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

EIGHTEEN: BEAUTY

“God morning, Mira. Kumusta ang pakiramdam mo? How’s your shoulder?”

I looked over my shoulders and met Matt’s gaze. I was surprised to see him this early in the morning, but his casual look surprised me more. He’s wearing a light blue polo shirt paired with rugged pants and rubber shoes. Nasanay lang ako na laging naka-business suit ito.

“Good morning, too. Hindi na gaano namamaga ang balikat ko, Matt. Thank you for asking.” I replied. Nagpiprito ako ng tocino at mukhang luto na ito. I turned off the fire and was about to turn around to grab a plate, but I bumped against Matt’s hard body. Hindi ko pansin na nakatayo na pala ito sa aking likuran.

“Ma—Matt, sorry.” Tiningala ko ito. Matt stared at me with a stoic expression. His eyes were conveying me something I couldn’t understand. It was as if he wanted to say something but was just holding back. I was confused for a moment.

I blinked momentarily but his stares were getting intense to the point that it made me comfortable. Halos hindi ako makahinga dahil sa lakas ng t***k ng puso ko. Nasamyo ko ang kanyang masculine scent at after-shave.

“Did I…. startle you, Mira?” He whispered in a raspy voice. Umangat ang kamay nito at bahagyang inayos ang eyeglasses ko. Tumikhim ako at umatras.

I grinned at him awkwardly. “Ang aga mo, tulog pa ata si Romano.”

“It’s okay. Hindi naman siya ang sadya ko.”

“Ah.” Alanganin kong tango. “Dito ka na mag-almusal.”

I rounded him so I could grab the empty plate from the counter. Bumalik ako sa harap ng stove at nilipat ang tocino sa plato.

I heard Matt sighing behind me. “I didn’t mean to scare you. I just really wanted to stay close to you and stare at your face.”

Umiling ako sa sinabi ni Matt. “I don’t understand, Matt. Ano bang meron sa mukha ko?”

“You have no idea how beautiful you are, Mira.”

I silently cursed him. I gritted my teeth and took a deep breath. “I’m not beautiful, Matt. I don’t consider myself pretty.” Because what you’re seeing was fake! I so wanted to yell at him what I had been dying to say to everyone who complimented my face. I tried so hard to hide it with gigantic eyeglasses, bakit nakikita pa rin nila! Hindi nila alam na nasasaktan ako tuwing pinupuri nila ang mukha ko. Ang mukhang hindi naman natural na akin!

Matt tugged my hand and turned me around to face him. He pinched my nose and gave me boyish smile. “But you are. And I don’t only mean your face, Mira. You’re beautiful just the way you are.”

I sighed. “Thank you, Matt. Gigisingin ko lang si Romano.”

“No need. It was quite entertaining listening and looking at you both.” Romano suddenly appeared out of nowhere. He was leaning against the wall while crossing his arms over his chest. Nakakalokong ngisi ang binigay nito sa amin.

“Romano, hindi ko alam na gising ka na pala.” Ani ko at lumapit sa mesa. “I’ve cooked breakfast.”

“Pansin ko nga.” He grimaced a little. “Matt, kahit hindi ka naman imbitado sa breakfast na’to, wag ka nang mahiya. Join us.”

Matt rolled his eyes. “Don’t start me with your bitterness, Romano.” He pulled a chair and pulled me to sit down. “Thank you for preparing the breakfast, Mira.”

“Sinong bitter, ako? Me? I?” He forcefully pulled a chair and sat down. He glanced at me and when my eyes met his, umirap ito sa akin.

 Problema ng lalakeng ‘to? Ang aga-aga, ang suplado.

Pinili ko na lamang ang tumahimik and thankfully, hindi na rin kumibo pa ang dalawang lalake sa magkabilang gilid ko.

“Romano, are you sure you’re not going?” Matt asked when he was done eating. He sipped his coffee.

Romano shook his head. “I told you two months ago, and I will tell you the same thing. I’m not going to that award’s show.”

“But you are nominated for three categories, Romano. And there are rumors that you will win those awards like you did last year.”

Panay ang tingin ko sa kanilang dalawa. Ano ba ang tinutukoy nila? Award’s show? Teka, anong buwan na ba ngayon? Oh! Star Awards for Music!

“I did not release a song for the last two years. Ibigay nalang nila sa ibang mas deserving ang awards, whatever those are. I have enough plaques and trophies to last me a lifetime.” He replied.

“You’re up against JK De Vera under Most Popular Artist Award for three times in a row. Do you think, this time, JK will win against you?” Matt looked at Romano under his lashes.

The latter shrugged his shoulders. “Why not? We can’t deny that he’s as popular as me. But if the Award Giving Bodies are going to base on the number of albums and songs sold, I think I will win again.” He cockily grinned at us. “But I don’t really mind if he wins this time. Award shows are overrated, don’t you think?” He lifted his cup and took a sip from it.

“Okay. We will ask your co-producer to attend on your behalf. Tiyak akong isa sa tatlong awards na yun ay panalo ka.”

“Thanks to my father.”

Matt scoffed. “C’mon, Romano. Anong kinalaman ng Senyor diyan?”

Romano calmly set his cup aside and looked at him with disdain. “Wag tayong maglokohan, Matt. Most members of that stupid Giving Bodies know who my father is. I know he somehow influenced them para mapunta sa akin ang awards na yun.”

“Romano.” Singit ko. Hindi ko gusto ang paraan ng kanyang pananalita. “Are you insinuating that you don’t deserve any of those awards you’ve won so far? Anong akala mo? Kaming mga fans mo ay hindi nag-e-effort to vote for you? Are you invalidating our importance, our effort? Your fans worked hard to make you number one on the list, Romano. Nanalo ka hindi dahil inutos ng Papa mo sa kanila na ipapanalo ka. You won because you deserve it. You won because you have millions of fans behind you, supporting you, cheering for you.”

“Wow. Bakit nagagalit ka diyan?” He looked so surprised at my outburst. “Of course, my fans are my biggest inspiration. I’m not invalidating your importance, grandma. Malaki ang utang na loob ko sa inyong lahat. Don’t misunderstand me. What I am trying to say is that, kahit pa sabihin natin na karapat-karapat dapat ako sa mga awards na yun, with all those bestselling albums and songs I accumulated for the past years, even though my fans and I worked hard for it, we cannot change the fact that my surname made it more possible for me to win, just like how it makes my life easier. Kaya nga ayokong ginagamit ang Salvatore.”

“As if Alcantara isn’t one of the most powerful clans in the country.” Matt interjected while shaking his head. “Anyway, I have to go. I have to meet Atty. Henares and both of us will go straight to the precinct.” He stood up.

“Matt, tungkol pala diyan, do you think….”

“No.” Both Romano and Matt talked in unison, to my surprise.

I was taken aback. Parehong may inis na mababanaag sa kanilang mukha. Napakamot ako sa aking batok.

“Huh? Hindi n’yo pa nga narinig kung ano ang nais kong sabihin, e.”

“Mira, sa tono pa lang ng boses mo, alam na namin kung ano ang gusto mong puntuhin. You’re going to ask us if we could just let it pass, forgive that asshole and move on, yeah? No, babe. Not on my f*****g watch.” Romano clenched his jaw.

“I don’t want to drag you down, Romano. Tiyak akong hati ang opinyon ng fans mo.”

“Fans ko? My fans are smart enough to know what I did was right. Yung mga hindi sang-ayon, anti-fan mga yun. Isa pa, JK was there. He gave his testimony, and it was all spot-on. Pumapanig din siya sa atin. I must give that guy some credit. Seriously grandma, we should not tolerate bullies. If something like this happened again, do not hesitate to fight back. Don’t worry of the aftermath. We have your back.”

Ngumuso ako. “I’m too weak to fight back. At ang liit ko rin para lumaban, physically.” I just really loathe physical violence.

“Hmm…You have a point.” Matt rubbed his chin with his forefinger and thumb. “You should bring a knife, then.”

My eyes grew wide.

“Knife is not that harmful. You should carry a gun.” Romano said in a serious tone.

My jaw deliberately dropped to the floor. Nagpalipat-lipat ang tingin ko sa kanilang dalawa. Were these two guys serious?!

“Please tell me you’re just joking.”

“We’re not.”

“Nope.”

I could not think of myself wielding a knife to someone, how much more to pull a trigger?

Suddenly, the room filled with their boisterous laughs.

“Nakakatawa ang mukha mo, Mira.” Ani ni Romano.

“I think you forgot to breathe for a moment there.” Si Matt.

I stomped my foot. “Ewan ko sa inyo!” I swear, umuusok ang tainga at ilong ko sa kanilang dalawa na tawang-tawa pa rin.

Matt ruffled my hair. “Sorry for that, darling. Ang cute mo kasi.” He said animatedly. “I really have to go now. Hey, you two, you have a long day ahead. Don’t forget you have a photoshoot schedule this afternoon and after that, direstso na kayo sa filming site para sa’yong MV.”

I nodded to Matt. “Thanks, Matt. Don’t worry, I have checked and prepared everything we needed for today’s hectic schedule.”

“Hindi ba pwede i-postpone ang MV filming? They are still looking for the right girl for the scenes.”

Umismid akong humarap sa kanya. “Na-orient na kita about dito. I told you they will only film your scenes first. At isa pa, teaser pa lang ng MV ang isho-shoot mamayang gabi. Sa sunod na daw yung ibang scenes na magkasama kayo ng model.”

“Ah. Wari ba?” Patay-malisyang sagot nito.

Umirap ako. He really hated the idea of having a girl for his MV. Sa mga nagdaaang MV niya kasi, madalas ay siya lang mag-isa o di kaya ay sikat na loveteams ng bansa ang bida. This was probably the first time na siya ang bibida at may kasama siyang partner. We had a briefing of what was the concept would be. There would be a lot of intimate scenes and heartbreaking ones.

“Goodluck for today, Mira. Fighting!” Matt said, raising a fist in the air.

I chuckled at Matt’s antics. I didn’t know this guy had a childlike behavior, but I replied doing the same gesture. “Bye, Matt. Fighting!”

He gave me one last lingering look before he walked away. Tumahimik ulit ang kusina. Pinagtuunan ko ng pansin ang pagliligpit ng mga pinggan. Sa gilid ng aking mata ay nakahalukipkip lang si Romano habang nagmamasid sa akin.

“Ano.” Ani ko sa kanya nang makaramdam ako ng ilang sa kanyang paninitig.

“Bye Matt, fighting!” He mimicked with a high-pitched tone and annoyed look. “What the f**k was that?” He was literally glaring at me.

“Anong problema mo, Romano. Kung wala kang gagawin dito, magbihis ka na at may conference meeting ka pang dadaluhan. Baka nakalimutan mo.”

“Grandma.”

“What?” I snarled at him. I continued cleaning the table.

“Come here.”

“Ayoko nga. Can’t you see I’m busy here.”

“Tss. Come here. Isa….”

Umirap ako sa hangin at padabog na binaba ang mga pinggan. I washed my hands and patted them dry. Mabibigat ang mga hakbnag ko habang lumalapit sa kanya.

“Ano ba kasi yun?” Bulong ko na hindi tumitingin sa kanya.

Romano grabbed my by the hand. My chest was literally pressed against his. He clutched my chin and tipped my head up, making me look at his serious face. I flinched and trembled. My heart rate was all over the place.

“You look flustered.”

“You are making me nervous, Romano.”

“Don’t be. I just forget to greet you good morning. Good morning, babe.” He smiled lopsidedly.

Ah, my heart made a backflip. It was thumping crazily against my ribcage. “Good…morning…” I uttered shyly.

This man would ruin me for sure. And you know what was my biggest fear? That I might have let him ruin me.

**********

“Manong Gaspar, hindi pa ba kayo pagod?” Tanong ni Romano sa kanyang driver. Dito kami sa backseat nakaupo at pauwi na sa penthouse. Mag a-alas dose na ng hatinggabi at ang mga mata ko’y babagsak na anumang oras. Nanakit na rin ang aking mga paa ko sa kakalakad-takbo sa dami ng ginawa kanina.

“Hindi pa naman hijo. Naka-idlip ako habang naghihintay sa inyong matapos. May dadaanan pa ba tayo?”

“Opo sana.” He then glanced at me. “Are you that tired, Mira? May dadalawin lang sana ako sa ospital.”

Agad akong napatuwid ng upo. Salubong ang kilay kong humarap sa kanya. “Sino ang na-ospital, Romano?”

He chuckled. “Don’t get panic. My mother called me a while ago while I was taking a break. Nandito si Alejandro sa Manila ngayon para sa kanyang general check-ups.”

“Alejandro?” I never heard of that name before.

“Haven’t I mentioned my big brother to you?”

Napaisip ako sandali. “I think you did but you didn’t mention his name.”

“Ah.” He nodded. “My brother had a car accident more than a year ago. Unfortunately, hindi na siya makalakad. He lost his feelings from his hips down to his toes. Gusto ko sanang bisitahin siya ngayon.”

Tumango ako. “Of course, Romano. Pero parang late na ata ang ganitong oras. Baka tulog na ito.”

“Well, kung tulog na siya, then, gisingin natin.” Tawa nito.

Pinagmasdan ko ito. He seemed tired already pero may energy pa itong tumawa at mambwisit ng pasyente.

Napailing na lamang ako.

Pagdating namin sa ospital, dumiretso kami sa top floor. I realized that the top floor was exclusive for VIP patients.

We stopped at a certain door and Romano didn’t even bother to knock. I watched him enter without hesitation. Ang hilig talaga nitong manghimasok nang walang paalam. Nanatili akong nakatayo sa likod ng pintuan.

“Where is he?” He asked when we saw his bed was empty. He went to the door on his right side and knock.

“Hi Bea. You’re here.” He winked at the woman who opened the door.

“Romano!” She was surprised.

He looked past the woman and spoke with teasin tone. “Hello brother. Hindi ko alam na nalipat na pala ang pwesto mo.”

“Get your ass inside. Don’t make my girl stand there.” I heard another man’s voice from the inside.

“My girl? Aren’t we being possessive here?” He was about to walk inside when he c****d his head to look at me. “Hey, grandma. Don’t just stand near the door. Find a chair and take a seat.” Anito.

Lumabas ng tuluyan sa silid na iyon ang babae. Nagtama ang mga mata namin at sandali ako nitong sinuri.

“Hi. Maupo ka.” She said in a friendly manner. She gave me a sincere smile, probably one of the sincerest smiles I received from a stranger.

“Thank you.” I smiled back at her.

“Ako nga pala si Bea, carer ni Alejandro.” Lumapit ito sa akin.

“She is my grandma.” Singit ni Romano na may panunuya. Pinaningkitan ko ito ng mata.

“I’m Mira, Romano’s P.A.”

“Nice to meet you, Mira.” We shook hands.

“The pleasure is mine.” Nahihiya kong tugon.

“P.A. huh. I remember you hated the idea of hiring P.A’s. What made you change your mind?”

My eyes went to the man in the wheelchair. He had this kind of cold aura emanating from him but the warmth in his voice was something one couldn’t miss. I could tell he was glad his younger brother visited him.

“What made me change my mind? Dear brother, you made me change my mind. All the workloads and shits I have to deal with every day, since you stopped working for the company. I need someone who can help me manage my schedules. Dahil kahit ang manager ko ay napapraning na sa dami ng trabaho.” Inis na sagot ng kapatid.

“It’s about time you manage the family’s business, Romano. Papa will retire any time soon. You will be the ruler of Salvatore Empire soon.”

“Fat chance, dear bro.”

Umismid ang kuya nito and he finally gave a glimpse to me. “What brought you here? Its’ almost midnight. You should have let the poor girl sleep.” May konting paninita sa boses nito.

“You know I can’t visit you during the day. Fans are everywhere. Pauwi na sana kami from my MV shooting when I decided to drop by. Hindi ako magtatagal. At isa pa, si Bea naman ang sinadya ko at hindi ikaw. Mother told me she’s here with you.”

Alejandro threw a pillow at him. “Now that you saw her, it’s time for you to get out bago ka pa dumugin ng mga tao dito.”

“As if I did not know what’s running inside that head of yours.” Romano winked at Bea na nakatanggap ng panibagong unan na binato ni Alejandro.

Romano laughed wholeheartedly na siyang nagpa-angat ng tingin ko. My eyes landed on him. He seemed totally happy and lively. Hindi ko alam bakit natutunaw ang puso kong pagmasdan ito sa ganyang anyo. I liked how carefree he seemed like. We had a long, rough day and was glad that he somehow found joy bantering with his big brother.

I liked this kind of version of him.

***********

“This way, Ma’am.”

Pinilig ko ang ulo ko when the waiter led me to the second floor. Nang dumating ako sa restaurant ay pansin ko kaagad na puno ng diners ang first floor.

Kumakalabog ang puso ko habang nakasunod sa waiter. When we finally reached the second floor, I was expecting for a jampacked floor just like the first one. Pero walang katao-tao at nag-iisa lang din ang table na nakapwesto sa pinakagitna.

Niligid ko ang tingin sa buong paligid. The lights were kind of dim and there were flower petals and balloons scattered on the floor. Anong trip ng lalakeng ‘to?

Humakbang ako papunta sa table. I didn’t see him yet. Did I arrive early?

“Good evening, chick.” JK’s soothing voice spoke behind me.

I swung around to meet him. And there he was, standing so magnificent in his dinner suit, a bouquet of flowers on his right hand.

“Flowers for the beautiful lady like you.” He said while handing the bouquet to me.

I reluctantly accepted it. “JK, I…I don’t think….”

“You promised me a two-hour date, chick. No complaints, please.” His eyes glimmered.

I gnawed my lips. I was so underdressed. I did not expect him to prepare something like this. This was too much. Jesus Christ, this was a real date.

“Sorry, I was…I didn’t expect something like this.”

“If you like someone, you need to exert effort to please her. Do you like what you’re seeing so far?”

I bit my bottom lip and nodded. “It’s beautiful.”

“But unfortunately, it doesn’t compare to the beauty bestowed upon me. The beauty that is you. Thank you for this moment, chick.” He came forward and planted a soft kiss on my forehead.

I rendered speechless.