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

SIXTEEN: PLEASURE

One week had passed. At sa loob ng mga nagdaang araw na iyon ay laking pasalamat ko na hindi na kailanman nagbanggit o nagtanong si Romano tungkol sa nangyari sa pub house. Dalawang magkasunod na gabi itong natulog ko sa aking silid pero sa sunod na mga gabi ay hindi ko na ito hinayaan pa.

I did not want to get used with that kind of set-up. I still valued my privacy and getting familiar with him would be too dangerous for me. Romano might have failed to notice, but every time he laid down beside me, touched me, or even simply just snuggled against me, the night he owned me kept on repeating on my mind.

For me to move on from that night—no matter how magical and enchanting it had turned out— was to stay away from the man himself. Stay away in the sense of keeping him at arm’s length and pretending that I, also, had moved on.

“Grandma, I need caffeine.” Romano spoke in a monotone voice. He was sitting on the chair while his hair was being fixed by his hair stylist.

He had a photoshoot schedule today for his upcoming single and he was getting ready at the moment. Romano was kind of pissed because I informed him late about the changes of the schedule. This was supposed to happen in the afternoon but suddenly, the photographer changed the time dahil daw may emergency photoshoot itong gagawin sa isa pang sikat na celebrity na parehong under ng Moon Records. Romano was pissed at me because I agreed to it. I could have just told them that it was impossible to move to earlier time, but I thought it was okay since Romano was free in the morning. It turned out, isa rin pala sa ayaw ni Romano ay ang siya ang nag-a-adjust para magbigay daan sa iba. I mentally made a note on that.

At dahil nga nailipat ang schedule sa umaga, hindi na namin nagawang mag-almusal sa bahay. I sighed as I stood up from where I was sitting. Lumapit ako kay Romano.

Nagtama ang tingin namin ni Mitch sa salamin at umirap ito sa akin. Ngumuso ako at napayuko na lamang. They’re all mad at me. Ginulo ko ang schedule nilang lahat.

“Ibili mo rin kami.” Jia spoke as she was dusting off the clothes which were neatly hanged on the corner.

Tumango ako. “Okay.”

Tanda ko naman na kung ano ang flavor ng mga inumin nila. Sana lang talaga ay may malapit na Starbucks dito. Hindi pa naman ako pamilyar sa lugar na kinaroroonan namin. Ang alam ko lang ay nasa Alabang kami. Ang alam ko ay pasyalan ng mga mayayaman at celebrities ang lugar na ito. Hindi naman siguro ako mahihirapan kung magtanong-tanong ako.

“Pakibilisan mo Mira. May kulang isang oras na lang tayo bago mag-umpisa.” Si Mitch.

“Bibilisan ko.” I replied.

“No, take your time. They can wait.” Romano chimed in without glancing at me.

Hindi ako kumibo. Sinakbit ko ang shoulder bag na may lamang cellphone at wallet saka ako umalis sa silid na iyon. Naibigay na sa akin ni Matt ang credit card at cash na pwede kong gamitin kapag may kailangang ipabili ang alaga ko. I was also free to use it for my own personal needs as well. Kung tutuusin ay ang saya ng ganitong trabaho. You were once a fan and now you got the chance to live and serve the artist you looked up to. Kung hindi lang siguro nangyari ang gabing iyon, hindi sana kami ganun ka-awkward ni Romano.

Yes, I could feel the awkwardness between us. Kahit pa anong patay-malisya naming dalawa, maraming nagbago buhat noon. Yes, we’re casual with each other pero hindi ko na kayang makipagtitigan pa kay Romano. I instantly blushed whenever our gazes met. Kung dati, nagagawa naming manood ng TV na magkatabi, ngayon ay hindi na. Kung nasa sala ito ay sa kwarto ako madalas tumatambay. Kapag nasa studio siya, saka pa lang ako tutungo sa sala para manood ng gusto kong palabas.

Sabay kaming kumakain pero pareho kaming hindi nagkikibuan. Kinakausap lang namin ang isa’t isa kapag may kinalaman sa trabaho. Pero mas gusto ko na ang ganito, at least, may balidong rason ako para hindi tuluyang mahulog sa kanya. At kahit alam kong imposibleng mahulog ang loob niya sa isang tulad ko, masaya na ako na nabigyan ako ng ganitong pagkakataon.

Base sa aking Google map ay may malapit na Starbucks sa kabilang kalye. Tinalunton ko iyon at agad na napangisi nang mahanap ang partikular na coffee shop.

Agad akong pumila at laking pasalamat ko na hindi iyon kahabaan. Sinubukan kong tumingin sa interior design ng shop pero nang mapansing sa akin halos nakatingin ang mga customer ay pinili ko na lamang ang yumuko. Hindi ko sila masisisi. Napakaalanganin kong tignan kumpara sa karamihan. I felt out of place in this famous coffee shop. I sighed and chose to ignore the unsettling feeling lurking into my system.

What’s new, Mirasol? Hindi ka pa ba sanay?

Nasa tapat na ako ng counter nang may isang grupo ng kabataan ang pumasok sa shop at dire-diretso ang lakad ng mga ito patungo sa kinatatayuan ko. Hindi ko inaasahan ang sunod na ginawa ng babaeng tingin ko’y leader nila. She shoved me to the side with great force at dahil hindi ko iyon napaghandaan, nawalan ako ng panimbang at tumama ang ang kanang balikat ko sa corner ng mesa. Napahiyaw ako sa sakit dahil sa lakas ng impact. I fell onto the ground, my left hand clutching my right shoulder. Tumilapon din ang aking eyeglasses kaya malabo ang aking paningin.

“Sorry Miss, nagmamadali kasi kami.” Rinig kong sambit ng isang lalakeng kasama nila

“I think she’s lost.” One of the girls said.

“Or she’s probably assuming she can afford a cup. Pathetic.” Another girl spoke.

“Tapos pag-check sa wallet, barya lang pala ang laman.” Nagtawanan ulit sila.

What’s wrong with these people? I wanted to answer, defend myself and yell at them for being rude pero mas lalo lang lalala ang sitwasyon. I was at the disadvantage. Marami sila samantalang nag-iisa lang ako. I did not expect other customers to defend someone like me. For sure, they were also judging me silently. At isa pa, tama rin naman sila. I couldn’t afford a cup of coffee kung pagbabasehan ang sarili kong pera. At kahit sapat ang pera ko, mas gusto ko nalang itabi iyon kaysa ibili ng kape. I could ask Romano to make a cup of espresso for me, couldn’t I?

Sighing, I chose to ignore them and ipinagdasal na lang sila sa Diyos. Tiyak akong minus fifty na sila kay God. Kinapa-kapa ko ang sahig sa paligid, nagbabakasakali na nasa malapit ang aking eyeglasses. I didn’t hear any crashing when I bumped into the table kaya panatag akong hindi iyon nabasag.

“Here.” Baritonong sambit ng tao sa harap ko. His warm hand grabbed mine and placed my eyeglasses on top of it. Agad ko namang sinuot iyon bago umusal ng pasasalamat sa kanya.

It took me seconds before I could finally focus my eyesight and when my vision became clearer, my mouth fell open when I realized who the person was in front of me.

“Are you okay?” He asked softly and gave me a sincere smile.

My jaw still on the floor while I nodded at his question. Was I okay? I think I was. Gosh, I finally had an encounter with another celebrity. At hindi lang basta-basta celebrity. The person who was on one knee in front of me while his right arm resting on the other was no other than JK De Vera, a famous Pop singer in the country and Romano’s number one rival. But I didn’t know he was this handsome! So freaking handsome!

“Do you think you can stand up?” He asked again using his soothing voice.

Tumango ako. Naglahad ito ng palad at akma ko nang aabutin iyon nang may isang kamay ang humila sa akin. Gusto kong ngumiwi dahil sa panalalakay ng sakit sa aking kanang balikat pero nagpigil ako lalo na’t ang taong humila sa akin patayo ay walang iba kundi si Romano.

Romano?

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko sa kanya. “Anong ginagawa mo dito?”

Madilim ang mukha nito at salubong ang mga kilay. “What were you doing on the floor? Did you get hurt?” He clutched my chin and tipped my head up para masuri nito ang mukha ko. Nakaangkla naman sa aking baywang ang isang braso nito.

“She was pushed forcefully to the side. The table shook and my coffee spilled so I could tell it was a bad collision. Am I right?” JK answered as he shoved his hands in the front pocket of his jeans. His eyes zeroed in on Romano’s arms around me.

Pasimple kong tinanggal ang braso ni Romano at umatras ng bahagya. I knew that Romano was being touchy and he’s probably getting used to it, and I was sure there was no malice whatsoever in his part pero ayokong bigyan ng ibang kahulugan ng mga tao ang aksiyon ni Romano.

“Romano, what are you doing here? Dapat ay gumagayak ka na.” Pabulong na sambit ko.

He scoffed. “I knew something like this would happen.” He crossed his arms over his chest.

Nagpalipat-lipat ang tingin ko sa dalawang higanteng lalake na nakatunghay sa akin. Pareho silang naghihintay ng susunod kong sasabihin pero hindi ko alam kung ano ang sasabihin! Naalog ang utak ko at kasalukuyan pa lang itong nag-lo-loading.

“Romano, JK! OMG!” The group of girls who pushed me a while ago screamed wildly as they came toward us, smiling sweetly to both gorgeous men.

“Hey, you! Hindi ka nababagay pumagitna sa kanilang dalawa. Bumalik ka na sa amo mo kung saan ka man nangangatulong. Shoo!” Maasim ang mukha ng isang babae habang winawasiwas ang kanyang kamay sa hangin, gesturing me to leave the place.

“So, it was you.” JK spoke. Sa gulat ko ay hinablot nito ang babae at tinapat sa akin. “Humingi ka ng patawad sa kanya.”

The pretty girl’s eyes widened in disbelief. She scoffed. “Are you kidding me? Alam kong celebrity ka pero kilala mo ba kung sino ako?” She pointed at herself.

“I don’t give a flying f**k. Do what I said. Humingi ka ng patawad sa kanya. Tinulak mo siya.”

“Hey! Don’t treat my girlfriend like that!” Umangal ang kasamahan nilang lalake. He held the girl’s waist and tried to pull her away from JK’s hold.

“Akala ko ay nanlilimos siya! Look at her! She looks like a beggar.” Hiyaw ng babae. She looked me up and down and gave me a disgusted look.

Lumapit ang boyfriend nito at inakbayan si Romano at JK. “You know what mga dude, don’t waste your time with this ratty-looking thing. If both of you need someone to suck you off, I can recommend a few hotties. I’m pretty sure you are not the type who would settle for anything less, yes?”

“What the f**k did you just say?” Romano’s eyes narrowed into slits of fury. His tone darkening. Pinalis nito ang braso ng lalake sa kanyang balikat. JK, on the other hand, was staring at the guy. His expression stoic and cold.

I took a glimpse of the people around us, and they stopped what they were doing and sent curious glances to our direction.

I felt the heat of humiliation on my cheeks and my eyes started to water. I grabbed Romano’s forearm.

“Bumalik na tayo sa studio, Romano.” Ani ko at sinubukang hilahin ito pero hindi ito natinag. Kumawala ito sa hawak ko at kinuwelyuhan ang lalake.

“Did you just insult her, you f*****g useless prick!” He threw a solid punch on the guy’s jaw at tumilapon ito sa sahig.

Pero ganunpaman ay ngumisi ang lalake kasabay ng pagdura ng dugo. “What the f**k, dude? You’re affected? Is she your girlfriend? Hindi ko akalain na ang isang Romano Alcantara ay mahuhumaling sa isang….” Pinasadahan ako nito ng tingin. “…..pangit, mukhang basura at walang kadating-dating na babaeng kagaya niya.”

I swallowed. At that moment, I wanted to run away from here as far as my feet could carry me. Gusto kong antimano magresign sa trabaho at tuluyang kalimutan si Romano. Gusto kong bumalik sa luma kong bahay at magkulong sa silid at lunurin ang sarili sa luha.

Ilang beses na akong ininsulto ng mga tao at lahat ng iyon ay hindi ko pinapansin at madalas ay hindi ko sinasaisip. Pero ngayon, para akong sinasampal sa mukha at inapak-apakan ang buong pagkatao ko. I never felt so humiliated in my entire life.

“Tanginamoka!” Romano grunted and the look on his face—one that I had never seen before—was full of fury it made my knees wobble. I managed to come near him and pulled his arm once again.

“Romano, let’s go back. Hindi niya deserve na pag-aksayahan mo siya ng oras. Bumalik na tayo sa site at tiyak akong hinahanap ka na nila.”

But Romano did not budge. He was staring pointedly at the man who was now standing. His murderous eyes sent shivers down my spine. This should not be happening. I had to stop this.

“Please, Romano, let’s just leave.” I begged.

The guy in front of us laughed. “Akalain mo yun, nakakapagsalita pala siya. Hi Miss.” He waved. “Ang sakit mo sa mata tignan.”

I clenched my fist and wanted to punch the living daylights out of him kung hindi lang ako talaga ako duwag at takot sa igaganti nitong pananakit.

Romano titled his head to the side, looking straight to JK. “Will you do me a favor? Hold my girl for a little while, will you? This won’t be long.” Ininguso ako nito. His calm demeanor gave me chills because I knew deep inside, he had this deadly anger towards the guy who insulted me.

JK grinned and stood behind me, clasping my arms in his large hands.

“Hey chick, let Romano do this. If you’re going to step into it, you’re not helping him. Have a little faith in your friend, or shall I say, man? Are you, by any chance, dating?”

I snarled at him. “What are you, a star patroller? Seems like you’re looking for gossip.”

He smirked. “Nope. I just want to be sure. Mamaya baka mas lalo pang lumala ang rivalry naming dalawa.”

“Ano bang sinasabi mo?”

“If you’re dating Romano, then I will be out of the picture. But if not, will you date me?”

“Are you nuts?!”

“Maybe but I assure you, hindi ako kasing baliw ng lalakeng yan.” Ininguso nito ang kalaban ni Romano. “Him, calling you ugly is what made me realize how stupid he was.”

“You…. don’t believe him?”

“That you’re ugly? Are you kidding me? One look at your eyes and I know your beauty is out of this world. Keep on wearing these gigantic eyeglasses, chick, or men will start worshipping the ground you walk on.”

Sa narinig ay siniko ko ito. It’s official. This man was also crazy. “Bakit hindi mo na lang ako tulungang pigilan si Romano?”

Speaking of him, he was rolling up his sleeves. Both men were ready to fight.

Romano made a move first, sending a direct blow straight to the filthy guy’s face. The filthy guy stumbled over the table. He was about to straightened up, but Romano was already in front of him, connecting his fist to the former’s nose.

Walang kahit na sino ang gustong pigilan o awatin ang dalawa.

Pigil ang hininga ko nang makabawi ang lalake mula sa suntok ni Romano. The guy went to throw a jab on Romano’s face, but the latter was able to dodge it and threw another punch on the guy’s stomach.

Tumilapon ulit ang lalake at nagsigawan ang mga babaeng kasama nito. Kailangan nang tumigil ni Romano dahil tiyak akong magiging laman siya ng balita kinabukasan.

“Let me go!” Pumiglas ako. Nang makawala sa hawak ni JK na batid kong niluwagan ang kapit sa akin, tinakbo ko ang kinatatayuan ni Romano.

He was about to raise his fist again, but I stopped him by hugging him by the waist. Pumagitna ako sa dalawa. Tingin ko’y hindi na makakalaban pa ang bastos na lalake dahil malaki ang pinsalang ginawa ni Romano sa kanya.

“Romano.” I sobbed, looking up to him. “That’s enough. Mapapahamak ka lang. Let’s get out of here, huh?” I reached his face and cupped his cheek.

He met may worried gaze and sighed. “Are you okay now? Walang masakit sa’yo?”

Umiling ako kasabay ng pagpahid ng mga luha. “I’m really fine, Romano.”

He wiped my tears away. He made a tsk sound. “You’re such a handful, don’t you know?”

Ngumisi ako sa kabila ng paghikbi. “Alam ko. Lapitin talaga ko ng problema at disgrasya.”

“Watch out!” Someone yelled.

Romano’s eyes widened as he tightened his embrace on me.

“You, bastard!” I heard the filthy guy’s painful voice.

Mabilis akong lumingon sa aking likod at ganun na lang ang pagkatigagal ko nang makita ang duguang kamay ni JK na hawak-hawak ang kamay ng bastos na lalake. Apparently, the filthy guy was holding a knife.

“Got him, chick.” JK winked at me. I saw his hand tremble as he gripped the knife that was meant for me. The guy was supposed to stab me in my back, but JK saw it coming.

“Someone calls a police and ambulance!” The people who were just watching a while ago were now getting hysterical.

********

Romano’s supposed pictorial got cancelled. Reporters were in chaos outside the coffee shop. Dumating na rin ang mga pulis at inaresto ang lalakeng nagtangkang saksakin ako.

The medics were mending the wound on JK’s hand.

“Salamat.” Ani ko. I seated beside JK. Romano and Matt were standing on the corner, a police officer was talking with them.

“Para saan?” He side-eyed me. Namungay ang mga mata nito pero bakas pa rin ang panunukso sa kanyang mga titig.

“Sa pagligtas sa akin.”

“Tss. Maliit na bagay.” He grinned. Sinipat nito ang kamay na nasugatan. Laking pasalamat ko na lang na hindi malalim ang kanyang sugat doon.

“How can I repay you?”

“Hmmm….” He was pretending to think, then he beamed at me. “Let’s have a date.”

“Huh? Nagpapatawa ka pa rin ba ngayon, JK? O baka nanlalabo na ang mga mata mo? Nakikita mo ba ako?”

He nodded. “Yep. I’m looking at the most beautiful woman I have ever seen in my life. Wait a moment, chick. f**k, I don’t even know your name.”

“Mirasol pero Mira nalang.” Maiksi kong tugon.

Using his other hand, he grabbed his phone from the pocket of his ripped jeans and gave it to me. “Please save your number in my phone.”

Ngumuso ako at nag-alangan. Well, I owed this man my life. Exchanging numbers wouldn’t hurt, no?

Hustong nai-save ko na ang number ko sa kanyang cellphone nang lumapit sa kinauupuan namin si Romano.

“Let’s go home, grandma.” He said while looking at us interchangeably. “Thank you, JK. I owe you one.”

JK shrugged his shoulders. “No biggie, Romano.”

“Let’s have a drink sometime.”

“Yeah, sure.”

Romano tugged me by the hand. Sinulyapan ko si JK and I mouthed ‘bye’ to him. He gave me a sexy grin and waved his damaged hand to me.

Tumigil kami sa kinatatayuan ni Matt. He was busy giving orders to someone on the phone. When our eyes met, he ended the call and pulled me to his embrace.

“Okay ka lang ba talaga? Walang masakit sa’yo? We reviewed the CCTV camera at mukhang di maganda ang pagkakabagsak mo kanina.” He asked for the nth time.

I smiled at him. The concern looks on his face warmed my heart. I nodded. “Okay lang talaga ako, Matt. Wala kang dapat ipag-alala.”

“Go home and take a rest. I will drop by later.” He ruffled my hair.

“You’re being touchy.” Romano interjected as he pulled me away from Matt. I gritted my teeth when I felt the searing pain on my right shoulder. Hindi ko ipapaalam sa kanila ang iniinda kong sakit. Sobrang laki na ng atraso ko sa kanilang lahat.

Matt raised one eyebrow at Romano. His eyes were kind of suspicious. He sighed and slightly shook his head.

We bid our goodbye to Matt. He couldn’t come home yet since he needed to wrap up the things here first.   

There were a lot of security guards outside kaya hindi kami nahirapan sa pagdaaan. A car was waiting for us at the far-left corner. Tinakbo namin iyon ni Romano at agad sumakay sa backseat.

As we drove off, I realized one thing. I was hired to take care of him, to babysit him, but all along, he was the one protecting me. I glanced at him. He was looking outside the window.

I lifted my hand and tugged his sleeve. Nilingon ako nito na kunot ang noo.

“What?” He looked annoyed.

“Thank you and I’m sorry. Please tell me you’re, okay?” I spoke in a hush voice.

He stared at me. “I’m not okay. Hindi pa sapat ang ginawa ko sa gagong yun.”

Hindi ako umimik at pinilig na lamang ang ulo. I wonder what he was thinking right now?

********

Romano’s POV

I excused myself one we arrived at my penthouse.  I wanted to take a shower since I sweat too much from the fight I just had against that piece of s**t of an asshole.

“Can I cook our lunch?”

My steps were halted when she spoke. I glanced back at her, and she looked away, biting her lip. I groaned internally. That f*****g lip.

“Sure.” I answered in nonchalance.

We both went to our respective bedrooms. I immediately stripped and stood naked under the shower. Hindi ko maipaliwanag pero hindi pa rin mapalis-palis ang asar na nararamdaman ko. I punched the wall and leaned my forehead against it. It felt like what I did a while ago was not enough. Not enough to make her feel alright. The looks on her face when that asshole spat shitty words against her, made my chest tighten. At that moment, I knew she was about to break down and run away from that place. Sa ilang araw na kasama ko si Mira, basang-basa ko na ang kanyang kilos. If she said she’s okay, I knew that wasn’t entirely true. I wished I knew how to make her feel alright.

I took my time in the shower. Nang matapos, I checked my phone. I replied some texts from Matt and took the call from Dad and also did some explaining to the heads of Moon Records. Mira’s phone was probably burning with calls from nosy local medias right now. Sa pag-alala na baka natataranta na ito ngayon, nagmadali ako sa paglabas sa aking silid.

Mira’s bedroom door was slightly opened kaya hindi na ako kumatok. I entered unceremoniously and found no one inside the room. Kumunot ang noo ko. Where was she? Was she in the kitchen?

I was about to leave when I heard someone making noises from the bathroom.

“Ohhh…”  A soft moan filled my ears. Napalunok ako. I walked towards the bathroom door and realized it was not close either.

“Ahhh…”

Fucking hell.

I peeked inside and found her naked in the bathtub.

“Hmm…” Mira sighed softly.

Holy hell. Was Mira m**********g?

“Ahhh…” She bit her lip to contain her moans. My d**k instantly roared to life I could feel it rubbing hard against the fabric of my briefs. I wanted to touch myself while looking at her pleasuring her own flesh.

I took a step forward to have a better view of her. Her eyes were closed so she failed to notice my intrusion. I raked my gaze at her naked body. She was really a goddamn goddess.

Her body trembled when she clutched her right shoulder. Another sound fell from her mouth. But it wasn’t a moan this time. She was sobbing. And then I realized, she wasn’t groaning in pleasure. She was groaning in pain. Her cheeks were wet from her tears.

My eyes darted at her right shoulder and noticed how swollen it was. I gritted my teeth as outrage irrupted in me.

“What the hell happened to your shoulder, Mirasol!”

Mira’s eyes widened in surprise. “Jesus Christ, Romano! What are you doing here?!”

Without thinking twice, I crouched down and hooked my hands under her armpits and pulled her up. She was too stunned she couldn’t even bat an eye.

My jaw clenching as I grabbed her bathrobe and wrapped it around her naked body. I was so angry that I wanted to punch and break everything in this room!

I swear this woman needed a lot of spanking!