Jay-jay's POV
You're just like Ella.
The words he said kept repeating in my mind like a broken record.
It hurts so much!
False hope.
Keifer's embrace around me was tight. He didn't speak and just let me cry.
I was like a child, sobbing uncontrollably. His arm and shoulder were soaked with my tears and snot.
"You can't blame Yuri..." He said while still holding me.
"...He was hurt, again."
"I-I know... B-But it just hurts so much."
That was never my intention. I never meant to lead him on. It wasn't on purpose.
I understand why he's so angry with me. But I just couldn't stop crying. It felt like a million needles were stabbing my heart.
"Keifer... He doesn't want to call off the wedding."
He pulled away from the hug. He held my face in his hands. Even though my face was a mess with snot and tears... he kissed me.
For a moment, I forgot the reason I was crying. I even forgot how I looked. Oh, damn it! His mouth tasted like cigarettes and Mentos. He pulled away from me and looked at me in disgust.
"Yuck! Your snot..."
I smacked him hard, but he just laughed.
"Damn you!" I said irritably.
He held my face again, but this time, he looked at me seriously.
"Don't worry about the wedding. We still have time to think of a plan to stop it."
Sniffling, I nodded. He kissed my forehead, and somehow, the weight on my chest lightened a little.
He pulled out a white handkerchief from his pocket and handed it to me.
"Wipe your snot. You're gross." He said and laughed.
I grabbed the handkerchief and blew my nose. I must have cleared everything out of my sinuses—if I could have blown my brain out, I would've done it too.
After clearing myself, I handed the handkerchief back to him.
"Thanks."
"Keep it... It's yours now. I'm too embarrassed to take it back." He teased.
I just held onto the handkerchief. Keifer started the car. It was also time for me to go home.
"I just want to go home." I almost whispered.
He just nodded at me. I stayed silent throughout the ride. I wanted to speak, but what could I possibly say? There were moments when Keifer looked at me, but I couldn't return the gaze.
Even though the weight I felt had lessened, it still hurt. His words still echoed in my mind.
Honestly, I deserved it. What I did to him was cruel. I led him on, giving him false hope. If I had known things would turn out like this, I never would've said yes in the first place.
What did he mean when he said, "Keifer is not the only one who has his ways"? It reminded me of what Ci-N said about him.
My mind was a mess! I had so many questions, and not a single answer.
"Jay..." Keifer called my attention, grabbing my focus.
"Hm?"
"I talked to Percy."
My heart stopped. Slowly, I looked at Keifer, who was staring straight ahead at the road. This was another thing messing with my mind.
"H-how?"
"Remember my promise to you? About your father's information?"
I nodded in response.
"...I did get his contact number and tried calling it. His secretary answered."
Keifer suddenly stopped the car. It was only then that I noticed we were near the house. He didn't stop in front like he did yesterday.
He pulled out his phone and started pressing buttons. He held it up to me, and a recording started playing.
"Good morning... You're reaching Mr. Mariano's number. May I know who's on the line?" The voice of a man.
From the way he spoke, the tone sounded foreign, with a thick accent, like someone trying too hard with their English. But why was Keifer playing this for me?
"This is Keifer Watson. Can I speak to Mr. Mariano? This is urgent." Keifer's voice was firm and authoritative.
There was no response on the other end. It was silent, and I thought it was over. But the countdown continued, and the play symbol was still going.
Then I heard something move, followed by a voice.
"Keifer..." Percy's voice.
I looked up at Keifer, but he was still seriously staring at his phone.
"...How are you?.... Bro."
There was no warmth in Percy's voice—just coldness and irritation. The way he said "Bro" was filled with tension.
"Who's this?" Keifer replied quickly.
"Oh crap! You're making me cry... Did you forget me already? Has four years been that long that you've forgotten your dead friend? Oh my heart! I'm in pain!"
I wanted to roll my eyes. I couldn't tell if he was trying to be funny or just being annoying.
"Percy?"
"Finally! I thought you'll never remember my very handsome voice."
"What the hell?! I have no time for your shit! I need to speak to Mr. Mariano. Now!" The annoyance in Keifer's voice was obvious.
Suddenly, Percy laughed. Even I started to feel annoyed with what he was doing. It felt like he was playing with Keifer... or us.
"Mark Keifer Watson... You haven't changed a bit. Still bossing people around. Thinking you're still the King?"
"Percy..."
"Keifer..." He mimicked Keifer's tone of voice. "...You are already talking to Mr. Mariano." He chuckled lightly.
Annoying!
"I'm talking about Jay-jay's father. Not you."
Percy stopped laughing. Even though it was just a recording, I could feel the tension between them.
"Why do you need to talk to him? I'm here. I'm also a Mariano."
"Shit! Percy! What the hell is your problem?! I need to talk to him! Jay-jay needs her father!" Keifer said angrily. Even I would probably be pissed off with what Percy was saying.
"Don't shout, Bro! You can't talk to him. No matter how much you shout."
I heard something make a sound, followed by someone speaking in a language I couldn't understand.
"...I have to go. Don't worry, we'll be back there soon, and when we do... we'll take Jay-jay from you. From you and from Angelo."
The recording ended, and only one thing was on my mind. I didn't understand anything.What is this again?! I'm so confused!
"W-what will be taken back?! I don't understand what he's saying!" I said in frustration.
Keifer put his phone aside. "I'm confused too. I'm starting to get annoyed with what he's doing."
I grabbed my head. What the hell?! Who are you in my life?! What do you want from me?!
Percy Mariano?!
"Looks like we have no choice but to wait."
I looked at him. "I'm tired of waiting."
He held my hand. I was about to cry because I was so frustrated with Percy. Damn him!
His other hand gently held my cheek. "Just a little more patience, Jay."
I nodded and forced a smile. That was the only thing I could do.
I had once asked David to tell him not to show up to me anymore.
I thought he'd be scared and find a way to talk to me, but he didn't. Now I'm not sure if David really told him that.
Keifer kissed my forehead. I looked at him, but suddenly my attention was drawn to the gate of the house. It opened, and out came... shit!
"It's Kuya Angelo..." I said and immediately bowed my head.
I almost bumped my head on the dashboard.
I slowly raised my eyes to Keifer, who was panicking ashe adjusted the car controls.
"Is he still here?!" I asked.
"Y-yeah... Shit! You surprised me. I just pressed something." He answered, laughing.
I started laughing too. Seriously! My brother just suddenly pops out of the house. His timing is insane. I peeked at him — he wasn't even doing anything, just standing there, looking around.
What's with that?!
Here's the problem: if he doesn't leave or go back inside, I can't get out of Keifer's car. My brother would definitely see me from where the car is parked.
"I can't get out... He'll see me," I said, practically begging.
Without a word, Keifer started the car again. I wanted to ask him what he was doing, but I was too tense.
"W-where are we going?" I asked.
"I'll drop you off at the corner. You can get out there."
I sighed in relief at his words. We drove a little farther and quickly stopped again.
I raised my head. We were at the corner, and I hurried to open the door, but then Keifer suddenly grabbed my arm.
I looked at him and noticed he was staring straight ahead at the front of the car. I looked too, and my heart almost stopped when I saw Aries.
Shit!
He was glaring at us, and I could also see his fist clenched.
"I-It's Aries... I'll get out now."
I thought he'd let go of me, but his grip only tightened. He turned me to face him and smiled.
"Why----" I didn't finish what I was going to say when he suddenly kissed me on the cheek.
Oh... just the cheek?
"Take care. I love you, Jay, until scientists find the end of the universe."
Me? Speechless! I wasn't even myself, just nodding at what he said. Because... damn it!
"...What's your answer?" He asked.
"W-what... I love---- Oh, damn!"
Suddenly, Aries slammed his hand on the car window. He was furious, his eyes drilling into me. I had no choice but to pull away from Keifer's grip and hurry out of the car.
" You two just had to flirt right here." He said, burning me with his gaze.
He walked off ahead. I glanced back at Keifer and quickly said goodbye before following Aries back to the house. I really thought they'd fight — that everything would turn chaotic.
When we got inside, thankfully Kuya Angelo was busy. I headed straight to my room, where I was immediately greeted by Ci-N.
That idiot was all smiles!
He even wiggled his eyebrows at me. He looked so creepy.
"So, how was your 'talk'?" he asked.
I thought he had forgotten about it. Or maybe he'd been bringing it up and I just hadn't been paying attention? He really emphasized the word 'talk.'
"I-it was fine," I answered, grabbing some clothes.
"Jay... I know I'm handsome, and girls fall for me easily," he said, making me raise an eyebrow. "...But you didn't have to tell Keifer that I'm the one you like."
What the heck?!
If only my eyebrows could separate more to raise higher, they'd probably reach the sky by now.
"I love Ci-N, huh? Ahihihi..."
I could only grimace. What a punch! It was obvious that the "I love you" last night wasn't meant for him.
I grabbed the pillow and threw it at him with all my might. But, what a kid! He just caught it and laughed at me, which was so annoying.
"You're so annoying!" I shouted and jumped toward him.
I started hitting him with the pillow. He just kept laughing. When the pillow was gone, I grabbed his hair and yanked it.
"Ouch! Ouch!" He screamed.
Serves him right!
"Help! Jay-Jay's trying to kill me! Help!"
His antics only made me more furious. I kept hitting him until he raised his arms to block me. Spotting an opportunity, I pinched his side fat — hard.
"Shiiiiiiiitttttt! Ugh!"
"That's what you get!" I said, laughing at his reaction.
Somehow, with Ci-N, I'd found an instant brother. Even though he often bosses me around and teases me, I really enjoy having him around.
I finally let go and watched him squirm in pain. He looked at me seriously — I thought he was about to get mad, but then he flashed that mischievous smile of his.
"You're jealous of my side fat, aren't you?"
"You wish! I have some too."
"Then why are you pinching my glorious side fat?" he teased.
"You're insane!"
"Jealous Jay-Jay!"
I hit him again, and he kept blocking his body with his arms.
"If I ever lose this side fat..." he warned.
"What? You'll never lose it — you eat way too much!"
"Let's see... If I pinch your side fat, will it disappear— ARGH!"
I punched him hard on the arm. Now he was coming for my side fat too?
"You idiot! Stop hanging around Keifer so much."
"Ayyiieeehhh... You miss him—"
We both froze when the door to the room suddenly opened and Kuya Angelo appeared, raising his eyebrows at us.
Did he hear that?
"Ci-N..." he said, making my heart race faster. "...Your mother is on the line." He pointed to the outside of the room.
The nervousness I had disappeared, but it was replaced with worry for Ci-N.
He looked at me with sad eyes before standing up.
He left the room, and I followed him immediately. He was still holding the phone cord as if he wanted to yank it out.
He ended the call after a few minutes of talking.
"W-what did she say?" I asked.
He lowered his head. "She said my condo unit is okay."