Free Taming Romeo by Rachelle Ayala Page A

Tita’s pissed? Romeo didn’t see her because he couldn’t keep his eyes off you. They had to keep retaking the scene because Romeo would look at you before he was supposed to have noticed you.”
    “Not that it matters anymore.” I slap my fork on the table and cover my eyes at the sudden welling of tears.
    Choco pats my arm. “What are you not telling me? Did he hurt you? You slept with him, didn’t you?”
    Her concern and sympathy breaks me and my lower lip wobbles as tears roll down my face. “It was incredible. He told me all these wonderful things. Then he walks out on me this morning.”
    “What? That’s horrid. I didn’t think he was like that. He’s always so sweet and considerate.”
    I dab my eyes with a napkin and take a long, shuddering breath. “I need to stop crying at the drop of a hat. What’s wrong with me?”
    “Nothing, Evie. You need emotional rest and stability. Not more trouble. That was the reason for taking a break from med school.”
    “I know.” I cradle my head on the table. “Everything was going okay until Romeo showed up. Why didn’t you warn me?”
    “I didn’t want to worry you. He dropped by a few days before you returned with a cake and a flyer, asking permission to use the kare-kare room for a private fundraiser. One thousand dollars a plate for orphans or something. He’ll do some of his boy band songs and sing some new material.”
    “You must have known about this matchmaking.”
    “Yes, Mama talked about it earlier, but Romeo was still filming in the Philippines, so I thought it was all hot air. Genie, took it all in. Didn’t you notice her walls are plastered with his photos?”
    Actually, Genie’s room is always locked and I haven’t visited it yet. A wave of sadness flattens my heart.
    “We should warn Genie against Romeo. He’s an actor. He’ll say anything to get what he wants. Genie’s a virgin and so naïve. He’ll take advantage of her.”
    “Shhh…” Choco taps my arm. “Papa just walked by. He gave you a strange look.”
    I let my tears flow into the napkin, alternatively holding my breath and forcibly blowing it out to stop my sobbing.
    “Don’t worry about Genie,” Choco says. “She’s not as innocent as you think and she looks at Romeo as the high score among her clique. Bagging an actor and former boy band sensation. Think of the creds she has in her crowd. I shouldn’t tell you, but Genie’s already done it.”
    “With who? Romeo?” Shock is inadequate to describe the bone-jarring surprise I’m experiencing.
    “No, the varsity quarterback. She’s on the pill.”
    “What do Mama and Papa think?”
    “They don’t know. I took her to the clinic.” Choco wrings her hands. “It’s better than having her end up pregnant.”
    Oh, shit. What would happen if I end up pregnant? Last night had seemed unreal, a fantasy, and in that world, I was Romeo’s beloved, the woman who’d have him forever.
    “What’s wrong?” Choco’s eyes bulge. She slaps the table, her head bobbing in consternation. “You? Are you pregnant?”
    “No, at least not yet. Oh, I was so stupid.”
    “You let him go bare?”
    “First time, he used a rubber. But later, I got careless. What do I do now?”
    “Shit, shit. You might have time.” Choco taps the tabletop, her knee jittering. “I’ll tell the parents you’re sick and you can borrow my car and go to the pharmacy. You can get the morning-after pill over the counter.”
    “I don’t know. Maybe I won’t need it. We used a condom the first time. Maybe he didn’t come inside of me.” I stab at the green beans.
    “Oh, be sensible.” Choco shakes the table. “Being pregnant right now would ruin your life.”
    “You’re pregnant?” Romeo puts a hand on my shoulder.
    I startle and choke on a bean. I. Can’t. Breathe. Shit. No air. I’ll be dead in five minutes. I clasp my fists and punch my solar plexus.
    Romeo bear hugs me and pulls me into his torso. He bends me over and jabs his