Through Secrets Unveiled

Chapter Twenty-Nine - About Last Night . . .

"SOMEONE DOESN'T WANT TO TAKE AN EXTRA MILE, that's why we're getting nowhere."

Pabalik-balik si Renante sa sinabi ni Stacey habang nag-aalmusal sila. That was already a few hours ago. Right now, he was in front of his laptop, inside the room he uses in Stacey's bungalow home.

Pagkatapos nila mag-almusal, nagpaalam ang dalaga na aalis. She said she needed to shop for some clothes. Gusto nitong maging kaaya-aya sa paningin ni Pierre Gallardo kapag nagkita sila. Hindi na niya kinontra pa ang dalaga dahil baka may idagdag na naman sa pagpaparinig nitong hindi siya marunong mag-take ng extra mile.

Geez. Renante knows how to take an extra mile. He went all the way from Manila to Rizal for her. He climbed that killer mountain there. He went through dangers untold for her.

In fact, he shouldn't be working on Sundays. Pero heto at nasa harap siya ng laptop. Hindi naman nagrereklamo si Renante o anuman. Kapag start-up talaga ng isang negosyo, inaasahan na niya ang ganito. Na kulang pa ang bente-kwatro oras at ang Monday to Friday para matapos ang mga ta-trabahuin.

Renante did everyone's job during the weekends. He reviews the financial reports and double checks the HR-related files. Aside from that, he was closely monitoring the progress of their production. Tsinetsek din niya ang sales nila gamit ang online shop ng VVatch.

At kung may matitira pa siyang oras, pakalat-kalat siya sa internet. Sa mga social media sites. Tumitingin-tingin siya ng mga trending na disenyo ng relo. Kumukuha siya ng inspirasyon mula sa mga sumisikat sa pop culture. Then, he would relay his ideas to Paige. And if Paige comes up with a creative design for that idea, that's when a design is born.

Nasa kalagitnaan si Renante nang pagtse-tsek sa online shop nang matigilan.

He remembered Stacey and suddenly felt guilty.

He should be making time for her, not waiting for his schedules to clear up so he can have time with her. Sure, they went to a dinner last night. Pero iba pa rin iyong quality time na silang dalawa lang ang magkasama.

Isinara ni Renante ang laptop. Ang paalam ng dalaga, pupunta ito sa isang mall. Alam niya ang mall na iyon dahil iyon ang pinakamalapit sa tinitirahan nila ngayon. He freshened up and got dressed.

A few minutes later, the house and gate were locked. Lulan na si Renante ng kanyang itim na sasakyan, papunta sa mall.

.

.

SAMANTALA, marami nang nakasampay na naka-hanger na damit sa kaliwang braso ni Stacey.

She held her smartphone on her right hand, listening to Kylie during their phone call.

"Sige na naman, Kylie. Hindi mo na nga ako sinipot kagabi sa Sondra's, eh," pangungulit niya sa kaibigan.

Piccollo and I just pulled an all-night last night. Through video-chat, actually. He bugged me about designing a photo he can post online, something na pang-ads. That he's looking for drivers para sa logistics business na gagawin niya. Sumakit ang ulo ko kaka-debate sa kanya, kaya, Stace, I really... can't.

She took in a deep breath. Very carefully. Ayaw niyang marinig ni Kylie ang pagbuntonghininga niya at ma-guilty pa ito na hindi siya sinamahan.

"I see," ngiti niya dahil gumaan kahit paano ang pakiramdam niya nang malamang rasonable ang hindi pagsipot sa kanya ni Kylie kagabi. "Sige na. Magbawi ka na ng tulog mo riyan."