JAY'S POV
It's been one week. One whole damn week. I haven't stepped out of the house because of my so-called overprotective brothers. Every time I try to sneak out, they all use the same excuse—"Jay Jay, it's not safe. What if you get kidnapped?"
Arghhhhhhh!
And that's not even the only reason I'm pissed right now. It's been twelve freaking days since Kiefer left for London. And I hate—I really, really hate—to admit it out loud… but I miss him.
Yeah. I miss that arrogant jerk.
He hasn't contacted me. Not even once. Not a single message. Did he really forget me or something? Or… did he find some hot British girl there?
No. No, no, no. That can't be happening. If that asshole leaves me hanging like this, I swear I'll…kill him with my beau— Ugh. I was about to say beautiful hands. What the hell is wrong with me? Is this some Percy virus spreading or something? Don't tell me I'm sick.
And then there's this GagonBaliw guy. He hasn't stopped annoying me. Sometimes I get this feeling… is he Kiefer? I even asked him once, but he just said, "You're cute." That jerk totally deflected the question.
Part of me says yes, it's him. Another part says no—it can't be. He's busy. He probably doesn't even have time to breathe.
I tried asking again, but he changed the topic. I got pissed. And now I've been ignoring him for the past two days.
Seriously, why am I even ignoring him? I could've just blocked him. End of discussion. But no—here I am, acting like I'm mad at my boyfriend… when I don't even know the guy.
Arghhhhhhh!
My life is a complete mess.
I need fresh air. I'm going out—and this time, no one is going to stop me. I already gave them an ultimatum of one week, and that week is over. No one is stopping me.
But before I go, I should ask CCTV about any updates on Kiefer… and my past.
I get changed and head to Kuya Cris's office. He's sitting in his chair, eyes glued to his laptop. I walk straight in and sit down.
"Kuya," I say, "did you get any updates about my past? And what's going on in London with Watsons?"
He sighs. "I'm still digging into that accident. It's more complicated than I thought. Give me some time. Did you remember anything?"
"Maybe… I had a dream a few days ago. Everything was dark and blurry. I could hear voices—mine, Jeana's, and another men I didn't recognize. Maybe it was just random fragments mixed together."
I notice his expression shift—something darker. Worry? Fear? I'm not sure.
"Yeah… maybe," he says. "Don't stress about it. I'll tell you everything once I find out."
"Okay… and what about Watsons? Is Kiefer doing alright?"
"As far as I know, everything's under control. My guards are watching closely. The elders are trying their best, but they're failing."He hesitates. "There's… one more thing."
"What is it?"
"It's… he… um…"
"Kuya, you're freaking me out. Just tell me."
He exhales. "He's engaged… to a girl named Ion."
Everything stops.
The words replay in my head over and over.He's engaged.He's engaged.
He's going to marry someone else in London… while I'm here in the Philippines, waiting for him… believing he'd come back.
"Jay Jay, listen," Kuya says quickly. "It might just be an arranged engagement. He could be forced into it."
"But that doesn't change anything," I whisper. "He has a fiancée. Sooner or later, he's going to marry her."
"Jay—"
"No, Kuya. Nothing you say will change that."
Silence fills the room. I try to hold back my tears, but I know I won't last long if I stay.
"I'm going out for a while."
"No, Jay. You know Sato is still out there. What if he kidnaps you?"
"One week is over. Like I said—I'll handle him. My way."
He sighs, knowing he can't stop me. "Fine. But if anything happens, you contact me first. Deal?"
"Deal."
I walk out, get into my car, and the moment I slam the door shut… the tears finally fall.
His words echo in my head.He's engaged.
My chest aches. He really moved on. He left me behind. I shouldn't have believed him. I shouldn't have let my hopes rise. I was just a pawn from the beginning. How could I ever think someone like him would fall for someone like me?
I start driving like a maniac. I don't even know where I'm going—I just want to be alone.
A bar crosses my mind, but I know myself. If I drink there, I'll end up embarrassing myself in front of hundreds of people… or worse.
So instead, I stop at a store and grab a few bottles of alcohol. Only fifteen. Not much, right?
Then I drive to an abandoned beach. No one comes here anymore. It's perfect. I can be alone as long as I want.
I sit by the shore, drowning in my thoughts—and the alcohol.
Two bottle down.
My phone buzzes.
GagonBaliw.
I've been ignoring him for two days, but he hasn't stopped texting… or calling.
The phone vibrates again. I pick up. Silence.
"Why do you even call me if you're not going to say anything?" I snap. "You're just making me more annoyed. Don't tell me you're mute. Say something."
Nothing.
"Fine. Then I'll talk."
I take a breath.
"I ignored you because you kept deflecting my questions. But now, I don't care anymore. I just wanted to know if you were Kiefer or not. And now I know—you're not. He already has someone in his life. He doesn't have time for me."
Silence.
"And right now… I'm drowning in pain. Alone. So if you want to join me, I wouldn't mind. You can drink with me too."
I laugh bitterly.
"I'm at an abandoned beach in the Philippines, drinking like the world's ending. And I'm sure no one wants to listen to me ramble about my love life in a drunk state… so I won't waste your time."
I hang up.
And keep drinking.
Everything fades into a blur.
When I wake up, my head is pounding. I'm not at the beach anymore. I'm in my room. I don't remember coming home. The last thing I recall is drinking… talking to GagonBaliw… and dreaming about Kiefer sitting beside me.
I slowly sit up, wincing.
"Ugh… am I dying or something?"
Then I notice something on the side table—a note, medicine, and water.
I grab the note.
Dear Barracuda,
I know you're in pain right now and wondering how you got home. I got a signal from your watch—you probably sent it while drunk—and brought you back.
Take the medicine so you don't die from a headache.
I and your Ate have an important meeting , so take care of yourself.
- CCTV
A soft smile forms on my lips.
"At least… I still have my brothers and Ate."