Chapter-266


Protect


Keifer's POV


I couldn't bring myself to go home. I went to the basement where
we used to hang out.
I went straight to the Mini Bar and just grabbed some alcohol. I didn't even
bother looking at the brand. I just gulped it down to relieve the
weight of my mood.
But alcohol has no use. Even if I drink all the alcohol here, it still won't
change how I feel.
Angelo is right. I have to push Jay-jay away from me but I have to feel
numb in order to do that. I might be the first to give up when I see
him struggling.
But I really can't. I'll give up my life. If I do
that, I'll die.
"Kuya..." Someone called.
I turn around to check. It was Keigan walking slowly in the darkness.
"It's night... You should go to sleep." I said in a calm voice.
"I've slept too much. I'll probably come back to the room later
." He said and forced a smile. "...Do you have a problem? Why are
you still up and drinking?"
The way Keigan speaks makes me confused. He's too far away from the
Keigan I spoke this morning. He sounds normal.
"Same things of course." I answered.
There are times when I tell him a problem. I don't want
him to feel that I'm drifting away from him or from Keiren and them.
So I can't tell him, I say. But there are times
that I have to shut my mouth.
I go over to him and ask him to sit on the floor. We lean back on the
back of the couch to make ourselves more comfortable. When
we're in this position, it's just like we're normal siblings.
"How is your day?" I asked him.
I haven't said hello in a while. Honey was right about what
she told me this morning.
"I sleep for a whole day." He answered and shortly laughed. "...How
about you?"
I shook my head. "Not good."
"Why?"
"Things are being fvcked up."
"Do you feel pressured? You don't have to rush. You
still have a month to think about it."
"That's not what's bothering me." I look down and shake the
bottle of alcohol in my hand.
"Is it about her?"
Keigan's voice suddenly sounds disappointed. I know he doesn't like
Jay-jay. For him, she was a hindrance.
"Yes, it's about her." He didn't say a thing so I choose to continue
talking about her. "...I have to protect her from Clyde and from me. But
I can't let go of her. She's my life."
I heard Keigan's sigh. "Think of this Kuya. Can you stand
to see a gun pointed at her head or can you stand
to see that she's hurt because you saved her."
I shook my head. Actually there's no difference. Hurting her so bad is like
killing her and me. Hitting to birds in one stone but the idea of her having a
lifeless body is more horrible.
"I can't do both." I answered and a few tears drop from
my eyes. "...but I would rather hurt her than let her
die because of me."
"You don't have to feel bad about it. You really have to sacrifice
. You can't protect both Jay-jay and us at the same time.
You can't do it because you don't have your inheritance yet." He said in a
ery calm voice. "...But look on the bright side. It's only temporary,
sooner you can have your money. You can protect her and never loose
her again. You will have all the time in the world to win her back."
I'm hopeless. I will never win her back. Once I let her go, Yuri or David
will take advantage of that. They will do everything to have Jay-jay for themselves
.
And I will loose her forever.
"I hate my life." I said and wiped my tears.
Keigan laughed. "You wouldn't hate our lives."
And I laugh with him. We're sitting on the floor, resting our backs on the
back of the couch and laughing together are bringing back memories.
It's a wave of nostalgia.
I really wished we had a normal family. A lovely Mom that's still alive.
A supportive Dad that puts the family first. And the three of us, Me Keigan
and Keiren.
"I think we should go to bed. Especially you." Keigan said and I
couldn't disagree. "...You look so stressed."
"I am indeed."
He stood up first and I followed. I put the bottle
I was holding in the Mini Bar back before walking out.
We're both in silence while walking together to our own bed rooms. I
stop in front of Keiren's room door.
"Go ahead. I'll just check Keiren."
He nodded and walked first. I slowly
opened the door to Keiren's room. His favorite mushroom lamp is
on. It helps him calm every time he's having trouble sleeping.
I slowly walk toward him. I picked up his blanket that had fallen to
the floor because of his mischief in bed. I held it out to him.
Sorry Keiren, sorry if you didn't experience having parents.
I'm trying to be your Mom and Dad but I know it's not
enough. I hope you can be strong even without them. I hope you don't lose
confidence in yourself. I hope you can be strong, more than me or Keigan.
I hope you don't end up like me.
I kissed her forehead before leaving her room. I slowly
closed the door and walked to my room.
I felt exhausted. I unbuttoned my uniform one by one.
When I got to my room, I took off my shirt. Just as I was about to throw myself on the
bed, a wallet-sized picture fell out.
I lost track of it...
I picked it up and looked at it. Unlike before, I didn't
smile when I saw her face.
"Jay-jay..." I said and sat at the edge of my bed. "...I know there's a
chance that you will never forgive me but I assure you, I will do
anything to become stronger." I put her picture down on
my bedside table. "...and when I do, I will protect you no matter what."
As of now, let me save you from my relatives and.....from me.
For now, my focus will be on my siblings.
They need me too.
I spent most of the night thinking about what could happen. I couldn't
get dressed and just fell asleep on my own. I still smelled of alcohol that
I was sure had stuck to my bed.
I woke up because of a knock on my bedroom door. Headaches again
are kicking in. I forced myself to get up even though my body didn't want to leave
the bed.
"Kuya! Wake up!" It was Keiren knocking at my door. "
Kuya Keigan and I might be late!"
"Okay! I'm up!" I shouted.
He stopped knocking. I washed my face with
my hand. I was dizzy and felt like my brain would explode with every movement
I made.
I forced myself to get up and when I stood up, I almost fell.
I had to take Keigan and Keiren to school. And I also had to
ace Jay-jay.
It has to be today...
I was planning to skip it for a few more days. I didn't want to hurt him
one after another but that's what was needed. I didn't want to take it any longer because
I might not be able to bear it and I wouldn't be able to do what I planned.
I went straight to the bathroom and took a shower. I didn't take long and got dressed right away. I
look at myself in the mirror. My eyes are lifeless and cold.
After getting dressed, I went straight to the Dining where
my siblings were eating breakfast.
Keigan looks good today. Like he never cried yesterday.
His actions were normal as I see him as natural.
"Eat breakfast." I heard someone's order.
I looked at him and raised my eyebrows. "Why are you here again
?" I asked irritated.
"There's no breakfast at home, I'm going to eat." Honey answered.
I rolled my eyes. She was already making my house a hangout. Then
she would say that her Uncle was scolding her because of her frequent
isits here.
"What's with your look? You look like a troubled, grumpy
young man left by his wife." She said before swallowing her food.
"Just eat if you don't want to never be able to eat here again."
She just shrugged and continued. I took a glass of
coffee and drank it. I really don't feel like eating. I didn't realize how
hungry I was because of the weight of my feelings.
Keigan and Keiren finished eating first. I asked them to wait for
me outside. When I was sure they were gone, I approached Honey.
"Where is Keigan's Maid? Kate." I asked.
She suddenly stopped eating and looked at me with so much confusion.
"She left. Just last night."
My forehead creased. "What?"
"Your Butler said she left."
"But why?"
"Don't know."
I turned my back on her and let her continue eating. Why would she
leave? I don't know how many of Keigan's Maids have left
my house.
When I got to the garage, I saw Keiren standing next to my car. Keigan
was standing silently while reading a book. He was still adjusting the mirror
before turning the page with his hand.
I chose to ignore the Maid's departure. I'll
understand them next time.
I unlock my car and ask them to get in.
"I will put my seatbelt." Keiren said before I could touch him.
"You said so."
I let him do it and get in at the driver's seat. I started the car and
drove them both away.
The two schools are different. Keigan's school is focusing more
on academics than other activities, such as sports.
The school he chose is right for him because he's smart. In fact, he and Ci-N are the same.
When they drove them, I didn't want to go straight to school. I did
n't want to drive and I just wanted the
car to crash into the pot.
This is a punishment for me and it will also be a punishment for Jay-jay. But I have to follow
my plan. I have to save her.
When I got to school, I parked the car and got out. There were only a few
students entering because it was still early.
As I walked closer to our room, it felt like I was walking closer
to my death. Every step I took was heavy.
I wanted this day to be over.
When I got to the room, Eman and Josh were already inside.
Rory and Edrix were also with them. They both fell silent when I entered.
I went straight to my seat and reluctantly sat down.
Not long after, Drew entered the door followed by Blaster.
They looked at me for a moment and avoided me as if I was sick.
I waited a few more moments before the rest of them arrived.
Most of them avoided me and as if they didn't want to be with me anymore.
"Oh! It's really different when your face is thick!" Mayo whispered before
sitting down in her seat.
"You can just be quiet." Kit said.
Some parts of her face were still swollen. All I know is that
she almost went into a coma, but it's good that she woke up quickly. I
just don't know why the hospital released her.
I don't know how to apologize to her.
"You're so early today." Yuri said before sitting down. "...
did something happen?"
I just looked at her for a moment before turning my gaze back to the door. I'm
waiting for her to come inside.
I saw Ci-N approaching me. I immediately motioned for her to stop.
"Stay right there."
"K-keifer... This is about Jay-jay."
I arched a brow. "And so?"
I could feel our classmates listening. I also knew
they didn't like my answer.
"What the hell is wrong with you? Keifer." Yuri asked with an irritated
sound.
"Nothing is wrong with me. But there is something wrong with you."
I heard a few of them chuckled in disbelief.
"Listen first Keifer." Ci-N looked worried. "...K-
Jay-jay had an accident yesterday. That's why he's in such a bad mood
."
I knew it already. Angelo told me and showed me a CCTV footage from
a crossing.
"Who cares." I answered sounding not really cared.
But I do.
We are currently looking for the people on the motorbikes.
I already have a clue who they are. Confirmation is all I need and I will hunt
them down.
"Who cares? Is your head broken, Keifer?" David asked angrily.
"...Aren't you at least a little bit guilty about what you did?"
I didn't answer him and just stared at them. They looked at each other and seemed to be
wondering if they were thinking the same thing about me.
"It looks like this." Felix said and all of them looked at him.
"...You already did your plan yesterday. Right?"
"Keifer..."
"What about Jay-jay?"
"I thought we stopped it?"
They all reacted almost simultaneously. They couldn't accept what
Felix said.
This is it. This is the only way I could think of. I didn't want it but this is the
most effective way. I knew Jay-jay would be angry with them too, but
unlike me there was a chance he would forgive them.
My original plan was completely different. I was planning to involve a
woman but knowing Jay-jay, he might just beat her up.
"You already did your plan. What do you plan on Jay-jay?"
Eman said.
"Let's just say that Keifer was just angry. Let's not
say what we did." It was Blaster look so worried.
"Jay-jay will be angry with us." Ci-N said almost about to cry.
"I don't understand what you're doing." Yuri said
"Tell us. No more, that's where this conversation is going
." Eren sounds irritated.
"We can't do that!" Kit said.
"Tell us the truth!" David also shouted.
"Don't order Keifer!" Rory shouts at David.
"...He'll tell us too. It just takes the right time."
"I feel sorry for Jay-jay." Ci-N said while looking down.
"He already told us to stop that plan!" Eman said, he's
obviously mad.
"You're acting like it! You were one of the leaders of that crazy plan!"
Denzel snapped.
Now they're pointing their fingers at each other. Blame it on each other but
there's only one person to blame here.
But me.
"Just say it properly and then we'll apologize."
Blaster suggested.
"It seems like it's that easy, huh?" Drew said sarcastically.
"Jay-jay will never forgive us." Yuri said.
"We will drink him." It was Rory.
"It's not that easy." Edrix answered.
They keep suggesting things to do and blaming each other. But one thing
is for sure. They want me to tell the truth. They want me to tell her.
But all the collisions stopped when she stepped her foot inside our classroom.
My heart beats so fast.
"J-jay-jay...." They almost whispered.
"W-what's true? What's the plan?"
And at that moment, I know we're both going to have a broken heart.