Jay-jay's POV
She's older than Mama — that's what I clearly remember Percy telling me about his mother — but she looks like she's just the same age as Auntie Gema.
I stared at her, mouth slightly open. Now I know what Percy would look like if he were a girl.
She's beautiful.
The maid set down the glasses of juice on the small table between us. Percy's mom smiled and thanked her.
Percy kept grinning at me, and I couldn't tell if he was trying to be cute or just being annoying. The silence was finally broken when he spoke.
"Did you cry?" he asked me.
"U-uh... Something just happened," I answered almost in a whisper.
He looked at Aries, who was standing behind me. He didn't say anything, but I was sure Aries just gave him a sharp glare based on the way Percy pouted.
Percy's mom cleared her throat slightly to get my attention.
"I'm Reycee, Percy's mother and your father's wife," she introduced herself. "Since I'm your stepmother, you can call me Mom."
Wow. Fancy.
I heard Mama gasp and give an irritated laugh. I glanced at her sitting beside me.
Percy's mom forced a smile. "Or you can call me Auntie if that makes you more comfortable."
"O-okay," I replied shortly.
Once again, we all fell into silence. It was so quiet you could almost hear crickets chirping. I knew my brother Angelo was getting impatient to address the real reason for this visit, but he was trying to stay polite.
Auntie Gema must have reached her limit, too, because she finally broke the silence.
"Mrs. Mariano, may we know the real reason for your visit — or why you're here for Jay-jay?"
She smiled, looking pleased that someone had finally asked her.
I was also itching to know.
"I'm here to invite you all to dinner at our house. Jasfher wants to finally meet his children."
My forehead creased. Children? I glanced at my body, wondering if I had an unknown twin attached to me.
But never mind that — I clearly heard that my dad wanted to see me, and I wanted to see him just as badly. This was the moment I'd been waiting and wishing for.
"Why? Should I agree to this?" Mama asked irritably.
"Jeana... It's been so long. My father-in-law is also seriously ill. You have no reason to keep them away from him," she pleaded, and I started to think.
So my grandfather was still alive. It had never been clear to me whether he was dead or just out of the picture. My sibling's stories were always so confusing.
"Oh, I have my reasons. My connection to your so-called husband ended long ago," Mama said sharply. "After he deceived me — promised marriage, only for me to find out he was already married! He had the nerve to swear he'd fight for me and start a family with me! Where are all those promises now? That bastard! I had to fake marrying someone else just so his father would leave me alone—" She suddenly stopped when she realized we were all staring at her.
Why did she sound so bitter?
Something in her words stood out to me. What did she mean by faking a marriage? And why did she need to escape my grandfather? I knew that old man didn't like us, but what had he done to make Mama so furious with their family?
I held Mama's arm. "Ma... I've wanted to see Papa for so long. Can't you let me?"
"You don't know what that family did to me," she answered, still annoyed.
"Don't make things harder for the child. Let her be with her father," Percy's mom pleaded.
"Yes, agree, agree," Percy chimed in.
It was clear that Mama was standing firm and wouldn't allow us to meet. I wanted to cry from the way she was keeping me from my father.
What a waste of a chance. Percy wouldn't have to take me to New York just to see Papa. I wouldn't have to wait until I was old enough to go on my own. I could meet him now — but I couldn't, because Mama was so against it. It was obvious she was still bitter about their love story that ended in heartbreak.
She couldn't move on.
"Maybe it's best if we take some time to think this over," Auntie Gema suggested, and Percy's mom nodded.
I bit my lower lip. I wanted to go with them. I wouldn't even mind living with them, as long as I got to see Papa.
Percy's mom placed something on the table in front of us — a calling card. Mama snatched it up and crumpled it in her hand.
Percy winced at the sight but forced a smile at me before they stood up.
"Please, Jeana. Call me," Percy's mom requested before turning to me with a gentle smile. "We'll be going now." She looked at Aries. "Your car will be sent here — I hope you'll like it."
My neck nearly snapped as I whipped around to look at my brother behind me.
What car?
"Shit," Aries muttered under his breath — but I still heard it.
I stood up quickly as they walked out of the house. Auntie Gema and Kuya Angelo escorted them out. Once they were gone, Mama and Aries disappeared, too.
I didn't know who to follow first. If my knee hadn't started aching again, I probably would've run around the whole house.
My decision was made when I saw Aries heading into his room. He was the first one I needed to talk to.
"Aries!" I called out like I was picking a fight.
I slammed his door open, and it looked like he already knew why I was there.
"Why are they giving you a car? What does that even mean?" I asked hurriedly.
Why don't I get one?
He took a deep breath. "W-well, it's like this..."
The door suddenly opened again, and Kuya walked in.
"Explain, Aries! What car is she talking about?" Kuya demanded angrily.
My brother ran a hand through his hair in frustration. He looked torn, unsure who to answer first — me or Kuya Angelo.
"Yeah, explain yourself."
Aries glanced back and forth between us. "It's from Papa."
The who?
"Which Papa?" I asked, and the memory of the man who once kidnapped us as kids flashed through my mind.
"Our dad," Aries said, pointing at both of us.
"Why are you calling him Papa? Are you his kid, too?"
He raised an eyebrow at me. "That's what he wants me to call him."
"Why would he—" My question trailed off as something clicked in my head.
"You've been meeting with him?" Kuya demanded.
"Y-you've been seeing Papa?" I echoed in disbelief.
Aries gave a small nod, confirming everything.
Kuya started cursing and scolding him. I fell silent, feeling like I'd been cheated on again. It felt like joining a game where the winner was already decided. I should've been the first one Papa reached out to — but Aries got to meet him first.
It should've been me.
"Since when have you been doing this behind my back?" Kuya asked angrily. "And you really managed to keep this from me?"
"Since I started high school. At first, he was just sending me messages, then he asked to meet up. That's when we started having proper communication."
They'd been talking for that long. He'd been seeing my dad for that long. My mind went back to the one time I saw Papa in a university parking lot.
That's why Aries rushed to drive him away back then. Because they'd already been in touch. They could talk anytime they wanted.
I didn't realize my tears were already falling.
"W-why you? Why did he go to you first? Why not me? I'm his child — he should've contacted me first," I cried. "I've waited so long to see him. I've hoped and waited for so long. And you — you just got one text from him."
I felt their eyes on me, like I was a child throwing a tantrum — but I didn't care how I looked. Even if my face was covered in tears and snot, I just needed to let this pain out.
It should've been me.
"Ask Kuya. He's too strict with you, so Papa couldn't find a chance—"
"DON'T CALL HIM PAPA!" I cut him off. "HE'S MY DAD! NOT YOURS! WE DON'T HAVE THE SAME FATHER!"
"He considers me his child, too! Out of respect, I have the right to call him my father!" Aries shot back, making me even angrier.
I hit him on the chest. Through my blurred vision, I couldn't even see where my punches were landing.
"You're stealing my dad! You're stealing my dad!" I yelled with every strike.
"Ow, Jay. Ow," the person in front of me said.
"Ouch, Jay. Ouch," the person in front of me said. I forced my eyes wide open, and the furrowed brows of Kuya Angelo came into view.
Oh no, I hit the wrong person.
"What's going on here?" Mama's voice came from behind me. I immediately ran toward her.
"Ma! Aries is stealing my father, that son of a bitch!" I said in a rush, almost begging her to punish Aries.
"Calm down! What's happening?"
"It's Aries!"
"I just admit that I have communication with Papa," Aries explained nonchalantly. I cried even harder. Why did it seem like it was nothing to him? That was so important to me.
"Which Papa?"
"Mr. Mariano," Kuya answered.
Mama's eyes widened at Aries. "Why are you talking to that man?" Then she turned to Kuya. "And you just let this happen?"
"I was blindsided." Mama and Kuya argued in front of me. They also scolded Aries, who just kept scratching his head. I wiped my tears several times, but every time I looked at Aries, I cried even more.
No wonder he kept pleading with me when we were on the island. He didn't want me to make assumptions because he was afraid Percy would tell me the truth and I'd get mad at him. Wait a minute—does Percy know, too? That's what Aries was afraid of.
That's why when Papa came home that day, he panicked. I sobbed at my realization. I collapsed to the floor, crying.
"Jay! Quiet down!" Mama shouted at me before going back to arguing with Kuya and Aries. I crawled out of Aries' room, still crying, feeling completely defeated by everything I had learned. Why is it always like this?
"Jay? What's happening to you?" Tita Gema asked as she approached me.
"The floor's dirty. Stand up," she ordered, helping me to my feet. She peeked into Aries' room. Seeing the heated argument inside, she closed the door. She faced me and fixed my hair.
"Stop crying, stop. What happened?" she asked while wiping my face.
"They kept secrets from me again. They made a fool out of me again. I'm smart, but why do they keep doing this to me?" I sniffled.
"Stop crying. Come on, eat something first. Maybe you're just hungry," she said, pulling me toward the dining room. Rude. Here I am, pouring my heart out, and she's offering me food. But of course, I wouldn't refuse. It's bad to turn down blessings.
She sat me down and called a maid to set the table for me. I just stared at them while waiting for the food. Once everything was served, I quietly ate alone. Tita left, probably to go back to Mama and the others in Aries' room.
I wanted to confirm if my thoughts were right—if Percy really knew something. But how would I do that when Kuya had my phone? I didn't know Percy's house either, aside from Felix's place. He probably wouldn't be there since he was with his mom.
There was only one person I knew who might know their address. I quickly finished eating. I hurried outside and, since I had no money, grabbed my bike from the garage. I knew it was risky, but I didn't care. I needed to see my brother who had a twin tornado for a personality.
I left without asking permission and pedaled away. It was a long way, but I could manage. I'd biked to his house before, so I knew I could do it again. It took me about half an hour before I reached my destination.
I was out of breath and thirsty from all that pedaling. I stopped my bike and repeatedly rang the doorbell at Keifer's house. "Come out here, you idiot!" I yelled.
A few moments later, the gate opened, and out came the King of Snakes, looking annoyed.
"Jay?" He looked at me and then around the area. He quickly pulled me inside and brought my bike in, closing the gate behind us.
"Are you alone? What you did was dangerous."
"I need your help. I'll do anything you want in return."
A wide smile spread across his face. "Anything I want?"
"As long as I'm okay with it."
His smile instantly faded. "That's no fun."
"Come on, think about the reward later. Help me first," I pleaded.
"Of course. For you, I'll do anything."
"Take me to Percy's house," I ordered, heading toward his garage.
"To Felix's place?"
I stopped and faced him. "No. To his real house—where my father lives."
He stared at me. "I don't think that's a good idea."
But he said he'd help me. My shoulders slumped. "Why not?"
He approached me and held both my hands. "Okay, to be honest with you, I've been in contact with your dad for quite some time now. I understand now why he hasn't shown himself to you."
I waited for him to continue. So he had talked to my dad.
"He's respecting your mom's decision and is also afraid of her threats."
"Threats? Mama's threats?"
He nodded. "In her anger, your mom made all sorts of threats."
"And Papa was scared of that?"
He nodded again. "I assume it involves her, Aries, and your life."
My legs gave out, and I sank to the floor. Keifer sat down beside me.
"I'm so tired. I just want to be with my father."
He brushed a few strands of hair away from my face and tucked them behind my ear. "Just a little more patience. I know your dad is working on a way to get your mom's approval."
"How much longer do I have to wait?"
"Who knows? Maybe tomorrow or the day after. Just hang on," he said with a reassuring smile and kissed my forehead. "If you really want to see Percy, I'll just call him here." He stood up and helped me up as well.
"What if he doesn't agree?"
"Tss... Remember? I have my ways, and I will always find a way."
It felt like time turned back. He used to treat me like this before. I missed it—him saying those cheesy lines.
He pulled out his phone and called Percy's number. After just a few rings, my stormy brother answered.
"Freya's here, and she's crying," the King of Snakes said and ended the call without waiting for a response.
I blinked in surprise. That easy? Would Percy really come?
"Have some snacks inside," he invited, and I nodded.
When we entered the house, I was surprised. It looked so bright now, far from the dark place it used to be. I also noticed several maids—unlike before when the house felt empty. We headed to the dining area, and I stared at their massive table. It could probably seat a whole village.
"Sit," he ordered, pulling out a chair for me. Once I was seated, he excused himself and went to the kitchen. When he returned, he was followed by maids carrying trays of food. One by one, they placed the dishes in front of me.
"Young Master, your cousin Hazel is on the line," said a man dressed in a white long-sleeve shirt and vest. Was he the butler?
"I'm busy," Keifer replied, and the man simply bowed and left. Keifer turned to me with a smile.
"Eat up."
"How much do your maids get paid? Can I apply?" I asked. I couldn't help but watch the maids—they all had flawless skin and didn't seem overworked. I even saw one wearing pearl earrings, so their salary must be huge.
He laughed loudly. "Why apply as a servant when you can apply to be my wife? All of this could be yours."
I glanced at the food in front of me, then back at him, and nodded.
He quickly grabbed his phone and made a call.
"Hello, Attorney? Can I get married now? Like right now?" he said.
I burst out laughing. "Hey! I was just kidding! Stop that! I'm not even of legal age yet!"
He rolled his eyes and ended the call. Sometimes, I really wondered if he used his brain at all. He was smart—he should just pass some of that intelligence to me. I'll definitely make good use of it.
"Eat already." He ordered, and I did. I started eating while he watched me.
Every now and then, he'd glance at his phone but would quickly turn his eyes back to me.
"Greedy." I heard him comment.
"But you love me." I countered, and he smiled widely.
"Yes, I do." I playfully rolled my eyes at him and went back to eating.
I looked up when he stood and pulled his chair closer to me. "Feed me." He ordered after moving the chair and sitting down.
I threatened him with my fork. "I'll stab you with this."
"Stab me with love." He replied and snatched the fork from me. He joined me in eating.
I didn't notice the time and completely forgot that I hadn't asked for permission to be here. I almost forgot about Percy too, if not for the sound of his voice yelling nonstop.
"Where's Freya? Keifer! Bring Freya out!" We immediately stood up to meet her. We found him by the door, pacing and pressing him phone repeatedly. He only stopped when he saw us.
"Why are you here?" he asked me before facing Keifer. "Where's Freya?"
"There's no Freya, but there's Jay-jay who wants to talk to you."
"You tricked me?" he asked, frowning.
Before their conversation could go any longer, I cut in. "I have something to ask you. And it's important, so prepare your explanation."
He stared at me for a moment. He even held both of my arms as if he was scared. I wanted to laugh at his reaction, but I wanted to hear the truth more than watch his act dramatic in front of me.
"D-did I do something wrong?"