Fortress Island Series 2 Romano: Can't We Try (BOOK 2)

SIXTEEN: PROPOSAL

Nag-angat ng tingin si Matt. He’s been there leaning against the bedroom door across Romano’s. Malabo ang akin tingin dahil sa mga luha pero alam kong nag-aalala ito sa akin. He opened his arms and I immediately ran and threw myself to him. Binalot niya ako ng manit na yakap.

“Everything’s gonna be okay.” He whispered above my head. Magagaan at puno ng pag-iingat niyang hinaplos ang aking likod. I could not reply to him. I just kept on sobbing habang patuloy naming naririnig ang pagwawala ni Romano sa loob ng kanyang kwarto.

Matt expelled a huge breath. He cupped my cheeks and tipped my head up. The look in his eyes were reassuring me. “I think it’s better if we get out of here. Do you agree?”

Napasigok ako. “Paano…ang niluto mong…agahan.” Pautal-utal kong tanong.

Another sound of glass shattering filled our ears. Ngumiwi si Matt. “Nah. Did you hear that? Nakakawalang ganang kumain kung dito lang tayo.”

“I don’t feel like eating.” Ani ko. Nagpahid ako ng mga luha at pilit na binigyan ito ng ngiti but I knew I failed. Nanginginig lang din ang mga labi ko. “Hindi ka umalis.” Tukoy ko sa hindi niya pag-iwan sa akin taliwas sa kanyang sinabi na sa kusina ito mag-aabang.

Matt shook his head in dismay. “Did you really think na kaya kong iwanan ka sa kanya? I’m worried about the outcome of your conversation with him. And hearing that..” As if on cue, another glass breaking was heard. “…..I know I was right.” Matt shrugged his shoulders and then he titled his head. “C’mon. The sooner we leave here, the better.”

Hindi na ako umalma pa nang hinila ako nito sa kamay. To be honest, saan man ako dalhin nito ay wala siyang maririnig na reklamo. My mind was all over the place that I could not think straight. All I knew was the pain was unbearable that  I felt like I was bleeding everywhere.

************

Matt brought me to a restaurant nearby. He did not talk nor ask questions about what happened. I was glad he didn’t because I did not know how to answer his inquiries. Hanggang ngayon ay palaisipan pa rin sa akin kung bakit galit na galit si Romano sa akin. Bakit parang diring-diri ito noong saglit kaming naghalikan. Pero gusto ko mang alamin kung ano ang problema niya sa akin, hindi na ako susubok pa. If he wanted me to hate him, then he had won. I hate him for treating me this way.

Another week had passed at wala akong idea paano ko iyon nalagpasan. I had to give it to Krizette for keeping me company. Inaliw niya ako sa pamamagitan ng paggala sa mall at amusement parks. Ginawa niya akong bata pero imbes na magalit ay natawa ako. Yes, I managed to laugh even though my heart was breaking. And I realized, it felt good to laugh. It felt good to breathe. It felt good to be alive despite of pain.

Krizette and I had staycation at Shangri-La Hotel. We stayed there for two days. Dinala din ako nito sa exclusive beach resort ni Franco. Ang simpleng buhay namin noon ay biglang nagbago mula nang maging magkasintahan si Krizette at Franco. Bawat lakad namin ay may mga bodyguards na nakasunod. Minsan ay narinig kong nagtalo ang dalawa dahil dito. Hindi ko alam kung paano nakumbinsi ni Franco ang pinsan ko gayung higit na pasaway ito at mas matigas ang ulo kaysa sa akin.

“So, anong plano mo?”

Krizette and I were having our dinner. Napaangat ang tingin ko sa kanyang tanong. “Anong plano?”

Nagkibit-balikat ito. “Plano mo lang bang magmukmok dito sa bahay? Walang kaso sa akin pero you know, may mga araw na aalis ako at maiiwan ka ditong mag-isa.”

Umismid ako. “Stop treating me like a child, Kriz.”

“I’m not treating you like a child. I’m treating you like my younger sister, Mira. At seryoso ako sa sinabi ko. Okay lang sa akin kung gusto mo lang dito sa bahay. Ang akin lang, mag-isa ka. I hate to leave you alone.”

“Don’t worry, Kriz. I already started looking for a job. Kahit taong-bahay ako, alam mong hindi ko ugali ang tumunganga na lamang. Nagpasa na ako ng CV sa mga kompanya na may vacant jobs na akma para sa akin. Sana maka-receive agad ako ng email kahit isa man lang.”

“Hmm…mainam naman kung ganun. Mas gusto ko na yung may pinagkakaabalahan ka kaysa magmukmok lang dito sa bahay.”

“Pinapupunta nga pala ako ng MOON Records management sa makalaawa. May iaalok atang bagong trabaho sa akin.”

Pumilantik agad ang kanyang kilay. “Moon Records? Talagang gagawi ka dun?

I rolled my eyes. “It’s not what you think it is, Kriz.”

“Really?”

“Really!” Depensa ko.

“Kahit alam mong recording company yun ni Romano at malaki ang tiyansang magkrus ang landas ninyong dalawa? Don’t bullshit me, Mirasol. Hindi kita pinalaking masokista na babae ka.”

“Krizette, ang sabi ni Matt sa akin ay lumipad pa-America ulit ang lalakeng yun. Hindi pa alam kung kailan babalik. Kaya wag kang mag-alala, hindi magkukrus ang landas namin at kung mag-krus man…uhm..hindi ko siya papansinin.”

“Bakit may pa-pause, Mira? Hindi ka sure sa sinasabi mo noh? Hay naku, para namang bibilhin ko yang excuse mo. Bahala ka na nga.”

“Kung may iaalok man na trabaho ang Moon Records, baka more of office work. Kung ganun, malabong magkita kami ni Romano.”                         

Maasim ang mukhang ginawad nito sa akin. “Goodluck to that. Kung trabaho lang naman, may irerekomenda si Franco sa’yo—”

“Kriz, sobrang laki na nang naitulong ni Franco sa atin. Ayoko nang madagdagan pa. Alam mong hindi pa rin ako ganun ka kampante sa kanya. Hindi naman sa tutol ako sa inyo, pero mapanganib siyang tao. Iniisip ko ang pakananan mo. Hindi siya ang taong—”

“Enough of this, Mira.” Putol ni Kriz sa sasabihin ko. “Aware ako. When I accepted him, hinanda ko na rin ang sarili ko sa consequences na haharapin ko. I just can’t…let him go.” Sapo ni Krizette ang kanyang noo as she averted her eyes.

I paused. “I know. Because you’re in love with him.”

“Yeah.” Mabilis nitong pag sang-ayon.

“You look happy with him.”

“Because I am. I truly am.”

I smiled. Inabot ko ang kanyang palad at bahagyang banayad na pinisil iyon. “Then that is all that matters.”

“Ako rin, Mira. Hangad ko rin talaga ang kaligayahan mo. Siguro ngayon pa lang, tanggapin mo na na hindi kayo ni Romano sa isa’t-isa.”

“Tanggap ko na.”

“Hmmp. Ako ba’y maloloko mo. Tanggap mo na o tatanggpin pa lang?” Pang-asar na bwelta nito.

“Ewan ko sa’yo.” Umismid ako.

Krizette reached for my cheek and pulled it gently. “Ang cute at ang ganda mo talaga, Mira. Sira-ulo si Romano para pakawalan ang isang tulad mo.”

“Kung ganda lang din naman at pasexyhan ang labanan, Kriz, malamang talo na ako. Hindi tiyak yun mauubusan ng babae.” Patawa kong sabi pero ewan ko ba bakit ang bitter ng tono ng boses ko.

“Sus. Minamaliit mo na naman ang sarili mo. Maganda at sexy ka, Mira. Walang wala yang mga celebrities na yan kung aayusan ka lang ng mabuti, e. Naalala mo yung Awards Night? Ang bongga mo dun, couz! Nag trending nga kayo ni JK ng ilang araw. Magaling lang talaga ang management niya dahil namatay agad ang issue at di ka nadrag sa iskandalalo.”

“Oo na lang.” Ayaw kong alalahanin ang gabing iyon. It gave me a bittersweet feeling.

“Malaki na nga pinagbago mo. Hindi ka na nagsusuot ng eye glasses. Nag-improve na rin ang pananamit mo. All thanks to me.”

Umismid ako. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” She grinned. “Speaking of JK, ang huling chismis sa TV e, lilipat na daw ito ng agency at sa MOON Records na daw ito pipirma? Totoo ba?”

Yun ang alam ko mula kay Mitch pero wala pa namang kumpirmasyon. Nagkibit-balikat ako. “Last time I checked, hindi Marites ang pangalan ko so hindi ko alam ang tsismis na yan.”

Krizette deliberately rolled her eyes at me. “O siya, siya, tama na ang usapang ‘to. Idaan na lamang natin ‘to sa pagkain. Sayang naman effort ko sa pagluto.”

“Tss. Akala mo di ko pansin ha. Lagi mong nilalagyan ng pagkain ang plato ko.”

“Ang laki ng hinulog ng katawan mo. You need to gain weight again. Kung gusto mong sumabak ulit sa trabaho, you need energy at makukuha mo lang ang energy na yun sa pagkain ng masustansiyang pagkain.”

“Nile-lecturan mo naman ako, e. Alam ko. Nag-aral naman kaya ako.”

“Ah. Akala ko kasi hindi. Akala ko kasamang tinangay ni Romano lahat ng logic na meron ka.” She gave me that bitchy face look.

Parang gusto kong tusukin ng tinidor ang kanyang mata. “Kumain na lang kaya tayo, pwede?” Peke akong ngumisi sa kanya.

“Pwedeng-pwede!” Pumalpak ito at muling pinulot ang kanyang dinner knife at tinidor.

Patago akong humugot ng hininga. Just hearing Romano’s name made my chest tighten. Pero alam kong magiging okay din ako. Sana agad-agad.

*********

“Krizette, tingin mo okay na ‘tong suot ko?” Tanong ko pagkabukas ko sa pintuan ng kanyang kwarto. She was lying on the bed and probably was about to take a nap when I barged in without knocking.

Napabukas ito ng mata and replied lazily. “Bakit, saan ang punta mo?”

“I have to be at MOON Records within an hour.”

She looked me up and down and scrunched up her face. Bumalikwas ito ng bangon. “What are you wearing?” Mataray na tanong nito.

I looked down at myself. “Uhm. Clothes?”

“I know. I meana anong susuotin mo para sa meeting na sinasabi mo kung ano man iyon?”

“Uh. Clothes.” Pinasadahan ko ng daliri ang aking collar white shirt at faded jeans for emphasize. “I’m wearing this. Tinatanong ko ang opinyon mo kung pwede na ba ‘to? I mean, hindi naman siguro formal meeting yun noh? Hindi naman siguro ang CEO ang kakausap sa akin?”

“Goodness, cousin! That doesn’t work! Kahit pa staffs lang ang ka-meeting mo, you need to look at your best! Alam kung dun ka dating nagtatrabaho at simple ka lang manamit noon pero iba na ang sitwasyon ngayon.”

I c****d an eyebrow. “At ano ang pinagkaiba ng sitwasyon noon sa ngayon?”

She grinned. Tumayo ito at hinila ako patungo sa kanyang walk-in closet. Binuksan niya ang pinakalamalaking dresser na naroroon.

“We’ve got all these now.” She proudly said.

My jaw dropped to the floor. Ilang araw na ako dito nakatira pero di pa ako nagagawi sa area na ito ng kwarto ni Krizette at kahit magawi man, hindi ko ugaling mangilam ng gamit ng iba.

Puno ng mga makukulay na damit ang dresser na iyon at halatang di pa nagagalaw ang karamihan doon. Hindi ko na kailangang itanong kung saan galing ang mga ito. Your guess was as good as mine.

“Hmm…Let’s see.” She pulled out clothes and flung them forcefully onto the bed. “You look good in black.”

“Oh. It suits my mood.” Patuya kong sagot.

She waved her hand dismissingly. “But I prefer you to wear this pink mini dress.” Kinuha niya iyon at nilapit sa aking katawan.

I grimaced. “Krizette, for the love of God, hindi cocktail party ang pupuntahan ko! Pinatawag lang ako ng management at hindi ko nga alam kung para saan at ano ang sadya nila sa akin. Baka mamaya janitress ang iaalok na trabaho tapos pagsusuotin mo ako ng ganito? Hindi pa ako nasisiraan ng bait, Krizette.”

“Wag kang OA.”

“Ikaw ang OA.”

“Tse. You resigned, remember? Ngayon kung aapak ka ulit doon, you have to look at your best, Mira. Daming celebrities ang makakasalubong mo dun. C’mon, this dress is conventional in style. Paresan natin ‘to ng black stilettos at black shoulder bag. Pak! Kabog na kabog, cousin! Para ka na talagang artista ng MOON Stage. Malay mo at kuhanin ka nilang model.”

I snorted. “Sa height kong ‘to? Ano ba, Krizette. Kung ano-anong pinagsasabi mo.”

“Whatever! Magpalit ka na, now na!” She shoved the dress on me kaya wala akong choice kundi hawakan yun at ang magaling kong pinsan tinulak ako papasok sa kanyang bathroom. Wala akong choice kundi ang magpalit ng damit at sundin ang nais nito dahil kung hindi, aabutin kami ng siyam-siyam. She’s that persistent and dicisive.

**********

Kinakabahan ako. Hindi ko alam bakit kailangan kong magtungo sa office ng CEO. Pagdating ko sa lobby, agad na pinayuhan ako ng receptionist na umakyat sa top floort at hinihintay na daw ako.

Bumukas ang lift kasabay ng paghugot ko ng malalim na hininga.

“HI, Mira. Wow! You look stunning, dear. Ang laki ng pinagbago mo talaga.” Salubong sa akin ni Miss Amanda, secretary ni Mr. Maceda, ang CEO ng MOON Records.

I awkwardly smiled at her. “Thank you. Pinatawag daw ako ni Mr. Maceda?”

My question fell on deaf ears. She was busy staring at me. Nagpaikot-ikot ito sa akin at sinuri akong mabuti. “Miss Amanda?” Agaw ko sa kanyang atensiyon. Mas lalo akong namula sa puring tinging binigay niya sa akin.

“Wow, Mira. Ang ganda-ganda mo. Malayong-malayo sa nerdy look na Mira noong unang apak mo dito habnag nakasunod ka kay Romano.”

Okay. Please don’t mention the man-who-must-not-be-named. Mas lalong nakakasira ng araw, e. I wanted to blurted out my thought. “Uuwi na lang ba ako?”

 “No, no, no. I’m sorry, I was distracted by your beauty. Nasa conference room sila. Ikaw na lang ang hinihintay.” Inakay ako nito patungo sa kanang hallway. Sa dulo ay may malaking Conference Room ang nakasulat sa labas ng pintuan.

She was about to knock on the door pero pinigilan ko ito. Abot-abot ang aking kaba. “Bakit ako kailangan sa loob?”

She smiled. “They need to speak to you.”

“They?”

“Mahirap e-explain, sweetheart. Hindi ko naman din kasi alam ang buong detalye.”

“Sino-sino ang nasa loob?”

“Hmm…Si Mr. Maceda, ilang miyembro ng Board and some artists ng MOON Records.”

Nanginig ang labi ko. “Anong gagawin ko sa loob? Akala ko si Mr. Maceda lang ang may kailangan sa akin.”

Nagkibit-balikat ito. “That’s for you to find out. Like I said, hindi ko alam ang buong detalye but one thing I’m sure of, you are important to this project. And looking at you now, bagay na bagay ka dito.”

I pointed at myself. “Me? Project? What project?”

Instead of answering me, she knocked on the door at walang pag-alinlangan na tinulak ang pintuan pabukas. “She’s here.” She said in a light tone.

“Please let her in.”

“Pasok ka na.” She smiled as she glanced  back at me. Kumagat-labi lang ako habang tumatango dahil ano pa ba ang maaari kong isagot?

I took a sharp intake of breath before I made a step forward. I thank God for not losing my composure and poise. God forbids I could have tripped and lose my footing and would have blamed Krizette for this pair of high heeled stilettos.

Ten pairs of eyes looked at my direction. Nawalan ng kulay ang aking mukha. These people are not just ordinary people. Most of them are big bosses of this company. Kilala ko na ang karamihan sa kanila. I met them for the first time nung sinama ako ni Romano sa meeting niya noon.

Someone whistled. “Damn it. My girl is strikingly beautiful.”

My eyes darted at the person who spoke. Hindi ko alam kung maiinis o magagalak ako dahil narito siya. Ilang buwan ko na ba itong hindi nakikita?

“Kailangan pa ba nating pag-meetingan ang proposal ko, Mr. Maceda? Just look at my girl. She’s perfect.” Tumayo si JK na hindi inaalis ang tingin sa akin. Malalaki ang kanyang mga hakbang papalit. He opened his arms and wrapped me with them, sa gulat ko.

“Hi, Chick. It’s been a long time since I last saw you.” Ani nito. Bahagya nitong inilayo ang mukha sa akin pero hindi pa rin inaalis nito ang kanyang mga brasong nakapulupot sa aking baywang.

JK stared at me and I couldn’t help but to stare back at him. I knew he’s really a good-looking man but with his face a few inches from mine, his beauty was mesmerizing.

“God, Mira. Why do you always take my breath away, chick? Ikaw lang ang kauna-unahang babaeng nakakagawa nito sa akin.” He grinned.

Someone coughed at pareho naming nilingon ang pinanggalingan nito. Natatawa ang mga tao sa mahabang mesa na iyon. Aliw na aliw sila habang nakatingin sa amin.

“They have chemistry.” Ani ng isang director.

“She’s perfect for the role.” Eugene, the musical director commented.

“I think we can all agree to that.” Another person chimed in.

Tumikhim si Mr. Maceda. “JK, bakit hindi mo muna paupuin si Mira? Walang aagaw sa kanya mula sa’yo, don’t worry.”

JK laughed at inakbayan ako. “Hmmm…Let’s see kung maaagaw ka niya ngayon.” He whispered. Inakay ako nito patungo sa bakanteng upuan na katabi ng sa kanya. He pulled the chair and gestured me to seat.

Nang makaupo na kami pareho, saka pa lang nagsalita ulit si Mr. Maceda.

“So, Mira, we have a proposal for you.”

“Proposal po?” Finally, nakapagsalita rin ako sa unang pagkakataon buhat nang pumasok ako sa conference room na ito. I just realized na hindi ko man lang sila nabati buhat nang dumating ako.

“Yes, you heard me right.” May nilapag itong folder sa aking harap. “Noong una ay nag-alinlangan ako sa demand ni JK pero nang makita kita ngayon, you look gorgeous by the way, all my doubts have flown away. You and JK have a promising career together.”

I got confused. Hindi ko na pinansin pa ang papuri nito. “Together?”

“I’m offering you to become one of our MOON Stage artists. To be specific, gusto ka naming kuhanin bilang model sa bagong music video ni JK. Once na pumayag ka, we will start taping as early as next week.”

Nilingon ko si JK. “Bakit ako?”

“Bakit hindi?”

“Mira, kung hindi mo alam, ito lang ang request ni JK sa amin, ang kuhanin ka niyang kapareha sa music video na ito. Kung sakali man na tumanggi ka…” He paused and sighed.

“Hindi niya itutuloy ang proyekto niya sa amin.” Eugene intervened. “Noon pa kita napipisil na maging modelo sa mga music videos ng kompanya kung hindi lang talaga hinarang ni Romano ang proposals ko. I had been convincing him na bagay ang mukha mo sa camera because you have that innocent and pure look pero ang lalakeng yun, di pa man naririnig ang kabuoan ng plano, nagagalit na pag sinasali ka sa usapan.” She shook her head. “This is your chance, Mira. I know you’re going places. You’re different and you have a knack to become one of the brightest stars in the industry.  You have that quality. Kahit balutin mo man ang sarili mo at itago ang mukhang yan, alam kong espesyal ka.”  She smiled genuinely at me.

My cheeks flustered at tipid na ngumiti sa kanya. “Hindi ko po alam kung ano ang sasabihin ko.”

“Just say yes, chick.” JK gave me that adorable look.

“Please say yes, Mira.” All of them spoke in unison. Pinaikot ko ang tingin sa kanilang lahat. All their eyes were pleading at me.

I sighed. “Alam n’yo po ba ang sinasabi n’yo? Baka mabigo ko lang kayo. Wala po akong alam sa larangan ng pag-arte. In fact, wala po akong katalent-talent. Hindi po ako marunong sumayaw at kumanta.”

JK laughed as he leaned closer to my ears. His fingers tracing the skin just below my right eye. “All you need to do is to look at me with these eyes of yours, chick, and everything will be perfect as it should be.” He said in a hoarse voice.

I blinked as I stared at him. JK’s facial expression changed as his gaze roamed around my face. He leaned an inch closer I could feel his fresh breath fanning through my face.

“Dammit, I’m about to kiss you right here. Right now.”

Bago pa maproseso ng utak ko ang kanyang sinabi, the sound of the door opening made him stop.

“Am I interrupting something?”

I gasped. That voice. My eyes grew wide and pain crossed my face before I could stop it. I knew JK caught the emotions passing through my face. My heart started to hum crazily against my ribcage that it made my breathing hitch.

JK’s eyes narrowed at me, as if he could read what I was feeling at the moment.

He gritted his teeth but he leaned closer anyway and dropped a light kiss on my half-opened mouth. He tilted his head towards the door and smiled in a fake way. “Romano, welcome back.”

“Romano! This is a surprise! Akala ko ay sa susunod na linggo ka pa uuwi.” Si Mr. Maceda.

I was frozen on the spot. Ayokong lingunin ang taong kadarating lang dahil alam ko, panibagong sakit lang ang idudulot nito sa akin.

“My secretary sent you an email about allowing Mira to join JK’s project, pero halos isang linggo na ang lumipas ay wala kaming natanggap na response mula sa’yo kaya kay Mira na kami dumiretso. Naisip namin, total nag-resign naman siya at hindi na siya parte ng team mo, wala naman sigurong masama kung direkta naming iialok sa kanya ang planong ito.” Kabadong eksplinasyon ni Mr. Maceda.

“I wasn’t in the mood to check my emails and messages. I did not even bother answering your calls because you all pissed me off. My instruction was very clear, I don’t want to be disturbed.  But you did, anyway.” His voice was intimidating me, striking fear to everyone, except JK.

“Hindi pa naman nakapag-desisyon si Mira—”

“Nakapagdesisyon na po ako.” Putol ko sa sasabihin ni Eugene. I smiled at everyone as I pushed to my feet. Sinukbit ko ang sling bag sa aking balikat. Tumayo si JK na may pagtataka sa kanyang mukha.

“Mira, pag-isipan mong mabuti—”

“I don’t have to.” I faced JK, a smile plastered on my face. I leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek. I chuckled because I caught him off-guard. Muntik pa itong mawalan ng balanse kaya agad na hinawakan ko ang kanyang mga braso. The people around us laughed at his comical stance.

“Tinatanggap ko ang alok mo. Ang alok n’yo sa akin. Labas na po si…” I swallowed. “…si Romano dito. Wala po kaming koneksiyon sa isa’t isa kaya ang opinyon niya ay hindi mahalaga. Thank you for this opportunity po.” Tumingin ako kay Mr. Maceda. “Babalik na lang po ako bukas at isasama ko po ang pinsan ko.”

“Yes, yes of course, hija. Salamat din. If everything goes smoothly, we can start as early as next week. Nakabalangkas na ang buong detalye. Bukas, ipapaliwanag ng team ni Eugene ang mga eksena sa MV.”

“I look forward to it po. Salamat.”

“Really? Eugene added a few bed scenes, you know.” JK teased.

Nag-angat ako ng kilay sa kanya. “Hinahamon mo ba ako?”

JK bit his lower lip. “I like this new version of you, chick. Keep going.” He winked at me. “Ihahatid kita.”

“Yes, please.” I moved from my seat and holding my breath, I turned around to face Romano.

It was my turn to be caught off-guard because he’s just a meter away from me. Hindi ko alam kung kailan ito lumapit o sadyang hindi ko lang talaga narinig ang kanyang mga yabag.

He stood there, staring down as he towered over me. He stared at me intently, as if I was some kind of specimen he was studying for.

I averted my gaze and refused to do a staring contest against him because I knew it was a losing battle. But unlike before the last time I saw him, nagbago na rin ito. Para akong nakatingin ngayon sa Romano na unang beses kong nakita ng personal. Drop-dead gorgeous, cold and intimidating. Gayunpaman, napanatali pa rin nito ang kagwapuhang taglay. Ang mukhang laman ng aking mga panaginip.

Masasarap at masasakit na panaginip.

“Let’s go, Mira.” JK tugged my left hand. I ducked my head and started walking past Romano. But my steps were put to a halt when he grasped my free right hand, clutching it. It was tight but I could not feel pain from it. It did not hurt at all. His skin was warm and rough that it sent shivers down my spine.

I glanced up, waiting for him to speak some hurtful words against me. I could feel the tension building up around the room. The whole place fell into a deafening silence.

Shaking his head, Romano let go of my hand, turned and strode away, not saying even a single word.