JAY-JAY'S POV
What is that noise?
It's probably just the messenger notifications. I guess the Ulupongs are causing trouble in the group chat again. I don't want to open it because I'm already bored with whatever nonsense they're talking about.
But the noise is getting on my nerves. I was about to uninstall Messenger when I noticed a message from Freya.
I snorted. Now she's messaging me? I have a feeling this won't be anything good.
I opened her message and read it.
📩
From: Freya
Message: Who the hell is this guy?
She really can't stand not knowing who gave her the letter. I feel like she's just as curious as I am.
Aye! That's what I thought.
I smiled at my own thoughts. I really need to convince Edrix. It would be a waste of effort if we backed out in the end.
He should just show up or at least introduce himself properly.
Another message popped up from Freya.
📩
From: Freya
Message: Make sure this isn't Percy.
My smile immediately faded, replaced by a grimace. How am I supposed to explain this to my stepbrother? I'm sure he'll be furious.
What would he even say? That I deliberately pushed Freya away from him? Maybe I should have thought of a proper explanation for Percy before dragging Freya into Edrix's mess.
But honestly...
If my brother gets mad at me, I hope it serves as a wake-up call. The girl he loves clearly doesn't want him anymore. It's obvious, yet he still doesn't get it. Is he really that obsessed—like a kid who refuses to let go of his favorite coloring book? Maybe I should just buy him a canvas and let him paint something instead.
I curled up on my bed like a fetus in the womb. Sometimes, I wonder about myself.
A meddling brat with too many thoughts.
Why can't I stop myself from interfering in other people's problems? I always feel like I need to do something to help them—as if I have superpowers. Charot!
A soft knock on my bedroom door pulled me out of my thoughts. The door opened, and I quickly sat up, feeling embarrassed.
My brother's serious face appeared.
"What?" I asked innocently.
"I just want to ask you something," he said. I nodded.
"Lechon is good, but liempo is also delicious," I answered randomly. He immediately frowned. "Spaghetti is nice too, but nothing beats sticky noodles."
"What?"
"Leche flan is tasty, but sans rival is even better... or maybe a good cream of tartar dessert?"
He took a deep breath before bending down slightly. Then, lifting his head, he gave me a forced smile.
"It looks like your brain is filled with oil and fat—all you think about is food," he said seriously.
I snorted. As if I care! There's nothing else he could possibly ask me about at this hour. He wouldn't randomly question me about school lessons—he knows I'm not exactly a genius.
"What is it about?" I finally asked.
"Freya and the love letter," he said.
I quickly looked away. If I tell him the truth, he'll definitely run to that coloring book and ruin Rory's and my plan.
"W-what about it?" I asked, feigning ignorance.
"Who wrote the letters?"
"What letters?"
He raised an eyebrow for a moment. "Don't get me started," he said with a hint of threat.
"What's the letter?" I insisted. "Letter A, B, C, D, or E. Which one?"
He raised his palm as if about to slap me. I immediately lifted my arm to block him just in case.
"I'm talking about the letter you gave to Freya." He let out a deep sigh. "I saw her reading it, and I didn't like her reaction."
"What was her reaction?"
"Why do you want to know?"
"Just answer," I pressed.
He stared at me for a few seconds before speaking. "I saw glimpses of happiness, but she managed to keep a stoic expression."
I smiled at what I heard, but I quickly wiped it away when I remembered I was standing in front of my brother-in-law, who held the fate of the world in his hands.
"Now tell me who it's from," he demanded.
"I don't know," I replied flatly. "It was just handed to me."
"What?"
I nodded. "Someone just gave it to me."
"Who gave it to you?"
I pretended to scratch my head. "I can't remember. I don't even know him."
He let out a heavy sigh before turning his back on me and walking away. I heard him cursing under his breath, clearly annoyed, though I had no idea what exactly irritated him.
Once I was sure he was gone, I quickly shut my bedroom door and grabbed my phone. I sent Rory a message, telling him what I had found out about Freya's reaction.
I smelled hope.
Just then, my stomach rumbled. Turns out, I had only smelled food. I set my phone down on my study table before heading out.
I took large steps toward the kitchen but stopped just before reaching the living room. I overheard Aunt Gema and Kuya Angelo talking.
"Should we tell Jay-jay? She might just be disappointed."
"She was already disappointed when Tita introduced her new husband. What difference does it make if she knows the marriage won't happen?"
I covered my mouth in shock. What happened? Why not? Could my suspicions about Andy's Adam's apple be true? Did he have another woman, and Mama found out the truth?
I didn't feel sad about the news, but there was a hint of regret. I had thought he was good for Mama. It seemed like my mother had made another mistake.
Okay. Thank you, next!
They say, "Try and try until you succeed." But if it were up to me, I wouldn't want her to find a husband. She hasn't even recovered from Aries and me, yet that's her priority? She should take care of us first.
I shrugged and went downstairs, walking through the living room with complete indifference, as if I hadn't just overheard them talking about me and Mama.
I headed straight to the kitchen, looking for a snack. I found buko salad and mango pie. Immediately, I grabbed a bowl to scoop some out.
I was about to take a bite when someone suddenly hugged me from behind and covered my mouth.
Shock froze me for a moment, but as soon as he started dragging me out of the kitchen, I struggled. I elbowed him several times, and I heard him grunt in pain.
Pow! Kidnapping again?
Before I knew it, he had pulled me all the way to the laundry area. He finally let go of me, and I spun around, ready to hit him—until I realized who he was.
"Y-Yuri?"
He was wearing a baseball cap and a black t-shirt, but the fresh blood on his clothes was impossible to miss. Fear shot through me, but I forced myself to focus on his condition.
"Y-you're bleeding. You need to go to the hospital."
But if I was already terrified seeing the blood, his response scared me even more.
"This isn't mine."
I pointed at his clothes, even though my hands were shaking. "Whose is that?"
He was breathing heavily, clearly exhausted. Shaking his head, he took off his baseball cap.
"Someone attacked me. I managed to escape, and the next thing I knew, I was here," he said, wiping the sweat from his face with his palm.
I noticed the scar on his fist and the mark on his neck, as if someone had strangled him. Confused by what I was seeing and hearing, I turned back to his clothes. A sinking feeling twisted in my stomach, and I couldn't stop myself from vomiting.
He immediately moved closer to support me, rubbing my back gently.
"What's wrong?" he asked, helping me to the sink to wash up.
"T-the blood on your clothes," I stammered.
Without hesitation, he took off his shirt, dropped it in the sink, and quickly turned on the faucet, letting the water wash the blood away. I stepped back to give him space.
His pale skin glistened under the light, but it was covered in scars. Bruises from the fight were still visible, along with several old wounds.
"Do you know who attacked you?" I asked.
He shook his head. "No. It all happened too fast."
"We should report it to the police."
He shook his head again. "It's pointless. They won't be able to find them either."
"I'm confused. What's going on?"
He sighed and turned to face me, exhaustion written all over him.
"T-there are some people..." He struggled to find the words.
"Yuri."
He closed his eyes for a moment before forcing a smile. I didn't like that smile—it felt like he was hiding too much.
"It's better if you don't know the details. I don't want to put your life at risk," he said.
"But—"
"Please..." he interrupted before suddenly collapsing.
I tried to catch him, but we both fell to the floor. I quickly got up and turned to him.
"Y-Yuri..." I patted his cheek, but he didn't respond.
Panic surged through me. I thought about going inside to call Kuya Angelo, but I quickly changed my mind. Kuya couldn't see Yuri like this—half-conscious, covered in blood, and shirtless. People in this house tend to jump to conclusions.
I glanced at a closed door. If I remembered correctly, it was the room meant for Tita's driver, but since they didn't have one, it should be vacant. I rushed over and tried the handle. Luckily, it wasn't locked.
Inside, a few things were piled up. A mattress, still wrapped in plastic but covered in dust, lay against the wall.
That'll do!
I grabbed some clothes from the clothesline to wipe the mattress clean, only to realize I had taken Aries' uniform.
He better not find out about this, or he'll curse me. It's just for a little while—bad luck or not.
I'm sorry, Aries.
I turned back to Yuri and tried to wake him, but he was completely unconscious. I attempted to lift him the best way I could—first by pulling his legs, then trying to carry him—but he was too heavy. Finally, I positioned myself behind him, hooked my arms under his armpits, and pulled him toward the room.
As I dragged him, I noticed the new scratches forming on his already battered body. Guilt crept in. He had already been through so much, and now, because of me, he had more injuries.
I let his scars and scratches go first. I went outside and picked up a blanket from the clothesline. I had planned to return the blanket when I met him.
I will receive a terrible curse.
I wrapped Yuri for a moment before running out. I was about to enter the house when I remembered his clothes. I put them back in the sink. I was going to touch them, but I saw the clothes mixing with the water.
No one at home could see it. I just grabbed the clothes and kneaded them as if I were making bread. I sprinkled soap and rubbed them. Why did he think of gray as the color today?
I stopped when I thought about the clothes I was wearing. I also needed to change. I hurriedly looked for a replacement on the clothesline, but I grabbed a different dress. I didn't care who owned it. I put my clothes in the sink and did the laundry again.
Whether they are clean or not is up to you.
When I could no longer see any blood, I threw the clothes into the washing machine. I knew Tita's washing machine was automatic, but there were so many buttons! There were also strange symbols and numbers. I couldn't find the crank like Grandma's washing machine had. I just pressed everything, hoping it would start moving.
I continued into the house, walking straight to my room. I quickly grabbed some clothes for Yuri and picked up my cellphone.
"Jay-Jay!" Aries called as I left my room. "Did you see—Is that my shirt?"
I barely managed to cover myself. "N-no. You're just imagining things."
"That's mine. Why are you wearing it?"
I shook my head. He was about to step closer when I pushed him. He leaned against the wall, clearly shocked by what I had just done. I was just as surprised by my own actions, but I couldn't let him stop me. Yuri needed me.
"What the fuck?!"
"It's mine! It's mine now!" I shouted right in his face and walked away.
Forgive me! Don't curse me!
I looked for alcohol and cotton first before heading straight to the kitchen to get the food I had left behind. I needed to eat too.
I carried everything with me when I arrived at the laundry area. The maids I passed by stared at me. I waited for them to leave before entering the room where I had left Yuri.
I dropped everything I was carrying next to him. At first, I was unsure what to do first—should I clean his wounds or eat? But I didn't choose either. Instead, I took out my cellphone and opened the group chat.
Me: Mga phangeth! Nids q whelps! (I need help)
Eren: Wait! What is it?
Ci-N: waaahhh!! 😫😫 Jay-Jay's chat is scary!
Edrix: "Is this a code?"
David:
Rory: Jay! What was that? Did you just press it?
Denzel: Thank you! What is this? Grace and I are both here, and we still don't understand.
I wanted to curse out loud. It was hard to read their responses. Even Grace joined in—she had just given birth, and now she couldn't read either!
My nostrils flared as I angrily typed, but someone finally answered their questions for me.
Keifer: Ugly. I need help. [Keifer translated her message]
That's all he said.
Suddenly, the group chat exploded with "Wow" reactions to the King of Snakes' message. They should be amazed at how well their little boy can read!
They've reached an age where they still can't read properly.
David: "About what?"
I didn't waste any more time. I took a picture of Yuri and sent it to them.
Keifer: Where the fuck are you?
The King of Snakes responded the fastest, followed by a flood of messages from his fellow Ulupong.
Ci-N: "Why are you together?"
Felix: Did you kick him? Why is he asleep?
Eren: What did you do?
Josh: Why isn't he wearing clothes?
The Gungongs' messages kept increasing, but instead of helping me with my problem, they were more concerned about Yuri's lack of clothing.
Calix: Come on! What the hell?
Blaster: Did something happen?
Kit: Jay? Explain! NOW!
Mayo: We didn't raise you like that! You're not ashamed of your Mom Kit anymore!
Rory: Lol! The flirt of the one above.
May: You're such a hypocrite, Rory!
Rory: Are you the only one above me?
Calix: Guilty!
Edrix: Guilty!
Felix: Guilty!
Ci-N: Hi I'm Ci-nix, Felix's, Calix's and Edrixe's brother. 😂😂😂
I wanted to throw my phone because of their nonsense. And then they wonder why I rarely open the group chat! It always ends up like this. I was about to reply when Gagong Baliw's name suddenly popped up.
The wind is calling.
I answered.
["Where are you?"] He sounded panicked.
I even heard a door slam, which I assumed was a car door.
"I'm at home. Why?"
["What the hell is that photo? Why is Yuri naked, and why are you two together?"]
"He passed out. Can you come over? Big brother can't see him like this."
And just then, it hit me—Kuya shouldn't see him like this either.
["I'm on my way—"]
"Don't come." I quickly interrupted him. "I'll just wait for Yuri to wake up. I don't think anything serious happened to him. He wasn't badly hurt."
["I'm coming to see you, not him."]
His best friend is unconscious in front of me, yet he's only concerned about me? Wow. Thanks for the concern, friend!
"Did I pass out?" I asked sarcastically.
["Is he the girl I love?"]
And there it is.
"Don't worry! Big Brother will see you."
["The hell do I care!"]
"P—" I almost cursed. "You poser! You're going to ruin me!"
["Whatever. I'm on my way now. Make sure you have a good explanation."]
He hung up before I could say anything else. I was stunned. If Kuya sees him, he'll find out Yuri is here—and in this state. I'm going crazy!
I could already hear Kuya's voice in my head, imagine his expression.
I better get Yuri dressed. He might even catch pneumonia like this. Since his position was making it difficult, I climbed onto the bed and placed my knees on either side of his stomach. I was moving carefully while adjusting his clothes when the door suddenly swung open.
My brother's frowning face appeared, bringing nothing but bad luck. We stared at each other before his eyes widened.
I blinked, suddenly remembering that I was still in the middle of dressing an unconscious Yuri.
"What the hell is happening here?" he asked, stunned.
I didn't know whether I should finish what I was doing or explain first.
"Y-you're thinking the wrong thing," I stammered.
He took a deep breath. "Explain. Now." He commanded, surprisingly calm.
I got off the bed, but before I could even steady myself, I noticed someone standing behind my brother.
"What's going on?" Percy asked, frowning at the scene before him.
Great. Another one.
Aries turned to him, immediately shooting him a glare. Before they could even start arguing, the ever-frowning King of Snakes arrived.
"Jay," Aries called me. "Explain. Now."