JayJay POV
I'm grateful that Kuya's hands were quick. He immediately snatched the envelope from me and hid it from Mama.
He looked like a snatcher.
Could Kuya have been a snatcher before? He has so many side hustles—I wouldn't be surprised if that was one of them.
"This is nothing. It's just from Jay's school," he said calmly while looking at Mama and Aunt Gema.
"Alright. As I said, call the police." That was Mama's only response before turning around and going inside the house.
"Don't forget, Angelo," Aunt Gema added before following Mama.
As soon as they left, Percy bombarded us with questions. He was worse than a cop interrogating a criminal—his spit was even flying everywhere.
Should I flick his throat?
"What is that? What's inside? Why did you suddenly turn pale, Jay? Is something bad happening again? Do you have another enemy?"
I couldn't answer. Only one thought ran through my mind. Of the three people seeking revenge on us, only one remained.
Ram with no jam.
Sato was gone. Jason had disappeared without a trace. Now, only Ram still held a grudge against me—unless, of course, there were more people secretly out to get me. But as far as I knew, I hadn't made any more enemies. Well, aside from those random gangsters hanging around.
That was their fault. I was minding my own business.
"Jay, go back to your room," Kuya ordered, then pointed at Percy. "And you, come with me."
I didn't get a chance to protest as they both turned their backs on me.
I sighed and went inside the house, heading straight to my room. I searched for my phone. I knew I had to tell Keifer what had happened. But aside from that, I couldn't get those pictures out of my head.
I kept my message short—otherwise, he might not get it. I knew he read my texts, but sometimes, I don't know what's up with him. His brain works slow sometimes.
That's another thing about him. He's ridiculously handsome, but his mind runs slow, or he's just plain deaf.
It still frustrates me when I remember how many times I had to tell him we were already together. It's enough to make me lose interest in dating the idiot.
So we're just going with the flow now. Whatever happens, happens.
If someone asks about our relationship, I'll just make something up. Maybe I'll say we have a master-servant dynamic—he's the boss who pays me, and I'm the lowly worker. As long as they don't pester me about it, I won't make a fuss.
I reread my text to make sure I included all the details, but I ended up deleting and retyping it because my wording was still off. In the end, out of frustration and exhaustion, I just sent a short message.
To: King_bingi
Message: n@San f0oDs QoUh? mUnt!k n@ Qou ma-k!DnAp.
(Where's my food? I almost got kidnapped.)
I nearly laughed at my new contact name for him. I've changed his name so many times. Next time, I might just list them all down like a checklist. Or maybe I'll give him a legendary nickname in my contacts.
As expected, he called immediately, and I answered right away.
"What happened? Were you hurt?" he asked right off the bat.
"Not really. Where's my food?"
Priorities. Almost getting kidnapped makes you hungry.
"Does your cousin know what happened?" he asked again.
"He knows. He sent me straight to my room. There was also an envelope with pictures of me and a message on the back. What time are you sending my food?"
"Another threat? I'll talk to your cousin about this."
"There's something I noticed in the pictures." I hesitated. Maybe I was just imagining things. Maybe the pictures were taken without us noticing.
"Is there something wrong? Is there an inappropriate shot of you?" he asked worriedly.
"N-No, nothing like that. Maybe I'm just overthinking. Just send my food—you promised."
I heard him chuckle slightly. "Yes, I will."
I said goodbye and ended the call. I needed to take a closer look at those pictures. Maybe I was just imagining things.
But if the pictures were taken of just us… who took them? It's not like there was a traitor among us. It would be impossible. Maybe they just got those pictures from the Ulupong gang's social media posts.
Some of them love posting, even if our faces are blurred. They still get likes anyway.
I opened Facebook and searched for Section E's account. I checked each of their posts, but I didn't find anything that matched the pictures I received. I also checked their Instagram and Twitter—still nothing.
That means the pictures were taken without our knowledge.
But who took them?
I couldn't recall anyone being around us that we didn't know.
I didn't want to think that one of the Ulupong members was taking the pictures and sending them to Ram. They all knew what I went through with him. Why would they do something that could put me in danger again?
Unless they wanted to see me snap again.
But seriously—who was it?
Could it be me? Did I take the pictures and send them to Ram myself? What kind of twisted joke would that be?
No matter how much I tried to deny it, all signs pointed back to the Ulupong gang.
I wanted to roll around in frustration. I felt so guilty for suspecting them.
I sulked in my room for hours until I heard Aunt Gema calling me. I quickly ran outside and bumped into Mama in the living room.
"Someone delivered food. They said it's for you," she said, giving me a look.
There was something off about the way she was staring at me, so I couldn't help but ask, "Why are you looking at me like that?"
"What have you been doing with your life? Why are you always getting into trouble?" There was worry in her voice, but she was clearly trying to mask it with annoyance.
Beats me. Trouble just keeps finding me.
"I don't know. Maybe it's because I want to see Dad—so just let me meet him already, and maybe I'll stop getting into trouble," I said with a grin.
She rolled her eyes and turned away. I thought my excuse would work. Nope—she's tougher than a rock. I should call my mom The Rock.
I headed straight to the kitchen, figuring that's where they placed the food.
I was right. But when I got there, Kuya Angelo and Percy were already devouring my food like they were the ones who ordered and paid for it. Kuya even had one foot up on the chair.
That's mine! I hope you choke on it.
"Oh, here it is," Kuya said, shifting his seat so I could come closer. They had already opened a box of pizza and a tray of lasagna. They were both chewing in sync.
"This is mine. Why are you eating it?" I asked, irritated.
"As if you're gonna run out," Percy said before taking another bite of pizza.
I glared at him. They could've at least waited for me before digging in.
Good thing I was too pleased with what the King of Ulupong had sent, or else I would've stayed mad. Three boxes of pizza, plus trays of lasagna, carbonara, and baked mac.
He really knows what I like.
Could it be that our brains are now connected?
It probably wasn't. Otherwise, he would've known that I had answered him a long time ago.
"Did you tell Keifer what happened?" my older brother asked as he walked toward the fridge.
"Yeah," I answered without looking at him.
"No wonder he rushed over here."
I turned to Percy because of what he said. That idiot rushed over here?
I raised my hand to hit him, but he dodged. "You're the one who rushed over."
"He delivered the food you're eating," my cousin clarified.
I looked at all the food in front of me. He personally brought them, but why didn't he show himself to me? He was already here—he could've at least greeted me.
Where did he go?
"Where is he? Why didn't he show himself to me?" I asked, slightly annoyed.
My brother seemed to notice my tone, so he gave me a sharp look. I immediately avoided his gaze and scratched the back of my ear.
"Was he required to show himself to you?" he asked irritably.
I shook my head and discreetly took a bite of the gingerbread I had picked up.
"Sis, I already bit that."
Oh, crap!
I froze mid-chew and glared at my stepbrother. I ended up spitting it out. I was about to throw it at him.
"Why was it still on the tray if you already bit it?" I asked in annoyance.
"My plate was full, so of course, I put it back there first. How was I supposed to know you'd grab it?"
Annoyed, I placed the gingerbread back on his plate—along with the part I spat out—which he immediately complained about.
"That's disgusting," he grumbled, removing what I put there. "Now it's got your germs!"
Oh, so now I have germs?
"You're so thick-skinned!"
I moved away from him to grab a plate and fork. I glanced at my brother, who was still giving me a sharp look, as if I was always up to no good in his eyes.
Unless… my pranks count as something bad. Would a dead lizard in someone's bag count?
"Be honest with me. What other nonsense have you done, and why is that Ram guy so mad at you?" he accused.
"You—you already know what I did to him, don't you?"
I couldn't help but get nervous at his tone. Even though I knew I hadn't done anything else wrong, I still felt like I was some terrible person.
Here we go again.
"What else?"
"Nothing else," I answered calmly.
There were just days when my brother was extra suspicious, like he always thought he was being deceived. Does he have trauma from being lied to?
I looked at Percy, who was glaring at my brother. He took a sip from the glass he was holding but never took his eyes off our cousin.
"Why do you sound like that, Boss?" Percy asked seriously.
I don't know why, but the tone of his voice made me uneasy. I've said it many times—when Percy gets serious, something's up.
Maybe I'm just too used to his playful nature. Or maybe he's just normally corny.
"I just want to make sure she's not hiding anything from me."
"She already answered that a long time ago. If you need more information, ask Keifer or Yuri. They knew Ram first."
He and my brother stared at each other. Unlike Keifer, though, I didn't see any challenge in Percy's eyes. He was calm but clearly wouldn't back down if things escalated.
Too calm.
My brother looked at me again, and I instinctively stepped away. He might lash out at me again, and I wasn't ready—I was hungry.
"I want you to be honest so I can help you. So, I hope you're not hiding anything else," he told me before walking out of the kitchen.
I grimaced. I was hiding a lot from him—like the chocolates that kept disappearing from their fridge every night. I knew exactly who was taking them, but of course, it wasn't me.
Before he could leave completely, Percy added, "You're pushing her away. What you're doing is suffocating."
My brother didn't answer and left for good. I turned to Percy and pulled his ear.
"Ouch… What's wrong with you?" he asked, irritated.
"Don't start a fight here at home."
I was the one afraid of what he did, yet he grinned widely at me.
"As if I'd start a fight with Angelo. If I did, I'd rather throw myself back into that cliff I fell off."
I smacked him. Did he forget that he almost died falling off that cliff? And now he's joking about it?
"Why?"
"Stop joking about what happened to you. It was terrifying."
He suddenly laughed. "Oh, so my sister cares about me after all."
He even tried to act cute, but it just made me uncomfortable, so I forced a smile to make him stop. I just grabbed some food and sat beside him. We ate together, occasionally talking.
Lunchtime was over, but the two of us were still in the kitchen.
"Sometimes, I feel like Angelo is too much with you guys," Percy said, making me pause. "It's fine for him to be strict if you did something wrong. I'd do the same if it were Felix and Dalia. But he… he's stricter than a father with his kids."
My brother's harsh words came back to me. Some of them I accepted because I knew I was wrong, but I couldn't help but feel hurt. And when I once told him that he wasn't my father, I remember how it seemed to hurt him.
I don't want to question the way he treats me. He still takes care of me well. He never throws it in my face that they helped and raised me.
There was a time when I even wished he was my real brother. But now, he speaks to me differently.
I don't want to think about it because I feel like I have no right to feel that way about him. He's shown many times that I'm important to them.
"If you ever feel like he's too much and you can't take it anymore, tell me. Even if things get chaotic, I'll take you away from here," he said seriously.
"But of course, only if we're ready for the chaos. Right now, I'm not," he added with a laugh.
I grimaced. Sometimes, I really don't understand how his mind works. Maybe it's because he's so full of hot air that even his own brain couldn't handle it.
We continued talking about my brother. He also told me how they all met—just like how Keifer once told me. He shared his adventures with the four of them and how Felix would sulk because he was rarely home.
I even laughed when he told me how my brother used to carry him by the back of his collar like a puppy.
Percy, the puppy.
Then I suddenly remembered the day Mykeliling beat up Aries at school. My brother showed up, and that's when I first heard Yuri gossiping about him.
"Do you know the story about him setting the school on fire?" I asked my dumb stepbrother, and he thought for a moment.
"Not exactly. That was the time when he started avoiding us."
"He avoided you guys?"
He nodded. "It was like we suddenly didn't exist in his life. Maybe he was just busy back then."
It seems like a lot happened to my brother that they knew nothing about.
Then again, it's not like they could be with him 24/7.
Maybe Aries knows something, but he'd just get mad at me for asking, calling me nosy. Then he'd tattle on me to my brother.
"If you want the real tea, ask Tiger. They were always together back then."
Oh yeah, aside from Sir Alvin, he was also friends with Tiger since high school. But I feel awkward facing him after he and Doctor Claudia came to my brother's unit.
And then I drank glue after they left.
Keigan, I understand you because of your condition, but please, don't ever do that to Keiren again.
We talked about many things—mostly school and my brother. But despite our long conversation, he never once mentioned my dad.
I don't know if he was just being careful or if he genuinely forgot about what happened with me and my father.
I wanted to ask him, but I was worried someone might overhear us and tell Mom. She might get so mad that she won't let Percy come over anymore.
It was already late afternoon when Percy got a text from his real mother, so he had to leave. He almost ran into Aries, who had just gotten home from school, but he seemed to be in a hurry.
"Are you okay?" my horoscope-obsessed brother asked.
Why don't you just predict it?
"I'm fine," I replied with a smile. I was about to turn away to go to my room when he spoke again, making me stop.
"Keifer told me what happened. Are you sure you're okay?"
I blinked. It felt a little strange that Keifer talked to him. I just hope it was a casual conversation and not one that involved them almost fighting.
Wow, they actually talked.
"Yeah, I wasn't hurt."
He nodded. "That's good."
I didn't leave right away. I observed him, and I could see him sigh deeply. He looked exhausted, like he did more than just study and flirt with his girlfriend at school. Maybe he cleaned the entire school. Is he a janitor now?
So many part-time jobs. Aside from fortune-telling, he's also a janitor now. Amazing, just like Kuya Angelo, who has many side gigs. No wonder the rich keep getting richer.
I should find a side job too; maybe I'll get rich. I'll sell food at school, but I might not make a profit because I'd just eat it myself. I could sell cellphone load, but I might end up losing money. My schoolmates are rich; their phone numbers are probably all postpaid. I need to think of another side gig.
"What?" he asked when he noticed what I was doing.
"You and Keifer didn't fight, did you?"
He looked confused by my question. "What makes you think we would fight?"
"Isn't that always what happens when you see each other?"
He laughed. "Didn't we already tell you? For your sake, we're talking again."
Oh, right. They only get along when it involves me. It makes me happy to think they're keeping their word. Because if they can get along now, maybe next time, they'll truly reconcile.
I understand that they might never be the way they were before since so many things have changed, but at least I know they're okay. You can still be friends with someone even if you don't talk too often.
I just nodded at him and went straight to my room. I immediately grabbed my phone. I had messages from Keifer, Yuri, David, and the Ulupong group chat. Most of them were just checking in. Some mentioned Blaster—apparently, he didn't come to school today. Looks like he went to an audition.
But of course, someone also reminded us about the review session tomorrow at Sir Alvin's house. It was obvious no one wanted to go, but they had no choice because Kuya Angelo arranged it.
I almost feel guilty about it.
Kuya really got stressed over a dead lizard