chapter 40

Dinner

Jay-jay's POV

I'm wrecked again! Not because of drugs, but because of overthinking. The thing I've been dreading is starting to happen. Some people who support Keifer and Yuri are no longer talking to each other. Others don't care but are being forced to pick sides.

To make things worse, other fights have been triggered. Like Kit Mayo and their group. They weren't even talking because of their own issues, but now the problem with us has added fuel to the fire.

Just great!

I heard a knock on my bedroom door. It opened and Kuya Angelo stepped inside.

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

"Huh?"

"Just get dressed. Maybe wear a dress."

He left the room. I didn't even get to ask why or where we were going. Still, I stood up and grabbed some clothes. Even if I was totally confused, I got dressed and fixed my hair. But I wasn't comfortable at all. I grabbed my sneakers and slipped them on instead.

I didn't want to wear sandals.

When I stepped out of the room, Kuya raised his eyebrow at me. I knew what he was thinking—

I mean, come on, I was wearing a dress with sneakers. I get it.

But this is just who I am!

I'm catching the vibes of those crazy people around me!

"What even is that? Why are you dressed like that?" he asked, annoyed.

"You told me to—"

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

I scratched my head and followed him to the car.

"Where are we even going?"

He didn't answer. Just kept his eyes on the road. What kind of errand are we on now?

It's not like we're with Tito Julz or Tita Gema—they're still at the hospital watching over Aries.

Slowly, the car stopped in front of a fancy restaurant. It looked like only rich people ate here.

And I was right. Just from the door, I already wanted to go home. Even though I was in a dress, it was obvious I didn't belong here. Kuya, on the other hand, even in semi-formal wear, totally fit in. Heck, even if he wore rags, he'd still look like he belonged.

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

Damn it!

"We're having a dinner date with Yuri and his parents," Kuya said, walking toward their table.

I just followed him even though my legs felt too heavy to move.

"They're here," Yuri's mom said, standing up to greet me with a cheek-to-cheek kiss.

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

After the greetings, I was stunned when Yuri suddenly approached me. He was smiling like nothing happened. He kissed me on the cheek, making me instinctively pull back a bit in shock.

He smiled again and gently pulled me toward the chair, helping me sit. I looked at him, confused.

Because... it was like nothing happened!

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

"He's okay now. It's something he's had for a while. His body was just overwhelmed, that's why he had trouble breathing again," Kuya explained.

For a while now?

I had no idea Aries had been sick for a long time. He didn't show any signs of it.

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

Oh, God... here we go again. Another battle I'm forced into.

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

My head started to hurt. Birthday? Was that a joke? My birthday's just a few months away.

JUST A FEW MONTHS!

"Jay-jay?" Kuya called out.

He probably noticed I was looking down. I couldn't bring myself to look at Yuri or his family.

"Y-yes?"

"When do you want to pick out your gown?"

Pick out what? A burial gown? Let's do it now then.

"Anytime is fine," I mumbled.

"That's great! I'll go with you to choose one," his mom said with a big smile. I smiled back awkwardly. Then I noticed Kuya looking at me meaningfully.

I avoided his gaze but ended up looking at Yuri. I still couldn't read any anger or bitterness from him.

Why are you like this?

He should be mad at me. He shouldn't be speaking to me. He definitely shouldn't be acting this close.

Why?

He suddenly looked at me again and smiled. They continued talking like nothing was wrong.

"We should have Jay-jay start learning Nihongo too so she won't struggle when she moves to Japan."

My knees shook at what I just heard. Move to Japan? Why would I move to Japan? What for?!

Help!

"Are you okay?" Yuri asked me. I nodded, but he didn't seem convinced.

"I'll take Jay-jay outside for a breather," he said, helping me stand.

He pulled me to the side of the restaurant, where there were benches and a small garden. I sat down and leaned forward, covering my face with both hands.

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

I looked up at him. That's the Yuri I'd been waiting to see.

"I can't help it. Especially when you smile at me like nothing happened," I said, frustrated. "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 stared at him in confusion. What do you mean can't? I hurt him. He should be mad.

He sat down in front of me, knee propped up for support, making us almost eye level.

"That's how much I love you. No matter how many times you lie or hurt me... I just can't bring myself to be mad. Yeah, I yelled at you at first, but I realized that was wrong—and I apologize for that."

Apologize?! Are you high?!

Tears suddenly rolled down my cheeks without me even realizing it. It felt like something was choking me.

"Please don't make this harder for me," I whispered. "I-I don't deserve this. I don't deserve your love."

He cupped my cheek and gently wiped my tears with his thumb.

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

Please stop...

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

He smiled. "I won't. Not now." He pulled his hand back and stood up. "I was wrong. Keifer didn't defeat me. I actually won."

I stood slowly and looked at him.

"Maybe your heart belongs to him—but physically, you're mine. I'm the one you'll be with, not him. I won. You're mine."

He smiled again—just like he had earlier—and walked back into the restaurant. I was left there, speechless.

I sat back down, my knees too weak to hold me. I kept wiping my tears, but every time I tried to stand and go back inside, more tears came.

So annoying...

I stayed there for a few more minutes. My phone kept buzzing in my dress pocket. I knew Kuya was trying to call me.

"Jay?"

I looked at the person calling me. I stared at him, confused—it was dark, and for a second I thought it was Keifer. But then I noticed he was wearing glasses.

Keigan!

He was with a girl who looked familiar.

"W-what are you guys doing here?" I asked, trying to compose myself.

"We're celebrating my girlfriend's birthday here." He turned to the girl beside him and gently pulled her close. "This is Elixera Fediricos, my girlfriend."

She smiled and reached out her hand. I shook it.

Now I remember! She's Blaster's best friend—the one in that photo on his phone.

She's even prettier in person. No wonder those two were fighting over her. If I were a guy, I'd fight over her too.

Even in the dark, I could see how smooth her skin was. Like pearls. My crystal-like skin felt ashamed next to hers. Her long, curly hair and rosy cheeks made her look even more beautiful. We were about the same height, though she obviously looked younger.

You look embarrassing, Jay!

"What about you? What are you doing out here alone?" she asked.

"U-uh... I—" Her phone rang suddenly. She raised a finger, signaling me to wait, and stepped away a bit.

While waiting for Keigan to finish his call, I couldn't stop glancing at Elixera. There were times she'd look back at me and smile shyly.

It was awkward how I kept staring. I couldn't help it!

Then her phone rang again. She pulled it out of her bag and I clearly saw: Blaster with the label Calling...

She panicked and quickly ended the call, stuffing her phone back into her bag. She looked toward Keigan, but he didn't seem to notice anything. She turned to me, biting her lip, like she wanted to say something.

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

I nodded.

"C-can you maybe..."

I knew what she meant. She didn't want Keigan to know Blaster had called her. I smiled and made a "zip the lips" motion.

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

"Happy birthday..." I told her.

"Thank you," she said, smiling meaningfully.

Keigan finished his call and came back to us.

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

Kuya?

Keifer! I suddenly got excited for reasons I didn't understand. Maybe because of everything that happened earlier, I wanted to talk to him too.

I walked ahead of them toward our table, and when I got there—

He was there.

With another girl.