Jay-jay's POV
If my eyes had a mouth, they would've cursed me by now. On top of the layered eyebags, I got another one added. Good thing Tita and Kuya haven't seen me yet, or they'd bombard me with questions again.
"Did something happen?" Ci-N asked.
I shook my head. "N-no... It's nothing..."
He put down what he was carrying and sat beside me. Even though there were no more tears, I kept wiping my eyes.
"Jay... What really happened?" he asked.
"I just found out something about Papa."
"Shouldn't that make you happy?"
I forced a smile. "I am happy... It's just that our situation is complicated." The tears were threatening again.
"It's okay..." He put his arm around me and rubbed my shoulder. "The electricity bill will go down too," he said, making me grimace.
What does that even have to do with anything?
He suddenly burst out laughing. This brat! I'm in the middle of a dramatic moment and he throws in a joke like that.
"S-sorry!" he said between laughs.
I grabbed a pillow and smacked him in the face. He wouldn't stop laughing, so I kept hitting him with the pillow.
"Ouch! W-wait! Stop it!"
How can I stop if he won't stop laughing?
Eventually, we got tired, and I stopped. This annoying brat totally ruined the mood.
"You're the one who's happy," I said, annoyed.
"S-sorry... I'm just not used to seeing you sad," he said, smiling at me.
Honestly, me too. I'm not used to being sad anymore. These crazy people around me are always so cheerful—it's contagious.
Even though what Ci-N said didn't really connect with what I was saying, it still lightened my mood.
"So, what happened on your trip?" I changed the subject.
"U-uh... it went okay," he said, avoiding my gaze.
I suddenly remembered what happened earlier and just smiled to myself. I wasn't sure if I should tease him about it or keep it to myself for now.
"Ahhh..." I said while nodding.
I looked at the stuff he put down earlier before sitting beside me. Two eco bags and a paper bag.
"What's this?" I asked, opening one of the eco bags.
Food!
There's so much! Looks like this guy went grocery shopping. Then I opened the paper bag. It was full of magazines. I picked one up and looked through it.
Condo unit? Penthouse? Apartment?
What is this? It looks like brochures for places to live, with estimated prices at the end of each page.
"Why do you have these?" I asked Ci-N, who was currently changing clothes.
"My sister gave them to me... She said I can choose one. She's getting me a place."
"Huh? Getting you a place? Why?" I asked, confused.
He looked serious while staring at the one I was holding.
"I can't go home anymore. And my parents want me to mature. They think this is the solution," he explained.
WTF?!
Did they forget Ci-N is only fourteen years old? What do they mean "mature"?
Do they seriously think this is a great idea?
I suddenly felt sad. I thought we'd just laugh and tease each other about what happened earlier, but it seems like his trip brought bad news.
"What are you planning to do?"
"I don't know. But maybe this is for the best. Nothing new, really, since I always felt like I was alone at home anyway. Except, of course, for all the maids I could boss around and prank," he said, forcing a smile.
I felt sorry for him. He's too young to be experiencing this. Too young to be living on his own.
"I have a favor to ask, Jay," he said.
"What is it?" I asked quickly.
I wanted to help him in any way I could.
"Can you apply to be my maid?" he said, flashing a mischievous smile.
What the heck?!
This guy always ruins the moment. I grabbed a pillow and hit him with it again.
I really thought he was going to say something serious.
"Just kidding!" he said.
"You're so annoying... You always ruin the mood." I dropped the pillow and sat beside him.
"When are you moving in? Will someone live with you?"
"Why are you in such a hurry?! Can I choose a place first?!" he said while giving me a death glare.
I just laughed at his expression. Sometimes, this guy's gender is really questionable. If I hadn't seen what I saw earlier, I'd think he's like Mayo and Kit.
Someone knocked on the bedroom door. It opened and Tita Gema peeked in.
"Jay... Let's go. It's dinner time," she invited, smiling.
Ci suddenly stood up and ran outside. Tita just laughed at what he did.
"You, Jay?"
"I'll follow," I said with a smile. Tita nodded and left. I had something to do before I ran to the dining area.
I grabbed my phone, dialed David's number, and waited for him to answer.
"Jay?" he said once he picked up.
"Can I ask you a favor?" I asked.
"About what? Can we talk about it in person?"
"There's no time... Just tell her—"
"I'll come to you. Where are you?" he insisted.
"No! Please, David... Just tell her this." I heard him sigh.
"What do you want me to tell her?"
I held my necklace. "Tell her this... 'If you don't plan on introducing yourself properly to me, then don't ever show up or reach out again.'"
"Got it," he replied and ended the call.
This is for the best. Her actions only confuse me more.
It's obvious she doesn't want to admit what her intentions are or who she really is.
It just hurts.
⸻
David's POV
"I can't blame her," Percy said.
"She almost said your name on the phone. Good thing I cut her off in time."
"It doesn't matter to me. What I care about is Jay-jay. Honestly, I wouldn't mind if Keifer found out we're communicating." He sounded irritated.
"Yeah... But if Keifer finds out, he won't let you get close to Jay-jay."
"I know... I know."
"Just get back here as soon as you can," I said and ended the call.
I didn't know exactly what happened to Jay-jay or why she said those things. But I knew Keifer must've done something that triggered it.
Just last night, she was practically begging me to call Percy. Now, she doesn't even want to hear from him.
Percy...
I want to end my contract with him already. I just hope he comes back soon.
⸻
Percy's POV
I badly wanted to go back. I wanted to see Jay-jay and explain everything to her.
"Sir," someone called. I just looked at him bored.
"Your mom is waiting for you."
When will this end?
I got up and walked to their office. It wasn't far, but it felt like an eternity just getting there.
"Son," my mom called when I opened the door. As expected, Uncle Jasther was there too.
"Can I go back now?" I asked before kissing her cheek.
"You know you can't," Uncle Jasther replied.
Damn it!
I just gave a short nod and waited for their discussion to end.
I stood near the glass window. I could see the cars and people below. They looked like toys and ants from up here.
"Percy... What did your doctor say?" Mom suddenly asked.
"Same old, same old," I answered, bored.
"Did he give you new meds?" Uncle Jasther asked.
"Nope... He said my body's responding well to the first meds."
"Tell us right away if your spine starts hurting again."
I forced a smile and nodded.
Stupid spine! Why can't it just cooperate?
When I thought everything was finally okay and I could see her again, the pain came back.
We had to come here just for therapy and surgery.
That accident...
It changed my life. Literally.
It killed Percy Rey Collins and gave birth to Percy Rey Mariano.
Which is stupid.
It took me away from my friends, my family, my girlfriend, and the life I once had.
In exchange, I got... this.
I don't blame anyone for the accident. It wasn't Aries' fault. He was spacing out.
He was traumatized by the kidnapping incident.
"Percy! Let's go!" Mom called. I followed them. While walking, she held onto Uncle Jasther's arm. Stuff they only do in public.
To make people think they're a couple.
We entered the elevator. One of Mom's secretaries joined us and handed an envelope to Uncle Jasther.
I knew what it was. My hands were itching to snatch it. I knew he'd give it to me, but I couldn't wait anymore.
We reached the basement parking. Once inside the car... finally, what I've been waiting for.
Uncle Jasther handed me the envelope.
"Finally..." I said.
I opened it and looked inside.
A photo. A picture of Jay-jay.
"What's the update on Jay-jay?" Uncle Jasther asked.
Nothing new. She goes to school, walks with that Ci-N kid, comes home with food.
I suddenly paused when I saw something new.
"This one..." I said, handing over the picture. "She visited someone at Benedict Hospital."
"Does it show who it is?" he asked, staring at the picture.
"No."
Mom laughed at us. "You both look like stalkers."
"Can you blame me? I'm her dad." His voice sounded guilty.
"I'm just excited to meet my stepsister," I replied.
Yes, I am excited.
I just hope Jay-jay feels the same about meeting her stepbrother.