags. She’s done with jewelries. She’s done with luxury items in general. She browsed the social media for ideas.

And that’s when she heard Renante’s car.

Sinilip niya ang maliit na orasan sa sulok ng laptop screen— maga-alas diyes na ng gabi. Hindi niya napansin sa sobrang abala sa pag-iisip ng business idea. Napasimangot siya.

Now what made him this late?

Dali-daling sinara niya ang planner at kinolekta ang nagkalat na mga gamit sa mesita. Maayos na sinalansan ni Stacey ang planner, journal at cloth pencil case nang magkakapatong sa tabi ng laptop.

Then, she returned to browsing social media. Hihintayin muna niyang makapasok ng bahay si Renante. She took in somw deep breaths.

As much as possible, she will try to act okay. Hindi muna siya magagalit agad sa kanyang nobyo. Aalamin muna niya kung bakit ito na-late ng uwi.

Once the door opened, Stacey got up on her feet.

“Stace,” pagod na bati agad ni Renante nang makitang palapit na siya.

Stacey’s palms smoothed over his shoulders before pressing her lips against his’. It was a short kiss, her worried eyes caught his’.

“Late ka yata ngayon.” Kinuha niya ang laptop bag ni Renante.

“Well, we only get to meet Cherry on limited days in a week. So, we’re maximizing time.”

Napaatras siya. Renante needed room to take off his shoes.

“Cherry?”

“Gallardo’s designer.”

“They already signed a collab with VVatch?” gulat niyang singhap. Siyempre, masaya siya. Pero pinigilan niya ang malaking ngiti dahil kinukumpirma pa niya kung nagkapirmahan na nga ba.

“Just this week.”

“That’s great!” nood niya sa pagtabi ni Renante sa sapatos nito sa shoe rack katabi ng pinto.

 “Cherry’s also, Pierre’s assistant. Apparently, Pierre can’t live without her. Kaya every Thursdays and Fridays lang namin nakaka-meet.”

Tumuwid na ito ng tayo, sinara ang pinto sa likuran.

Napalabi siya. “Why did you even agree to this kind of deal? I mean, parang ang dating kasi side-hustle lang itong collab na ito. I mean, they should’ve assigned someone from their team who can fully commit to work hands-on with your collab.”

Natatawang hinapit siya ni Renante sa bewang. Doon lang niya narealize na mabilis pala siyang nagbunganga na hindi niya karaniwang ginagawa.

He tucked a strand of her hair at the back of her ear as their faces drew close.

“You worry too much. You see, Stace, sometimes we have to make compromises, sacrifice a little for the sake of the business. On my part, naghahabol ang VVatch sa panahon. Matagal na kaming hindi nakakapag release ng bagong models ng relo. And also, we wanted the collaboration with Gallardo so bad. So, we just did the best negotiation we could for them to sign.”

Stacey lowered her eyes to his lips, then his chest. Her finger felt the gap in the middle of his button-down shirt.

She narrowed her eyes at him. “Now you have to negotiate with me.”

“What do you mean?” he softened.

Pailalim niyang tinitigan ang lalaki. “You’re home late. I’ll be mad unless… we can negotiate something to change my mind about it.”

He smirked at her. Fuck. He’s just so sexy when he smiles. When he grins. When he smirks with that naught sparkling in his eyes. No wonder he rarely smiles. He had to reserve that, or he would become the nation’s playboy with that seducer’s smirk.

“After my shower,” he cupped her cheek, cradling the side of her jaw in the process. Nilapit siya nito para mahalikan sa noo, tapos sa mga labi.

Hinayaan niyang makaalis ang lalaki.

Nasa kwarto na ito nang balikan ni Stacey ang  kanyang mga gamit sa mesita. Niligpit niya ang mga iyon, tinabi sa patungan sa ilalim ng mesita dala ng pagmamadali.

Then, she raced to the kitchen. She took in lots of water, felt her body with her hands.

She only wore a pair of denim shorts and a loose orange shirt. Braless. She should be fine.

Pagbalik ng salas, pinalitan niya ang bukas na bumbilya ng ilaw. From the bright white, just a flick at the switch and it was replaced by yellow low lights. Stacey carefully closed the curtains. Hindi niya malaman kung bubuksan ba ang TV o hindi. Sa huli, binuksan niya iyon. Tinapat niya sa channel na nagpapalabas ng lumang pelikula. At saka siya umupo sa sofa, pinatong sa mesita ang mga paa.

What followed the 15-minute exposure of the movie was a long line-up of commercials. Siyang sulpot ni Renante, boxer shorts na lang ang suot.

Stacey pretended to not notice him. Inabot niya ang katabing remote para maghanap ng mapapanoorang channel.

She felt him plop beside her. She took in his fresh, cool scent. That sweet, calming jasmine from the soap he used, and strong icy mint for his hair— a scent that made her think of blue ice and jasmine flowers. And Renante’s hard, glorious body swimming in a pool filled with those.

Sa gilid ng kanyang mata, nahuli niya ang pagtitig nito sa kanya. He tilted his upper body to face her direction as well.

“How do you want to negotiate this?” he asked humbly, still staring at her with eyes of tamed passion.

She remained silent. Nakahanap na rin siya ng channel na magandang panooran. It aired a black and white documentary related to war. How she loves the anticipation, the thrill it gives her when they play like this.

Itong ganito na nagpapasuyo siya kay Renante. Hindi siya galit dito, pero hindi ibig sabihin ay abswelto na ito sa pagka-late ng uwi.

“Before, no matter how late I was, you patiently wait. Now, I have to do something you’d like or else you’ll be pissed at me.”

Sapat na ang kanyang lakas ng loob. Nilingon niya ito. Nginitian.

“Because before, you are not yet committed to me. Kaya understood na hindi mo iko-consider ang mararamdaman ko. Now, I am your girlfriend. You should have thought about how I’d feel. That I might worry. Hindi mo man lang nga sinabing male-late ka ng uwi.”

He scooted closer to her. Stacey was struggling with the attraction that magnified. Renante just smelled so good. He looked so good and almost naked. He wore a pair of black boxers that embossed his package.

Napalunok siya dahil nahuli niya ang sariling nakatingin sa baba. She felt Renante’s hand on her chin, lifting her eyes on him.

Sumalubong sa kanya ang nanghuhuli nitong ngisi.

“I am sorry. Let me make it up to you,” he drew his face close and started kissing her.

Sobrang rupok niya talaga. Yumakap sa leeg ng binata ang kanyang mga braso.

Nakipaghalikan siya rito.

Their kisses grew torrid. From slow and testing into a fast paced, liplock. Smacking sounds crisply drowned the noise of military men and gunshots from the TV.

Hinagod ni Renante ang hulma ng kanyang katawan. His hands ended on her hips, firmly held them before Stacey straddled his lap.

Nagpatuloy ang palitan nila ng sabik na halikan. Sumimple na ang kamay ni Renante sa ilalim ng kanyang shirt.

He plucked on her nipples. His thumb and forefinger expertly rolled and pinched and pulled them, sending her panting against his lips. Namumungay ang mga mata ni Stacey nang magmulat. Nakipagtitigan sa kanya ang namumungay na mga mata ng lalaki.

“Am I forgiven now?” he half-smiled.

“You have to do more to get that,” she grinned, challenging him.

Nagulat siya dahil mabilis nitong hinila pataas ang kanyang shirt. She was carried away. Wala sa loob na tinaas ang mga kamay.

Bumalik siya sa pagkakayakap sa leeg ni Renante. Yumuko naman ito, inalalayan ang likod ng kanyang ulo at ang likuran bago sinugod ang kanyang dibdib.

His mouth clamped on one of her breats. He began sucking. His wet tongue flicked and swirled around her hardened nipple.

“R-Renante!” liyad niya, humigpit ang isang kamay sa batok nito.

.

.

ARTEMIA POTENCIANO VAUERGARD. Matapang ang mukha ng ginang. The so-called resting bitch face. Her air of independence reeks. She wasn’t like the commercialized version of a mother. She wasn’t kept inside the house— she travels internationally. Almost every month or two. She fleets, not staying in one place for too long.

Tonight is different.

Kakahinto lang ng sasakyan ng ginang sa tapat ng gate. Sa gate ng bahay nito noong dalaga pa ito.

It used to be the Potenciano family’s home. Now, it’s where her daughter, Stacey, lives.

Pinagbigyan naman niya ang anak na iwanan ang condominium unit nito para tirahan ang lumang bahay. Artemia figured that her daughter was only being practical, sparing herself from bigger expenses by settling in this old house.

Napangiwi si Artemia, dahilan para lalong lumitaw ang mga guhit sa maganda ngunit masungit nitong mukha.

She just could not help this disgust just by looking at the house. Hindi nito kayang kalimutan na sa bahay na iyon namatay ang kapatid na si Manuel. The new generation are really something. Her daughter is really something. Not scared of ghosts and such. Unfazed of the thought of living in a house where someone used to take their life.

Nagsalubong ang kanyang mga kilay nang maaninagan ang bakuran. Dalawang kotse ang halos pinagkasya roon.

She uses two cars now? Artemia wondered as she turned off the car’s engine.

It was an exclusive subdivision, with surveillance cameras on every light post. Siguro naman, ayos lang iwanan sa labas ng gate ang asul nitong BMW. She stepped down, fully showing her clad in a  fitting shirt and black leather pants. Her chest was slightly flat, adding to the illusion of her body being straight and shapeless. Her hair was cut short and black as the night. Tumikwas ang dulo niyon, may bewang ngunit unat na unat. Her fringed bangs was comber neatly to the left side of her forehead.

As expected, the gates were padlocked.  Nakailang tawag na rin si Artemia sa cellphone ng anak pero hindi iyon nasasagot.

Kinabahan ang ginang. Bukas kasi ang ilaw ng bahay. Ibig sabihin, nasa loob niyon ang kanyang anak. Tumingin-tingin ito sa paligid bago sumusukong napabuntong-hininga.

Dapat siguro, umaga ito pumunta, hindi gabi. She grabbed the upper grills of the gate and gave it a shake.

“Stace—” napatigil siya dahil kasabay ng pag-uga ng gate ang pag-awang niyon pabukas.

Sinilip ni Artemia ang lock ng gate. Hindi pala maayos na naisara ang padlock niyon.

Sinilid niya ang kamay sa pagitan ng pinto ng gate at maingat na inabot ang padlock. Nang matanggal iyon, nagmamadaling sumugod sa loob ng bahay ang ginang.

She flung the door open and stepped into the living room.

She gasped, scandalized.

She just saw two half-naked bodies straddling each other while making out on the sofa.

“Stacey!” gulat niyang bulalas.

“Shit!” hiwalay agad ni Stacey sa kasama nito. But upon realizing what she did exposed her naked breasts, she returned on his lap and embraced him.

The man securely wrapped his arms around her daughter, an effort to cover up her body. She saw a mix of emotional drunkenness and confusion in his squinting eyes.

.

.

“MOM, CAN YOU PLEASE—” Oh, what’s the use? Tiyak niyang mas lalong hindi aalis ang ina dahil sa nasaksihan nito. She cut herself off with a loud protesting groan.

Tila nabasa naman ni Renante ang kanyang naiisip. Naabot ng isang kamay nito ang kanyang shirt, inabot iyon sa kanya kaya nakapagbihis siya.

She was already grinding on Renante. What the heck? How did her mother even manage to get inside the house without them noticing?

Umalis na siya sa kandungan ni Renante. Tumayo na rin ito. He took her by the waist and kissed the side of her forehead.

“Just call me when you need me,” he murmured, lips against her skin before he parted from her.

Magalang nitong tinanguan ang kanyang nanay bago dumiretso sa kwarto nito, na kwarto dati ng kanyang Tito Manuel. Mahinang sumara ang pinto. Si Stacey lang ang nakakita kasi hindi naman ito sinundan ng tingin ng kanyang ina.

Stacey ignored the awkwardness of the situation.

“Mom, how did you—”

Hindi siya nito pinatapos. Initsa nito ang padlock ng gate sa sofa.

“Hindi nakapadlock ng maayos.” Artemia spoke coolly but with a tinge of disapproval. “Who is he?”

“Can you ask questions later? Ikaw itong bigla na lang sumulpot dito ng walang pasabi.” Ewan pero, awtomatiko na yata ang inis niya sa sariling nanay. “So, it should be me who asks questions. What are you doing here?”

“This is my house, Stacey,” panlalaki ng mga mata nito sa kanya.

“Don’t be sarcastic, Mom. You know what I am asking about—”

“I just need to film this place. For my video vlog.”

Hindi siya makapaniwala. Umuwi lang pala ang nanay niya para saan? Para sa trabaho pa rin.

Her mother spent most of her life traveling and making money out of it through written blogs, and now vlogs. Originally, her mother also travels to update and post on her travel website. Her reviews served as a reliable source for travel agencies, bloggers, and travelers for not just years but decades. From wildlife photographer to traveler. Artemia enjoyed her freedom she almost forgot she has a daughter.

Not until now.

“This place?” hindi siya kumbinsido.

“My audience had been bugging me for years to upload a little something about my origin. A little tour around the place where I grew up.”

“Then film the whole Manila!” lahad niya ng mga kamay. “But not this house!”

“Why not? Ito ang bahay na kinalakihan ko?” salubong ng mga kilay nito.

“Then what? Your fans will come all the way here? Guguluhin ang nananahimik naming buhay ni Renante rito?”

“Renante?” napalitan ang lukot ng mukha ni Artemia ng interes. “So, that’s his name.”

Napaiwas siya ng tingin sa ina.

“Renante…?” Her mother was hinting that she wanted to know his surname too.

Lalong hindi tuloy siya makatingin dito.

“Stace, I just want to know who you’re dating now,” umupo na ito sa solohang sofa. She kept a straight posture, placed a thigh atop her other thigh.

Humalukipkip siya. “Renante Villaluz.”

Napamaang saglit si Artemia sa kanya. Nag-aabang ng kasunod sa kanyang mga sinabi. Pero ano ba ang kailangan niyang idugtong doon? Iyon na mismo ang sagot sa tanong ng kanyang nanay.

Nakaiwas pa rin siya ng tingin dito nang natawa ito.

Tawang may nerbyos.

“It’s just a coincidence, right? He’s not in any way related to Luz Villaluz? Or that boy who used to be your classmate na anak ni Luz—”

“Mom, his name is Renante!” pinanlakihan niya ito ng mga mata. “What makes you think that there’s this random person in my life who happens to be a Villaluz too but not related with them?”

“You little—” she seethed, standing up. Lumapit ito at ang mukha nito sa kanya. “What have I told you years ago about that family? Tapos ngayon, mahuhuli kita na kahalikan mo ang anak ng Luz na ‘yon!” She muttered in a low controlled voice. Halatang sinigurado ni Artemia na silang dalawa lang ang nakakarinig sa panggigigil nito.

“I don’t give a fuck, Mom.”

“Don’t you have some decency? Some delicadeza? Dito pa talaga? Dito pa sa bahay na ito kung saan namatay ang Tito Manuel mo—”

“What? Is Tito Manuel going to get up from the grave? Mumultuhin ba niya kami ni Renante sa bagay na wala naman kaming kinalaman?”

“I don’t want you to involve yourself with that family! Lalo na sa Luz na ‘yon!” Gusto na nito manigaw pero nagpipigil lang. “If that sonofabitch is going to involve you with Luz, oh, god. Stacey,” she groaned weakly, shaking her head, eyes wide with horror, “get rid of him already.”

“I won’t. Not because of your nonesense,” lumayo na siya rito.

“Here we go again, Stacey,” frustration made Artemia sigh heavily. Hinarangan siya nito, muling nilapit ang mukha sa kanya. “How can I make it sink in into your hard skull that Luz is the reason why your Tito Manuel killed himself?”

Natigilan siya.

Of course, she knew and she understood that. Kaya nga noong nakitira sa kanya si Renante, pinilit niya itong huwag gamitin ang kwarto ng kanyang Tito Manuel.

“I don’t think she meant for that to happen to Tito Manuel. Tita Luz had been really nice to me, Mom.” Tinapatan niya ng matapang na tingin ang nahihindik na mga mata ng ina. “And in the near future, she might be more of a mother to me than you ever did.”