Chapter-165 Dinner

Jay-jay's POV

I'm all over the place again! Not from drugs, but from overthinking. What I've been fearing is starting to happen.

The people who supported Keifer and Yuri are no longer speaking to each other. Some don't care but are forced to join the fight.

What's worse is that the arguments between others have only fueled our own. Like Kit and Mayo. They're not talking because of their own issues, and now, it's affecting us too.

This is just crap!

I heard a knock on my bedroom door. It opened, and Kuya Angelo walked in.

"Jay... Get dressed. We're going somewhere." he ordered.

"Huh?"

"Get dressed. Maybe just wear a dress."

He left the room. I didn't get to ask why or where.

I stood up and grabbed some clothes.

Even though I was really confused, I got dressed. I also fixed my hair. But I wasn't comfortable. I grabbed my sneakers and wore them. I didn't want to wear sandals.

When I came out, Kuya immediately raised an eyebrow at me. I understand why.

I was wearing a dress, but I had sneakers on. My life's a mess!

I've been getting influenced by those Ulupongs!

"What's that? Why are you dressed like that?" he asked, annoyed.

"You told me—"

"Never mind! We're going to be late. Let's go!"

I scratched my head and followed him to the car.

"Where are we going?"

He didn't answer and just quietly stared at the road. What could this be about? Tito Julz and Tita Gema aren't with us.

They're still watching over Aries at the hospital.

The car slowed down and parked in front of an extravagant restaurant. It looked like only rich people eat here.

And I was right. Even before we got in, I wanted to go home. Even though I was wearing a dress, it was obvious I didn't belong here. At least Kuya, even though he's semi-formal, looked fine here. Even though he looked like he had grease on him, he still fit in.

"Kuya, what's going on—" I didn't need to ask anymore. From where we were, I could clearly see Yuri and his parents.

Damn it!

"We're having a dinner date with Yuri and his parents," Kuya said as he walked toward the table where Yuri and his family were.

I just followed Kuya, though, to be honest, my feet didn't want to move.

"They're here," Yuri's mom said, immediately approaching me to give me a kiss on the cheek.

"Sorry... We're late," Kuya said while shaking hands with Yuri's dad.

After the handshakes, I was surprised when Yuri walked up to me.

He was smiling as if nothing had happened. He kissed me on the cheek, and I pulled back a little in shock.

He smiled at me again and pulled me closer to the chair. He helped me sit properly. I looked at him, full of confusion.

Because... it was as if nothing happened!

"...How's Aries? I hope what happened to him wasn't too serious." Yuri's mom asked Kuya.

" He's okay now. Aries has been sick for a long time. His body just went into shock so he had a hard time breathing again" he explained.

For how long?

I had no clue that Aries had been sick for so long. There was no sign of it on his face.

"That's good to hear. Anyways, let's talk about the upcoming wedding."

Oh, no...

Here we go again. I'm about to dive into another battle.

"We were hoping to have the wedding next year, but Otosan doesn't want to. So, we'll just wait for Jay-jay's birthday."

My head started to hurt. My birthday? Is this a joke? My birthday is in just a few months. A FEW MONTHS!

"Jay-jay?" Kuya called my attention.

He probably noticed that I was looking down. I couldn't look at Yuri and his family.

"P-po?"

"When do you want to choose a gown?"

When? Is it a death gown? Now, if that's okay.

"Anytime is fine," I muttered under my breath.

"That's great! I'll go with when you choose," Yuri's mom said with a big smile.

I smiled back at her. I noticed Kuya was staring at me.

That look had meaning.

I quickly looked away from him, but my eyes landed on Yuri. I still couldn't sense any anger or annoyance from him.

Why are you like that?

He should be mad at me. He shouldn't even look at me. He shouldn't be approaching me. Why?

Suddenly, he looked at me and smiled again. The conversation between them continued.

"We also need to teach Jay-jay Nihongo so she won't have trouble when we go to Japan."

My knees suddenly went weak when I heard that. Going to Japan? Why would I go to Japan? What would I do there?

Harakiri!

"Are you okay?" Yuri asked me.

I just nodded, but it seemed like he didn't believe me.

"I'll just accompany Jay-jay outside to get some fresh air," he said and helped me stand up.

He pulled me toward the side of the restaurant. There were some benches and a mini garden there. I sat down and rested my elbow on my knee.

I also used my hand to cover my face.

"Don't show them that you don't want to marry me." Yuri said, standing in front of me.

I looked up at him. This was the Yuri I've been looking for.

"I can't help it. Especially when you smiled at me and made me feel like nothing happened." I said in frustration. "...If you're mad, show it!"

He took a deep breath. "I can't. I can't be mad at you or hate you."

I looked at him, confused. What do you mean, "can't"? I hurt him. He should be angry with me.

He sat down in front of me, resting his knee for support. We were almost eye to eye now.

"...This is how much I love you. No matter how much you deceive me, no matter how much you hurt me. I just can't bring myself to be mad at you. Yes... I yelled at you before, but I realized that was wrong, and I apologize for that."

Apologize?! Are you crazy?!

Without realizing it, my tears fell. It felt like something was choking me.

"Don't torture me like this." I pleaded. "...I don't deserve this. I don't deserve your love."

He held my cheek and gently wiped away my tears with his thumb.

"Maybe you don't. But you're the one I love. You're the one I fell for. So, even if you don't deserve it, I'll still give it to you."

Stop it...

"Yuri... Please... Stop."

He smiled at me. "I will not stop. Not now." He removed his hand from my cheek and stood up. "...I was wrong. I'm not defeated by Keifer. I actually won."

Slowly, I stood up and looked at him.

"...Maybe your heart belongs to him, but physically, you belong to me. I'm the one who will be with you, not him. I'm the winner, and you're mine."

He smiled at me again, the same smile he had been showing all along. He walked back into the restaurant. I was left standing there, speechless.

I sat back down on the bench, my knees feeling weak. I wiped my tears repeatedly. But every time I tried to stand up and go back inside, my tears seemed to race ahead of me.

How frustrating...

I stayed in my spot for a few more minutes. I could hear my phone ringing from the pocket of my dress. I knew Kuya was calling me.

"Jay?"

I looked at the caller. I stared at him in confusion because of the dim surroundings. At first, I thought it was Keifer, but I noticed he was wearing glasses.

Keigan!

He was with a woman who looked familiar to me.

"W-what are you doing here?" I asked as I tried to compose myself.

"We're going to celebrate my girlfriend's birthday here." He turned to his companion and gently pulled her closer. "...This is Elixera Fediricos, my girlfriend."

He smiled at me and extended his hand. I took it and shook his hand. I remembered her now! She was Blaster's best friend, the one in the picture on his phone.

She looked even more beautiful in person. No wonder the two of them were fighting over each other. If I were a guy, I'd join the fight too.

Even though it was a little dark, I could see her flawless skin. It was pearl-like, while my skin looked like crystal. She had long curly hair and rosy cheeks. I wish I had rosy cheeks too. We almost looked like equals, even though it was obvious she was younger.

How embarrassing, Jay!

"What are you doing here? Why are you alone?" he asked me.

"I-I... I..." Suddenly, his phone rang.

He signaled me with one finger and stepped away slightly.

While waiting for Keigan to finish his call, I couldn't stop looking at his girlfriend.

There were times when she would look at me and smile awkwardly. I felt embarrassed because I was staring at her. I couldn't stop, though!

Suddenly her phone rang. She took it out of her bag, and I clearly saw a picture of Blaster with the word "Calling..."

She panicked as she turned off her phone and shoved it back into her bag. She looked at Keigan's side, but it seemed like he didn't notice. She bit her lip and turned to face me, as if she had something she wanted to say.

"Y-you're Jay-jay, right?" She asked me.

I nodded.

"B-because... maybe... could you..."

I knew what she was trying to say. She didn't want Keigan to find out that Blaster called her. I smiled at her and made a zipper gesture over my mouth.

I'll stay quiet. I didn't want to cause a scene or fight between them.

"Happy birthday..." I said.

"Thank you." She smiled at me meaningfully.

Once Keigan finished talking, he walked up to us.

"Kuya's inside. Shall we go?" Keigan asked Elixera.

Kuya?

Keifer! I suddenly got excited for reasons I couldn't understand. Maybe because of what happened earlier, I also wanted to talk to him.

I entered before Keigan and when I got to our table, he was there...

With another woman.