......

Akira

The elegant building of the expensive restaurant standing before me is more intimidating than last time and the mare mention of last time I was here, gives me shudder but in absolute bad way. It brings unsought memory of Romero leaving with Carina, and the same stab of unwanted jealousy. That was also the first time I had acknowledged extent of my feelings for Romero.

The reason I'm more anxious today would the company I'm with. Throughout whole ride he was like a ticking bomb, ready to explode. He has not spoken a word to me after he opened door and ordered me to sit inside. He didn't as much nod when I told him about the address. The drive was as awkward as it was last night. I sent him few curious glances but gave up when he refused to acknowledge me.

Now in front of our destination, my anxiety is so high that I'm contaminating if I should just go back instead of this get-together with his terrible mood. I wanted to have a peaceful time with him and his friends but considering his temper, it doesn't seem possible now.

Though I can't tell if he is still angry or not because of the impassive face he has on but from the slight rigidness of his shoulders I can tell that he is not comfortable here, not at all. And when I really think about it, a horrid realisation drowns me.

Buckling off my seatbelt I turn to him and grab his arm stopping him from getting out. I look straight in his confused eyes when I next speak, "Are you ashamed to be seen with me? Is that why you don't-"

The glare he sends, halts me on mid sentence, "Stop talking woman. You are pissing me off." He grounds out.

My mouth falls open and it takes me a moment to recover, "I'm pissing you off? You are the one who is embarrassed of me! You are the one who don't-" I gasp in surprise when catching my wrist he pulls me toward him.

Holding me tight against him, he exhales a harsh breath, "For fuck sake woman! Is it that bad to want you entirely for me? I didn't want to come here because I don't want to share you with the bunch of fuckers who can't keep their nose to themselves."

I stare in his eyes and all I see sincerity and truth in them, making me feel like a crap for accusing him. I don't let my embarrassment surface instead I blurt out, "But... but they are your friends."

His eyes narrows at me as though he knows what I just did, "The only person I consider my friend is Slade and the rest are his baggage."

That tells a lot why he doesn't usually speak with everyone else.

"Oh", I nod, suddenly aware of my closeness to him and his hand on my waist. Our faces are almost touching and I notice few of my hair tendrils are spread on his shoulders.

I try to move away but he doesn't bulge and keeps me still. I peer back in his eyes and swallow at the intensity behind the glorious silver eyes, "Never ever think again that I could be ashamed of you. If anyone here needs to be ashamed, it should be other way around. You understand me?"

Not a sound comes out when I open my lips to whisper 'yes' but he nods as though he has heard my unspoken word.

Placing a toe curling kiss on my awaiting lips, he pulls away. "Now come on, lets get over with this."

Getting out, Romero comes toward me and placing a hand on my waist, he leads me for the front door. This time the doorman doesn't look down at me but gives me a curious glance as he opens door for us, nodding earnestly at Romero, who doesn't bother him a glance.

A woman in perfect fitting uniform approaches us with a permanent smile on her beautiful face. For a split moment her smile transfers into a sneer after spotting me but she recovers it as quickly with a fake smile.

Without sparing me another glance, she turns to Romero, "Mr. King, it's our absolute pleasure to have you here. Rest of your friends are already in private room. Please let me show you the way."

I stiffen at her forthright ignorance of my presence. Though I'm not as underdressed as last time, I still don't come close to the other well polished people in this building.

Romero must have noticed the tension in my body and the reason behind it because he glowers at her, "I own more than half of this place, I know my way around. And show my girlfriend some fucking respect or show yourself out."

I gasp at his rudeness and look at poor woman as her face turns a deep shade of red. She doesn't even raise her head when she says, "I'm so sorry mam, I didn't mea-"

"Leave." One word from Romero and she is out of our sight.

Sighing, I chastity him, "It was not necessary, you know."

He snorts as he once again starts walking, pulling me along with him, "Of course it was. She needed to know her place."

There is something in his tone, something like menace, that I have never heard before from him. It is foreign to me and it gives me chills of uneasiness.

Not liking that I open my mouth to argue but stop myself when I locate Sydney and everyone else just couple of feet away from us.

Sydney is the first one to spot us, "Here they are!" Before frowning at me, "What took you guys so long?"

Just his mood and his kiss.

I just shrug in answer and points at man beside me. She turns to Romero and doesn't question any further after receiving a look from him.

How does he manage to shut everyone, including me, with just a look?

Romero brings out a seat for me to sit, and takes one for himself beside me before placing one his arm on back of my chair. His action doesn't go unnoticed by anyone around the table.

Everyone has different reaction to this, Slade and Syd are amused, rest of others Adam, Luke and Lucas are shocked, along with the new face beside Syd, whom I assume is Grace. She is a gorgeous looking redhead with freckles on her her face. Her beautiful face is masked with shock, infact she looks more effected than anybody else and I have a theory for why.

Adam is the first on recover and turns toward me, "Are you guys together or something?"

"Er..yes. We uhm..." I stammer.

"She is mine. Got any problem with that?" Romero snaps at him with a scowl.

Adam doesn't back down, "No I don't, but since when you date?"

The question itself is a taunt and from the look of Romero's face, he doesn't appreciate it, "Since I fucking want to. Now Drop it." Warning is clear in his voice.

Wisely Adam keeps his mouth but still gives me an accusatory glance making me squirm a little in my seat and that is not hidden well from Romero as he snarls at Adam, "Don't fucking look at her!"

Adam raises both of his hands in surrender, looking away. I look around to see everyone silent as the scene is unfolded before them. Though everyone has retrieved their expression, their eyes are still filled with wonder. Except for Slade, who is thoroughly amused by Romero's behavior.

A waiter enters the room, breaking the awkward silence. Everybody give their order, I don't have much appetite this morning, still I order small fries.

Sydney clears her throat from my left side, after that waiter retreats, "Ira, this is Grace, she is twin's cousin and also our friend. She is sophomore like me. Grace, this is Akira, my roommate and uh.. King's girlfriend."

Blushing at the last part, I smile at Grace, "Hi"

Grace forces a smile on her face before giving Romero a longing glance that he doesn't even notice, she asks, "So how did this happen?"

Before I can say something, Romero snaps at her, "None of your business."

Her brown eyes flash with a profound hurt of his harshness toward her, along with it, is a trace of pain. Hence my theory about her having a crush on Romero is right.

My Romero

A flare of possessiveness rushes through me but I subside it, trying to be rational. I can't hate her just because she likes him. I'm sure there are many others who likes him too and I can't hate everyone. What I can do is trust him and my love for him.

Even though I'm trying to be mature about this, my heart somewhat is still stuck with it's possessiveness over Romero but I choose to ignore it.

That is, for now.

Scowling, I turn to him, "Don't be so rude." I whisper harshly.

He stares me for few seconds before shrugging unapologetically, "It's truth though."

Shaking my head, I give Grace a 'sorry' smile, "I'm sorry about him. He woke up on the wrong side of bed today."

She lets out a genuine chuckle, conceding pain in her eyes, "If it's so, then I think he always wakes up on wrong side of bed, considering this is his usual behavior."

I decide, despite her crushing on Romero, she is a nice girl.

Slade pipes in, "Either that or something got his panties on twist."

Shoving him off. Romero grumbles, "Fuck off asshole."

Just then waiter arrives with our order.

• • •

It is almost ten when we are done with our breakfast and in Romero's car, rushing back for my first class.

It was nice to have breakfast with everyone.

It would have been best if it was with only Romero.

Can't argue with that.

"For how long you and Slade have known each other." I ask curious.

He gives me an skeptical glance, "Since we were eighteen."

"Did you go school together?"

His face becomes bleak as he answers, "For a while, yes."

I get it.

He doesn't want to talk about it, so I don't press any further, instead turn to look out of window.

After few minutes I hear him inhale, "After your class ends, I will drop you off to your work." He informs me as if I'm supposed to be okay that.

"No you won't." I retort.

"Why the fuck not?"

"Just because." I shrug.

"That's not even an excuse! Are you going with that art fucker? Because I swear to-"

"That art fucker is my friend, his name is Dav and no, I'm not going with him." I snap cutting him off.

"Then with whom you are going?" He demands.

"Jesus! I'm not going with anyone. I plan to walk to my library. Alone."

He frowns as if I'm being stupid, "Why the hell you want to walk, when I can easily take you there?"

"I like to walk alone because it helps me to clear my mind and to keep me focused."

He releases a breath, obviously frustrated from not getting what he wants, "Fine but I'm picking you from your work."

Compromise, yes I can work with that.

I nod, "Okay."

"And then you are coming back to my condo." He adds grunting.

I have no problem with that. I would love to have some quality time alone with my boyfriend after whole day of class and work.

"I am?" I question, amused from his tantrum.

"Yes you are and then you are staying for night."

Okay..

Now I'm confused. I'm sure he knows that I'm not ready to step any further in our new born relationship. So, "Why?"

He must have seen something on my face before he answers this, "To sleep. Nothing else, just sleep."

Not helping.

I'm still confused. Scrunching my nose I repeat, "Why?"

He gives me a powerful intense look slightly spiked with vulnerability, when he later speaks in a soft low voice, "Because I am able to sleep when you are with me."