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

FOUR: ROOMATE

Romano’s POV

I groaned as I squeezed my eyes shut. f**k, my head hurts. My back ached from the solid ground I was lying on. Why did I sleep on the floor? From the cold breeze blowing through my whole body, I could tell I was completely naked as the day I was born.

I tried to roll over but when I did, my body crashed against a warm naked body. Her gigantic breasts slapped against my face. I lightly chuckled.

What a good morning.

Through half-lidded eyes, I brought a n****e into my mouth, sucking on it hard.

My hand heading to the south, touching her stomach, down to her s*x. A simple touch with my hand, she whimpered. She was wet and hot, her body trembled with need.

This Mariposa is ready for me, huh.

My c**k instantly protruded as I began to rub her swollen clit, preparing her for my penetration. I grabbed her leg and she curled it over my waist.

Fuck. Where the f**k did I put my box of condoms? I narrowed my eyes to look around only to be surprised by the surrounding. My room was a total disaster.

“Please hurry.” The chick continued to whimper. I inserted two digits into her p***y, and she gasped.

The chick curved her back as she plastered her breasts to my chest, encouraging me to do her now. f**k it. My c**k throbbed it hurts. I was fingering her fast until she came hard.

I kneeled and grabbed her hair. “Suck me.” This would do. I don’t have to penetrate her. Condoms be damned!

She immediately changed her position, crawling in all fours towards me. She placed her hands around my torso, and I instantly slapped her hands away.

I grabbed her neck, putting pressure on it.

“Don’t forget the rule, b***h. Don’t. Touch. My. Back.”

“I’m—sorry. I—forgot.” She was gasping for air.

“f**k you!” I snapped.

“Please—let me suck you.”

My jaw locked, gritting my teeth. “Suck. Suck me hard.”

Nang bitawan ko ito, agad itong yumuko at sinubo sa kanyang bibig ang aking pagkalalake. I looked down on her, gathering a handful of her hair as she swirled her tongue at the tip of my c**k.

I groaned in pleasure, tipping my head back.

“You’re so good at sucking.” I said, biting my bottom lip.

She looked up to me. “You’re so perfect, Romano. You’re hard, thick and so big. I love your c**k. You’re the best.” She took me deeper, almost engulfing my whole length.

I smirked. She began to bob her head up and down my huge member.

I was almost there when the ringing of my phone disrupted our moment. My phone was just beside me. Hindi ko sana papansinin iyon kung hindi lang talaga galing kay Papa ang tawag na iyon.

Inabot ko ang cellphone at sinagot ang tawag. Mariposa was still working on me.

“Pa.” I bit my lip when the b***h cupped my balls and sucked them.

“Romano. Come to my office. Now.” His stern voice filled my ears.

“Wh—”

He ended the call. f**k.

Napatingin ako sa cellphone. Did he just cut the call? What the f**k was that? He sounded so pissed at me.

What did I do this time?

Bigla akong nawalan ng gana. I shoved the woman off, and she almost stumbled back.

“Get lost.”

Saglit lang akong tinignan nito at bahagyang umiling.  She stood up and started picking her clothes from the floor.

I knew the b***h was annoyed at my sudden asshole behavior. But that’s who I am, and they knew it. They put up with me simply because I have money and the looks. I have all the qualities that a girl looks for a guy. And me being a singer is an icing on the cake. But aside from my talent, those superficial features were nothing to me. I may be looked whole at the outside, but I was empty and broken inside. But I don’t care about their opinions. None of them matter to me.

Only one person mattered, but she was gone…

********

Being one of the heirs of Salvatore Empire wasn’t easy. Growing up, I had always thought that I was different. I couldn’t seem to care about the businesses my family run. And we’re not just talking about any business. The Salvatores were one of the most prominent family name in Asia, dominating the Aerospace and Transport industry on a large scale. And when my father married my mother who came from the Alcantara clan, known for their grandeur in manufacturing and hospitality industry, imagine the power my family had obtained. Honestly, I couldn’t wrap my head around it.

I couldn’t exactly tell that I had a rough childhood. No, it was far from it, but it wasn’t spectacular either. Sa murang isipan ay hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit laging wala sa bahay sila Mama at Papa. They had been traveling to many counties and stayed there for weeks and would come home only to spend a few days with me then leave again. I had nannies who looked after me but when my parents learned I had started to get fond of them, they would replace them. And it happened frequently. It made me sad.

Si Alejandro ay madalas sa Spain nanalagi. I, on the other hand, spent my childhood in our mansion at The Forbes. And instead of going to primary school, my parents opted to have me homeschooled. When I reached the age of twelve, they sent me to an expensive boarding school and from then on, I learned that people are not meant to stay, even though they are your parents.

Alejandro and I didn’t have that tight bond when we were younger. In fact, we were awkward with each other. He was always the serious type, more intelligent than me. At sa aming dalawa, siya talaga ang may kakayahang mamuno ng aming malawak na negosyo. Maliit pa lang ito ay lagi na itong sinasama ni Papa tuwing gagawa ito ng inspections sa mga depots at factories ng pamilya. Naiiwan ako madalas sa bahay at dahil wala akong magawa, pinagtuunan ko ng pansin ang grand piano sa malawak na sala.

None of my family members knew how to play an instrument and although the Alcantara clan had a little inclination to music, ako lang sa lahat ng magpi-pinsan ang marunong kumanta. Ako lang ang may interes sa musika. Lahat sila ay puro negosyo ang pinag-uusapan at kahit labag sa loob ko, kinuha ko ang Business Management at iginapang ko iyon at iniraos, kahit pa hindi iyon ang kursong nais ko.

My father knew from the start that Alejandro and I weren’t cut from the same cloth. And I could tell that somehow, he loathed me for being the black sheep of the family. The way he treated me was different from the way he treated Alejandro. But I understood where he’s coming from. We are his heirs, but he couldn’t fully rely to me when it came to business. I tried, but my lack of knowledge for running the empire almost shook the company to the core. I was probably his biggest pain in the ass. And he became a lot colder to me when I decided to enter showbiz. I was glad Alejandro backed me up and told me to do what I wanted to do. Or perhaps, it was also his way of telling me that I was getting in his way.

My mother—God knows I love her, but she was never there for me. She was too weak to defend me when I tried opposing to my father’s decisions. She’s too weak to stop him from subtly ridiculing me for my miscalculated actions.

I couldn’t seem to fit in in this family, but I knew I needed to strive hard to meet their expectations, especially now that my brother was critically injured and had been paralyzed after he got accident for almost a year now.

I winked at my father’s secretary, Mrs. Gela, whose been working under him before I was even born. She chuckled and winked back at me.

I used the private lift coming up here, which was a must, since my face was all over the county. It felt like I had become a household name in my country. I don’t know why it still shock me, knowing the facts that my albums are always sold out the minute they were released. They are selling like hotcakes.

“Hey, handsome.” Tawag ni Mrs. Gela.

Natigil ako. Kakatok na sana ako sa pintuan ng opisina ni Papa.

I c****d my head to look at her. “What can I do to you, gorgeous?”

She giggled as she pulled her drawer and got something from there. She walked towards me. “My daughter is your biggest fan, Romano. Kung okay lang sa’yo, pwede bang pakipirmahan mo ang mga ito?”

“Woaah!” I gasped in surprise. “You collected my albums?”

She crunched her nose. “Bibihira ka lang kasi kung magawi dito kaya minabuti ko nang ipunin at itabi ang lahat ng album mo para kung maawa ang Diyos at dinggin ang panalangin ko na mapasyal ka dito which happens today, praise to God, I will grab the opportunity to let you sign all these. At ito na nga iyon, hijo.”

“C’mon, Mrs. Gela, you could have asked Matt to bring them to me. Matagal ko na sanang napirmahan ang mga ito.” Tinanggap ko ang pen na kasabay niyang inabot at inisa-isang pirmahan ang anim na albums ko.

“Matutuwa tiyak ang aking anak.” She smiled excitedly.

“Let’s take a selfie, Mrs. Gela. Show it to her.”

“Sure!” She immediately grabbed her phone and snapped some pictures with me.

“Salamat, Romano ha. O siya, pumasok na at babalik na ako sa table ko. Makakagalitan ako ng ama mo.”

“After all these years, takot ka pa rin sa kanya?”

“Your father is a good man but when he’s not in the mood, no one can keep up with him. We spend half of our lives together but when he’s in rage, he’s destructive like a turbulent tsunami.” She snorted.

“I think I know someone who has the same attitude as his.” Pareho kaming nag-isip then blurted the same name afterwards.

“Alejandro.”

I faked a laugh and she smiled sadly. Iilan lang sa mga empleyado ng kompanya ang nakakaalam sa kalagayan ng aking kapatid.

“Please send my regards to your brother. He’s always in my prayer.”

I squeezed her hand. “That’s so kind of you, Mrs. Gela. Makakarating.” Iyon ay kung ipapahintulot niya mismo. Ever since that accident, we have been shut off from his world. I already gave up reaching out to him. He’s too difficult to handle now more than ever. I heard from Matt that my mother hired a new carer for the nth time. I wish her all the best of luck.

Tumapat ako sa pintuan ng office ni Papa. I raised my hand to knock but it was stop mid-air when I heard them talking.

“Sa tingin mo, bumalik na ang alala ni Romano sa nangyaring trahedya?” The voice came from my mother. Ramdam ko ang kaba sa boses niyang iyon.

Are you scared, Mother?

Dad Arturo sighed. “I don’t know, Leonora. Ilang taon na rin ang nakalipas. Kung sakaling matandaan niya ang nangyari noon, he can easily get over it.”

“Sana ay tuluyan niyang makalimutan iyon, Arturo. It will traumatize him for sure!”

Trust me, Ma. What happened years ago didn’t just traumatize me. It killed me. But of course, I won’t let you know because I need to protect you.

“Pero ayaw niya pa ring ipa-plastic surgery ang sunog na balat niya, Arturo! Kinakabahan akong baka ito ang paraan niya para parusahan ang sarili niya sa nangyari. Hindi niya iyon kasalanan.” Dugtong pa nito.

I smiled bitterly. I don’t want to blame you Ma, but sadly, you were part of it. If only I had listened to Maya….

“What do you want me to do, Leonora?” He was getting pissed.

“Convince him, Arturo! Convince him to undergo plastic surgery! Anong silbi ng malaking ospital at pera natin kung hindi natin kayang ipagamot ang ating bunso.”

“I’m done convincing him. Si Alejandro ang pagtuunan natin ng atensiyon. And besides, you are the mother. Gamitin mo ang pagiging ina mo sa kanila.”

“Pero mas makikinig sila sa’yo, Arturo!”

“Enough of this! Romano’s tragedy is not my concern anymore! Kung ayaw niyang ipabura ang sunog na bahagi ng kanyang katawan, e di wag! Mas maraming mahalagang bagay ang dapat unahin kaysa diyan. And what are you doing here, by the way? Di ba dapat nasa hotel ka ngayon para i-supervise ang mga tao mo doon? Maraming nakabinbin na proyeko, Leonora. Be useful for once.”

“I heard you summoned Romano. Gusto ko ring makita ang anak ko. And are you implying that I’m being useless? Excuse your rudeness, husband. Malaki ang ambag ko sa kompanya mo.”

“I’m aware of that. I didn’t mean to insult you. Marami lang talaga akong iniintindi ngayon. Help me, Leonora.”

My mother sighed. “I will wait for Romano. I missed my son.”

I wish I could tell the same thing to you mother. But I need to pretend that I still care. Your wish is my command.

It was my cue to knock.

“Come in.” Matigas na sambit ni Papa.

I expelled a huge breath and forced a grin on my lips before I opened the door and walked in comfortably.

“Hi, Pa. Sorry if I was late.” I faked a shock when I saw my mother sitting on the single chair in front of my father’s table. “Ma! You’re here.”

She smiled at me. “Hijo.” Malambing na saad nito.

Lumapit ako sa kanya at ginawaran ito ng magaan na halik sa pisngi. I then rounded the table to hug my father whose face gave nothing away. He just simply tapped my shoulder.

I suddenly felt tension in the air. Dad is being cold to me again. If he’s acting like this, that means I did something to be frowned upon. I have a feeling I will not liking it.

Umikot ulit ako pabalik sa harap at naupo sa tapat ni Mama, who’s eyeing us interchangeably.

“Leonora, your son and I need to talk privately.”

Shit.

“What? Pinapaalis mo ako, Arturo? Tinatanggalan mo ba ako ng karapatang malaman ang dapat kong malaman? I’m your wife and his mother goddamit!”

Dad huffed. “You’re being over dramatic again, Leonora. I will let you know about this later once I’m done talking to Romano. I just don’t think your son will be comfortable hearing what I’m about to say to him when you’re listening.”

“That bad, huh.” I interjected, smirking. f**k. My heart was hammering hard. What did I do again?

Sandaling natigilan si Mama. Nagpakawala ito ng hininga. “I trust your words, Arturo.”

“Of course, darling.”

“Well then. I’ll be in the hotel for the whole afternoon. Romano, let’s have dinner there. Mamayang gabi ay tutulak na ako pa-isla.” Inabot ni Mama ang aking palad at bahagya iyong pinisil.

“Send my regards to Alejandro, Ma.”

Mas lalong lumungkot ang mukha nito. “Kailan ka ba dadalaw sa isla, Romano?”

“My schedules are full. I will let you know.”

Suddenly, she broke into tears. I rolled my eyes internally.

“Why are you treating me like this. Bakit pakiramdam ko’y hindi na ako mahal ng aking mga anak.”

I gritted my teeth. I love you, Ma, but I hate what you did. Hinding-hindi ko iyon makakalimutan.

“Please, Leonora. Wag kang masyadong emosyonal. It might take a heavy toll on you. Go back to our hotel and take a rest. I will call you once I leave the office.” Umikot si Papa at tumayo sa likod ni Mama. Pinisil nito ang magkabilang balikat ng asawa.

I discreetly looked away. I curled my hands into fist. My mind flashing a warning sign before me.

Don’t, Romano. Keep your mouth shut. Ibaon mo na lang sa limot ang lahat ng iyong nasaksihan. Para sa ikakakabuti at ikakatahimik ng iyong pamilya. Don’t let the past ruined your family. Don’t ruin everything, Romano.

“Romano, anak, I will expect you to have dinner with us tonight. Please, hijo.”

I cleared my throat and forced a smile on my lips. I reached my mother’s hands and squeezed them tenderly. “I have a recording session tonight, Ma, pero susubukan kong ilipat ang oras.”

“Thank you.”  Anito.

Nang tumayo ito ay napatayo na rin ako. She hugged me and I hugged her back.

“I’ll see you both tonight.” She said, sighing in content.

I nodded. “Take care on your ride back to the hotel, Ma.”

“I will, son.” Tumingkayad ito at hinalikan ang aking pisngi.

My chest constricted in pain. In the eyes of other people, we are the definition of a perfect family. Little did they know, we’re far from it. And you know what’s the most maddening about it? Ako lang ang may alam.

Nang makaalis na si Mama, para akong nabunutan ng tinik sa aking dibdib. I heaved a deep sigh. I always find it hard to breathe when she’s around.

My father cleared his throat and that snapped me out of trance. Nilingon ko si Papa na bumalik sa kanyang upuan. May nilapag itong papel sa ibabaw ng mesa.

“The committee junked your proposal.” He blurted out.

I was taken aback. “What? What’s wrong with my proposal, Pa? I evaluated it at pinag-aralan ko ring mabuti ang budget. Kung tutuusin ay hindi malaki ang budget na hinihingi ko. I even cut the expenses for the marketing.”

“The budget is not the problem here, Romano. Nakukulangan kami sa plano mo. Sa tingin mo sapat na ito para mapasok natin ang Norte? Balwarte ng mga Dela Vega ang Mindanao at ilang parte ng Visayas. Ganun na rin ang mga karatig bansa ng Pilipinas. Sa proposal mo na ito, hindi iyan magiging sapat para pumantay tayo sa level nila. That Lawrence Dela Vega is a hard nut to crack. His brilliancy of handling his hotel business is out of this world.”

“We don’t have to compete with him, Papa. Balwarte natin ang Luzon. Tiyak akong hindi siya magtatangkang manghimasok sa mga lugar na malakas tayo.”

“I heard from a friend of mine that the Bayalas are in talks with him about a certain property somewhere in Alabang.” Nagtaas ito ng kilay. “That property is also the one we’re after at.”

“I will try to lure his sister, then.” I was half-joking.

He c****d his eyebrow at me. “Stop shoving your d**k to every woman’s throat, Romano. Use your damn brain!” He snarled.

Ouch.

“So, what do you want me to do now, Pa? You rejected my proposal. I did my best, but I guess my best wasn’t good enough.” I sniggered, quoting a line from a particular song.

This is how I cope with my father’s insult—by not taking him seriously.

“This is not the reason why I wanted your ass here in my office, Romano.”

Nagtaas ako ng kilay. What it is then?

“You f****d up big time.” He snarled as he banged the table with his palms loudly. Veins on his forehead and neck were starting to pop out.

I stood frozen. Ito ang unang beses na nakita ko itong nagalit. He’s always calm and collected but now, he seemed like he’s about to lose his composure.

“Anong ginawa ko para magalit ka ng ganyan sa akin, Pa?” I swear I could hear the loud beating of my heart in my ears.

“This!” Hinagis nito ang folder sa akin. I failed to catch it kaya nagkalat ang mga papel sa sahig.

“Kaya pinaalis ko ang Mama mo dahil ayokong malaman niya ang tungkol dito! One of your bitches is planning to file a case against you!”

What?

“And not just that! She sets you up. She secretly filmed your sexapades with her. And now, she’s threatening us that she will upload the video to all social media and put our name to shame! You are such a disgrace, Romano!” His saliva sputtering over his expensive desk. Nanlalaki ang mga mata nito sa akin.

“Pa, that’s impossible. Every woman who I hired and associated with had to sign an NDA. I can use it against her.”

“You stupid fool! Your copy of that NDA is in her hands! She sneakily got it from you when you were probably tired from f*****g the living s**t out of her! She can burn it anytime she wants! And besides, breaking an NDA isn’t usually a crime, Romano. It’s just a civil contract.”

I swallowed. What? How did it happen? f**k! Nalamangan ako!

“What does she want from me? If she’s pressing charges, when will be the trial?”

Matalim na tinignan ako nito. Ilang minuto kaming nagtitigan bago ito humugot ng hininga. He restlessly sat back in his swivel chair.

“There will be no trial. I was able to negotiate with her before this scandal explodes. She needed money so I paid millions to that cunning bitch.”

I flinched. Papa Arturo seldom curses and when he does, it stings like a bee. “I will pay you back, Pa.” I felt so little. Kuyom ang mga kamao ko sa aking gilid. Yumuko ako at hindi magawang titigan si Papa. I never felt so embarrassed in my life.

“Romano, I will not use this against you. I’m your father and even if you’re an ass, you are my son and I have to protect you at any cost.” Kalmante na ang boses nito.

I held my head up. No, Pa. You’re not doing this for me. “Ano ang kailangan kong gawin para makabawi sa’yo, Pa.”

He sighed. “I will need Matteo in my office from this day forward. I will hire somebody else to be your personal assistant. The one that will manage your celebrity schedules.” Umiling ito. “I’m disappointed that you can’t help me run our business, Romano. You are a Salvatore, and you were not born to entertain! You were born to reign!”

“Pa. Ilang beses na natin itong pinag-usapan. I will do my job here in the company pero hinding-hindi ko bibitawan ang pagiging mang-aawit ko.”

“Do whatever you want, Romano. My hands are full. If only your brother….” Pumalatak ito. “Anyway, this woman will be your personal assistant and roommate. She’ll stay at your penthouse to look after you and make sure you’re not meeting any other sluts in the street. She will be your date to any party the company will throw or events you need to go as a celebrity.”

My mouth fell. “A roommate? A woman?” I smirked. “Pa, how sure are you that I won’t f**k this woman? How sure are you she won’t throw herself at me?”

Hinimas nito ang baba at nagtaas ng kilay sa akin. “You’re so full of yourself, son. Sinikmuraan ka nga niya di ba?”

“Huh?”

“Yes, I’m referring to the woman I saw in your penthouse last week. That odd-looking woman.” Papa Arturo grinned triumphantly.

My eyes popped from its socket. “That—that woman! That woman from century ago? That boring-good kind of woman? Grandma?!”

“You have to approach her and convince her to work for you, Romano. If she says no, then the entire plan crumbles.”

“But if she says no?”

“Then you have no choice but to kiss your career goodbye. Also, the rest house in Batangas…” He trailed off.

My nose flared. I planted my fist on his desk. “Don’t touch that place, Pa!”

Nagtagis ang bagang nito. He leaned forward, leveling his dark gaze on me. “I will, Romano. If you keep going on like this, if you continue letting us down, you will have no place in this family.”

I hid my smirk. You didn’t know Pa? Matagal na akong walang puwang sa pamilyang ‘to!