Chapter-149 Father

Jay-jay's POV

It's so nice to wake up for some reason I can't understand. I'll just sing...

"🎶Good morning to you...🎶" I sing while taking a bath.

Yack! It's not my thing. Why did I suddenly become a baby? That's an animal!

After coming out of the bathroom, Ci-N's serious face appeared before me while he was in front of his phone.

He took a shower before me. So now he was all dressed up. And I was the one who was busy getting ready.

"Let's go to lunch." he said, which surprised me.

"Huh? W-why?"

"It's dangerous." That was all he answered and pressed his phone again.

Weird.

I also took out my phone. I was wondering if I had a message. But I didn't receive a single one.

Not one from the Ulopongs. Not one from Yuri. Not one from the King either.

What's wrong? I used to get a text, wishing them good morning. But now, not one. I just put down my phone and got ready.

"What time are we going to school?" I asked Ci.

He didn't answer so I was about to walk over to him but suddenly there was a knock on the door and one of Tita's maids came in.

"Miss Jay... You're coming down. Someone wants to talk to you."

Ci-N and I looked at each other. He was still holding his cellphone.

"Who is it?" I asked.

"I don't want to tell you. Sir Angelo just said to call you."

I just nodded to the maid. Although I was surprised, Ci and I took our bags and went out. We went straight to the living room thinking they were there but they weren't. Where are they? Aries was right there. He was looking at us and seemed to be looking for something.

"Where are they?" He asked me.

I shook my head. "I'm looking for them too." Aries immediately walked to the kitchen but he immediately returned. It seemed like they weren't there either.

"Jay... There's someone outside." Ci said while pointing at the gate

Aries went out first and we followed. Ci seemed to be right, and Kuya Angelo and Tita Gema were also here. It was an all-black car accompanied by men in black suits. They were wearing shades and had something stuck in one ear.

"Tita..." I called out to Tita Gema.

She looked at me and immediately hid me behind her. What was going on? Even Aries looked confused.

"Are you Ms. Jasper Jean Mariano, Ci-N Peralta, and Michael Aries Fernandez?" asked one of the men in black, holding a piece of paper.

Ci-N and I exchanged glances. He discreetly signaled for me to stay quiet. I understood—after all, we didn't even know who these people were.

But then...

"Yes! That's us! Why?" Aries answered.

Damn it!

Sometimes, Aries really didn't think things through. His brain must have melted from being too in love with Ella.

"The Watson Family has summoned you." the man stated.

Another man suddenly opened the door of a black car. Aries' eyes widened in shock when he saw Ella inside.

"Aries!" Ella called out, fear evident in her voice.

She tried to get out of the car, but one of the men blocked her.

I turned to look at the other cars. The tinted window of one of them slowly rolled down, revealing the people inside.

It was Eman, Denzel, and Felix.

And from the other cars, I had a strong feeling the rest of the Serpents were inside.

"What does the Watson Family want with them?" Kuya Angelo asked.

The Watson Family?

That was Keifer's family... But why?

"We have strict orders not to disclose any information."

"How can we be sure you won't harm them?" Tita asked boldly.

"The Watsons are influential people. Having bad rumors tied to their name is unacceptable."

Why did it feel like Keifer's family was some kind of royalty?

Tita looked at me. Before Kuya Angelo could say anything more, Aries stepped forward and walked toward the car, immediately sitting beside Ella.

"We'll be okay, Tita." I said with a reassuring smile.

Kuya and Tita allowed us to walk toward the car. Ci-N and I got in as well.

I couldn't shake off the fear and all the questions running through my head about Keifer.

Aries, Ci-N, and I were in the same car, with the other vehicles following behind. We remained silent, only exchanging glances with Ci-N.

What was going on?

I looked out the window. At first, the places we passed were familiar, but as time went on, it felt like we were heading farther away.

I had a strong feeling we were already outside the city.

"W-where do you think they're taking us?" Ella asked nervously.

That was my question too. For the first time, we actually agreed on something.

"To Keifer's real home." Aries answered seriously.

Real home?

What, was the house Keifer had been living in fake? Was it like a designer brand with knockoffs and originals?

And how the hell did this idiot Aries know where Keifer's real home was? Then again, they used to be close friends—maybe he had been there before.

I had no idea how long we had been traveling. I kept exchanging texts with the guys, and I was right—they were in the cars behind us.

"We've been on the road for two hours." Ci-N muttered, checking his watch.

Were we traveling deeper into the earth or what? To be honest, I really needed to pee.

It seemed my silent prayers were answered because the car started slowing down. We turned into a road lined with trees on both sides. The place was heavily shaded, with dry leaves scattered everywhere.

"This is it..." Aries whispered.

What the hell did he mean by this is it?

Ci-N suddenly lunged toward the window, almost tumbling onto me.

"It's even bigger in person!" he exclaimed in awe.

Bigger in person?

I turned to look at what he was staring at. There was a massive house—no, a mansion. Even from a distance, its sheer size was unmistakable.

It was hidden behind a hill, which was why I hadn't seen it earlier. But as we turned the corner and entered the property, more and more of the house became visible.

"I've seen this in pictures before! Keifer's mansion really is beautiful!" Ci-N added.

I wanted to be amazed, too, but instead, I felt small.

Keifer's family was this rich?

The property alone was enormous, surrounded by trees, with land so vast I couldn't even see the boundary.

The closer we got, the more imposing the house became. A tunnel briefly obscured my view, cutting off the sight of the mansion.

Then the car stopped in front of a MASSIVE GATE.

Holy crap.

This gate was ridiculously tall—almost as if it was designed to keep out something... inhuman.

A kapre? No—maybe a giant!

As the gate opened, the car moved forward again. Tall trees and thick bushes lined the path, making it feel like something was being hidden here. Then, all of a sudden, the greenery cleared—revealing what had been concealed.

A PALACE.

The house was massive. It looked like it had only three floors, but there were so many sections to it. All it needed was a dragon and a tower, and it would be a full-blown castle.

When the car stopped, no one wanted to step out. We exchanged hesitant glances.

"We've arrived..." the driver informed us.

Still, no one moved—until I spotted Calix and the others walking toward a man standing near the parked cars.

We had no choice but to get out and follow. Sticking close together, we whispered among ourselves.

"What's going on?" I asked.

"No idea... But did any of you see Keifer?" Edrix asked in return.

I shook my head and scanned the area. Damn. The place was insanely huge, and from where we stood, I could even see the ocean.

Pure wealth.

We stood there for a few moments before the ENORMOUS FRONT DOORS suddenly opened. It's official. No way were humans living here. Even the doors were oversized! This was insane!

Then, out stepped...A handsome man.

He looked like a celebrity—probably in his forties, or maybe even younger. And he bore a striking resemblance to—

"That's Keifer's dad." Ci-N whispered.

My gaze flickered between him and Keifer's dad.

No way... Right?!

It's not that I'm saying Keifer is ugly—it's just... You know when... There's something about him... That thing... Haizt! Fine! I'll admit it!

He's insanely handsome, and he looks way too young to be a dad. I think I might have a crush on him!

Keifer's dad—I mean, Daddy Keifer—approached us. He was smiling, and I had to admit, his presence was overwhelming.

"Good morning..." he greeted us. "...are we all complete?"

I glanced at my companions. Speaking of complete, Yuri and Keifer weren't here.

One of the men in black walked up to him and whispered something. They talked for a brief moment.

"What are we even doing here?" I asked Ci-N.

"I have no idea either... But actually, Keifer texted me. He told me not to let you out for now, and I think this is the reason." he explained.

So that's why he told us to take our time.

"Mr. Watson..." Aries called out. We all turned to look at him. Wait, were they close? "...can you tell us what you need from us?"

There it is! Finally! Someone asked the question we were all thinking. Turns out this horoscope guy was actually useful.

Keifer's dad chuckled slightly. "You haven't changed—you're still impatient." He looked at all of us. "...I just want to have a lunch date with my son's friends."

My heart suddenly skipped a beat.

Because... Because when he said lunch date, his gaze passed over me!

Was he asking me out on a date?

Before anyone could say anything, a loud roaring sound filled the air—engines revving as if they were racing.

"He's here." Keifer's dad said, then suddenly positioned himself right in the middle of the road.

AS IN, RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE! Right where the car was heading!

The cars approached—not just one, but two! And I immediately recognized them.

One was Yuri's car, but the other... was Keifer's. They were speeding as if they were racing each other.

Yuri's car swerved to find a parking spot, but Keifer's car—

Keifer's car kept going straight—

OH MY GOD!

Was he about to run over his own father?!