The Fortress Island Series 2: Romano, Can't We Try

FOURTEEN: MASK

Paglabas namin sa building na iyon ay hindi na kumibo pa si Romano. Dumiretso na kami pauwi sa kanyang penthouse. I wanted to approach and urge him to elaborate more about what he just said because he made me confuse. He practically left me hanging there.

“You’re exclusively mine.”

His words echoed in my ears. I couldn’t believe I heard that from him. I was exclusively his? In what sense? Did he mean about the contract I signed up for? Kung pagbabasehan ang tungkol doon, then yes, I was exclusively his because I was working under him. I wasn’t allowed to work with anyone else aside from him, was I? I was his personal assistant for a reason and that made me his.

He was back to being his cool and distant self, ignoring everyone, especially me. Nang pumasok ito sa kanyang silid ay dumiretso na rin ako sa aking kwarto. It had been a long day and I needed a rest or nap perhaps.

I lay on the bed and stared at my ceiling. I sighed. The scenes happened in the conference room kept replaying in my mind. At some point, I thought Romano was being possessive of me. He didn’t have any idea how he made my heart race I almost thought my heart would explode.

I placed my hand above my chest, and I realized that it was still beating wildly against my chest. Mula nang magkrus ang landas namin ni Romano, palagi na lamang ganito ang aking nararamdaman sa tuwing nasa malapit ito. No, that was a lie. Just thinking about him made my heart go crazy.

What is this feeling? Am I starting to like him more than just an idol?

My phone vibrated which made me snap back to reality. I grabbed it from the pocket of my bag that I just dropped on the floor a while ago.

Suminghap ako at agad napabalikwas mula sa pagkakahiga.

Krizette was calling me. At ngayon ko lang naalala ang narinig ko kay Romano kanina sa dressing room.

Nanginig ang kamay ko habang hawak ang aparato.

“Krizette.”

Krizette gasped nervously. “Mira, we have a problem. A big problem!”

I stopped breathing. I folded my legs up and leaned my head on my knees. I was trembling so I hugged myself.

“It’s okay, Kriz. It’s okay.” I breathed as I let my tears roll down my cheeks.

“f**k, Mira! It’s not okay! Paano mo nasasabi iyan! I will find a way out, okay? Hindi na mauulit ang gabing iyon, Mira! Hanggang ngayon ay hindi ko mapapatawad ang sarili ko dahil nadamay ka sa kagagahan ko. Pinagsisihan ko kung bakit humingi pa ako ng tulong sa’yo noon. Kayang-kaya ko naman kasing pagandahin ang sarili ko. I will never forgive myself for what happened to you.” She cried.

“Kriz, stop beating yourself up for the things we cannot control or change. At hindi lang ako ang nasaktan, Kriz. Pati rin ikaw. They…” I hiccupped. “They did awful things to you…at ang masakit ay wala tayong kalaban-laban sa kanila. Hindi natin mahihingi ang hustisya na nararapat sa atin. They’re too powerful, Kriz.”

Humagulhol ito. This was the first time we talked about what happened that night.

“How about you, Mira? Did he—” She trailed off.

Hindi ko alam bakit niya kailangan pang tanungin ako gayong dinatnan niya ako sa kwartong iyon ilang minuto makalipas umalis ni Romano na nanginginig sa pagod at wala ng kalakas-lakas.

“I’m really sorry, Mira.” She added when I didn’t respond to her inquiry.

“It’s all in the past now, Kriz. Ang mahalaga ay buhay tayo.” Malungkot kong sagot.

“All thanks to him.” Matalinghaga na sagot nito. “If it weren’t for him, nasa hukay na siguro tayo ngayon, Mira. Pero tingin ko’y kailangan mong umalis na diyan. Hindi ko alam kung paano mo nakakayang makaharap ang lalakeng yan gayong kinuha niya ang p********e mo nang sapilitan. He’s your boss and you just had a one-night stand with him, Mira.”

I closed my eyes. Sapilitan? The last time I checked, I begged for it. And contrary to what she’s thinking, I wasn’t that innocent at all.

I pressed my lips tightly. Hindi na siguro dapat pang malaman ni Krizette ang bagay na iyan. I did beg because I still wanted to live.

 “Anong gagawin natin ngayon? Pinuntahan ako dito sa bahay ng isa sa mga tauhan ng Mafia. He’s been asking about that mysterious girl! He wants to meet you again, Mira. Hindi ka ba talaga niya nakilala?”

Umiling ako kahit hindi ako nito nakikita. “Hindi. He’s clueless.”

She sighed in relief. “What should we do now, Mira?”

I gnawed my lips. “Let’s return the favor.”

“Anong ibig mong sabihin? Are you going to meet up with him again? Are you not going to tell him the truth na ang misteryosang babae at ikaw ay iisa?”

“Wala akong planong sabihin sa kanya sa ngayon, Kriz. It will complicate things. His father hired me to keep him from f*****g around with girls. He—what’s funny?”

Krizette chuckled lightly. “First time kong narinig sa’yo ang ‘F’ word na yan, Mira. Ang inosente ng pagkakabigkas mo. Kung nasa tabi mo lang ako ngayon ay tiyak akong pinisil-pisil ko na yang pisngi mo.”

“Ang bipolar mo rin. Kanina umiiyak ka, ngayon naman ay tumatawa.”

She giggled. “Sorry. Please continue.”

 Umirap ako. “Whatever. So yun nga. We are off-limits to each other. Kapag sinabi ko ang totoo, tiyak akong mapapatalsik ako sa trabaho. Romano made his point clear that I must not cross the line. He even warned me that I should never develop feelings toward him.”

“The more reason you need to resign, Mira. Kapag nagtagal ka diyan, malalaman at malalaman ni Romano ang katotohanan. Paano kung bumisita diyan si Franco? He remembered our faces. Siya nga mismo ang pumili sa’yo na i-iregalo kay Romano.”

And I thanked him for that. I felt to relieved when it was Romano, and not other person. I remembered how I cried my heart out when Franco told me that I would be his gift to Romano Salvatore.

Salvatore and not Alcantara.

Kanina, naisipan kong itanong kay Matt ang tungkol sa totoong family name ni Romano. He told me that his real name was Romano Alcantara Salvatore, but he opted to use Alcantara. He didn’t want to drag the Salvatore name to the world of showbusiness.

“Hindi malalaman ni Romano, Kriz.” Lumakas ang kaba ko. Romano was not stupid. He would figure out soon!

“Paano ka nakakatiyak na hindi mo ka mahuhulog sa kanya, Mira?”

“Tinitiyak ko sa’yo.” My voice shook.

“Oh, f**k. Don’t tell me you’re in love with him? Oh, what a stupid question! Of course, you are! You’re in love with him for years now! You, calling yourself a fan is just an excuse. What a lame excuse, Mira.”

“N—no! I am not in love with him! I will never be in love with him! He’s off-limits, Krizette! Stop putting words into my mouth!” My voice raised up a notch. “And besides, I’m in love with someone else!”

Suddenly, my door cracked open. Romano’s eyebrows smashed together as he looked at me with those intimidating brown eyes of his.

I stopped breathing, literally.

“And who’s that someone else?” The coldness in his tone sent shivers up my arms.

 I heard Krizette’s loud gasps. She must have heard his voice.

I cleared my throat. “Were you eavesdropping, Mr. Sal—Mr. Alcantara?” I bit my tongue. I almost slipped.

He c****d an eyebrow at me. “What if I was?” Pinagkrus nito ang mga braso sa kanyang dibdib at sumandal sa pintuan. I had just notice that he’s shirtless and I could see how every muscle in his shoulders and arms flex.

“Kanina—kanina ka pa ba diyan?”

“Seconds ago. I wasn’t eavesdropping. Hell, no. It just happened that you were screaming that you’re in love with someone else. At sino naman ito? I have no idea that you’re interested with another man. I thought I was the only one you love, grandma.” He smirked.

“Excuse me?” My voice screeched. “When did I say I love you? I LIKE you. Magka-iba sila ng spelling at lalong magkaiba sila ng spelling!”

He pointed at me naughtily. “I like you, too.” He winked.

God, I almost rolled my eyes. “Stop it. Lumabas ka nga. Nagpapahinga ako. Kausap ko ang pinsan ko.”

“Gusto ko lang sabihin na lalabas ako mamayang gabi at hindi ko alam kung anong oras ako uuwi.”

“Saan ka pupunta? Sinong kasama mo?”

“None of your business, but yes, I will be with someone else tonight. We will f**k the whole night through.” He grinned wickedly.

My mouth went dry as I raked my gaze to his whole body. I could still remember how he…..umiling ako at binawi ang tingin.

“May I just remind you that your father warned you about meeting girls.”

“Hmm… Do I smell jealousy, grandma?”

“Romano, seriously. One of my jobs is to look after you and stop you from seeing random girls.”

“Hmm… In what way are you going to stop me from seeing them, pray tell?”

“I…I don’t know.” Kumagat-labi ako.

“My father didn’t mean it that way, Mira. He just doesn’t want me to bring girls in this building. But I am free to go out and see them. I’m a healthy man, for f**k’s sake.”

“No cussing!” I yelled back.

 “Sorry, virgin Mary. Don’t wait for me.” He added.

“I won’t.”

“Baka maabutan na naman kita sa sofa, grandma. Sinasadya mo ba para buhatin kita sa kwarto? Is that your way of seducing me because frankly speaking, it ain’t gonna work that way, babe.”

“Don’t babe me.”

“But I want to call you ‘babe.’ You remind me of that particular movie titled ‘BABE.”

My eyes grew wide. I knew that movie! “Do I look like a pig to you?!”

Romano’s boisterous laughter filled the room. “You remind me of that pig’s cuteness, not because you have the same look.”

Krizette laughed from the other line. Snap. Nakalimutan kong nasa kabilang linya pa pala ito.

Umiling si Romano pero nasa mukha pa rin ang kapilyuhan. “You and your wild imaginations. You’re so weird. Anyway, tumawag si Matt. He will come over before seven. He will order some food at sabay na daw kayong mag-dinner.” Romano marched towards me. Napaataras ako sa aking kinauupuan.

“You.” He pointed a finger an inch away from my face. His eyes turning into slits. “Don’t flirt with Matt, grandma. Akala mo ay hindi ko pansin ang mga pasimpleng sulyapan ninyo? You don’t even flinch when he touches you.”

I slapped his hand away. “Have you gone nuts? Matt is a friend and I’m learning things from him. At sino ka sa palagay mo para pagsabihan ako ng ganyan? My personal matters have nothing to do with you, Romano. Hindi ko nga pinapakialaman ang mga personal na lakad mo at kung sino-sino man ang mga babae mo. Wala kang maririnig sa akin.”

“Mabuti na yung malinaw. You are mine, remember?”

“Stop it. I’m not yours. I’m not anybody’s property. Kung aalis ka ay umalis ka na, Romano. Humayo ka at magpakarami.” Asshole.

“I still have few hours to kill. I’ll be in my studio.” He simply ruffled my hair bago ito tumalikod at lumabas ng aking silid.

“Kakainis. Kanino naman kaya ito makikipagkita? Sinong babae na naman ngayon? Si Trisha na naman kaya?” Bulong na sambit ko.

“Mira.”

Krizette’s voice made me jump out of my skin. She’s still on the line at nawala na naman sa isip ko.

I picked up my phone again and placed it against my ear. “Kriz. Akala ko ay in-off mo na ang tawag.”

She sighed. “Mira….”

“Hmm?”

“You, my cousin dear, is in deep trouble. Don’t gamble your heart with the likes of him. He’s the type of person who doesn’t want to settle down.”

“I know.” Malungkot na sagot ko.

“He’s not worth it.”

“Alam ko.” The only problem was, it’s too late for warning.

Ilang sandali pa kami nag-usap ng aking pinsan. Hustong naibaba ko ang aking cellphone nang kumalam ang aking sikmura. Nagugutom ako. Paano ba naman kasi, hindi ako makakain ng todo kanina sa buffet dahil ilang pares ng mata ang nakatingin sa akin. Akala ng mga ito ay naligaw ako. Matt had to explain to them that I was part of Romano’s team. The discrimination I felt from them made me lost my appetite. It was only Matt who was there to console me.

I really liked him. I liked Matteo.

I decided to take a shower. Nang makapagbihis ay naisip kong lumabas ng aking silid. Gusto ko mang umidlip ay alanganin na sa oras. Halos mag a-ala singko y media na kasi ng hapon at kung iidlip ako ay baka hindi na naman ako makatulog sa gabi.

Nagpalinga-linga ako sa paligid. Tahimik ang buong kabahayan. Umalis na kaya si Romano? O baka nagkukulong pa rin sa kanyang studio?

Nagkibit-balikat ako at tinunton ang daan patungo sa kusina. May leftover pa atang carbonara na natira kagabi. Yun na lamang ang kakainin ko.

I reheated the food for one minute. Nilapag ko iyon sa kitchen counter at kumuha ng tinidor. Nagsalin din ako ng orange juice sa aking baso. Agad kong nilantakan ang pagkain.

Nangalahati na ako sa aking plato nang may tumikhim sa aking gilid.

“Seriously, grandma. For someone, whose body is as thin as yours, you have an insatiable appetite. It’s like you are in a festive mood with the appetite of a hibernating bear. I can’t help but wonder where you put your food?”

I c****d my head to shoot daggers at his insufferable self.

He raised his hands up in the air. “I just want to get a glass of water.”

“Go ahead. Don’t mind me. I’m a pig.” I hissed at him, and he rewarded me with chuckles.

Sa gulat ko ay kinintalan ako nito ng halik sa pisngi. “For whatever it’s worth, you’re the cutest pig on earth, babe. And so help me God, you smell so sweet like cotton candy. I’m sure the pig in the movie doesn’t smell like this.” He was too close I could feel the heat coming from his solid body.

Sumikdo na naman ang dibdib ko. Kinuha ko ang tinidor at inumang sa kanya. “Kumakain ako, Romano. Wag mo akong distorbohin.”

“Alright. Alright.” Tawang-tawa ito habang humahakbang palayo. “Lumalayo na ang tao.”

I looked at him straight in the eyes. “That’s right, Romano. Stay away from me.” Stay away from my heart.

**********

Romano’s POV

Me: Wanna meet me up?

Her: Do I have a choice?

Me: Unfortunately, you don’t have any, babe.

Her: Let me know when and where, Mr. Salvatore.

Me: Sure thing.

I hastily called the hotel and did some necessary arrangements. When I was done, I sent another message to her.

Me:  Time: 7:30 PM.

                         Place: The Queensland Hotel Room 415

                         Dress code: Naked.

I smirked as I hit the send button.

“Why are you smirking?” Mira’s voice busted my tiny bubble of daydreaming.

Nagkibit-balikat ako. Nakatayo ito sa tapat ng sink at kasalukuyang hinuhugasan ang platong pinagkainan. Pinasadahan ko ito ng tingin. Mamasa-masa pa ang buhok nito. Ang suot nitong ternong pajamas na halos bumalot sa kanyang katawan, maliban na lang sa kanyang leeg at ulo, ay tiyak akong kasing tanda niya dahil sa kupas na ito. I wanted to make a statement about her preferences and sense of fashion, but decided to shut up, given that she was already annoyed at me.

But I loved annoying her! She had no idea how cute she was wearing that scowling face! Haha!

Mira glared at me, waiting for my answer.

“Nothing.” I said, glancing at my phone. I couldn’t contain myself. I wondered what the girl’s reply would be.

My phone vibrated and I crazily swiped down the screen.

Her: Noted, Sir.

Fuck. I’m gonna get laid tonight.

I grabbed my jacket and without thinking twice, I walked towards Mira and grabbed her head, dropping a kiss on her forehead.

“Laters, babe.” I winked at her as I retreated. She was about to throw the plate towards me.

“Layas!” She yelled and I chuckled as I exited the penthouse.

*********

I called a cab that would take me to Queensland Hotel. I had no choice but to meet her in the hotel owned by my family. I could always use the back door so that no one would notice my entry. Mabuti na lamang at wala si Mama at Papa ngayon sa Manila. My parents were back in the island again.

 I checked my phone when it beeped.

Her: I am already inside the room, Sir.

I smirked as I typed. She’s early. No, it was me who was late. I dropped by the Moon Records office and spent more than an hour discussing with them the concept for my new music poster which will be released on the first week of next month.

Me: I’m on my way. Give me another five minutes.

I glanced at my wristwatch. The time was thirty minutes past seven in the evening. I wondered if the girl already had her dinner. I was thinking of us having dinner first before going down to the main reason of this so-called meeting.

I hit the reply button again.

Me: I will call for room service. Anything you want to eat?

Her: Thank you for the offer but I’m still full.

Hmm. Even her way of replying seemed so cold, reserve and distant which made me want to know more about her.

Binasa ko ang mga naunang mensahe. We had been exchanging messages for two hours now and yet, I didn’t feel bored. And I hated texting.

When Franco sent me the girl’s number, I called her immediately, but she declined it. What I did was I texted her first and introduced myself. Ilang minuto ang lumipas ay saka ito nag-reply.

Nasa tapat na ako ng pintuan pero hindi ko maipaliwanag bakit ang lakas ng t***k ng puso ko. I had this kind of feeling when I was in the pub house. The adrenaline rush made me my heart and lungs worked faster than they should I couldn’t almost keep up. Why I was nervous and excited at the same time was beyond me.

I clicked open the doorknob and entered the room in complete silence. Like what I expected, the entire room was filled with darkness. Pero hindi naman nagtagal ay unti-unting lumiwanag ang paligid dahil sa pagbukas ng mga kurtina. Of course, the curtains in our hotel were motorized.

Suminghap ako nang unti-unting nag-materialize ang babae na ngayo’y nakahiga sa kama. She was holding the remote control for curtains. She’s wearing the same mask that she wore the last time we first met, but other than that, she’s completely naked.

What a fine sight to behold.

Dahan-dahan akong nagtanggal ng kasuotan. We could talk after this. For now, I wanted to indulge myself by devouring her perfect body. f**k, she’s so hot.

“Open your legs for me.” Utos ko.

She did what she was told.

“Wider.”

She separated her legs furthermore.

I stood completely naked in front of her. “Tell me your real name. I can’t call you babe anymore. I have my own babe at home.”

She swallowed. Umiling ito.

“Cat got your tongue? You’ve been unusually quiet tonight.” Why is she not talking to me?

She opened her mouth to speak but disrupted by the sound of my phone ringing.

“Spare me a second.” I said, annoyed to whoever was calling at me at the moment. If this was grandma, I would strangle her for sure.

Apparently, it was Matt’s name flashing through the screen.

“Matt.” Pagalit na sagot ko. Tumalikod ako sa babae, but I had a glimpse of her pulling the duvet to cover her nakedness.

“Romano. Where is Mira?”

“Huh? Bakit mo sa akin hinahanap? Wala ako sa bahay.”

“Kanina pa ako dito sa bahay mo at hindi ko siya mahagilap. Wala siya sa kanyang silid at panay lang ang ring ng kanyang cellphone.”

Sumikdo ang dibdib. Saan nagpunta ang babaeng yun gayung iniwan ko lang yun sa kusina kanina? Hindi naman ito nagpaalam na lalabas ito ngayong gabi.

“I will try to call her, Matt. Why don’t you go down and ask the security guards. Baka napansin nilang lumabas ng building si Mira.”

“Okay.  I will call you immediately kapag may impormasyon ako.”

I ended the call button at agad na hinanap ang numero nito sa aking Contacts. I dialed her number. Her phone just kept on ringing.

“What the hell, grandma? Where on earth are you?” Mira would always ask permission kung aaalis man ito ng bahay. Pero ngayon ay hindi ko maiwasang hindi kabahan dahil hindi pa ito kailanman umalis nang hindi nagpapaalam. She knew Matt would come over to the house.

I raked my fingers through my hair in frustration. That woman will be the death of me!

Sighing, I faced the girl. “I’m sorry. I’m afraid I can’t spend time with you tonight. Something important came up.” Nagmamadali ako sa pagbihis. My mind was in chaos. Kung ano-anong senaryo ang pumapasok sa utak ko. Paano kung nakidnap ito? Paano kung nasa peligro ang buhay nito?

“Please get dress, or if you want, you can spend the night here. Order any food you like. I will pay everything.” I said while buttoning my shirt. I did not bother glancing at her.

“Romano….”

The hair on my nape prickled. My head whipped to the bed.

The girl grabbed her mask and slowly pulled it off her face. Her eyes filled with tears as she clutched the duvet tightly around her chest.

My eyes grew wide as the light from the moonlight shone on her face. Napaatras ako. My chest constricted in pain as reality finally dawned upon me.

“Putangina.”