Taming Romeo by Rachelle Ayala

Author:Rachelle Ayala [Ayala, Rachelle]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: FIC054000 FICTION / Asian American, FIC043000 FICTION / Coming of Age, filipino, chick-lit, second chance, coming of age, FIC044000 FICTION / Contemporary Women, humor, FIC027020 FICTION / Romance / Contemporary, family drama, new adult, DRA005000 DRAMA / Asian / General
Publisher: Amiga Books
Published: 2014-02-12T08:00:00+00:00

Chapter 20

“Julia’s postponing her wedding,” my mother announces over breakfast.

“Why?” I ask. “I thought she and Steve were inseparable.”

“What are we going to do about all the extra food we ordered?” Choco stabs one of the sausages in her longsilog, a plate of sausage, garlic rice, and two eggs over easy.

Papa pours coffee for us. “Tita Elena’s not feeling well enough to attend. Romeo said she’s more tired than she’s letting on.”

“But it’s not her wedding,” I say, although secretly I’m relieved she won’t be subjecting herself to a public appearance and stressing over cake perfection.

“She’s Julia’s godmother, did you forget?” Mama says. “Anyways, I talked your Romeo into booking the banquet facilities for his film crew. They’re going to shoot a couple of scenes.”

Papa high-fives Mama. “See why I married you?”

I glance at Genie who is spreading butter on a piece of toast. She alone does not eat the traditional Filipino breakfast laden with eggs, garlic rice, gravy and meat. Actually, now that I’m vegan, I pick at my scoop of garlic rice.

When Mama said “your Romeo,” was she looking at me or Genie? He’s still taking her to the prom in a week and I’m still grounded as far as Papa is concerned. He doesn’t want anything to interfere with my return to medical school.

“I’m glad Romeo’s crew will hire out the restaurant,” I say, just to have something to say. “We shut down the entire operation on a Saturday for the wedding, but now, we can have regular lunch hours and the dinner party.”

“Will all his co-stars be joining him?” Choco asks, her brow furrowed.

“Everyone.” Mama beams proudly. “They’re adding the fight with the plate of lechón to the movie and auditioning extras for the scene.”

“Do I get to play myself?” Genie raises her hand as if this were a pop quiz.

“That’s the best part,” Mama says. “We all get to play ourselves, and I heard they changed the script. The math nerd is going to dump Romeo.”

“I thought that was already in the plot.” Choco shoves another sausage in her mouth.

I really need to speak to her about eating more sensibly. At five-foot-even, her one-twenty pounds is at the upper limit. I’m four inches taller and weigh five pounds less.

They jibber on about the soap opera and Genie’s prom dress. I tune them out, pouring myself another cup of coffee.

“Can Evie have prom night off?” Genie’s scratchy voice alerts me to the developing conversation.

“What for?” Papa slurps on an egg yolk. “Since you’ll be out, I was going to make her hostess.”

What is Genie cooking up? Does she want me to watch her parade around with Romeo all night?

She sees my narrowed eyes and winks. “One of the chaperones had her baby early and I figured you guys would want one of my sisters to keep an eye on me.”

“What about Choco?” Mama says. “She’s great at keeping track of things.”

“Oh, no.” Choco pours herself a glass of whole milk. “Keep me out of this one.”

I eye the milk as she glugs it down.

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