“HI,” MAIKLING BATI NI PAIGE KAY RENANTE.

She greeted, but did not wait or anticipate for any of Renante’s reaction. Dumire-diretso lang ng lakad ang babae hanggang sa huminto ito sa tapat ng kanyang desk. Nagmadali naman si Renante sa pagtabi ng cellphone sa kanyang desk drawer. Nadatnan kasi siya ni Paige na nag-aabang sa reply ni Stacey.

Nakaabang siya pero hindi naman naiinip. He understood that her reply might be late because she was busy at work.

Renante lifted his eyes on the woman. She was VVatch personified, looking expensive yet lifeless— her silver chain with a steel-framed heart-cut diamond pendant hung around her long neck. Her hair was cut short in a sleek, dull black bob. Her athletic body showed little shape, usually clad in a high-necked short-sleeved in any shade of neutral color. For today, she wore black and paired it with pale coffee-colored pants. Yakap nito ang tablet na naka-lagay sa mamahaling itim na leather case nito.

Paige was 28, she graduated with flying colors from a prestigious private university. She came from the very wealthy family of Uychengcos. The only reason why a woman like her was working as his consultant and designer was because of her boyfriend, Renante’s brother— Ronnie. Tinanggap na lang ni Renante ang rekomendasyon nitong pagtrabahuin sa kanya si Paige kahit hindi siya sigurado kung ito ba ay para maluwag niyang matanggap ang babae sa kanilang pamilya, o kung isa na naman ito sa paraan ni Ronnie para ipalagay ang loob nito? Hindi naman kasi bago kay Renante na walang kumpiyansa sa kanya si Ronnie at ang kanilang ama na si Ronaldo pagdating sa pagnenegosyo.

Walang ideya si Renante kung paano tumakbo ang relasyon ni Paige sa kanyang kuya na si Ronnie, pero mukhang hindi maganda iyon. He knew that when a person is in love, there should be a different glow on their face when you see them. Something sparkling or full of life in their eyes. Lahat ng iyon, hindi niya nakikita kay Paige. She looked always bored or dead serious.

O baka naman wala lang sigla ang babae dahil sa isip-isip nito, mas gusto nitong makasama si Ronnie kaysa siya. Minsan kasi, hindi rin masasabi sa panlabas kung ano talaga ang nagaganap sa loob ng relasyon ng dalawang tao. Iyon din ang dahilan kaya iniiwas-iwasan ni Renante na kumustahin ang babae tungkol sa relationship nito sa kanyang kuya.

“Have a seat,” alok niya rito.

Tahimik na tumalima ang dalaga. Maging sa pag-upo, pino ito at wasto ang postura. Nilingon siya nito nang may nag-aabang na mga mata.

“Look,” pigil ni Renante mapabuntong-hininga, “I know I already approved the designs you have presented to me. Pero,” nakatukod sa arm rest ang isa niyang siko, napisil ang sentido, “bad news. Delayed ang shipment ng mga stainless na in-order natin. Made-delay ang production para sa mga relo na ikaw ang nag-design.”

“Can’t we find another outsource?”

“Let’s be honest, the designs you’ve made are pretty expensive,” pagtatapat ni Renante sa babae.

Wala siyang nakuhang malaking reaksyon mula rito. Nakatitig lang ito sa kanya at nakikinig.

“You see,” patuloy niya, “mula kina Kuya lang tayo nakaka-purchase ng supply at a more reasonable price.”

“Is it really reasonable?” she questioned in a monotone. “Or is it just cheaper?”

Nagsalubong ang mga kilay niya. “Both.”

“Do we really have to always depend on Ronnie’s help?”

“Look, we’re on a start-up,” he shrugged. No way Paige could intimidate him with her being stoic just to change his ways. “At this rate, it doesn’t hurt to be a little tight on everything.”

“I understand, but I think, you are too limiting.”

“Limiting?”

“Being around you is like walking on eggshells,” walang sigla nitong patuloy. “It is always your call. I understand that kasi, kompanya mo ito. But you have to consider your customers more. We are already running out of new things to offer to them.”

May punto ang babae. Isang taon na rin silang hindi nakakapag-release ng panibagong disenyo. Mabenta pa rin naman ang tatlong bestselling watch designs ng VVatch, pero hindi naman pwedeng sa bestsellers nila na lang sila umasa. Kapag wala silang nilabas na bago, mas nililimitahan lang nila ang kalayaan ng mga mamimili na makapili ng disenyo g magugustuhan.

Ang tendency niyon, hahanap sila sa ibang mga brand ng mas bagong disenyo ng relo.

Napasandal si Renante sa kinauupuan. Napaisip.

“What if…” he murmured. “We adapt your designs but change material?”

Doon lang nagkaroon ng malinaw na reaksyon ang babae. Her eyebrows slightly furrowed.

“Change material?”

“Yes,” tuwid niya ng upo at inisa-isa ang mga magkakapatong na folder sa gilid ng kanyang makinis na black marbled-desk. Nilagay niya sa gitna ng mesa ang isang itim na folder, binuklat iyon jaya tumambad ang nakasipit doon na mga larawan.

“Like this one,” turo ni Renante sa print out ng isa sa mga disenyo ni Paige, “you see these swirls on the band,” paliwanag niya habang binabakat ng daliri ang mga binabanggit na parte ng larawan. “Maybe we can alternate the stainless steel material on this part with…” Nagliwanag ang kanyang mukha. “With something woven.”

.

.

NASA KWARTO SI STACEY. Nakatanaw siya sa labas ng bukas na bintana habang abala sa cellphone.

“I am really sorry for what happened,” ulit niya kay Trixie, ang bagong nagmamay-ari ng Hibla, ang mismong bumili ng kompanya sa kanya.

Naikwento na niya rito ang nangyari sa shop ng Hibla. Siya na ang nauna kaysa naman mabalitaan pa ni Trixie sa mga empleyado ang ginawa roon ng nanay ni Renante.

You don’t have to. No harm done naman, eh, magaan pa nitong tawa sa kabilang-linya. Hindi lang siguro updated si future mother-in-law!

Mother-In-Law. Hay. Hindi alam ni Stacey kung ano ang iisipin. Gusto niyang ma-flatter dahil mukhang iyon na ang asumpsyon ni Luz. Kaya ganoon kalakas ang loob ng ginang bisitahin siya sa Hibla. Nasa isip na siguro nito na pasasaan ba at magiging biyenan na niya ito?

Nakakatuwang isiping ganoon nga ang totoong dahilan. Na kinikilala na siya nito para magkaroon ng ideya kung anong klase ng babae ang aasawahin ng kanilang anak na si Renante.

Pero sana naman… sana naman hindi sa ganitong paraan. Not at the expense of her… Is dignity the right term?

Stacey was emotionally tired when she plopped at the side of her bed. She gazed at the window once more, caught view of the blinding sunlight illuminated against the leaves of the trees outside.

It felt safe, so she released a heavy sigh.

Nadala lang siguro ako ng pagiging defensive ko, she regretted. Dahil ayoko malaman ni Renante na hindi na akin ang Hibla, ganoon ang naging reaksyon ko sa pagbisita roon ng nanay niya. I could have handled what happened way better than how I did it earlier.

She lowered her gaze, blankly stared at her bare feet against the carpet of her room.

Buti na lang, naroon si Kylie. She knows how to calm down Renante’s mom. If she did not interfere, siguro nagkaroon na doon ng eskandalo. Baka doon pa kami mismo nag-away. Baka…

Napailing si Stacey.

I have to fix this. I’ll talk to Renante, later.

Then she gasped. Naalala niya ang text ni Renante na hindi niya na-reply-an kanina!

.

.

NILAPAG NI STACEY ANG ISANG PLATTER NG LASAGNA SA MESA. The interior of the glass platter was covered with aluminum foil before filled in with glistening layers of yellow and tomato red, of meaty goodness, soft pasta and buttery cheese that smoked and filled the air. Renante asked her where they can go after work thru text. At ang sinagot naman niya rito ay sa bahay na lang sila maghapunan.

Bago pa pumatak ang alas-siyete, nakahain na ang lahat sa dining table. Stacey spent the rest of the late afternoon shopping and making lasagna. Pinaubaya na niya kay Renante ang pagbili ng Salted Caramel Milktea na kanyang paborito. Ang binata na ang bahala mamili ng flavor na gusto nito para sa sarili.

Hapang pinapalamig-lamig ang lasagna, inabala ni Stacey ang sarili sa pag-set ng mga plato sa mesa. She arranged them side by side, since she and Renante preferred sitting beside each other than being face to face. Once Stacey was done, she left things at that and dashed to her room.

She freshened up, combed her hair and allowed them to fall gorgeously with tips kissing her upper back and bare shoulders. Nagsuot siya ng puting tank top at itim na gym shorts na na gawa sa mesh ang outer layer at nylon ang main material. Makapal ang gartering sa bewang kaya mas lumiit tingnan ang kanyang bewang nung sinuot ang shorts.

Pagbalik sa dining room, tsinek niya ang lasagna na mainit-init pa. Malapit nang mag-alas otso nang matanaw niya ang paghinto ng kotse ni Renante sa tapat ng gate. She immediately flung the door open, wore her slippers and descendes from the porch.

Stacey was welcomed by the dark evening sky, the pale yellow beam from the nearby light post. The breeze was warm, summery. Ang bawat hakbang niya sa tuyot na damuhan ng bakuran ay nag-iwan ng malutong na tunog.

Nakababa na ng kotse si Renante nang matanaw siya. Hindi kumilos ang binata, pinanood siya nito sa pagkakatayo sa likuran ng bukas na pinto ng kotse. He watched her open the gates for him. Nangingiting inabangan nito ang pagsulyap niya sa direksyon nito.

Which she did right after the gates were completely opened.

Hot damn. That coy little smile at the corner of his lips.

That teasing little spark in his eyes.

He stood there in his after-work look, loosened up shirt and undone upper buttons. Tousled jet black hair resulted by countless of finger combing, his usual habit to massage his scalp and de-stress while driving on his way home from work.

Pinaglaruan ni Renante sa loob-loob nito ang pilyong ngiti, pinipigilang ilabas iyon habang pinapasadahan siya ng tingin. Pigil niya ang hininga, nagpapasalamat na walang pagkadismaya sa mga mata nito nang makita siya.

Then their eyes met again. His stare finally gave her permission to breathe. She granted him a smile as she stepped aside. Pumasok na sa loob ng kotse nito ang lalaki. Pinasok iyon sa bakuran.

Nang nakalagpas na sa kanya ang kotse, nagmamadaling sinara ni Stacey ang gate. Palapit pa lang siya sa kotse nang saktong nakababa na mula roon si Renante.

And before she could even do anything, he already grabbed her by the waist. Hinapit siya ni Renante palapit dito sabay halik nito sa kanyang noo. Pagtingala niya, maluwag siya nitong nginitian bago naglapat ang kanilang mga labi.

A sweet smile formed on her lips while they were pressed into that kiss. And knowing it made her happy made him smile against her lips too.

“Let’s go,” angat nito sa milktea carrier na hawak ng isang kamay. Kasabay niyon ang paglipat ng kamay ni Renante mula sa kanyang bewang paakbay sa kanyang mga balikat.

“Eh, ‘yong mga gamit mo,” lingon niya rito.

Nanatili sa dinadaanan naman ang tingin ni Renante.

“Mamaya na. Let’s have our dinner first.”

 Maaliwalas ang mukha nito. He looked excited… looking forward to something good about to happen.

Nagbaba si Stacey ng tungin

Tumuloy sila sa loob, dumiretso siya sa kusina dala ang mga milktea. Si Renante naman, sa banyo dumiretso para maghugas ng mga kamay at braso bago maghilamos. After drying up, he appeared on the dining room.

“Lasagna,” pamimilog ng mga mata nito habang umuupo sa kanyang tabi.

“Yes,” tukod ni Stacey ng mga kamay sa ibabaw ng sandalan ng upuan ni Renante.

Nakatayo pa rin siya kasi kakatapos lang niya i-set sa mesa ang mga milktea na sinalin niya sa tall glass at dinagdagan ng ice cubes. Nilagay niya rin sa mga baso ang mga straw na kasama ng mga binili ni Renante.

“You had time to make one?” naguguluhang lingon nito sa kanya. Naguguluhan na ang tingin, nakaguhit ang magaang ngiti sa mga labi nito.

“I…” Paktay. Questionable ang ginawa niya para sa binata. “I bought some on the way home. In-assemble ko lang dito sa… sa platter then, ni-reheat ko sa oven.”

She smiled back at him as she seated. Tumango-tango lang si Renante sabay abot sa serving spatula.

“Ako na,” lahad ni Stacey ng kamay.

Nahihiwagahang inabot iyon sa kanya ni Renante. He watched her slice some lasagna for him and carefully place it on his plate.

“Is there a special occasion?” natatawa nitong saad. “You never served me before. Ever.”

Stacey met his eyes. “Is there a need for a celebration for me to treat you special?”

At sinalinan niya ng lasagna ang sariling pinggan. Habang ginagawa iyon, pinatong ni Renante ang braso sa ibabaw ng sandalan ng kanyang upuan. He leaned closer to her, his penetrating gaze melting her since it caught her peripheral vision.

“What now?” nangingiting puna niya rito.

“I love you, Stacey.”

“Ano ba naman ‘yan. Wala man lang pasabi,” ngiting-ngiti siya dahil sa kiliting hatid ng mga sinabi ni Renante. Stacey quickly recollected herself before she turned to him.

Alam niyang malapit lang ang lalaki, ewan kung bakit nagulat pa siya nang malingunan ito.

Nang mapagtantong gahibla na lang ang distansya ng kanilang mga mukha.

“I love you too,” she murmured softly, inching closer

It took a few seconds before their lips met once more  Renante tilted his head to the side, parted her lips with his own before sucking her like a sweet, juicy fruit. She watered as he slurped her in. It was a kiss so rich, Stacey’s lips softened to mold in any way Renante’s lips would in its every motion.

Napakapit siya ng mahigpit sa matigas nitong mga braso. Iyon lang ang kailangan niya para makabweti ng atras ng ulo sabay dahan-dahang tulak palayo rito.

Both of them began catching their breaths, eyes drooped at the emotions that carried them away.

“I told you,” he explained, “I’ll make it up to you. I have a lot of things for you, Stace.” He drew his face closer  “Especially… between my legs.”

She smirked. “How come? Tinubuan ka na ba ng pangalawang etits?”

He could not believe it. Napahalakhak si Renante sa komento niya. “Are you serious?”

Natatawang tinitigan lang niya ito. Renante rarely laugh this hard, that’s why when he does, she would keep still and watch. She would savor the moment and imprint it in her mind by keeping her eyes on this laughing Renante. On how handsome he looked when he laughs like that.

Parang hanging napadaan lang ang pagtawa nito. Biglang sumeryoso ang binata, hinablot siya sa baba para muling paglapitin ang kanilang mga mukha.

“It’s funny but I am offended, Stace,” he murmured, staring down hotly at her lips. “How dare you ever wonder about having two dicks. Is my massive one not enough for you?”

Napasinghap siya. “I never thought of that, Renante. I didn’t mean—”

He narrowed his eyes on her, a small smile already betraying his naughty prank to scare her.

“Well, we’ll know that later. If it’s not enough,” layo nito sa kanya.

“Later?”

“Let’s fuck,” he smiled, ear to ear and began busying himself with his meal. Nakakailang subo oa lang ito nang lingunin siya. “Mmm! This lasagna is good. Where did you buy this?”

Nangingiting tinuon niya sa sariling pagkain ang tingin. “Secret.”

“Come on now, tell. Para next time, ako naman ang bibili.”

Hindi siya makatingin sa lalaki. Hindi rin niya alam ang isasagot dito.

“You tell me first, why you’re in such a good mood.”

“I am in a good mood, because—” he glanced at her, “—me and my girlfriend are okay now.”

“And…?” usig niya rito.

“Ahh,” baba nito ng tinidor, humarap sa kanya ng pagkakaupo. “Ang lakas mo talaga makahalata pagdating sa akin.”

You’re sweeter than usual. So, I know there’s something good that happened. Something that I don’t know yet…

“I got an idea earlier, while at work,” paliwanag nito.

“I am listening,” harap niya kay Renante.

He caressed her cheek. A sincere smile was on his lips— nothing teasing or sweet or exaggerated, just his pure, mellow smile. His eyes wandered in her lips, then her eyes.

“What if VVatch collaborates with Hibla?”

Wala pa siyang nakakain pero parang masasamid si Stacey sa narinig. “Collaborate?”

“May problema kami sa delayed deliveries ng stainless steel. Isang taon na rin kaming hindi nakakapaglabas ng bagong designs. At ‘yong mga approved designs, babagay siya sa materyales na ginagamit mo sa mga woven bags ng negosyo mo.” He cocked his head. Umaasa ang ngiti ni Renante sa kanya. “What can you say? Interested?”

Napatitig siya rito. She wished she would caught sight of Renante’s little naughty smile that he could not suppress anymore. A smile that would give her a hint that he was only kidding.

But there was none.

He was serious.

Nagbaba si Stacey ng tingin.

Sa tagal ng sagot niya, kumupas ang sigla sa mukha ni Renante. Worry aroused as he tried to catch her eyes.

“Stace?”

She took in a deep breath, released a tensed low laugh.

“I know that mixing business with personal is high risk, but… I really need you in this aspect of my life too,” he was softly pleading, still dignified. “Kahit hindi na ikaw mismo. If you’re too busy, lend me one of your people who knows about choosing materials and how to weave.”

“I just don’t know how to feel,” tuwid niya ng upo. “Is this why you want to bring me somewhere special? Para mapakiusapan ako?”

“Stace, bago ko pa naisip ang idea na ito, tinext na kita. I want us to have some nice dinner or chill out after work, kasi gusto ko makabawi sa nangyari this weekend, ‘di ba?”

She took in a deep breath. “Then, isn’t that what we are supposed to do right now?” Her heart broke, looking at Renante’s downcasted eyes still trying to endure the pain of staring back bravely into hers. “Pwede bang, kahit ngayon man lang. Just this once. Pwede bang, isantabi mo muna ang pag-asikaso sa VVatch at…” Nahihiyang nag-iwas siya ng tingin sa lalaki. “At asikasuhin mo muna ang relationship natin?”