David's POV
Smoke, sweat, perfume, and alcohol—that's what I can still smell now, even though I'm no longer in the bar.
I'm so confused. I shouldn't be doing this. My car shouldn't be parked near their house. I shouldn't be waiting for her to come out. I shouldn't be interfering in their lives anymore.
What the hell is wrong with you, David?!
I'm just drunk. It's just the alcohol talking. I'll stop once I sober up. This will be the last time. Once Cheon returns, I won't wait for her again. I won't steal glances anymore.
"So please, Jay, come out. Just for a moment. I want to see you." I whispered, my eyes fixed on their gate.
My grip on the steering wheel tightened. There were two luxury cars parked outside their house. I knew one belonged to Yuri, but I wasn't sure about the other one.
But what are they doing there?
The alcohol was mixing with my emotions. It felt strange.
I looked at my phone when it suddenly rang. It was a call from Percy. I reluctantly answered, afraid he might give me an order regarding Jay-jay.
"Hello." I said upon answering.
["Can you tell me your location?"]
I cleared my throat. "I'm driving. Can you call me later?"
["I will. But since you're driving... do me a favor. Head straight to Jay-jay's house. Text me when you get there. Thanks."]
He didn't even wait for my response.
I didn't tell him the truth—that I was already near Jay-jay's house. It wasn't my intention to lie. It's just that... I can't tell him the truth.
Jay-jay's POV
"What's the truth, Jay?" Grandma asked me gently.
I trusted Grandma. I could tell her the truth, but a huge part of me was telling me to stay silent.
"G-Grandma, it's just that..." I whispered.
I'm on a diet!
"She's in a relationship with Keifer." Yuri said blankly. "...even though we're engaged."
Even though he said it without emotion, even without words, I knew it hurt. He was hurting because of our situation right now.
"And you allowed it?" Grandma asked him.
"We're not married yet—"
"So you did nothing?" There was a hint of irritation in her voice, and more wrinkles began to form on her forehead.
"Yuri wouldn't be able to stop us either." Keifer interrupted, causing Grandma to glare at him. "...I love your granddaughter."
Oh no, he's doomed!
"You're all too young! You don't even understand what you're saying." Grandma said, shifting her gaze to me. "...Jay! You're sailing on two boats."
"I-it's not like t-that."
"Please... Don't blame Jay-jay for this." Keifer said. "...In our current situation, she'll be the one who looks bad, but..." He looked at Yuri. "...if you think about it, her relationship with Yuri was forced. So I'm the only official one in a relationship with her."
"Official? You don't even have a label. How can your relationship be official?" Yuri asked, irritation evident in his voice.
"We do have a label." Keifer answered quickly. "...husband and wife."
Facepalm!
Once again, I banged my head on the table. My head was starting to hurt. I didn't know if Keifer was just trying to provoke them or if he was serious about what he was saying.
"My blood pressure is rising because of you kids." Grandma said, shaking her head.
Suddenly, Aunt Gema entered the room, drawing everyone's attention. "Ma! We're heading to the hospital. We're going to see Aries."
"Alright... We'll stay here. Be careful." Grandma replied as she stood up.
Aunt Gema hugged her before leaving. I wanted to go with them, too. I was also worried about Aries, even though he didn't want to see me. We just watched them leave together, heading to the hospital.
Why do Mom and Andy have to go as well?
"Let's talk in the living room." Grandma suddenly said.
We all stood up at the same time and walked out of the dining room. Once we sat on the sofa, I found myself in the middle of the two again. Grandma sat on the couch across from us.
"Keifer." Grandma called, looking at the idiot. "...I want you to break up with my granddaughter."
W-what... Why?
"Grandma..." My voice was almost pleading.
She looked at me. "It's not that I don't like him for you. But you're about to get married... I didn't want you to get married so soon either, because I know you haven't had enough of your single life yet. But it's what needs to be done."
"But... I can't break up with Jay-jay." Keifer replied. "...What about our baby?"
For the love of... Here we go again.
My eyes widened as I slowly turned to look at Keifer. He had completely lost his mind! What baby? Where is he even getting this nonsense from?!
"B-baby?" Grandma asked in shock.
"Jay-jay is pregnant." Keifer added. "...She's already a few months along."
Grandma clutched her head and acted as if she were feeling dizzy. I knew she was faking it, but Yuri still assisted her. Meanwhile, I didn't even need to act because I actually felt like I was about to pass out.
"Are you okay?" Yuri asked.
"M-my blood pressure... i-it's rising."
Blood pressure? Rising?
That's why I knew she was just acting. The words coming out of her mouth were different. She used to do the same thing back when we lived together. I just happened to catch the difference between her acting and the real thing.
"The baby will be pitiful if he grows up without a father." Keifer continued.
Oh, this idiot really won't stop.
I smacked him hard on the back of the head. Hard enough that he could have passed out. He glared at me, and I glared right back.
"You're insane! Nothing yet has ever happened between us! So what you're saying is impossible!" I said, annoyed.
Suddenly, he smirked mischievously. "Nothing yet... So that means it could happen?"
Kinginamers!
I repeatedly slapped my own face. I couldn't believe it. His brain was seriously damaged. Why did I ever like this guy?
I looked at Grandma, who was leaning against Yuri's chest, her eyes closed, pretending to take deep breaths.
"Come on, Grandma... What this idiot is saying isn't true."
Grandma opened her eyes, stood up straight, and looked at me seriously. "Is that true?"
"Yes."
"You're not pregnant?"
"No, I'm not."
She let out a deep sigh and turned to Keifer. "You little rascal."
Keifer just smiled at her. I was so shocked by this idiot's words that I might actually slam his head against the wall or the table.
Grandma turned serious again, and so did we. I knew she wasn't joking around anymore.
"I want you three to fix this mess. I've never opposed any of Jay-jay's relationships. She's old enough to know right from wrong. I trust her." She looked at Yuri. "...I know you don't want to force Jay-jay into this marriage either, but if there's something you can do—then do it! It would be terrible if you both kept forcing what you want onto each other."
She then turned her gaze to Keifer. "...And you! Get yourself together! We're having a serious conversation, and you're acting like that!"
The idiot just scratched the back of his head. Yuri had no reaction and remained silent, staring at his hands.
Grandma then turned to me. "You, Jay... I know you don't want to get married, but don't do something you'll regret in the end."
If Grandma had lectured me like this before, I probably would have talked back to her. But now, I understood. I knew she was doing this for me. For my own good.
Silence wrapped around all of us. No one spoke. Even Grandma had stopped talking, though she kept looking at us. I was also observing the two.
"Ahem..." Grandma broke the silence. "...It looks like Gema and the others will be out late. We should start cleaning up."
She stood up, and we followed her lead. I had barely eaten, but after everything that happened, I completely lost my appetite. This DAMN KING of Snakes is really something else.
We cleared the table, with Yuri and Keifer helping quietly. Once we were done, we let the maids wash the dishes.
"I'm going to rest now." Grandma told me. "...Talk to them." She whispered.
I just nodded and smiled. I had no idea what kind of conversation I was supposed to have with these two.
Grandma headed to her room while I walked to the living room, where the two of them were. Keifer was sitting, and Yuri was standing near the door.
"Sorry... for what happened." Yuri started.
"S-sorry too. Even you guys got scolded by Grandma."
"It's okay..." He replied with a smile. "...By the way, you look pretty in your wedding gown."
Oh no! He really had to mention that.
I felt a bit awkward. I glanced at Keifer, but he didn't react at all. I wasn't sure if he had intentionally let him hear that.
"T-thank you." I replied awkwardly.
He lowered his head, and I knew he could sense that I didn't want to talk about it in front of Keifer.
"I think it's time for me to go." He said, which surprised me.
"Huh?"
He looked at Keifer for a moment before turning back to me. "I'm leaving. Take care of yourself." He said, then, without hesitation, kissed me on the cheek.
Keifer suddenly shot up from his seat, glaring at us furiously.
Yuri didn't say another word, but he smirked arrogantly before walking away.
I stood at the doorway, dumbfounded, watching him leave. The last thing I saw was the fading glow of his car's taillights as he drove off.
When I turned to face Keifer, I was immediately met with his deathly glare.
"W-what?"
"Did that make you feel giddy?!" He asked, annoyed.
Ah, here comes the jealous one.
"Huh? About what?"
"About Yuri kissing you!"
"No." I answered innocently.
He stepped closer and wrapped his arms around my waist. I instinctively placed my hands on his chest in shock. I even arched my body slightly to put some distance between us. I had a feeling where this was going.
"It better not have." He said seriously. "...Now. Can I have the kiss that I've always wanted?"
Ahihihi... No way!
"Nope."
"And why is that?" He asked irritably.
"You smell like cigarettes."
He immediately sniffed himself. "You can still smell that?"
Oh, so he did smoke!
"Yeah... So let go before Grandma suddenly comes downstairs and sees us." I said, trying to pry his arms off my waist.
"Just one kiss... Please." He pleaded.
"No way... Someone might see us."
His expression darkened as if he was irritated by what I said. Suddenly, I remembered the last day of our retreat—when Yuri kissed me. I didn't want to bring it up because Keifer would just get mad again.
"If you don't kiss me... I'll force you." He said seriously.
I smacked his chest hard, making him let go of me.
This idiot! He's so stubborn!
"That fvcking hurt!" He complained.
"I know, right?" I replied, mimicking a line from a commercial.
I walked over to the couch and flopped down. That's when I realized I was hungry. But I didn't feel like eating any proper food. I wanted snacks. I felt like my body wouldn't accept rice anymore.
"I want ice cream." I muttered, then looked at the King, who was still glaring at me. "...Buy me ice cream. I'll kiss you."
His face instantly brightened. He ran out of the house in a flash.
Nice! Haha...
"Wait for me!" He even shouted.
I heard the roar of his car engine as he sped off, which made me laugh. This idiot! If it's for a kiss, he'll do anything. What more if it were for—haizt!
Stop thinking about that!
Everything that happened during the retreat suddenly came rushing back to me—the moment Ella confessed and Aries's anger. If he had fought for Yuri, would all of this still have happened? Maybe they would still be together and happy. Maybe Yuri wouldn't have dyed his hair. Maybe this engagement wouldn't have happened.
And maybe, what's happening between you and Keifer would have just been a simple courtship. Or maybe until now, we would still be like cats and dogs—arguing over the smallest things, annoyed by each other's presence.
Damn it! Why did I have to fall for the bad boy?
Even though I used to entertain suitors, I was never interested in guys like him. That's why I had a crush on Yuri back then.
But still, I couldn't stop myself. I fell for him without even realizing it. Now, I don't know what to do—especially now that Kuya Angelo knows.
He's going to skin you alive!
I heard a car pull up. I knew it wasn't Tita, so I stood up. It could also be Keifer, but that would be way too fast. He just left, and now he's already back?
I peeked through the door, but no one knocked or rang the doorbell. It was strange, but something was telling me to go outside and check.
Scratching the back of my head, I walked out toward our gate.
"David?" I called out in confusion when I saw him standing beside his car. "...W-what are you doing here?"
His hair was messy, and he looked out of it. He pulled out his phone and handed it to me. We weren't standing that close to each other, but I could still smell the alcohol on him.
"He wants to talk to you." He said lifelessly.
I knew exactly who he meant. I knew it was Percy.
My hand hesitated to take the phone, but at the same time, I wanted to talk to him. It was like I wanted to hear what he had to say.
Damn it! So annoying!
"H-hello?" I said as I put the phone to my ear.
["Jay-jay."]
I closed my eyes when he said my name. I had wished for so long to hear his voice again.
Memories of the days when I longed to see him came flooding back. The days I desperately hoped he would appear and answer all my questions.
But all you got was pain!
"P-Percy."
["I'm coming back. I can finally answer—"]
"Don't bother showing yourself to me." I cut him off.
I didn't know where that came from. But I knew it was the right thing to say. He shouldn't come back to me anymore.
["Jay?"]
"You're just messing with me! You're just messing up my life!" I said angrily.
["Look... I'm sorry—"]
"I don't need your apology! What I want is to know who you really are! Why is it that just when my life is peaceful, you show up and ruin everything?!"
I didn't want to be this angry, but I couldn't stop myself. I felt like I was going to explode. All the pain I had kept inside was overflowing.
The nights I spent crying. The nights I spent thinking about him. The nights I thought he was the answer to all my questions.
But he turned out to be just another burden on my mind—especially after I found out he was with my father. That he was using my father's surname.
How unfair! How infuriating!
["Jay... All I'm asking for is a day. We're finally going to see each other!"] He pleaded.
"I DON'T CARE!" I shouted, my tears falling uncontrollably. "I'm begging you! If all you're going to do is ruin my life—"
["DAMN IT! Listen to me!"] He yelled angrily.
I don't know why, but in that moment, I felt like I heard all four of them in his voice. Right… they were all friends. They all got angry the same way.
["...give me three—No! Two days. Give me two days, and I'll answer all your questions!"]
No!
Don't believe him!
"Stop..." I whispered. "...please."
I didn't wait for him to say anything else. My hands let go of David's phone, and I sank to the ground, wrapping my arms around my knees. I felt weak.
I wanted to be happy, to believe him, but there was fear. Fear that he wouldn't show up again. Fear that I would be waiting for nothing once more, that he still wouldn't answer my questions.
"Jay-jay." David called out to me.
I didn't look at him, but I saw his hand as he picked up the phone from the ground. He remained standing in front of me after glancing at it.
"Go inside... It looks like it's going to rain."
I stayed in the same position, still crying. I wanted to yell at him, but I didn't have the strength anymore.
I felt his hands grasp my shoulders, gently pulling me up. I kept my head down, not looking at anything. I could hear the faint rumbling of thunder in the sky, but even that couldn't stop my tears from falling.
"Go inside."
"W-what are you to Percy?" I asked in a barely audible voice.
He didn't speak right away. All I could hear was his deep sigh. I thought he wouldn't answer me, just like Percy, but then...
"We have a contract. I work for him in exchange for his help with my girlfriend." He answered plainly.
A sob escaped me, followed by another and another until I was crying like a child—like a child who was promised something only to be let down.
Everything felt so heavy. I think I even cried out all the tears I had left for Mama.
Slowly, I felt David's arms wrap around me.
"Ssshhhh... P-please stop. It's hard for me to see you like this."
I didn't understand what he meant by that, but I chose to stop crying. I took a few deep breaths, then lifted my head to face him, stepping away from his embrace.
"Davi—"
I didn't get to finish what I was about to say. His hands suddenly held my face, and without hesitation, his lips pressed against mine.
D-David!
My heart felt like it exploded, racing wildly in my chest. For a moment, I was completely frozen in shock.
But as soon as my senses returned, I pushed him away.
My hand instinctively flew to his face, my palm landing hard against his cheek.
"W-w-why?" I stammered.
He remained looking down, his hand now holding the side of his face where I had slapped him.
My hands trembled. I was confused, unable to understand why he did that. Everything in my life was already a mess—why did he have to make it worse?
Damn it!
The sound of a car door closing made my heart race in fear and panic. It felt like a bucket of ice-cold water had been dumped on me.
Slowly, I turned to the side.
My whole body started trembling even more. The look in his eyes was different...
Keifer.
His expression was questioning, filled with confusion, and then, slowly, rage.
He saw it.
He saw everything.
"K-Keifer..." I called out, taking a step toward him.
But he moved faster. In the blink of an eye, he was already in front of David. And his fist was already flying toward his face.
Shit!
"YOU FVCKING BASTARD!" Keifer shouted furiously.
I couldn't move. I was too stunned by what just happened.
David staggered back, leaning against his car from the force of Keifer's punch. I saw him spit out blood.
Keifer threw another punch. David could no longer stand, and blood was now dripping from his nose.
I was afraid of Keifer. I didn't know why. But if I didn't do something, something bad might happen to David.
I took several deep breaths, trying to gather the courage I needed.
"K-Keifer... S-stop." I said, stepping closer to him.
He shot me an angry glare but turned back to David, ready to hit him again.
Even though my hands were shaking, I grabbed his arm to stop him, but he just pushed me away.
"P-please... Stop..." Tears began to well up in my eyes. "...Keifer!"
His fist was raised when he finally stopped. I saw how he slammed it against the side of the car instead. He let go of David and slowly stood up.
I swallowed hard, fear creeping up my spine. "K-Keifer..."
"Are you hiding something from me?" His voice was calm, but it was full of suspicion. "...Are you in a relationship with David?"
W-what?! Why would he even think that?!
I shook my head repeatedly. "N-no. T-there's nothing like that."
He took a step toward me, and I instinctively stepped back. His gaze remained the same—as if I had committed a terrible crime against him.
"What is he doing here?" He asked again.
"H-h-he was here b-because----."
"Don't fvcking lie to me!"
"I-it was Percy! He called David and asked to talk to me." I explained hurriedly.
He stopped moving toward me. His expression turned scrutinizing. My breathing was heavy, and my fear hadn't faded.
"...P-please believe me." I whispered almost desperately.
Please... Trust me.
"Was kissing you part of your conversation too?"
I shook my head slowly. I wanted to apologize, but it felt like doing so would mean admitting guilt. I didn't want to put all the blame on David, when I also didn't know why he did it.
"Keifer."
"I want to pretend..." he said calmly. "...I want to pretend that I didn't see anything."
Just like what he said when he saw me with Yuri. But if that meant not talking to me for three days or even longer... I could handle it—just as long as he wouldn't be this angry.
"...But I can't. It feels like you're doing this on purpose."
I would never!
I quickly stepped toward him and held his hand. "No! No! It's not like that!"
Suddenly, he pulled his hand back, yanking it away from my grasp. Something inside my chest twisted painfully at what he just did.
"Don't touch me! Or I might not be able to hold myself back from hurting you!" He shouted at me.
I broke down in tears, sobbing uncontrollably. I didn't want this! This pain in my chest was too much—I was hurting so much.
Please, listen to me!
He shook his head at me and suddenly walked towards his car. I immediately followed him when I saw him getting in.
"Wait! Keifer!" I called out, desperately knocking on his car window.
At first, he didn't move, but suddenly, he slammed his hands on the steering wheel. He did it multiple times, his breathing deep and heavy. I knocked harder on his window.
"KIEFER! PLEASE!"
He can't leave like this. We need to talk.
"Kiefer—just wait!"
Suddenly, he started the car. I tried to chase after him, but how could my legs compete with the wheels of a car? I bent over, placing my hands on my knees for support.
Damn it!
I have to follow him. I have to talk to him. Not like this. It shouldn't be like this.
I turned back, but before I could even reach the gate, it started to rain. I glanced at David's car—it was gone. It looked like he had already left.
"Miss Jay-jay!" one of the maids called out to me. "...Sir Angelo called. He said they're on their way home."
Tears welled up even more at what she said—not because I was afraid of my brother, but because I wouldn't be able to fix everything with them here.
Why, David?!