Jay-jay's POV
I'm scared to enter the house. I feels like death itself was waiting behind the door, holding it's scythe in hand. Then he'd suddenly whisper, "Welcome Home."
Oh, damn! I don't think I can handle it.
"Want—"
"DEATH!" I screamed, cutting off whatever Yuri was about to say.
Both he and Keifer looked at me like I was some kind of lunatic. I responded with an awkward smile and grimace.
"Look, if you're scared of Angelo, I'll go inside with you," offered the King of Snakes.
"That's what I was about to say," Yuri said.
I secretly bit my lip. Honestly, they should've gone home already. But they refused to leave until they were sure I'd be okay with Kuya Angelo.
That's not going to happen.
My phone buzzed with a text message, and my anxiety spiked when I saw it was from my brother.
From: Kuya Angelo
Message:Alvin said your whole section is absent. Please... if you read my messages, call me.
At this point, I knew he was worried. Guilt hit me fast. I'm used to him being angry at my antics, not like this, worrying about me.
I didn't call him like he asked, but I did send a text saying I was on my way home. I took a deep breath before hitting send.
I glanced at the house gate for a moment before turning to Yuri and Keifer.
"I-I'm okay now. I'll head inside," I told them, and they nodded.
I opened the car door, but before I could step out, they got out first. "We'll wait here for a while in case something happens," Keifer said.
I just nodded and walked toward the house gate. I glanced back at them one more time before finally going in. My steps were slow and cautious as I approached the front door.
Tita Gema was the first person I saw, sitting on the sofa, visibly anxious.
"T-Tita." I called her softly, and she immediately turned around.
"Jay-jay!" she exclaimed, quickly standing to envelop me in a hug. "Where have you been? You had us so worried."
I hugged her back tightly. I thought she was still mad at me. Somehow, my fear eased a little.
"Don't ever do that again. Your mom might kill us if she finds out you went missing." She teased, flashing a small smile.
But her smile quickly faded when she saw someone enter the door. I turned to look, and there was Keifer, slightly bowing his head, greeting me with his presence.
"Good morning—"
He didn't get to finish his sentence because of the loud slap from Aunt Gema. I covered my mouth in shock.
"You've got some nerve!" She gave him another slap. "What did you do to my niece?!"
I immediately stepped forward to stop her, but both of her hands were already gripping Keifer's shirt.
"Tita... H-he didn't do anything." I said, but it was like she didn't hear me.
"What did you do to Jay-jay?! Huh?!" she screamed hitting Keifer with one of her hands. "You're just like your father! You're shameless too! Animals!"
"Tita!" I yelled, trying to pull her away.
I could see the anger in her eyes as tears streamed down her face. I couldn't understand what she was saying or why she even mentioned Keifer's father.
Keifer didn't fight back or say anything to Tita Gema. He just kept his head down, quietly accepting the hits and slaps. I couldn't help but feel hurt seeing it.
"Tita! That's enough!" I shouted while holding onto her, trying to pull her away.
"You shameless people! You weren't satisfied with ruining my life, and now you're dragging my nephew into it!"
"MA!" Kuya's voice thundered from behind Keifer.
I let go of my hold on Aunt Gema and looked at my brother, silently pleading.
Tita Gema released Keifer and turned to my brother. "Call the police! Have this animal arrested!"
I couldn't help but cry when I saw the tears still flowing down Tita's face. Kuya quickly embraced her.
"Sshh... Nothing happened. Jay-jay is okay," Kuya Angelo said softly.
I looked at Keifer, wiping the blood from his lip caused by Tita's strong slap. I wanted to approach him and apologize, but I was afraid Tita might go beserk and Kuya might get angry.
"No! Have him locked up!" Aunt Gema insisted.
"Ma, Keifer is not him. Please..." my brother almost whispered.
"I'll be the one to call—!"
"MA! STOP!" Kuya's shout stopped Tita in her tracks.
I instinctively stepped back out of fear. His tone was angry, but I could feel the pain in it. I could feel that he didn't want Tita to be like this.
He was hurting.
I turned to the door when I saw Yuri behind Keifer. It looked like he had figured out what had happened.
My eyes met with the King of the Snakes. He smiled to say that everything was fine. But that's not how I felt. It hurt to see him just quietly accepting all the pain as if there was nothing he could do about it.
He could've made up an excuse. He could've said Kuya ordered it and it just so happened that we had to stay longer. He could've lied.
But why did you just accept it?
"Jay," Kuya called, making me flinch slightly. "Ask them not to leave."
I wiped my tears before nodding. I watched him help Tita into her room. I waited until they were out of sight before approaching the two who were still standing by the door.
"H-he said don't leave yet."
Yuri smiled and nodded.
"I have no plan to," the idiot answered smugly. ""I'm going to formally propose marriage."
Both Yuri and I both winced at him.
"Are you out of your mind?" I asked, annoyed.
"No. I'm taking responsibility for you," he said casually. "That's why your Tita is so furious. It'd be a waste for her to be this angry if I don't do anything about it."
Lunatic!
Yuri and I exchanged glances, and I knew we both wanted to punch this idiot.
"You know. You're such a jerk," I said and turned my back on him, heading to my room.
I'm not stupid—I knew he was just joking to lighten the mood. But I couldn't shake the image--of him taking all those Tita's slaps and harsh words. My chest tightened every time I thought about how we couldn't do anything to correct her misunderstanding.
I passed by Tita's room, where the door was slightly ajar. She was lying on the bed while Kuya talked to her. A maid was inside, holding a glass of water.
I chose not to intrude on their conversation for now. I didn't know the full story, but bits and pieces came back to me as I overheard Tita's words.
Mama and Tita Gema knew the Watsons because Mama had mentioned them once. But now, it was clear Tita Gema knew Keifer's father. Based on what she said, she had a bad experience with them.
They ruined Tita's life.
When I got to my room, I tidied up my things before changing. I sat on the bed, staring blankly, hugging my knees. I didn't like the thoughts swirling in my mind. Why did it feel like there was something deeper that happened back then? I wanted to know the truth, but I couldn't just ask Tita or Kuya. I didn't even know if Keifer knew anything.
I bit my lower lip before standing up and heading out of the room. I planned to go back to Keifer in the living room, but I stopped when I saw Kuya talking to them. And it looked like a very serious conversation.
I wanted to get closer to listen, but I knew Kuya would have my head if I did that. So I settled for watching them from a distance until Yuri and Keifer left.
I didn't even get to talk to them.
I jumped in surprise when I saw Kuya Angelo staring at me.
"K-Kuya..."
"Let's talk," he said, walking straight ahead.
I followed him until he entered his room. He sat on the swivel chair in front of his study table. I sat on the bed.
"Did I tell you to sit?"
Right. Just stand. I stood up again, nervously playing with my nails. My heart was pounding so hard it felt like it would jump out of my chest.
"Where did that idiot take you?" he asked seriously.
Straight to the point.
"T-to... the island..."
He fell silent for a moment, thinking. I felt like he was imagining ways to punish me. Maybe he was thinking about what we could've done there. Maybe he thought we were up to all sorts of nonsense. Maybe he pictured us running along the shore, holding hands.
We didn't do anything like that! My brother always thought the worst. I needed to clear things up and tell him we didn't do anything bad or regrettable.
"What did—"
I immediately knelt and clasped my hands together, closing my eyes tightly as I begged.
"We didn't do anything, Kuya! Please believe me! I was mad at him, so he couldn't even get close to me properly, and then that idiot slipped on some rocks by accident! We slept next to each other, but he couldn't do anything because I kicked his reindeer! I pushed temptation away! He didn't do anything!" I blurted out without giving my brother a chance to speak.
I opened one eye to peek at him and his serious gaze greeted me.
"Wow. Thanks for letting me know," he said, sounding almost sarcastic.
I stood up, bowing my head. "N-nothing happened really, Kuya. He's been asking for my forgiveness, so he wouldn't dare do anything stupid."
"But you literally slept together."
I swallowed hard. "I-I didn't allow him to, but I woke up with him next to me."
"That cunning asshole," he muttered, though I still heard it. "If I find out he did anything to you while you were asleep, I'll cut his future short."
Reindeer?
Caretaker and Watcher will never happen now. Should I be sad?
"You can go to school tomorrow. You have no afternoon class because of your absence. Alvin will talk to your teachers," my brother said, about to turn away.
"Can I ask something, Kuya?" I stopped him.
He nodded, signaling me to go ahead.
"Why did you tell Keifer not to let me come home last Friday?"
I already knew the answer, but I was hoping he'd tell me the truth. That he'd say Papa was here and looking for me.
But it seems like they really have no intention of telling me.
"There was a visitor last Friday. And they requested to let you help him," he answered.
I wanted to curse and get angry at him. I wanted to confront him and force them to admit the real reason. I couldn't understand why they were keeping the truth from me.
"I-Is that so?" was all I could say.
He looked at me as if he was studying me. "Make sure you never did anything with Keifer. I'm telling you! You'll end up in a convent!"
"Oh, they wouldn't accept me there!"
He glared at me, then took off his house slipper and raised it like he was going to hit me. I immediately bolted out of his room.
I really thought it was my funeral today. Good thing he still had some mercy on me. But I'm sure my brother is just waiting for the right time. He'll pick a fight with me any moment now.
I'll be ready for it.
I was planning to visit Aunt Gema, but she might still be resting. So I just went back to my room and lay down. Exhaustion eventually pulled me into sleep.
I woke up in the evening just in time for dinner, but everyone had already eaten—I was the only one who hadn't. While I was in the kitchen reheating the food, Aries suddenly walked in.
"Hey…" he greeted me.
"Yes, yes, yow," I replied, and he immediately gave me a sharp look.
"H-hey…"
"Where did that jerk take you?" he asked while getting a glass.
"To an island."
"You didn't see Percy?"
I shook my head. "Not yet. Why?"
He coughed lightly before pouring water and drinking. I suddenly remembered the text messages he sent me.
"By the way, what were your messages about?"
"U-uh… Don't meet with him yet."
Even you?
I wanted to get mad because they were all ganging up on me again. Keeping secrets. They didn't know I already had a clue about the reason for all this chaos.
"I can't promise that."
He didn't say anything more. He just put the glass in the sink, turned around, and left. I could only watch him go. I knew the reason he didn't want me to meet Percy had something to do with Papa, but I still couldn't figure out what his text messages meant. It was like he was afraid of something.
I thought about getting my phone and rereading some of his texts. He really sounded like he was begging me to listen to his explanation. I had a feeling he knew Percy was going to tell me something.
Tsk! What's this all about now?
I couldn't help but feel nervous and think about his messages. And because I was so lost in thought, I nearly burned the food I was reheating.
I really thought the kitchen was going to go up in flames again because of me. My brother didn't scold me for not coming home, but he'd definitely roast me alive for burning the kitchen.
I ended up making the sign of the cross out of nowhere. I quietly ate alone in the kitchen, but while doing so, I decided to send a text message to my blue-eyed sibling.
To: Percing…
Message:Yow, wazzup?
I waited for the idiot to reply, but I didn't get anything back from him. I finished eating and washing the dishes, but still nothing. I wasn't planning to wait any longer, but just when I was about to head back to my room, the reply I'd been waiting for finally came.
From: Percing…
Message:My pretty-pretty sistah, I'm outside your maderpaking house.
I cringed at his words but hurried outside anyway. I made sure not to make any noise, even when opening the small gate.
I looked around for the jerk, and thankfully, he didn't park too far from the house. I ran toward his car like a thief and quickly got inside. I couldn't forget that there were still threats against me.
"Wazzup, baby sistah," he greeted me with a wide grin.
The idiot looked fresh as hell. His hair was slicked back, like it was slathered with gel or hair wax.
"You look ugly. Why are you dressed like that?"
He looked at me in shock, as if I'd said something offensive. He clutched his chest and his mouth formed an exaggerated 'o.'
"Rude!" he shouted and lightly slapped me.
"Oww!" I complained and slapped him back.
Mine was stronger, though, so he winced dramatically
"You're an idiot."
"That hurt! You're ruining my handsome face!" he said while checking his reflection in the mirror.
"I'm asking you, why are you dolled up like that?" I asked, my voice laced with irritation.
He took a small comb from the glove compartment and started fixing his hair and even his eyebrows.
What a clown.
"I asked Freya out on a date," he began. "You know, trying to get a second chance."
I nodded.
"But the moment I reached her doorstep..." He shook his head. "She wouldn't even let me in. Said I was 'too handsome' for their house."
I forced a laugh. "Are you drunk? That joke's lame."
He faked a laugh too. "My handsomeness is no joke."
We both fake-laughed, each trying to outdo the other until he suddenly choked—and that's when my laughter became real.
"Damn you."
"Ow..." he said, rubbing his neck before coughing slightly.
Honestly, I felt bad for him. Freya had rejected him countless times, but he still wouldn't give up. I wanted to tell him to stop, but the one time I tried, his eyes quickly turned so sad.
I didn't want to see him like that, so I just let him be.
"Is that the only reason you're dressed like that?" I asked, and he forced a smile.
"I was also planning to introduce her to Mother."
I froze and stared at him. If his mom was here, that meant my dad really was around too.
I quickly buckled my seatbelt, which made Percy frown.
"Take me to Papa," I ordered, but he didn't move.
"I could… if you're ready for the Jeana and Jaspher showdown. A war of vicious words and slaps with wads of cash."
I frowned. "What? What are you talking about?"
He scratched his head. "I really don't know what happened, but you can't meet him yet until your mom agrees."
"Why? Can't I just see him for a little while? They wouldn't even know," I said irritably, with a hint of pleading.
"Just try to understand. Your dad respects your mom's wishes. He doesn't want any trouble either. If he insists on seeing you, it might spark a little war," he explained.
Annoyed, I unbuckled my seatbelt. I wanted to cry out of frustration. I sighed heavily several times until I felt Percy's hand on my shoulder.
"Just be patient a little longer. Sooner or later, you'll meet your Daddey,"
I couldn't help but chuckle at the way he said "Daddey", with a bit of flirty tone.
I really had no choice but to endure not seeing him yet. I was grateful that he and Keifer were doing what they could and helping me be patient until the day I finally meet him.
"For now, settle for these gifts," Percy said, letting go of me and reaching into the back seat.
He handed me two paper bags filled with expensive chocolates and candies. I looked through them one by one and tasted some.
We talked about our plans for the coming days.
Unfortunately, my brother had forbidden him from coming near me too, which explained why he decided to see me tonight. We also talked about what our dad looked like, and I couldn't help but feel even more excited.
"I was supposed to give those to Freya," he said, pretending to pout.
"Good thing you didn't," I teased.
He pouted even more, and I suddenly remembered what I had found out about Freya. I wanted to ask him about it, but I figured he might not know either. He had been gone for a long time and only recently came back. I decided to keep my mouth shut.
After a few hours of talking, we said our goodbyes.
I returned to the house, and just as I was about to open the gate, I froze when I couldn't get it open. I tried to peek inside and felt a wave of fear when I saw that all the lights were off.
Oh no! I got locked out.