Chapter-349

Stepmother

Jay-jay's POV


She's older than Mama, that's what I clearly remember Percy telling me about his Mom but she looks like she's
the same age as Aunt Gema. I was speechless while staring at her. Now I know what Percy would look like if
he were a woman. She's beautiful. The maid put down the glasses of juice she was carrying on the table
between us. Percy's Mom smiled and thanked her. Percy was all smiles, I didn't know if he was being cute or
just whistling. Everyone's silence was broken when he spoke. "Did you cry?" He asked me. "W-what...
Something just happened." I almost whispered my answer. He looked at Aries who was standing behind me.
He didn't say anything and I guess he only answered with a sharp sneer because of Percy's pout. His mom
coughed slightly to get my attention. "I'm Reycee, Percy's mother and your dad's wife ." She introduced herself.
"Since I'm your stepmother, you can call me Mom." Wow, sociable. I heard Mom's sigh and irritated laughter. I
looked over at her who was just next to me. Percy's mom forced a smile. "Or maybe Auntie, wherever you're
comfortable." "S-okay." I answered curtly. We all fell silent again. A cricket almost passed by. I knew that Kuya
Angelo was getting impatient with his real intentions but he just didn't want to be rude. Aunt Gema couldn't
hold it in anymore and she started the conversation. "M-mrs. Mariano. Can I know what your real intentions
are with us or Jay-jay?" She smiled and looked pleased that someone had finally asked her a question. I too,
I've been wanting to ask for a while. "I'm here to invite you all. It's just dinner at home. Jasfher also wants to
see his children." I frowned. Children? I looked at my body, maybe I had a twin that I didn't know about. But it
wasn't broken anymore, it was clear from my hearing that I wanted to see Papa and I really wanted to see him
too. This was what I had been waiting and asking for for a long time. "Why? Do I agree?" Mama asked
irritated. "Jeana... A long time has passed. My grandmother is also dying. You have no reason to stay away
rom her." He asked and I thought. He was referring to my grandfather. He was still alive. I couldn't tell if he
was still breathing or dead. My brother was talking to me like a fool, he liked to talk. "Oh, there is. My
connection with your raw husband is over." Mama replied calmly. "After tricking me. He promised me marriage
and then I found out he had a wife! How thick his face was! He said he would fight for me and start a family,
you idiot! Where were his promises, he's a slut! I was forced to marry someone else's wife just so his father
could escapeâ€"." He froze when he felt us all looking at him. Why did he seem bitter? I just noticed something
in what he said. What did he mean by marrying someone else? And why would he run away from my
grandfather? I knew that old man didn't like us but what did he do and Mama was so angry with them. I held
Mama by her arm. "Mom... I've wanted to see Papa for a long time. Maybe you can let me go." "You don't know
what that family did to me." She answered me annoyed. "Don't torture the child. Let him be with his father."
Percy's mother pleaded. "Yes, agree, agree." Percy was furious. Mama was obviously stubborn and didn't want
us to meet. I wanted to cry because of the stinginess she was causing. What a waste of time. Percy didn't
have to take me to New York just to see my father. I didn't have to wait until I was old enough to do that. I
could face him now but I still couldn't because Mama's power to oppose him was clearly bitter about their love
that ended in misfortune. She couldn't move on. "Maybe it would be better if you let us
think about this first."
Aunt Gema suggested and Percy's mother nodded. I bit my lower lip hard. I wanted to go with them. Even if I
lived with them, it would be fine. As long as I could just see Papa. Percy's mom put something down on the
table in front of us. It was the last time I saw it. Mom had already taken it and crumpled it in her hand. Percy
winced at what he saw. He forced a smile at me before they stood up. "Please Jeana. Call me." Percy's mom
pleaded before looking at me and smiling. "We're leaving now." She looked at Aries. "I'll have your car sent
here, I hope you'll take care of it." My neck almost broke looking at my brother behind me. What car? "Shit."
She whispered but I still heard her. I stood up as they walked out of the house. Aunt Gema and Brother Angelo
escorted them. When they were out of my sight, both Mom and Aries had already left. I didn't know who I
would go to first. If I hadn't felt the pain in my knee again, I would have probably walked around the whole
house. What I was thinking was answered when I saw Aries entering his room. I would talk to him first. "Aries!"
I called out as if I were calling out to an enemy. I reluctantly opened the door and it seemed like he already
knew the reason why I was here in his room. "Why would they give you a car? What does that mean?" I asked
hurriedly. Why wasn't I there? He took a deep breath. "I-it's like this..." The door to his room opened again and
Kuya came in. "Explain Aries! What car is she talking about?" He asked angrily. My fortune-telling sister was
taken aback. She was clearly confused about who Kuya Angelo and I would talk to first. "Explain." He looked at
me and Kuya. "From Papa." The who? "Which Papa?" I asked and the man who kidnapped us when we were
kids came back to my mind . "From our Dad." He pointed at me and him. "Why are you calling me Papa? Are
you his son too?" He raised his eyebrows at me. "That's what he wants me to call him." "Why is heâ€"?" My
question was cut short when I realized something in what he said. "Are you seeing each other?" Kuya
confirmed. "Y-Are you seeing each other with Papa?" I repeated. I couldn't believe what I heard. He answered
with a curt nod, confirming our question. Kuya cursed one after another and lectured him. I became silent
because I felt like I had been cheated again. It was like I had joined a game that I knew immediately who
would win. He should have approached me first but why did he talk to Aries first. It should have been me.
"Since when are you doing this behind my back?" Kuya asked him angrily. "And you really hid this from me?"
"Since I was in high school. At first he was just sending me messages then he asked to meet up. That's when
we had good communication." They had been talking for so long. He had been seeing my Dad for so long.
What happened to me once when Papa and I met in the parking lot of a university came back to me. That's
why he sent Papa away. That's why he immediately followed Aries because they already had communication.
Because they could talk. I didn't realize that my tears were already flowing. "B-Why you? Why did he go to you
first. Why not me? I'm his child, he should have contacted me." I asked one question after another and I burst
into tears. "I've wanted to see him for so long. I've been waiting for him for so long. I've been hoping we'd
meet. And then you, just a text from him." I could feel Kuya and Aries staring at me as if I were a child losing
their temper in front of them. But I didn't care about my appearance. Even if my tears and cold were flowing in
ront of them, I didn't care anymore as long as I could get the weight off my chest. That should be me. "Ask
Kuya. He's so strict with you that Papa can't find timeâ€"." "DON'T CALL HIM DAD!" I cut off what he was about
to say. "THAT'S MY FATHER! NOT YOURS! WE'RE DIFFERENT DADDY! You're stupid, stupid." I shouted, almost
hoarse. "He also considers me his son! Out of respect, I have the right to call him Father!" he replied, which
made me angry. I hit him in the chest. Because of my blurred vision, I couldn't see where my blows were
hitting. "You're stealing Dad! You're stealing Dad!" I shouted with each blow. "Ouch, Jay. Ouch." I heard the
person in front of me say. I opened my eyes wide and Kuya Angelo's crossed eyebrows met mine. Oh, I was
being hit wrongly. "What's going on here?" Mama's voice came from behind me. I immediately ran towards her.
"Mom! Aries, the whore is stealing Dad!" I kept saying as if begging her to hit Aries. "Calm down! What's going
on?" "It's Aries!" "I just admit that I have communication with Papa." He didn't seem to have any explanation. I
cried even harder. Why did it seem like it didn't matter to him? That thing meant so much to me. "Who's Papa?"
"Mr. Mariano." Kuya replied. Mama's eyes widened at Aries. "Why are you talking to that guy?" She turned to
Kuya. "You just let him ?" "I was confused." Mama and Kuya argued in front of me. They also scolded Aries
who kept holding his head in his hands. I wiped my tears several times but every time I looked at Aries I cried
even more. That's why he asked me to do that while I was on the island. He didn't want me to make
assumptions because he was afraid that Percy would tell me the truth and I would get angry with him. Wait a
minute? Does Percy know too? That's what Aries was afraid of. That's why Percy probably knew too. That's
why the day we were with them and they went home, Papa was so embarrassed. I was shocked by what I
realized. I sat on the floor crying. "Jay! Shut up!" Mama yelled at me and went back to fighting with Kuya and
Aries. I crawled out of Aries' room. I was still crying like I was being oppressed by what I found out. Is it
always like this? "Jay? What's going on with you?" Aunt Gema asked as she came closer to me. "The floor is
dirty. Let's go." She ordered and helped me stand up. She peeked into Aries' room. When she realized they
were fighting inside, she closed the door. She faced me and fixed my hair. "Wait. Wait. What happened?" She
wiped my face. "They're hiding from me again. They're making me look like a fool again. I'm smart. But why
are they doing this to me?" I said and sniffed. "That's enough, don't cry. Let's eat first and maybe you'll just get
over your hunger." She dragged me down the stairs to the dining room. Auntie is being rude. I acted like a
drama here and then they offered me food. But of course I wouldn't refuse. It's a shame to refuse grace. She
made me sit down and called a maid to order them to serve me. I just looked at them while waiting for the
ood. When everything was served, I ate quietly by myself. Aunt left me to maybe go back to Mama in Aries'
room. I wanted to confirm if I was right in what I was thinking. Percy knows something and that's what I need
to make sure of. But how can I do that if Kuya has my cellphone. I also don't know his house except Felix's
house. He's probably not there because his mother is with him. There's only one person I know who might
know their house. I quickly finished my food. I hurriedly went out. And since I didn't have any money, I took my
bike from the corner of the garage. I knew it was dangerous but I didn't care. I had to go see my sister who
has twin winds. I didn't say goodbye and hurriedly left.I had a long way to go, but I could do it. I had reached
his house before just by biking, so I knew I could do it again. It only took me half an hour to reach my
destination. I was panting from exhaustion and thirst for success. I stopped my bike and recklessly rang the
doorbell of Kei-kwanan's or Keifer's house. He was the only one I knew who knew Percy's house or Papa's
house. "Get out of there, kwan!" I shouted. The gate opened a moment later. The King of the Snakes came out
with a frown. "Jay?" He looked at me and the surroundings. He quickly pulled me inside before taking my bike
to put it in their gate. "You alone? What you did was dangerous." "I need your help. I will do anything you want
in return." A wide smile spread across his lips. "Anything that I want?" "As long as it's not against my will."
His smile quickly disappeared. "That's no fun."
"This is it. You can think about the consequences later. Help
me first." I insisted.
"Of course, for you I will do anything."
"Take me to Percy's house." I ordered and was about to walk
towards his garage.
"Where is Felix?"
I stopped and faced him. "No. At his house where
my Dad is."
He stared at me. "I don't think that's a good idea." He
said I would help.
My shoulders slumped. "Why?"
He pulled me closer and held both of my hands. "Okay, to be
honest with you I have been in contact with your Dad for quite
sometimes now. It became clear to me the reason he didn't
show himself to you."
I waited for what he would say. It meant he had already spoken to Dad.
"He's respecting your Mom's decision and he's also afraid about her
threats."
"Threat? Mom's threat?"
He nodded. "Your mom was angry about the threats
he made."
"And was dad scared?"
He nodded again. "I assume it involves her, Aries, and your life."
I sat down on the floor because of the softness. Keifer sat down to
even me out.
"I'm tired. I just want to be with my dad."
He pulled a few strands of my hair from my face and put them behind
my ear.
"Just be patient. I know
your dad is already working on ways to make your mom agree."
"How long can I be patient?"
"Who knows. Maybe tomorrow or the day after. Just hold on tight
." He smiled and kissed my forehead. "If you really want
to see Percy, I'll just have him come here."
He stood up and pulled me upright. "It's good if you agree."
"Tss... Remember? I have my ways and I will always find a way."
Why does it feel like time has turned back? He used to be like that to me. I miss
him when he does that too. I also missed his
bank line .
He took out his cellphone and called Percy's number.
He held it to his ear and it only rang a few times before
my sister Bagyo answered.
"Freya is here, and she's crying." The King of the Snakes said and
hung up without waiting for Percy to answer.
I blinked. Is it that easy?
Are
you going to go? "Have a snack inside first." He told me and
I nodded.
When we entered the house, I felt different. It was as if it suddenly brightened. It was
a far cry from their dark house before. I also
saw a maid, unlike that one who seemed to be alone.
We went straight to the Dining area. I stared at their large table.
It must have been big enough for an entire village to be ready.
"Sit." He ordered and had me pull a stool.
When I sat down properly, he said goodbye and went to the kitchen.
When he returned, the maids with food were following him.
They put it down one by one in front of me.
"Young Master, your cousin Hazel is on the line." A
man wearing a white long sleeve and vest said.
Is he the butler?
"I'm busy." he replied and the man just bowed before turning around.
He turned to me and smiled. "Eat now."
"How much does your maid earn? Can I apply?"
I asked directly.
I couldn't help but look at the maids.
They seemed to have beautiful complexions and didn't seem to be struggling with their jobs. I even saw some
wearing pearl earrings so the salary must be high.
He laughed out loud. "Why are you applying as a servant when
you can apply to be my wife? All this is yours."
I stared at the food in front of me for a moment. I looked
at him again and nodded.
He quickly took out his cellphone and called someone.
"Hello Attorney? Can I get married now? Like now, now." he said
and I laughed out loud.
"Hey! Just kidding! Stop that! I'm not even of legal age yet!"
He gave me a hard time before hanging up the phone. Sometimes it really seems like
he doesn't use his mind. What a waste of his intelligence, he should just pass it
to me.
I'll make the most of it.
"Eat." He ordered and I did.
I started eating while he watched me. Every now and then
he would look at his phone but his gaze would immediately return to me.
"Sniff." I heard him comment.
"You love me." I replied and he smiled broadly.
"Yes, I do."
I jokingly gave him a hard time and went back to eating. I looked up
when he stood up and pulled a chair closer to me.
"Try it." He ordered after pulling the bench closer and sitting down.
I threatened him with a fork. "I'll stab you with this."
"Stab me with love." he replied and snatched the
ork from me.
He ate with me. I didn't notice the time and it
also disappeared from my mind that I hadn't said goodbye to us. I almost
orgot about Percy, but we heard his voice screaming
.
"Where's Freya? Keifer! Get Freya out!"
We immediately stood up to greet her. We found her at
the door. She was constantly circling and tapping on her cellphone. She only stopped
what she was doing when she saw us.
"Why are you here?" She asked me before facing Keifer.
"Where's Freya?"
"There's no Freya, there's Jay-jay who wants to talk to you."
"You trick me?" She asked with a frown.
Before their conversation could get any longer, I interrupted. "I
want to ask you something. epare
your explanation."
She stared at me for a moment. She held both her arms
as if she was scared. I wanted to laugh at her reaction but
I wanted to hear the truth before she acted out in front of me.
"W-did I do something wrong?"