Jay-jay's POV
I feel like punching someone. If it weren't for... Haizt!
"It hurts..." Ci-N whispered while rubbing her ear.
It's his fault! He was listening on me and my phone conversation. I was so annoyed that I yanked his ear. And even now, after we've slept and everything, she's still complaining about the pain.
Damn it!
"The other ear too... So it's even." I said, and he quickly covered his other ear.
"No way." He replied.
I just rolled my eyes at him and walked out of the room. It was time for breakfast, and we had to go to school. Honestly, I wasn't in the mood. Because of what happened yesterday.
Every time I remember the face of Dylan, who pointed a gun at me, my knees start to shake again.
My courage just faded. Badtrip!
Suddenly, Ci-N walked ahead of me while still covering her ear. Looks like he's really hungry.
I stopped in my tracks when I saw Aries. He was glaring at me—nothing new there.
I kept walking and was about to pass him when he suddenly spoke, making me turn to face him completely.
"Yuri."
Wha the...
"...You're marrying him soon."
Those words slapped me. They reminded me of the betrayal I was doing to Yuri.
My chest tightened. It felt like I was being suffocated as I looked at him.
Aries let out a bitter laugh. "You really are perfect..."
Of course! Are you jealous?!
His tone was dipping with insult. My eyebrows immediately furrowed.
"...You're going to marry Yuri, and yet you're still with Keifer? Unbelievable."
He shook his head while walking away from me.
Aside from the irritation I have towards this horoscope, there was only one thing on my mind now.
I'm going to tell Yuri the truth. I don't want to lie to him anymore. That wasn't my intention, and I don't want to add to the sins I've already committed.
I ate breakfast in a daze. Even while showering and getting ready, I wasn't myself. I don't know how, but one way or another, today is the day I'm going to tell him.
"Jay-jay." Ci-N called me while walking. "...You're not listening."
"S-sorry. Were you saying something?"
"Oh, nothing..." he answered sarcastically, which made me a bit annoyed. "...I said so many thingsand now just wasted all my handsome charm talking to thin air.."
I scratched the back of my head. What?!
"Since when are you handsome?"
His eyes suddenly softened. "Don't shout it out too much. That's my secret."
I just stared at him, dumbfounded by his sheer audacity. I didn't even bother replying and kept walking.
When we got to school, the students were all in a commotion because of my beauty—Just kidding!
It's because the school retreat is coming up soon. It's so early! It's even before than Valentine's Day.
When I entered the classroom, I immediately scanned the room for Yuri. He wasn't there, and I think this was probably the first time I beat him to class. He's usually the one who arrives first.
As soon as I sat down, I grabbed my phone, which I should've checked earlier. He had texted me.
From: Yuri
Message:'Can't go to school. I have a fever. Please take care of yourself. 😙'
Dammit!
Of all days! Are you kidding me! The fvck!
Ugh! I was supposed to tell him today. I shouldn't delay this any longer. I guess I'll have to visit him.
Lost in thought... is it wrong to ask heavens for one—huh?!
Oh, crap! I suddenly started singing in my head. I was so spaced out that I didn't notice Sir Alvin and Keifer had already entered the room. My mind had traveled all the way to Pluto.
Out of nowhere, someone flicked my ear. The pain was so sharp I couldn't help but yell.
"Damn it! That hurts!"
Everyone immediately stared at me. Sir Alvin gave me a bad look too.
I glanced at Keifer, who was trying to hide his smirk.
You jerk!
What did I even do to him? That idiot flicked my ear. I just lowered my head.
Damn this Keifer! Out of nowhere, he decides to pull a stunt like that.
I wanted to get back at him, but that's not what was on my mind. I was thinking about what I needed to tell Yuri. How to even start.
Even during the next subjects, I was still out of it. Ci-N asked me several times what was wrong, but I couldn't answer him.
Even Keifer was starting to wonder. The bell rang, signaling the end of the school day. I packed my things and was about to stand up when the King grabbed my hand.
"Stay." He ordered.
I was about to refuse—I needed to see Yuri—but then his expression turned serious. Reluctantly, I sat back down.
"Jay! You coming?" Ci-N asked.
Keifer answered for me. "You go ahead. We need to talk about something."
Though confused, Ci-N followed and left. The room was now empty. I looked at the jerk and waited for him to speak.
"W-Why? What are we going to talk about?" I asked.
"About what's bothering you. We noticed you're not yourself."
tsk!
I didn't want to say it, but maybe he needed to know too.
"Because... I'm thinking about how to tell Yuri the truth." I answered.
"What do you mean?"
"I feel guilty. I don't want to keep deceiving Yuri."
He looked down. "I understand. Even I feel ashamed of what we've done to him."
He took a deep breath. "...Why did we end up falling for the same girl again!?"
I bit my lower lip. The image of Yuri, hurt because of Ella kept replaying in my mind. It was happening all over again.
"I was planning to visit him today." I said, and Keifer looked at me meaningfully. "...I'm going to tell him."
Suddenly, he stood up and walked out of the room. I hurried after him.
"I'll take you there," he said as he kept walking.
We arrived at the parking lot and I saw Aries with his arm draped around Ella. It looked like they intentionally positioned themselves right next to Keifer's car.
I looked at them, then at the King, but there wasn't a trace of him being affected by the scene in front of us.He got into the car, so I followed suit.
I briefly glanced at Aries, and our eyes met. I also didn't miss the way Ella looked at Keifer.
Should I poke this girl in the EYE?!
The car started moving. We were silent the entire ride. I wanted to ask if he was still affected by those two, but I didn't want to start a conversation that might lead into an argument.
That's what Aries had said. I couldn't shake it off.
I'm convinced he's not playing me, but still... Ugh, so frustrating!
I could already see Yuri's building. As we got closer, my heartbeat quickened. When we arrived at the parking lot, I didn't get out right away. I took a moment to gather my courage.
"I'll stay here. We might just end up fighting if I come along." He said.
I nodded. "Thanks."
I got out of the car and walked towards the elevator. I glanced back at Keifer while waiting for it to open. He forced a smile at me.
As soon as the door opened, I stepped inside. I pressed the floor number for Yuri's room. My hands were sweating so fast. My palms were sweating buckets—whether from the stuffy elevator or my nerves, I couldn't tell.
When the door opened, four women in kimonos greeted me. It wasn't as many as the usual welcoming crew. They bowed and greeted me in their language.
I just bowed and greeted them back—in Tagalog. I looked for their Young Master. They pointed me towards his room.
Good thing I was a bit familiar with the layout by now. I didn't have trouble finding his room. I knocked, but no one answered.
I wanted to back out. He was sick, and maybe it wasn't a good time to talk to him.
But it has to be now!
Damn it! No choice. I opened the door. I expected him to be lying on the bed asleep since he was sick, but he wasn't there. I glanced at the balcony. The sliding door was open, and the curtain was swaying in the wind.
Everybody loves the things that you do
From the way you talk to the way you move
Everybody here is watching you
'Cause you feel like home
You're like a dream come true
I walked toward it. I saw Yuri sitting on a long bamboo bench, facing away from me. He was holding a guitar and singing.
"But if by chance you're here alone
Can I have a moment before I go?
'Cause I've been by myself all night long
Hoping you're someone I used to know..."
Just like before, his voice sounded so soothing. If you think about it, they were really similar to Keifer. They are best friends after all.
"You look like a movie
You sound like a song
My God, this reminds me
Of when we were young..."
They were both smart, a little bossy, quiet, and had a talent for singing. They were both handsome, both drawn to trouble, never let themselves be wronged, and most importantly, they weren't hard to love.
"Let me photograph you in this light
In case it is the last time
That we might be exactly like we were
Before we realized..."
Tears just started falling on their own. If only I could teach my heart what to do. I didn't want to hurt him, I did't want him to again go through the pain he'd experienced before.
"We were sad of getting old
It made us restless
It was just like a music
It was just like a song."
It was so unfair! I wanted him to be happy too, but he'd only end up hurt because of me. I really thought I could do it.
He suddenly stopped playing the guitar and turned around.
"Jay? You're here," he said, setting the guitar aside.
He stood up and smiled as he faced me — but my heart shattered when his smile faded as he noticed that I was crying.
"What's wrong? Did something happen?" He reached out to touch my cheek, but I quickly stepped back. "…Is there a problem?"
"I-I'm sorry, Yuri." I took a deep breath. "…I'm sorry. Please believe me, I really tried."
Confusion filled his face. "W-What are you talking about?"
"Sorry…I'm really sorry." The tears wouldn't stop. The pain in my chest was so heavy — I could barely breathe. "…I tried, I really did."
"Jay…"
"But… it's really Keifer."
My crying intensified. I waited for him to say something, but he stayed silent. I couldn't look at him because of the shame.
Minutes passed as I stood there, waiting. Until finally, I stopped crying — and it seemed like that was what he was waiting for.
"I know." His first words shocked me."…I've always known it was Keifer. From the very start."
My chest tightened with what he said. So many questions flooded my mind, but I couldn't bring myself to speak.
"...Just like with Ella, I took a chance again. But again, I was wrong. Defeated by the same guy..." He forced a smile. "...I'm not stupid, Jay. I knew it already, from the day you said 'Yes' to me."
W-what... I was so confused.
"Hahaoya was not lying when she said she saw you and Keifer. She just saved us from the embarrassment."
Damn it... was all I could say to myself.
"...And I also know that you made out with him in the restroom."
He let out a bitter laugh. "...I was also there the night you confessed to him."
Damn it!
The curse words I knew weren't enough to describe how I felt. How did he know all that?
"If you're asking, 'How did I know?' The answer is simple..." He walked closer to me and leaned in slightly. He aligned his mouth to my ear.
I shivered when I felt his breath on my shoulder. It was so warm.
"...Keifer is not the only one who has ways." His whispered, making my heart stop.
He straightened up and looked me directly in the eye. "...I want you to leave now. I don't want to see you."
"Y-Yuri..." With everything I wanted to say, that was all that came out of my mouth.
He turned his back on me. "I will let you continue your relationship with Keifer, but when our wedding day comes, you'll say 'I DO,' no matter what, or it will be the end of Fernandez Corporation." He said authoritatively.
He's still going through with it?!
"Y-Yuri... You're just going to get hurt."
"What's the point?! You're already hurting me." I could hear his voice crack.
Even with his back turned, I knew he was crying. My eyes couldn't help but follow the pain I was feeling.
"...Trust me, at the end of the day, you'll still be mine." He added.
I tried to take a step toward him, but my knees wouldn't move.
"Y-Yuri... Please."
"Jay... Leave." His order made the weight in my chest heavier.
"...Leave. Now!"
I had no choice but to slowly walk toward the door of his room. He chose not to look at me, even at the end.
But before I fully stepped out, he said words that shattered me completely.
"You're just like Ella — giving false hope."