Jay-jay's POV
Here's the payment." David said as he handed the money to the ice cream vendor.
The man thanked him before leaving. But when David turned to face me, he immediately froze.
Melt under my gaze. Damn you!
"W-why?" he asked.
"I'm annoyed…" I said calmly, taking the ice cream from his hand. "...Thanks for this."
I turned my back on him and walked away, heading straight toward my own humiliation—where my face had hit the ground earlier. So annoying!
The one time I tried to show off, and that had to happen. Couldn't I at least have been lucky just this once?
I sat back on the swing and started devouring my ice cream. It took me a while to notice that David had followed me.
"Why are you annoyed? Did I do something?" he asked as he sat on the swing beside me.
I rolled my eyes at him. "I'm annoyed because all of you get to talk to the King. Meanwhile, I get nothing!"
He shook his head, chuckling. "Like what I said before, he called me ONCE."* He really emphasized that last word.
"So what?! I also only talked to him once, and he didn't even bother to check up on me!" I complained.
Screw you, Your Majesty!
He said one month. But why does it feel like a year has passed, even though it's only been a week? When that idiot comes back, I swear I'm kicking him in the face.
"He did ask about you." David's words made me stop. And just when I was in the middle of licking my ice cream.
"He asked about me? Seriously?"
He nodded. "He also threatened me."
Threatened?!
"About what?"
*"He told me not to flirt with you. He said he'd punch my soul out of my body."
Oh wow! That bastard is naturally an asshole. If he isn't the most shameless jerk out there… He asked about me, only to threaten the person taking care of me—the job he should be doing in the first place.
"That idiot." I muttered and continued eating.
I glanced over at Ci-N and Percy when I noticed they had gone quiet. Same with Felix, who was busy eating his ice cream. He had David buy him one too.
The fools were occupied.
I stared at Ci. He was the only one with the ability to contact that damned snake—the so-called King of the Vipers. But he refused to help me reach him. Apparently, he had orders not to.
"Do you think he'll come back?" I asked David without looking at him.
"Depends." His answer made me frown.
I turned to him with furrowed brows. "What do you mean, depends?"
His expression turned serious as he looked at me. "Depends on whether he still has something to come back to."
I met his gaze. I knew what he meant. I knew that I was the one that bastard would be coming back for.
I fell silent, deep in thought. Does he even have anything left to return to? Problems were coming from all directions, plus someone was after me. What if… by the time he comes back, it's already too late?
"I don't know." I answered before looking away.
I continued eating my ice cream, which was slowly melting. Just like my patience—probably melting away from my frustration toward that annoying man.
Damn it!
That asshole! If he ever comes back, and I just so happen to still be alive and kicking—I swear, I'll drown him in curses. That bastard!
After finishing my ice cream, I searched my bag for a tissue, only to find I had none left.
"Oh." David said lazily, handing me a handkerchief. "...Don't bother giving it back. It's yours now."
I looked at it first before taking it. "You're rich. You can buy plenty of handkerchiefs. Thanks."
I wiped my mouth and hands. I was about to return it when I remembered what he said—not to give it back. Rich kids really are different.
"What time do you think they'll be done?" He asked while looking at Percy and Ci.
I glanced at them too and frowned when I noticed they were arguing. Weren't they just quiet earlier? They must've finished eating.
I quickly stood up and walked toward them.
"Dora is better! She can go anywhere!" Ci said in frustration.
"Diego is better! He saves creatures like you!" Percy argued back.
I winced and looked for Felix. I spotted him not far away, his expression practically frozen in place. It was obvious he wasn't amused and probably wanted to slap them both. I turned back to the two, who were still bickering non-stop.
"Shut up! Diego can't even leave the jungle!"
"At least Diego doesn't leave without telling his parents!"
"All Diego ever interacts with are animals!"
"Dora looks like an animal! And she has a map—hello?! Ever heard of GPS?!"
"Hello?!" Ci mimicked Percy. "...It's called survival training when GPS doesn't have a signal!"
My brow twitched. Their argument was completely pointless. The rest of us just sighed at their nonsense.
"Hello?!" I cut in. "...This argument is so shallow!"
Ci turned to me and pouted. "It's his fault! He's badmouthing Dora!"
"Well, Diego's show is better!" Percy insisted.
"Are you seriously arguing over this? Both are irrelevant!Peppa Pig is the best!" I snapped in frustration.…
Yeah, sure, Jay! Go ahead and join in!
The shows they're talking about are so ugly. And so old, too! My god! I think I was in grade school when those aired.
"Wow, Jay, what a great cartoon you just mentioned." Felix said sarcastically.
"That one's ugly too!" Percy yelled angrily. "Dadey! George iz miszing!" he said, imitating Peppa Pig's accent.
I cringed. He sounded awful speaking like that. An accent just didn't suit him.
"Seriously?!" David asked irritably. "You're really fighting over these shows?" He shook his head. "...Childish."
Ci glared at him. "And what about you? What do you watch?"
"Care Bears." He answered without hesitation.
We all burst out laughing at the same time. I almost collapsed onto the floor from laughing too hard. Even Percy and Ci-N had to hold onto their knees. Felix just shook his head.
Calling us childish? Look who's talking.
We laughed for a few minutes until I heard my phone ringing from my bag. I took it out and checked who was calling.
Horoscope calling...
My eyes widened when I saw the name. I was about to answer, but the call ended on its own. That's when I noticed my phone was flooded with text messages.
30 messages from Aries. 5 from that GagongBaliw. 1 from an unknown number.
My chest tightened at the unknown number. My fingers moved on their own to open the message.
From: +639********
Message: keep playing, I'm watching you.
My hands trembled as my heartbeat sped up. I didn't want to look around because I was afraid I might see him here.
I thought I was safe with my friends, but apparently, I wasn't. I knew I shouldn't be scared—I had drilled that into my head—but… damn it! His death threats still got to me.
"Jay..." Percy called out. "...Is something wrong?"
I quickly shook my head. "It's just Aries. He's telling me to go home."
David checked his watch. "I should head back too. Take care on your way home." He said before walking back toward his school building.
"Are we going home?" Ci asked sadly.
"Yes, enough playing around. Getting too comfortable is dangerous, especially for Jay's safety." Felix said.
The little brat hung his head. "Oh..."
Percy walked closer to me, giving me a look that made it seem like he knew the real reason.
"Let's go home. We might get home late." He said, walking past me.
Hahahahaha
We followed him. This time, I didn't look in any direction. I just kept walking, following Percy's back.
He stopped in front of his car. Ci and the others were still behind us. When he opened the door, I quickly got in. I could feel their confusion.
"You're in a hurry to go home?" Felix asked.
I forced a smile. "A little. Aries is getting mad."
Once everyone was inside, Percy started the car. Ci-N kept talking and requesting to go back, but I couldn't even process what he was saying.
He was the first one we dropped off at his condo. We finally fell into silence—at last. But the feeling inside me still wouldn't go away.
Relax, Jay.
When we arrived home, I quickly thanked them and ran inside, almost tripping in the process.
"JAY-JAY!"
"Holy jumping frog!" I screamed in shock.
What the hell?! Why the hell is he yelling?!
Damn! I thought my heart fell out of my chest!
"Where the fvck have you been?!" Aries asked angrily.
"I-I was just… there… doing… stuff—."
"What happened to your face? Why is your forehead and nose red? Are those scratches?" He asked in quick succession as he stepped closer.
He held my chin and tilted my face up so he could get a better look. He inspected my face carefully.
How the hell do I tell him that I fell face first?
He let go of my face and grabbed my hand. "Come on." He said, sounding slightly annoyed.
He dragged me to the kitchen. My face was full of confusion.
I didn't know why, but I still wasn't used to his behavior.
When we got there, he made me sit on one of the stools before heading to the drawers. He rummaged through them for something before walking to the fridge and grabbing some ice.
His brows were furrowed as he walked back toward me, holding an ice bag.
"Where the hell did you even go?" He asked irritably before pressing the ice bag against my forehead.
I held the ice bag myself so he would let go. His irritation was still obvious.
Sorry, okay? Sometimes stupidity just happens.
"I was trying to show off. But I ended up falling." I admitted softly.
He raised an eyebrow. "Don't tell me... face first?"
I didn't answer. He said 'Don't tell me,' so I won't tell him.
A slow, irritating grin spread across his lips.
"Seriously?!" I stayed silent, and then he burst into loud laughter. "...How stupid!"
I immediately shot him a glare while lowering the ice bag.
This guy! Stupid?! Can't it just be called an accident?!
Yes! It's an accident!
I wanted to enjoy watching him laugh and then smack him in the face.
But if I did that, I'd probably suffer the consequences big time.
He laughed for a few more minutes before grabbing a glass of water to drink. He was still shaking his head as he walked back toward me.
"So, did you learn something from your own stupidity?" he asked, arms crossed.
I nodded. "Don't get caught up in a kid's arrogance."
He looked at me in confusion. "Kid?"
"Ci-N. He was acting like an acrobat on the swing, and I copied him."
The smile on his face slowly faded. He lowered his head for a moment before unfolding his arms and standing up straight.
"So, you were with him. Let me guess, Percy was with you too."
I avoided his gaze. I knew he resented Percy, but I hoped he wouldn't make it so obvious that he didn't like the fact that we were together.
"Are you going to force me to stay away from him?" I couldn't hide the sadness in my voice.
"I've told you before to avoid him, haven't I? Did you listen? And now, of all times, when someone is after your life."
Well, he had a point.
But a part of me still felt regretful. I had to avoid telling him stories whenever Percy was involved.
"Are you never going to make up?" I asked seriously.
He took the ice bag from my hand and pressed it against my forehead himself. He forced a smile.
"Probably not. It's hard to rebuild something that's already broken."
But I could hear the regret in his voice. I could feel that a part of him wanted to go back to how things used to be. I could see it in his eyes as he sadly stared at his hand holding the ice bag.
If only there was something I could do for you.
"Where did you guys hang out earlier? You weren't in the auditorium or the gym." He changed the topic.
I cringed. It seemed like he didn't know we were kicked out of the gym earlier. I didn't want to make things worse.
"W-we were sent home early. Some lectures were given as home study instead." I answered with a smile.
He looked like he was debating whether to believe me or not. In the end, he just shrugged.
When the ice in the bag melted, he threw it out and put the empty bag back in the drawer. Then, he washed his hands.
"Go change. I'll have the maids prepare some snacks." He ordered.
Food!!
I nodded and jumped off the stool. I was about to leave the kitchen when fate called out to me again.
"Yes?" I answered.
"Whose number did you call last night?"
Crazy Bastard. I wanted to tell him, but he might just say the same thing Yuri did.
He'd probably just tell me not to talk to that idiot anymore. That's why I didn't want the other one to know either.
I smiled at him. "A friend. I just had something to tell them."
He nodded, accepting my answer. "How about Keifer? Do you have any contact with him?"
I lowered my head before shaking it. "I don't have any contact with him."
And that was the painful truth.
He didn't say anything, so I looked up at him. He was staring at me like he was trying to figure something out.
"Why?" I asked. He quickly shook his head.
"Just wondering." He answered and gestured for me to go.
I just shrugged and ran to my room. I quickly changed clothes but didn't leave right away. Instead, I grabbed my phone and checked my messages, most of which were from Aries.
But that wasn't the first thing I looked at. I checked GagongBaliw's text.
From: GagongBaliw
Message: Just wait, and we'll finally be together.
His text was weird. What was he talking about—together? This guy seriously had something wrong with his head.
I replied to him.
To: GagongBaliw
Message: Did you deliver my message to Keifer?
I waited for his reply. It didn't take long before he responded.
From: GagongBaliw
Message: Yes.
That was it? That short?! Goodness! He couldn't even tell me what that idiot's reaction was?
To: GagongBaliw
Message: What did he say?
My eyes were glued to my phone screen. At this point, my face and my phone might as well merge. Thankfully, I didn't have to wait too long for a reply.
From: GagongBaliw
Message: I love you.
I stared and blinked several times before his reply sank into my brain.
With just that simple text… why did it feel different?
Why did it feel like he was the one who said it, and not Keifer?
Or maybe… he really is the King of Snakes?
I stared at my screen, blinking repeatedly, trying to process what I just read. That simple text—why did it hit differently?
Why did it feel like he was the one saying it and not Keifer?
Or maybe he really was the King of the Snakes? I seriously needed to figure out a way to confirm my suspicion.
Maybe I should ask for help. From Yuri, Percy, or Aries. Any of them—anyone who could actually help me.
I didn't bother replying to that idiot anymore. I tossed my phone onto the bed and left my room, heading straight to the kitchen while sulking over my late snack.
"...stop bothering her."
That was Aries's voice. I saw him walking out of the house.
I was going to ignore him at first, but then I heard him mention my name. That itch to eavesdrop flared up again. I followed him but only up to the door.
"It would be better if you started living your life there."
My forehead creased. Who was he telling to start living their life somewhere?
"That's enough... Stop it. I'm begging you—leave my sister alone."
Wait a minute... Why did this feel—
"Please, Keifer."
Before I even realized it, my feet had already carried me toward Aries.
My hands moved just as quickly, snatching his phone and pressing it against my ear.
"Keifer! Can you hear me?! Keifer!" I shouted.
Aries tried to take his phone back, so I didn't even know if that pest actually answered me.
"Jay! What the hell?!" Aries yelled.
"Let go! I just want to talk to him!"
I kept slapping his hand away, struggling to keep my grip on the phone. I didn't give up, and the moment I got the chance, I ran.
I rushed into my room and locked the door.
I checked Aries's phone to see if Keifer was still on the line.
I immediately pressed it to my ear.
"Keifer! Say something, please!" I pleaded.
But there was nothing. No sound from his side.
I felt my body weaken, sinking to the floor as tears spilled down my cheeks.
"I-I don't understand. Why won't you talk to me? W-why can you call others but not me? Why?!" I took a deep breath. "...Keifer! Why?!"
Still, nothing.
Maybe he really didn't want to talk to me.
Maybe… he just didn't care anymore.
I held back my sobs. I refused to let him hear how much this was breaking me.
I debated whether I should just end the call. There was no point in holding on if he wouldn't say anything. If he didn't want to talk to me, there was nothing I could do.
My hands trembled. I was about to pull the phone away from my ear when—
I heard him.
Words I had never heard from him since the day I met him.
["Jay… I'm sorry."]
But those words didn't bring me comfort.
For the second time, his words shattered me completely.
For the longest time, I had wished for him to apologize—for all his nonsense, for all the times he hurt me.
I thought hearing those words would heal the cracks in my heart.
But in the end…
They were what broke me the most.