Through Secrets Unveiled

Chapter Eighteen - Meetings

“LET’S WAIT FOR PICCOLLO.”

Nasamid saglit si Stacey bago napabulalas.

“Si Piccollo?”

Is that why he called her last Saturday?

Stacey tried her best to contain her emotion, her shock. She appeared calm but already growing anxious deep inside. Iyon ay dahil nag-aalala siya sa magiging reaksyon ni Renante kapag nalamang nakipagkita niya ngayon si Piccollo.

“Yup!” inabala na ulit ni Kylie ang sarili sa pagdo-drawing nito. “He offered me a business partnership! Hindi naman ako masyado maalam sa negosyo na ‘yan kaya naisip kong isali ka na rin!”

“Well, he called me last Saturday night.” Medyo kumalma na rin si Stacey sa loob-loob niya. “Hindi ko nga lang nasagot.”

“Yup. He told me. Kasi nung una tumanggi ako. I suggested na ikaw ang yayain. But!” angat nito ng tingin sa kanya. “Don’t worry. Hindi ko sinabi sa kanya ang tungkol sa Hibla.”

Nangingiting nagpatuloy sa pagdo-drawing si Kylie.

“But you do know that this might put me in trouble, right? Piccollo used to like me.”

“Used to,” Kylie quickly corrected. Her smile slightly faded.

Stacey shrugged. “Well, yes, pero kasi si Renante…” Napailing na lang siya. Napatanaw sa ilang gusali sa labas ng balkonahe.

“Ano pa ba ang ipagseselos ni Renante kay Piccollo?” labi ni Kylie, nasa tablet ang mga mata at abala sa graphic pen ang kamay. “Halos magkasama na nga kayo sa iisang bahay.”

Stacey cocked her head to the side. May mga bagay na hindi pa rin nagbabago kay Kylie. She’s just this type of person who always chose peace. Even if that peace meant getting into an awkward situation. Kylie wasn’t the type who believes that burning bridges solved anything. Nakaisip nga ito ng paraan para magkita-kita noon sa Christmas party ng barkada sila nila Sonny, Maximillian at Renante. Nagkagulo pa dahil masyadong optimistic si Kylie na magkakaayos silang lahat nang ganoon kadali.

“I know,” she took in a deep breath. “But look, Kylie, hindi sa lahat ng oras, payapang paraan ang pipiliin mo. I know, you want us to set aside everything and just be friends. But if Renante is not comfortable with it, I can’t do this business.”

Lumagpas ang tingin niya kay Kylie. At saka lang niya napansin ang presensya ni Piccollo.

He stopped midstep. Babati sana ito nang maunahan niya sa pagsasalita. She told Kylie those things and Piccollo did not even interrupt. He listened up to the very last bit and stayed where he stood.

Now, Stacey could not help feeling guilty about what she just said.

Mabilis siyang tumayo mula sa kinauupuan. Bago pa niya maipaliwanag ang sarili, tinuloy nito ang paglapit sa kanilang mesa.

He gave her a sport smile. “It’s okay.”

He didn’t even have to say he heard everything. Obvious naman.

Tumigil na rin si Kylie sa pagdrawing. Napuno ng pag-aalala ang mukha nito.

Piccollo turned to Kylie. “You don’t have to know a lot about business. I’ll give you instructions about the kind of arts I need for the business.”

Kylie blushed. Embarrassed. “Nakakahiya naman na kailangan mo pa ako, i-guide… It’s just that…” She trailed off and immediately looked away. “I don’t want to be a burden.”

Piccollo pulled a chair beside Kylie and sat. Bumalik na rin si Stacey sa kanyang upuan.

“If you need some advice though, I can help,” alok niya.