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

TWENTY-THREE

Promise

"I called the management." I heard Romano spoke.

Mula sa pagkakayuko sa harap ng laptop, inangat ko ang aking tingin sa kanya. Kakapasok lang nito sa kitchen area. Ako naman ay kanina pa dito sa kusina at ino-organize ang schedules ni Romano para sa susunod na mga buwan. I received an email from the CEO to inform me for their plans para sa launching ng bagong single ni Romano na magaganap sa huling linggo ng susunod na buwan.

"And?" I pushed up my glasses as I looked at him scrutinizingly.

"I cleared my schedules for three days starting today." He sat across the table.

Sa narinig ay humalukipkip ako at sumandal sa upuan. "You called the management first before talking this out with me? Shouldn't I be the first one to learn about this sudden change of plans, Romano?" Matigas na sambit ko dito.

"You've been ignoring me since we woke up, grandma." Humalukipkip din ito at salubong ang mga kilay. "I cooked our breakfast, but you barely ate. You didn't even drink the espresso I made for you. You don't talk to me at all."

"And because of this, binago mo ang schedules mo? Sa tingin mo naman magbabago ang pakikitungo ko sa'yo, Romano? Hangga't hindi ka pumapayag sa sinasabi ko na aalis ako ng bahay at magrerenta nalang ng matitirhan, don't expect me to be warm at you." Asshole.

"And do you think you can afford a rent here in this area? The housing rate of this part of the city is the most expensive one, babe."

"Don't babe me. Marami tiyak diyan ang naghahanap ng ka-roommate. Tiyak akong maraming nakapost sa newspaper."

Romano banged his fist on the table as he gazed at me with those fiery eyes of his. I nearly jumped out my skin when I heard the loud thud.

"You're not going anywhere. I have made myself clear about that yesterday. Do I have to remind you again?" His icy tone made my hair in my nape stand up.

I sighed in resignation. "What are the changes of your schedules? I'm taking notes now." Ani ko at hindi na lamang nagkomento pa tungkol sa kanyang sinabi. Little did he knew; I've already asked Matt about moving out. He was more than glad to help me find a cheap place to live in. Kung tutuusin ay kaya ko namang mag-uwian nalang sa Tondo. Ang problema lang ay ang oras ng taping ni Romano. Madalas kasi daw ay inaabutan ng madaling-araw at ilang oras lang ang pagitan para sa susunod na schedule. Biyahe palang pauwi ay tiyak akong bibigay na ang katawan ko sa pagod.

"We will be going to Fortress Island this afternoon."

Napamaang ako. "Fortress Island?" Tinuro ko ang direksiyon ng painting na nakasabit sa wall ng malawak na living room nito. "Fortress Island na kamukha nung sa painting?"

"Yeah. My mother will throw a birthday party for Alejandro. I am sure you noticed in my calendar that the date is shaded with red. At tiyak akong nasabihan ka ni Matt na ang mga petsa na may red shade ay nangangahulugang espesyal ang mga araw na iyon sa akin. Ibig sabihin, those dates are my holidays."

Tumango ako. "I'm aware of that. Hindi ko lang alam na birthday ng kuya mo sa makalawa."

"Now that you know, mag-umpisa ka nang mag-empake para sa tatlong araw na bakasyon. Babalik tayo dito sa ciudad kinaumagahan ng ikaapat ng araw."

"It's your holiday, Romano. Why do I need to tag along?" Nalilito kong tanong. Hindi ba dapat ay holiday ko rin ang mga yun?

He smirked. "Apparently, you are invited by the birthday celebrant himself."

I pointed at myself; my cheeks flushed. "Alejandro invited me? Talaga?"

Romano squinted his eyes as he made a fist on the table. "At bakit ka namumula, Mira? Kinikilig ka? May gusto ka ba sa kuya ko?!"