JAY-JAY'S POV
"What the hell are you doing?!" Kei-kwanan asked, annoyed.
I snorted while mopping the floor. "Cooking."
"You're cooking what? Fire? Are we having fire for dinner?" he said sarcastically, making me snort even more.
After making me cry, now he's lecturing me. I feel like crying again. Did I intentionally turn up the fire in the pan?
"It takes a long time to remove the ice from the fish," I defended myself.
"You should have waited before turning on the stove."
I scratched my head and continued mopping the floor. Because of the mess I made earlier, water and splashes of oil were everywhere. I had to clean it up since I knew Kei-kwanan had trouble walking.
After finishing, I put the mop aside and returned to the kitchen. He was busy skewering the fish onto a barbecue stick.
"What are you doing?"
"I haven't checked if the stove is safe to use, so we'll cook this over direct fire."
I glanced at the stove I had just cleaned before mopping the floor. Suddenly, I regretted it because this brand still had some power left.
Mycaella Nicole – durable brand, rich brand, reliable.
"Let's go outside," the King of Serpents said as he slowly stood up.
I immediately went to help him. He took each step cautiously, so it took us a few minutes to get out.
"Where are we going?" I asked, slightly annoyed.
"I'm looking for a—"
"Thank you." I cut him off. "Your accent is beautiful, but stop talking. My brain is running out of blood."
He laughed softly. "My accent is handsome, or am I handsome?"
And he smirked.
I lightly pushed him, making him look surprised. His eyes widened as he clung tightly to me.
"Keep screaming. You'll end up on the sand." I threatened.
"What?" he asked, amused.
"Tagalog!"
"I'm still adjusting. I stayed in London for over a month, so of course, my brain had to adapt. If all I hear is English, I'll naturally speak English too. It's a reflex when someone talks to me."
He stopped walking for a moment.
"There's something wrong with that."
"Haven't you noticed how Filipinos who stay in places without Tagalog speakers unintentionally forget how to speak Tagalog? Their brains adapt to the environment."
He's smart. Thanks for making me feel dumb.
"It's you," I whispered, but he still seemed to hear me.
"I'm explaining so you understand. If you don't want to learn anything—go to class."
Wow! Is this a reality check?
He let go of me and approached the large branch of a tree stuck in the sand. He sat down and stretched out his wounded leg, as if the seawater and sand were soothing.
"Gather some branches. We'll make a bonfire so we can cook the fish."
I made him wait a little before searching for branches. I also gathered dry coconut palms and brought everything to him before heading inside the house to grab what we needed. First, I handed him the lighter and placed the fish on a tray next to him. Then, I went back inside to get plates and drinks.
When I returned, the fire was already burning, and the fish was set beside it. I placed my things down next to him before sitting on the sand.
"Sit here," Kei-Kwanan said, patting the spot beside him.
The sand where I was sitting was hot. Maybe it wouldn't hurt to move closer. I stood up, walked over, and sat next to him before setting up the plates.
"I'm hungry. How much longer?" I asked, staring at the fish.
"What's new?" he replied, tending to the firewood.
"I'll push you into the fire," I threatened, but he just ignored me.
I hugged my knees and rested my chin on them. The sky was growing darker, and my stomach was beginning to protest.
Watching the sunset at the beach was beautiful, but watching the fish cook was even better.
"This island is beautiful. Which province is it in?"
"I'll show you on the map later. Maybe you can even help me name it," he said, taking a skewer from beside him and turning the fish over the fire.
"It doesn't have a name?" I asked, surprised. He nodded.
That piqued my curiosity. I knew the Philippines had many islands, but I had no idea an entire island could be privately owned.
"What made you buy it?"
He gave me a look as if to say, Isn't it obvious? I just nodded, encouraging him to speak.
I smirked and absentmindedly played with the sand at my feet. So much for a conversation, I thought.
Luckily, one of the fish was finally cooked. I helped him place it on the plate before we started eating.
"Greedy," he teased, but I ignored him.
I wasn't going to let anyone say the food wasn't good, so I focused on eating. But annoyance crept back in when I remembered why this man had brought me here in the first place.
If I wasn't mistaken, he had taken me here on Friday. Today was Saturday, and tomorrow was Sunday. We needed to be home by Monday morning at the latest.
After finishing the meal, I cleaned up. I went back and forth, making sure everything was put away properly.
Once everything was settled, I returned to Kei-Kwanan to help him stand.
"Come on. Let's go inside," I said, reaching for his arm. But he stopped me.
"Can we stay here for a while?" he asked, holding my hand.
I wanted to refuse, but he looked at me with such sadness. He wasn't about to cry, but he was close.
So fragile, I thought.
I gently pulled my hand away and sat beside him again. He smiled, looking pleased that I had agreed. The fire's warmth balanced the cool sea breeze, making the night air comfortable.
"Why are you so quiet?" he asked.
"I have nothing to say."
"You can ask me anything."
I sighed. I knew he wanted me to ask questions—to give him a chance to explain himself.
I didn't understand why he was so desperate to justify what he did. Maybe he thought that if he explained everything, we'd get along better afterward.
Siopao
"What do you want to hear?" I asked, annoyed.
I would give it to him. If he wanted to talk, then go ahead and talk—just to get it over with. It was up to the one who returned home to heal his heart.
I heard him sigh. "Let's talk about it. Please."
I nodded and forced a smile. "Alright. Let's talk. When it's over."
I gasped for air. Nothing had happened yet, but I could already feel my breath tightening. I bit my lip several times just to control my emotions.
Don't cry!
"The plan to use you and get back at Aries was true," he admitted, and my tears began to fall.
I had heard it before, but it still hurt just the same. He was saying it now, but my eyes were already filled with tears.
"I was so mad at him. That's why, when I saw how much he was affected by what we were doing to you, I asked Rory and Edrix to gather information about you. That's how I found Aries' adoption papers and your two birth certificates," he explained.
That's why he found out the truth so quickly. He knew before I did. He even obtained private information—another level of betrayal.
"Our classmates and friends knew everything. They were also angry with your brother because of what he was doing to our section."
I closed my eyes as all the pain came rushing back. I had seen them as my friends, but something else had been happening behind my back. It hurt to be deceived, but it was even more painful when friends were the ones betraying me.
"They knew about the plan from the beginning, but not how it would end—because we all stopped in the middle," he continued.
I looked at him, full of sadness.
He tried to touch my face, but I shook his hand away. He reached out again, and I pushed him off. After a few more attempts, I finally struck him. But he didn't flinch. He simply accepted it.
"Look! Why do you even sympathize with me? This had nothing to do with you!" I punched his chest. "You were mad at Aries because he kidnapped Ella? She wasn't yours to begin with!" I hit him again. "If she truly didn't want to be taken, she wouldn't have been! It's that simple! But you didn't think of that because you were too proud! That's why you planned your revenge!" I struck him again, but my strength was fading.
"I—I know," he answered, his voice breaking.
"And me? I knew nothing about your lives! Yet you dragged me into your mess! Into your plan! And Yuri's plan! You're both selfish!"
"I am selfish," he admitted, hugging me tightly. "But believe me when I say that I love you. And they know. The whole Section E knows." 🥺❤️
I tried to push him away, but I had no strength left. It was useless. I could feel his deep, trembling breaths.
"I stopped on my own before I even realized it. And so did they. Because they knew I was already falling in love with you. They never complained—because they cared about you. You made them care about you."
I cried even harder because of what he said. I was afraid to believe him. Maybe this was still part of his plan. But despite my fear, I clung to his words, especially since those snakes—those traitors—had suddenly grown a conscience.
Those snakes were panicking.
"But I had to push you away. My enemies were growing. There were even more of them out on the streets." He kissed my head. "Saving you was necessary. From that monster. From my relatives. And from myself."
I paused for a moment, letting his last words sink in. Slowly, I pulled away from him and saw his tears. I hadn't realized he was crying too.
"A-year?" I whispered.
"Remember how I used to get mad?" he asked, and I nodded.
"I didn't want to end up like my dad. I was scared. So I told myself I had to change—and that I had to save you from me. And that... that's one of the reasons why I left."
I'm still sniffling. I don't understand why he wants to change that thing. For what? What if he gets angry? It's normal for people to get angry.
"W-why do you want to change yourself?"
"For me, for you." He held both of my hands. "For us." 🩷
Release? Find?
I shouldn't just believe what he said. But it seems true. What if it is true?
"Staying away was my way of saving you. But I didn't waste a single opportunity while we were apart. I did everything I had to do. I learned a lot and became a wiser person so I could protect you. I'm strong enough now to be with you." He explained and gently touched my cheeks. "Even Angelo—I can face him now." He added, laughing softly.
"Why didn't you just tell me the truth?"
"I know you. As long as you can help, you will help. And they would have found out the truth. They would have surely found a way."
I removed his hands. "How are you so sure that when you push me away, none of your enemies would try to attack me?" I didn't want to remind everyone who had kidnapped me. Next time, I would list their names.
"Angelo knew about my plan. So if I wasn't there, he would protect you," he said, and I felt slightly confused.
Brother Angelo.
"…And one more thing, our friends were there. I never cut ties with them."
I said that. That man can talk to those snakes. Have those ready for me when we get back.
"W-why did you call them? Why not me? We only talked once, and then you pretended to be someone else! Crazy!"
He smiled. "You already knew. Would you have talked to me if you knew it was me?" I was stunned by his words. "And besides, why would I call you when I could visit you?"
I frowned. "What?"
"I couldn't stand being away from you. There was a time when I missed you so much that I traveled back and forth between London and the Philippines. I even bought a private jet so I could travel secretly."
Oh wow, just like that?
I hit him. "You came home, so why didn't you show yourself to me?"
"If I had, I might not have been able to leave," he admitted.
I didn't know what to say. He did all of that while we were apart. Meanwhile, I wondered if he already had a girlfriend.
Why do I feel guilty?
"D-did you do everything you needed to do?" I asked, looking away.
He reached for my hand and held it tightly. I tried to pull away, but he wouldn't let go. Instead, he moved closer and hugged me. I pushed him, but he only tightened his embrace.
I had no strength left to resist.
"Mostly, but not everything. I still have problems with my relatives fighting over the inheritance. And, of course, that monster who killed my mom."
I remembered how Kei-kwanan was treated by his father. It was as if they weren't even his children, and yet, he was desperate to claim his inheritance.
Why is he like that?
"What about your brothers?"
"They are also one of the reasons why I chose to hurt you. I couldn't protect everyone. So, I made a sacrifice," he explained again, and I felt a weight in my chest.
I think he did the right thing. His brothers needed him more. He had many enemies, and he had to put his family first. I would have done the same if I were in his position.
"For now, Keiren is under the custody of a friend, while Keigan is under my monitoring. He seems…"
He didn't finish his sentence.
"What's wrong with Keigan?"
"I'm afraid to admit it, but I think you and Keigan are experiencing the same symptoms."
And my problem returns to me every time I see blood. Out of everyone who knows my situation, he is the only one I can truly confide in. He was also the only one searching for a clear answer without forcing me.
Just him.
"I—I remember some things. It's like a part of my past, but it's scary," I said as the images and dreams flooded back.
I closed my eyes and held onto him tightly. I knew he could feel my fear.
"Shh... Don't force yourself to remember," he whispered.
"N-no. It's coming back on its own. It's scary."
I felt him stroking my hair.
"It's okay. I'm here. You have nothing to be afraid of. We'll face it together."
Only now did everything become clear to me. After his explanation, I felt better. It would be too soon to say that I have forgiven him, but I want to take this opportunity.
After all the chaos, I finally experienced peace.
Peace, men. Peace.
We held onto each other as if our embrace was our only anchor. We rarely let go, staying close until the fire had completely died down.
He leaned on my arm as I helped him walk. Once we reached the living room, I left him to wash the dishes. I locked the doors, even though I knew no one else would enter. Then, I helped him back to the room.
I had intended to send him directly to the next room, but instead, he followed me to the one where I was staying.
He excused himself to clean up, so I let him go. When he came out of the bathroom, I tidied up and changed into my pajamas. I thought he was ready to move to the other room, but when I emerged from the bathroom, he was already lying down.
"You can't stay here. I only let you last time because you were asleep," I said calmly.
"I'm too tired, Jay. Please. I promise I'll move to the next room tomorrow."
I stopped for a moment. Tomorrow? Are we staying here until tomorrow? I was really confused by this. The longer I'm gone, the longer Kuya's torture process takes.
He will peel me alive and then bathe me in onions and garlic.
I lay down on the bed, wondering what my hill would look like.
"Do you forgive me now?" Kei-Kwanan asked, and I turned to him.
"I-I can't say."
"I don't expect you to forgive me that easily. I'll work hard for your forgiveness," he said and reached for my hand.
I turned to face him, now staring straight at him again. He smiled at me, but I couldn't reciprocate.
He was about to approach me for a kiss, but I moved away and placed my palm against his face. He shook my hand off and tried to come closer. I immediately hit him.
"Just one."
"Stupid!" I said, annoyed, and hit him again.
He just kept laughing and laughing.
"Stop. Don't be naughty, someone will get angry."
I frowned and stopped. "Who?"
"The reindeer."
When he said that, my eyes instinctively dropped. I finally noticed that he was only wearing a t-shirt and boxers—the same boxers I had given him at the Christmas party. Crazy!!
I immediately moved away and turned my back on him. "Don't come near me!"
He laughed softly. Thankfully, he took the hint and stayed quiet.
Even after a few hours, I still couldn't sleep. I kept trying, but my mind wouldn't settle. His deep breathing only made it worse, keeping me wide awake.
Go to sleep!
But something was playing in my mind—thoughts I had never entertained before. I hadn't been like this in the past few days, which scared me even more for reasons I couldn't explain.
"Jay-jay," Kei-Kwanan whispered.
"What?" I answered weakly.
"It's ready," he said, making me frown.
I looked at him, confused, and saw that his eyes were wide open.
"What's ready?"
"The reindeer is ready to call."
I couldn't understand what he meant until I saw the crooked smile on his lips.
Stupid!
I sat up and bombarded him with insults, but he just laughed. I also smacked him—and... that was it!
I ended up stepping on the reindeer.