Through Secrets Unveiled

Chapter Fourteen - Artemia and the Third Secret

IT WAS ANOTHER FRIDAY. Nakatunghay si Stacey sa kanyang laptop. Habang maaga pa at habang wala pang ideya si Renante, naghahanap-hanap na siya ng bagong business idea.

A food business had always been a tempting idea. Walang tao ang may kayang mabuhay nang walang pagkain. 24/7 magkakaroon at magkakaroon ng market ang pagkain. Siyempre, depende sa kung ano ang pagkain.

Naalala niya tuloy si Sondra. When they went clubbing weeks ago, Sondra mentioned that she will be opening a bakeshop. Sinabi nitong imbitado silang lahat sa launch niyon.

Its opening was supposed to be last week. But for some reason, Stacey did not receive any invitation. Hindi niya dinidbdib dahil kahit si Kylie, hindi raw nakatanggap ng balita kay Sondra tungkol sa bakeshop. Nahiya naman daw ito magtanong dahil usapang negosyo na iyon ng kanilang kaibigan. Questioning might pressure or frustrate Sondra about her business.

Napailing tuloy si Stacey.

Ayaw niyang isipin ng mga nakakakilala sa kanila na nakikipag-compete siya. So, she crossed out food business off her list.

She’s done with bags. She’s done with jewelries. She’s done with luxury items in general. She browsed the social media for ideas.

And that’s when she heard Renante’s car.

Sinilip niya ang maliit na orasan sa sulok ng laptop screen— maga-alas diyes na ng gabi. Hindi niya napansin sa sobrang abala sa pag-iisip ng business idea. Napasimangot siya.

Now what made him this late?

Dali-daling sinara niya ang planner at kinolekta ang nagkalat na mga gamit sa mesita. Maayos na sinalansan ni Stacey ang planner, journal at cloth pencil case nang magkakapatong sa tabi ng laptop.

Then, she returned to browsing social media. Hihintayin muna niyang makapasok ng bahay si Renante. She took in somw deep breaths.

As much as possible, she will try to act okay. Hindi muna siya magagalit agad sa kanyang nobyo. Aalamin muna niya kung bakit ito na-late ng uwi.

Once the door opened, Stacey got up on her feet.

“Stace,” pagod na bati agad ni Renante nang makitang palapit na siya.

Stacey’s palms smoothed over his shoulders before pressing her lips against his’. It was a short kiss, her worried eyes caught his’.

“Late ka yata ngayon.” Kinuha niya ang laptop bag ni Renante.

“Well, we only get to meet Cherry on limited days in a week. So, we’re maximizing time.”

Napaatras siya. Renante needed room to take off his shoes.

“Cherry?”

“Gallardo’s designer.”

“They already signed a collab with VVatch?” gulat niyang singhap. Siyempre, masaya siya. Pero pinigilan niya ang malaking ngiti dahil kinukumpirma pa niya kung nagkapirmahan na nga ba.

“Just this week.”

“That’s great!” nood niya sa pagtabi ni Renante sa sapatos nito sa shoe rack katabi ng pinto.

 “Cherry’s also, Pierre’s assistant. Apparently, Pierre can’t live without her. Kaya every Thursdays and Fridays lang namin nakaka-meet.”

Tumuwid na ito ng tayo, sinara ang pinto sa likuran.

Napalabi siya. “Why did you even agree to this kind of deal? I mean, parang ang dating kasi side-hustle lang itong collab na ito. I mean, they should’ve assigned someone from their team who can fully commit to work hands-on with your collab.”