HINDI MALAMAN NI RENANTE KUNG NGINGITI O ANO. He was surprised. Malayo pa lang, natanaw na si Stacey nito. Halos magkandarapa sa pagtayo ang lalaki mula sa kinauupuan nang makalapit siya.
“Boo, what brings you here?”
She was pinching her shoulder bag’s strap, shifting her eyes between Renante and the woman he was with. Hindi man lang tumayo ang babae para batiin siya. She only glanced at them, then remained unbothered as her point finger moved across the tablet she was cradling with her other hand.
Pinukol ulit ni Stacey ang tingin kay Renante.
Damn. He’s so gorgeous in his tight pants and black button-down shirt with red patterns and sleeves folded on his elbows.
“Oh, I was about to go. Katatapos lang ng meeting ko rito. You are having your meetings at coffee shops now?”
Ngumiti ito. “Yes, Boo. This the nearest midpoint for VVatch and Gallardo’s company.”
She cocked her head to the side. Interested. “Gallardo?”
“Pierre Gallardo. Siya na ang presidente ng sewing factory nila.”
Pierre Gallardo. It took her some time to remember their college batchmate. Nung freshmen pa lang sila, nasa ikatlong-taon na nito sa kolehiyo si Pierre. Sikat si Pierre Gallardo dahil bukod sa alam ng lahat na apo ito ng pamosong fashion designer at founder ng sewing factory ng kanilang angkan na si Vicente Gallardo, aktibo rin ito sa unibersidad. Nakikipagkarerahan ito sa dean’s list at tinitilian ng mga babae tuwing may basketball competitions. Lalong dumami pa ang naghahabol dito mapa-freshman hanggang senior dahil masyadong mabait. He had this image of a role model, an ideal man.
Kaya hindi nakakapagtakang sineryoso nito ang pagta-trabaho sa kanilang kompanya. Sa factory. Hindi nakakapagtakang presidente na ito ng kumpanya ng mga Gallardo na nasa Muntinlupa raw ang main building.
“But he’s from far south!” Stacey gasped. “Mas malayo ang biyahe niya kaysa sa’yo!”
Mahina itong natawa. “Well, what a shame but what can I say? Mas willing mag-adjust ang mga taga-South kaysa sa atin na taga-Northern Manila, eh?” he shrugged playfully.
“So, he agreed that you’ll meet him here?” She was already worrying for Pierre Gallardo. Matindi pa naman ang traffic sa Manila.
“Ah, nope. Representative ng company nila ang pupunta rito. Also his secretary.”
Tumango-tango siya. Of course. If you are already in a big company, you send out representatives. When you are on the start-up stage, you do most of the work.
Medyo naawa tuloy si Stacey kay Renante. Hindi man aminin o ireklamo ng lalaki, alam niyang napapagod din ito sa trabaho.
“So…” she lowered her tone, shyly smiled at him. “How are you?”
His eyes flirted with her. A smile hinted at the corners of his lips.
“I’m great right now. I’m pretty—” he finally showed a smirk, “—inspired. How about you, Miss?”
Napabungisngis siya pero pinigilan din iyon agad. She was smiling when the corner of her eye caught Renante’s company.
“Oh, she’s?” turo ng paningin niya sa babae.
He looked at the woman over his shoulder swiftly. Then back at her as he gestured a hand at his company.
“Ah, this is Paige Uychengco, consultant at designer ng VVatch.”
Paige took it as her cue. She stood up, poised, well-mannered and cold, mirroring a skillfully sculpted Greek statue.
“Hi, I’m Paige,” walang kabuhay-buhay nitong bati sabay lahad ng kamay sa kanya.
BINABASA MO ANG
Through Secrets Unveiled
Ficción General[ Manila's Finest Series # 3] [ Wattpad Version ] ••• Rated SPG - R18+ When revelation comes, denial follows.
