Chapter 165 - Dinner

Jay-Jay's POV

I'm overwhelmed again! Not by drag but by overthinking. The thing I feared the most is starting to happen.

Those who support Keifer and Yuri are divided, and now even those who didn't care are being dragged into the fight.

What's even worse is that some people have unresolved issues of their own—like Kit and Mayo. They haven't even spoken to each other because of their own problems, and now our issue has been added to the mix.

Shit!

I heard a knock on my bedroom door. It opened, and Kuya Angelo stepped in.

"Jay... Get dressed. We're going somewhere," he ordered.

"Huh?"

"Just get dressed."

He left the room without explaining further. I didn't bother asking why or where we were going. I just stood up and picked out some clothes.

Even though I was confused, I still got dressed and fixed my hair. But I wasn't comfortable. I grabbed my sneakers and put them on—I don't want to wear sandals.

When I stepped out, Kuya immediately raised an eyebrow at me. I understood his reaction. After all, I was wearing a dress—with sneakers. That's just my vibe in life!

I must have caught this from those annoying snakes!

"What is that? Why are you so dressed up?" he asked in irritation.

"You told me—"

"Never mind! We're going to be late. Let's go!"

I followed him and got into the car.

"Where are we going?"

He didn't answer, just kept his eyes on the road.

Tito Julz and Tita Gema weren't with us. They were still at the hospital watching over Aries.

The car slowed down and parked in front of a fancy restaurant. It looked like only rich people ate here.

And I was right. I suddenly wanted to go home. Even though I was wearing a dress, it was obvious I didn't belong in a place like this. Kuya, on the other hand, fit right in. Even though he was a little on the chubby side, he carried himself well.

"Kuya, where exactly are we—" I stopped mid-sentence.

From where I stood, I could see Yuri and his parents.

Crap.

"We're having dinner with Yuri and his parents," Kuya said as he started walking toward their table.

I had no choice but to follow, even though every fiber of my being wanted to run the other way.

"They're here!" Yuri's mom said, immediately coming over to hug me.

"Sorry… We're late," Kuya said as he greeted Yuri's dad.

After exchanging greetings, I was caught off guard when Yuri suddenly walked up to me, smiling as if nothing had happened. He kissed my cheek, and I flinched slightly in shock.

He just kept smiling and pulled out my chair, helping me sit down properly.

I stared at him in confusion.

Why does he look so… unaffected?

"…How is Aries? I hope nothing serious happened to him," Yuri's mom asked Kuya.

"He's doing better now. Aries has been sick for a long time. His body just couldn't handle it anymore, which is why he had trouble breathing again," Kuya explained.

For a long time?

I had no idea Aries had been sick for so long. You wouldn't be able to tell just by looking at him.

"That's good to hear. Anyway, let's talk about the upcoming wedding."

I nearly choked.

Here we go again. Another battle to fight.

"We originally planned for the wedding to be next year, but Otosan doesn't want to wait that long. So we'll just schedule it around Jay-jay's birthday."

My head started throbbing. My birthday? Is this a joke? My birthday is only a few months away. A FEW MONTHS!

"Jay-jay?" Kuya called, noticing that I was looking down.

"Y-yes?"

"When do you want to start picking out a gown?"

When? Is that supposed to be my funeral gown? Might as well pick one now.

"Anytime is fine," I answered in almost a whisper.

"That's great! I'll come with you to choose one," Yuri's mom said with a bright smile.

I forced a smile in return.

I felt Kuya's eyes on me. His stare had a deeper meaning, but I avoided his gaze. Instead, I looked at Yuri. He still wasn't showing any sign of anger or resentment.

Why are you like this?

He should be mad at me. He should be ignoring me. Why isn't he?

Suddenly, he looked at me again and smiled.

I averted my gaze.

"We also need to teach Jay-jay Nihongo so she won't have a hard time when she moves to Japan," Yuri's mom added.

My knees went weak.

Move to Japan?

Why would I be moving to Japan?

What is happening to my life?

"Are you okay?" Yuri asked me.

I just nodded, but he didn't seem convinced.

"I'll take Jay-jay outside for some fresh air," he said, excusing us as he helped me stand up.

I followed him to the side of the restaurant, where there were benches and a small garden. I sat down, resting my elbows on my knees, and covered my face with my hands.

"Don't let them see that you don't want to marry me," Yuri said, standing across from me.

I looked up at him.

This... This is the Yuri I've been looking for.

"I couldn't help it. You smiled at me as if nothing had happened," I said, annoyed. "...If you're angry, show it!"

He took a deep breath. "I can't. I can't be mad at you or hate you."

I stared at him. What do you mean you can't? I hurt him. He should be angry with me.

He knelt down in front of me, resting one knee on the ground for support. We were almost at eye level.

"...I love you that much. No matter how much you betray me. No matter how much you hurt me. It's not that I can't be angry with you. Yes, I yelled at you at first, but I realized it was wrong and apologized for it."

Apologized?! Are you insane?!

Tears started falling before I even realized it. I felt like something was choking me.

"Don't torture me like this," I pleaded. "...I-I don't deserve this. I don't deserve your love."

He cupped my cheek and wiped my tears away with his thumb.

"Maybe not. But you're the one I love. The one I've always loved. So even if you don't deserve it, I'll still give it to you."

Stop it…

"Yuri... Please… That's enough."

He smiled at me. "I won't stop. Not now." He removed his hand from my cheek and stood up. "...I was wrong. I didn't lose to Keifer. I actually won."

I slowly stood up and looked at him.

"...Maybe your heart belongs to him, but physically, you belong to me. I'm the one you'll be with—not him. I'm the one who wins. You're mine."

He smiled again—the same smile he had shown earlier. Then, without another word, he turned and walked back into the restaurant.

I stood there, frozen.

I sat back down on the bench, my knees feeling weak. I wiped my tears repeatedly, but every time I tried to compose myself and get up, the tears would come again.

Damn it...

I stayed there for a few more minutes. I could hear my phone ringing inside the pocket of my dress. I knew it was Kuya calling me.

"Jay?"

I looked up at the person who called my name. He seemed to be looking around, trying to make me out in the dimly lit area.

For a second, I thought it was Keifer. But no—it was someone wearing glasses.

Keigan!

He was with a woman… Someone who looked familiar.

"W-what are you doing here?" I asked, straightening myself up.

"We're celebrating my girlfriend's birthday," he said, turning to his companion and pulling her closer. "...This is Elixera Fediricos, my girlfriend."

She smiled at me and extended her hand. I took it and shook hands with her.

Then it hit me—I remembered her! She's Blaster's best friend, the one in the picture on his phone.

She looks even more beautiful in person. No wonder these two fought over her. If I were a guy, I'd probably be tempted to steal her away too.

Even in the dim lighting, I could see how flawless her skin was. Like pearls. My so-called "crystal-like" complexion felt dull in comparison. She had long, curly hair and naturally rosy cheeks. I liked rosy cheeks.

We were almost the same height, though it was obvious she was younger than me.

Ugh, Jay, you're embarrassing yourself.

"What about you? What are you doing here? Why are you alone?" Keigan asked.

"W-what…? I—"

Before I could finish, his phone rang. He held up a finger, signaling me to wait as he moved slightly away to answer it.

While waiting for him, I couldn't help but glance at his girlfriend again.

She met my gaze and smiled—almost knowingly.

I felt embarrassed. I had been staring too much!

Suddenly, her phone rang. She took it out of her bag, and I caught a glimpse of the screen.

Blaster's picture flashed on it. Incoming call…

She hesitated, staring at the phone for a moment, before declining the call and slipping it back into her bag. She then glanced at Keigan, but he didn't seem to notice.

Biting her lip, she turned to me, as if she wanted to say something.

"You're Jay-jay… right?" she asked softly.

I nodded.

"B-because… M-maybe…"

I knew what she wanted to say. She didn't want Keigan to know that Blaster had just called her.

I smiled and made a zipping motion across my lips.

I'll keep quiet. If I say anything, it might cause a fight between them.

"Happy birthday," I said.

"Thank you," she replied, smiling meaningfully.

Keigan finished his call and walked back toward us.

"Kuya's inside. Let's go?" Keigan asked Elixera.

Kuya?

Keifer!

My heart suddenly raced for a reason I couldn't explain. Maybe because of what happened earlier… Maybe because I needed to talk to him.

I rushed inside before Keigan, eager to see him.

But when I reached our table, there he was—

With another woman.