Keifer's POV
Angelo's words are stuck in my head, playing on repeat like a broken record. It's giving me a headache.
"He's alive."
I really do have an older brother. And he's a man. My inheritance—or what I thought was mine—is now at risk. I need to find him before he finds out about our family.
I glanced at Honey as she approached, carrying the gift I had asked her to wrap.
"Done." She handed it to me.
"Thanks." I replied flatly.
I grabbed my phone to check if Ervin had replied—nothing. Frustrated, I tossed it onto the coffee table.
Honey sat across from me on the sofa, eyeing my phone before noticing the other one—the one I use to contact Jay.
"New phone? What's this for?" She reached for it, but I snatched it back.
"It's my private phone."
She pouted. "Does Keigan know about this?"
"No. And don't tell him."
"Fine…" She stood to leave. "Next time you two fight, don't expect us to side with you."
I let her go. Keigan had been acting more controlling lately. Whenever we argued about who should have the final say, he'd shut down—sometimes for a while, but usually not for long.
He must be absorbing my stress. Last night, one of my cousins called, insisting we celebrate my birthday "Watson-style," with them handling everything.
I know they're scheming, so I refused. They're just sucking up because my birthday's coming up—the day everything gets transferred to my name.
Every day, the pressure grew heavier. I feel like I'm being strangled.
I clenched my phone, stopping myself from smashing it. Instead, I texted Jay-jay—a Valentine's Day greeting. I was grinning as I hit send.
Her reply came fast, and I burst out laughing when I read it.
From: MyFutureMrsWatson
Message: F* you!**
Profanity!
Keep cursing. I'm keeping a mental list. At least it distracted me from the weight on my chest. Jay-jay always knew how to make me feel better. I wish I could do the same for her.
I left for Ci's birthday party, tossing the wrapped gift onto the passenger seat. No need to speed—I wasn't in a hurry.
When I arrived at Ci's condo (owned by the Peraltas, though I wasn't sure which family member), I grabbed the gift and headed inside. Unsure where the party was, I went straight to his unit and rang the bell.
"Keifer? Hi…" His mother greeted me. "Come in."
Inside, Ci's whole family was there, but he didn't look as happy as he should.
"Mr. Watson! Nice to see you." His father shook my hand.
I returned the gesture. "I wanted to give this to him personally."
I handed Ci-N the gift. His face lit up.
"Happy Birthday."
"Thanks! Can I open it now?"
I nodded. He tore into it, grinning at the other opened gifts on the table—mostly gadgets and shoes, probably from his family.
"What's this?" He scanned the certificate. "Ownership? A jet plane?!" His eyes bulged. "A real jet?! For me?!"
His parents exchanged confused glances before examining the rest—the manual, contract, and plane design.
"You're giving my son a private jet?" His father asked, looking at his wife.
"Yes, but he can't use it yet."
Ci-N kept digging through the box, his smile widening when he found the toy replica of his future plane—his name printed on the tail.
"This is insane! When do I get it?"
"When you turn 21. You'll have time to learn how to fly it."
His family immediately stiffened.
"That's impossible. He's starting med school after high school," his mother argued.
"I know. But no one else can fly it—it has voice recognition."
His older brother scoffed and walked out without a word.
Someone's pissed.
"I'll wait outside. His friends might be arriving," his sister said, following her brother.
"I have my own plane now!" Ci-N cheered, playing with the toy.
His father pulled me aside, his expression serious.
"We need to talk."
I already know what he's going to say. But I followed him outside.
"You need to take this gift back," he said, forcing a smile. "My son is going to be the most successful doctor in our family. I won't let him get sidetracked."
"Don't worry, Dr. Peralta. Pilot training won't take long. He can still go to med school."
He sighed. "We appreciate the gesture, but don't push him into this."
"I'm not pushing him. He can choose—learn to fly or sell the plane."
The unit door suddenly swung open. Ci-N and his mother stood there.
"Let's go to the rooftop!" he shouted, arms raised.
"Stop yelling," his mother scolded.
His father gave me a sharp look before we headed to the elevator. Ci-N couldn't stop grinning, even as his mother pinched him for wiggling too much.
"Ow! That hurts!" He rubbed his back.
The elevator opened, and we walked to the rooftop.
Of course—it's a kid's party.
No wonder Ci still acted like a child. His family spoiled him like one.
I spotted mascots in costumes setting up—mostly men. One was dressed as Snorlax.
Jay-jay would love that.
But the idea of her hugging some guy in a Snorlax suit didn't sit right with me. What if he's a creep? I'd break his neck and bury him in that costume.
"Keifer."
Felix, David, and Rory approached. I scanned behind them—almost everyone was here. Almost.
"Did you give your gift yet?" Yuri handed me a drink—orange juice.
"Yeah."
"I won't even ask. I already know what you got him," he smirked.
I shrugged and looked for a seat. Calix sat alone, his girlfriend keeping her distance.
Trouble?
Edrix noticed me staring. "Mica found out what we did to Jay. So… yeah. She might break up with him."
"Ouch," Eren fake-winced, clutching his chest.
"Don't provoke him. He might snap," Kit warned.
I sat beside Josh, who was quietly observing everyone. Yuri joined me.
"Think Jay will show up?" Denzel asked Blaster.
"She'll come," he replied.
I hope so."What if she doesn't come?" Drew chimed in, making the others glance at him.
"I'll pick her up then." David's response made me glare at him.
Grim Reaper's gonna pick you up.
"And why should you be the one to fetch her?"
"Because she won't come if you're the one picking her up." His tone was matter-of-fact.
"□Burn Baby Burn…"
"Roasted chicken is the best."
"Where's the burn unit?"
They reacted one after another, someone even whistled—just pissing me off more.
"What makes you think she'll go with you?" I forced myself to stay calm.
"Instinct." He shrugged before turning and walking away.
I'll let it slide today. But if I catch him making moves on Jay-jay later, I'll break his spine.
"Why'd you let him go?" Yuri whispered.
"For now, he's the only one who can get close to Jay-jay without her pushing him away."
I just hope Jay actually comes. My time here is running out. Sooner or later, we'll have to go back to London. I'm just making the most of the days I still have left with her. Once we're back, I'll be swamped.
Some of the guys started grabbing food, but I wasn't hungry yet. My eyes automatically flicked to the fire exit door.
Please… Jay.
I almost stood up when the door opened—but I forced myself to stay seated. If I move, I might not stop myself from hugging her. But it wasn't Jay. It was Rakki.
I kept my eyes glued to the door, hoping. Then it opened again—this time, it was David, holding a giant ribbon-wrapped jar. I scanned behind him, but no one else followed.
David set the jar on the gift table before walking over.
"Where's Jay?" I demanded.
He pointed at the fire exit. "She didn't want to come out."
Suddenly, Ci-N bolted toward the exit, chanting "Jay-jay! Jay-jay!" I hadn't even noticed him nearby.
"Ci-N's got her," Eren said through a mouthful of cake.
I just hope they don't fight.
Rakki sidled up to Mica, whispering. I bet Jay came with him, not David.
Soon, the fire exit door swung open again—this time, Jay-jay stepped out, eyes wide as she took in the party. Rakki immediately approached her.
"Told you she'd come," David bragged.
Asshole.
I rolled my eyes. No way he actually fetched her. My gut says she came with Rakki.
Then—out of nowhere—Jay suddenly pointed at Snorlax and squealed.
And then she hugged him.
Hugging Snorlax is fine. Snorlax hugging her back is fine. But knowing there's a guy inside that costume? NOT. OKAY. Never will be.
I tried to stay calm. He's just doing his job—entertaining kids. But Jay-jay isn't a damn kid, and hugging her isn't part of his job!
I shot up, storming toward them—but Jay was quick. She shoved Snorlax away before I could reach them. Kids darted everywhere, blocking my path until they both disappeared from sight.
Where the f** are they? If I find that Snorlax, I'm throwing him off this building.
No sign of them. The chaos of screaming kids made it worse. This party isn't even for Ci-N.
Defeated, I slumped back beside Yuri, still scanning the crowd.
"Letting go, but here you are, hunting your next victim," Yuri muttered.
I ignored him—until I spotted Snorlax, playing with kids.
"Found you, son of a b**!"
I shoved through the crowd, already planning how to kill him. The mascot flinched as I grabbed him.
"Sir!" a panicked voice came from inside.
"I'll kill you for hugging my girlfriend!" I snarled, ready to toss him over the railing.
"Sir, please don't!"
Then it hit me—Jay-jay loves hugging Snorlax.
I yanked the mascot's headpiece off, revealing a terrified guy inside.
"Take off the costume," I ordered.
"Huh?"
"Take. It. Off."
"My boss will fire me!"
I pulled out my wallet and shoved cash at him.
"Buy yourself a new boss."
Reluctantly, he stripped out of the suit. I snatched it, struggling to put it on.
"Seriously, sir? What's your plan?"
"None of your business!"
Once suited up, I waddled awkwardly—hot, sweaty, and reeking of cheap foam—but I didn't care.
Jay was talking to Ci-N, who was tearfully apologizing while she smiled.
Someone's forgiven.
I waited until Ci-N walked off—then suddenly:
"Bulaga!"
Jay-jay jumped at me, hugging tight. I grinned under the mask, hugging her back.
My Jay-jay is hugging me.
She beamed up at Snorlax—at me.
"Sorry about earlier. The King of Snakes was being moody again," she sighed. "Can't figure out what he wants in life."
Wait—are she and the original Snorlax guy this close?
Doesn't matter. All that matters is she's in my arms. I squeezed tighter, relieved she didn't question it.
"I wish Snorlax was real. Then I could just squish that annoying Snake King messing with my head and heart."
That "Snake King" is definitely me. Good thing Snorlax isn't real.
Say whatever you want. Just keep hugging me. Insult me all you like—I don't give a f**!
"...Never mind... I'll move on from that pest eventually. My feelings for him will fade, and I won't wait anymore."
Her words made me freeze.
Did she just saymove on? No! Not allowed! She can't move on from me. Not now! Not ever!
I pulled away, yanking off the Snorlax head.
"I won't let you!" I shouted.
She stumbled back, eyes wide.
"I won't let you move on. I won't let you fall out of love. I won't allow it."
She was speechless. I stepped closer.
"You can't do that! You can't move on and forget everything we've been through!"
Instead of firing back like she always did, she ran.
I chased her, but the costume slowed me down. Kids swarmed me, laughing and tugging at the foam. By the time I broke free, Jay was already at the top of the inflatable slide.
"We need to talk!" I yelled.
She shook her head and slid down. I lunged to catch her, but the stupid Snorlax suit sent me crashing face-first into the slide.
"Damn it! Get this thing off me!"
Rory and Edrix pulled me up, howling with laughter.
"Seriously, Keifer?" Edrix wheezed.
"Shut up and help me out of this."
Once free, I shoved the costume at Rory. "Keep it. I'm taking it home."
I scanned the rooftop—where the hell did she go?
Ci-N passed by, clutching a balloon.
"Ci. I need a place to talk to Jay."
"I've got another unit. Just down the fire exit." He gave me the code.
It took 30 damn minutes to find her. When I did, I grabbed her wrist.
"We need to talk."
She didn't resist as I dragged her to the unit. Inside, the silence was suffocating.
This is it. No more lies.
"I'll explain everything—"
A slap cracked across my face.
Rage surged, but I clenched my fists. I can't hurt her again.
"Hurts, huh? Do the other side, so it's even," she sneered.
I took a steadying breath. "I deserve this."
She let out a bitter laugh. "Glad you know, because GOD, I hate you right now! I want to break every bone in your body!"
I bit my lip, reaching for her, but she smacked my hands away.
"Don't touch me!"
"Just let me explain."Please. Just listen.
"Explain what? Go ahead, feed me another lie."
My throat tightened. I need her to hear me.
"Jay…" My voice nearly broke. "I know you're angry, but please—just listen."
"Fine! Explain! Because I need to understand why you keep playing with me. Why you keep hurting me. Why you're here, ruining me again." Her smile was hollow. "Go on. Maybe it'll help me forget how I feel about you."
She can't move on. She can't just erase us.
I punched the wall, knuckles splitting. "I told you. I won't let you."
"Who the hell are you to stop me? You're the reason I want to forget! And now you won't let me? YOU'RE UNBELIEVABLE!" Tears streamed down her face, shredding my chest. "...I'm done. I don't want to love you anymore."
"Not allowed."
"I'm done!"
"Not allowed."
"Stop it! I can't love you anymore!"
"Not allowed."
"Enough! Stop torturing me!"
Please, just—
"NOT ALLOWED!"
"WHY WON'T YOU LET ME GO?! WHY?! WHY?!"
"BECAUSE I CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT YOU!"
My voice shattered. A tear escaped—just one—but it was enough. Hearing her say she'd leave... I can't breathe.
How do I keep fighting if I lose my reason to?
"I can't lose you. So please… Don't move on."Begging. I'm begging now.
She collapsed into sobs. I did this. I never wanted to.
All I ever wanted was to keep you safe.