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

EIGHT: BACKFIRE

“Find me a scissors, Matt!” Inis na sambit ni Romano. Napapangiwi ako sa marahas na paghila niya sa mga hibla ng aking buhok.

I could feel him shaking, kung dahil ba sa inis o galit sa akin ay hindi ko mapagtanto.

“Here.” There was a hint of amusement in the man’s voice as he handed the scissors to Romano.

Kumakagat-labi na lamang ako habang pinapakinggan ang paggupit-gupit ng lalake sa aking buhok.

“Romano, balak mo ba siyang kalbohin?” Tawang-tawa na tanong ng lalake.

“Oo!” He yelled with annoyance.

Sa inis ko ay sinuntok ko ang kanyang tagiliran. “Umayos ka, Romano! Iilang hibla lang naman ang nasabit diyan sa zipper mo! Makita ko lang talaga na maraming buhok ko ang ginupit mo…”

“Ano, ano ha! Anong gagawin mo, grandma! Papalag ka? Lalaban ka?” Ani pa nito.

“Hindi buhok mo ang ginugupit niya, Miss. Yung pubic hair niya.” Humagalpak sa tawa ang lalakeng di ko pa makita ang mukha dahil sa sitwasyon ko.

“f**k you, Matt! My pubic hair is sexy. I trim it regularly.” Romano answered cockily as he fumbled his fingers on his jeans. “Pwede ka nang tumingala, grandma. Naputol ko na ang dapat putulin.”

“Tss.” I snickered as I straightened my back. Minasahe ko ang aking batok at likod dahil sa pangangawit sa aking posisyon kanina.

“Tss? Did you just scoff at me, grandma?” Romano suddenly held the back of my head and pulled me towards him. My eyes grew wide as my face fell flat against his thigh.

“What was that scoff for? Di ka naniniwala na sexy ang pubic hair ko? Di ka naniniwala na I trim it? You wanna see it with your own eyes?” He started unbuttoning his jeans again but before he could pull his jeans down, inis na tinulak ko ito at agad akong lumayo sa kanya.

“Puro ka kalokahan, Romano.” Nangatal ang labi ko sa nerbiyos. Talagang ipapakita niya ang kanyang...errr…juts to prove a point? Baliw talaga!

“Ako? Puro kalokohan? E anong tawag sa ginawa mo kanina, Mira? Ipaliwanag mo nga ang nangyari. Paanong nabuhol ang buhok mo sa zipper ng pantalon ko, sige nga?”

“Ano…uhm... I noticed the zipper of your jeans were opened. I was planning to zip it. Baka kasi….” Kumagat labi ako at napapikit na lamang. “Baka kabagin dahil nakahubad ka na halos at naka-on ang aircon.”

“Baka kabagin?!” Romano and Matt replied in unison. Parehong nakatayo ang mga ito at nakapamewang.

Romano shook his head as he ran his fingers through his hair. “Hind ko alam kung maiinis ako o matatawa sa’yo, grandma. Ang alam ko lang, kakaiba kang nilalang.”

Pinanlakihan ko ito ng mata. “Nang-iinusulto ka na naman!”

“Papuri yun.” He scoffed. Inangat nito ang kamay sa ere at pinaikot ang daliri. “Turn around.”

“Why?”

“Grandma, don’t talk to my stomach. Sa mukha ko ikaw tumingin.” There was a hint of amusement in his voice.

Ngumuso ako. Hindi ko pansing nakatitig ako sa kanyang tiyan. May pandesal kasi doon. Parang gusto ko tuloy magkape.

“Tumalikod ka para makapagsuot ako ng T-shirt.”

“Tatalikod na.”

“Aba, parang masama pa ang loob mo ha. I didn’t know you are a pervert, grandma.” He chuckled.

Mabilis akong tumalikod mula sa kanilang dalawa. “Pervert mo mukha mo!”

“Romano, you never walk around shirtless. This is a first.” Matt chimed in.

“Tss. I found her sleeping soundly in her bed before I came here in the living room. Naghihilik pa yan kanina kaya di ko akalain na magigising siya agad at maabutan ako dito sa sala. Hindi ko rin akalaing makakaidlip ako.” Paliwanag nito.

“Hmm…Ayaw mong ipakita yan sa kanya?” Bahagyang humina ang boses ni Matt.

I didn’t hear Romano’s reply. Ano ang ayaw ipakita nito sa akin? Hmmp! If Matt was pertaining to Romano’s bulge, di bale nalang!

I AM NOT INTERESTED!

“Hoy, grandma.” Romano appeared in front of me. Pinakita nito ang buhok na naipit kanina sa kanyang zipper.

Dinakwit ko iyon mula sa kanyang kamay. “Itatapon ko.”

“Alangan naman kainin mo.” He snarled. “Answer my question, grandma! May pagnanasa ka ba sa akin? Dahil magkakaproblema tayo kung ganun.”

“Bakit, may pagnanasa ka rin ba sa akin?” Namewang ako sa kanyang harapan.

Humalakhak ito. Ang klase ng halakhak na may kalakip na insulto. “I must be out of mind if I am, grandma.” He answered. Ininguso nito ang buhok na hawak ko. “Kakapiraso lang yan. Hindi halata sa ayos mo na may nabawas. Siguro naman ay hindi mo na iyan ikakagalit.” He mumbled incoherent words. “Matt, bathroom lang ako.” Dugtong nito. Pain was visible in his voice as he looked down on himself. “Shit.”

“May masakit ba sa’yo?” Agad na tanong ko. I took a step forward, but Romano raised his hand, gesturing me to stop on my tracks.

“Don’t come near me.” He said coldly.

I blinked my eyes. “I didn’t know that my hair being stuck on your zipper would pain you. I’m sorry, Romano.” Wala sa loob na kinusot ko ang laylayan ng aking blusa.

Romano’s eyes moved from my face down to my fumbling fingers. “Do you always do that?”

“Huh?”

“Yang pagkusot mo sa damit mo. I noticed you’ve been doing that every time I talked to you.”

I bit my bottom lip. “Uhm. Kapag kinakabahan o kapag nag-aalala ako. It’s…it’s a habit.”

Tipid itong tumango. “s**t. I need to get this off.” Yumuko ulit ito at tinanaw ang kanyang harapan.

“Do you need help?” I asked again. Maybe I could grab his medical kit? Maybe he need some painkiller or something?

“f**k no!” Romano yelled in a heartbeat.

The man named Matt gawked at me and it only took seconds before he started laughing again. “She’s asking if you need help. How innocent.” Magaan na tumawa ulit ito. Hinarap nito ang lalakeng pawis na pawis na. “Go, Romano. Take all the time in the world.” Namumula ang pisngi nito at panay ang pagkagat sa kanyang labi. Nagpipigil na mapabulanghit sa tawa. “I can’t believe this woman is capable of giving you blue balls. Hahaha!”

“Shut the f**k up, you asshole!”  Romano shouted as he was half-running towards his bedroom door.

Ako na palipat-lipat ng tingin sa dalawa ay hindi masabayan ang takbo ng kanilang usapan. Well, I don’t have intentions of deciphering whatever the words coming out from their mouths. Blue balls? What in the world is that?

“I believe we haven’t introduced properly.” The guy initiated the talk. Humakbang ito palapit sa akin. He stopped a meter away as he shoved his hands into the front pockets of his jeans.

Tumango ako. “I’m sorry if you caught us in a very humiliating situation.”

“It’s more of entertaining to me. I almost died laughing. I initially thought you’re giving him a head.” Bahagya itong tumawa.

Almost died laughing? Aba, bakit hindi ka pa natuluyan?

“A head? You mean my head? Why would I give him my head?” I gave him a confused look. Pinilig ko pa ng bahagya ang aking ulo.

Matt gaped at me. Para itong naestatwa sa kanyang kinaatatayuan. Did I say something wrong? Bakit natulala ito?

I cleared my throat. “Excuse me? May masama ba sa sinabi ko?”

Matt fluttered his eyes momentarily. He shook his head. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be rude.” Bahagya itong natawa. “I had never met a woman as innocent as you. I was dumbfounded for a moment there. I’m Matteo, by the way. Matt for short.” Naglahad ito ng palad.

Inabot ko iyon at tipid na ngumiti. “Mirasol but everyone calls me Mira.”

“Nice to meet you, Mira.”

“Nice to meet you, too.”

“You’re sweating.” Matt grabbed the tissue box that was placed on the centre table and handed it to me.

“Salamat.” I pulled a few tissues at tinanggal ang salamin sa aking mata. I patted my face dry. Dinamay ko na rin ang aking leeg at batok. Ramdam ko ang pamamasa ng aking likod dahil sa pawis. Bakit ba biglang uminit ang paligid?

Sinuot ko ulit ang salamin sa mata at tumingin ulit kay Matt para sana magpasalamat ulit pero nahuli ko itong nakatitig na naman sa akin.

I suddenly felt awkward. “May dumi ba sa mukha ko?” Kinapa ko ang pisngi baka kako may dumikit na tissue doon.

“Your eyes… are they natural?”

Oh. So, he had noticed.

I nodded. “Yes.”

“May lahi ka?”

“Lahing mangkukulam? Wala.” Ngumiwi ako. Madalas kasi kapag tinatanong ako ng mga tao kung may lahi ba ako, lahing mangkukulam ang dinudogtong ng mga ito.

Matt grinned at me. “Silly. You know that’s not what I meant.” Tinuro nito ang sofa. ‘Why don’t we sit?”

Nauna itong naupo kaya sumunod din ako. Ang totoo ay nangangawit na rin ako. Bakit ba kasi ang tatangkad ng mga lalakeng ito? Nakakangawit sa batok kapag kausap ko sila dahil kailangan kong tumingala.

Umupo ako sa kabilang dulo ng sofa. “Sabi ng Mama ko…” I clenched my teeth. I wish I could avoid mentioning her, but I had no choice. “I inherited my great grandfather’s eyes. He’s half Italian and Filipino.”

“Ah… they’re pretty.” Tumikhim ito. “Anyway, ito pala ang schedules ni Romano.” May inabot itong folder sa akin. “His schedule until next month is quite hectic. Pero kung mapapansin mo, Saturdays and Sundays are empty. He doesn’t want to work during those days but that doesn’t mean he would stay here in the penthouse lazing around. Madalas, he spends his weekends attending parties here and there, hindi dahil kagustuhan niya kundi obligasyon niyang umattend sa mga yun. Malalaman mo rin ang mga yun dahil sinabihan ako ni Tito Arturo na kailangan kang isama ni Romano sa mga pagtitipong iyon. Don’t worry, hindi naman linggo-linggo.”

Napalunok ako. Ang bagay na yan ang pinag-alala ko. Hindi ko alam kung kaya ko bang gampanan ang pagiging companion ni Romano sa mga parties. I don’t think I’m suited to even stand beside him. I mean, bukod sa sikat na celebrity ang lalake, galing din ito sa Alta Sociedad. Tiyak akong hindi basta-basta ang mga bisita. It would be illegal to breath the same air as them.

“Don’t worry, Mira. Makakasanayan mo rin. At kung nababahala ka sa magiging porma o ayos mo sa party, Romano has his own glam team. I already gave them a heads up. Alam na nila ang gagawin. At isa pa, you’re beautiful. Konting ayos lang sa’yo, you will be one of the prettiest ladies out there.” Matt smiled at me.

My heart skipped a beat. “I’m not beautiful.” Ito ata ang kauna-unahang pagkakataon an nakarinig ako ng sinserong papuri mula sa isang lalake. Sa isang gwapo at matikas na lalake.

“Trust me, you are.” He gazed at me.

Umiwas ako ng tingin at piniling yumuko na lamang.

“You’re blushing.”

“I’m not. Mainit kasi ang panahon.”

“The room temperature is set to twenty degrees. Sigurado kang nilalamig ka talaga?”

“Are you…are you teasing me?”

“And if I am?”

My head bolted toward him. “It’s not funny.” I stood up. “Mukhang matatagalan pa si Romano sa bathroom. Can I go back to my room now? Wala naman na siguro tayong pag-uusapan?”

“Easy there, lady. I don’t bite. Please be comfortable with me. Oh, I forgot to give you this.” Isang maliit na box ang inabot nito.

Tinanggap ko iyon. “Anong laman nito?”

“From now on, use that phone. It’s brand new at na set-up ko na rin. Lahat ng mahahahalang contact na konektado sa kanyang trabaho katulad ng kanyang ibang producers, stylist, make-up artist, etc. ay naka-save na diyan. You will meet his team sa Monday. Meron siyang taping. Na-sync ko na rin sa calendar mo ang mga schedule niya kaya ang gagawin mo nalang ay ipaalam sa kanya ang mga ito two days before an event happen. Romano hates to be informed late. Ayaw niyang minamadali siya. For his meal plans, you don’t have to worry about it. Hindi pihikan sa pagkain ang taong yun at kapag nandito lang siya sa bahay ay madalas siyang magluto. He grew up with nannies kaya natutunan niya maging domestic sa murang edad. Tungkol naman sa gawaing-bahay, may nakatalagang housekeepers na pumupunta dito every Saturday for general cleaning. Pero kung mapapansin mo, hindi makalat ang bahay. He’s a well-organized person. Maliban nalang kung lasing ito because he tends to turn the whole place upside down.” He chuckled.

Umawang ang labi ko sa mga sinabi ni Matt sa akin ngayon. Panibagong impormasyon tungkol kay Romano na dumagdag sa mga rason para hangaan ko ito. Parang gusto ko tuloy umpisahan magsulat sa diary para doon ibuhos ang galak sa puso ko para sa taong ilang taon kong hinahangaan.

“Matt.” Romano emerged to the living room. Sabay naming nilingon ito.

My mouth hung open as I raked my gaze to his whole physique. He’s really the most gorgeous man I’ve ever seen. He was wearing a black long sleeve fitted button-up dress shirt and paired it with gray dress pants. Mukhang lalabas ito ngayong gabi.

“Are we going somewhere?” Matt asked in surprise.

“Yeah. Change of plan.” Tinapunan ako ng tingin ni Romano. May inis pa ring bumalatay sa kanyang mukha. Did I make him upset?

“May pagkain sa fridge. You can just heat them up, grandma. Alam mo naman siguro kung paano gamitin ang microwave oven?”

I huffed. “Alam ko, wag kang mag-alala. Hindi ko sisirain ang mga kasangkapan mo.”

“Alright. Let’s go, Matt.”

“Saan tayo pupunta?”

“The usual.”

“What? But you’re not allowed to go there with your Mariposas, Romano! Tito forbids you to meet anyone of them!” Matt exclaimed.

“Who says I’m going to f**k some sluts? Trisha invited me for dinner. Drop me off at her place.”

“Gagawin mo pa akong driver.” Reklamo ni Matt na iiling-iling. “Dinner, huh.” He smirked at Romano. The latter threw him a warning look.

Matt shook his head as he stood up and faced me. “Bye for now, Mira. You can find my mobile number in the phone. Give me a call if you need anything.”

Romano looked at me with brows furrowed. “Tiyak akong naka-save na rin diyan ang personal number ko, but don’t call me.” He said coldly.

What the hell is his problem with me? Why is he so pissed?

I sighed and nodded to both of them. Hindi na ako kumibo pa at tinanaw na lamang ang kanilang papalayong pigura.

Trisha? Yung singer ba na napapabalitang karelasyon ni Romano ngayon ang kakatagpuin niya? Dapat ko bang pigilan ito? Napakamot ako sa batok. Well, Trisha isn’t one of his Mariposas. Baka nga girlfriend niyang totoo ito. At kung sakali man, kawawa naman ang babae. Hindi niya alam na may mga babaeng dinadala si Romano sa building na ito at binabahay pa.

I sighed again. Pero bakit ganun? Even if I already saw the worst side of Romano, tinitingala ko pa rin ito. I’m still grateful na sa lahat ng pwede niyang i-hire ay ako ang nandito ngayon nakatira sa mismong penthouse niya.

The fact that I am the first woman who ever lives in his house bring a smile in my face.

**********

Romano’s POV

“Romano, your c**k is the best.” Trisha drawled, spitting some saliva onto the tip of my hard as a rock d**k. She was practically kneeling right before me.

“It’s so huge, so beautiful.” She looked up to me with lustful eyes. Her nails raking up and down my naked thigh.

My stomach tightened up and gave her a chuckle. “Beautiful, huh. I don’t like the word beautiful. It’s not the right word to describe my d**k but I’d forgive you since you’re so good at sucking it like your life depended on it. I will f**k your p***y if you’re going to swallow all my c*m, Trish.” Hinawi ko ang kanyang buhok at inipon sa likod ng kanyang ulo.

“Oh, I’d love that, Mr. Dominant. I want you to f**k me hard like you mean it. I missed this, Romano.” She squeezed my balls. “I’m missed you.”

Can’t say I missed her too because I truly don’t. If only that old-fashioned grandma didn’t stroke my d**k so hard, I wouldn’t be here with this woman.

Trisha took me into her mouth, sucking my head with her pouty lips. Her hands went to her dripping s*x, stroking, playing, strumming it like her p***y was a guitar.

Tumingala ako at napapakagat-labi. Trisha really knows how to please a man. The good thing about her, she hates commitment just like I do. We’re friends and we f**k, but no emotional attachment involved whatsoever. She knew I hired women to be my escort and at the same time to pleasure me in bed. She even recommended me whom to hire.

I looked down on her when I felt her lustful stare on me. Tinukod ko ang mga kamay sa kama at napapasinghap ng mabababaw. I’m almost there.

Trisha dug her tongue into the tiny slit of my d**k, curling it to taste my pre-c*m. I grunted, my hips jerking off the bed. She looked so hot and wild.

“I’m cumming.” I muttered.

She moved her hands faster, and I moved my hips against them. I became aggressive with her touch until I couldn’t hold it any longer. I explode inside her mouth.

My d**k jerked shot my c*m down her throat and just like a good girl that she is, she swallowed it all like I told him to. She drank up the heat of my orgasm. She kept doing it until I was done.

I calmed down and stood up, stroking my hard d**k. Yes, I’m still hard. I need more. I want more.

“Bed.” I said coldly.

Trisha hastily climbed on the bed, spreading her legs wide apart.

“f**k me, Romano.” She begged.

I smirked. “I’m on it.”

And oh lord, did I f**k her hard.

*********

“That was hot.” Trisha cooed while stroking my arm. She intentionally avoided my torso because she knows the deal.

I stared at the ceiling as I let her snuggle a little close to me. I sighed. What the hell is wrong with me? Why do I feel like I am not contented enough? Why do I feel like there’s big void inside of me?

“Romano….” Malandi niyang sambit sa pangalan ko.

I glanced at her. Her eyes glinted of lust. If she’s in the mood, she tends to be insatiable in bed.

“Hmm…” I cupped her plumped breast. “You want another around, huh.”

She moaned as she glided her legs against mine. “f**k me from behind this time.”

She changed her position and was now lying on her stomach while her ass sticking in the air. I positioned myself behind her and was about to penetrate her hole when my phone rang.

A series of curses fell from my lips as I reached for my phone on the floor.

Kumunot ang noo ko nang mabasa ang pangalan ng caller.

Grandma. Ah yes, I changed the owner’s name of this number when I was in Matt’s car. Binago ko since si Mira na ang may-ari ng numerong ginagamit ni Matt noon.

I pressed my lips tightly. Sumenyas ako kay Trisha na pinanlalakihan na ako ng mata ngayon.

“What do you want?” Bagot na bungad ko. “I told you not to call me, didn’t I?”

She cleared her throat. I could sense she’s nervous. Pagkatapos ay pekeng tumawa ito. “Hehehe. Sorry, sinubukan ko lang naman kung may load ito.”

“And then?”

“Hehehe. May load nga.”

Nagtagis ang bagang ko. Tinirik ko ang mata paitaas. Naglakad ako patungo sa malaking bintana ng kwarto ni Trisha at tinanaw ang siyudad.

“Bakit ka tumawag, yung totoo?”

“Uhm. Nabasag ko ang plato mo. Sorry! Sorry! Babayaran ko nalang!”

I expelled a huge breath. This odd-looking woman is getting to my nerves. “Anything else?”

“Uhm. Kailan ka uuwi? May susi ka?”

Minasahe ko ang aking sintido. “Hindi kailangan ng susi para makapasok AKO SA AKING PENTHOUSE.”

“Ahh.. Oo ng apala. Uhm, sige, bye.”

I didn’t bother to reply, instead I ended the call.

That grandma! Why does she keep on bothering me! I can’t get her out of my mind! Dammit! The way she innocently stroked her fingers against my bulge. Ah, for f**k’s sake!

I gathered my clothes and started to get dress. Nawalan na ako ng gana. After hearing her voice, pakiramdam ko’y may ginagawa akong mali sa kanya ngayon.

This is driving me crazy!

“Romano, I thought you want to stay for the night.” Disappointment was obvious on her voice.

Tinapunan ko ito ng tingin. She was leaning against the headrest. Nang makapagbihis, lumapit ako sa kanya at inangat ang comforter para itago ang hubad nitong katawan.

“Sorry. Something came up.”

She rolled her eyes and shooed me away. “I should have seen this coming.”

Without glancing back, I headed towards the door. I called Matt and told him I’d be dropping off at his place to drink. He was pissed at my sudden change of plan.

**********

It was past midnight when I entered my penthouse. I wonder if Grandma was sleeping by now.

Napatigil ako nang namataan ko ang kanyang pigurang nakahiga sa sofa. She’s wearing a SpongeBob pajama. I grinned. She looked so cute curling herself into a ball. Siguro ay lamig na lamig ito.

Without thinking twice, I gathered her in my arms. She stirred in her sleep when I put her gently on her bed.

“Romano?” Her sweet, hoarse voice filled my ears. Her one eye popped open.

“Shh…go back to sleep.”

“Did you carry me? We’re not close.”

I chuckled. “Sorry. I don’t have a heart to just let you sleep on the sofa.”

She wrinkled her cute, pointed nose. “What’s that smell? Did you drink? You’re reeking of alcohol.”

“Yes, with Matt.” I pulled her duvet up enough to cover half of her body.

“I broke you plate. Nakalimutan kong magsuot ng gloves bago ko kunin ang plato mula sa oven. Nataranta ako at halos maiyak. I called you because I thought I needed to apologize immediately.” Her eyes started to flutter close.

I tried to hide the grin on my lips. I could imagine her worrying and crying over a broken plate. “It’s okay. Sleep now.”

“I’m sorry kanina.”

She was probably referring to the incident in the living room.

“It is fine.”

She nodded. “Good night.” She said as she finally closed her eyes.

I stared at her for a moment. Grandma is such mystery to me. I swear I never met her before, but why do I feel so comfortable with her? It’s as if I’ve known her a long time ago.

Wala sa loob na hinaplos ko ng banayad ang kanyang pisngi. Her pale skin was cold against my touch.

“You are such a handful, grandma.” I smiled.

Today was epic. She happened to give me a freaking boner on her first day. I had a bad feeling that things might get worse for the coming days. I hope my Dad’s plan won’t backfire. I’m gonna be laughing at his sorry ass if it fails.

Before I stepped out from her bedroom, I looked at her sleeping form one more time.

“Good night, babe.”