Through Secrets Unveiled

Chapter Thirteen - Second Secret Unveiled

LUZ MOTIONED HER HAND TOWARD THE SOFA, OFFERING HER A SEAT. Nang makitang paupo sa kabilang dulo niyon ang ginang, tumalima siya agad.

Dinampot ni Stacey ang mga paper bag at iginitna ang mga iyon bago umupo sa dulo ng sofa. She tilted her body, facing Luz. Samantala, nilapag ng ginang ang pocketbook nito sa mesita bago umayos ng upo. Her glance at the paper bags were short. Dumaan lang ang mga mata nitong sa kanya talaga sadyang tumingin.

"This is about what happened the last time," walang paligoy-ligoy niyang saad.

"For a second, I thought you will stand firm about what you said that day," hilig nito ng ulo. "I never expected that you'll apologize for it."

"I still stand by it," paglilinaw niya. But this time, Stacey's tone was more compassionate, compared to their last meeting. "But the way I said it... I should have said those things better. Or..." she wasn't sure what word fit best, "kinder." For growing up independent, Stacey was conditioned to have this pride. Now she had to swallow it. "That's what I am apologizing for."

Gumawi sa ibang direksyon ang tingin ng ginang. Something was definitely running at the back of her mind, it kept Stacey on her toes.

Luz, for some reason, was so hard to read.

Her name meant light, but never shed any of that on her actions and expressions. Malumanay ito. Maingat. Which she didn't expect. Because Luz had been quite loud on their last meeting. Expressive. Reactive.

In her own space, Luz was comfortable.

So, is this who she is?

A quiet, mild-mannered woman who moved like a gentle breeze? A still water in perfect equilibrium?

"Well, I am considering your apology," nasa malayo pa rin ang tingin nito. "I understand how we tend to react when we are being defensive."

Defensive? Paano'ng-?

"I am not a fool, Stacey," Luz turned to her, eyes were soft yet chilling. "No matter how hard they tried to be careful, nauulinigan ko sa mga staff ng Hibla na... hindi na raw ikaw ang may-ari niyon?"

She froze on her seat.

"I also visited their website. Walang trace ng pangalan mo roon," komportableng sumandal ito ng patagilid sa mababang backrest ng sofa. Luz placed a thigh atop another then locked them in place with her hands down on top of her right knee. "Tell me, Stace, what is the truth about all of this?"

Stacey took in a deep breath. She got used to resorting to lying to make things easier instead of arguing to prove her point. Since no one believed her when she tells the truth. She lies tl protect herself. To avoid hurting the people around her. To keep things normal and uncomplicated.

But she was already cornered.

If she lies to someone who already knows the truth like Luz? She was fooling no one here but herself.

Inamin ni Stacey ang lahat sa ginang tungkol sa Hibla.

"Huwag ho muna sanang makarating ito kay Renante." Iyon lang ang kanyang pakiusap.

"That's really odd. How can you manage to keep this from my son?" naghalo ang pagtataka at pagkamangha sa mukha ng ginang. "He really trusts you an awful lot, no?"

Nagbaba ng tingin si Stacey. Sa mga sinabi ni Luz, lalo lang siya nakonsensya.

Pagkatapos ng pinagdaanan nila noon ni Renante tungkol sa stalker, she promised to change. Titigilan na niya ang pagsisinungaling. But that was only easier said than done. Lalo na kung ang nakataya ay ang kaligayahan at kapanatagan ni Renante. He had been through so much because of her. Ayaw niyang maramdaman ni Renante na wala siyang ibang hatid dito kundi hindi mabatid na panganib. Problema. Gulo.