Chapter 1:
Sweeter than cookies and cream.
I asked Drew where Yuri was, and he
mentioned he'd probably been in the washroom for fifteen minutes. Where did that guy go? "Damn you, Rooster," I muttered, deciding to leave without him. I waved goodbye to Drew and his sister, heading toward the gate.
Suddenly, my phone vibrated. I checked the caller ID—Keifer. A smile tugged at my lips as I answered.
"Hey, Jay! Where are you?" Keifer's voice crackled through the line.
"Umm... at Kuya's house. Why?" I lied poorly.
"Jay, don't lie to me. I know you're at Drew's," he countered instantly.
"How do you even know that?"
"I have my ways," he said, and I could practically hear his smirk.
I rolled my eyes. "You and your 'ways.' Anyway, why did you call?"
"Oh... I'm actually outside Drew's house."
"What?!" I gasped. I hung up immediately and hurried outside. True to his word, the King of Ulupongs was standing there, leaning against his car.
"What are you doing here?" I asked, breathless.
"I came to pick you up," he answered simply.
"I can get home by myself, you know."
"But we're going on a date," he countered.
My heart leaped, but I panicked. "What? No! Kuya will kill me!"
"Don't worry, I'll handle him," he said with effortless confidence.
"No, you'll only make it worse!"
"Relax, Jay. I've got this. Trust me."
I sighed, defeated by his charm. "Fine, let's go."
As we walked to the car, my mind started racing. Should I tell him? Should I ask him to make us official? I bit my lip. Fine. I'll tell him during the date.
I was snapped out of my trance by a hand waving in front of my face.
"What are you thinking about so hard?" Keifer asked, amused.
"Nothing," I chirped.
"Where are we going?" I asked as we got in.
"I thought we'd go to the park and get your favorite ice cream," he replied.
My face lit up instantly. "Really? Let's go!"
He chuckled, started the engine, and pulled away. The ride was peaceful, the kind of silence that didn't need words. When we arrived, I reached for the door handle, but Keifer was faster. He opened the door for me as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"Let's go," he said, offering his hand. I hesitated for a split second before lacing my fingers with his.
"Where's the ice cream?" I asked, looking around.
He laughed softly. "Of course, you're only worried about the food."
"You promised! I'm just holding you to it," I teased.
"We'll get it in a bit," he said, his expression softening. "I just want to spend some time with my wife first."
I felt my cheeks flush and looked away. "Oh? And who exactly is your wife?"
He smirked, leaning in closer. "My wife... she's my life, my world, my whole universe. Her name," he paused, eyes locking onto mine, "is Jasper Jean Mariano Fernandez Watson."
My heart did a somersault. To hide my embarrassment, I quickly changed the subject. "How are Keiren and Keigen?"
He sighed, a shadow crossing his face. "Keiren is doing well. But Keigen... some mornings he's like a different person. His therapist says it's a personality disorder. He locks himself away for hours."
I remembered the key he had given me—the one for emergencies only. "I hope he feels better soon," I said softly.
He nodded, then I tugged on his arm like a child. "Come on, let's go get that ice cream!"
"Alright, alright," he chuckled. "My wife is getting impatient."