Chapter 151 - Near Death

Jay-Jay's POV

Is this for real?! A lunch date or a party? A simple meal or a lavish feast?

So much food—absolutely magnificent! It feels like attending a birthday or a baptism. The food is all set on the side.

Of course, they're naturally starving. And here we are, standing in line. Yes! I'm starving too. Who wouldn't be?

Lechon, Bes!

Out of all the greasy dishes, this one stands out the most. Clap, clap!

The servers are taking forever. I think all the food has already been served.

"There's ice cream!" Ci exclaimed, clapping excitedly.

"Eat some proper food first... You might get an upset stomach if you eat ice cream right away," I warned.

"But I want ice cream." He pouted.

"Oh my! Suit yourself..."

I just let him be. Finally, victory! Grab some here, grab some there—everything has to fit on the plate.

After getting our food, we headed straight to the table. We sat near Keifer, close enough to hear their conversation. They also told me not to go far from Keigan.

While we were enjoying our meal, their conversation turned serious. Keifer already looked tense.

And then there was Yuri and Keifer's father. What I didn't understand was why Aries was also sitting at their table with Ella.

Eddie, wow!

"How's school? Are you studying well?" Their father asked Keifer.

"My studies are none of your business," Keifer replied bluntly.

"Come on, Keifer. I'm still your father. I still have responsibilities toward you and your brother."

"Bullsh*t!" Keifer snapped, clearly annoyed.

"Watch your language, son. You're still in my house," his father said firmly.

Damn! This is intense!

It feels like I'm waiting for a big fight to break out. They don't even need to pull out guns like in the movies.

Keifer's father glanced at Aries and Yuri.

"Look at you two. You used to come here just to pick up Keifer, just for fun, and now, it's still not enough," he said with a smirk.

He even knows Percy. That's true! Aries has been here before. No wonder he knows so much.

"And you're Ella, right?" he said, turning to her. "...The last time I saw you, you were with Keifer. But now, it looks like you're with someone else."

Ella's expression darkened. Aries immediately grabbed her hand. I can't blame him—his past is catching up to him.

Then Keifer's father suddenly looked at me. I nearly fainted from the shock!

"The only rose among the thorns?" he asked me.

One dew?!

"...What's your name? You're new to me."

I glanced at Keifer, who was also looking at me. It was as if he was silently warning me to be careful with my answer.

"J-Jasper Jean Mariano... Just Jay-jay."

He fell silent for a moment, seemingly deep in thought, but his attention remained on me.

"I know a few Marianos in the business industry. What are your parents' names?" he asked again.

"That's none of your business," Keifer interrupted sharply.

Good thing he spoke up—I didn't want to say their names either. It would only cause problems, especially with my father.

"It's just a name. There's nothing wrong with asking someone's name," he said, turning back to me. "...Would you mind telling me their names?"

Queen!

"J-Jasfher Mariano is my father. Jeana Fernandez is my mother," I hesitantly answered.

He suddenly smiled widely.

"What a small world! They have a child! Hahaha..." he laughed.

I felt irritated. What does he mean by that?

"...It just so happens that I know your father. He's a stockholder in our telecommunications company. And on the other side, I also know your mother. She's the sister of Gema Fernandez, who happens to be my friend," he said, glancing at Aries. "...So, you're cousins?"

Aries just looked away. He was clearly not happy about what he heard. It was obvious he wasn't proud that we were blood relatives.

"...I never imagined your parents together. I mean... no offense, but your mom seems a bit... 'tactless,'" he said, struggling to find the right word to describe her.

I lowered my head. It's true—Mama has no filter. She always speaks her mind, which often gets her into trouble.

There have even been times when she ended up at the police station after an argument. Grandma always comes to her rescue, while I just stay quiet at home.

"...I never even saw them together before. It amazes me that—" he stopped mid-sentence.

Keifer's glass suddenly shattered. He didn't throw it or hit anything—it just broke in his hand.

Keifer slowly closed his fist, and blood dripped onto the table.

"Did you come here just to insult us?" Keifer asked, his tone serious.

"No... But why do you seem so affected?"

I looked at Keifer and his father. If there were actual electricity flowing between their eyes, I could have charged a cellphone.

"Can you just tell us what you need? We still have classes," Keifer said, annoyed, wiping his hand with a table napkin.

His father signaled to one of his staff. "I'm glad you brought that up."

One of the men in a black suit handed him a document. Keifer's father took it and passed it to Keifer.

"...Sign it," he ordered.

Keifer read the contents of the paper, and in an instant, his expression darkened with anger. He stood up and glared at his father.

"If you don't want to give me custody of Keiren, then give me back my inheritance!"

"That's my mom's money! She worked hard for it and gave it to me!"

"Your mother didn't have any money... She stole it from the company's stockholders—mine, to be exact."

Keifer threw the paper. "I won't sign anything!"

His father's expression turned serious. "You leave me no choice."

Suddenly, the men in black suits moved toward us. We instinctively stood up and backed away from them.

My food!

They reached for Keiren, but before they could grab him, Keifer struck one of them with a powerful punch.

The other men in suits quickly reacted and closed in. Ella and Aries immediately stepped away. Yuri rushed to Keifer's side to help him fight.

That Aries is unbelievable! Help them, will you? What a shame!

"Let's help them, Keifer!" they shouted, and Keifer immediately joined the fray.

The number of black-suited men kept increasing. Seriously? How many of them are there?

I spotted Keigan running toward me. Is this it? Are we going to run for it? I was about to greet him when someone suddenly grabbed him.

Keiren was forced to run.

"Keiren!" I called out.

He ran toward me. I looked around—chaos was everywhere! I saw no way out.

"Where are we going?!" he asked in a panic.

Shit!

I pulled him toward one of the doors. I tried opening and kicking it, but it was locked.

Damn it!

I frantically looked around, but all I saw were flying plates and scattered furniture.

I had no choice. I ran to one of the tables, lifted the tablecloth, and hurriedly pushed Keiren underneath.

"Stay here! I'm going to find Keigan!" I told him before lowering the cloth.

I ran through the chaos, searching for Keigan, but I couldn't see him anywhere. Where is he?!

I kept running in circles, nearly tripping over broken glass and dodging flying objects.

Then, a firm hand grabbed me. One of the men in black suits.

"Where's Keiren?!" He demanded.

"In my pocket! Having coffee!" I snapped and immediately shoved him hard.

He lost his grip, and I took the chance to escape. The chaos intensified, but then, a loud male voice silenced the entire room.

"ENOUGH!!" Keifer's father shouted. At the same time, gunshots rang out.

I froze.

I saw Keigan being held in a headlock by one of the black-suited men, struggling to break free.

I swallowed hard. Then I noticed the person I had pushed earlier—now standing in front of me, pointing a gun directly at my heart.

Shit! This isn't a joke. This is really the end for me!

The fighting came to an abrupt stop. Keifer glared furiously at his father.

"YOU SON OF A B*TCH!" he yelled.

"Language!" his father scolded before signaling one of his staff.

Suddenly, one of the men lunged at Keifer, landing a hard blow. He dropped to his knees in pain but struggled to stay upright.

"Where is Keiren?" his father demanded, scanning the room.

No one answered. No one knew except me.

"Sir! That girl was with Keiren earlier!" the man with the gun pointed at me.

Oh, great. Thanks a lot for having a gun.

Keifer's father walked closer, followed by his staff.

"Where is my son?" he asked, his tone deadly serious.

I shook my head. "I-I don't know... We got separated," I lied.

It was clear he didn't believe me. He signaled his men again, and I gasped when three of them suddenly grabbed Keifer and restrained him.

"Argh!" Keifer groaned in pain.

"Keiren! Come out! Come out wherever you are!" his father shouted.

I wanted to run to Keifer, to stop them, but how could I when the gun followed my every move?

I looked desperately at Yuri and Aries, silently pleading for help, but even they were powerless.

Keifer was already on the floor, yet they didn't stop.

"T-that's enough... Have mercy on Keifer," I pleaded.

"Mercy? That word doesn't suit my son. Keifer needs to learn a lesson," his father said with a cruel smile.

Are you really his father? How could he treat his son like this?

Tears streamed down my face as I helplessly watched the brutality continue.

Keifer was still holding on, refusing to cry out, still throwing punches despite everything.

Keifer's father seemed to realize that hurting his son would get him nowhere.

"Keifer, why are you so stubborn?" he asked, stepping closer.

Keifer remained silent.

"...Tsk! Plan A isn't working. I'll move on to Plan B," he added.

My eyes widened in shock as the other men in black suits suddenly drew their guns, pointing them at the rest of us.

I took a step back as the cold barrel of a gun pressed against my head.

"All I need is a signature. That's it—or Keiren," his father threatened.

I saw the worry in Keifer's eyes. Everyone turned to look at him, waiting for his decision. He struggled to stand, then suddenly turned his gaze toward me.

No! Don't look at me!

"Brother, don't!" Keigan screamed, but the man restraining him silenced him.

Keifer remained quiet for a moment, deep in thought. Then, to my shock, he slowly reached for the pen on the table.

"Keifer!"

"Don't!" Yuri and I shouted in unison.

His father immediately handed him the document. The hand holding the pen began to lower toward the paper.

No! His mother was everything to Keifer. If he gave up what she worked so hard for, it would be as if he were surrendering everything he had been fighting for.

Haaaiizzzttt! I'll only do this once!

"Pull the trigger!" I shouted.