Chapter-359 Meet Ares

Jay-jay's POV

"What are you doing?" I asked Ci-N, who was busy texting.

"I'm talking to Daddy. I'm asking him about your possible condition," he replied without even looking at me.

"I thought you weren't close to your dad?"

He stopped texting for a moment, turned to face me, and smiled—his gums showing and a bit of food stuck in his teeth. I couldn't help but chukle a little at his appearance, but he just went back to what he was doing without answering me.

I knew what he meant.

He was ready to talk to her dad just to find a way to help me with my problem. I smiled briefly at the thought of what he was doing. But…

"You don't have to do that. I'll figure out what's wrong with me eventually," I said, but he ignored me.

I was about to nudge him to get his attention when the loud volume from a phone distracted me. I quickly turned toward the Ulupong to find the source.

It was coming from Kit's phone—he and Mayo were watching something. I had no intention of paying attention to them, but I could clearly hear the narrator of the video they were watching.

"...trauma can also cause short-term memory loss, but in some cases, it can also be longer..."

They were watching a video about trauma. I winced. I knew they were watching it because of me. It seemed like, just like Ci, they were also looking for ways to help me.

Even them.

But it seemed they weren't the only ones searching for information about my situation.

"Bro… Read this," Rory told Edrix, handing him a phone.

"What is it?" Edrix asked before taking it.

"I can't read anymore—your turn."

Edrix grimaced and scratched his head. I'd probably react the same way. The way Rory ordered him to read, you'd think he found something important or useful—when in reality, his brain probably just got overloaded with too much information.

Classic.

"Selective amnesia," Denzel read out loud, then nudged Drew. "You've got this—for sure when it's time to pay debts."

"Are you an idiot?" Drew snapped, irritated.

"Hey, that's true!" Blaster chimed in.

"Pay me back already," Josh added.

And just like that, those guys ended up arguing about debts. It almost turned into a fistfight, and Felix and Eman had to step in to calm them down.

"Go eat already! You're only acting like this because you're hungry!" Felix shouted, smacking Drew and Blaster on the head as they started grabbing at each other's clothes.

Eman quickly smacked their hands away before pushing them toward the exit. The other Ulupong members immediately followed to buy food too. But I had a feeling they were just waiting for someone to treat them, which is why they're only heading out now.

So obvious.

"Come on, Jay! Let's eat!" they called out, but I just smiled and motioned for them to go ahead.

I already have someone buying food for me. Hehe.

I quietly waited for Keifer, who had gone off to get my food. I had no idea where he went, though, because it had been a while and he still wasn't back.

Did he take a detour through some mountain or something? All I asked for was a burger, fries, and milk tea. There are stalls right outside the school, but that blockhead must've gone to the ends of the earth just to buy them.

"Still not back?" Yuri asked as he sat beside me. "I'm starving," he sighed, leaning back in his seat.

"Hungry! Hungry! Hungry!" Ci whined, clutching his stomach.

"Maybe he's taking his time on purpose," David said, still focused on his phone game.

I didn't know what their deal was, but they had also asked the King of Ulupong to buy food for them. Ci-N probably just wanted food from outside, but these two…seemed like they were just trying to mess with the King of the Ulupong.

Well, if he was taking his sweet time to get back at them—serves them right.

I pouted, resting my chin on the table, but Yuri's light tap on my arm got my attention. I turned to face him.

"How are you feeling?" he asked, brushing a stray strand of hair away from my face.

"Kind of okay. I just don't know if I want to go home yet."

He looked at me for a moment, as if something was weighing on his mind. Then he smiled softly, fixing my hair again.

"Now I understand," he said, confusing me.

"You asked for him that day."

I felt the way David and Ci-N grew quiet, watching us. They were clearly waiting for what Yuri was about to say.

"That day you hurt yourself while we were cooking at my house. You explained to me why you asked for him, but I was still confused," he admitted with a hint of frustration. "Because he understood your situation from the start and knew exactly what to do."

I remembered that day.

The day we went on a date as an engaged couple. We decided to cook at his place, but he ended up doing most of the work. I cleaned up after—but I accidentally cut myself. In my fear of seeing blood and losing control, I told him to call Keifer. I didn't mean to, but it just happened.

"Are you still upset about that?" I asked.

"Maybe, but not at you. I'm upset with myself. There's still so much I don't know about you. Yet I demanded so much from you before," he said with a sad smile. "I can't imagine how much you'd suffer if we were still engaged."

I stared at him, unsure of how to respond because it was only now sinking in. If we had gone through with the wedding and my situation was like this, we probably wouldn't understand each other. We'd likely both be clueless about what to do or how to help me. It's scary to think that it could've even caused fights between us.

And worse—he might not have believed my condition.

"Ending our engagement was really the right thing to do," he added, and I nodded.

"Now you know why you don't deserve her," David muttered, still glued to his phone.

Yuri turned to glare at him, but before they could start another fight, Keifer finally arrived—carrying all the food we'd asked for. Ci-N ran to him, clapping excitedly, and immediately grabbed the paper bag with his order.

"Yay! So yummy!" the little troublemaker cheered, pulling out his food one by one.

Keifer set the rest of the bags on the table in front of us. Yuri and David took theirs, and I was about to do the same—but the King had already taken my food out of the container and placed it neatly in front of me.

I'm being served a bit too much here. Hehe.

"How are you feeling?" he asked while arranging the stuff he bought.

"Hungry," I answered quickly.

He chuckled softly before taking his own food and pulling up a chair next to me. I glanced at my right, where Yuri was sitting—and then at my left, where Keifer was. We were all squished together at my tiny little table.

"Eat now" Keifer ordered softly.

I pouted before grabbing the plastic spoon and fork. But of course, he was the one who opened the container for me.

Yuri and David ate quietly while Ci-N couldn't stop gushing over his food. I couldn't help feeling a little jealous—I wanted that same energy. I felt like I was about to lose my appetite.

Kidding.

I started eating, sneaking glances at the King while chewing. He kept adding more food to my container.

"Eat well," he said with a teasing smile.

I was about to complain when—yep—someone else added more food to my container. When I turned to look, Yuri smiled at me sweetly.

What the—?!

They probably haven't noticed that I don't really feel like eating. I pouted but kept eating anyway. No one was really talking much until the other Ulupong arrived.

"So that's why you didn't buy from the cafeteria — you bought food from outside," Felix complained.

He even peeked at what we were eating before pouting. The others followed, also taking a look as if they were checking out dishes in a small eatery. But it was only Ci-N and David that they bothered, trying to ask for food.

"No way! This is mine!" Ci-N said irritably.

"Fvck off," David replied calmly.

They wouldn't have stopped if Denzel hadn't come in carrying a lunch bag that looked like it was sent by Grace.

"Give us some!"

"Share!"

"You just had a kid and now you're being stingy!"

They immediately received a string of curses from Denzel. We just shook our heads because the persistent Ulupong still wouldn't stop.

But they wouldn't be Ulupong if they weren't this mischievous. They're ready to break faces and get their faces broken just for food.

"Jay, someone's looking for your brother earlier. But the security guard at the gate won't let him in," Denzel said, making me stop in my tracks.

For Aries?

Weird. Why would someone come looking for him here at school? It's like the first time I've heard of someone from outside looking for Aries.

"T-they'll probably tell him themselves."

"But I've seen that person outside since this morning. It doesn't seem like they've told him."

Who could that be?

"Would you like me to inform Aries?" Keifer asked me, making me look at him.

"Maybe there's no need. We don't even know who's looking for him — it could be dangerous for him again," I replied, and he agreed.

"But it might be important. I don't think he'd wait that long if he just meant Aries harm," Yuri chimed in.

"Could be. Maybe we should just tell Angelo so he can inform Aries," the King suggested.

" Or we could just leave it alone and not worry about it. It's Aries they're looking for, not us," I said, and they looked at each other before nodding.

I just finished my meal, and so did the two I was eating with. They also cleaned up our table. I decided to go to the restroom to freshen up.

While I was at the sink washing my hands, two girls came in, deep in conversation. I couldn't help but overhear their topic.

"That guy's been outside the school for a while now. He's looking for Aries from Section A," one of them said before entering a cubicle.

"Why don't they just go to Aries and tell him?" the other one asked from inside the cubicle.

"They probably already told him. It's just that Aries doesn't want to face him."

"Why though?"

"Sis, my boyfriend from Section A said that guy might be Aries' dad because they kinda look alike."

I literally froze at what I heard from them. My hands trembled, and I struggled to keep them steady. I quickly grabbed some tissue and wiped my hands. I hurried out of the restroom to go back to the room.

My breathing was deep and painful in my chest. I hope they're wrong. I hope that wasn't Aries' father. There'd be a huge problem if they saw each other.

And if I saw him.

Is that why he called Aries earlier? But why would he choose to show up only now? What's his reason? Just like that? — after everything he did to us, he shows up as if nothing happened.

I was already at the door when I remembered something from that day. Before I stabbed Aries, I hit someone in the face with handcuffs. There was a lot of blood, and now I clearly remember — it was him.

"Jay!" Ci called, smiling.

I didn't look at him, even though he was already close.

"Oh, zoned out," he said, about to flick my forehead, but someone stopped him.

"Jay, what's wrong?" David's voice.

I still didn't respond, just staring into space. The details of my memories kept replaying in my mind over and over.

What if he came back for revenge for what I did? What if he kidnaps Aries again and repeats what he did before? That's the only thing he could possibly do.

I looked up when someone kept snapping their fingers in front of my face. Confused, I looked at who it was.

"Are you okay? You zoned out," Keifer asked with concern.

"I-I just have something on my mind," I replied and went inside the room.

I went straight to my seat and stayed silent, even though Keifer's worry was obvious.

Our teacher arrived for the next class, but I stayed distracted. By the time the school day ended, I hadn't written down a single thing—or learned anything.

As usual. Nothing new.

While everyone else was busy packing up to go to home, I stayed in my seat. I just held my bag on the table, while Keifer kept watching me, not moving either.

"We'll head home first," Felix said goodbye.

The King nodded at him, but I still didn't say a word.

"Did Jay-Jay get bewitched? Why isn't she talking since she came back from the restroom?" Ci asked fearfully.

"There's no ghost in the toilet. Stop it," David answered him.

"I'll take care of her. You guys go ahead," Keifer instructed.

David nodded and glanced at me briefly before walking away. Ci-N waved at me before following his grandpa. Yuri patted Keifer's shoulder before finally leaving.

"Bye, Jay," he said as he left.

All the Ulupong had gone. Keifer moved his chair closer to me. I knew he was just waiting for me to make a move. I was grateful that he wasn't pushing me to talk.

"Can you call Kuya? Please tell him I won't be going home yet," I asked softly.

"You can't keep thinking like this."

He pulled up a chair and sat in front of me, taking both of my hands in his.

"It's all in the past now. Aries isn't angry with you anymore. He's already forgiven you, right?"

My trembling hands held his hands in return. I took a deep breath as tears began to fall again.

Crying again.

"B-But... whenever I remember... I just feel so sorry for him." The memories of his suffering came rushing back. "He endured living with me in the same house. He endured being with the person who tried to take his life."

"Please don't be too hard on yourself. We still don't know why you did that."

Even if I find out the reason, it wouldn't erase my guilt — and there's no good reason for hurting him.

I shook my head. "Even so."

"I know you… You wouldn't do such a thing."

I paused for a moment. I wiped my face and took a deep breath.

"How can you say that?"

"I have a theory, that you stabbed him because you weren't yourself," he started, making me think.

That might be the reason. Because if I were in my right mind, no matter how angry I was, I wouldn't hurt him like that even in my wildest dreams. I may say harsh words sometimes, but I never really meant them.

He continued explaining. "I think you were in a state of zoning out — like when you see blood."

Blood.

I thought deeply about what he said. If I go back to that memory, I remember there was a lot of blood around. But I didn't know whose it was.

I needed to think hard about what happened before I stabbed him. I let go of his hands and covered my face with both of mine.

"What are you doing?" the King asked.

"Using the remaining brain cells in my head to think."

He laughed a bit, but it was cut short. He stood up, and I heard his footsteps walking away. I didn't know what he was doing, but I heard a familiar voice from the door.

It was Aries.

"What are you two doing? We need to go home now," he said.

"We're discussing something important. I'll take her home," Keifer replied.

"Can't that wait until tomorrow?"

"Nope."

"Kuya Angelo will not like this."

"I'm ready to explain for us."

I didn't hear Aries reply anymore, but I could feel his eyes on me. I peeked through my fingers, and I was right. I saw the worry in his expression, but I couldn't face him. Where would I even find the nerve to look him in the eye?

Any tips on how to grow a thicker skin?

He turned back to Keifer and just nodded in acceptance. He left, and the King immediately walked back toward me.

"He's gone," he said.

"I'm still thinking," I answered, covering my face again while keeping my eyes shut.

I forced myself to recall what happened before Aries was stabbed. But no matter how hard I tried, I still couldn't remember. I slumped down on the desk.

"I can't remember anything," I whispered before starting to sob.

"Hey, don't pressure yourself."

But I ignored him. I cried softly, drowning in my guilt. I felt like such a terrible person for what I had done.

Jay-Jay bad.

We must have been in the classroom for about an hour when I finally suggested we head home. I was grateful the King just waited for me without any complaints or signs of impatience.

"Want to grab something to eat before you go home?" he offered.

I thought for a moment before answering his offer. About 0.1 seconds.

"Just ice cream."

I heard his soft laugh. There were no more students at school. It looked like everyone had gone home a while ago.

While we were in the parking lot, a man suddenly approached us. I stared at him for a moment before fully recognizing him.

The scar on his jaw reminded me of what happened in the basement, where we were locked up.

Where he locked Aries and me up.

I automatically clung to Keifer and stepped back. It seemed like he understood what was happening right away. He immediately shielded me behind him.

"You're Jay-Jay, right?" the man asked.

His voice was different from what I remembered. It sounded calm and gentle. He had a resemblance to Aries. Even his face would have looked pleasant, if not for the scar on his jaw.

A scar I gave him.

"Can we talk?" he asked again.

I couldn't answer. I was still clinging to Keifer. He could feel me trembling.

"And who the hell are you?" the King asked irritably.

They stared at each other the man finally replied, though his gaze flicked briefly to me.

"I'm Aranes, or Ares. I'm Aries' father."