Chapter-293 Ion

Keifer's POV

"Where did you go again?" It was Keigan.

I sat on my bed and took off my shoes. I just let my brother go on and on with his nagging.

"You were supposed to have a date with Ion," he said. "Do you know she kept calling me repeatedly because she was worried about you?"

"Please tell her thank you for the concern," I said and stood up.

I headed straight to my walk-in closet and changed into my office uniform. Keigan kept going with his sermon, but he wasn't the one on my mind.

"Don't let other people decide for you." It was Uncle Kier. "Know your goal and never ever let them distract you."

I let out a deep sigh. That was the last time the Elders allowed me to see him. After that, they forbade me.

From then on, all I could do was ask around for news about him.

He was discharged from the hospital and was back home, but he still couldn't walk properly. He had a heart attack. Good thing his butler acted quickly and knew what to do.

I thought I would lose another member of my family.

"Go see Ion," Keigan said when I came out of my closet.

"Maybe later," I said while putting on my shoes.

After that, I left the room, and even without turning around, I knew he was following me.

His sermon was following too.

I saw Honey eating, and she pouted at me—or at the person behind me who was still talking non-stop.

"Keigan," I said and turned to him. "Get some sleep first. I know you've been up since last night."

"It doesn't matter. What's important is your date with Ion."

Honey suddenly coughed loudly. She hit her chest before drinking some water.

"D-date with that old woman?" Honey asked, pointing her index finger at me.

"She's not that old. She's just a few years older than Kuya. Like you," Keigan said, and Honey's face turned into a grimace.

She stood up with her plate in hand, her chin held high as she looked at us.

"I am only two years older than Keifer. Two years." She sighed. "If you'll excuse me, I have lost my appetite."

She walked away and left me with Keigan, but I took the chance to walk off and follow Honey.

"I'm not done talking to you!" he shouted, but I ignored him.

My head was already aching from his constant sermon. The more time passed, the more my brother kept forcing this engagement on me.

I'm not going to fall into the same trap Jay-jay suffered with Yuri.

I followed Honey as she left our suite and went straight to their room. She was surprised when I walked in right after her.

"The fvck, Keifer!"

"What happened while I was gone?" I said, cutting to the chase.

"As usual, Keigan's preparing for that engagement. You're screwed on your birthday," she said, turning her back on me.

"What else?"

"Where'd you come from anyway?"

"Visited Keiren," I said and sat down on the sofa. "He's gained weight. He looks so happy there."

"Well, that's good. So where exactly did you take him?"

I shook my head. "Somewhere."

She suddenly looked at me suspiciously. Her eyes narrowed before she bit into the bread she was holding with one hand.

"You've been in the Philippines! You're hiding him somewhere in that country," she said accusingly.

I just raised a brow. She lost her appetite, but she kept eating anyway.

"Answer my question."

"Your cousins, they all wanted to celebrate your birthday. Watson style," she said before putting the plate down. "Then, your dear brother wanted to introduce that Ion girl to everyone." She emphasized Ion's name.

Not gonna happen.

"You? What did you do in the Philippines?"

"None." I said and walked out. I had no plans of giving her even a clue about where I came from.

I went straight to the elevator, and even without looking, I could feel the stares from the other passengers.

"That's him. The Watson guy."

"I heard it's him."

"Soon, he'll be the richest bachelor in town."

Bad news. I ain't a bachelor—I'm already committed and soon to be taken. She's the only one I'm waiting for. The sweet yet ruthless "yes" of my lovely queen.

The elevator doors opened and I stepped out. I walked briskly out of the hotel where my driver was already waiting.

"Watson Enterprise, now," I said as I got in the car.

I looked out the window. I hadn't had proper sleep even though the trip was 8 hours long.

The image of Yuri with Jay-jay is making me pissed. That damn Japanese guy is really pulling some strings. But that's not what bothers me the most.

Someone wants my Jay-jay dead. Someone from the past—someone we already defeated. Those bastards don't know when to stop.

And the loudest of them all is the guy named Ryosuke Sato. He's been acting so brazenly, like we're not a threat to him at all.

I took out my secret phone and read the messages they sent me.

Felix said he's pursuing Jay-jay for her forgiveness. Which is good. Little by little, she's beginning to forgive those ulup—I mean, our friends. Hopefully, she'll be the same with me when I return.

I also checked Angelo's message about the recent threats. It was our fault, and now he's pressuring me to find and take down that Sato.

As much as I want to, I can't. My resources aren't enough. His network is far more extensive than mine. Not even Rory or Edrix could trace him. While Yuri, on the other hand, is contacting their embassy.

Damn this!

I dialed Edrix's contact number. It took a few rings before he answered.

["Keifer..."]

"How's Jay?"

["Looks like she still hasn't noticed anything. We've already caught five lurking around her."] He sighs. ["It might be better if she stays home for now. Thankfully, those guys seem to be scared of her brother, so they haven't dared to enter the house."]

She has nothing to be thankful for about that.

If Angelo were really that good, those people wouldn't even be hovering near her house.

"Follow Jay as much as possible. Don't leave her side."

["No can do! That's as impossible as clean floodwater! Jay-jay's so hard-headed. It'd be easier if she were already okay with all of us."]

I shifted the phone to my other ear. "Don't make it obvious."

["Whatever. Good thing David and C-in are already on good terms with her. At least those two now have a reason—."]

"Don't forget to remind David about his limits."

I heard his soft laugh. ["Yeah, yeah. Alright. I still have to talk to Rory."]

I said goodbye and ended the call—just as the car stopped in the parking area. I got out and headed straight into the building.

Employees were greeting me with all smiles. Looks like the news about my upcoming birthday has already made the rounds. And things are about to change.

When I got on the elevator, those inside quickly greeted me. I didn't say a word and remained cold toward them. It's not like I hold a grudge against them—it's just that I don't really care about them.

The same way they didn't care about me before.

When the elevator doors opened again, another group of employees greeted me. I ignored them and headed straight to Clyde's office.

"Tell me something interesting," Clyde said while grinning.

His secretary—the one I knocked down before—was standing beside him. Still has marks, but all looks good—for now.

He stepped back away from Clyde and looked down, avoiding my gaze. I wasn't sure whether I should forgive him already or break his bones for real.

"What's with the smile?" I asked in a flat tone.

"I don't know. Why don't you tell me, birthday boy?"

I raised a brow. He was starting to be annoying again—just like when he found out about Ion.

I badly wanted to wipe that smile off his face with my fist.

"I'm not in the mood to play games with you," I said and turned my back, about to leave.

"Oh, come on! Stop dissembling us."

I stopped for a second and glanced back at him. "I am not."

"I saw that Ion girl. She's a darling." He sounded so proud. "If you're marrying her, what would happen to that other girl?"

I straightened up and fully turned to him. I knew he was talking about my Jay-jay. My senses always fired up whenever he opened his mouth and spoke about her.

He grinned even wider at my reaction. "Are you planning to have two wives?"

"I'm not. And don't you dare mention her name in front of me just to fulfill your satisfaction of pissing me off."

He chuckled a bit and shook his head. "Why not?"

I glared at him, and he laughed again. "The next CEO is already having an affair. You're indeed a Watson."

"At least I have the woman that I love. How about you?" I said—and he lost his smile.

Got ya!

"You should get ready. We have a meeting to attend and the Elders want to talk to you," he said, quickly changing the topic.

He stood up and left the office.

My turn to smirk at him.

I walked after him and followed him into the conference room. His secretary handed me the papers I needed for the meeting.

My upcoming birthday kept popping up in conversations. I couldn't help but feel uneasy. Even in our next meetings, that topic somehow found its way in.

I only had one response: "I'll let you know about it sooner."

Even though the truth is, I have no plans of celebrating my birthday. I just want to be with the woman that I love.

My existence in this world is nothing without her.

After lunch, we met with the greedy siblings. Uncle Kier wasn't with them since he needed full bed rest.

"We're planning to organize a party for his birthday," Clyde said to them with a big smile.

"Invite all the well-known families in town, including the royal family. Gather the family chef and talk to your cousins to help you with it," the Eldest said, and Clyde nodded.

"Do we really have to celebrate? There's nothing special about my birthday," I said, and the Eldest shot me a sharp look.

"Well, it's the birth day of the bastard. The trash who will receive all the inheritance of this family.

We should celebrate that persecuting truth," he said sarcastically.

Thank you so much for the insult.

The others laughed, including Clyde. I let them see that I wasn't affected. Maybe they enjoy throwing hurtful words at me, but those words are nothing. They're just wasting their time.

"If that's the case, I will invite my friends," I said, and the Eldest instantly glared at me.

"You mean your trash friends? No, you can't."

"It's my birthday. I have the right to—"

"To dirt our name again? No, you don't!"

I stood up and stared at him coldly. "Then you'll have a party with no celebrant."

I walked out without looking back. Clyde called me, but I ignored him.

My lungs feel like suffocating every time I sit near the Eldest. He still has that intimidating presence— The superiority of a Watson.

I chose to return to the office, but since I had nothing to do there, I ended up going home early.

"Keifer!" Ion greeted me with a hug when I got home.

I slightly pushed her away, but she obviously ignored it. I saw Honey looking at us with disgust. She even shook her head.

"Feeling teenager," she said.

Ion pulled away from me and faced me with a bright smile. I couldn't return the smile. If I didn't know her well, I might've already punched her.

"Why are you here?" I said and walked past her.

"Well, you forgot our date. So I decided to pay you a visit."

I saw Honey behind her, mocking her and making faces.

"Someone's definitely getting punched once we get back in the Philippines. I can't wait," she said, making me stop and making Ion turn to her.

"What? Who's getting punched?"

"I don't know. Maybe you—but my bet is on Keifer."

I glared at her to make her shut up, but Honey really doesn't know when to stop. She's definitely doing this on purpose.

I don't want another headache.

Ion turned to me with concern. "Are you worried about Angelo? I know you won't let him hurt you—"

"Oh no, Not Angelo. My dear, you should ready yourself to meet Jay—"

"Enough!" I shouted, but both of them really didn't want to stop.

"Who's Jay? Is that your new friend? I wouldn't be surprised if you've lots of friends now," Ion said to me.

Her eyes looked so innocent. Those were the same eyes she used to look at him. And now—she's using them to deceive me.

"Not just a friend," Honey said with a laugh. "Brace yourself."

"Honey, please," I said, holding the bridge of my nose.

"It's okay. I want to know your new friends."

I shook my head. "Wait for me here. I'll just change my clothes."

I headed straight to my room to change. I just wanted some peace, so I decided to go along with her- for now.

I didn't stay long either, afraid Honey might say something else. I didn't want to say anything to Ion yet because I still didn't know what she was capable of. I didn't even know the friend of hers who was helping her out.

"Where are you two going?" Honey asked while eyeing me from head to toe.

It was Ion who answered. "I'm not allowed to go far. We'll be in the hotel garden probably."

I nodded briefly. "Let's go."

Honey gave me a strange look—as if she was silently telling me I was walking into my own death.

Her arms were looped through mine as we walked toward the elevator. Just like she said, we only went to the garden of the hotel.

There were a few people strolling around and chatting quietly. The plants were trimmed into different shapes. There was also a fountain surrounded by hedges arranged like a maze. Benches were scattered everywhere—and so were the trash bins.

"I met your cousin Clyde," she started. "He seems to be a nice guy."

I almost choked on air when I heard her say that

Nice guy my ass.

She let go of my arm and walked over to the orchids. I still couldn't figure out what she really wanted or why she agreed to this engagement. She had nothing to gain from me—her so-called friend seemed way richer anyway.

"You like the orchids?" I asked.

She looked at me and smiled. "I do."

I smiled back. "Then you'll have your own orchid garden. Once we get married, I'll organize the house."

She froze. Unable to look me in the eye. She probably couldn't believe I said those things.

"T-that's a good idea," she said, and I could tell she was forcing herself to smile.

"Do you want to stay at home and be a housewife? Or do you want to do something while being my wife?"

"Whatever you want."

"You can have a business. Or you can work at the same time."

She slightly stepped away from the orchids and began walking around. I followed her from a few feet behind

"It doesn't matter to me."

"Really? Well, it's your choice anyway."

She stopped and turned to face me. Her smile was faint.

"It's not like we're getting married immediately, right?"

I smirked. "We'll get married before we go back home to the Philippines. The day after my birthday."

She gulped and bit her lip. Things were starting to become clearer to me. She didn't want to marry me. She wanted something else that she would get in the process.

"D-don't you think that's too fast?"

"No. This is arranged anyway. Date and time don't matter at all."

"I think it's better if we get married in the Philippines," she suggested.

I stared at her intently, trying to figure out what she was planning—but her eyes looked too innocent.

"As you wish," I said and started to walk.

She quickly caught up and looped her arms through mine again. We talked a little about the place and about her life lately, but she made sure to choose her answers carefully.

We ended up walking around the entire garden. And from the length of our conversation, one thing was clear to me—

She's up to something.