Jay-jay's POV
Where am I going? I don't know. I tried heading toward their restroom, but there were too many people. I thought of going to the elevator, but Yuri was waiting there. I had no choice but to go to the fire exit.
But… damn it! Just when I felt like running away, that's when I realized we were on the 34th floor.
I sat down on one of the steps of the staircase and finally let out the tears I had been holding back.
I wish this was just a dream. I wish what I heard wasn't true. I hope what Yuri said meant something else.
I don't want to get married… I don't!
"Jay…" someone called out.
I quickly wiped my tears without even looking at who it was.
He sat down next to me and handed me a handkerchief.
"Leave me alone for now, Kuya," I pleaded, though it probably sounded more like an order because of how upset I was.
"I wanted to explain this to you earlier, but I couldn't find the right opportunity," he said.
I looked at him angrily. I wanted him to see and feel how hurt I was.
"Why me?! Yes, I owe your family a lot! But that doesn't mean you get to control my entire life!"
Kuya gave me a stern look. I knew my words and my tone were disrespectful, but I couldn't help it.
"…You didn't even ask for my opinion!" I continued.
"Jay… we already spoke to your mom about this—"
"And why did you talk to her about it?!" I almost shouted.
I got even more frustrated when I heard that.
"Because she's your mother! She's still your parent!" Kuya snapped.
I admit I was scared. Every time Kuya raised his voice because of my actions, I would tremble. And now that he was this serious, I was even more terrified.
But I didn't want to back down!
"You talked to Mom, but what about Dad? Did you even ask for his permission?!"
Kuya didn't answer. He stood up and was about to walk away.
"Why are you doing this to me?!" I yelled, my tears falling again.
Kuya stopped and took a deep breath.
"You're family, Jay… When Mr. Yuori asked for your hand in marriage for his grandson, I said 'No.' But circumstances made it possible for this arrangement to happen," Kuya explained calmly. He turned to face me and looked at me seriously. "…I hope you understand. This isn't just about the company — it's also about you. A good life awaits you."
"But Kuya…" I sobbed harder. "…I don't want this. I want to study. I want to work. I want to earn the things I want through my own efforts."
"If that's what you wanted, then you should've straightened your life out sooner!" Kuya retorted.
"That's because… I only recently realized that's what I wanted!" I took a deep breath. "…Kuya!"
"Jay-jay! Listen to me! Tita Jeana has already agreed to this — the wedding will happen whether you like it or not!" Kuya said angrily.
His voice echoed throughout the fire exit, making me shiver. I couldn't hide the fear I was feeling anymore.
"I've spent time with Yuri, and I don't see any problem with him," he added.
"I said I don't want this!" I shouted through my tears.
"Jay! What's your problem?!"
"You didn't even let me see or talk to Dad, and now you're doing this to me?!" I cried, making Kuya Angelo grab my arm and look at me intently.
"I don't want to hear you mention that again! Your dad left you a long time ago, so stop bringing him up!"
Kuya pushed my arm away, and I stumbled against the wall. It hurt, but what hurt more was the pain inside me.
I felt like I had lost control of my life. Like I was just a puppet being played with by the people around me.
Kuya angrily opened the fire exit door and walked away without looking back. I was left sitting on the floor, still crying my heart out.
"Jay-jay, my dear!" I heard my grandmother call, making me look up at her.
She sat down beside me, and I immediately hugged her tightly.
"Lola! Kuya…" I whimpered like a child.
"Shhh… there, there, my dear. Everything will be okay," she said softly, rubbing my back to comfort me.
"I don't want this… I don't want to get married yet…"
"I know that, my dear…"
I kept crying, my hair getting messier and my clothes getting dirtier, but I didn't care.
I didn't know how long I had been sitting on the floor with my grandmother, but I only stopped crying when my throat felt dry from all the sobbing.
My grandmother gently wiped my tear-streaked face and runny nose.
"Don't be angry at your Kuya… He's only thinking about what's best for everyone," she said while trying to fix my hair.
"For everyone or for himself?" I asked bitterly.
"Jay… Do you hear yourself? You're letting your anger cloud your judgment. Listen to us first."
My grandmother was right, so I lowered my head and fell silent. My anger had closed my mind to my brother's explanations.
"If you and Yuri get married, your Kuya and Tita's company will be saved. You'll have a good life and even the chance to study abroad. They might even help you reconnect with your father," my grandmother explained gently.
"But Grandma... What about my freedom? I'm not even 20, and I'll already be tied down by marriage. What about the things I want to do?"
Grandma held my hand and gently stroked my cheek.
"Those things... Yuri can give them to you. You may not have noticed, but he likes you. I can see in his eyes that he'll do anything to make you happy."
What if I ask him to stop the wedding?!
"...Think about it carefully," Grandma added before standing up.
I stood up too, brushing off the dirt on my dress. We walked away from the fire exit and were met by my worried-looking aunt.
"Jay... Where did you go? You're a mess," she said, trying to fix my headband.
"Let's go back inside. Yuri's family is looking for us," Kuya said, clearly impatient from waiting.
My aunt quickly fixed my makeup before we went back in.
We returned to our table, where Uncle Julz was talking to Yuri.
"Hey," Yuri greeted me.
I forced a smile.
"Sorry if everything surprised you. That wasn't my intention----"
"It's okay, Yuri," I cut him off.
He looked into my eyes. "If you don't want this engagement, I'll talk to them right now."
Kuya panicked, trying to approach us, but Uncle Julz stopped him.
I held Yuri's hand back and bit my lower lip.
"Yuri... It's okay. I will marry you," I whispered.
"R-really? You accept my proposal?" Yuri asked, almost in disbelief.
I nodded slightly.
He suddenly hugged me tightly.
"You don't know how happy I am," he whispered.
He let go of me and kissed my forehead. "I'll just tell my parents," he said and walked away.
I looked at my brother. "Are you happy now?"
He didn't answer and just looked away. I glanced at Aries — it was obvious he wasn't pleased with my decision. Without a word, he walked out, and Ella quickly followed him.
Even I wasn't happy with my decision. I wasn't sure if it was right. Lola did have a point, and besides, I did like Yuri… but then there was Keifer.
My eyes unconsciously searched for Keifer. He was at the bar, drinking again. He looked at me without any emotion.
I smiled at him, but he just rolled his eyes and looked away. I lowered my head.
There was something different in his gaze — I couldn't quite figure out what, but it wasn't how he usually looked at me.
I excused myself to my aunt, saying I needed to go to the restroom. She let me go.
When I got there, two women were chatting in front of the mirror. They looked older than me, fixing their lipstick and eyebrows.
I ignored them and went straight into a cubicle. The moment I sat down, I heard my name.
"Do you know Jasper Jean? Papa Yuri's fiancée?" one of them asked.
"No… she disappeared when I arrived."
"She's not even pretty. So dramatic, running around like that."
"If she doesn't want Papa Yuri, I'll take him," the other said, and they burst out laughing.
I was already exhausted, and now I had to hear this.
When I stepped out of the cubicle, I went straight to the sink to wash my hands. Even without looking, I knew they were laughing and whispering about me.
Damn it! B*tch mode: On!
I looked at them through the mirror's reflection. They even had the nerve to raise their eyebrows at me while scanning me from head to toe.
"Yeah, I'm not that pretty… but Yuri still chose me," I said with a smirk.
I walked away. "Goodbye, b*tches!" I shouted before finally leaving the restroom.
I normally wouldn't act like that, but everything was piling up. I felt like punching someone!
As I was heading back, Keifer suddenly passed right in front of me. He didn't even glance my way. He walked straight toward the elevator and stopped in front of it.
He was about to press the button when he suddenly paused and slowly turned to look at me. I froze on the spot. That look of his again.
It was like he was thinking about something. We stared at each other for a few moments. Something inside me urged me to go to him.
I was about to take a step when Keifer looked away and finally pressed the elevator button.
I bit my lower lip. Why would I even approach him? There was no reason to talk to him.
I turned around and started walking, but before I could get far, someone suddenly grabbed my arm and pulled me into the elevator.
"K-Keifer."
"Do you like Yuri?!" he asked me.
I just stared at him, shocked by what he was doing and the questions he was asking me.
"Do you like him?!" he repeated.
"Keifer… I—"
"If you won't answer me, I'll kiss you!"
How could I even speak? How could I answer his question? Before I could even open my mouth, his lips were already on mine.
I tried to resist, but he grabbed both my hands and pinned them against the elevator wall. I turned my face away, but he just followed.
I didn't know how long we stayed like that. He finally pulled away to catch his breath, and I took that chance.
"KEIFER! LET ME GO!" I shouted at him, furious.
"Then answer my question," he teased.
He was so close that I could smell the alcohol on his breath. I wasn't sure if he was drunk or what.
"How can I answer when—"
I couldn't even finish my sentence. His lips were on mine again.
Damn it!
He pulled away and looked at me with a teasing grin.
"Next time, don't wear lip gloss. It's tempting me to kiss you," he said with a smirk.
Okay, he was definitely drunk. Really drunk!
"Damn you, Keifer!" I yelled, and his smile only widened.
"Profanity!" he teased.
What an idiot!
He was about to kiss me again when the elevator bell suddenly rang. He let go of me, but we were still pressed into the corner as people flooded into the elevator.
It got so crowded we looked like sardines. And then I saw Yuri. I quickly tried to hide.
Keifer kept pushing me into the corner, and I glared at him. He had to grab the elevator wall for balance because of all the people.
"I'm excited for the fireworks," I heard someone say.
Fireworks?!
Crap! What time was it?! We were stuck in this elevator at midnight because of this damn idiot!
"You owe me a kiss," Keifer whispered, sending shivers down my spine.
And now, I apparently owed him a kiss. Great. Just great.
The elevator doors opened, and Keifer casually walked out with the crowd.
I was left standing in the corner, stunned and weak.
What the hell just happened?!
"Jay-Jay?" someone called.
I quickly straightened up and fixed my clothes.
"There you are… we've been looking for you," Yuri said.
I walked toward him. That's when I realized we were on the rooftop — just next to Yuri's house, which also had a rooftop area, but it was higher up than where we stood.
"I saw people heading here, so I followed them," I lied.
"Ahh… good. Your brother's here too," he said, pointing toward my brother's spot.
I just nodded and forced a smile.
"Shall we go?" Yuri asked, offering me his arm.
It took me a while before I could think of holding it. I was still hesitant but I did it anyway.
He was supporting me as we walked. When we got to Grandma's, I immediately noticed what they were talking about.
Yuri's parents!
"They're here..." Aunt said.
I let go of Yuri and approached them. Aunt fixed my hair for a moment, which was probably messed up because of that animal.
"Jay..." Yuri called out to me. "...I want you to meet your future in laws."
He said while holding his Mama.
Thanks to Yuri's fb post last Christmas and I met them.
"Otosan is right. She's pretty." Her Papa said.
I wanted to thrill and show off in front of them but I wasn't in the mood. I forced a smile.
"T-thank you." I said.
I looked at Yuri's Mama who was staring at me. It was as if she was reading my expression carefully. I couldn't help but smile.
"Hahaoya?" Yuri told his Mom that I didn't know what he meant.
"You look familiar to me." His Mom said to me. "...Aren't you the one Keifer kissed in the elevator earlier?"
My body stiffened. I forced myself to not reacting even though they all were looking at me and waiting for me to say something.
"How come?" Yuri asked.
"I tried to catch the elevator before the door closed, but I saw Keifer inside making out with a girl." Her mother explained.
"How did you say it was Keifer?" Yuri's father asked.
"What kind of question is that? It's Keifer... He almost grew up with us so I know him by the fingernails."
I looked at Brother Angelo who was currently drinking alcohol. He looked at me with a bad look as if to say 'Let's talk later!'.
"Oh wait! Forget what I said. I just misunderstood you. I thought you were the only one wearing a white dress here." Her mother said while pointing at Keifer who was also looking at another woman wearing a white dress.
He was still holding a glass of alcohol. The woman kept laughing and her head was still grinning.
Animal!
This is really a flirtatious thing. After I *bleep* earlier in the elevator, here he is again. Putnam!
Oh my god, I'm going to burn my dresses in the closet. Oh my!
This King of the Snakes is really annoying.
"Wait a minute?" Yuri's mom said and suddenly walked over to Keifer.
I thought what she was going to do, I was a little surprised when he pulled the King of the Snakes by the ear. I could see the annoyance and pain on Keifer's face but he couldn't do anything.
They stopped in front of us and tried to pull Keifer away from Yuri.
"Aw..." Keifer whispered while rubbing his ear.
"Honey... You don't have to pull Keifer like that." Yuri's dad said.
"I just want to... That kid is naughty." His mom replied with a smile.
"Are you Keifer?" Grandma suddenly asked and looked at me.
"...He's also a handsome boy." She whispered to me.
I glared at Grandma. Now she's really thinking of telling me that. I feel like she really believed what Ci-N said that Keifer is my boyfriend.
"Yeah... And I guess, you're Jay-jay's Mama." Keifer replied to Lola.
"No... I'm his Grandma."
"Really? But you look to young to be a grandmother." Keifer's flattery.
Crap! The head is really flirty. Even my Grandma was flattered. Grandma immediately turned red and held her cheek.
"I'm embarrassed by what you said." Grandma said.
Oh... Feeling teenager.
"That's the morning, Keifer?" Yuri's Papa greeted her with his hand.
"I'm just enjoying the night." he replied while drinking.
"Where are Keigan and Keiren by the way?" Yuri sneered.
"At home... They don't want this kind of party. They'd rather sleep."
I feel them...
It's really better to sleep. Especially in my current situation. Then there's no waking up.
"Aries is here?" Yuri's mom commented when he saw Aries and Ella approaching us. "...Look at the three of you. You're young men. While we used to always talk to Angelo to discipline you."
That suddenly became awkward. Keifer looked away and Yuri suddenly bowed. Ella and Aries looked at each other.
"...It's a shame, Percy is gone." He added, which made our feelings even heavier.
"It's a shame, right Aries?" Keifer said, causing Aries' eyebrows to meet.
Yuri and I looked at each other. It was as if this guy was expecting something. He was definitely looking for a fight.
I don't know how long we can hide from Aries that Percy is alive and how many times he has shown me.
I turned my gaze to Keifer and I couldn't help but see his gaze on Ella. For some reason I don't understand, I looked at Ella who was also staring at him.
Something hurt in my chest. I felt heavy.
I took a deep breath to make it go away but it was still the same.
"I'm just getting some water." I said goodbye to Tita.
They nodded and let me walk away. I approached one of the waiters to ask for some water.
While waiting for the waiter, I couldn't help but glance at them. I couldn't understand Keifer — why was he doing this to me? It was obvious Ella was still the one he really wanted.
Was I… hurt?
I shouldn't be feeling this way. Why did it feel like this?
The waiter returned and handed me the water. When I drank it, I felt like a parched elephant — my throat felt so dry.
"Easy…" someone commented.
I glared at the waiter, thinking it was him who spoke. He looked at me with confusion before glancing behind me, which made me turn as well.
Should I punch this guy?
Keifer was smiling at me as he handed his glass to the waiter.
I returned my own glass and was about to walk away when Keifer suddenly grabbed my arm.
"Hey… what's wrong with you?"
"What's wrong with you?!" I shot back.
He just laughed. Had the alcohol fried his brain? He was clearly drunk.
He let me go, allowing me to leave, but my feet stopped moving away from him. I didn't know what pushed me, but…
"Why are you doing this to me?" I asked seriously.
"Hm?"
"I don't understand you… You're so flirty. You keep teasing me, but it's obvious you want someone else." I said calmly.
His expression turned serious. He looked away, as if unsure whether to answer.
"LET THE COUNTDOWN BEGIN!" someone shouted into the mic.
The large digital clock projected on the rooftop screen started ticking down. Only 30 seconds left before the new year.
"I'm not flirty. You're just too dense to see what I'm trying to show you," Keifer said, making my brows furrow.
"I'm not dense. I just don't want to assume — like what you're doing now. If I start thinking you like me and it turns out you don't… what then?"
"What if you think I like you… and it turns out you're right? What then?"
I froze. Damn it…
"See… You're too scared to assume, even when the truth is right in front of you," he said with a smirk.
I swallowed hard. My courage from earlier suddenly disappeared — along with my arrogance in calling him flirty.
"10 SECONDS!" the crowd shouted.
"You keep thinking I'm still in love with someone else, so you close your mind to the idea that I might really like you," he said, stepping closer.
I instinctively stepped back.
"9!!"
"W-why? Am I wrong?" I asked, trying to sound confident even though my voice wavered.
"8!!"
"What if I answer 'yes' to your question?" he said, stepping closer again.
I took another step back. Damn it!
"7!!"
"Since you started this… I'll clear things up between us now," he said, smiling.
"6!!"
"W-what…"
"5!!"
"Stop thinking I'm still in love with someone else. Start thinking that I really like you — no, that I love you, to be exact."
Oh my God! M-my heart!
"4!!"
"K-Keifer…"
I looked at the crowd. Everyone was looking up at the sky, waiting for the fireworks. Even my brother and Yuri — that's why no one noticed us.
"3!!"
"There's no more Ella," he said, making me turn back to him.
"2!!"
"…Because it's you now."
"1!! HAPPY NEW YEAR!"
I lost my chance to respond. I never got to say the things I wanted to say. It felt like I had left my own body after hearing those words from him.
And it seemed I really had lost myself — because the next thing I knew, I was in the restroom…
…deeply responding to Keifer's kisses.