Fortress Island Series 2 Romano: Can't We Try (BOOK 1)

TWENTY-ONE

Possess

Romano did a short speech. Nagpasalamat lang ito sa kanyang mga fans at umalis lang din agad sa stage. Habang bumababa ito ay nakasunod lamang ang tingin ko sa kanya.

Gusto kong tumayo at sundan ito. Gusto kong magpaliwanag pero hindi ko alam paano ko ito lalapitan nang hindi makakaagaw ng atensiyon ng mga tao sa paligid.

"He really did come, huh. I was right all along." I heard JK spoke. I tilted my head to look at him. He was drinking his wine and he studied me under his lashes.

"Did you do this on purpose, JK?" May pag-aakusa sa boses ko. I inclined towards him so that he could hear me. I made sure my voice was just above the whisper.

He acted innocent. "What do you mean, chick?"

"Do not chick me, hindi ako sisiw." I gritted my teeth. "What point are you trying to prove, huh?"

"Well..." He set his wine glass back on the table. "I was informed that Romano had no plans attending the Awards Night. Gusto ko lang naman subukang alamin kung ano o sino ang makakapagpabago ng kanyang isipan. Surprise! Surprise! Romano suddenly appeared out of nowhere with his usual icy demeanor. Did you see his eyes? I thought for a moment he wanted to murder and skin us alive." Umiiling ito na tila aliw na aliw sa mga sinasabi. "It seemed like he was about to burn the whole place. Damn, the man is jealous." Sinabayan niya ulit iyon ng tawa. "Hmm... there must be something going on between the two of you."

"He's not jealous! The man probably just hates your guts with no apparent reason. You taunt him at my expense! And here I thought you're a good person, JK. Did I serve the purpose as your bait? No, don't answer it. The fact that he's here only proves that you succeeded."

He chuckled. "Don't get mad at me, chick. At least ngayon, malinaw na sa akin na espesyal ka sa kanya. But you're not into romantic relationship, are you? So, I guess, it is safe to say that I am not crossing the line here."

"Wala kaming relasyon ni Romano, JK. Pero tinitiyak ko sa'yo na wala rin akong planong makipagrelasyon sa'yo o kahit sino man. I am drawing the line here and you can't cross it, JK. I won't allow it. I hardly even know you. Siguro ay iniisip ni Romano na nababaliw na ako dahil nagtiwala ako sa'yo kahit hindi pa kita lubusang kilala."

"Hey! That's foul. I'm not the bad guy here, chick. It's just so happened that I liked you the moment our eyes met. Don't blame me for feeling that way towards you. Besides, I'm not the first one."

"Huh?"

"Hindi ako ang unang lalakeng nahulog sa'yo sa unang sulyap pa lang. How about Matt, Romano's ex manager? That man is so whipped! And you're just too dense to notice it."

I sighed yet again. "Kung ano-ano ang nakikita mo, JK. Matt is just a friend."

"And Romano?" He raised a brow at me.

Saglit akong natigilan. Romano...he is... "He is my employer. He is my friend. At ikaw? I want us to remain that way, too. Don't ask for more. Don't make me hate you."

He gnawed his lips as he looked away. "I'm not even starting yet, Mira."

"Don't. Find someone else to like, JK." I was about to stand up, but he held my arm. Napaupo ako ulit.

"Don't leave, Mira. I'm sorry, okay? We can talk about it some other time but please, stay with me. Ilang oras na lang at matatapos na ito. Hindi mo ba maibibigay sa akin ang nalalabing mga oras na iyon?"

"Romano is my boss and I deliberately lied to him. Gusto ko siyang puntahan at magpaliwanag. My job is on the line here." If he's going to fire me, mahihirapan na akong makasama ito. What was I thinking back then? How did I allow myself to be caught in this situation? Nagsisisi na ako ngayon, but it's too late now.