Keifer's POV
I was gripping my phone tightly. I received a message from Rory.
From: Rory
Message:Section E's building is up for demolition. We need your help.
Why are they demolishing the building? What is Angelo doing? Why did he let that happen? I was about to reply to him when someone called out to me.
"Hey Newbie! No phones while on work!" a man shouted at me.
It's been almost a week since I started working at the CEO's office, and for a week now, they've been calling me "Newbie." Clyde did give me a job, but that guy seems to enjoy annoying me.
"3 copies of this." another man said while handing me a few pieces of paper.
I took them and walked over to the photocopy machine. I did what the employee asked.
This is bullsht!* Photocopy guy, coffee maker, presentation maker, financial report reviewer, errand runner during meetings, writer of whatever, visitor of business partners or investment opportunities of the company. All of that is what I'm doing almost every day. Along with that, I'm also learning the ins and outs of the company. Aside from marketing and other business affairs. Intern or newbie tasks, sure. But this is not what I want.
After photocopying, I walked over to the man at his desk and handed him the papers.
"Here," I said, and he arched a brow.
"Don't know how to use staples?" he sarcastically asked with his deep, hard accent.
I sighed. I grabbed the stapler on top of his desk and started stapling the papers in front of him one by one, never taking my eyes off him while doing it.
"This is how you use a stapler," I said, as if I were teaching a kid.
One by one, I stapled the papers and handed them over to him. I forced a smile before putting the stapler down. I might lose control—his face looks like it deserves a stapler to it.
I went back to my spot in the corner of the room. A small, old desk that's probably just one termite signature away from collapsing. Paired with a swivel chair that's likely from the Jurassic era.
I looked at the wall clock and saw it was break time. I quickly grabbed my phone and ran toward the fire exit. I dialed Rory's number.
["Keifer!"] he almost shouted.
"What do you mean by demolition?"
["We don't know why either. But they said the building is already up for demolition. Sir Alvin is still trying to talk to them."]
"I'll look for someone who can help us with this."
["Forget about that demolition for now. Damn! Jay-jay's cousin Angelo is badass!"] he suddenly sounded excited.
"What about Angelo?"
["One punch to Mykel and that bastard cried like a baby!"]
My forehead creased. "What? I don't understand."
["Oh right. You don't know yet."] He then started telling me the whole story of what happened. He didn't miss a single important detail. Including Mykel hurting Jay-jay.
"Fvck that bastard!" I said and untied my necktie. "Where's Jay-jay now?"
I will fvcking break that Mykel into pieces.How dare he touch my girl!
["With her brother. As far as I know, they went to the hospital because Aries is there."]
"Thanks, Rory. I'll try to go home," I said and ended the call.
I punched the wall. I didn't know the school would target them the moment I left. Why did Angelo let this happen? What is he doing? Or maybe he has a plan? When did he start being negligent?
They need me.
I stepped out of the fire exit and walked toward the elevator. I need to go back to the Philippines. There's no one else they can count on right now but me. They need me.
"Newbie! Where do you think you are going?"
I looked at the man who stopped me. I raised my middle finger at him until the door opened. I nearly crushed the floor button with how hard I pressed it. I took off my necktie completely and unbuttoned a few buttons of my shirt. I could barely breathe from the anger.
Come on! Relax, Keifer! How will I fvcking relax? Jay was hurt by Mykel. She couldn't even fight back. Not even one punch in return. That's not the Jay-jay I know. I won't accept her defeat. If she can't fight, then I will fight for her.
When the elevator doors opened, Clyde's face was the first thing I saw. He was with a few of his employees and his assistant.
"Why are you here?" he asked, arching a brow.
"Get the fvck out of my way!" I shouted, and they slowly moved to make a path.
I walked away with big, angry strides. When I reached the parking lot, my driver and bodyguard greeted me.
"Mr. Keifer?"
"Hotel. Now!" I said and got inside the car.
I held my phone tightly. I wanted to call Yuri but I knew he couldn't do anything either. He couldn't get involved again. His family probably wouldn't be happy if he did something that could ruin his again.
I don't know about Percy. He has nothing to do with our school. Besides, he's only there for his half- and step-siblings.
Then who? Who else should I call?
The fraternity came to mind, but I wasn't a member yet, so I had no right to ask for their help.
When we arrived at the hotel, I ran straight to our suite. Keiren was watching TV when I entered.
He stood up when he saw me. "Kuya?"
"Later, Keiren."
I went straight to my room and into the walk-in closet. I picked up the backpack on the floor. I put in a few clothes and closed the zipper. I was about to leave the room when Keigan blocked me.
"You're leaving?" he asked in shock.
"Just for a while. I'll be back as soon as possible."
I was about to walk past him but he grabbed my bag and threw it.
"You are not leaving," he said and gave me a slight push.
Never mind. I'll leave with nothing but my wallet and passport. I was about to walk past him, but he stopped me again by snatching my phone from my pocket.
"Give it back," I commanded with authority.
"This is the reason you're acting like this. You don't want to leave your problems in the Philippines!"
"Leave my problems in the Philippines? Maybe you're forgetting that our life is there!"
"Maybe you're forgetting that you have a fight to face here! Kuya! This fight is not just about your inheritance. This is also about our rights in this family!"
I haven't forgotten. But what he wants me to do is not something I can allow. His tone only made my anger worse.
I walked up to him and pointed a finger in his face. "I don't, Keigan. But don't ever ask me to do such thing!"
He pushed me hard. "You're not leaving! Face your problems here!"Damn it! He held up my phone in front of me. "This is the only communication you have with them. You will never have this unless you do your job."
I grabbed him by the collar and slammed him against the wall. My fist rose instinctively, ready to hit his face—but then I saw his eyes.
He didn't look away, even though he knew I might hit him. His gaze was lifeless—but there was determination. A challenge.
This is not the Keigan I know.
"Go ahead! Hurt me!" he said with a smirk. "Show me how selfish you are."
I breathed deeply, turning my head away before slowly lowering my fist.
"Let me guess. This is about that Jay-jay girl, isn't it?"
I didn't say a word. I simply held out my hand to ask for my phone. I didn't want to get mad at him. I know he's been helping me from the start—and this isn't how I should thank him.
"My phone."
He held my phone out again but shook his head. "No. I'm not giving this to you and you are not leaving this country. Even if you try to escape, I'll stop you. By hook or by crook."
He pocketed my phone and quickly walked past me. He even bumped my arm but just kept walking. I knew he wouldn't let me leave—even if I tried to sneak away.
I sighed and punched the wall. I have to leave this country. They need me now. I can't just leave them like that.
No one can stop me.
Keigan is holding my phone now. But he still has no clue about my secret phone. I took it out from under the mattress and dialed a number.
"Mr. Moskovosky?" I said as he answered my call.
["Mr. Watson. Your private jet plane is ready. I also have an available pilot for you."]
I smirked. "Thank you, I highly appreciate it."
["No problem. Thank you for purchasing from us, again. Since this is the second time you've done business with us, we'll give you a special freebie."] he said, and I could sense his devilish smile.
I don't like the feeling I'm getting.
"Thank you, Mr. Moskovosky."
I ended the call and typed a message to Edrix.
To: Edrix
Message: This is Keifer. My phone has been compromised.
He responded immediately.
From: Edrix
Message: I'm shutting it down.
I sat on the bed after taking off my shirt. I knew Keigan was just waiting for the right moment to take my phone away. So after our last argument, I called Mr. Moskovosky and made the transaction. I really bought a private jet plane because I can't travel through the international airport. I also copied my friends' numbers.
For now, I can't leave yet. I will have my chance, sooner or later. Maybe tomorrow, or the next day. I'll let Keigan think he won. If I make a move too soon, he'll notice what I'm doing.
I stared at my phone. I want to talk to Jay-jay. I want to know if she's okay. I have this feeling she's not herself. She didn't even fight back against Mykel. She didn't get any revenge, not even one punch. She's the kind of person who would fight back even if the bones in her fists were crushed. That's why what happened to her is so hard to believe.
If I message her about what happened, she might wonder how I even knew. And I can't force her to tell me her problems.
Whatever.
I composed a message for her, hoping she'd reply and talk to me.
To: MyFutureMrsWatson
Message: Missing you now. 😚
Just a few seconds after sending it, my phone rang. Her name was the first thing I saw. I sighed before answering it.
"Don't say anything yet." she said, and I froze. "...Just listen, please. Just listen to what I have to say. That's all I need."
Even if she hadn't said it, I really wouldn't have spoken anyway.
"My brother got hurt because of me..." I heard her breathing heavily. "...B-because I chose not to go through with the wedding they arranged for me. But t-the price was too high. The family that helped me is suffering now. They've started looking down on my cousin—and even my brother."
She started crying like a child. The last time she cried like this was when—I told her I used her. That only means one thing: she suffered so much from what happened to Aries.
I want to apologize to her for not being by her side. I want to hug her and tell her that everything will be okay. I want to... I want to... I want to tell her the truth.
I was about to open my mouth to speak, but the line got disconnected.
She ended the call.
I panicked, afraid of what she might be thinking of doing.
From: MyFutureMrsWatson
Message: Please continue. Tell me everything.
I tried to call her but she wasn't answering. My nerves shot up, afraid that something might have happened to her. I kept trying until she finally answered.
I felt slightly relieved.
"S-sorry if I disturbed you... I just—d-don't have anyone to talk to about this. I feel so weak. I'm unlucky and I keep making mistakes. Everyone I care about ends up getting hurt because of what I do. Even if they don't say it, I know they're blaming me."
You are not. You're not a menace. Stop blaming yourself. Yes, sometimes you're a pain in my ass, but because of that... you started to get into my nerves. Into my mind and... into my heart. Then you never left.
"I feel like I'm all alone. Like there's no one I can lean on."
I'm here for you. I'm always here for you.
"This is the first time I've felt this kind of pain... even though I've always been alone."
Maybe because you've been suffering from one problem to another.
"Maybe because..."
Why?
"...Keifer."
Shit! I ended the call out of shock. Did she just call me? Did she recognize me?How? Did she really recognize me already? No—she didn't. I'm just imagining things. Her sentence was incomplete, that's why I thought she called me. Damn it! Why do I feel so scared when just moments ago I wanted to confess who I really am?
I dropped the phone and rubbed my face with both hands. I was about to call her again when I heard a knock on the door.
I immediately hid my secret phone.
"Kuya." It was Keiren.
"Come in."
He opened the door and walked toward me. He had this strange look on his face.
"Can I sleep here? I'm scared of Kuya Keigan."
I stood up and walked straight to the bathroom to clean myself.
"It's too early to sleep but suit yourself," I said before closing the bathroom door.
I showered to wash off everything I was feeling. I badly want to go home. My mind is a mess from everything I have to deal with. Why did our school have to add to it? Couldn't they just wait for us to graduate?
Stupid board members! Once I'm done with this, I'll show you who really holds the power.
After my shower, I went straight to the walk-in closet. I changed and went back to Keiren, who was already lying in my bed. He was trying to find a good position to sleep.
"Kuya." He called out to me. "Is it normal to talk to yourself?"
"Murmuring a few words to yourself is normal," I answered without looking at him.
"What about talking and answering yourself? Is that normal?"
I arched a brow and looked at him. "You think too much."
He sat up and rubbed his eyes. He looked at me like he was having second thoughts.
"What?" I asked.
"Can I tell you a secret about Kuya Keigan?"
I simply nodded before he moved closer to me. He leaned in and whispered into my ear.
"I heard Kuya Keigan arguing with himself. He was talking like there were lots of people in front of him, but when I looked—he was all alone."
What is happening to Keigan?
"M-maybe he was talking on the phone. He probably used his wireless headphone," I explained and stood up.
I don't want Keiren thinking that there's really something wrong with his Kuya.
"This isn't the first time, Kuya. I heard him before too. He even said they should get rid of the girl," he insisted.
I paused to think. Get rid of...? Who?
"Go to sleep, Keiren."
He dropped himself on the bed and pulled the blanket over his head in frustration. I walked out of my room. I was about to go to Keigan's room but saw him walking out of the suite.
"Keifer. Have you seen Keiren?" It was Honey. She was walking hurriedly while looking around.
"He's in my room."
She sighed in relief but the fear on her face didn't disappear. I crossed my arms and waited for her to speak.
"He's here. He checked in." Her eyes avoided mine.
"Who?"
"Y-your Dad."
My arms fell to my sides. I couldn't find the right words to express my anger. How did he manage to check in at this hotel? This place is highly secured. My instructions were clear—he was banned from entering.
It was like my feet moved on their own, walking out of the suite. Honey followed me.
"WHO THE FVCK LET HIM IN?" I said, enraged.
"Keigan's still finding out."
I walked faster. I didn't even know who I was about to confront just to get him kicked out of here.
"Where's the manager—?" I stopped when I saw Keigan running.
"You left Keiren alone?" he asked in horror.
Honey and I exchanged looks before both of us sprinted back to the suite. Keigan followed us, calling someone on his phone.
As we turned into the hallway leading to the suite, we stopped in our tracks. The bodyguards posted outside the door were down.
"KEIREN!" I shouted, nearly losing my voice.
When I opened the door, my heart nearly stopped. Keiren was sitting on the single-seater sofa, while across from him—sat the monster.
"K-Kuya." he called me, clearly trembling in fear.
"Keifer." His voice still gets to me. "You left your younger brother behind?" he asked with a smirk.
"What do you want?" I tried my best to hide my anger. Seeing him always pushes me to the edge of losing my sanity. I clenched my fist, ready to punch him in the face.
Damn this!
"Visiting my sons." He looked at me, then at Keigan who stood behind me. "You're taller now than the last time we met."
"If you have nothing to say. Please leave." I pointed my index finger at the door.
He chuckled while shaking his head. "So disrespectful. Is that how you greet your father?"
You don't deserve any respect from me.
"Why don't you sit down and let's have a little chitchat?" He pointed to the sofa beside him using a... gun.
Honey held onto my arm. I heard Keigan gasp. I tried my best not to look away from him.
He's really a monster. He didn't even think that what he's doing would scare Keiren.
"You don't want to? Okay, let's talk like this." He leaned back and crossed his legs. "So, I heard you're under training for the CEO position." He chuckled bitterly. "Seems like you're more useful to me than your siblings."
He pointed the gun at me and mimed pulling the trigger. All three—Keigan, Keiren, and Honey—gasped.
He laughed at their reactions. Keiren silently cried while looking at me, begging to be saved. I can't act recklessly or he might turn his anger toward Keiren.
"Tell me, my son. No one can stop the transfer of inheritance to you now, right?" He smiled wickedly. "Not even your older brother?"
"O-older brother?" Keigan asked, stepping forward. "It's a hoax. A fake rumor."
He laughed. "Maybe, or maybe not."
He stood and approached Keiren. I immediately moved to intercept him but my legs just weren't fast enough.
He grabbed my brother by the hair. I could see Keiren shaking as he quietly continued crying.
"Take good care of your brothers. Don't ever take your eyes off them. Who knows what might happen." He smiled and let him go.
Keigan and Honey quickly stepped out of his way. I rushed to Keiren and embraced him tightly as we watched the monster leave. As soon as he stepped out the door, Keiren broke down and cried hard.
"Kuya! He's going to take me! I don't want to go with him!"
"No! I won't let that happen." I said while holding him tight.
Why is this happening to me?What did I do to deserve this kind of punishment?