Keifer's POV
"…I'm gonna take my horse on the old time road… "
I watched him sway his hand. He was obviously enjoying the song from the internet, though I had no idea how he even learned to use it.
"Keifer…" He called me. "…How can I hide my post from a specific person?"
Hide his post?
"U-Uncle?"
"I will greet you on Facebook, but I don't want my jealous brother to see it."
"You don't have to greet me online."
He pouted a bit. "But I want to."
I shook my head. Uncle Kier looked good now. I even saw him playing Mobile Legends on his phone when I arrived. He's acting like a real millennial.
I walked up to him and closed his laptop.
"I would appreciate it more if you greeted me in person." I said, smiling a little at him.
He leaned back against the chair and stared at me intently.
"I just remembered… Did my older brother allow you to visit me again?"
"Well… H-He doesn't know that I'm here." I said while massaging my nape.
He chuckled softly while shaking his head.
"Fvck his rules."
I smiled. He looked at me from head to toe.
"What's with the tuxedo?" He asked. "Is that your costume for tonight?"
Costume?
"I don't think so. I wore this for the so-called photoshoot organized by Hazel."
"Your cousin Hazel?" He asked, and I nodded as an answer.
He chuckled a bit. "Hazel and her twin Clyde are a great combination." He shook his head. "Hazel the feminist, while Clyde the masculinist."
"More like a woman-hater."
"He hates them because his fiancée left him. Poor boy."
I simply shook my head. She left him because he's an idiot. A good example of a dck-headed human.
I saw Uncle about to stand up, so I quickly helped him. He even held his waist to stretch as he straightened up.
"Ow, my bones." He said as he walked slowly. "I miss my younger days."
I followed him as he walked straight to the room he had entered before. The same room where he took the photo album.
I waited for him outside the room. It's a good thing he didn't take too long to finish whatever he was doing inside.
He came out carrying a box wrapped with ribbon. The texture looked old, probably because of the faded color of the wrapping paper.
"Happy Birthday, my grandson." He said and handed me the gift.
I accepted it and smiled. "Thank you, Uncle."
"Would you like to open it now?" He asked, giving me a serious look.
I was confused, but I still nodded.
"I'll leave you here alone." He said and walked away.
I decided to walk toward the patio. The sliding glass door was open.
I sat in the same spot where Uncle always sat.
I slowly removed the ribbon and the wrapper. Then I realized that the wrapper was really old—it wasn't just a design.
Inside was a box, a bit smaller than a shoebox.
I opened it and found various photos and papers. Some of the papers were folded and looked fragile.
I took one and carefully unfolded it.
My confusion grew when I saw Angelo's name—and it was a fvcking last will and testament of someone.
What's with that Demon?
I carefully read what was written. It was a handwritten testament, and blood had been used to mark the fingerprint as a sign of signature or authenticity.
I read the name out loud. "A-Angel Watson?"
The guy beside my Monster Dad. The guy my grandpa adopted before.
But I don't understand why he left his money to Angelo.
And according to this document, he left all of his money to him.
I hope I'm wrong about what I'm thinking.
I checked the rest of the box's contents.
I saw a few photos of that guy and… Angelo's Mom?
She looked so young. Probably in high school, based on her clothes, which were a school uniform.
There were a few more papers supporting the last will, with my own mother's signatures.
And finally, at the bottom of all the documents and photos—
A handwritten letter from my Mom, for me.
My chest felt unbearably heavy when I saw the marks of dried water on the letter.
I know it's not just ordinary water drops. Those are her tears.
My Mom.
I slowly read it. Each word affected me, bringing an ache to my heart.
"Keifer, my son, forgive me if I gave you so many responsibilities at a young age, but I had no choice. How I wish I could finish what I started, but I know it's not going to happen."
There was a stain where the ink had spread on the paper. Must be her tears while writing this letter.
"I want to hug you and repeatedly ask for your forgiveness. I made a lot of sins, not just to you but to your father and to your friend Angelo."
I arched a brow. Angelo? What does he have to do with this?
"Your Dad loves me with all his heart, but it's not enough—I'm not enough. So I decided to continue my plan. The inheritance should be yours. No one deserves it but you. But I needed to distract them, to divert their attention. And then your friend's mom came—Gemini Fernandez."
Angelo's Mom! What the hell is this?!
"A young, intelligent, and lovely woman. A lot of people loved her instantly. Your father showed interest, but he wasn't the only one. Your uncle, Angel, also pursued her. And then things happened. She got pregnant without knowing who the father was. But I know. I know exactly who."
I briefly lowered the letter and wiped my face. I don't like what I'm reading. I want to burn this letter, but I have to find out what this is all about.
"I took advantage of her situation, especially when the news spread like wildfire. Some said that it was your dad's child. I didn't say or do anything to stop the rumor until she gave birth to a healthy boy."
But who is his father? He can't be my brother. I won't accept that. I'd rather disown myself from this family if the Elders' suspicions turn out to be true.
"I knew the whole Watson Empire would look for that child. They would do anything to find out the truth about him. So, I did what I thought was the right thing to do—eradicate the existence of those who knew the truth."
I crumpled the paper in my hand. She—she eradicate them? My Mom couldn't do such a thing.
"One by one, I watched them bleed and beg to be saved. Until your Uncle Angel found out that it was me who was eliminating them. He tried his best to save the others, including Gemini. He decided to make a deal with me, but he betrayed me, and I had no choice but to end him."
The mystery of Angelo's real identity remained. With the help of his own mother—who exchanged her silence for her son's life—she made sure no one would ever find out the truth.
"If someone asked, she would keep quiet. If someone dared to investigate, she would tell me, and I would end them. Our little game continued until Angelo showed up at our house—a teenager who was obviously discovering his own self. He was looking for his biological father. I don't know how he ended up in front of me, but I knew he was determined to meet him."
There's no way he would find what he was looking for, but I still gave him the location. It took him just a week to find the grave of his own father. Without any clue from me, without a tomb or marker, he still managed to find him.
He's dead! Angelo is not my brother. The rumor is fake.
I badly want to jump and shout like a caveman discovering fire. And here I thought I was related to that demon.
"That kid, Angelo, was in pain. I saw how he begged his mom, seeking answers. But that's not what bothered me. His capabilities. He could do things beyond what I expected from him. One day, he would grow wiser, and it wouldn't take long before he found out. I had no choice but to make a move."
"Using Angel's last will, I made sure that his son would follow what I wanted—just like his mother had done for me. He became a diversion. He successfully managed to get their attention. He fooled everyone except for one person."
"Your own Dad."
Did they try to fool that monster too?
Of course, if he had touched Angelo's mom, he could be deceived—but he wasn't. What does this mean?
I continued reading despite the time.
"Once your father found out about your grandfather's last will, I knew he would kill you. I needed to divert his attention too, but I failed. Everything got out of my hands. My plan was ruined, and things got worse."
I read the next paper. Just like the first, there were water stains, and the ink had spread on the sheet.
"I'm scared of what your father can do to us—to you. Sooner or later, he will find out about my plan, but I haven't told the truth to that Angelo kid. I know I will no longer be alive when you receive this, so please, do me a favor. Give the rest of the documents to Angelo and end this game that started with you and his real identity."
"Ask for his forgiveness on my behalf, please. Talk to Gemini as well and tell her that Angel really loved her until his last breath."
"I have so many regrets from my past, but I will never wish to turn back time because I know I may not have you as my son. And I will never regret the day I first held you in my arms."
"Did you know that I got your name from a guy who saved me? The guy I truly fell in love with. I marked him as my keeper."
"Can you tell Keigan that it was your father who named him? But I know it was after a Royal Knight. And Keiren was originally Kim Renz, but I decided to change it to sound closer to your name."
I wiped the tears from my eyes. I just realized that our names were quite special to her.
I continued reading until the last part.
She kept asking for forgiveness, not just from me but from Angelo's family too. She explained every part of her plan—who I should trust and whom I should ask for help.
It took four pieces of paper to finish the letter.
And after reading my mother's letter about her sacrifices for us and her regrets, I made a decision.
I placed the letter back in the box.
I lowered my head as I clenched my fists.
These past few days, I kept wondering if I should continue this fight. I've been missing Jay-jay too much. I haven't even been able to take care of my siblings properly. But after reading my mom's letter—about everything she sacrificed for us and all her regrets—I know, deep inside, that I have to continue.
I glanced briefly at the open box. Angelo needs to know the truth. He also needs to receive his full inheritance. No wonder why he can pay the annual fee of his membership. He has hidden money. But it looks like he has no intention of using it to pay off their company's debts.
Why? What are you up to?
I closed the box again and entered the house. Uncle was standing there with both hands behind his back.
He looked at me for a moment, then at the box I was holding.
"I know, there are times that you want to give up and leave everything here." He took a step closer to me. "But I saw how your Mom worked hard. I can't afford to see you giving up everything she sacrificed for."
I nodded slightly and forced a smile. "I know. From the start, I understood it already. But my life, my world, my future Queen is waiting for me." I closed my eyes and sighed. "And it looks like she'll wait a little longer."
Uncle chuckled and hugged me. "Happy Birthday, Keifer. I know you can do it."
He let go of me and pointed to a room nearby. I walked toward it just as he wanted. I opened the door, and what was inside surprised me.
It was a room full of clothes. From accessories to shoes and ties. All branded and expensive. Some were limited editions, while others were never-before-seen designs meant for well-known people.
"That is your Mom's gift." He pointed to the box. "Here is mine." He gestured toward the clothes. "Now, suit yourself and get ready."
He turned away and closed the door.
I let myself look around. I'm not really into expensive clothes. I don't give a fvck about brands. But all of this still excites me. If Jay-jay could see this…
I felt weak remembering what I had to do. My original plan was to go back home after my birthday. But that won't happen now. I need to secure everything I'm leaving behind before I return.
So much for my birthday.
I just wanted this day to end. I decided to pick out clothes as Uncle told me.
While I continued browsing, I felt my secret phone vibrate. I took it out of my pocket. An unregistered number was calling me. The number looked familiar, but I couldn't figure out who it was.
I had no plans to answer it, but for some reason, my gut told me to. I answered the call, making sure to stay alert and silent.
"Hey… GagongBaliw."
I covered my mouth. I know that voice.
"…It's me! Jay-jay the beautiful."
I bit my lip to hold back my smile. I miss her voice so much.
"Who the hell are you?! Your crazy games are too much—I can't keep up. It's annoying, you know! Just tell me who you are! You're so stressful—so frustrating!" she said, and I could hear the irritation in her voice.
"Can you please say something? My mouth is drying up from all this talking, and you're still speechless."
I badly want to speak. I want to scream that I miss her so much. If only I could hold her right now.
I closed my eyes, just listening to her voice. At least she's in front of me in my imagination.
"Hey! Whoever you are—I know you're close to Keifer. Maybe you can… well… tell him…" She paused for a second. "…Nyappi Brrritttday."
Nyappi? Is that even a word?
I tried not to laugh, but I still couldn't stop myself. I moved the phone slightly away from my mouth.
Now she thinks I'm not GagongBaliw—or the other way around. She thinks GagongBaliw isn't me.
WHERE DID THIS 'GAGONGBALIW' EVEN COME FROM?!
"Fine. Laugh all you want. Enjoy yourself." I heard her say.
She paused again for a while. I know she's thinking about something—and I have a bad feeling about it.
"…Maybe you can also tell him…" She sighed heavily. "…Tell him to come back. His fellow snakes are struggling…"
I slumped down to the floor, feeling weak. I know they're struggling, and I know she's suffering too. And I am also struggling.
"…Section E needs him…"How about you? Do you need me?
"…Many people are relying on him…"Are you relying on me too?
"…His friends want to be with him again…"
And I hope you do too.
"Also, tell him… whatever he's dealing with, he should hurry up."
I ran my hands over my face. One of my biggest fears—she's getting impatient.
Please hold on for a while.
"…I also wish for his birthday… that he becomes true to his feelings…"
My eyes started to get cloudy, but I still managed to smile.
Wish granted.
"…I also wish that he forgives me…"
She has no reason to say sorry. I should be the one to apologize.
"…for what I did to him."
Her voice started to change as if there was a lump in her throat. Why do I feel like she's saying goodbye to me? Is she giving up?
Oh god, no!
"I really hope he comes back soon… but if he can't, it's okay. We'll accept it."
Stop! Don't say things like that.
"…Can you tell him all of that? I'll be counting on you."
She's giving up. She can't wait for me anymore.
Tears started falling from my eyes. I moved the phone away, not hearing the rest of what she was saying. My other hand covered my eyes.
She doesn't want to wait anymore.
I let go of the phone completely. I gripped my hair in frustration.
She doesn't want to be with me anymore.
I just need a little more time. I can't just leave everything here.
Please, Jay!
"Keifer."
I looked up to see who it was. I was quite surprised to see Ion standing beside me. She knelt down and looked at my face.
"W-what happened?"
For some reason, I saw the Ion I knew before. The Ion who always cared about other people's well-being. The Ion who used to force me to call her 'Ate.'
The Ion I used to have a crush on.