Jay-jay's POV
Liar! I won't believe you anymore. You can't fool me again. This is the last straw!
"Oh!" Percy said as he handed me the ice cream he bought. I took it and started eating. Even if I was out of it, like I wasn't really there, I still ate.
We were currently at the park, me and my crazy stepbrother. I asked him to pick me up since there was no one home except for the maids. They went out without me. They left me!
"Tell me your story again. I didn't understand you earlier, you kept pointing at the ice cream." Percy said as he ate his own.
I let out a sigh and started retelling what happened between me and Keifer. His words kept me up all night. I didn't even know how I managed to leave that unit or how I got home alone.
By the time I finished, Percy had already finished his ice cream. Glutton! Tsk!
"Do you believe what he said?" he asked.
I shook my head. "I-I don't know."
"Why don't you know?"
I exhaled sharply. "Of course! It hasn't even been a month since I found out about how they made a fool out of me. How would I know if he's lying again?"
"But there's a chance you believe he's telling the truth." He looked at me with curiosity.
"No, I don't!"
He smiled slightly. "Then you should've answered me 'no, I don't believe him'." I froze. "...but what you said was 'you don't know,' because there's a part of you hoping it's true."
Honestly, he was right. If I really didn't believe him, I should've answered 'no'. Maybe there is a part of me that's still hoping. Hoping that what he said... is true.
I was just about to take a bite of the ice cream in my hand when I stopped, realizing I wasn't holding anything anymore. I looked down at my feet and the ground—maybe I dropped it.
I turned to Percy—and the shameless jerk was eating ice cream even though he'd already finished his own earlier!
"That's mine, you jerk!" I said in irritation.
"It was about to melt! You weren't finishing it, so I decided to do it for you." he said, clearly teasing me.
This guy's annoying! I want to slap him back and forth!
"Did it not occur to you that I've already licked that?" I said sarcastically, and he paused mid-bite.
"Oh, right!" he exclaimed, covering his mouth in shock. "...Crap! And you might have rabies too."
I almost took off my shoe to whack it at him. Good thing tying laces is a pain. He just laughed when he saw my reaction, then shamelessly continued eating what he was holding.
I let out a deep sigh and looked off into the distance. Just my luck—I spotted a sweet couple walking near us, all lovey-dovey.
Why here, of all places?!
"I hope you both get roasted together." I muttered under my breath, but apparently, the guy next to me heard it.
"Woohh! Bitter alert! Bitter alert! Bitter alert! Bitter alert!" he chanted obnoxiously. "...someone had bitter gourd for breakfast!"
This rascal!
I gave him a hard smack at the back of the head. After finishing off the ice cream I paid for, now he's making fun of me too. People started staring at us.
"Ow!" he whined, rubbing the spot.
"You're ruining my day."
"You're just super bitter... Don't drag other people into it. If you don't believe in forever, then fine—don't shout it out and rub it in everyone else's face. Let them find out on their own..." He rubbed the back of his head again. "...And those people didn't do anything to you, so stop taking your bitterness out on them."
I raised an eyebrow at him. "What are you even fighting for?"
He clearly got annoyed. He kept ruffling his hair and looked away. I understood what he meant, really—but the way he explained it, it was like he was mad at me.
"You're too bitter when it comes to Keifer." he muttered, just loud enough for me to hear.
Now I'm bitter?
I glared at him. "I am not bitter! I'm mad at him! His mind's a complete mess! He pushes me away, and just when I try to walk away, he pulls me right back! What does he think I am?! A dog on a leash?!"
He sat up properly and faced me. "You know, Keifer... he loves differently. He gives everything—he'll sacrifice everything for the one he loves."
I looked at him, puzzled. "Gives everything?"
"Yeah... He's crazy about love. Maybe it's because he lacked that in his family, so when he finds someone, he holds on tight."
"W-What are you trying to say?"
He took a deep breath. "What I'm saying is... maybe he really does have feelings for you. Because if he didn't, he would've let you go a long time ago."
What Percy said sounded so nice. It was so tempting to believe there really was something—but it was also terrifying. Terrifying because of the word maybe.
"...but he didn't let you go, because he couldn't. He's crazy about you. Maybe something happened, and that's why he had to push you away." he added.
I let out a long sigh. "I don't know what that 'something' is... But it's better if he just stays away for good."
He should just stop. Let me go.
"You really don't want to anymore?" he asked. I gave a slight shake of my head. I didn't want to hope anymore. It just messes with your mind. I even preferred it back when he told me it was really over. Better that than living off what-ifs.
"Then tell him."
I rolled my eyes. "Didn't I already say that?"
"Then show him."
I frowned. "What are you even talking about? You're so confusing!"
"Show him you've moved on. Go on a date with someone else. Show him you're happy without him."
It was only now that I realized—this guy actually made some sense. I'm not sending him back to wherever he came from... as long as he doesn't crack any more lame jokes. Maybe I'll even give him some corn 🌽🌽🌽🌽🌽.
"I hope I really can do that." I said, almost in a whisper.
We stayed a while longer, chatting until it was already noon. We went to a restaurant that was obviously high-end.
"Persing... I only brought a little money." I whispered to him while looking at the menu.
"Who's Persing?" he asked, a little annoyed.
I just shook my head in response. Right—I forgot he didn't know that's what I saved his name as in my phone.
"...I'll pay for this. Don't worry." he said to me before facing the waiter and placing our orders.
The waiter walked away with the menu. While waiting, I looked around the restaurant. The place was so nice, and the decorations were fancy. There was even a chandelier. I'm gonna sing later... I wanna swing... Chandelier, chandelier!
I accidentally looked toward the restaurant entrance. I had to do a double take at the two people who just walked in. That's when I confirmed it—this King of the Snakes really knows how to ruin a moment.
He's with that Honey Bee Raider again! They were semi-formal, unlike me and Percy who looked like we just passed by and decided to eat at a fancy restaurant. We looked like rags.
I stared at them as they spoke to a waiter. Looked like they were asking for a table. They better be seated far from us. Or outside. We'll stay inside.
I turned to Percy, who was tapping away on his phone.
"Can we change restaurants?" I asked, trying not to show my irritation.
"I already ordered. Besides, the steak here is good."
I was about to tell him the reason for my headache was here too—but I didn't get the chance. Because they were already standing in front of us.
"Keifer?" Percy said, glancing at me briefly before facing them again.
"Percy..." I could feel his gaze shift to me. "...Jay."
Crap! It was like an electric shock when he said my name. So annoying! Why does it have to feel like that?! I slowly turned to face them, flashing a fake smile. A really fake one—the kind that would suit them perfectly.
"Oh, you're here? Didn't notice." I said.
"Didn't notice or just ignored us." replied Honey, raising an eyebrow at me.
Looks like this girl's starting something again.
"Both..." I replied, still smiling.
One eyebrow of hers shot up, but instead of clapping back, she just clung to this Annoying King's arm and started rubbing it.
"Maki..." she said in a sickly sweet tone, "...aren't you going to introduce me to your blue-eyed friend here?"
Keifer looked at her first before turning to Percy.
"Percy, this is Honey Bee Raider. My lawyer's niece." He tapped the Bee Girl's hand that was clinging to him. "...Honey, this is Percy Coll----Mariano."
Honey quickly extended a hand to shake Percy's. Clearly, my stepbrother couldn't care less about her presence.
"So... what's your relationship to each other?" Honey asked, referring to me and Percy.
"She's my stepsister." Percy said seriously.
She just nodded in acknowledgment of my crazy brother's answer. What puzzled me was how this girl kept smiling at my companion like he was the most fascinating thing in the room.
Meanwhile, the King of All Snakes over here wouldn't stop staring at me. I really didn't want to be stuck with these people right now.
"Introductions are over... You can leave now." I said with a smile, even though what I really wanted was to slam their faces into our table.
"Rude." Honey said in that annoyingly high-pitched voice.
Your face is rude!
"Jay..." Percy called me. "...don't be like that."
I raised a brow. I expected him to take my side, but it looked like I really had crossed the line this time.
"Since we'll be eating here too, mind if we share a table?" Honey asked Percy. She only asked Percy for permission.
Percy and I exchanged glances. I stared at him with daggers, hoping he'd catch on that I was not okay with it.
"That's a great idea," said the King of Snakes and called over a waiter.
I signaled to Percy to stop him, but it was too late—another table was already being added to ours. I was forced to scoot beside Percy, which meant this Demon King ended up sitting right across from me.
The two of them gave their orders. Meanwhile, Percy and I kept giving each other looks. This whole setup was just messed up. We hadn't even agreed yet, and their table was already all set up.
The waiter poured wine into all four glasses and handed one to each of us. I nudged Percy.
"Did you order this?" I whispered.
He shook his head. "I think it's theirs. We just got dragged into it."
I've never actually had this kind of drink. Tita has some, and I've seen Kuya Angelo drink it, but I've never tried it myself. I just pushed the glass away and cleared my throat.
I glanced at the person across from me, and my brows furrowed immediately. This shameless guy was staring hard at me, while the girl next to him kept flashing smiles at Percy.
"So, how did you two become step-siblings?" Honey asked Percy.
"None of your business." I snapped before anyone else could speak.
She shot me a sharp glare, like she was about to leap over the table and yank my hair out.
"I'm not talking to you, I'm talking to him." she snapped.
As if you're the only one who can act sassy?!
"I'm not talking to you either, I'm talking to..." I paused, thinking of who to point at—but yeah, it still ended with "...him."
All of them raised an eyebrow in unison. I turned to the person beside me and gave him a hard look. Looks like he got what I meant.
"O-oh... She's talking to me." Percy answered, scratching his head.
I wanted to laugh so bad, the kind of laugh that screams you totally embarrassed yourself! But I held back. Too many people might hear—and they'd think I was crazy.
Even though... I am crazy!
Our orders arrived and they started eating.
Only them, because I honestly had no idea what to do with this so-called steak. It even looked half-raw.
"Let me slice it for you," said that demon across from me.
Just as he was about to reach for my plate, I pulled it away and handed it to Percy instead.
"Please slice it... Thanks!" I said cheerfully.
Percy had no choice but to do as I asked. Even without looking, I could feel the King's annoyance from my little move. But I didn't do it just to irritate him. I just didn't want his actions to start meaning anything to me.
Percy handed my plate back, and I finally started eating. But the moment I began chewing, I suddenly felt like spitting everything out. This Animal wouldn't take his eyes off me.
I was this close to snapping.
"Percy..." Honey said to the one beside me. "...do you have a girlfriend?"
Straight to the point, this girl. It was obvious she had a thing for the guy beside me.
I wanted to butt in so bad, but if I did, it would be too obvious—and could lead to a fight.
"N-no..." he answered hesitantly.
Percy placed one hand on his thigh and squeezed it, like he was annoyed by Honey's question.
Then he stood up slowly. "I'm going to the restroom."
I didn't even get to say anything. I just watched him walk away until he disappeared from view.
I was about to stand up to follow him to the restroom when the King suddenly spoke.
"Honey..." He looked at her. "...make him busy."
Honey flashed a huge smile and placed her napkin down on the table. "My pleasure."
She stood up and followed where Percy went.
I was left dumbfounded. I couldn't quite grasp what this jerk just said. I understand English—but that confused me. And why was Honey smiling that wide? That just made it worse.
I was about to go ahead with my plan to head to the restroom, but I couldn't move. I felt frozen in place because of the way he was looking at me.
"We need to talk." he said with authority.
I gave him a sharp look. "You're already talking."
He took a deep breath, clearly trying to hold back his anger. Now I understood why he sent Honey away.
"Listen to me..." he began. "...I don't know where to start——"
"At the starting line," I quickly cut him off.
His forehead started to crease, then his brows knitted together. He tugged at his collar to loosen it.
"Okay..." he sighed. "...I'll start from the beginning."
I grinned. "Just go straight to the ending. That's more fun."Finish line already...
He was slowly killing me with his stare. The truth was—I really didn't want to hear his explanation. I was scared. Scared that I'd get hurt all over again.
"Jay... I'm trying to be nice here." His voice was sharp with emphasis.
He grabbed the wine glass in front of him, took a sip, and looked back at me.
"Please, Jay. I want to explain everything to you. So I hope you'll calm down and listen to me," he added.
Little by little, the urge to tease him faded away. The air between us shifted—serious now, like we were the only two people in this place. I looked him straight in the eyes.
"That's enough, Keifer," I said gently. "...Don't explain anymore."
"I have to. I want you to know everything."
"I just don't want to anymore..." I lowered my head. "...I don't want to hear anything from you."
It felt like something got stuck in my throat. I forced myself to face him again. He looked like he was hurt by what I said—his lips were slightly parted..
"That's enough... please. I'm just tired." I pleaded, and my vision started to blur. "...I'm tired of loving you when I'm not even doing anything..." My tears finally fell. "...I keep trying to stay away, but you keep pulling me back."
"Why? Why are you running away from me?" he asked, his voice soft.
And you really had to ask that...
"Because that's how it's supposed to be. There's no reason for me to stay, right?" I forced a smile. "...I love you, but you don't love me. Once was enough for me to be the fool in your games—I don't want to go through that again."
He kept looking at me. He didn't say a word, so I continued.
"If it were up to me, I'd want to leave your Section. Because your presence alone makes things harder for me. When you're around, it feels like my heart is being crushed." I fought back more tears. "...It's torture for me to go to school, b-because I remember everything we did. All the happy memories we shared——a-and then suddenly, it turns out it was all just lies."
I took several deep breaths. "It hurts..." I pointed to my chest. "...so much." I bit my lip, trying to keep myself from crying out loud.
I don't have real friends. Whenever someone tries to befriend me, I accept them right away. But the moment I introduce them to Grandma, she instantly knows their true intentions. And most of the time, she's right.
It was only in Section E that I truly experienced what it meant to have friends, a group, a crew. I thought it was going to last... but it turns out, it was just a tease. They took it away from me as if saying I was never meant to have that kind of happiness.
"So please, Keifer." I looked at him. "...Just stop."
He stared at me for a long time. At first, he didn't move. Then suddenly, he set the table napkin down and leaned slightly closer to me. He smiled—that kind of smile that pretends nothing ever happened.
"You..." he began. "...You're making me crazy."
I wiped my tears and looked at him in complete confusion.
"I'm Mark Keifer Watson. I'm smarter than you think. I'm stronger than you know..." He smirked. "...And I'm the King of Ulupongs."
He moved so fast. One moment he was sitting across from me, the next he was right beside me. I looked up at him while he leaned down, holding the back of my neck, and brought our lips together.
I looked like an idiot, pushing him away while at the same time chasing his lips with mine.
Seriously?!
He pressed our foreheads together, both of us with our eyes closed. His hand still gently cradled my neck. Our breathing was heavy after that kiss.
I won't deny it. I missed his lips too. That only added to the pain I was already feeling.
"Only you, Jay... You're the only girl who's ever made me suffer like this." he whispered.
He pulled away from me and sat on the bench beside me. He held my hand and didn't let it go.
"Y-you're the one making things hard for me." I said, a little annoyed.
He kissed the back of my hand and pressed it against his cheek. He looked at me with soft, tired eyes and a gentle smile.
"I'm scared." he said with a faint grin. "...I'm scared of so many things..."
He closed his eyes.
What are you afraid of?
I looked at him when I felt the back of my hand, resting on his cheek, grow wet. He was crying.
"Yuri is right. I lied to him, I lied to you, and I lied to myself." My tongue froze. No words came out of my mouth. "...I have feelings for you that you can never imagine."
Shoot! Shoot! Shoot! Shoot! Shoot! Shoot! —screamed my heartbeat.
Is this real? Maybe it's just the steak messing with my head. Maybe it's just a hallucination. Like, maybe it's just gas and I need to let it out. Maybe I'm just hungry and need food. Or sleepy and I just need sleep.
"K-Keifer..." was all I managed to say.
One of his hands gently cupped my cheek. "I'm scared to touch you even though I really want to. I don't want to hurt you like I did with Freya. But when jealousy eats me up, I just lose control."
I remembered what he did when I kissed Yuri.
He pulled me to the back of the room and grabbed my jaw. It hurt—and I'll admit it, I was scared of him.
"...I won't let that happen again."
He smiled and closed his eyes once more. "...My birthday's coming up, and you're the gift I want."
Birthday? Oh right, he was born on February 29.
I looked down. I couldn't give him the gift he was asking for.
He let go of my hand that was pressed against his cheek, and withdrew his hand from my face. He wiped his face and stood up. He returned to his seat like nothing had happened.
"You want me to stop? Then I will." he said emotionlessly. "...But that's only for a while."
I was confused again. I do understand English, but this GagongBaliw really talks in riddles.
"What do you mean..." I sighed. "...You're going to stop, but only temporarily? W-why? What exactly are you thinking?"
"I'm giving you space."
What I need is a spaceship to get far away from you!
I just shake my head in disbelief. He really has gone crazy.
"...But when I return. You're officially mine whether you like it or not."
Whut thu fvck?!
I was about to snap back at him when someone suddenly jumped onto the seat beside me.
I looked—and my eyes widened at the sight of Percy.
His hair was a mess, his clothes wrinkled, and his pants zipper was down. He was panting heavily, like he'd just been running.
"Let's go!" he said, tugging at me. "...Come on!"
I stood up and looked at him carefully. He pulled some money from his wallet and tossed it on the table before tugging me again. We moved fast until we reached the parking lot where his car was.
"What the heck is going on with you?!" I asked once we got in his car.
In a panic, he started the engine and drove off in a rush.
"Hey! What the heck?! What's wrong with you?! Your zipper's still down!"
He suddenly pulled over to the side. I nearly hit the dashboard.
He zipped up his pants and, still trembling, gripped the steering wheel again.
"Percy! What is going on?!" I asked, annoyed.
Then out of nowhere, he started crying. No tears—just a crumpled face. I wanted to laugh, but he might get mad.
"Jay..." he said, sniffling. "...She harassed me... Honey did!" And then he burst into sobs—like a little kid.