"WHAT KIND OF A QUESTION IS THAT?" gusot ng mukha ni Renante.

Hindi na pinag-isipan pa ni Stacey ang sunod na sinabi.

"An important question," she seethed.

His eyebrows furrowed deeper. "You know how I feel about you all this time, and you are still questioning what I feel you?"

"Oo," manginig-nginig si Stacey sa galit kaya mahigpit niyang naikuyom ang mga kamao. "Lalo na at alam ko na wala kang balak pakasalan ako!"

Lalong magdilim ang anyo ng binata. "And where did you hear that crap?"

She blurted. "From you!"

Tila may sumampal kay Renante. Natigilan ito. Rumehistro ang gulat na tumaboy sa anino sa mukha nito.

"Wala kang made-deny sa akin. Malinaw na malinaw kong narinig iyon, Renante. I was there when you said it!"

Naihilig ni Renante ang ulo. Worry and relief mixed in his face as he tried to reach her. Stacey wasn't sure if he was about to cry. O baka nagpipigil lang itong mapasimagot. Mas una niya kasing binigyang atensyon ang kamay nitong munti na siyang maabot. Mabilis na umatras si Stacey at tinabig ang kamay nito.

"Don't touch me."

"Stace-" Renante attempted once more.

Their skins smacked as she shoved his hand away from her again.

"Sabi'ng huwag mo akong hahawakan!"

Damn. This was just like before. Before the stalker thing. Before they had their three-year of serious committed relationship. This was just like when Renante found out Sondra was already married, he got drunk in a bar with her and their toxic fuck-buddies relationship began. They would fuck a lot,but also argue a lot. And the way they were arguing right now, flooded back all those memories and feelings she had.

But this time, Renante has changed.

Noong mga panahong iyon, hindi ito nagpapatalo kahit ito pa ang nasa mali. Now, he was stepping back. Umamo ito nang parang tupa. Naging mas maingat ang kilos. But his eyes shone with determination and hopeful persuasion.Oh, Stacey knew that look. Her heart also knew Renante so well. Once he set his mind into something, he will never give it up no matter what. He doesn't let go of his goals that easy. He was giving her that look, to make a point that he would not stop trying.

"Fine. But I'll explain," matiim nitong titig sa kanyang mga mata.

Damn. She was right.

Kinabahan tuloy si Stacey.

Ano pa ba ang matinong maidadahilan ni Renante sa pagdeklara nitong hindi siya pakakasalan? He said it to his own father and brother!

Her lips quivered. "Ano pa ang ipapaliwanag mo? Na joke lang iyon? Joke?"

He took in a deep sigh. "I have to say that to protect you."

"Protect me from what?"

The answer doesn't answer the question 'what?' but 'who?'.

Pagod na itinukod ni Renante ang mga kamay sa balakang.

"Look, my mother shouldn't know anything about our relationship. I mean, our plans for the future... for our relationship... the specifics."

"Si Tita Luz? Bakit?" Napailing siya. This just didn't sound right. "Renante, this is not making any sense. Ano'ng pro-protektahan? How is 'telling your dad that you don't plan to marry me' supposed to protect me?"

His shoulders relaxed. Pero may pag-aalinlangan sa mukha nito. Na tila ba, hindi nito sigurado kung maniniwala siya sa sasabihin nito o hindi.

"You see, if my mother is well-informed about our wedding plans, she might come up with a way on how to postpone or sabotage it."

"At bakit naman gagawin iyon ni Tita Luz? She doesn't seem to hate me..." She trailed off, thinking of any instances that Luz gave her the cold shoulder. And she failed to remember any of that. "You saw how she treats me!"

"I sawit too." Tumatag ang tinig ni Renante. "But I know her better, Stacey. Trust me. It's much better that if we are planning or going to get married, tayong dalawa lang ang nakakaalam."

Hindi maipaliwanag ni Stacey ang pagbuhos ng kapanatagan sa buo niyang sistema sa narinig.

"So..." Lumiit ang kanyang boses. "You... You have plans to..."

Hope replaced Renante's uncertain look.

"Do you already want to?" he asked softly, like a hopeful whispered wish.

Her heart thumped wildly. Niyayaya na ba siya ni Renante magpakasal?

Damang-dama ni Stacey ang pag-init ng sariling mga pisngi.

Stacey knew it. She knew she was already fucked the moment she fell in love with Renante. Hopelessly and madly. How furious she was! But no matter how much he pain he caused and will cause her, no matter how many hurtful names he'll call her in the fit of his anger, Stacey would just keep coming back to him. From an infatuation, her feelings for him had become...

... unconditional.

Damn, I'm already a hopeless case.

Stacey was about to speak when realization hit her. Napailing tuloy siya. Maliit na napaawang ang mga labi ni Renante sa kanyang ginawa. He interpreted it as a no, when she only reacted based on what she remembered...

"Can you please tell me why your mother will do that?" Ibinalik ni Stacey ang tingin sa kanyang boyfriend nang handa na siyang tanggapin anuman ang isasagot nito."Kung bakit sa tingin mo, magiging hadlang siya sa relasyon natin?"

Napatitig sa kanya si Renante. Stacey waited for his answer. Nabuhayan siya ng pag-asa nang umawang muli ang mga labi nito. Pero tila nagbago ang isip ni Renante. Because a few seconds later, he clamped his mouth shut. He winced and had that faraway look in his eyes. At that, Stacey knew that he was contemplating how to explain his side.

Or maybe, choosing an alternative statement...

Napalunok siya.

Alam na kaya ni Renante ang isyu ng nanay ko sa nanay niya? Nawala na lahat ng galit sa kanyang mukha. Napalitan ang mga ito ng pag-aalala at panlulumo. If that is the case, bakit hindi niya sabihin sa akin na alam na rin niya? Natatakot din ba siya, tulad ko, na baka maapektuhan ang relasyon namin kapag nalaman ko ito?

I understand him. He has the right to feel afraid,lalo na at wala pa siyang idea na alam ko na rin ang tungkol doon. Kaya nga kahit alam ko na, hindi ko sinasabi sa kanya...

If he already knows that, having Renante with me up until now just proves he also doesn't care about our mothers' beef. He even wanted to protect me from his mother, siguro dahil iniisip niyang ako ang pagbubuntunan ni Tita Luz ng galit niya sa nanay ko...

Stacey lowered her head.

"Renante..."

He returned his eyes to her.

"You always encourage me to tell the truth. That I can trust you with anything, so there is no need for me to lie to you... You always say that, I can lie to everyone else but not to you." Stacey paused to take in a deep breath, to emotionally ready herself. "So,Boo..." Mataman niyang tinitigan sa mga mata si Renante. Her eyes were pleading him. "Can you tell me the truth?"

She saw his Adam's apple move. Tinitigan siya ni Renante na para bang nagtatalo ang isipan at kalooban nito.

"You know that whatever it is, I won't let it ruin our relationship. That whatever it is, I won't leave you," she added impatiently.

But Renante hesitated. Napailing lang ito at malayo na naman ang tingin.

Naiinis na umiling-iling na lang si Stacey.

"You are so unfair, Renante," pagod niyang buntonghininga. "Hindi ako pwedeng magtago ng kahit ano sa iyo, pero ikaw... pinaglilihiman mo ako."

Renante just turned and headed to the door.

Doon na siya nag-panic.

"Saan ka pupunta!?"

Naghintay si Stacey pero hindi ito lumingon. Mabilis niyang hinabol si Renante. Pero nang makitang pumasok lang ito sa sariling kwarto at nagbukas ng laptop, nanatili si Stacey sa labas ng silid, sa tapat ng pintuan. Pinagmasdan niya ang lalaki, umaasa na lilingunin siya nito o tatayo mula sa kinauupuan para balikan siya.

But he didn't.

She angrily flinched.

My idiot of a boyfriend is playing safe again! Bwisit!

Padabog siyang bumalik sa sariling kwarto. Marahas niyang pinagdadampot ang mga damit na naibagsak sa sahig dahil sa galit kanina.

Fine. Gamitan niya ako ng delaying tactics niya. I won't give a fuck. Magfo-focus na lang ako sa trabaho. Sa pakikipag-meet kay Gallardo bukas!

Sinimulan na niya ang magpabalik-balik sa kama at sa cabinet para iligpit ang mga damit. Ang mga bagong bili naman ay inipon niya sa laundry basket dahil uubusin niya ang maghapon sa paglalaba at pagsasampay ng mga ito. Lalo na iyong mga susuotin niya bukas.

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***

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KINABUKASAN, maagang umalis ng bahay si Stacey. Iyon ay dahil malayo-layo ang pupuntahan niya. She lives at the heart of Manila, where Renante's company-- VVatch-- was also located. Gallardo's factory and its main office was at the far south. It took her four hours of travel time, dahil inabot na siya sa daan ng six o'clock, kritikal na oras dagsa na mga pampublikong sasakyan na may lulan na mga pasaherong employed at ayaw ma-late sa trabaho.

Good thing, Stacey dropped by a drive-thru. Tuwing napapahinto ang kotse niya dahilsa stoplight, sumisimple siya ng kain ng burger at inom ng kape. Bago nakarating sa pakay niyang lugar, nakaubos na siya ng tatlong burger.

Pinid ang malaking gate na nadatnan ni Stacey. Apparently, Gallardo Wear has one three-storey building and two one-storey adjacent facilities. Ang isa ay nagsisilbing factory at ang isa naman ay warehouse na may roll-up metal door para madaling ma-access ng mga delivery truck na nagdi-distribute ng kanilang produkto sa iba't ibang lugar. The three-storey building served as an office facility.

May guardhouse na madadaanan bago makalapit ang sasakyan sa malaking white-gray na gate. Walang scheduled appointment si Stacey kaya matiyaga siyang naghintay habang kausap sa telepono ng guard ang kung sinomang kinontak nito. Stacey could not believe her luck when he peered from behind the glass window a little later and told her to get in as soon as the gates open.

Her impression of the property from outside met her expectations as she drove in. Sobrang lawak ng konkretong nakalatag sa palibot ng mga gusali. May nakalaang parking space para sa delivery trucks at mayroon din para sa kotse at motorsiklo ng mga empleyado. Stacey swerved her Corvette to the open-space in front of the three-storey building. Pumarada siya sa pinakadulo sa bandang kaliwa at mabilis na kinolekta ang cloth portfolio folder at itim na arm bag.

Pagkababa ni Stacey, nasorpresa siya dahil nakatayo na sa labas, katapat ng glass doors, si Cherry-- ang personal assistant at sekretarya na rin ni Pierre Gallardo. Nakangiti ito sa kanya, pero alam niya na ganoon ang klase ng ngiti nito kapag nagpapaka-professional lamang. Walang ka-wrinkle-wrinkle ang sulok ng mga mata nito.

"Good morning, Cherry," nakangiti niyang bati pagkalapit dito.

"Good morning, Ms. Vauergard," tipid nitong wika na parang nagmamadali. "You have no appointment with Mr. Gallardo."

"I know," aniya. "Tulad ng pinasabi ko sa guard,personaal akong pumunta rito para i-discuss sa kanya ang tungkol sa design na gusto kong idagdag."

"I know." Deretso lang ang tingin ni Cherry sa kanya. "But I believe, kompleto kong nai-email sa iyo ang dahilan kung bakit ayaw nang tanggapin ni Sir Pierre ang additional design."

"That's why I am here. I might be able to convince him if I share my proposal personally."

"Do you question my boss'decision?"

Hindi siya nagpatinag at hindi rin siya natakot ipakitang nauubusan na siya ng pasensya.

"Look, Cherry, pumayag siyang papasukin ako rito. So, let me talk to your boss already."

Sumusukong napabuntonghininga na lang ito.

"Hindi pa alam ni Sir Pierre na narito ka. Ako ang nagbigay ng go-signal sa guard na papasukin ka." Pumihit na si Cherry, hudyat na papasok na ito sa gusali. "This way, Ma'am."

Sinabayan niya ang babae papasok sa gusali. They walked past hallways but consumed more time being inside the elevator.

"Siguradong mapapagalitan ako ni Sir Pierre nito. Mahigpit pa naman siya pagdating sa appointments," ani Cherry, nasa saradong pinto ng elevator lang ang tingin nito habang yakap sa dibdib ang naka-leather sleeve nitong tablet. "Pinatuloy lang kita, Ma'am, kasi alam ko kung gaano kalayo mula rito ang VVatch. Sayang ang ibiniyahe niyo kung pagdating dito, itataboy ko kayo."

Na-guilty tuloy si Stacey dahil doon. But that feeling wore off the moment the elevator doors opened. Naalala niya kung para saan ang ginagawang ito. Sa ngalan ng negosyo, may mga pagkakataon nakailangang maging agresibo talaga. Mag-take ng risk. Some lines got to be crossed just to get where a company wanted to be. That's the harsh reality.

"Thank you for doing me-- for doing Vvatch a favor, Cherry," aniya pagkalabas nila ng elevator.

Hindi na ito sumagot pa sa kanya. Hindi rin naman ito nilingon pa ni Stacey. Pumasok sila sa lounge area na napapaikutan ng glass wall maliban sa pader na humaharang dito at sa opisina ni Pierre Gallardo na katapat ng L-shaped leather sofa na kulay puti. Sa bandang kanan, kalapit ng pinasukan nilang pinto, kitang-kita ang loob ng mas maliit na opisina ni Cherry.

"Do you want some water? Cold drinks? Coffee?" tanong ng dalaga habang naka-gesture ang isang kamay sa sofa, pinapahiwatig na umupo siya roon.

Stacey gave Cherry a grateful nod and got seated. Ikinandong muna niya ang portfolio bago ipinatong dito ang kanyang arm bag.

"No. I'm good," tingala niya rito bago inilabas mula sa bag ang smartphone. Balikan mo na lang ako, if my waiting takes me an hour. I'll probably be thirsty by that time."

"Sir Pierre will be here any minute now. Dumeretso siya sa factory ngayon kasama ang Operations Manager namin para mag-check doon."

Nasa smartphone ang tingin ni Stacey, kaya aalis na sana si Cherry. Pero may naalala siya kaya mabilis niyang hinuli ang tingin ng sekretarya.

"Ginagawa na rin ba ngayon iyong mga wristband para sa VVatch?"

"As of this day, nagso-sorting at preparations pa rin ng raw mats, Miss Vauergard. Iyon ang unang ginagawa rito para kapag sinimulan na ang production, hindi nagkakagulo sa paghagilap ng magkakasamang materyales. Some will also have to be dyed in specific colors, bago isama sa mga gagamitin sa paghahabi."

"I know weaving. I had a woven bags business before. If ever your employees need to learn a more efficient or practical techniques, I can teach," she smiled.

Ngumiti si Cherry. But as usual, it was all for professionalism's sake. "Pag-usapan niyo na lang siguro ni Sir Pierre."

"Thanks," aniya at ibinalik ang tingin sa smartphone.

She scrolled past the missed calls notifications to read that one text message she got from Renante:

I got your text. I hope we can have lunch together later. I love you, Stace.

Stacey discreetly blew a breath and replied:

Okay. See you. I lov|

Nagbago bigla ang kanyang isip. Binura ni Stacey ang mga tinipa.

Okay.

Nakasimangot na ibinalik niya sa bag ang cellphone pagka-send ng text.

We're still a couple but that doesn't mean you're off the hook. You still have to tell me why you think your mom will be against our relationship... if you already know about her past with my mother, she rolled her eyes.

"Stacey Vauergard."

Napapiksi siya sa boses na narinig. Pagtayo ni Stacey, nakapasok na sa lounge area si Pierre. Nagmamadaling lumapit sa kanila si Cherry galing sa desk nito.

"Good morning, Sir," walang ngiti pero magalang nitong bati sa lalaki.

"Hi, Cherry. Sorry, I can't answer your texts and calls. Masyadong maingay sa factory kanina," Pierre waved a hand as he explained then turned to face her. "What brings you here? Wala sa schedule ko na pupunta ka rito, Miss Vauergard."

Katatapos lang ni Stacey ayusin ang pagkakabitbit sa kanyang arm bag at portfolio.

"I came here regarding the proposal I emailed last week."

Magsasalita pa sana siya pero naunahan siya ng tugon ni Pierre.

"Oh,that?" Nilingon nito si Cherry na parehong nagulat at kinabahan. "Cherry," Pierre's light voice turned stern, "I told you to send an email yesterday, right?"

"I received the email," tanggol ni Stacey sa babae kaya bumalik ang atensyon ni Pierre sa kanya.

"Then..." ngisi nito at bahagyang inilapit pa ang mukha sa kanya. Stacey saw a sharp mischievous glint in his eyes. "Ano ang hindi malinaw sa statement ko that I am rejecting that design?"