"P-PIERRE—"

Stacey stopped herself. She was hesitant if she should stop him or not.

Hindi man lang nag-angat ng tingin ang lalaki sa kanya. He resumed unbuttoning his sheer purple top, dropped it on his seat, then pulled up his lighter purple undershirt.

"Itigil mo iyan!" Stacey exploded, standing up and throwing her arm bag at him.

Her arm bag hit his face.

"Fuck!" angil ni Pierre

Stacey lowered her eyes to the bag that dropped on the edge of the table. Saglit pa itong kumapit bago dahan-dahang nahulog sa sahig.

Wala ring silbing ibinato niya rito ang bag dahil naunahan na siya ng lalaki.

Pierre had already pulled up his undershirt, revealing his lean figure. It should be disappointing for Stacey's tastes in men that Pierre wasn't muscular underneath. He had a slim body with his lower ribs slightly hinting against the skin beneath his chest. Pero sa hindi malamang dahilan, hindi naman masakit sa mata ang isang topless na Pierre.

"What are you doing?" singhal niya rito.

Pierre just lowered his eyes and reached for the waistband of his bands on the left.

"Itigil mo—"

Too late. Pierre already tugged it down.

But to Stacey's relief, he did not completely pull down his pants. Ibinaba lang nito ang waistband nang kaunti para ipasilip sa kanya ang isang black inked tattoo sa balakang nito. Pierre's pelvic line there slightly contorted the image, but it was very easy to process what it looked like.

A matured rose was in the middle. Identical snakes with rose buds in their mouths from its both sides seemed to slither toward it while encircling the rose, racing to get to it first.

Napamaang siya.

"Do you really have to throw a fucking bag on my face? I just want to show this," irap sa kanya ng lalaki.

"Bakit kasi hindi mo muna sinabing ipakikita mo iyan? Ano ang maiisip ko kapag may lalaking basta-basta na lang naghubad sa harap ko?" Nang matapos ang mataman niyang pagsipat sa tattoo mula sa kanyang kinatatayuan, ibinalik niya ang tingin kay Pierre. "At bakit kailangan mo pang maghubad? Nasa balakang mo naman pala iyong tattoo!"

"Oh—" Napatingin ito sa malayo at saglit na natulala bago ipinukol ulit ang tingin sa kanya. "You're right."

Napapailing na bumalik siya sa upuan. Pierre bent down to pick up her bag. Saglit na umangat si Stacey mula sa upuan para tanggapin iyon nang abutin ng lalaki.

"Okay, you've shown me a tattoo that looks like the Rosa Cobra," sandal niya sa backrest ng upuan. "So, are you trying to say that... there's somehow a violation of copyright or patent here? Did Paige steal one of your designs? 'Yong naka-tattoo sa'yo, may ni-release kayo before na shirts or garments na may ganoong design? Is that why you're rejecting the design?"

"You have sharp wits. Impressive, Ms. Vauergard," anito habang isinusuot ulit ang damit. "But that's not what it is."

"Then, what?"

The door suddenly opened.

"Hi, Sir!" ngiti ni Cherry, tuloy-tuloy itong pumasok sa silid.

Bitbit ng isa nitong kamay ang isang may kalakihang brown paper bag. Ang isa naman ay karton na drinks carrier. Pang-apatang cups ito pero tatlo lang ang nakalagay doon dahil tatlo lang naman silang ipinag-order ni Pierre. Pierre did not finish buttoning his shirt. Nagmamadaling isinara nito ang laptop at ipinuwesto sa dulo ng desk.

"Put it all here, Cherry," anito sa assistant.

Tahimik na tumalima ang babae. Nanatili itong nakatayo sa tapat ng desk para ilabas ang mga ipinamiling pagkain. Sinadya nitong ipwesto ang pagkain para sa kanya sa parte ng desk na malapit sa kanya. Stacey peered at the food box made of black plastic plate and a transparent cover. Dahil transparent ang takip, kitang-kita niya ang laman nitong pagkain— isang tonkatsu bento. It has seasoned rice, vertical slices of tonkatsu (fried breaded pork) and fresh salad. Naka-tape sa takip ang dalawang magkapatong na maliit na bilugang plastic container na naglalaman ng tonkatsu sauce. Katabi lang nito ang naka-paper pouch na wooden chopsticks.

"Japanese food?" nagtatakang tingin niya kay Pierre na binuksan na ang food container nito. It was bigger and cylindrical, ideal for a ramen container.

Pierre was already opening sachets and mixing this and that in his noodle cup when he replied without looking.

"Ah, yes. I bet you'll love this. After all, ito ang fave ng mga Villaluz," he spoke in a rushed manner. "I mean, the men in their family. Si Tita Luz? She's more into pastries and her soothing hot teas."

Hindi napigilan ni Stacey ang mamangha. Close talaga siya kina Renante noon. He knows them so well.

But she made sure to keep a straight face and hide that inner reaction. After all, she came here to represent VVatch. Trabaho ang ipinunta niya rito at hindi ang pakikipagtsikahan sa taong naging Senior niya noong college.

Tahimik na umupo si Cherry. Isinantabi lang nito ang paper bag dahil doon iipunin lahat ng itatapon na disposable food containers pagkatapos nilang kumain.

Stacey decided to acknowledge that she was listening to Pierre, before swinging them back to their original topic.

"So, all three of you have the same taste when it comes to food," aniya, panakaw-nakaw ng sulyap sa lalaki habang binubuksan na ang kanyang food container.

"I don't think we have the same taste when it comes to food..." Sumilay ang makahulugang ngiti sa mga labi nito, tila nagpipigil matawa kaya medyo pilyo at malisyoso ang dating para sa kanya. That was weird because, back in college they all perceived Pierre as the nice guy, the innocent goody-two-shoes. "But yeah," angat nito ng tingin sa kanya, "we love Japanese food."

Tumango-tango na lang si Stacey, inayos ang pagkakahawak ng chopsticks. Damn. She loves Renante and she appreciates Japanese food, but being his girlfriend didn't make her a big fan of the cuisine. Hindi siyamakareklamo na hirap sa paggamit ng chopsticks kahit medyo maalam. Inilibre na kasi siya ng pananghalian ni Pierre, magde-demand pa siya rito ng kutsara.

"So, back to Rosa Cobra," aniya. "Kung hindi patent, copyright, o nakaw na design ang isyu, bakit rejected ang design?"

Pinaningkitan siya ng mga mata ni Pierre.

"Come on. I came here for my design proposal," aniya habang nagi-struggle ipitin ng chopstick ang kanin na binudburan ng seaweed at sesame seeds. "Let's keep talking while eating. This is the only schedule you can accommodate my surprise visit, right?"

Sumimple ng sulyap si Pierre kay Cherry. Tila tinuturo nito ang babae bilang babala na hindi ito pwedeng magkwento dahil kasama nila ito.

Stacey slightly shook her head, still staring straight at Pierre. Pinanlakihan niya ito ng mga mata.

Just say something subtle then!

Pierre lifted the cup close to his face and began eating. A crisp slurp broke the short silence.

Hindi natuloy ang balak ni Stacey na sumubo ng slice ng tonkatsu.

"Come on, the design will be a bestseller. That's a promise," pangungumbinsi niya rito. "If someone recognizes the design, there's nothing to worry about. Whoever the inspiration is for that design, hindi ba dapat ma-flatter siya? The design will be like a tribute to him... or her."

Tinitigan siya ni Pierre, nagkakalkula sa isip nito bago ibinaba ang hawak na noodle cup.

"Leave your proposal to Cherry. I'll make time for it tomorrow." Nilingon ni Pierre si Cherry. "Cherry, bago ka mag-clock out you already know the drill. Drop by here in my office to discuss about my schedules for tomorrow."

"Yes, Sir," magalang nitong tango at ipinagpatuloy ang pagkain sa laman bento box nito.

"Good. Now, let's eat in peace. Let's hurry because I have another online meeting at exactly 1 p.m."

Cherry nodded. Tulad ng boss nito, nagmadali ito sa pagkain. Siya naman, kumain sa normal niyang pacing. Hindi lang mapigilan ni Stacey ang bumagal sa pagkain dahil may naglalarong palaisipan sa loob-loob niya.

Paige designed the Rosa Cobra. And it looked like the tattoo on Pierre's hip. Ang pinagkaiba lang, ang nasa gitna ng tattoo ay rose, sa design naman ni Paige, relo ang naroon...

Dahan-dahang ibinaba ni Stacey ang kanyang chopstick. Habang hawak ito, nakadikit ang dulo ng mga chopstick sa kanin. Napatitig siya sa kawalan.

It means... Paige might have already seen the tattoo.

She already saw Pierre's hip...

Pigil niya ang paghinga.

Is that why he can't explain when Cherry is here with us?

Is that why, he said that it's something... personal?

.

.

"SO, WE'RE STILL NOT SURE," ani Renante.

Stacey was already sitting on the visitor's chair, in front of Renante's desk.

"Yes. Wala pang final decision."

"You managed to make him reconsider the design, just by..." Napasandal ang binata sa backrest ng swivel chair. He cocked his head to the side, confused. "...having lunch with him?"

"And his secretary," paglilinaw agad ni Stacey dito.

Naningkit ang mga mata ni Renante. "Didn't you talk about something else? Hindi mo ba ipina-specify sa kanya kung bakit rejected ang design?"

"He kept insisting that they already emailed me the reasons why. Iyon lang ang dahilan niya at wala nang iba."

Tumanaw sa malayo si Renante. "Probably some confidential issues within their company. Hindi pwedeng malaman ng taga-labas." At ibinalik na nito ang tingin sa kanya. "So, do you want to have coffee with me?"

Stacey internally sighed in relief. Mabuti at hindi na kinuwestiyon pa ni Renante ang isinagot niya sa huli nitong tanong. Sinadya niyang huwag nang ipaalam pa rito ang tungkol sa tattoo sa tagiliran ni Pierre, at ang tila pahiwatig nito na personal ang dahilan ng pag-reject sa Rosa Cobra design. It's not that she wanted to keep him in the dark. Ang sa kanya lang, kapag sinabi niya iyon, baka lumayo na sa professional ang tingin nila sa project na ito. Renante might dig deep about that tattoo. Paano niya masasagot ang follow-up questions nito kung hindi niya rin alam ang istorya sa likod ng tattoo ni Pierre? It's a personal matter that should not be considered in this business matter, so she chose not to talk about it.

"Stace," Renante groaned weakly. Napatingala na ito habang pinipisil ang pagitan ng mga mata nito. "Magbati na tayo, pwede ba? I can't take this anymore."

Stacey lowered her eyes. "If I do that, it'll be like tolerating you being unfair with me."

Tumuwid na ito ng upo. "That's why we should have coffee. This is an office and I am your boss here. But outside the workplace, I am your boyfriend and we can finally talk about our personal life. I can finally tell you the truth."

Her lips slightly parted. Sasabihin na sa akin ni Renante ang... totoo?

Nabasa nito sa kanyang mukha ang kanyang naramdamang magkahalong tuwa at kaba. He gently smiled and nodded to assure her that what she was thinking was true.

"Right now?"

"At the coffee shop nearby."

Tumayo na siya. "Then, let's go, Sir!"

.

.

PIERRE'S 1 P.M. MEETING ALMOST TOOK TWO HOURS. He closed down his laptop and dialed Cherry's phone. Mabilis na dumating ang sekretarya nito na personal assistant sa office room. May dala na itong bote ng distilled water. He immediately tore off the hard plastic seal and uncapped the bottle.

"Kumusta ang meeting, Sir?" tuwid ni Cherry ng pagkakatayo sa tapat ng desk ni Pierre. "May mga gustoba kayo na i-take note ko? May napag-usapan ba kayo na appointments? New schedules?"

"Nothing. That's why hindi na kita isinama sa meeting. It's all for pleasantries sake. Making promises and giving assurances..." At uminom na ito.Meanwhile, Cherry just politely nodded. Habang umiinom si Pierre, tila nasa malayo ang tingin ng mga mata nito.

Lagpas kalahati na ang nabawas sabote nang ibaba ni Pierre at takpan.

Ipinukol nito ang tingin sa naghihintay na sekretarya.

"Kumusta naman ang pinapagawa ko sa'yo? Nakausap mo ba ang OM natin tungkol sa bagong design?"

Cherry nodded. "As per Sir Mark, pwede naman daw pong huwag nang dagdagan ang two hundred factory workers na in-assign natin para sa woven wristbands ng VVatch. Allocation of tasks ang mangyayari at mapupunta ang trabaho ng paggawa sa Rosa Cobra design sa workers na unang makakatapos sa target quota nila. Bawat isang empleyado kasi natin, may target quota na 500 wristbands per design. Kung isasama ang Rosa Cobra..." Cherry looked up a bit to recall her conversation with the Operations Manager. Si Pierre naman, prenteng sumandal sa kinauupuan at dumukot ng isang wrap ng ChocNut sa drawer. "500 times 7 designs..." Biglang nagliwanag ang mukha nito at ibinalik ang tingin kay Pierre na binabalatan na ang ChocNut. "3,500 in total ang kailangang ma-produce ng bawat isa.

"A total of 700,000 wristbands," Pierre summarized before putting ChocNut in his mouth.

Cherry nodded. "Yes, Sir."

"But based on the proposal paper, ilan ang quantity na nire-request nila para sa Rosa Cobra? It will be a limited edition one, right? So, mas kaunti kaysa sa quantity ng iba pang designs."

Napaisip si Cherry. "100 yata, Sir. I have to recheck the paper later to make sure."

"So, the most accurate estimate would be 620,000 overall."

Cherry nodded not because she had the same computation in her mind, but because he's her boss. "Yes, Sir."

Hindi naman pinagdudahan ni Pierre ang resulta ng pagme-mental math niya. He wouldn't be a dean's lister in college if he didn't have laser sharp mental accuracy.

"And Mark thinks, that quota is achievable? Kaya gawin within our timeframe?"

"Iyon ang suggestion niya, Sir."

"Won't this exhaust our workers? I really think, we should add more manpower. Para 300 na silang lahat na nagta-trabaho para sa designs ng VVatch..."

He was waiting for Cherry's insight, but she did not contribute anything.

Sumeryoso lalo si Pierre. "Cherry."

Napapitlag ito. Nagulat. "Yes, Sir?"

"Clear my schedule on Friday," nakatitig niyang anunsyo rito bago nag-iwas ng tingin. "Gusto kong sumama sa pagpunta mo sa VVatch."

.

.

BLANGKONG PINANOOD NI STACEY ANG MGA TAO NA PAROON AT PARITO. VVatch was located in a commercial complex, that's why most of the passers-by were in their formal and semi-casual attires, stylish yet professional. And also very busy with their phones, facing forward with determined eyes, and rushing their steps.

It was already afternoon,blessed with comfortable warmth from the sun. Marami na ang customers sa cafe at ang nadatnan nilang available na pwesto ay isang table set sa labas na nalilimliman ng malaking payong. Natanaw niya si Renante,palabas na ng cafe at bitbit ang tray ng in-order nila.

He carefully settled them down on the round wooden table. Mabilis itong umupo sa kanyang tabi bago inabot sa kanya ang tall cup ng pomegranate juice. Renante, on the other hand, ordered an iced Americano. Hindi muna nila ginalaw ang in-order na French toast para sa kanya at isang slice ng chocolate cake para sa binata.

Renante sipped some iced coffee before turning his head to her.

Stacey held her cup with both hands. The chill was biting her skin but she didn't mind.

"Ready na ako sa aaminin mo," salo niya sa mga mata nito.

He took in a deep breath, lowered his eyes for a minute before meeting hers.

"Stacey," lapit ng mukha ni Renante sa kanya, "like what I said, sinabi ko lang na wala akong balak pakasalan ka dahil gusto kitang protektahan mula kay Mom."

Hindi siya nagsalita. She wanted Renante to go on, keep spilling the truth.

He stared and waited for her reaction. But seconds later, he understood what she really wanted to happen. Nagpatuloy ang binata.

"Mom might do something to meddle with our relationship. To ruin it. Because she has grudges against Artemia... your mother, Stace. Imagine, she could not bear seeing her, what more when they are forced to see other occasionally because they are already in-laws?"

Nanikip ang kanyang dibdib sa narinig.

"My mother is quite... unpredictable. With her nice face and gestures, you cannot really tell what she's really up to."

Matagal nang alam ni Stacey ang hidwaan ng kanilang mga nanay, pero ang madiskubre na alam na rin ito ni Renante... Hindi niya alam kung ano ang mararamdaman.

She was scared all of a sudden.

But Renante took away her cup then held her hand, slipped his fingers between each gap to grip her tighter.

"That's why... I am protecting you."

He was protecting her and the very confirmation of that melted her heart. All her life, Stacey had to stand up for herself and for others. People thought she can always manage, so no one dared to do this for her— to take care of her. To protect her.

No one except, Renante.

When he spoke, Stacey returned her eyes on him.

"I just don't want to risk it. I don't want to risk our relationship. It already went through so much risks. I want this to be permanent. To be solid. To stay like this and never end. Do you get me?"

She lowered her eyes again and stared at their entwined hands.

"But you didn't care about that, right?" angat niya ulit ng tingin sa nobyo.

"Don't care about what?"

"About our mothers... hating each other."

Pigil nito ang matawa. "Of course, Boo." Malambing itong nagnakaw ng mabilis na halik sa kanyang kamao bago nakipagtitigan ulit sa kanya. "It's an issue between them. Hindi pa nga tayo pinapanganak nang mangyari iyon. And I do not wish to participate in the hate train."

She finally managed a small smile.

"I feel the same way too. Hindi por que magkaaway ang mga nanay natin, kamumuhian na rin kita."

Stacey gently shook her head. Grabe. Akala niya, hindi nila malalagpasan ito ni Renante. Now that they both know that they were aware of their mothers' issue with each other, she felt liberated. She felt secured, knowing that their parents' issues didn't have to affect their loving relationship.

"After all, my mother needs to move on already from Tito Manuel's death," patuloy ni Stacey. Mas magaan na ang kanyang pakiramdam kaya mas lumuluwag na ang kanyang ngiti. "I mean, even if Tita Luz is the reason why he died, nangyari na ang nangyari. Hindi na maibabalik pa ang nakaraan."

"My mom? She's the reason why he died?" kunot-noo ni Renante.

Nagtaka si Stacey. "Well, yeah, kung hindi umasa noon si Tito Manuel kay Tita Luz, he won't kill himself."

"I think you're getting it wrong. My mom made it clear, na hindi na siya makikipagbalikan sa Tito Manuel mo."

Nagsalubong ang mga kilay niya. "No, she promised him that she'll be gone a little. Clear the air. Then, babalikan niya si Tito Manuel."

"Imbento ba iyan ng nanay mo para paniwalain ka na nanay ko ang nagtulak sa tito mo magpakamatay?"

Hindi niya gusto ang bigat sa tono ni Renante.

"Earlier, you just admitted that you're afraid of your mom! Because she's unpredictable! Now, you are thinking my mother is badmouthing and blaming her for Tito Manuel's death?"

"Stace," humigpit ang hawak ni Renante sa kanyang kamay. "All these years, your mother kept insisting that it is my mother's fault your tito died. My mother suffered for it. Your mother influenced everyone in their circle of friends to blame my mom and everyone should stay away from her." At nagkaroon ng pagdidiin ang sunod nitong pagsasalita. "They are blaming my mother even if she's not in control of your Tito Manuel's decision-making process."

Naningkit ang mga mata niya. "Alam ko na pabayang nanay ang mother ko, but she can't be as cruel as that! And hello, how we treat other people affects them. That's why all of us are interconnected. That's why, we shouldbe always mindful and kind with our word choice, with how we treat other people. Kasi, lahat ng tao, may pinagdadaanan na hindi natin alam."

"So, you also agree with your mother." A hint of disbelief and sarcasm was in his disappointed voice. "That my mom is to blame for this."

Marahas niyang binawi ang kamay mula sa mahigpit na pagkakahawak ni Renante.

"I get it. You're also thinking that my mother is a liar. Because what? Because you think I am good at lying dahil nagmana ako sa kanya?"

"Ikaw ang may sabi niyan," tuwid nito ng upo kaya naka-sideview na si Renante mula sa kanyang persepsyon.

Hindi makapaniwalang napanganga na lang siya rito. Kitang-kita niya ang pagmamatigas sa madilim nitong anyo.

"I hate you," she muttered lowly, stood up, then picked up her cup and french toast stashed inside a paper bag before leaving.