Chapter 162 - Inner Pain

Jay-Jay's POV

You and Ella are the same!

It's like a broken record playing in my mind, repeating the words he said. So sickening!

Hope.

Keifer hugged me tightly. He didn't say anything, and I just let him.

I felt like a crying child. His arms and shoulders were damp from my tears and my cold.

"You can't blame Yuri..." he said while continuing to hold me. "...He was hurt again."

"I-I know... B-but it just hurts so much."

That was never my intention. I never meant to hurt him. I had no intention of letting him down.

I understand why he's so angry with me, but I still couldn't stop myself from crying. It felt as if miles and miles of needles were stabbing my heart.

"Keifer... He doesn't want to postpone the wedding."

He pulled away slightly from the swing and cupped my cheeks. Even with my face covered in cold tears… he still kissed me.

For a moment, I forgot why I was crying. I even forgot what my face must look like. Oh, crap! This guy's mouth tastes like cigarettes and Mentos. He pulled away and immediately looked at me in disgust.

"Yuck! Your cold..."

I immediately smacked him hard, but he just laughed at me.

"You're impossible!" I said, annoyed.

He cupped my cheeks again, this time more seriously.

"Don't worry about the wedding. We still have time to think of a plan to stop it."

I sniffled and nodded. I kissed his forehead, feeling slightly better.

He pulled something from his pocket and handed me a white handkerchief.

"Wipe your nose. That's disgusting," he said, laughing.

I quickly took the handkerchief and blew my nose. I must have emptied everything out, except for the thoughts still cluttering my mind. Once I was done, I handed the handkerchief back to him.

"Thanks."

"It's yours now... Honestly, it'd be embarrassing to take it back. Who knows what you left on it?"

I just held onto the handkerchief as Keifer started the car. It was time to go home.

"I want to go home," I whispered.

He simply nodded. I remained silent during the ride. Even if I wanted to say something, what could I say?

Keifer glanced at me from time to time, but I couldn't meet his gaze.

Even though some of the weight on my chest had lifted, the pain remained. His words still echoed in my mind.

After all, I deserve this—the pain of what I did to him. I gave him hope for nothing. If I had known it would end like this, I would have stopped myself from the start.

What did he mean when he said, "Keifer isn't the only one who has his ways"? I suddenly remembered what Ci-N had said about him.

My mind was a mess. So many questions swirled in my head, yet I had no answers.

"Jay..." Keifer called, snapping me out of my thoughts.

"Hm?"

"I talked to Percy."

My heart stopped. I slowly turned to look at Keifer, who was focused on the road.

Another thing to add to my already tangled thoughts.

"H-how?"

"Remember my promise to you? About your father's information?"

I nodded.

"I managed to get his contact number and tried calling it. His secretary answered."

Keifer suddenly stopped the car. Only then did I realize we were close to home. Just like yesterday, he wasn't dropping me off immediately.

He took out his phone and pressed something before handing it to me. A recording started playing.

"Good morning... You've reached Mr. Mariano's number. May I know who's on the line?" a man's voice said.

From the way he spoke, he sounded foreign—his English had a distinct accent. But why was Keifer making me listen to this?

"This is Keifer Watson. Can I speak to Mr. Mariano? This is urgent."

Keifer's voice was firm, authoritative.

Silence followed. I thought the recording had ended, but the countdown and play symbol were still visible on the screen.

Then, I heard movement on the other end, followed by a familiar voice.

"Keifer..." Percy's voice.

I looked up at Keifer, but he remained focused on his phone.

"...How are you?... Bro."

There was no joy in Percy's tone. He sounded serious, almost irritated. There was a distinct emphasis when he said "Bro."

"Who's this?" Keifer responded quickly.

"Oh, crap! You're breaking my heart... You forgot me so quickly? Did four years really feel that long? Long enough for you to forget your 'dead' friend? Oh, my heart! I'm in pain!"

I wanted to be annoyed at his words. I wasn't sure if he was joking or just genuinely upset.

Percy?

"Finally! I thought you'd never recognize my very handsome voice."

"What the hell?! I don't have time for your nonsense! I need to speak to Mr. Mariano. Now!"

The annoyance in Keifer's voice was obvious.

Percy suddenly laughed. Even I felt irritated by his antics. It was as if he was playing with Keifer… or with both of us.

"Mark Keifer Watson… You haven't changed at all. Still giving orders. Still thinking you're the King?"

"Percy..."

"Keifer..." He mimicked Keifer's tone mockingly. "...You are already talking to Mr. Mariano." He chuckled.

Annoying!

"I'm talking about Jay-Jay's dad. Not you."

Percy stopped laughing. Even through the recording, I could feel the tension between them.

"Why do you need to talk to him? I'm here, aren't I? I'm also a Mariano."

"Shit, Percy! What the hell is your problem?! I need to talk to him! Jay-Jay needs her father!" Keifer's voice was filled with frustration. Even I felt paralyzed by his words.

"Don't shout, bro! You can't talk to him. No matter how much you yell."

I heard something ringing, followed by a voice I couldn't understand.

"…I have to go. Don't worry, we'll be back soon, and when we do… we'll take Jay-Jay back. From you and from Angelo."

The recording ended, and only one thought filled my mind.

I didn't understand anything.

What was that supposed to mean?! I was confused!

"W-what does he mean by 'take back'? I don't understand what he's saying!" I said, frustrated.

Keifer set his phone aside. "Even I'm confused. I'm starting to get tired of his games."

I held my head in frustration. What exactly are you trying to do? Who are you in my life? What do you want from me, Percy Mariano?!

"Looks like all we can do now is wait."

I looked at Keifer. "I'm tired of waiting."

He took my hand. The frustration I felt toward Percy almost brought me to tears.

With his other hand, he cupped my cheek. "Be patient, Jay."

I nodded and forced a smile. That was all I could do.

I had asked David once to tell Percy not to come near me. I thought he'd be scared and find a way to talk to me, but he didn't. I wasn't even sure if David had passed my message on to him.

Keifer kissed my forehead. I looked at him, then turned toward the gate. The moment it opened, I froze.

Shit!

"It's Kuya Angelo…" I said, immediately lowering my head.

I almost bumped into the dashboard. I glanced at Keifer, who looked confused as he stared at the approaching figure.

"He's still there?!" I asked.

"Y-yeah… Shit! You startled me. I almost pressed something by accident." He laughed.

I laughed, too. Damn it! His reaction was hilarious. He suddenly tensed up when Angelo stepped outside. He just stood there, looking around.

What is he doing?!

Here's the problem: If he doesn't go inside or leave, I can't get out of Keifer's car without him seeing me. From where I was sitting, he had a full view.

"I can't get out… He'll see me," I said in frustration.

Keifer suddenly started the car. I wanted to look at him, but the tension wouldn't let me.

"What are we doing?" I asked.

"I'll drop you off at the corner. Get out there."

I breathed a sigh of relief. We drove for a short distance before stopping again.

I lifted my head. We had reached the corner, and I hurried to open the door, but Keifer suddenly grabbed my arm.

I looked at him and noticed his gaze was fixed on the front of the car. I followed his line of sight—and my heart nearly stopped when I saw Aries.

Damn it!

He was staring straight at us, his fists clenched.

"A-Aries… I'm getting out now."

I thought Keifer would release me, but instead, his grip tightened. I turned to him and smiled.

"Keifer, I—" I didn't even get to finish my sentence when he suddenly kissed me on the cheek.

Oh… Just on the cheek?

"Take care. I love you, Jay—until scientists find the end of the universe."

Huh?! What?! I could only nod in response. Because… damn it!

"…What's your answer?" he asked.

"A-ah… I love—frog!"

Aries suddenly slammed his fist against the car window. His eyes burned with anger as he glared at me.

I had no choice but to pull away from Keifer's grip and quickly step out of the car.

"You're really flirting out here, huh?" Aries sneered, his gaze piercing through me.

He turned and walked away. I looked at Keifer for a moment and said goodbye before following Aries inside.

I expected a fight, a confrontation, but nothing happened.

When I entered the house, I was relieved to see that Kuya Angelo was busy. I quickly headed to my room—only to be greeted by Ci-N.

Gago is all smiles!

His eyebrows are still raised at me. It's creepy to look at.

"How was your conversation?" he asked.

I thought he had lost his mind. Or maybe he had mentioned it before, but I was too distracted to notice? There was an emphasis on the word conversation.

"It was fine," I answered while grabbing my clothes.

"Jay… I know I'm handsome, and girls fall for me easily," he said, raising his eyebrows. "...but you didn't have to tell Keifer that you want me."

What the hell?!

If my eyebrows could detach from my face and rise any higher, they'd probably reach heaven.

"I love Ci-N... Ahihihi..."

I cringed so hard. The way he mocked me made it obvious that last night's I love you wasn't meant for him.

I grabbed a pillow and threw it at him with all my strength. But damn it, this guy was quick. He caught it effortlessly and laughed at me in the most annoying way.

"You suck!" I shouted and launched myself at him.

I smacked him with the pillow, but he just laughed. When the pillow slipped away, I resorted to pinching him.

"Ouch! Ouch!" he yelled.

Serves you right!

"Help! Jay-Jay is trying to kill me! Help!"

His over-the-top acting irritated me even more. I kept hitting him, forcing him to block my attacks with his arms. Taking my chance, I pinched his cheek hard, making him scream.

"Shiiiiiiitttttt! Ugh!"

"You're an idiot!" I said, laughing at his reaction.

Ci-N was like an instant brother to me. Even though we teased each other nonstop, he was still fun to be around.

I finally let go and watched him writhe in pain—or so he claimed. I expected him to be mad, but instead, he flashed a foolish grin.

"You're jealous of my tongue, aren't you?"

"You wish! I have one too."

"Why are you arguing with someone who's obviously superior?" he shot back.

"Crazy!"

"Jay-Jay England!"

I smacked him hard, but he blocked it with his arms.

"I'm speechless," he taunted.

"Oh, really? You never shut up, and you're greedy too!"

"Alright… then let me pinch your tongue too. Let's see if it doesn't shut you up—OUCH!"

I punched his arm hard. He whined dramatically.

"Idiot! Don't stick to Keifer anymore."

"Ayyiiieeehhh… I miss him!"

We both froze when the bedroom door suddenly opened, revealing Kuya Angelo with his eyebrows raised.

Did he hear that?!

"Ci-N…" he said, making my heart race. "...Your mother is on the line." He pointed outside the room.

My anxiety faded, but it was immediately replaced by concern for Ci-N. His eyes looked sad as he glanced at me before standing up.

He left the room, and I followed. He gripped the phone cord tightly, as if he wanted to yank it out.

After a few minutes of talking, he hung up.

"W-what happened?" I asked.

He lowered his head. "My condo unit is ready."