Taming Romeo Read Free Page A

There were benefits from being the smart one of the family. I got to stay home and study while Genie was paraded around with my parents’ busy social life. I was also free of any suggestive innuendo from jealous cousins that I might be part American, a jibe that used to bring Genie to tears.
    I wring the mop in the water and settle into a comforting rhythm. After the floor is clean, I replace all the chairs, collect the glasses and debris, then roll the table linens into the hamper. Choco joins me, her face flushed from the heat in the kitchen.
    “Do you think I’m chubby?” I ask her on the way to the linen closet.
    “You’re not a stick.” She stacks tablecloths in my arms. “Men don’t like the anorexic look.”
    “Hmmm… You have a point there, but what did you think about the blonde who was with Romeo?”
    Choco rolls her eyes and makes an I-don’t-believe-you’re-still-crushing-on-him face. “I thought you grew out of him long ago. Weren’t you with Eric all these years?”
    At my sour face, she pats my shoulder. “Sorry, forget what I just said. If you think you’re fat, then I’m huge. Besides, it’s hard to lose weight around here.”
    “Genie has no trouble staying thin.”
    “She smokes.” Choco pushes her way past me to the kare-kare room. “Let’s get these tables made up. We’re already filling the bangus side and part of the patio.”
    “Genie smokes?” I grab one side of the cloth while she spreads the other. “What do Mama and Papa think?”
    Choco twists her lips. “Best not stir that one up. They’d blame you for bad influence. So, why are you interested in Romeo?”
    “I’m not.” My face flushes so much I can feel the heat waves radiating from me like a beacon. “How long has he been back? How come no one told me?”
    “Didn’t think you’d care.” My sister’s face is too expressionless. She’s hiding something. I follow her to the supply cabinet and bring out the candles. She rearranges the spice caddy and napkin holders while I set a globe candle on each table, lighting it as I go.
    When we finish preparing the tables, she turns to me, a concerned expression on her face. “You’ve got nothing to worry about. Eric’s an idiot. You’ll be back on your feet before you know it. Now, get yourself cleaned up.”

Chapter 4
    Monday is our family day off. Everyone sleeps late and we don’t have breakfast until noon. Instead of pulling my covers over my head and hoping for sweeter dreams, preferably the kind with a man’s warm body, I swing my legs off the bed.
    I wish I have as much faith in myself as my elder sister has. Mornings are always the worst. I wake with my heart thudding, hard and fast. Anxiety grabs my throat and I’m sweating, but there’s no nightmare I can recall. My mind is blank, but I’m afraid. Of what? Being alone? That won’t happen with my family. Mama and Papa would just as soon have me live with them the rest of my life. While the rest of my siblings procreate and pass on the family genes, I would play cards with them and check their blood pressure, remind them of their medications and exercise with them.
    I have to put away the negative self talk. I am not a failure. I can achieve my goals. I am worth it.
    But when I stand in front of the mirrored closet, I turn sideways and pinch my tummy. All the pity eating has settled right below my belly button. My fingers itch for a cigarette, knowing that the reason nicotine makes me lose weight is that it is slowly poisoning my cells. Maybe there’s a healthier way. Maybe Vegan Barbie has a point. I can try anything at least once.
    Little did I know when I crunched on the lechón last night that it was the last time in my life I would ever savor that delectable, crispy skin. My stomach rumbles over the memory of pork binagoongan , a dish of fried pork belly with bagoong . Wait, certainly I can have eggplant binagoongan . Although shrimp paste is not strictly vegan, it is a condiment, and