Jay-jay's POV
A mere handspan!
That was all that separated Keifer's car from his dad. I really thought he was going to run him over, but at the last second, he slammed on the brakes.
My heart stopped for a moment. My soul almost left my body. Damn it!
Keifer stepped out of his car and immediately shot his father a glare.
"You're blocking my driveway!" Keifer snapped.
His dad didn't respond. He simply smiled and walked back inside the house. It was weird—he didn't seem the least bit afraid.
I spotted Yuri walking toward us, his expression dead serious, especially when he saw Aries and Ella.
"Why did your dad pick us up?" Felix asked Keifer.
But Keifer didn't answer. Instead, he just strode toward the massive house and entered through the ridiculously luxurious front door.
I looked at Yuri, hoping he would give us an explanation, but he just followed Keifer inside.
"What the hell is going on?" I muttered.
Since no one seemed to have any answers, we all just stood there in silence.
After a few minutes, Aries suddenly walked toward the house, with Ella following close behind.
Wow. Feel at home, much?
"What was that?!" Eren asked.
"Nothing's going to happen if we just stand here! Let's go!" Rory said before walking inside.
Since we had no clue what else to do, we all followed.
The moment I stepped inside, my shoes felt ashamed to touch their gleaming floors.
What did Sia say about their chandelier? This one was way bigger than the one in Yuri's hotel. Damn! Forget swinging on it—I could sleep up there!
Compared to this mansion, Keifer's place looked like nothing. It was like the freaking President of the Philippines lived here.
"Good morning."
A woman in a maid's uniform greeted us.
I instantly felt small—she looked more elegant than me. Her skin was flawless, and her uniform was pristine. Meanwhile, my school uniform looked like it had run away from the iron.
"Please follow me." She instructed before walking ahead.
Eren was the first to follow. Of course—because she was hot!
As we walked, I kept glancing around. The paintings on the walls were gigantic—probably the size of my entire bed.
The maid opened a door and motioned for us to enter. We walked in like students on a field trip, lined up neatly.
Nice, nice!
Inside, two sofa sets greeted us. This was probably the receiving area.
The idiots immediately ran to the couches and sprawled across them. Others wandered around, admiring the place.
I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned—and saw Ci-N. He leaned in close and whispered into my ear.
"Come with me… I need to use the bathroom."
Good thing he mentioned it! I had to pee too. I nodded, and we slipped back out of the room.
"Where do you think the bathroom is?" I asked.
Ci-N didn't answer. He just started walking away.
Even though I was confused, I followed him.
We weaved through random hallways, passing by at least four maids. But Ci-N didn't ask any of them for directions. He didn't even try talking to them.
I was starting to feel like we were getting lost.
Suddenly, Ci ran up the stairs to the second floor. Damn! Even their staircase looked like it belonged to the rich. What would Stairway to Heaven say about this?
"Hey, Ci!" I called after him. "Where are we going? I thought we were looking for the bathroom?"
He didn't answer—just kept walking. At this point, I was starting to feel like the bathroom wasn't his real destination anymore.
We entered yet another hallway. My annoyance with this brat was growing. Then, out of nowhere, he stopped in front of a door.
He knocked and seemed to be listening for something. Then he turned to me and motioned for me to come closer.
"What?" I asked as I approached him.
He pushed the door open slightly. "Go inside..." he ordered.
I didn't really want to, but then I heard a familiar voice from inside.
I stepped in and saw Keifer, Yuri, Keigan, and Keiren engaged in a serious conversation.
Keigan's here too?
"What's going on?" I whispered.
Yuri was the first to notice me. "Jay..." he called.
Slowly, I walked toward them.
"W-what's happening?" I asked.
"We need your cooperation here," Keifer said.
I pointed to myself, confused.
"Dad is up to something. He wouldn't have called me here without a reason," Keigan said.
I stayed silent, waiting for them to explain further.
"We don't know what it is, but one thing's for sure," Yuri said, glancing at Keiren. "Keiren is his target, and he might use all of us."
I looked at Keiren. He looked weak—like he was sick.
"I'm begging you, Jay... If everything goes wrong, please run away with Keiren. Keigan will help you escape," Keifer pleaded.
"L-leave you all behind?"
Yuri averted his gaze, and so did Keifer.
"Don't worry, Jay… They won't hurt your friends or classmates. But I can't promise they won't hurt Kuya," Keigan said.
Wow! Thanks, Keigan. That really makes me feel better.
Leave them behind if things go south? That didn't feel right.
"Please, just do what I said. Don't think about anything else," Keifer commanded with authority.
I didn't want to do it. It wasn't in my nature. But then I looked at Keiren—he looked so pitiful.
"O-okay… I'll do it."
"Great! You know what to do, Keigan," Keifer said, looking at his brother.
Keigan just nodded before they all started heading for the door. Their meeting was over.
As Keifer walked past me, I instinctively grabbed the edge of his polo. He looked at me in confusion.
"W-where's your bathroom?" I asked.
He glanced at Keigan and Yuri, signaling them to go ahead. Then he pointed to a door behind me.
I sprinted toward it. I couldn't hold it in anymore—my bladder was about to burst!
Once inside, I hesitated to even sit on their toilet. It was too shiny! But I couldn't hold it any longer. Whoever cleaned this bathroom could just drown it in disinfectant later.
Honestly, though? I enjoyed peeing in there. The bathroom had everything. There was even alcohol!
When I stepped back out, the room was empty. Keifer must have gotten tired of waiting for me.
I was about to walk toward the door when—
Someone suddenly hugged me from behind.
Oh no! Oh no!
"Ssshhh..." he whispered. "...I f*cking miss you."
Whoa! Hold on a second!
"...I've just been busy. But after this, I swear I'll make it up to you."
W-what is this? W-wait a minute!
"...please say something."
How was I supposed to speak? I was frozen in place.
He was still hugging me. Wow, just wow.
"K-Keifer..." I called out to him.
Suddenly, he buried his face into my shoulder. He didn't say anything, but there were moments when his embrace tightened around me.
I understood now.
He wasn't just hugging me because he missed me. Right now, he needed someone to lean on. Even if he didn't say it, I could feel his struggle.
I reached for his arm.
"Ssshhh..." I began. "...I missed you too."
I felt his head lift slightly.
"...Don't think about that. There's plenty of time to make up for it. Just focus on what you need to do first." I said, giving him a small tap on the head.
He rested his chin on my shoulder.
"Thank you..." he whispered. "...Thank you for being there."
I smiled at his words. This... this felt nice.
He finally let go of me. "Let's go." He said, walking toward the door.
No kiss?
Pfftt... And here I thought he really missed me. What the hell? I even got my hopes up.
I followed after him. He had already reached for the doorknob when he suddenly stopped.
"Before we go..." he said, and then—
He kissed me.
It was quick, but it was enough to make my heart stop.
Ahihi...
He opened the door and stepped out. I saw Ci-N leaning against the wall, playing on his phone.
"Hey!" I called out. "...Let's go!"
"What were you two talking about?" he asked.
"Nothing..." I answered, starting to walk ahead.
He quickly followed.
"Come on, tell me. What was it about?" he pressed.
"Just drop it..."
"Either you tell me, or I'll tell Keifer that you already have a boyfriend." He threatened.
I suddenly burst out laughing. If only he knew...
But my laughter died the moment I saw Yuri.
Shit! Did he hear what Ci-N just said?!
"What are you guys talking about?" Yuri asked us.
"W-well... Uh----"
"You have no chance with Keifer anymore! Jay-jay already has a boyfriend!" Ci-N blurted out.
Damn it!
"Boyfriend?" Yuri asked, confused as he looked at me.
I quickly signaled him, 'It's nothing! Don't listen to him!'
Before Ci-N could say anything else—
"Oo! So—hhhhmmmm! hhhmmmm!"
I covered his mouth instantly.
"Ahahahaha... Ci's just really out of it today!" I said awkwardly.
Yuri just gave me a small smile and a nod before walking away.
I finally let go of Ci and glared at him.
"Your hand stinks!" he complained.
Oh, you little—!
I sniffed my hand. I didn't smell anything weird—just the alcohol I used earlier.
"Come on, let's go! They said it's time to eat!" Ci-N said before dashing off.
Nice! Food time!