PAGKAUWI NG BAHAY, INABALA NI STACEY ANG SARILI. She cleaned up the whole house. And the rooms. And the front yard.

Hindi niya natapos ang paglilinis sa bakuran dahil inabot na siya ng gabi. Ni hindi pa niya nakakalahati ang dapat walisan doon.

Gulo na ang pagkakatali ng kanyang maikling buhok, pinagpawisan ang suot na puting shirt at nanikit ang ilang pinagpag at pinunas na alikabok sa kanyang dolphin shorts na velvet gold.

She sat at the steps by the porch of the house. Habang umiinom ng isang malaking mug ng malamig na tubig, pinagmamasdan ni Stacey ang bakuran.

Mataas-taas na ang mga talahib doon.The gate was a little bit rusty. Gayundin ang patusok na bakal na dumidisenyo sa ibabaw ng sementong pader na pumapaikot sa bahay.

She didn’t consider how the old bungalow looked before. Stacey didn’t really mind if it looked a little bit neglected. Mabuti na iyon para hindi pag-interesan ng masasamang loob. Lalo na at mag-isa lang siya noon nakatira sa bahay.

Pero ngayon, parang gusto na niyang pagandahin ang bahay.

Or maybe, she just wanted to show Renante that she’s already a wife material.

Ah… She’s just scared.

Kahit anong pagpapagod ang kanyang ginawa, hindi pa rin maalis-alis ang kaba sa dibdib ni Stacey.

Sigurado siyang hindi maganda ang naging dating kay Renante ng mga nakita nito kanina. He already made it a point last Saturday that he didn’t like seeing Piccollo around or near her.

Tiyak, iisipin ni Renante na inaasar niya ito. O sinusubok.

She had seen his dark side before— indifferent and cold. A sex machine without a heart. He would lash out his frustrations over Sondra on her before, then leave her trying to cope with the aftermath of his storm.

It’s hard to admit, but behind her strong, lone wolf persona, she had been a submissive to a man who had no feelings nor care for her, yet.

Ayaw na niyang bumalik sa ganoon. It had been painful. Toxic. She left Renante because of that.

Kung babalik sila sa ganoon nang dahil lang sa selos nito kay Piccollo, mapipilitan siyang umalis.

Ayaw na niyang umalis. Pagod na siya.

All she wanted at this moment, is to live peacefully. Like Sonny. Like her other friends.

She wanted to be… married to him.

Renante got down the car and opened the gate. Nang maipasok ang kotse, muli itong bumaba at sinara ang gate bago tinungo ang kanyang direksyon.

As he walked towards her, backdropped by the dark twilight and the pale golden glow  from the streetlight, Stacey could already see it.

She could already see how Renante would walk on the church aisle. On his midnight blue groom suit.

Perfection. Drop-dead gorgeous.

But in the reality, his eyes were dead-serious.

Huminto ang lalaki sa kanyang tapat, naaa isang kamay ang laptop bag.

She stared for quite too long before Stacey had a realization— she’s blocking his way. Mabilis siyang tumayo mula sa pagkakaupo sa hagdan. Umusog para bigyan ito ng daan.

Lagpas sa kanya ang tingin nito.

“Renante,” she breathed.

His jaws tensed. Stacey waited for a response. Sana naman magsalita ito ng kahit ano. Kahit sigawan pa siya sa galit ng lalaki. Mas mabuti na iyon, kasi alam niya ang tumatakbo sa isip nito.

Hindj itong ganito na nangangapa siya.

“May dinner na ba tayo?” he said, tired.

Naaabala siya sa paglilinis, nawala sa kanyang isip ang maghanda ng hapunan.

“Wala pa.”

Nilagpasan siya nito.

Nagmamadaling sinundan ni Stacey sa loob ng bahay ang lalaki.

“You’re not answering my texts or calls… so, I can’t really decide what to cook.” Sinubukan niyang silipin ang mukha ng lalaki, pero mabilis ang mga hakbang nito kaya nahirapan siya.

Maingat na dinukwang ni Renante ang braso mula sa likuran ng sofa para naipatong sa upuan nito ang dalang laptop bag. Then he made a drift towards the dining room.

Stacey remained on his tracks.

“What do you want me to cook?” She was half tensed but hopeful. “While you’re getting changed, I’ll work on it na.”

He headed to the sink in the kitchen and washed his hands.

“I need water.”

Nilapag ni Stacey ang dalang mug sa gilid ng lababo. Dali-daling kumuha siya ng tall glass at sinalinan iyon ng malamig na tubig sa kitchen counter, katabi lang mismo ng lababo. Pagpihit pasara ni Renante sa gripo, saktong abot ni Stacey ng baso ng tubig digo.

Renante wiped his hands on the lower back of his shirt before accepting the drink.

Sinundan niya ang pag-upo ng lalaki sa dining table.

“So what do you want for dinner?” tabi niya rito.

He turned to her, still drinking water.

Stacey waited. Sanay na siya. Almost all her life, she waited for Renante to notice her.

To love her.

Binaba ni Renante ang baso. To her shock, he cupped the side of her face. The icy chill from the cold glass of water that touched his hand that held the side of her face made her jolt.

Renante stared intently into her eyes.

“Let’s have dinner outside. Fast food?”

Napaisip siya. Kapag pumayag siyang kumain sila sa labas, mas magkakaroon ng dahilan si Renante para ignorahin siya. Para iwasang makausap siya.

Wala pa rin siyang nasisilip sa mga mata nito na okay na ito.

“Fine dining.”

“Get dressed quick.” Tumindig ito. “Not too fancy because I’m already starving.”

“Sorry, hindi ako nakapagluto.”

“At least, the house is clean,” iwan nito sa kanya sa dining room.

Napako si Stacey sa kinauupuan. Nakahabol ang tingin niya kay Renante hanggang sa tuluyang naglaho.

Well, at least he noticed that I cleaned the house…

Stacey had a quick shower. She put on a white bodycon dress that reached half her thighs with a wide spaghetti-strap and low but not-so-revealing neckline. It only reached a few inches below her defined collarbones.

Nakontento na siya sa kaunting foundation at lipstick. No accessories too. Nakaladlad ang lagpas-balikat niyang buhok at puting flat shoes ang kanyang piniling isuot.

Mabilis na umupo siya sa tabi ni Renante sa loob ng kotse nito. He brought her to the nearest fine-dining restaurant, situated within the very exclusive subdivision where they live.

The restaurant looked like a two-storey house at first glance, almost enveloped by green climbing plants, yellow flowers and trees. Dahil gabi na, nagkikislapan kahalo ng mga halaman ang dilaw na mga pailaw. The iron-wrought gate was open, welcoming customers for the night. A cobblestoned walkway lead them to the open polished wooden door.

The restaurant had a homey dainty country house aesthetic— wood, white laced mantles and table cloths, pink, yellow, and white flowers.

Nilagpasan nila ang ilang mga mesa bago narating ang bakante nalapit sa veranda. Stacey wanted to experience al fresco set-up at the front yard. Pero lahat ng mesa roon ay pinuwestuhan na ng mga customers.

After they made their orders, Stacey eyed on Renante.

Pinapakiramdaman pa rin niya ang lalaki. The top buttons of his midnight blue shirt were already undone. His jet black hair, slightly tousled.

“Are you sure about the wine? You’ll be driving later.”

“Malapit lang ang ida-drive ko mamaya. Isa pa, who gets drunk over a glass or two of wine?” he cocked his head to the side.

“I want to say something.”

“Go on,” he stared at her so intently. It’s confusing Stacey if she should think it’s hot or dangerous. Renante’s gaze could mean a lot of things when they are this intense.

“It’s about earlier,” patuloy niya. “Please, don’t get the wrong idea.”

“Wrong idea about what? Piccollo already explained it to me. Wala ka namang kinontra sa mga sinabi niya. So what can I misinterpret from that?”

“I want to make sure.” Tinatagan ni Stacey ang sarili. “Kasi, alam ko, nung Saturday, nabanggit mo na sa akin na ayaw mong umaaligid sa akin si Piccollo.” She took in a deep breath. She paused to let him react. Pero nakatitig lang sa kanya si Renante, naghihintay sa susunod niyang sasabihin. Ni hindi ito nag sa kinauupuan. “I just want you to know that, I am not doing this intentionally. Akala ko, si Kylie lang ang makaka-meet ko kanina.”

“I know.”

She almost sighed in relief. But not yet.

“Kung ganoon… bakit ganyan ang mood mo?”

Nagsalubong ang mga kilay nito.

“Hindi maganda ang mood mo. Walang lambing sa pagbati mo sa akin kanina. At Sondra’s, you didn’t even take any second or third glances at me.”

“You know why I brought you here in this public place?” Renante sat straight. “So that you’ll communicate to me. Kung doon tayo sa bahay kumain, magpapakiramdaman lang tayo. At least in here, you won’t be scared that I’ll be mad. Because you know that I don’t like making such a scandal in public places.”

Nagbaba siya ng tingin.

“Just like you, I don’t want to get any wrong ideas. So, I thought of this. Of having dinner here.”

Pigil ni Stacey ang paghinga.

“Pero hindi maaalis ng mga paliwanag ninyo itong pagkaaburido ko.” His eyes narrowed at her. “You are so willing to help that Brocolli-Head with his business. Pero nung hiningi ko ang tulong mo para sa VVatch—” He sighed and winced. “I just feel that it’s so unfair.”

Napatitig siya rito. Nag-alala siya sa pagguhit ng sakit sa mga mata nito. Sa paghigpit ng mga panga na tila nagpipigil, nagkokontrol ng sarili.

Kumapit si Stacey ng mahigpit sa magkabilang tuhod sa ilalim ng bilugang dining table. She inhaled through her nose sharply.

“I’m sorry.” She meant it, so much it powdered her heart. “Umiwas lang ako sa collab na nire-request mo kasi…”

He waited.

This must be the point of no return.

“Kasi…” humigpit ang kapit niya sa magkabilang tuhod. “Wala na ang Hibla. Hindi na ako ang may-ari ng… ng company.”

Lalong naningkit ang mga mata nito sa kanya.

“I sold the company months ago.”

“You refused to help me so I won’t find this out,” he stated gravely, not asked.

“Oo,” matatag niyang amin, handa sa anumang magiging reaksyon nito.

“At ayaw mong malaman ko ito pero okay lang na alam nila Piccollo?”

“Hindi rin alam ni Piccollo. Akala niya, nag-leave ako kaya nakapunta ako sa Sondra’s kanina.”

Mataman na naman siya nitong tinitigan sa mga mata. Sigurado siyang nag-aanalisa na naman ang lalaki.

“Ayoko malaman mo kasi baka mag-worry ka,” patuloy niya. Pinipigilan niya ang bugso ng damdamin. “Namomoroblema ka na sa VVatch. I don’t want you to think na hindi mo ako masasandalan kapag kailangan mo dahil wala na akong kinikita. Na wala na akong negosyo.”

He kept listening to her. His other hand rested on the table all this time. As she glanced, she saw his clenched fist tightened.

“Ayoko dumagdag sa pasanin mo, sa mga inaalala mo. Plano ko na rin naman mag-start ng panibagong business, eh. Kaya nga nakipag-meet ako kanina kay Kylie. Gusto niya ako sumali sa start-up ng business ni Piccollo. But I refused. Pagbibigay ng advice tungkol sa negosyo na lang ang inambag ko sa kanila. I refused kasi alam ko, sasama ang loob mo. You’re not comfortable when Piccollo is around me, so I have to respect that. So, I am not working on a business with him.”

His eyes dragged heavily down to her chest then back into her eyes.

Hay, wala pa ring nagbabago sa mood ng lalaki.

“Renante, come on,” she took his clenched fist, leaned closer to the table to capture his eyes with hers and lock their gazes. “Say something naman.”

“I’m pretty tired from work,” he groaned. He exchanged places with her hand. “A massage might get my good mood back, Stace.”

Kung kanina, kamay niya ang nakapatong dito, humalili na sa ibabaw ang kanina’y nakakamaong kamay ni Renante.

He slipped his fingers and pressed them against her palm.

She sighed in relief and smiled.

“A massage then,” nahihimasmasang ngiti niya sa nobyo.

He smiled back. A dangerous glint shone in his eyes.

.

.

ARTEMIA SAT ON THE BAR STOOL. She wore a pair of camouflage pants that fitted her legs and a small white shirt with cut-off sleeves. Pumunta ang ginang sa isang restobar na nakapwesto sa penthouse ng isang commercial building.

Some of its narrow bar tables were placed against the glass walls, providing clients with the view of the city’s glittering lights while having drinks.

Doon mismo nakaharap ang ginang, sa glamorosong view ng siyudad ng manila. One of Manila’s finest, its skyline and the bustling city.

Yet, Artemia ignored the beauty of it all once she started drinking. She was already in her second bottle when her thoughts went deeper.

It’s no use. Stacey doesn’t give a fuck about my beef with Luz. So, I bet, even if I try to tell Luz’ son about it, he won’t make a big deal of it as well.

Napabuntong-hininga ito. Napailing.

She almost hugged the long-necked bottle of beer. Nakatukod sa mesa ang kanyang mga siko at pinatong na ni Aetemia ang baba sa kamay na tinakip niya sa nguso ng bote.

Her eyes blankly stared far away, the low yellow lights of the restobar reflected by her lifeless eyes.

Kung gugustuhin ng dalawa magpakasal, wala na akong magagawa kundi hayaan sila.

In that case, Luz wins.

It even seems like… she already got my daughter’s affection as well…

The lights reflected in her eyes slightly fuzzed. Pinigilan niyang maiyak.

Mapipilitan akong makisama sa demonyitang iyon.

Pinanghihinaan ng loob na napayuko si Artemia.

“Oh. This is so unfairrr,” she groaned.

 Ilang minuto siyang ganoon nang maramdaman ang presensya sa katabing upuan.

Tumuwid agad siya ng upo at nilingon ang katabi.

On his side of the bar table, he put his short glass of iced beer.

Naningkit ang mga mata ni Artemia, pinilit kilalanin ang lalaki bago naalala kung sino ito.

“Oh, it’s you,” she behaved.

The young bachelor turned to her with a knowing grin.

He looked so simple in his jeans and green black-striped t-shirt. His tousled jet-black hair was enough giveaway that he just got out of bed or something like that.

Basta hindi man lang ito nag-abalang mag-ayos.

“Yes, Tita Artemia. What’s your emergency?”

Kahit kailan, hindi nawala ang pagiging cowboy ng kanyang kausap. There was always a touch of lightness and humor with this Guillermo Cereza.

“Well, Guillermo,” harap ni Artemia ng pagkakaupo sa binata. “Matagal akong wala sa Pilipinas. I want you to tell me everything you know regarding my daughter and the Villaluz clan.”

Tumaas ang sulok ng labi nito. “It might be a long story. Get your pockets ready. Dahil sagot mo lahat ng rounds.”

Artemia scoffed. This kid knows how to tickle her challenge-hungry bone as well. How she loved being challenged, even if it is through something as small as paying for all the rounds of drinks they’ll be having.

“No problem,” ngiti ni Artemia rito.