JAY-JAY'S POV
I'm afraid to enter the house. I feel like death is waiting at the door, holding his scythe, whispering, "Welcome home."
Oh, putcha! I don't think I can handle this.
"Want—?"
"DEATH!" I shouted, cutting off Yuri's words.
He and Keifer looked at me as if I were crazy.
I responded with a nervous smile and a grimace.
"Look, if you're scared of Angelo, I'll go inside with you," said the King of Serpents.
"That's exactly what I was about to say," Yuri added.
I secretly bit my lip. They should have been home a while ago, but they refused to leave until they were sure I'd be okay with Kuya Angelo.
That won't happen.
My phone vibrated with a text message. My heart pounded when I saw it was from Kuya.
📩
From: To Angelo
Message: Alvin said your whole section was absent. Please… if you read my messages, call me.
At that moment, I knew he was worried. Guilt quickly washed over me. I was more used to him being angry over my silly antics than seeing him this concerned.
I didn't call him like he wanted, but I sent a text letting him know I was on my way home. Taking a deep breath, I hit send.
I stared at the house gate for a moment before turning to Yuri and Keifer.
"O-okay. I'm going in now," I told them, and they nodded.
I opened the car door, but before I could step out, they got out of the car too.
"We'll wait here for a while in case something happens," Keifer said.
I simply nodded and walked toward the gate. I glanced back at them before finally stepping inside. I took slow, hesitant steps toward the front door.
The first person I saw was Aunt Gema, sitting on the sofa, clearly anxious.
"T-Tita…" I called softly. She immediately turned around.
"Jay-jay!" she exclaimed, rushing over to hug me tightly. "Where have you been? You worried us!"
I hugged her back just as tightly. I thought she would still be mad at me, but her embrace eased some of my fear.
"Don't ever do that again. Your mom will kill us if she finds out you were gone," she joked with a small smile.
But her smile quickly disappeared when she saw who had just entered the house.
I turned around and saw Keifer standing there, bowing slightly. "Good morning—"
He couldn't finish his sentence before Aunt Gema slapped him hard across the face.
I covered my mouth in shock.
"You have the nerve!" She slapped him again. "What did you do to my nephew?!"
I immediately stepped forward to stop her, but she had already grabbed Keifer by the collar.
"Auntie… H-he didn't do anything," I stammered, but she didn't seem to hear me.
"What did you do to Jay-jay?! Huh?!" she screamed, hitting him again. "You're just like your father! Shameless! Just like him! An animal!"
"Aunt!" I yelled, trying to push her away.
I could see the fury in her eyes as tears streamed down her face. I didn't understand what she was saying or why she had mentioned Keifer's father.
Keifer didn't fight back or say a word. He simply bowed his head, silently accepting the blows. Seeing him like that made my heart ache.
"Auntie! That's enough!" I shouted while hugging her and trying to pull her away.
"You shameless people! Ruining my life and my niece wasn't enough for you? You will regret this!"
"MA!" Kuya's voice thundered from behind Keifer.
I let go of Auntie and turned to look at Kuya, who was speaking.
Aunt Gema pulled away and faced Kuya. "Call the police! Arrest this animal!"
Tears continued to stream down Tita's face as I cried silently. Kuya quickly embraced her.
"Sshh... Nothing happened. Jay-Jay is okay," Kuya Angelo said in a soothing voice.
I looked at Keifer, who was wiping the blood from Tita's strong slap. I wanted to approach him and apologize, but I feared Auntie would lash out again, and Kuya would get angry.
"No! Put him in jail!" Auntie insisted.
"Ma, Keifer is not the one. Please..." Kuya pleaded, his voice barely above a whisper.
"I'm calling—"
"MOM! STOP!" Big Brother's voice boomed, making Auntie freeze.
I backed away in fear. His tone was angry, but I could sense the pain in it. He didn't want Tita to be like this.
He was hurting.
I turned toward the door when I noticed Yuri standing behind Keifer. He seemed to have understood what had happened.
The King of Snakes and I locked eyes. He smiled as if to say everything was fine. But I didn't feel that way. It hurt me to see him simply accepting the pain, as if there was nothing he could do.
He could make excuses. He could say Kuya ordered it, that it was just a coincidence that we took too long. He could lie.
But why was he just accepting it?
"Jay." Kuya's voice startled me. "Tell them not to leave."
I wiped my tears before nodding. I watched as he helped Tita to her room. Once they disappeared, I turned toward the two still standing at the doorway.
"D-don't leave just yet."
Yuri smiled and nodded.
"I have no plans to," he replied smugly. "I'm going to kiss you."
Yuri and I both flinched at him.
"Are you crazy?" I asked, annoyed.
"No. I'm responsible for you," he said as if it were nothing. "That's why your Aunt is so angry. It would be a shame if I didn't do anything about it."
Crazy!
Yuri and I exchanged glances, both of us tempted to punch him.
"You know, you're acting paranoid," I muttered before turning away and heading to my room.
I'm not stupid—I know he was only joking to lighten the mood. But I will never forget the look on his face as he endured Tita's slaps and harsh words. My chest tightened every time I thought about how helpless we were in changing her perception of him.
As I passed Tita's room, I noticed the door was slightly open. She was lying on the bed while Kuya spoke to her. A maid stood nearby, holding a glass of water.
I chose not to interrupt their conversation. I didn't know the full story, but I recalled some things as I listened to Tita's words.
Mama and Aunt Gema knew the Watsons—Mama had mentioned them before. But now, I was certain Aunt Gema knew Keifer's father. Based on what she said, she had a bad experience with them.
They ruined Tita's life.
Once inside my room, I tidied up my things before changing clothes. Sitting on my bed, I hugged my knees, lost in thought.
I hate it when people mess with my mind. Why does it feel like something deeper happened back then? I wanted to know the truth, but I can't ask Tita or Kuya. I'm not even sure if Keifer knows anything.
I bit my bottom lip before standing up and striding out of the room. I intended to go back to Keifer in the living room, but I stopped when I saw Kuya talking to them. They seemed to be having a serious conversation.
I wanted to go over and listen, but I knew I would end up hiding from Kuya if I did. I was content watching them from afar until Yuri and Keifer left.
I didn't even get to talk to them. I was shocked to see Kuya Angelo staring at me.
"K-Kuya..."
"Let's talk," he said before walking away.
I followed him as he entered his room. He sat on the swivel chair in front of his study table, while I sat on the bed.
"Did I tell you to sit down?"
I hesitated before standing up again. Out of nervousness and fear, I started playing with my nails. My heart felt like it was about to jump out of my chest, but I couldn't let it show.
"Where did that freak take you?" he asked seriously.
I was doomed.
"O-on... the island..."
Kuya fell silent for a moment, deep in thought. I could tell he was already imagining ways to punish me. He was probably thinking about what we had done there. Maybe he thought we were running along the beach, holding hands.
But we didn't do anything like that! Kuya had every right to be suspicious, but I needed to make it clear to him that nothing bad had happened—nothing to regret.
"What exactly happened?"
I immediately knelt down, clasping my hands together and closing my eyes in desperation.
"We didn't do anything, Kuya! Please believe me! I was mad at him, so he couldn't even get close to me properly. Then, that idiot had an accident and slipped on a rock! We slept next to each other, but he didn't do anything because I stepped on his—um—reindeer! Believe me, I resisted temptation! He didn't do anything!" I blurted out, one thing after another, without giving Kuya a chance to speak.
I cautiously opened one eye to look at him. His serious expression made my heart race even more.
"Wow. Thanks for the unnecessary details," he said sarcastically.
I straightened up and bowed slightly. "N-no, Kuya... He was asking for my forgiveness, so he wouldn't even think of doing something 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 bastard," he muttered under his breath, but I still heard him. "If I find out he did anything to you while you were asleep, I'll make sure he regrets it the next day."
Reindeer?
Caretaker and Watcher will no longer be a thing. Should I be relieved?
"Come to class tomorrow. You don't have afternoon classes anymore since you missed today's session. Alvin will inform your teachers," he said before turning away.
"Can I ask you something, Kuya?" I stopped him.
He nodded, signaling me to continue.
"Why did you tell Keifer not to take me home on Friday?"
I already knew the answer, but I wanted to hear the truth from him. I wanted him to admit that Papa was here and looking for me. But they never intended to tell me.
"There was a visitor on Friday, and he asked me to let you assist him," he replied.
I wanted to curse and lash out at him. He was lying to my face. Why couldn't he just be honest? I didn't understand why they had to keep the truth from me.
"I see," was all I said.
He studied me for a moment. "Make sure you never do anything with Keifer. I'm warning you—you belong in a convent!"
"I will not be accepted!"
He glared at me before taking off his house slippers, ready to spank me. I immediately ran out of his room. I really thought today would be my downfall. It's a good thing he still had some sympathy for me. But I think Kuya is just waiting for the right time—sooner or later, he will confront me.
I need to prepare myself.
I thought about going to Aunt Gema, but she might be resting. So instead, I went back to my room and lay down. Exhausted, I eventually drifted off to sleep.
I woke up at night for dinner, but they had already finished eating—I was the only one who hadn't eaten yet. While I was in the kitchen heating up my food, Aries suddenly walked in.
"Hey..." he greeted me.
"Yes, yes, yo," I replied, and he immediately shot me a disapproving look.
"H-hey..."
"Where did you disappear to?" he asked while grabbing a glass.
"An island," I answered casually.
"You and Percy haven't met?"
I shook my head. "Not yet. Why?"
He coughed a little before pouring himself some water and drinking it. I suddenly remembered his text messages to me.
"What were your messages about?" I asked.
"W-what... Just don't meet him yet," he said hesitantly.
Are you serious?
I wanted to get angry because they were keeping secrets from me again. They didn't know that I already had a clue about the reason behind all their worries.
"I can't promise that," I said.
He didn't say another word. He just placed his glass in the sink before turning around and leaving. I simply watched him go.
I know the reason he doesn't want me to meet Percy has something to do with Dad, but I still don't understand what his text meant. It was as if he was afraid of something.
I took out my phone and reread some of his messages. It really felt like he was begging me to listen to his explanation. I had a feeling he knew Percy had something important to tell me.
Thank you! But what could it be?
I couldn't help but feel nervous as I thought about his messages. I got so lost in my thoughts that I almost burned the food I was heating.
For a moment, I panicked, thinking I might set the kitchen on fire—again. If that happened, my brother might actually kill me. I didn't get scolded for not coming home earlier, but if I burned the kitchen, I would definitely have to go into hiding.
Thankfully, I caught it just in time.
I quietly ate alone in the kitchen. While doing so, I thought about texting my blue-eyed brother.
To: Percing...
Message: Yo, wazzup?
I waited for his reply, but there was none. I finished my meal, washed the dishes, and still—nothing. I had no intention of waiting forever, but just as I was about to head back to my room, my phone buzzed.
📩
From: Percing
Message: My pretty-pretty sistah, I'm outside your motherfreaking house.
I winced at his message but hurried outside anyway. I made sure to be quiet, even when opening the small gate.
I looked around for him, and luckily, he hadn't parked far from the house. Like a thief in the night, I ran toward his car and slipped inside.
I couldn't help but notice that someone was still trying to act cool.
"Wazzup, baby sistah?" he greeted me with a wide smile.
His silly grin was fresh, and his hair was still neatly styled. Was it slicked back with gel or hair wax?
"You're ugly. Why are you dressed like that?" I teased.
He gasped in shock, as if I had just uttered the most offensive words. He even clutched his chest and made an 'O' with his mouth.
"Naughty!" he exclaimed before lightly slapping me.
"Ouch!" I complained and slapped him back.
My hit was stronger, making him wince.
"That hurt!" he whined. "You're ruining my beautiful face!"
He quickly turned to check himself in the mirror.
"Because you're being asked. Why are you so fine?" My voice carried a hint of annoyance.
He took a small comb from the glove compartment and ran it through his hair and eyebrows.
It looked silly.
"Because I asked Freya out on a date," he began. "You know, trying to get a second chance."
I nodded.
"I was at her doorstep..." He shook his head. "I don't let them in anymore. They say I'm too handsome for their house."
I fake laughed. "You're drunk, aren't you? That joke was terrible."
He also faked a laugh. "My beauty is no joke."
We fake laughed together, pushing each other playfully until he lost his balance and fell. My laughter turned real.
"Tangina."
"Aray..." He winced, rubbing his neck before coughing slightly.
Honestly, I felt sorry for him. Freya had told him multiple times that he had no chance, yet he still wouldn't give up. I wanted to stop him too, but every time I tried, his eyes would instantly darken with sadness.
I didn't want to see him like that, so I just let him be.
"That's the only reason you're all dressed up?" I asked.
He forced a smile. "I also plan to introduce her to Mother."
I froze, staring at him. If his Mother was there, then that meant my Papa was really there too.
"Take me to Papa," I ordered, but he didn't move.
I reached for my seatbelt, surprising Percy.
"You could—if you're ready for the clash between Jeana and Jasper. A war of stingy thrift versus shameless wealth."
I was taken aback. "What? What are you talking about?"
He scratched his head. "I don't really know what happened, but you can't meet him until your mom agrees."
"Why? Can't I see him just for a moment? They won't even know." My voice was laced with frustration and desperation.
"Just try to understand. Your Papa respects your Mama's wishes. He doesn't want any trouble. If he insists on seeing you, it might start a small war," he explained.
Frustrated, I unfastened the seatbelt. I wanted to cry out of sheer irritation. I took several deep breaths until I felt Percy's arm wrap around my shoulders.
"Just be patient. Sooner or later, you'll meet your Daddey."
I let out a soft laugh at the way he exaggerated "Daddey," making it sound like candy. I really had no choice but to endure not seeing him.
Still, I was grateful that Percy and Keifer were there, finding ways to support me as I waited for the day I'd finally meet my father.
"For now, just accept the welcome gifts," Percy said, letting go of me to grab something from the backseat.
He handed me two paper bags filled with expensive chocolates and candies. I inspected each one, tasting a few. As we talked about plans for the next day, I learned that my older brother had also forbidden Percy from seeing me, which was why he chose to show up tonight.
We also talked about what Papa looked like, and I couldn't help but feel excited.
"I was supposed to give that to Freya," Percy said with a smile.
"Good thing you didn't," I replied, annoyed.
He frowned, and I suddenly remembered something I had recently learned about Freya.
I wanted to ask Percy about it, but I hesitated. Maybe he didn't know either. He had been gone for a long time and only returned occasionally. It was best to keep my mouth shut.
After talking for hours, we finally said our goodbyes.
I walked back to the house, but as I reached the gate, I stopped. It wouldn't open. I peeked inside and felt a wave of unease. The lights were off.
Damn it! They locked me out.