Chapter 70: The Governor-General of Pampanga
Later that night, following an exhausting day assisting with the repairs at the Cavite military base—hauling debris, aiding the wounded, and organizing the troops—Romeo returned home carrying a heavy weariness. He lived alone in his condo in Kawit, and with no one to talk to, a profound loneliness began to cloud his mind.
He scanned the silent rooms, lingering on the doorway as if expecting to see someone there. Memories of Adelina flashed back—her warmth, the way she would prepare things for him and chat lively within those walls. He sighed and sank into the sofa, his body spent. "Why do I miss her already? I'm becoming far too attached."
Restless, he reached for his phone, but no one answered. He called repeatedly, waiting in the silence. Fifteen minutes passed before Adelina finally picked up. Romeo bolted upright, a smile breaking across his tired face.
"Thank you for finally answering. You took forever. Are you making me wait on purpose?" he asked, his tone teasing but laced with genuine relief.
Adelina, sounding defensive, claimed she hadn't heard the phone because it was in her room. Romeo didn't buy it, accusing her of intentionally avoiding him just because she knew he'd wait.
"W-what are you talking about? Why would I do that? You're being weird," she stammered, her cheeks flushing. She pointed out that she wasn't expecting a call and reminded him that he was usually the one who failed to answer. "When you make me wait, it's fine, but the moment I do it, you get angry?"
Romeo apologized, explaining he simply wasn't used to the anticipation. He realized he shouldn't be irritable, but he made a request: he wanted a set time to call her every night. "From now on, I want you to answer when I call. Don't make me wait."
"Listen to you, giving orders like you're my boss," she countered. "Anyway, why did you call? Did something bad happen?"
"Hm... nothing. I'm just lonely," Romeo admitted, his voice soft and tired.
Adelina was taken aback. While irritated that he called for "no reason," she felt a pang of concern. Romeo explained that his doctor suggested talking to a friend whenever his mind felt cluttered with the stresses of his complicated military life. He reminded her that she was the one who said he needed someone to talk to, and as her friend, he expected her to help.
Adelina sighed but softened. "Of course, I want to help however I can. What do you want?"
"First of all," Romeo began, "I want the first thing you say to me every night to be a question: ask if I'm okay and how my day went."
"W-what? Why would I do that? Are you joking?"
Romeo told her it felt good to hear concern from the person he loved. Adelina turned bright red, shouting at him to stop saying "embarrassing, weird things." Romeo remained serious, asking why she was still so flustered given how long he had been pursuing her. He joked that in the shows he watched, couples always checked in on each other to deepen their bond.
"It would be better if you were sweet to me, like the lead actresses in those dramas," he teased. He admitted he didn't know much about being "sweet" himself, but promised to try his best if she would too.
Adelina was mortified. "S-stop it! We aren't even a couple yet!"
"Everyone else thinks we are," Romeo replied, his tone half-joking, half-deadly serious. "Actually, you're the only one who hasn't realized we're already together."
Adelina abruptly hung up. Romeo stared at his phone. "She actually cut the call?" He immediately dialed again.
When she picked up, he apologized, asking why she hung up. "If you're just going to mess with me, find someone else to bother," she snapped.
"I understand," Romeo said, his voice dropping to a serious register. "I don't know what's in your head, but for the record, I'm not the type of person to waste time just to play pranks on people."
Adelina grumbled, accusing him of enjoying her irritation. Romeo didn't deny it, admitting he found it cute when she got flustered, especially since he didn't expect a "tomboy" like her to be so easily swayed. She hung up again. He called back instantly, apologizing once more.
"If you say one more thing I don't like, I'm turning off this phone and going to sleep!" she warned.
Romeo pleaded for her to stay on the line, explaining he was only joking to make her smile. "Ok, ok, forget everything I said. I just want someone to talk to until I fall asleep."
Adelina gave in. "Fine. What do you want to talk about?"
"Anything. I just want a distraction. I'm exhausted—some crazy woman just destroyed an entire military base," he joked.
Adelina's heart skipped a beat. She knew Romeo hadn't seen her at the base when she was Indang, but she carefully asked if he was okay. "I heard about the base in Cavite. It's good you weren't hurt."
"My office wasn't hit, but I arrived just as it was ending," he said. He sighed, mentioning how he had to help clear rubble. Then, his tone shifted to a profound sadness. "I know we are all victims of cruelty. I have no right to judge her for what she wants to happen."
He admitted that his job was becoming a moral maze and that he needed her to help him through the confusion. Adelina, being blunt, told him not to be a martyr. "Why do you carry everyone's problems? You're a soldier, but I don't believe you have to solve everything for everyone."
"It's my job to protect people, Adelina."
"Everything has a limit," she argued. She told him that for her, family and self-preservation always came first. "I have no responsibility to be a martyr for others because they wouldn't do it for me. But if it's about my family's safety, I won't hesitate to fight."
Romeo smiled, admiring her fire, even if their perspectives differed as a soldier bound by an oath. Adelina then brought up his plan to catch Don Felidemo, warning him to be careful. Romeo agreed it wouldn't be easy; the only way to lock him up for good was to provide the court with evidence of illegal drug ties so strong that even the Viceroy couldn't overturn the King's law.
"But if other Governor-Generals are involved in the trade," Romeo mused, "it will be a bloodbath."
Adelina went silent with worry. Romeo noticed. "You know, my family needs you," she said softly. "Are you sure you'll be okay? This seems too dangerous."
"Are you worried about me?" Romeo teased. "I fall for you even more when I hear you worry."
"S-stop it! Of course I'm worried. We owe you a lot," she said with a mix of annoyance and tenderness.
"I'm happy to hear that. Don't worry, I know my limits. I have to succeed so I can show off to the girl I'm courting." Adelina turned red again, calling him "crazy."
"Maybe I am crazy," Romeo laughed. "I can't die yet—I still have to marry you and have a happy family with many children."
Adelina hung up a third time. When he tried to call back, her phone was off. "She actually turned it off. Unbelievable."
Days passed. Romeo continued his investigation. While at his office, his subordinate, Peter, arrived with a report: the Governor-General of Pampanga wished to meet him.
Peter was suspicious. It was rumored that this General was one of the men who pressured the Viceroy to release Felidemo. "He wants to talk about Felidemo," Romeo noted. "He believes the Filipinos accusing Felidemo are just vengeful debtors. General Angeles is a Spaniard; your beliefs will clash. It will only lead to an argument."
"It won't be easy, but I shouldn't avoid him if I want this settled," Romeo said, grabbing his coat. Peter warned him to be careful—if Angeles was a partner in the illegal trade, he would stop at nothing to protect his interests. Romeo wasn't afraid.
He drove to Angeles, Pampanga. They didn't go to a military base, but to a private mansion. Romeo noticed the guards weren't in uniform; they were a private army. Following orders, Romeo entered the mansion alone, leaving his men outside. Inside, the opulence was staggering—luxury furniture and massive paintings everywhere.
In a grand room, he found the General. An elderly man with white hair in a crisp white uniform. He was a sugo of the diwata, though currently in his human form.
"I am glad you accepted my invitation, General Romeo. Please, sit."
"I am busy today," Romeo said, sitting down. "I'd like to get straight to the point."
Angeles smiled, seemingly at ease. He praised Romeo's efficiency in Batangas and mentioned the Viceroy's order to capture the Katipunan. "A difficult task. My own men, even the sugo among them, couldn't catch them. They are becoming a threat to the government. You play a huge role in our security, and I'd hate to see your hard work ruined because of..."
"Forgive me, General Angeles," Romeo interrupted. "I'm not here for flattery. What do you need?"
The room went silent. Angeles stood and poured a glass of wine. He offered it to Romeo. "There are things in this world we must accept. Join me. This is a Romanée-Conti Grand Cru—one of the most expensive wines in the world. Over a million pesos a bottle."
Romeo took the glass out of respect. Angeles continued, "My businesses earn twenty million a month. This is pocket change. I have business partners who want to invest in Batangas. They are willing to pay a lot for permits and 'protection.'"
Romeo set his glass down. "That isn't my job. Mayors decide on business permits."
Angeles smirked. "Mayors can't provide the kind of 'protection' we can."
"I'll be direct," Romeo said firmly. "I have no intention of becoming like you, getting rich off illegal trades. Do not bring anything against the law into Batangas. I will never tolerate it."
The tension in the room was palpable. Angeles set his wine down and sighed. "One day, you'll realize money is the only thing that matters. With enough of it, you can hold the world in your palm."
"I don't deny money's power," Romeo countered. "But I won't sell my soul for it. Drugs destroy lives. Prostitution abuses women. I will never accept things that ruin people."
Angeles's smile vanished. "You are too kind, Romeo. It's a weakness. You cannot be a sheep in a forest of lions."
"My mind is made up," Romeo said, standing to leave. "If that's all, I have more important things to do."
"Wait," Angeles called out. "One more thing. Stop interfering in Felidemo's case."
He explained that Felidemo was a "friend" and a source of significant protection money. Since Felidemo never went to Batangas, Angeles argued he was none of Romeo's business.
"He is breaking the law," Romeo reminded him. "As an officer of the law, I must punish him."
Angeles slammed his hand on the table. "Don't meddle in what doesn't concern you! Stay in Batangas and be quiet if you want things to stay peaceful!"
"I cannot grant that request," Romeo replied.
"I am not requesting," Angeles roared. "I am ordering you! Remember, you are just an 'honorary Spaniard.' The Viceroy will never side with you against us. Protect your position before you lose everything!"
Romeo scoffed. "I don't believe the Viceroy would discard me so easily given how much Spain benefits from my service. And don't try to intimidate me; I am not a man who kneels before a Spaniard."
They locked eyes, neither giving an inch. Angeles's fists shook with rage. Just then, Romeo's phone rang. A report from his men.
"I have to return to Batangas," Romeo said, turning his back.
As the door closed, Angeles hurled his wine glass against it, the red liquid splattering like blood. "I tried to be kind, Romeo. But you chose to be my enemy. Fine. I'll give you the war you're looking for."
end of chapter.