"WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU?" singhap ni Luz nang salubungin ang anak na si Ronnie.

Nagmamadali ang mga lakad ng lalaki, kagagaling lang nito sa opisina. He abruptly stopped when Luz blocked his way. She immediately cupped his face and checked the bruise close to his cheek bone.

"Diyos ko, Ronnie!" nag-aalalang salo ng ginang sa mga mata ng lalaki. "Saan nanggaling ang pasa mo?"

It was truly a shock for Mrs. Villaluz. Hindi pa nito nakikitang nagkapasa ng ganito ang anak. Mabuti sana kung sa tuhod o binti, pero hindi. Sa mukha ito napuruhan.

"Nasaan si Renante?" nagtitimpi nitong anas.

"Oh, hindi pa umuuwi ang kapatid mo," layo ng babae rito. "May kinalaman ba siya sa nangyari diyan sa mukha mo?"

Ronnie winced. "He just decided to smash my face on the table."

"Oh no," sunod agad ng ginang sa anak nang lagpasan nito. "Don't tell me, magsusumbong ka pa sa Dad ninyo. Alam mo naman siguro kung ano ang nangyayari sa pagitan nila. Please, don't add something that will make your Dad more upset of your brother."

Nakuyom na lang ni Ronnie ang mga kamao.

"Renante had always been reserved, patient and well-calculated. Pero ang mga inaasal niya ngayon... they just showed that he's already at his breaking point." He turned to their mother. "We can make Renante immobile for years, but once he's had enough, nothing going to stop him."

Binalik nito sa harap ang tingin. "At ang Stacey na iyon ang nagpapalakas sa loob ni Renante para ituloy-tuloy ang pagkalaban sa atin."

Nalilitong tumakbo ang isip ni Luz. Napahawak ito sa braso ng anak.

"But Ronnie, what if we look at it in a different way? Na hindi pagkalaban sa inyo at sa VMMS ang pagsasariling negosyo ng kapatid mo? Can we just stop involving personal problems with business matters just to justify how you're feeling for Renante, right now?"

Ronnie gave her a glare. "Bakit hindi? Eh ang personal na hinanakit niya sa amin ang ginagamit niyang fuel para kalabanin kami! I've done everything I could to help, Renante. Pero minamasama niya! I tried to be this neutral force between him and Dad but—"

Luz sighed. "Just like what you said, when Renante had enough, nothing's going to stop him. So, why don't we just let him be?"

"But that Stacey."

"Sino ba itong Stacey na ito? Pangalawang banggit mo na sa babaeng iyan?" bahagyang nagtaas ang tono ng ginang. She was only carried away by worry.

"Why don't you ask Renante?" anas nito bago iniwanan ang ginang. Pinanhik ng galit na lalaki ang grand stairs.

Napapailing na sinundan ito ng tingin ni Luz.

.

.

BUMABA AGAD NG KOTSE SI RENANTE. Inunahan niya si Stacey sa pagbukas ng pinto nito. Hindi niya masyadong napansin ang gulat sa mga mata ng dalaga. He readily offered his hand to help her get out. Habang inaasiste ang dalaga sa pagbaba, dumulas ang kamay niya sa siko nito, dahilan para mahila ito palapit sa kanya.

Stacey lifted her eyes on him. And their locked gazes flooded him with feelings.

Nagbalik sa kanya ang matinding pag-aalala nung natanaw ito sa café na nakikipagbuno kay Marty. Humalo ang magandang ngiti ng dalaga nung alukin siya nito ng pakikipagkamay pagkatapos um-attend ng Easter Sunday mass. The warmth of her skin relived the nights they shared something so physical... so intimate.

He slowly stepped back, shaking the thoughts off of his mind. Tiyak niyang marami nang isipin si Stacey ngayon. Ayaw na niyang makigulo pa roon.

Nagbaba saglit ng tingin ang dalaga, inaayos nito ang pagkakasabit ng blazer at bag sa braso at balikat. "Thank you sa paghatid."

"Paano iyan? Naiwanan mo sa office ang kotse mo?" salo niya sa mga mata nito. "Gusto mo bang ihatid kita sa trabaho bukas?"

Napailing ito. He felt his heart sink a little. Parang pagtanggi ang senyales ng pag-iwas nito ng tingin sa kanya.

"Huwag na siguro," malumanay nitong ngiti sa kanya.

At pinalagpas na ni Renante ang dalaga. Sinara niya ang pinto ng kotse at umikot par asana okupahin ulit ang driver's seat. Yet he turned his head toward her direction. Nakita niya ang dahan-dahang paglakad ng dalaga patungo sa gate ng bungalow na tinitirahan.

He placed a hand over the car's roof. As he watched their distance grow further, he felt an ache he could not explain. Nagbabalik sa kanya ang nangyari noon sa ospital. Ang pag-aakala niyang magkikita pa sila pero hindi pala. Huling pagpapakita na pala iyon ng dalaga.

His hand slowly formed into a fist. Why he was suddenly feeling a struggle, he could not explain.

As a man, he was ready to wait for the right time. It had always been his belief, that patience is a virtue and everything has its right timing.

And this feeling in the midst of their chaotic situation was not supposed to be bred. Tulad ng isang halaman, mahirap magsimula ng pagpapalaki kung hindi pa naaangkop ang environment para rito.

But at the same time, don't trees just drop their fruits too early or too late? Don't they drop their seeds in unlikely places and still thrive?

Was his feelings for Stacey strong enough to strive this merciless world? Their problematic situation?

Stacey has already stepped in the gate when Renante slammed the door close.

Damn, he couldn't. He couldn't just watch her walk away, ending their night like this.

He made a sprint for it. He jumped the biggest risk of his life.

Gulat na napasinghap ang dalaga nang hilain niya ito paharap sa kanya.

Her hands immediately grabbed on his strongs arms out of fear that she might get off balanced.

She met his dark gaze with a questioning look. And he answered by lunging for her lips.

What if Stacey lied to him again? What if Stacey decided to leave him again?

What if being with Stacey put him in more dangers untold?

The fuck he cared.

Just a brush of her lips on him would be enough to make it all worth it— being lied to, being left, to beg, to chase, to compromise, to put himself in danger.

Sinandal niya ito sa gilid ng gate. Hindi kumilos ang mga labi ng dalaga, bakas ang pag-aalangan nang humiwalay siya para pagmasdan ang reaksyon nito. Little pants escaped from his lips before he tried again, this time, he drew his face slowly close to hers. His eyes shifted between her eyes and lips, in sync with the nervous beating of his expectant heart.

Nang muling lumapat ang mga labi niya rito, doon na siya nito hinawakan sa mga pisngi.

They began kissing. His heart like rain drops pit pattering against his chest. They trickle tension. He wanted their kiss to be more than a kiss. He wanted to go further with her. He wanted to show his submission by providing her pleasure.

Would Stacey allow him that? Would Stacey let him?

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STACEY STOPPED BREATING. The moment Renante's lips crushed against hers, she was beyond belief. Mariin siyang pumikit para indahin ang dahas ng mga labi nito. She felt her back against the gate. Unti-unti niyang pinakawalan ang pinipigilang hininga nang humiwalay ang mga labi ng binata sa kanya.

He eyed on her, and Stacey could sense his worry.

Pero nababasa rin ba ni Renante sa mga mata niya ang pag-aalangan.

Para saan ang halik na ito?

Umuurong na naman ba ang lalaki matapos nitong mag-initiate ng ganito?

Handa na siyang madismaya. Handa na siya sa tuluyan nitong pag-atras sabay hingi ng patawad sa kapangahasan nito. Sabay bawi sa ginawa nitong paghalik.

Her heart pounded louder as he drew his face closer to her.

Damn, she was wrong. He was going in for another kiss to prove her fears wrong.

This was not making sense, the way their love story unfolds didn't follow the conventional type. Walang pormal na ligawan o hintayan. Walang kahit ano na tatanguan ng lipunang may mataas na standards.

Pero ano ang laban niya sa pagsusumamo ng mga mata nito? She would be a hypocrite to deny that she was still feeling the same for Renante. That no matter what had happened before, she was already too deep into this love, she could not help just setting it all aside. To just forgive. To just forget.

And how could she even deny it? Her eyes were giving away how she was feeling.

Pigil niya ang pagluluha ng mga mata nang muling dumampi ang mga labi ng binata sa kanya. She finally cupped his face to pull him deeper into their kisses. Their kisses pulled their bodies closer. Stacey was almost gasping on his lips as their bodies slightly brush against each other. Dama niya ang paghigpit ng mga kamay ni Renante sa kanyang braso. She could not help moaning against his lips.

Hindi nalalayo sa oras na nangyari ang halikan ang pagbagsak niya sa kama.

Habol niya ang hininga, pinapanood si Renante na nakatayo sa dulo ng kama. His hands moved frantically, rushing the unbuttoning of his shirt, followed by the swish of his leather belt being pulled off. Habang naglalaban ang mga mata nila, kumikilos na rin ang mga kamay ni Stacey.

Hinila niya paitaas ang blouse, naiwan ang bra na hindi na pumapantay ang cup sa dibdib niya. Bago pa kasi sila nakarating ni Renante sa kwarto, marami nang pinagdaanan ang mga kamay nito sa kanyang katawan. She reached for her pants, lifted her hips to pull it down.

But Renante got ahead of her. Ito ang marahas na humila pahubad sa kanyang pantalon. She tossed her bra somewhere.

Mabilis itong pumatong sa kanya. So, unfair, because he only unbuttoned his pants but did not take them off yet. Their lips met again and she welcomed them torridly. Napatingala siya nang maramdaman ang paglilikot ng kamay nito. Stacey could not help sighing at the pleasure his fingers gave when they stroked her slit against the smooth satin fabric of her panties.

Kasabay niyon ang pagdausdos ng mainit nitong mga labi sa gilid ng kanyang leeg.

Her hands weakly stroked his hard biceps, running up and down as their bodies began grinding.

Stacey felt her nipple harden as they rubbed against his hard chest.

Renante positioned his lips close to her ear. "Tell me how you want me to please you, and I will give you that... huwag ka lang umalis ulit, Stacey... huwag ka lang ulit lumayo sa akin..."

Inihilig niya ang ulo para masalo ang madamdamin nitong titig.

Dama niya ang paghagod ng kamay nito sa hulma ng kanyang bewang. Nag-aabang pa rin ang lalaki sa mga sasabihin niya.

"All I want to know is if this is for real," mahina niyang bulong dito bago bumaba sa mga labi ng binata ang kanyang titig. "Dahil ayokong umasa na naman sa iyo, Renante... Ano ang laban ko sa tagal ng taon na minahal mo ang ibang tao kahit nandito lang ako sa tabi mo?"

She could feel tears beading her eyes.

"It's not about how long," he replied huskily, staring deeply into her eyes. "It's about how strong a feeling is... and I will make you feel how empowering loving you makes me feel, Stace."

He leaned on his elbow and dipped his head to reach her lips. Muli silang nagpalitan ng uhaw na halikan. Stacey arched her body to press against his', while Renante clung one of her thighs over his hip. Dahan-dahang umahon ang binata. He remained on top of her, one of his hands reaching for his pants to pull it down. Siyang abala naman ng mga kamay niya sa pagdama sa mga braso nitong matitigas, sa dibdib na pumipintig.

Their lips slowly parted, eyes gazing into each other as Renante parted her legs wider. Napasinghap siya at sumilip sa baba. She watched him rubbing his length against the part of her panties where her slit was. Bumabakas sa tela niyon ang pamamasa niya.

Hinawi niya ang tela at sinilid sa loo bang kahabaan nito.

"A-Ah... Ah..." daing niya sa unti-unting pagdiin ng ulo nito sa hiwa niya.

She gripped tightly on his arms. "Renante..."

Siyang higpit ng isa nitong kamay sa kanyang balakang. Tumulak ang balakang nito pasulong. Dahan-dahan... kaya nanuot sa kanya ang pagkiskis ng kahabaan nito. She felt her slit and walls stretch to accommodate his thickness.

Stacey could melt right now at the sweet erotic torture in Renante's eyes. Alam niyang gusto nitong sumagad agad, pero kailangan kontrolin ang sarili para hindi siya masaktan.

"Ah... Ah..." paglilikot ng katawan niya.

Oh, God. He was getting deeper. Deeper and deeper...

She heard his sigh in relief when when finally shoved his whole length deeply.

Her eyes widened at the jolt of pleasure. Binigla siya nito sa huling pag-usad. Manginig-nginig siya sa pagsalpok nito pasagad. She could feel herself grew wetter. Her body arching as Renante lowered his head to catch her lips. His hand positioned between her thighs. Pinulupot nito ang bahagi ng panty niya sa kamao nito bago marahas na binatak para mapigtal.

They shared a slow kiss as he toss her panties aside.

Inayos ng lalaki ang pagkakaposisyon sa ibabaw niya. At doon na nagtuloy-tuloy ang pag-angkin sa kanya nito. Muling naglapat ang mga katawan nila, kumiskis sa isa't isa. He pulled her legs to embrace her waists and began pounding her. His hands roaming around her body, sliding along her back, catching her ass and giving it a good squeeze.

Tuluyan na siyang napangiti sa luwalhating hatid ng pakikipagniig dito.

She parted her legs wider for him to drill her relentlessly. Kasabay ng pag-alog ng kama ang pag-inog ng mundo sa paligid nila. All her soft eyes could see clearly was Renante, suppressing his urge to groan and grunt and moan. The hunger in his eyes encouraged her to grab his waists. Siya mismo ang humila-hila sa bewang ng binata para bilisan pa ang pag-ulos sa kanya.

"S-Stace!" bigay nito, bumilis ang kilos ng lalaki.

Napahablot siya sa bedsheet. "Ah! Ah! Ah!"

He positioned higher, lifting her hips along before pounding her.

"R-Renante!" ungol niya na sinundan ng putol-putol na paghabol ng hininga.

She clutched on his butt, her body bouncing as he continued jackhammering her. Hindi niya mapigilan ang patuloy na pamamasa, ang panunuot ng sarap na unti-unting nagpapapintig sa bawat himaymay ng kanyang katwan, nagpapapintig sa kanyang puson, at puso at mga sentido.

"Oh!" nasasarapang pikit niya, nakagat ang pang-ibabang labi nang ikiskis ni Renante ang kahabaan iba't ibang anggulo bago siya nito ginilingan ng pabaon.

"Y-Yes..." her hands weakly scratched from his butt up to his back.

And the night went on and on.