NADATNAN SI STACEY NI RENANTE NA NAKAUPO SA SOFA. Her laptop was cradled by her crossed legs. Nakataas sa upuan ang kanyang mga paa at nakasandal ang balakang sa arm rest. Her back hunched a bit, to lower her head and help her see the screen better.

Stacey was already aware of Renante's arrival. Narinig niya ang ingay ng gate sa labas para ipasok sa bakuran at iparada ang sasakyan nito.

As he got in, Stacey granted him a small, welcoming smile. Gumanti ito ng ngiti. He was genuine about it, but could not hide his tiredness.

Renante dropped his laptop bag at the other end of the sofa. He walked past the backrest of the sofa to reach her side. Tiningala niya ang binata nang huminto sa kanyang tabi. Yumuko ito para lapatan siya ng halik sa mga labi.

Then, he eyed on her laptop.

He saw pictures of weaving patterns on the screen.

"Studying new designs?" he loosened the top buttons of his shirt. Renante's eyes were still on her laptop.

"Yes. For you."

Napatingin ito sa kanya. "For me?" he was confused but felt funny about it, having that little chuckle as he talked.

"I want to help. Kahit sa concept man lang ng designs," kilos ng kamay niya sa cursor board para ituloy ang pagtingin-tingin ng mga disenyo sa internet. "There is no need for collaborations or anything. I want to help you not as a business collaborator but as your girlfriend."

He smiled. He really looked tired, physically, and yet he was still generous with those smiles.

"Thank you," he patted her shoulder before giving it a little squeezing massage. "Send mo lang sa akin, Boo. Isa-suggest ko sa meeting ulit namin ni Cherry."

"Cherry?" napatingin siya rito.

"She's Pierre Gallardo's assistant. Siya ang mismong contact person namin pagdating sa collaboration."

"Oh," she returned her eyes on the designs. "Isn't it going to be rude if you'll pick my chosen designs over theirs?"

He just smiled at her. "I don't think so. They might add a little bit of some customization ideas if they like to work on the patterns you showed me."

He had a point. "I agree."

He patted her shoulder. "Enough with that. Let's have dinner first."

Tiniklop niya ang laptop at iniwan iyon sa mesita sa salas. She stood up and hurried to Renante, carressing her hands from the sides of his neck down to his shoulders.

Minasahe niya ang mga balikat nito. "What do you want for dinner?" Nginitian niya ito. Ngiti na nag-aasam. "Gusto mo ba ng feet dip and Netflix?"

He cocked his head to the side, wearing a playful suspicious smirk. "Being so sweet all of a sudden, Boo. So out of character."

Her hand trailed from his left shoulder up to his jaw. Her fingers lightly traced before cradling it.

"You call this sweet already?" she grinned naughtily.

"Yes," swabeng hapit nito sa kanyang bewang para maglapit ang kanilang mga katawan.

This man, always taking her by  and championing it. And each time she falls a victim, her heart pounding excitedly with his every score.

He lowered his head, lips brushing against the side of her face. Stacey lowered her eyes, stared at the blank spot on the shoulder part of his shirt.

"I think it is so sweet of you, Stace, and I like it," he spoke softly, almost a murmur. "But, if you're in the mood to treat me bad and rip my clothes off right here and right now. Go on, Boo."

She gave him a sultry underlook. Who wouldn't be turned on with the idea of ripping Renante Villaluz' clothes off?

"Baka pagod ka sa work," hablot niya sa kwelyuhan ng damit nito. His hands guided her by the waists as she stepped backwards, dragging him by the collar of his shirt.

"The more reason to fuck me, Boo. Ease my mind with your lips—" nakaw nito ng halik kaya kapwa sila napangisi. "Ease my mind with your hips."

Nang marating ang kanyang kwarto, mabilis na kumilos ang kanilang mga kamay. They pulled and tore and took off each other's clothes. Snuck a bit of groping here and there. A few buttons from Renante's shirt tumbled on the floor, his feet kicked off his pants when they pooled around his feet. Stacey's cotton shorts dropped along with her lacy panties, she was braless when Renante forcefully tugged down her loose white spaghetti strap tank top.

He pinched her nipples to pull her close to him.

"R-Renante!" she flushed, when Renante did not just pinch but rolled her nipples with his thumbs and forefingers until she was close enough.

He grabbed her by the waist, embraced her with his arms then bit on her bare shoulder. Napatingala si Stacey, napabuga ng mainit na hininga habang hinahagod-hagod ang hubad na likuran ni Renante. Once her breasts pressed against his hard, warm chest she was swept all over with comfort. A comfort that inspired her to just surrender.

She allowed him to devour her shoulder and neck with his flaming lick.

With his fiery kisses.

With each bite that possessively labeled her as his'.

His' and only his'.

Her hands smoothly slipped and slid against his skin, on every bulk and etches of his muscles. Then she seized his hips and rubbed against him. Her thigh seductively brushing the side of his thigh before wrapping around his waists.

Humantong sila sa kama at doon tinuloy ang palitan ng halikan. Lumibot ang mga palad ni Stacey sa katawan nito. She received and reacted at his every move— at the way his hands stroked and spanked her butt, at the way his fingers traced her slit, at the way his mouth suckled on her nipples and flicked each hardened peak with the tip of his tongue.

Such fatal tongue, when it reached between her thighs, tears beaded her eyes.

Mangiyak-ngiyak na napaliyad siya, napasinghap nang humiwa sa kanya ang dila nito. The tip of his tongue stroked her hole up and around and down while he thumbed on her hard, pink clit.

And he never stopped. Kahit nagsasasayaw ang kanyang mga balakang. Kahit manginig-nginig siya at napapapalo ng kamat sa kama. Even if she clutch his hair so bad she could rip his hair off, Renante never stopped. He slurped her juice and ate her like the only dinner he anticipated for the night.

"Do you like this, Boo? Do you like this?" he would always ask in between of him eating her pussy out.

"Yes! Yes! Oh, yes, Renante!" she would scream out in answer.

She even moaned them when the tickling sensation hits her. She even moaned them without being asked to.

Sinimot siya nito at sinaid ang lakas bago ito pumaimbabaw sa kanya.

He gazed at her with his strong, dark, penetrating eyes. Mata pa lang nito, para na siyang binaunan.

Nanatiling nakatukod ang mga tuhod nito sa magkabila niyang gilid. He laid out his cock— hard and aroused already— on his palm before his fingers securely wrapped its sides. Then, Renante began moving his hand along his shaft. Nagmamadali ang kamay nito. Dahil sa bilis, tila kumakaway ang ari nito sa kanya.

Stacey laid beneath him. She watched in amazement. Fearful awe was all-over the soft expression of her face. It had always been like this. She was in awe of how beautiful Renante looked. How damned gorgeous. Sizzling hot in his nakedness. Gloriously huge and long. But that's also what scared her.

He's huge. His long. Pain is required to receive his love.

No matter how gentle he does it, he would still rip her apart. Sore her.

His cock stretched a few inches more after he stroked it. His breathing staggered as he stifled his moan.

It was in his eyes. Her face reflected on them.

It was only her alone. Just seeing her could already give her man an instant hard-on.

He held her wrists and pinned her on the bed. He ate her so good she was already too soft, too weak even to put herself up against him.

"Why does he need to pin me down, Boo?" pamumungay ng kanyang mga mata. "I won't dare to run. I won't even put up a fight." And she lifted the back of her head off the bed, just to inch their faces closer. "Take me," she dared.

Sinunggaban siya nito ng halik sa mga labi.

At habang nagpapalitan sila ng halikan, unti-unting nawala sa kanyang isip ang mga agam-agam.

Ang tungkol sa impresyon ng nanay nito sa kanya.

Ang pagkakaroon ng gusto ni Kylie rito.

Ang paglilihim niya tungkol sa kawalan ng negosyo.

Everything just fades from the background when Renante kisses her. When Renante holds her.

When... he takes her.

His lips slid down to her jaw, to the side of her neck, to her throat. Bumaba ang katawan ng lalaki dahil abala ang mga kamay nito sa pagbuka muli ng kanyang mga hita. Bukal sa loob na bumuka siya para sa binata.

He positioned himself between her, rubbed his head along her slit.

Napatingala siya. Napapikit. Her hand reached for her pussy. She placed two fingers on her slit, pulled it up with her fingers distanced a little to gape her open for his entrance. At dumulas papasok sa kanya si Renante.

Stacey winced as he pushed deeper. Slow and dragging. She was already wet from eating her and still, he's too big to slip in easy.

Tinabig nito ang kanyang kamay. Muling tinukuran ni Renante ang mga pulsuhan niya sabay sagad sa kanya.

"Ah!" she shuddered.

"How does that feel, Boo? Tell me," he worried.

Nahigit niya ang paghinga bago nakasagot.

"Sa simula lang masakit. Keep going, Boo."

He obliged, pulled back slowly then he slammed back stronger.

"Ah!" mariin niyang pikit.

Stacey slowly bobbed on the bed in every thrust from him that came in short, measured bursts. He had been so careful, making love to her as gentle as possible. Their breathing, slow and deep, timing their sensual motions.

Renante just could not resist. He released her wrists. He needed to touch her. He needed to gaze lovingly into her eyes as he set aside strands of her hair from her face. He cupped her face with a hand.

"I've been waiting for this night all day, Boo," he smiled. "Always worth the wait."

She felt his skin with her hands. She felt his arms, his broad shoulders then his jaw.

"Why not sneak away one time from work?" she teased. "Fuck me in the car. Or should I pay you a visit? Fuck you in the swivel chair?"

With one hand, she traced his jaw before lightly pinching his chin. She pulled him close to press her thirsty lips against his. She felt his chuckling lips against hers. Then she pulled away after a second, drowned herself into his gaze.

"Boo, quickies don't do it for me anymore. Ayoko na ng madalian. I want to fuck you right and thoroughly, as I should to the woman I love."

Their bodies kept moving. "Then, give it to me."

And they kissed torridly. Dinala ni Stacey ang isang kamay sa likuran ng ulo nito, nakahablot pasabunot sa buhok nito.

But that warmth and gentleness was only at first.

Dahil kalaunan ay pabilis na nang pabilis ang pag-ulos nito sa kanya. Renante lost control and began caressing all over her body as he continued his thrusts. Puno ng panggigigil. Puno ng alab. Kaya ang kwarto, napuno rin ng mga ungol at singhap nilang dalawa. It felt like a bumpy ride— their bodies bouncing, the bed creaking— as Stacey lifted her head and reached for Renante's cheek.

Palipat-lipat ang mga mata niya sa mukha nito at sa pagsasanib ng kanilang mga katawan.

"Stace," he panted.

Napatitig siya sa mga mata nitong namumungay, sa nakaawang na mga labi na paminsan-minsa'y may nakakatakas na maliliit na ungol.

"You're doing great, Boo. Keep going," she spoke, struggling to get her words out without shuddering or having a shaky voice.

"I'm going to nut," impit nitong saad.

Stacey swallowed hard. "Yes, Boo. Let it out," malambing niyang ungol, humahaplos sa pangahan nito sa gitna ng mga paghingal niya.

He stared into her eyes, lips quivering. "S-Stace!"

He's coming.

She could already feel him getting closer there. Binilisan pa nito ang pagbayo sa kanya.

"Yes, Boo. I'm here, Boo. I'm here," she encouraged, feeling her orgasm creeping closer as well. "R-Renante!" She inhaled sharply, shuddering and shivering at the tickling orgasm shooting from her sex to her depths.

"Malapit na!" anas nito.

"Ako rin, R-Renante!" awang ng mga labi niya. "Please, bilisan mo na. Faster, Boo. I-I..." tears beaded the corners of her eyes. "I-I can't... I can't take it anymore. Ang... Ang sarap! Renante!" bumaon ang mga daliri niya sa braso nito. "Renante!" she cried as her eagerly fingered her slit. Sinabayan niya ang nagmamadaling paglabas-masok ni Renante.

"Ah! Ah! A-Ah!" Renante groaned as he felt her vaginal muscles tightly clutch his cock then release alternatively.

And the bomb has exploded on them.

Renante gave her gaping hole a swift upward stroke. Stacey lowered her hips to drive him deeper, followed by a shot of his cum that made her eyes flung wide open.

"Oh, damn! Damn, damn, damn!" mangiyak-ngiyak siya sa sarap ng pagsirit nito. His cock throbbed like a vibrator buzzing against her muscles so scrumptiously.

Nanlalambot na napaliyad si Stacey. Manginig-nginig sa sarap. Lupaypay sa ligaya. Renante sunk his head on the side of her neck— moaning softly until he was done cumming.

With his weight over her body, Stacey felt grounded.

And warm.

Nangingiting nagyakapan silang dalawa. Both grinning.

Nakailang round pa sila bago napadpad sa dining room.

Renante was only wearing a pair of black boxer shorts. Samantala, oversized t-shirt na puti lang ang kanyang suot. Iyon lang.

Pinagsaluhan nila ang iisang upuan. Nakaupo sa likuran niya si Renante. Siya naman ay nakaupo sa pagitan ng mga hita nito. Halos yakap siya ng mga braso nito habang kinakain ang pinadeliver nilang pizza.

Stacey looked at Renante over her shoulder.

"I have a question."

"Yes?" he was in the middle of chewing.

"How is your mom like?"

"My mom?" salubong ng mga kilay nito.

She saw genuine puzzlement in his eyes.

"Yes, your mom. Her name's Luz, right?"

"Yes. Pero bakit interesado ka yata sa nanay ko ngayon?" at kumagat ulit ito ng pizza. She felt Renante's free hand securely hold her waist. His eyes waited for her to answer.

"Well, she's your mother. I just want to know how she's like. Baka kasi iyon ang maging expectations mo sa akin. Ang maging tulad niya o..." nag-iisip pa siya ng maidadahilan. "O higitan siya."

"Boo," patong ng baba nito sa kanyang balikat. Sumisilip si Renante sa kanyang mukha. "You're my girlfriend. Not my mother! So, why would I expect you to be like her? Or to surpass her in anything?"

"Ang sa akin lang naman, baka magaling siya magluto. Masarap ba siya magluto? Mamimiss at mamimiss mo rin ang luto ng mama mo. In that case, I might study cooking so that—"

He laughed at that.

"How cruel," irap niya rito.

"What happened to you?" he was wining down but still giggly. "You used to not care about things like that."

"And you want me to stay that way? To not care?"

It pained her. What he said pained her.

At naramdaman agad iyon ni Renante. Nilapag muna nito ang kinagatang pizza sa box. Sumeryoso ito.

"Stace, please don't take this the wrong way." Mahigpit na yumakap ito sa kanyang likuran. "I'm sorry. I siad it wrongly. What I meant is," humalik ito sa kanyang oisngi bago nagpatuloy, "hindi mo na dapat pinag-aalala ang mga bagay na iyan." Humalik ito sa balikat niya bago binalik ang tingin sa kanyang mga mata. "I love you for who you are. Kahit ano ang ipakain mo sa akin, kakainin ko. Tiwala ako na, lahat ng ibigay mo sa akin, makakabuti para sa akin. Na lahat ng ibigay mo sa akin, binigay mo dahil alam mong magugustuhan ko. Hm?"

She smiled back at him. "I used to lie a lot in the past. You know that, and you trust me this much?"

"Of course, you're my girlfriend!" pisil nito sa baba niya. "Ah, what is happening to you? Is it the sex that blew your mind? Kaya nagtatanong ka ng mga ganito?"

"What?" pagtataray niya rito. "I just want to know things about your mom!" Nginisihan niya ito. "Huwag kang masyadong mayabang sa performance mo sa kama, okay?"

"Bakit?" hamon nito, nakangisi na rin. "Takot ka bang lumaki ang ulo ko sa sobrang pangyayabang? Baka ba hindi na magkasya sa round four natin mamaya?"

Kinurot niya ito sa braso. Natatawang dumaing si Renante. Napasandal ito sa upuan. Dahil nakayakap ito sa kanya, natangay siya ng lalaki. Napasandal tuloy siya sa katawan nito.

"Sagutin mo na lang ang tanong ko! Sagutin mo! Ang dami mo na namang nalalaman!" tingala niya rito pero sa bagong posisyon nila, hirap siyang makita ang mukha nito.

Kaya naman, nakasandig na lang siya sa dibdib nito.

"Oh, let's not talk about her, Stace." He was breathy now, his laughter faded.

"Why? Nothing good to say about her?" her tone hushed.

"Not really. It's just that..."

Nilingon niya ang binata. Hindi niya makita ang mukha nito. Nakatingala na kasi ito para hindi makain ang kanyang buhok.

"You see, I don't really understand my mother. Kaya wala akong masabi na maayos tungkol sa kanya. She contradicts herself in so many ways, I just can't pinpoint kung alin sa mga ginagawa niya ang totoo at alin ang... ang pagkukunwari o pakitang-tao lang."

Napaisip siya roon.

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***

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STACEY STOPPED HER CAR IN FRONT OF THE VILLALUZ' MANSION. Mula sa driver's seat, tinanaw muna niya ito. Walang nasa labas ng mansyon o paikot-ikot sa bakuran. Nag-abang muna siya ng katulong na susulpot bago bumaba ng kotse.

Palapit pa lang siya sa gate, napukaw na niya ang atensyon ng may katandaang katulong doon. Hinintay nitong makalapit siya sa gate bago lumapit.

"Yes, Ma'am?" bungad agad nito sa kanya.

"Hi. Nandiyan ba si..." She hesitated. But then, took Kylie's advice. "Si Tita Luz? I'm Stacey—"

"Yes, Ma'am. Kilala ko na rin po kayo," magalang nitong ngiti.

If she knows me, it means matagal-tagal na siyang katulong ng mga Villaluz. Mataman niyang pinag-aralan ang mukha ng katulong pero hindi niya talaga mamukhaan.

Well, how could she? Madalang siya mapadpad sa bahay ng mga Villaluz. Kadalasan pa, kasama niya noon sila Sondra at tinataon nilang wala ang mga magulang ni Renante sa bahay. During that time they were young and quite impressionable. Older people say that girls shouldn't be visiting boys' houses. But Renante was their friend. Wala masyado ang malisya sa isip nila. Pero para hindi ma-issue, ginagawan na lang nila ng paraan. Sila minsan ang sumusundo sa lalaki kapag may school activities o lakad ang barkada.

Ah... The good old times.

After parking her car inside the yard, Stacey was already standing in the living room. Doon siya pinaghintay ng katulong.

Pinaupo siya nito sa sofa at um-oo siya pero nakaalis na ito ay nanatili siyang nakatayo. Maingat na nakalapag sa puting leather sofa ang dalawang paperbag ng pastries at shoulder bag na binili niya para kay Tita Luz.

Earlier in the morning, Stacey was so brave. But now she's here, the waiting was dropping that bravery a bar or two lower each second.

Her mind was getting plagued with intrigue.

Wala siyang ideya kung anong klase ng tao talaga si Tita Luz. Kylie assured her that she's a sweet and kind person who lives lavishly. Who loves her amigas. But that wasn't enough. Tita Luz behave that way towards Kylie. Towards other people. Towards her friends.

But what about her son's girlfriend?

Meanwhile, Renante didn't talk much about his parents. How he described his mother was vague as well.

So, nada. She had nothing really to hold on to.

She had to risk it. That is, if she wanted to make sure that she, Renante and their relationship won't have any problem with anyone in the future.

Nagmula sa veranda ng mansyon si Tita Luz. Sumulpot ito sa bandang kaliwa niya nang mag-isa.

Her steps were small but hurried. She was carrying along a pocketbook. Nakaipit ang isang daliri nito sa pahinang hindi pa tapos basahin. Simpleng-simple ang babae sa bulaklakin nitong bestida na hanggang tuhod. Straight necklined with ruffled straps. Her short hair was pulled back by a pink elastic cloth head band. Her face was bare. Tired eyes, pale skin. Pink lips but rosy cheeked.

"Good morning," malumanay niyang bati sa ginang nang malapitan nito.

Sa unang tingin, kita nang hindi ito makapaniwalang bumisita siya. Gusot ang mukha nito.

"You came here without letting me know first," makahulugan nitong taas ng kilay sa kanya.

She took in a deep breath, remained unfazed. Stacey didn't even drop her brave gaze away from Tita Luz' eyes. But at the back of her mind, she was already panicking. Kuha niya ang pakahulugan ng mga sinabi nito. Tita Luz was giving her a taste of her own medicine, hurling back the words she threw at her for visiting Hibla.