Jay-jay's POV
The truth?! Lunch date or a fiesta? A simple lunch or a grand feast?
There was so much food. So grand! It was like you were attending a birthday or baptism. The food was on the side.
Of course, because we are naturally hungry. Here we are and we are in line. Yes! With me, I am also hungry. Who wouldn't be hungry here? Lechon, Bes!
Of all the greasy dishes, this is the only one that is attractive. *Clap**Clap*. These Ulopongs have been taking so long to get it. I think they have already taken all the food.
"There is ice cream!" Ci said while clapping.
"Eat first... You might get sick if you eat ice cream right away."
"But I want ice cream." he tried to pout.
"Oh my! It's up to you..."
I just let him go. We've reached victory. Take this, take that. It should fit on the plate.
After getting the food, we went straight to the table. We were seated close to Keifer, so we could hear their conversation. That's what they told me. Don't leave Keigan.
While you're having fun eating. Here they are and talking very seriously. Keifer's hour is already weighing heavily on my mind. Add to that Yuri and Keifer's Daddy. What I just don't understand is why Aries is also at their table with Ella.
Wow!
"...how's your school? Are you studying well?" Their Daddy asked Keifer.
"My study is none of your business." The King replied directly.
"Come on Keifer, I'm still your Dad. I still have responsibility with you and your brother."
"Bullsh*t!" Keifer said angrily.
"Language my son. Your still in my house." His Daddy said authoritatively.
Putcha! Intense!
It's like I'm waiting for a serious confrontation here. They're just about to pull out a gun like in the movie.
Keifer's Daddy looked at Aries and Yuri.
"Look at you, you used to come here to pick up Keifer. It's just a shame that you're not enough." He said and smiled.
He also knew Percy. It's true! Aries has been here before. That's why he knew so well.
"Your Ella, right?" He turned to Ella. "...The last time that I saw you, you were with Keifer. But now, it's look like your with someone else." Ella felt lonely. Aries immediately took her hand. I can't blame him. Her past is all around her.
Suddenly, Keifer's dad looked at me. I almost choked on my drink — that was so unexpected!
"Only rose among the thorns?" he asked me.
Excuse me?!
I almost choked on my food. It caught me so off guard!
I quickly took a sip of water before nervously looking at him.
"U-uhm... w-what?" I stuttered.
I glanced at Keifer, hoping he would say something, but he just sat there silently.
"You're quite brave, aren't you? Hanging around with my son and his... friends," he said with a smirk.
What was I supposed to say to that?!
"D-dad... just stop," Keifer said coldly.
His father chuckled. "Oh, don't be so serious, Keifer. I'm just making conversation."
Conversation?! More like an interrogation!
I tried to stay calm and continued eating, pretending I wasn't totally freaking out.
Ci, who was happily devouring his ice cream, leaned over to whisper, "That old man's kinda scary."
"Ssshh!" I hissed, elbowing him lightly.
This wasn't the time for jokes!
But just as I was about to relax, Keifer's dad suddenly spoke again—
"Since you're all here, why don't you stay the night?"
I instantly felt the tension in the room skyrocket.
I looked at Keifer. His jaw clenched. He was pissed.
"We're leaving after lunch," he replied firmly.
"Why the rush? It's been so long since we've had a family gathering," his dad said, taking a sip of his wine.
"Don't try to play the family card with me, Dad. It won't work," Keifer shot back.
Ci leaned over to me again, "Uh-oh. This is getting spicy."
I wanted to smack him. This wasn't a drama series!
Yuri sighed. "Let's just finish eating."
Keifer's dad just smirked before turning to one of the maids. "Make sure the guest rooms are prepared."
The maid nodded and hurried off.
Wait—so that was it?! Were we staying now?!
I looked around at my friends. Some were eating quietly, trying to ignore the tension. Others, like Aries and Ella, seemed too uncomfortable to even touch their food.
This was a disaster.
And I had a really, really bad feeling about it.
"...What is your name? You're new to me."
I glanced at Keifer, who was also looking at me. It was as if his eyes were warning me to be careful with my answer.
"J-Jasper Jean Mariano, sir... but you can just call me Jay-jay."
He was silent for a moment, seemingly in deep thought, but his attention remained fixed on me.
"I know a few Marianos in the business industry. What are your parents' names?" he asked again.
"That's none of your business," Keifer quickly cut in.
Thank goodness he spoke up. I didn't want to say their names either. It felt risky—especially my father's name.
"It's just a name. There's nothing wrong with asking for someone's name," he said, then turned his gaze back to me. "...Mind telling me their names?"
Damn it.
"M-my father is Jasfher Mariano, and my mother is Jeana Fernandez," I answered hesitantly.
His lips slowly stretched into a wide grin.
"What a small world! So they had a child! Hahahaha..." he laughed.
I felt a surge of irritation. What did he mean by that?
"...It just so happens that I know your father. He's a stockholder in our telecommunication company. On the other hand, I also know your mother. She's the sister of Gema Fernandez, who happens to be my friend," he said, then turned his gaze to Aries. "...So, you're cousins?"
Aries averted his gaze, clearly not pleased with what he just heard. He didn't look proud at all to be related to me.
"...Never in my mind did I imagine your parents together. I mean... no offense, but your mom seems a bit... 'tactless,'" he said, as if carefully choosing the right word to describe my mother.
I lowered my head. It was true—Mama was tactless. She always spoke her opinions without a filter, and it often got her into trouble.
We would just hear news that she was in the police station after getting into a fight. Lola would rush to bail her out, but I would just stay at home, keeping quiet.
"...I've never even seen them together before. It amazes me that—" he suddenly stopped.
A loud crack echoed in the room.
Keifer's glass had shattered—not because he threw it or slammed it down, but because it had broken right in his palm.
Blood slowly dripped onto the table as he clenched his fist.
"Did you invite us here just to insult us?" Keifer asked seriously.
"No... Why do you seem so affected?"
I glanced back and forth between Keifer and his father. If there were actual electricity flowing through their glares, I could have charged my phone by now.
"Why don't you just tell us what you really want from us? We still have school to attend," Keifer said in irritation as he wiped his bleeding hand with a napkin.
His father signaled to one of his men. "I'm glad you brought that up."
One of the men in black suits handed over a piece of paper. His father took it and passed it to Keifer.
"...Sign this," he ordered.
Keifer scanned the document. Whatever was written there immediately enraged him. He stood up and glared at his father.
"If you won't give me custody over Keiren, then return your inheritance to me."
"That's my Mom's money! She worked hard for it and gave it to me!"
"Your mother had no money... She stole it from the company's stockholders. From me, to be exact."
Keifer threw the paper down. "I'm not signing anything!"
His father looked at him seriously. "You leave me no choice."
Suddenly, the men in black suits started closing in on Keifer.
We immediately stood up and backed away.
My food!
Before they could grab Keiren, Keifer landed a powerful punch on them.
The other men in black suits were immediately alerted and rushed in. Ella and Aries quickly backed away, while Yuri stepped in to help Keifer fight off the men.
Damn it, Aries! Do something! You're seriously just going to stand there?!
"Let's help Keifer!" someone shouted, and we all ran toward him.
More men in black suits appeared. Just how many of them were there?!
Then, I saw Keigan running toward me. Was this it? Were we finally making a run for it? I ran to meet him, but before he could reach me, someone grabbed him.
Keiren was forced to run.
"Keiren!" I called out.
He ran toward me, eyes filled with panic. I scanned the chaotic scene around us. Everything was a mess! I couldn't see any way out.
"Where do we go?!" he asked frantically.
Shit!
I grabbed his hand and pulled him toward one of the doors. I tried to open it. Locked. I kicked it. Still locked.
Damn it!
I looked around again, but all I saw were flying plates and shattered furniture.
I had no choice. I ran to one of the tables, lifted the tablecloth, and hurriedly pushed Keiren underneath.
"Stay here! I'm going to find Keigan!" I whispered before letting the cloth fall back down.
I sprinted off, searching desperately for Keigan, but I couldn't find him anywhere. Where the hell was he?!
I ran in circles, nearly tripping over debris and dodging flying objects.
Then, a strong hand grabbed me, stopping me in my tracks. One of the men in black.
"Where is Keiren?!" he demanded angrily.
"In my pocket! Drinking coffee!" I yelled before shoving him with all my strength.
He lost his grip on me, and I bolted away.
The chaos only escalated—until a powerful voice boomed through the room.
"ENOUGH!!"
Keifer's father's voice rang out, immediately followed by the sound of guns being cocked.
I froze.
I turned and saw Keigan, held in a headlock by one of the men. He was struggling to break free.
I swallowed hard. Then, I realized—the man I had pushed earlier was now pointing a gun at my temple.
Shit. No joke. This was the end for me.
The fighting stopped. Everyone went still. Keifer glared furiously at his father.
"YOU SON OF A B*TCH!" he roared.
"Language," his father replied coldly before signaling one of his men.
Without warning, one of the men punched Keifer hard in the stomach. He dropped to his knees from the pain but gritted his teeth, forcing himself to stay strong.
"Where is Keiren?" his father asked, scanning the room.
No one answered. No one knew—except me.
"Sir! This girl was with Keiren earlier!" the man holding the gun to my head reported, pointing directly at me.
Lucky for you, you have a gun!
He walked toward me, followed by several of his men.
"Where is my son?" he asked seriously.
I shook my head. "I-I don't know... W-we got separated," I lied.
It was obvious he didn't believe me. He gave another signal to his men, and to my shock, three of them suddenly ganged up on Keifer.
"Argh!" he cried out.
"Keiren! Come out! Come out! Wherever you are!" his father shouted.
I wanted to run to Keifer, to stop them, but how could I? The gun was aimed at me with every slight movement I made.
I turned to the others—Aries, the rest of them. I looked at them pleadingly, but even they were powerless to do anything.
Keifer had already collapsed to the floor, but they still wouldn't stop.
"P-please, stop... Have mercy on Keifer," I begged.
"Mercy? Those words don't suit my son. Keifer needs to learn a lesson," he said, smiling.
Was he really his father? How could he treat his own son like this? I felt tears welling up. I desperately wanted to stop them.
Despite everything, Keifer was still holding strong. He didn't say a word, only blocking as many punches as he could.
It seemed his father finally realized that hurting him wasn't going to get him anywhere.
"Keifer, why are you so stubborn?" he asked, stepping closer. Keifer didn't respond. "...Tsk! Plan A is not working. I'll go with Plan B," he added.
My eyes widened as more men in black suits drew their guns and pointed them at the others.
I instinctively stepped back when the barrel of the gun pressed harder against my head.
"...All I need is a signature. That's it, or Keiren."
I saw the concern in Keifer's eyes as he glanced at all of us. He struggled to his feet and suddenly looked straight at me.
No! Don't look at me!
"Kuya, no!" Keigan shouted, but the man holding him silenced him.
Keifer fell silent for a moment, deep in thought. Then, to my horror, he slowly reached for a pen on the table.
"Keifer!"
"Don't!" Yuri and I shouted at the same time.
His father brought the paper closer. Keifer's hand, holding the pen, began to lower toward it.
NO! His mother was important to him. If he just surrendered what she had worked so hard for, it would be like giving up everything he had been fighting for.
Haaaiizzzttt! I'll only do this once!
"Pull the trigger!"