Chapter-161 Words

Jay-jay's POV

I feel like slapping someone. If it weren't for... Haizt!

"It hurts..." Ci-N whispered while rubbing her ear.

It's his fault! He was listening to me and the person I was talking to on the phone. I was so annoyed that I pulled his ear. And even though we had already fallen asleep, he was still complaining about the pain.

Such a pest!

"The other ear too... So it's even." I said, and he quickly covered the other ear.

"No way." He replied.

I just rolled my eyes at him and walked out of the room. It was time for breakfast, and we had to go to school. Honestly, I wasn't in the mood. Because of what happened yesterday.

Every time I remember the face of Dylan, who pointed a gun at me, my knees start to shake again.

My courage faded. So annoying!

Suddenly, Ci-N rushed ahead of me while still covering her ear. Looks like he's really hungry.

I stopped in my tracks when I saw Aries. He had a bad look on his face—something I'm used to by now.

I kept walking and was about to pass him when he suddenly spoke, making me turn to face him completely.

"Yuri."

What...

"...You're going to marry him."

Those words slapped me in the face. They reminded me of the betrayal I'm doing to Yuri.

My chest tightened. It felt like I was being suffocated while looking at him.

Aries laughed bitterly. "You really are something..."

Of course! Are you jealous?!

His tone was insulting. My eyebrows immediately furrowed.

"...You're going to marry Yuri, and you still have Keifer? Unbelievable."

He shook his head while walking away from me.

Aside from the irritation I have towards this horoscope, there's only one thing on my mind right now.

I'm going to tell Yuri the truth. I don't want to lie to him anymore. That wasn't my intention, and I don't want to add to the sin I've already committed.

I ate breakfast in a daze. Even while showering and getting ready, I wasn't myself. I don't know how, but as much as I can, today is the day I'm going to tell him.

"Jay-jay." Ci-N called me while walking. "...You're not listening."

"S-sorry. Were you saying something?"

"Oh, nothing..." he answered sarcastically, which made me a bit annoyed. "...I said so many things. My good looks arewearing off."

I scratched the back of my head. What did he say?!

"Are you even handsome?"

Suddenly, his eyes narrowed. "Don't shout it out too much. It's my secret."

I just stared at him, dumbfounded by his overconfidence. I didn't even bother replying and kept walking.

When we got to school, the students were all in a commotion because of my beauty—Just kidding!

The school retreat is coming up soon. It's ridiculously early! It's even earlier than Valentine's Day.

When I entered the classroom, I immediately scanned the room for Yuri. He wasn't there, and I think this is the first time I beat him to class. He's usually the one who arrives first.

I sat down, immediately grabbing my phone, which I should've done earlier. He had texted me.

From: Yuri

Message: 'Can't go to school. I have a fever. Please take care of yourself. 😙'

Dammit!

Great. Just great! What timing! Ugh!

Hay! I was supposed to tell him the truth today. I shouldn't delay this any longer. I guess I'll have to visit him.

I was lost in thought... is it wrong to ask heavens for one—huh?!

Oh, crap! I was so spaced out that I didn't notice Sir Alvin and Keifer had already entered the room. My mind had traveled all the way to Pluto.

Suddenly, something snapped at my ear. It hurt so much that I screamed.

"Damn it! That hurts!"

Everyone immediately stared at me. Sir Alvin also gave me a bad look.

I looked at Keifer, who was trying hard to hide his smile.

You jerk!

What did I even do to him? That idiot pinched my ear. I just lowered my head.

Damn this Keifer! Out of nowhere, he decides to pull a stunt like that.

I wanted to get back at him, but that's not what was on my mind. I was thinking about what I was supposed to tell Yuri. How I would start.

Even during the next subjects, I wasn't really paying attention. Ci-N asked me several times but I couldn't answer him.

Even Keifer was starting to wonder.

The bell rang, signaling the end of the school day. I packed my things and was about to stand up, but then the King grabbed my hand.

"Stay." He ordered.

I was about to refuse. I needed to go see Yuri, but suddenly his expression became serious. I had no choice but to sit back down.

"Jay! Let's go?" Ci-N asked.

Keifer answered for me. "You go ahead. We need to talk about something."

Even though he was curious, he just followed his instructions. The room was now empty. I looked at that jerk and waited for him to speak.

"Why? What are we going to talk about?" I asked.

"About your problem. We noticed you're not yourself."

tsk!

I didn't want to say it, but maybe he needed to know too.

"Because... I'm thinking about how to tell Yuri the truth." I answered.

"What do you mean?"

"I feel guilty. I don't want to lie to Yuri anymore."

He looked down. "I understand. I feel ashamed of this."

He took a deep breath. "...Why do we always end up falling for the same girl!?"

I bit my lower lip. The image of Yuri when he was hurt by Ella kept replaying in my mind. It was happening all over again.

"I was planning to visit him today." I said, and Keifer looked at me meaningfully. "...I'll tell him."

Suddenly, he stood up and walked out of the room. I hurried after him.

"I'll take you there," he said as he kept walking.

We arrived at the parking lot and I saw Aries with Ella, walking arm in arm. It looked like they intentionally positioned themselves next to Keifer's car.

I looked at them, as well as at the King, but he showed no signs of being affected by the scene. He got into the car, so I followed suit.

I glanced at Aries, and our eyes met. I couldn't miss the look Ella gave Keifer.

Should I poke this girl in the eye?!

The car started moving. We were silent the entire ride. I wanted to ask if he was still affected by those two, but I didn't want to start a conversation and risk arguing.

That's what Aries had said. I couldn't shake it off.

I'm convinced he's not lying to me, but stll... so frustrating!

I could already see Yuri's building. As we got closer, my heartbeat quickened. When we arrived at the parking lot, I didn't get out right away. I took a moment to gather my courage.

"I'll stay here. We might just end up fighting if I come along." He said.

I nodded. "Thanks."

I got out of the car and walked towards the elevator. I was looking at Keifer while waiting for the door to open. He just forced a smile at me.

As soon as the door opened, I stepped inside. I pressed the floor number for Yuri's room. My hands were sweating so quickly. I didn't know if it was because the elevator was hot or if it was because of the anxiety.

When the door opened, four women in kimonos greeted me. It wasn't as many as the usual welcoming crew. They bowed and greeted me in their language.

I just bowed and greeted them back—in Tagalog. I looked for their Young Master. They pointed me towards his room.

Good thing I was a bit familiar with the layout by now. I didn't have trouble finding his room. I knocked, but no one answered.

I wanted to back out. He was sick, and maybe it wasn't a good time to talk to him.

But it has to be NOW!

Damn it! No choice. I opened the door. I expected him to be lying on the bed asleep since he was sick, but he wasn't there. I glanced at the balcony. The sliding door was open, and the curtain was swaying in the wind.

Everybody loves the things that you do

From the way you talk to the way you move

Everybody here is watching you

'Cause you feel like home

You're like a dream come true

I walked toward it. I saw Yuri sitting on a long bamboo bench, facing away from me. He was holding a guitar and singing.

"But if by chance you're here alone

Can I have a moment before I go?

'Cause I've been by myself all night long

Hoping you're someone I used to know..."

Just like before, his voice sounded so soothing. If you think about it, they were really similar to Keifer. They were friends after all.

"You look like a movie

You sound like a song

My God, this reminds me

Of when we were young..."

They were both smart, a little bossy, quiet, and had a talent for singing. They were both handsome, enjoyed a good challenge, never took advantage of others, and most importantly, they weren't hard to love.

"Let me photograph you in this light

In case it is the last time

That we might be exactly like we were

Before we realized..."

Tears just started falling on their own. If only I could teach my heart. I didn't want to hurt him, I didn't want him to go through the pain he'd experienced before.

"We were sad of getting old

It made us restless

It was just like a music

It was just like a song."

It was so unfair! I wanted him to be happy too, but he'd only end up hurt because of me. I really thought I could do it.

He suddenly stopped playing the guitar and turned around.

"Jay? You're here," he said, setting the guitar aside.

He stood up and smiled as he faced me — but my heart shattered when his smile faded after noticing that I was crying.

"What's wrong? Did something happen?" He reached out to touch my face, but I quickly stepped back.

"…Is there a problem?"

"I-I'm sorry, Yuri." I took a deep breath. "…I'm sorry. Please believe me, I really tried."

Confusion filled his face. "W-What are you saying?"

"I'm sorry… I really am." The tears wouldn't stop. The pain in my chest was so heavy — I could barely breathe. "…I really tried."

"Jay…"

"But… it's Keifer."

My crying intensified. I waited for him to say something, but he stayed silent. I couldn't look at him because of the shame.

Minutes passed as I stood there, waiting. Until finally, I stopped crying — and it seemed like that was what he was waiting for.

"I know." His first words shocked me.

"…I've always known it was Keifer. From the very start."

My chest tightened with what he said. So many questions flooded my mind, but I couldn't bring myself to speak.

"...Just like with Ella, I took another chance. But again, I was wrong. Defeated by the same guy..." He forced a smile. "...I'm not stupid, Jay. I knew it already, from the day you said 'Yes' to me."

W-what... I was so confused.

"Hahaoya was not lying when she said she saw you and Keifer. She just saved us from embarrassment."

Damn it... was all I could say to myself.

"...And I also know that you made out with him in the restroom."

He laughed bitterly. "...I was also there the night you confessed to him."

Damn it!

The curse words I knew weren't enough to describe how I felt. How did he know all that?

"If you're asking, 'How did I know?' The answer is simple..." He walked closer to me and slightly bent down. He aligned his mouth to my ear.

I shivered when I felt his breath on my shoulder. It was so warm.

"...Keifer is not the only one who has ways." His whispered, making my heart stop.

He straightened up and looked me directly in the eye. "...I want you to leave now. I don't want to see you."

"Y-Yuri..." With everything I wanted to say, that was all that came out of my mouth.

He turned his back on me. "I will let you continue your relationship with Keifer, but when our wedding day comes, you'll say 'I DO,' no matter what, or it will be the end of Fer Corp." He said authoritatively.

He's still going through with it?!

"Y-Yuri... You're just going to get hurt."

"What's the point?! You're already hurting me." I could hear his voice crack.

Even with his back turned, I knew he was crying. My eyes couldn't help but follow the pain I was feeling.

"...Trust me, at the end of the day, you'll still be mine." He added.

I tried to take a step toward him, but my knees wouldn't move.

"Y-Yuri... Please."

"Jay... Leave now." His order made the weight in my chest heavier.

"...Leave. Now!"

I had no choice but to slowly walk toward the door of his room. He didn't even look at me one last time.

But before I stepped out, his final words crushed me completely.

"You're just like Ella — giving false hope."