Through Secrets Unveiled

Chapter Twenty-One - Welcome to VVatch

"A MASSAGE THEN," Stacey promised to Renante.

Pagkatapos nila kumain sa restaurant, mabilis silang bumalik ni Renante sa tinitirahan. Pagkababa ng kotse, pagkasara ng gate, hindi muna sila agad pumirmi sa loob ng bahay.

Instead, Renante invited her to lie down at the front hood of his car. Kumuha lang sila ng isang manipis na puting kumot panlatag. Stacey took a beige zippered jacket to cover her bare arms and shoulders.

Past the mango tree with leaves and branches almost hanging overhead, bright dots of stars managed to peek through. Sa bandang kanan ng bakuran na hindi na abot ng puno, malinaw nilang napapanood ang pagkalat ng mga bituin sa madilim na kalangitan. The con, though, was the bright light post that contrasted the view.

Kaya naman kinontento na lang nila ang sarili sa pagtingala. Sa uluhan nila, mas madilim ang kalangitan, hindi nasasapawan ng liwanag ng poste ng ilaw. At dahil madilim, mas nagniningning ang mga bituin.

Renante held a small plastic bottle of Coke in his left hand. Medyo nakalaylay iyon sa gilid ng kinauupuang hood ng kotse.

Si Stacey naman, naglublob ng lemon tea bag sa mainit na tubig ng hawak na puting mug.

Naunang nangalay si Renante kaya habang umiinom ng Coke, sa kanya nakatutok ang mga mata nito.

"What interests you now?"

"Hmm?" tingin ni Stacey dito.

Hindi naman ito natinag nang mahuli niyang nakatitig sa kanya. Her heart thumped as Renante confidently took in her gaze and kept her eyes captured by his'.

"Nagsawa ka na sa woven bags, kaya binenta mo ang Hibla," siguradong wika nito. "So, what interests you now?"

Her boyfriend didn't sound curious. He didn't sound bored either. He just spoke too casually. He looked at her as if there's nothing surprising or special or different with this topic at all.

As if it was nothing of a big deal at all.

"I don't know," she admitted, breaking away from their eye contact.

"You showed up to Kylie and Piccollo earlier," he softened.

"Oo," her tone slightly picked up a pitch, her words raced against her breath. "But I don't even know that Piccollo would be there! Wala rin akong idea no'n sa klase ng negosyong pag-uusapan namin ni Kylie. I figured she'll help me out because she already knows I sold Hibla. Kaya lalo akong napapunta ro'n. I just want to know what the start-up business will be..." She calmed down, catching her breath. "..and if I will be interested in it."

Renante looked away from her, capped his Coke bottle.

"Pero gusto mo pa rin mag negosyo?"

"Of course!" Natigilan siya. Bakit parang ang defensive ng tono niya? Stacey lowered her voice. "Of course."

She cupped the mug with both hands. Tutal, hindi na naman nakakapaso ang init niyon. Nilapit niya ang labi sa mug para lang maramdaman ng kanyang mukha ang init na nagmumula sa tsaa.

"Then, work with me."

Buti hindi pa siya nakainom ng tsaa. Wala pa siyang naiinom nga, nasamid na agad siya sa narinig.

She turned to him, wide-eyed.

"Work with me," ulit nito. His half-closed eyes met her questioning stare.

"With you?"

"Sa VVatch."

Binaba niya sa tabi ang mug.

"What will I do there?"

"You know designs. You'll team-up with Paige. How about that?"

Bumaba sa katabing mug ang tingin ni Stacey. Kinakabahan siya. Isang salita lang kasi ni Renante, walang pagdadalawang-isip na umo-oo siya kaagad. Pero sa hindi malamang dahilan, lumukob sa kanya ang pag-aalinlangan.