Through Secrets Unveiled

Chapter Twenty-Six - Dinner

HE PULLED OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF HIS CUMMING. It meant one thing for Stacey— hindi pa handang magkaanak si Renante.

Maybe, he considered, knowing that she will be okay with or without a baby. But he suddenly changed his mind.

Nilingon ni Stacey si Renante. Ito ang nagmamaneho sa pulang Corvette papunta sa mansyon ng mga Villaluz.

Habang nakatitig kay Renante, hindi niya mapigilang balikan ang nangyari.

I guess, he has a point. Mas makabubuti sa anak namin kung kasal na kami bago namin siya mabuo... hindi ba?

Renante stole a swift glance at her. As his eyes returned on the road, a smile lifted the right corner of his lips. Inisahang kamay nito ang hawak sa manibela para abutin ng isa pa ang kanyang kamay mula sa pagkakapatong sa kandong niyang hand bag.

"Nervous?"

Umiling siya nang kaunti.

"Hindi naman."

"I know her best, so trust me, okay?" With 'her', Renante meant his mother, Luz. "Let me take charge when she starts asking questions."

Humigpit ang kamay ni Renante kaya hinigpitan din ni Stacey ang pagkakahawak dito.

"Yes."

She said yes so swift. In a heartbeat. Three years in a relationship and Stacey already trusted Renante this much. This much she would not think twice of relying almost everything to him.

Masayang binalik ni Stacey sa harap ang tingin.

Nang marating ang tahanan ng mga Villaluz, katulong ang sumalubong sa kanila ni Renante. The maid guided them to the dining room, daintily decorated in white and porcelain-vased bouquet of white calla lilies with white petal, yellow centered daisies. Puti ang mga pinggan na naka-set sa mesa. Transparent ang mga tall glass at wine glass. Puti ang table napkins na may silver outlines habang silverware naman ang gagamiting kubyertos.

"Napaaga yata tayo," nangingiting lingon niya kay Renante. Wala pa kasing katao-tao sa dining room.

Renante turned to the maid. "Where's everybody?"

"Si Sir Ronnie, nag-aayos pa sa kwarto niya. Nasa kitchen si Ma'am Luz kasama si Ate Mariela, hinahanda ang mga pagkain. Si Sir Ronaldo naman po, ayaw magpa-istorbo sa office room niya."

Renante nodded and turned to her, giving her a look that says 'Well, I hope that answers our question.'

Pagkaalis ng katulong para tumulong sa kusina, roon na nagsalita si Stacey.

"So, wala pa pala si Paige rito."

"Yes."

Pumihit si Renante paalis ng dining area. Kinawit ni Stacey ang braso sa isang braso nito.

They walked.

"Malapit na mag-seven, at nandito pa rin si Ronnie. Meaning, hindi niya susunduin si Paige?"

"That's most likely." Natunugan agad ni Renante ang pagsususpetsa niya sa loob-loob. He really knew her so well. "I don't think, we need to know their reasons. It's their own relationship we should not meddle with."

"I don't intend to meddle. I am just curious," depensa ni Stacey. Come on. This is a special night. Bakit hindi man lang masundo ni Ronnie ang girlfriend niya at dalhin dito?

Renante took Stacey to the table set in the veranda. His hand carefully stroked her lower waist as he pulled her toward a seat.

Dama ni Stacey ang maingat na pagkiskis ng palad ni Renante sa makintab na tela ng kanyang maroon one-shoulder knee-length dress na patagilid ang tabas ng palda.