Chapter 65: The Heart Behind Trust
*Adelina's Point of View.
Three days have passed since Romeo helped us with Lola's treatment. We're still staying at his condo, a place far more comfortable than our cramped, rundown apartment in Kawit. I don't want to take advantage of his kindness, but it's true that Lola's condition is better here—the air is clean, the bed is soft, and the air conditioning soothes her weary body. Back home, Lola often struggled with the heat and tight quarters, leaving her drenched in sweat and exhausted.
Romeo's driver, Mang Tony, shuttles Lola to and from the hospital for her check-ups and treatments. Despite my reluctance, I couldn't refuse his offer to let us stay. It's safer and better for Lola, especially since she needs proper rest.
I left the hospital early to head to the market, picking up ingredients for dinner. I wanted to cook something special for Lola and Aries when they returned. I got so caught up shopping that I lost track of time. Meanwhile, Romeo hasn't been back to the condo in three days. He hasn't mentioned when he'll return, and despite texting him, I've gotten no reply. Mang Tony is tight-lipped, always saying he's not allowed to talk about Romeo or his work. The man's a mystery, and though I'm curious about what he does, I feel I have no right to pry.
Back at the condo with my groceries, I headed to the kitchen to start cooking. I chose Lola's favorite sinigang, paired with fried fish and rice. As I waited for the broth to simmer, I heard the front door open. My brow furrowed—Lola and Aries couldn't be back yet; they don't have a key, and it's too early for their return from the hospital.
Cautiously, I stepped out of the kitchen, clutching the knife I'd been using to chop vegetables, and peeked into the living room. There was Romeo, setting his bag on the sofa. He wore a crumpled black polo, looking utterly exhausted. His hair was disheveled, and sweat glistened on his forehead.
"You're back," I said, raising an eyebrow. "You didn't even reply to my messages."
He glanced at me, slightly startled, before offering a tired smile. "Messages? Oh, I only saw them late last night. Honestly, I didn't know what to say."
I nodded, not pushing further. He mentioned he rarely stays at the condo, often sleeping at his office when work piles up. I still don't know what he does, but judging by the condo—spotless, modern, filled with expensive things—he's clearly well-off.
As he stood there, his eyes suddenly scanned me from head to toe. I felt self-conscious under his gaze. I was wearing an old t-shirt, denim shorts, and his kitchen apron. Instinctively, I crossed my arms over my chest, embarrassed. "Stop staring at me like that!" I snapped, irritated.
He grinned, a teasing glint in his eyes. "Didn't expect to see you in an apron. It suits you. You don't look so tomboyish today."
My cheeks flushed with annoyance. "What's wrong with my apron? It's not like you've never seen one!" I shot back. "For your information, I wear aprons all the time—I used to work in a carinderia. So cut it out with the teasing."
He chuckled, his laugh soft, not like the mocking jabs of others. "You can cook? I thought you only knew how to pick fights," he teased, but there was admiration in his tone.
"You're really asking for it," I replied, though a small smile crept onto my face. "I can do a lot, especially cooking. I'm the one who cooks for my family." I boasted a bit, but then remembered the sinigang. "Oh, my cooking!" I rushed back to the kitchen, flustered.
He followed, still smiling, and leaned against the doorway, watching me. As I checked the simmering pot, I noticed the exhaustion on his face—dark circles under his eyes, his shoulders sagging as if carrying an invisible weight.
"I forgot to leave a budget for your food here," he said, gauging my reaction. "Sorry, I've been swamped with work."
I looked at him, concerned. "Do you even sleep? You look like a zombie," I said, unable to hide my worry. "And you don't need to give us money for food. We can buy our own. You've already done too much for Lola."
He smiled, but it carried a hint of bitterness. "It's normal for me to buy food for my guests. I just want to help however I can—it makes me happy."
I raised an eyebrow. "Funny, you said you don't meddle in others' problems."
He laughed softly, his voice weary. "I'm not even sure what I want to do sometimes. Life's short, Adelina. While I'm here, I want to make a difference."
He turned to leave but paused. "I'll join you for dinner. Just call me when it's ready."
I stood in the kitchen, ladle in hand, stunned. His words stirred something warm in my chest. Part of me wanted to keep talking to him, but my pride and resentment toward people like him—tied to the Spaniards—pulled me back.
---
Minutes later, Lola and Aries returned from the hospital. I set the table with sinigang, fried fish, rice, and a bowl of tomato salad. I knocked on Romeo's door, and he emerged, looking slightly rested. He joined us for dinner, asking about Lola's condition.
"Lola, how are you feeling?" he asked, his voice filled with genuine concern.
Lola smiled, her eyes brimming with gratitude. "Thank God, and thank you, hijo. I'm feeling better with the medicines and therapy at the hospital you've arranged. I don't know how I can repay your kindness."
Romeo smiled, but before he could respond, Aries, ever impulsive, blurted out, "Kuya Romeo, why do you always have bodyguards? What's your job? You seem like a big shot."
I glared at Aries, scolding her. "Stop with those questions! We have no right to pry into Romeo's life."
But Aries, as usual, was relentless. "Ate, it's normal to want to know about your boyfriend, right? I mean, he's your boyfriend, but you barely know him. Aren't you curious where he sleeps or what he does?"
I closed my eyes, embarrassed and annoyed. "Aries, shut up! You don't need to ask that!" I snapped, though deep down, I knew she had a point. I didn't know why I had to keep pretending Romeo was my boyfriend, especially since we weren't close.
Aries pressed on. "Honestly, Ate, I don't get how you two got together. You know nothing about him, and you don't seem to care. If you're his girlfriend, shouldn't you be sweet? But you act like you don't even like him!"
"What do you mean I don't care?" I retorted, exasperated. "Isn't cooking dinner enough? What more do you want?"
Aries grinned, teasingly. "Ate, you cooked because you were hungry too. I mean, like, showing you're sweet, that you love him. Like waiting for him when he comes home or worrying about him."
I couldn't respond immediately. How could I be sweet to Romeo when we weren't really together? Before I could say anything, Romeo spoke, his voice calm but weighted.
"Sorry, Aries," he said. "It's partly my fault. I keep my work and who I am private. But honestly, I like being around Adelina. I feel comfortable with her."
His words sent a shiver through me, landing heavily in my heart. I blushed, embarrassed. "What are you talking about?" I muttered, loud enough for him to hear.
He explained that the people with him weren't bodyguards but his staff. "I'm used to people following and respecting me because my family is wealthy and influential," he said truthfully. "But that makes it hard to connect with others, especially when they're too deferential. I try to meet people's expectations of someone like me."
He added, "I don't want Adelina to treat me differently if she learns who I am or what I do."
"Don't worry, I'm not a bad person, a syndicate member, or a criminal. Just think of me as someone helping you," he said.
I couldn't resist teasing him. "You talk like you're some noble," I said, smirking. "I bet you're just another Spanish lackey, not important in this country like us."
He laughed, a hint of pride in his tone. "That's harsh, Adelina. If you saw how Spaniards look at me and bow when I pass, you'd be screaming in awe."
"No way!" I shot back, annoyed. "I don't trust people like you. You may be rich, but no Filipino is above the Spaniards."
He sighed and looked at Aries. "That's exactly why I don't want Adelina to know about me," he said. "Many resent me, thinking I'm just a Spaniard. It's hard to explain I'm not a bad person."
"It'd only make her angry and complicate things," he added.
Aries jumped in, defending him. "Kuya, to me, you're not bad. Adelina's just too judgmental. She's always thought every guy is bad."
"I'm not judgmental!" I protested. "It's normal to be cautious to avoid danger. There's nothing wrong with that!"
Romeo smiled, his eyes understanding. "I get what you mean, Adelina. I'm not trying to force you to trust me."
Aries pouted. "You two are so confusing! I know my tomboy sister is weird, but I didn't expect her to be in such a strange relationship!"
I smacked Aries lightly. "Shut up! You're embarrassing me!" I said, mortified, especially with Lola listening quietly. I couldn't admit the truth—that Romeo and I weren't really together—since Lola would scold me.
During dinner, Romeo asked Aries why she wasn't in school. "I can have one of my staff take Lola to the hospital," he said. "Why not go back to school?"
"It's okay, Kuya," Aries replied, her voice tinged with sadness. "I stopped studying after elementary. We all did, to work."
Romeo was shocked. "Even with strict Spanish rule, they allow free education for Filipinos. Why didn't you take it?"
Aries explained we tried but saw no value in it. "Honestly, Kuya, the free government schools for Filipinos aren't about progress. They're about making us better slaves. They teach selective things, half of which are tasks to make us servants or lies about history."
She added, "Plus, we couldn't afford food or transport. We help more by working or hustling to earn."
Romeo sighed, his face full of sympathy. "It's true the education for Filipinos is limited by the Spaniards. But I believe knowledge is crucial. Many Filipinos are exploited because they lack education, and you'd rise higher with more learning."
He looked at Aries earnestly. "I'll help you attend a good school. Don't worry—I'll cover everything, from tuition to daily allowances."
Lola and I were stunned. I laughed, half-mocking him. "Don't brag like that just to show off!" I said, though I worried he was serious.
Instead of joking, he looked at me seriously. "I'm not kidding, Adelina. I want to help not just Aries but your whole family. Even you, if you want."
Lola nearly cried, overwhelmed. "Hijo, I don't know how to repay your kindness. I've always wanted my grandchildren to study, but I couldn't support them."
Aries scratched her head, shy. "Kuya, I don't know if I should refuse. I want to study, but I need to earn for our expenses."
"I don't understand why you need to work," Romeo said. "You're only twelve, right? Too young for that. What do you do, anyway?"
Aries explained she didn't have a real job. "I just hustle, Kuya. I go to houses or people needing services—laundry, deliveries, cleaning, or helping out. The pay's small, but I have no choice."
Romeo sighed and looked at me. "You've influenced Aries with your work habits," he said, not accusingly but with concern. "You can't live well like that, Adelina. You'll be stuck doing that forever if you don't act."
He offered to arrange schooling for my siblings and me. I refused. "I don't need to study," I said firmly. "I don't see better opportunities for Filipinos like me under Spanish rule."
Romeo paused eating, his head bowed, deep in thought. "I know you wouldn't agree to become an honorary Spaniard like me, and I respect that," he said sincerely. "But the truth is, Spaniards belittle Filipinos because of our ignorance. We can't defend ourselves without knowledge."
He shared that many Filipinos became honorary Spaniards yet stayed loyal to their people. "It's not ideal to renounce being Filipino, but it's a way to beat poverty and help others," he said. "When I accepted being an honorary Spaniard, I got to study in good schools and build connections. If I'd let my Filipino pride close my mind, I couldn't help those in need, like your Lola."
He added, "I know you hate Spaniards. Honestly, I hate them ten times more, and even in the next life, I won't forgive those who killed our people. But no matter how strong my anger is, it's useless if I only show rage."
He explained that staying angry in a corner changes nothing. Rebelling and killing Spaniards is futile too. "I could kill ten, a hundred, or a thousand, but the problem won't end—the abusive system will remain," he said. "I chose to use the Spaniards to help Filipinos. I took the honorary opportunity to aid my people."
He said earnestly, "Let me prove myself. Use me to rise in life, so no Spaniard can exploit or harm you."
I understood his point and believed his intentions were good. But I struggled to accept help, having long sworn against honorary Spaniards and Spaniards. I looked down, unsure what to say, but was startled when he gently took my hands.
"I know it's hard," he said softly. "If you can't trust Spaniards, I don't blame you. But you're not doing this for them—you're doing it for your family."
I couldn't pinpoint my feelings. I'm a proud person, determined to keep my word, but something warm in my chest wanted to trust the man before me.
Romeo sighed and let go. "You don't have to answer now," he said. "Think it over. I'm ready to help anytime."
The night ended with my mind in turmoil. I couldn't decide immediately, but I felt I had nothing to fear from Romeo. I believed he was different from the beastly Spaniards who deceived and hurt my family.
---
The next morning, I woke early, as I do when looking for work. With no plans today, I decided to cook breakfast for Lola. As I left my room, I heard a groan from the living room. There, Romeo slept restlessly on the sofa, drenched in sweat, tears in his eyes, muttering a name. "Flora…" he whispered, his voice laced with fear, as if chasing someone.
Alarmed, I rushed to wake him. "Romeo, wake up!" I said, grabbing his arms. He jolted upright, shouting, "Flora!" I froze, stunned by his reaction.
Seconds later, he hugged me tightly, as if terrified I'd vanish. Shocked, I yelled, "Hey! What are you doing? Let go!" Flustered, I pushed him away and slapped him hard.
Minutes later, I continued in the kitchen, preparing breakfast—dried fish, eggs, and rice—while Romeo washed his face at the sink. He glanced at his reflection, his cheek red from my slap. "You didn't have to be so violent," he said, mildly annoyed. "I think you dislocated my jaw."
"Who told you to hug me?" I retorted, equally irritated. "If you hadn't grabbed me, I wouldn't have slapped you!"
Instead of apologizing, he made excuses. "I didn't know what was happening. I was dreaming—how could I know it was you?"
"You expect me to believe that? For all I know, you just wanted an excuse to hug me!" I shouted. "Pervert!"
He grinned, eyeing me playfully. "I'm not interested in hugging you," he teased. "I didn't know you were so delusional."
"What?!" I yelled, insulted. "You've got some nerve! You think I want some guy hugging me?"
He laughed, pressing an ice bag to his cheek. "I can't face my men with my face like this," he said, still smiling. He glanced at me, sending a shiver through me. "Stop staring!" I snapped, pointing the knife at him threateningly.
"I'm just curious," he said, unfazed. "You're a tomboy, right? So why do you get shy when a guy touches you? I have a tomboy sister, and she's fine with me touching her or being close."
I blushed. "I'm not shy!" I protested. "I just don't want guys taking advantage of me. Even if I act tomboyish, I'm still a woman."
I explained that I cut my hair short and dressed like a boy to avoid creeps in our area. Since childhood, that's been my way to protect myself from exploitation. I shared how our place is full of predators, with nightclubs and prostitution rampant. "If a Spaniard takes a liking to you, they force you to work in a nightclub or exploit you," I said, my voice thick with anger. "You don't know what we've been through with those vile pigs. Anyone would rather be a tomboy than their toy."
He sighed and asked, "If it's that bad in your area, why don't you leave Kawit?"
I slammed the table, furious. "We have no choice! I hate our place, but I can't abandon the people there. I was gone from Kawit for five years, and when I returned, life had gotten worse. Lola and the kids she took in are drowning in debt to a rich Spaniard, forced to repay it any way they can. It's heartbreaking that my siblings are tied to those monsters."
I added, "If we escape, where would we go? The provinces? Manila? What if we're caught and jailed? Prisons are full of abuse and rape. And we have no money, so we'd end up back on the streets, exploited by others to survive."
He approached, placed the ice bag on my head, and said, "Calm down." He smiled, his eyes deep. "We can't change the past. I'm chained to my own tragedies, haunted by trauma every night. All we can do is move forward and act for a better future."
I swatted his hand away, annoyed. "Let go! What trauma are you talking about? Is it tied to your nightmare? You were terrified," I said, curiosity getting the better of me.
He shook his head, embarrassed. "Forget what you saw. I've had bad experiences, and I'm scared they'll happen again to those I love, especially my siblings, who keep me going."
He steered the conversation away from negativity, saying it'd only make us pity ourselves. I disagreed. "Lola says when we have problems or grudges, we should share them. It's important to have someone to vent to, not bottle it up. That's why when my siblings cry, we're there, listening."
I asked, "You said you're alone, away from your siblings. Do you tell them your problems? Could your nightmares be because you keep things hidden?"
He didn't answer immediately, sighing. "Maybe," he said, smiling faintly. "But it's impossible for me to share my problems with my siblings. They've faced abuse too, and like me, they battle their own traumas. I used to tell them to stay strong, like me. What face would I show if I admitted I'm weak too?"
I kicked his leg lightly. "You're so full of yourself! You call me proud, but you let your pride stop you from doing what's best for you!"
---
After breakfast, Romeo suggested we go to the mall. "Come with me," he said. "The condo's missing things—I want it to feel like a real home."
I wasn't sure why, but I had no choice but to agree. Honestly, I hate feeling indebted, but we're here because of his kindness, so I felt obliged to follow.
Aries joined us, and at the mall, we shopped for essentials—pillows, blankets, clothes. It was embarrassing that he paid for our clothes, but I couldn't stop Aries, who accepted everything shamelessly.
While looking for clothes, Aries dragged me to the women's section, filled with fancy dresses. She insisted I try some on. "Aries, stop! We're only getting practical clothes!" I said, annoyed.
"But Kuya Romeo said we could get what we want! He's rich—it's nothing to him," she replied, grinning.
I was irritated by her words. "You can't abuse his kindness! He's not responsible for us!" I explained it's wrong to take everything just because he's generous.
Later, Romeo bought a PS5 and games for entertainment at the condo. He said it was better than being stuck in traffic on his days off. We ate at an expensive restaurant, and though I wanted to refuse, he indulged Aries' requests.
After handing our purchases to his staff outside, we returned to the mall and watched a movie. I wasn't sure if this was right anymore. I asked, "Are you seriously granting all of Aries' wishes? If not, I'll tell that kid to stop."
He smiled, his eyes soft. "Don't worry about what I spend. I had a sister like Aries once, and it makes me happy seeing her joy from what I can give."
He shared that he used to go out with his siblings weekly. Now, he misses those moments. "Even as a kid, I had money, but the happiness was fleeting, especially alone. Money can't match the joy of seeing my siblings happy because of what I did."
As we walked, I realized how much he loved his siblings, even if they weren't blood-related. Like me, he'd do anything for those he considered family. I don't know why, but the more time passed, the more I saw his true character. Each day, I wanted to trust him more.
Back home, we tried the new purchases and played on Romeo's PS5. We got so caught up we lost track of time. I have many worries about my family's future, but being with him lets me forget them, even briefly. I feel comfortable around him—not just because of what he gives us, but because having someone like him in our lives brings me joy.
End of Chapter