Chapter-142 Message

Jay-jay's POV

If my eyes had a mouth, they would have cursed me out by now. On top of my already heavy eyebags, I had just added a fresh new layer.

Good thing Tita and Kuya hadn't seen me yet. Otherwise, they would have bombarded me with questions again.

"Did something happen?" C-in asked me.

I shook my head. "I-it's nothing..."

He set down what he was carrying and sat beside me. Even though my tears had stopped, I kept wiping my eyes.

"Jay… What happened?" he asked again.

"I just found out something about my dad."

"Shouldn't that make you happy?"

I forced a smile. "I am happy. It's just that our situation is so complicated." My tears threatened to fall again.

"It's okay..." He put an arm around me and rubbed my shoulder. "...The electricity bill will go down eventually."

I frowned. What does that have to do with anything?

Then, out of nowhere, he burst into laughter. This little devil! Here I was, being all dramatic, and he just had to throw in a ridiculous comment.

"Hahahaha… S-sorry! Hahahahaha."

I grabbed a pillow and smacked him in the face. But even as I kept hitting him, he still wouldn't stop laughing.

"Hahahahaha… Ouch! Hahahahaha… W-wait! Hahaha, stop it!"

How was I supposed to stop if he wouldn't stop laughing?

We both got tired eventually, and I finally stopped. This brat totally ruined the moment.

"At least one of us is happy." I said in annoyance.

"S-sorry… I'm just not used to seeing you sad." he said, flashing me a smile.

Come to think of it, I wasn't used to feeling sad either. These guys were always so cheerful that their energy was contagious.

Even though what C-in said had absolutely no connection to my problems, it somehow made me feel lighter.

"How was your errand, by the way?" I changed the subject.

"U-uh… It was… fine." he replied, avoiding eye contact.

I suddenly remembered what had happened earlier. A smile crept onto my face.

Should I tease him about it, or keep it a secret for now?

"Ahhh..." I said, nodding knowingly.

I glanced at the bags he had set down earlier—two eco bags and a paper bag.

"What's this?" I asked as I opened one of the eco bags.

Food!

So much food! Looked like the guy went grocery shopping.

Next, I opened the paper bag. Inside were magazines. I pulled one out and took a look.

Condo unit? Penthouse? Apartment?

What's this? It looked like a brochure for different housing options, with estimated prices listed at the end of each page.

"Why do you have these?" I asked, turning to C-in, who was in the middle of changing clothes.

"My sister gave them to me… She told me to choose one. She said she'd get it for me."

"Huh? Get it for you? Why?" I asked in confusion.

He looked serious as he stared at what I was holding.

"I won't be able to go home anymore. Mom and Dad want me to mature, and this is the solution they came up with." he explained.

WTF?!

Did they forget that C-in is only fourteen years old? And what do they mean by "mature"? Are they serious with this?

I felt a pang of sadness. I thought we'd be laughing and teasing each other because of what happened earlier. But it looked like he came back with bad news instead.

"What are you planning to do?"

"I don't know, but maybe this is for the best. Nothing really changes anyway—I was practically alone back home. Except for the many helpers I could order around and mess with." He forced a smile.

I felt bad for him. He was too young to go through this. Too young to be forced to live separately.

"...I have a favor to ask, Jay." he said.

"What is it?" I answered quickly.

At least this way, I could help him somehow.

"Can you apply to be my assistant?" he asked, grinning mischievously.

Oh, you little—!

This brat really knows how to ruin the moment! I grabbed a pillow and immediately smacked him with it. I thought he was going to say something serious!

"I was just joking!" he said.

"You're so annoying… You always ruin the moment." I dropped the pillow and sat beside him. "...When are you moving? Will you be living with someone?"

"Why are you in such a rush?! Can't I choose a place to live first?!" he said, glaring at me.

I suddenly burst out laughing at his expression. Sometimes, I questioned C-in's masculinity. If I hadn't seen what happened earlier, I might have thought he was just like Mayo and Kit.

There was a knock on the bedroom door. It opened slightly, and Tita Gema peeked inside.

"Jay... Come on, it's dinner time." she called with a smile.

C-in suddenly shot up and ran out of the room. Tita chuckled at his reaction.

"How about you, Jay?"

"I'll be right there." I said, smiling.

She nodded before leaving. But I had something to do before rushing to the dining room.

I picked up my phone, dialed David's number, and waited for him to answer.

["Jay?"] he said as he picked up.

"Can I ask you for a favor?" I asked.

["About what? Can we talk about it in person?"]

"There's no time… I just need you to tell—"

["I'll come to you. Where are you?"] he insisted.

"No, don't! Please, David... Just pass the message for me."

I heard him sigh.

["What do you want me to say?"]

I clutched the pendant on my necklace. "Tell him this... 'If you have no intention of introducing yourself to me and telling me who you really are, then don't bother showing up or reaching out anymore.'"

["Got it."] he replied before ending the call.

This was for the best. I was only getting more confused by his actions. It was obvious he didn't want to admit what his intentions were or who he really was.

It was frustrating.

David's POV

["...I can't blame her,"] Percy said.

"She almost said your name over the phone. Good thing I stopped her in time."

["It doesn't matter to me. What I care about is Jay-jay. Honestly, I'd even prefer it if Keifer found out that we're in contact."]

His voice was filled with frustration.

"Yeah… But if Keifer finds out, he won't let me near Jay-jay anymore."

["I know… I know."]

"Just get back here as soon as you can," I said before ending the call.

I don't know what exactly happened to Jay-jay or why she said that. But I'm sure Keifer did something to make her react that way.

Just last night, she was practically begging me to call Percy, and now she doesn't even want to talk to him anymore.

Percy…

I want to end my contract with him. I just hope he comes back soon.

Percy's POV

I want to go back so badly. I want to see Jay-jay and explain everything to her.

"Sir." Someone called me. I just looked at him, bored. "...Your mom is waiting for you."

When will this end?

I stood up and walked towards their office. It wasn't far, but it felt like an eternity just to reach the door.

"Son," she called as soon as I opened the door.

As expected, Uncle Jasfher was there too.

"Can I go back now?" I asked immediately before kissing her cheek.

"You know that you can't, right?" Uncle Jasfher answered.

Damn it!

I just gave a short nod and waited for them to finish their conversation.

I stood near the glass window. From here, I could see the cars and people below. They looked like tiny toys and ants from where I was standing.

"Percy... What did your doctor tell you?" Mom suddenly asked.

"Same old, same old," I answered blandly.

"Did he prescribe you new medication?" Uncle Jasfher asked.

"Nope… He said my body is responding well to the initial treatment he gave me."

"Let us know right away if you start feeling pain in your spine again."

I forced a smile and nodded. Stupid spine! Why can't it just cooperate?

Just when I thought I was okay, just when I was ready to go back to her, the pain had to return. We had to come all the way here just for therapy and surgery.

That accident…

It changed my life. Completely. It killed Percy Rey Collins and gave birth to Percy Rey Mariano. And it's stupid!

It took me away from my friends, my family, my girlfriend, and the life I once had.

In exchange, I got what I have now.

I don't blame anyone for that accident. It wasn't Aries' fault—he was spacing out at the time, still traumatized from the kidnapping incident.

"Percy! Let's go!" Mom called.

I followed them. As we walked, Mom held onto Uncle Jasfher's arm—something they only did outside the house.

To show people that they were a couple. Inside the elevator, one of Mom's secretaries joined us. He handed Uncle Jasfher an envelope.

I knew what that was for. My hands itched to snatch it from him. I knew he was going to give it to me anyway, but I couldn't wait any longer.

When we reached the basement parking and got inside the car—finally, the moment I'd been waiting for.

Uncle Jasfher handed me the envelope.

"Finally…" I muttered.

I opened it and checked the contents. Pictures. Pictures of Jay-jay.

"Any updates on Jay-jay?" Uncle Jasfher asked.

Nothing new—going to school, walking around with that kid C-in, coming home with food.

I suddenly stopped when I saw something different.

"This one…" I started, handing him the picture. "She visited someone at Benedict Hospital."

"Does it say who?" he asked, staring at the image.

"No."

Mom suddenly started laughing at us. "You two look like stalkers."

"Can you blame me? I'm her dad," he answered, sounding guilty.

"I'm just excited to see my stepsister," I said.

Yes, I was excited.

How I wish Jay-jay was excited to see her stepbrother too.