Jay-jay's POV
"Where are we going?" I almost whispered.
Honey looked like she was at her breaking point. She was gripping the steering wheel so tightly that it seemed like she might rip it off. The car was also starting to speed up.
This is a Ferrari, man! We're about to take flight!
I wouldn't get any answers from her like this. She still owed me an explanation about the drama going on in the life of the King of Snakes.
"Damn it! Ugh!" she suddenly screamed, making me nearly jump.
Has she gone completely insane?! I might need to jump out of this car. My goodness!
But it looked like I wouldn't have to. The car slowly started to decelerate until she pulled over to the side of the road.
"Is there a problem—?" I didn't even get to finish my sentence because she suddenly slammed her hands hard against the steering wheel. Shit! I need to get out before she starts hitting me instead.
"I hate them! I hated Felix, and now I hate Percy! They're jerks!" she shouted.
I just clung to my seat in fear. Who knows what she might do next? I couldn't even open the door, so I was stuck here for now.
"W-what exactly did those two do to you?" I hesitantly asked.
I probably shouldn't have spoken. But if I didn't, she might take out her anger on me instead. I had to redirect her focus somehow.
She suddenly let out an ear-piercing scream. It was enough to shatter eardrums and make my brain feel like it was falling out of my ears. Damn… that hurt.
"That Felix! He's insufferable! And that Percy!" She took a deep breath. "We were supposed to have a date last night. It was so hard to fit that date into my schedule, and he just wasted it! He was the one who promised me that date!"
My forehead creased. Something seemed off. Percy was the one who promised the date, so why was he the one hiding? These two are so confusing.
"He was the one who promised?"
"Yes! He said that if I helped him talk to Keifer, he'd take me on a date! That guy is so stupid!" she said angrily.
Talk to… Damn!
That idiot is up to something, and I don't know what it is. Why did he want to talk to that moron? Is something happening that I don't know about? What is the meaning of this?
"W-what did they talk about?"
"I don't know. I don't stick my nose in his personal business."
Damn it! This is making me uneasy. Percy isn't the type to share information easily. I still don't even know the real reason he's mad at Yuri.
I bit my lower lip. I really don't like this feeling. Whenever it involves that Demon King, I can't sit still.
"You still owe me an explanation." I said, ignoring the Bee's anger.
She raised an eyebrow. "What?"
I was the one who felt irritated this time. "What we were talking about earlier! Why did you and the King—Keifer—return to the Philippines?"
She shot me a sharp glare. That only made me even more annoyed.
Should I poke her eye? Should I just blind her?
"It's probably better if I take you to him." She said and quickly started the car.
I didn't even have a chance to protest. I just held on to whatever I could as she drove at lightning speed. It was like she was in a race. Several cars honked at us because of her reckless overtaking.
Due to panic and fear, I didn't even bother to look around. I only breathed a sigh of relief when she finally turned into a wide parking lot.
Once the car stopped, "Get out!"
I rolled my eyes. As if!
The moment I stepped out of the car, I wanted to go right back in. The huge sign of Fer Corp loomed before me.
Son of a—if my brother sees me, I'm dead!
"What are we doing here?!" I asked, looking around anxiously.
What if Kuya Angelo was just around? He would skin me alive. And that would come with a long lecture, too.
"We're going to see Keifer."
I froze. See him? How—son of a shutanginamers! Don't tell me—don't!
My feet moved on their own toward the entrance of the building. There were so many people around, most of them dressed in business attire. I stopped caring if Kuya Angelo would see me.
Damn it! Why am I even excited to see him?!
Suddenly, someone grabbed my arm just before I could enter. When I turned around, Honey's sharp face greeted me.
"What are you? Stupid? If you haven't noticed, something's going on here!"
I looked around at the people I had seen earlier. Most of them were staring at us.
"Miss Jasper Jean." Someone called.
Wow. The word Miss really makes someone sound pretty. I turned to look and saw a familiar woman approaching. She smiled as she stopped in front of us, and Honey let go of my arm.
"Are you here to see Sir Angelo?" She asked politely.
I gave her an awkward smile and grimaced. "U-uhm…"
I couldn't remember who she was. Maybe Kuya Angelo's assistant? Or one of the employees I had met before?
"We're looking for Mr. Watson." Honey interrupted.
"Ahh, him? He's still in the conference room with Sir Angelo."
They're together? Shit! I knew it. He's the investor-whatever coming from the UK.
I clutched my head. What is this? My brain doesn't seem to want to function anymore. I don't even know what to do. I want to see him, but for what? What if he doesn't even want to see me?
"You can wait for him inside. Come, I'll get you visitor IDs." The woman offered.
She started walking ahead, and Honey followed her. My feet wouldn't move. Damn it! Now they decided to stiffen up? Too much balut, probably.
"What! You just gonna stand there?" Honey said irritably, making people look at us again.
I forced my legs to move. I must've looked like a robot as I walked toward them, earning even more stares from the people around us.
Get it together! I swear I'll have you all executed.
At the reception, I saw Honey and the woman. She took out a large ID, just like the one they gave me the first time I came here. When I got closer, Honey handed me my ID while she put on hers.
"This way, please." The woman led us.
She took us to the back part of the reception area, where there were large sofas and a coffee table in the center. A marble wall separated it from the main reception, while some parts had glass panels, allowing a view of the outside.
I sat on one of the sofas facing the elevator. For some reason, I couldn't take my eyes off it.
"I'll let them know upstairs that you're here waiting." The woman said, but Honey stopped her.
"Don't bother. I already texted Keigan."
The woman just smiled and excused herself. I thanked her and returned my gaze to the elevator doors.
I wasn't able to attend class at all. I knew Ci-N and Yuri were worried about me, along with the other Ulupong. As much as I wanted to call them, I couldn't. My phone was in my bag, which I had left at school.
"You know, you look like an idiot." Honey said.
I rolled my eyes just as I turned to her. She was sitting with her legs crossed, focused on her phone. I really should've taken my phone!!
"W-when did you come back to the Philippines?" I asked.
"Me? Just yesterday. Keifer? I don't know."
"What do you mean you don't know? I thought you were together in the UK?"
She sighed before answering. "Duh! Obviously, not all the time. Besides, he kept running away from us. We'd only find out about it because he and Keigan would suddenly fight." She typed on her phone for a moment before continuing, "...but from what I understand, he's come back to the Philippines several times."
He's come back several times?
If he had already returned a few times, why didn't he even try to see us… or me? What does that mean? Is he giving me the space he talked about?
Or maybe… he really just doesn't want to see me anymore.
I clutched my chest. This is so frustrating! My heart keeps aching on its own whenever that thought crosses my mind.
That maybe… he really doesn't want me anymore.
"It's okay, I think. Just like before. He doesn't talk too much. Always alone and drinks. The only change is that he quit smoking." She explained.
I want to know if he's eating properly. I want to know if he's talking to other women. I want to know if... if... if he misses me too.
I'm annoyed at myself. I'm hoping for too much from him again. It shouldn't be like this. Why do I let myself be so affected by him? Damn it! This is your fault, you devil.
I looked at Honey. I was envious of her. Envious because she got to be with Keifer. I couldn't help but wish that I was in her place instead.
I suddenly remembered the first time I met her. I was so irritated by her arrogance and flirtatiousness. Speaking of first meetings, something just crossed my mind.
"Didn't you say there was nothing going on between you and Keifer?" I asked Honey.
She nodded in response.
"Then why, when we first met, were you clinging to him like a snake?" I asked, slightly annoyed.
She thought for a moment before adjusting her seat. "Oh, that one!" She smiled sweetly at me. "...It was just for show. We often did that to drive away the girls clinging to him. Keifer may be a bit of a playboy, but he's still picky when it comes to women."
Drive away?
"Who were you driving away that day?"
"No one. It was the other way around. He was making someone jealous." She answered and winked at me.
She stared at me with a knowing look, as if to say, you know what I mean, don't play dumb with me.
I quickly looked away, making her laugh. Annoying!
Her phone rang, cutting her laughter short. She answered it and spoke briefly. When she put the phone down, she stood up and started walking.
"Let's go..." She invited before passing me. "...they're coming down."
When she said that, I turned to the elevator. On the small monitor above, I could see the floor number where the elevator was and the arrow pointing downward.
My heartbeat gradually sped up. It was as if the thing I feared the most was approaching. But my mind was conflicted. I was unsure whether I should let him see me or not.
No matter which choice, my body had already decided for me. I couldn't move from where I was standing. I also couldn't take my eyes off that damn elevator.
My breathing became heavier until the bell of doom— I mean, the elevator bell—rang.
My heartbeat raced even faster, as if it was about to jump out of my chest.
Get a grip! I'll rip you out myself!
And when the doors finally opened, people started coming out one by one.
The first person I saw was Keigan. He looked different. He had lost a little weight.
Behind him was the person I had longed to see. The person I was annoyed with yet searched for. The person I cursed but cried over. The person I wanted to shower with insults.
"K-Keifer..."
Dressed in business attire. His movements were polished, as if he were a respectable man. His face had matured slightly, but he was still handsome.
His expression was calm.
He briefly spoke to another man in business attire. I took the chance to observe him further.
"I have to go." Honey said, but I didn't pay her any attention.
I didn't even notice that she had already left my side. I still couldn't take my eyes off that damn King.
I wanted to step forward and confront him. I wanted to scream and curse at him. I wanted... I wanted him to feel the suffering we endured when he left.
Son of the earth, Keifer!!
Why do you affect me like this? Damn it! My body wouldn't move. My legs and knees refused to obey me. Damn it all!
I only realized too late that my cheeks were already wet with tears. Damn it! I shouldn't be crying. No crying allowed! Damn it! This is all his fault!
This is your fault, you animal! All you ever do is make me cry. You traitor! You bastard! You're a damn plague! Waaaaahhhhhhh!
I will scream at you! When I finally get close to you, I will scream at you to your face! I will scream—
"FUCK YOU, KEIFER!!"
Too late did I realize that I had actually shouted out what I was thinking. I immediately covered my mouth. Honey and the other people turned to look at me.
But that wasn't what worried me. What worried me was that the King had frozen in place.
Did he recognize my voice?
I have to hide! What should I do... drop to the ground? No. Crawl... duck... roll! Damn it all! I looked like someone hiding from a debt collector.
Desperate to hide from the King, I jumped from where I stood to the other side of the sofa. I looked like an action star in what I just did.
"Who was that?"
"Please, someone call security."
"The youth these days..."
"What a filthy mouth."
I could hear people murmuring not far from where I was hiding. Call security later! Just wait until they're gone!
I heard footsteps approaching my hiding place. Oh no! Here come the guards.
"Where is she?" said a familiar voice.
My body froze. I even held my breath, hoping they wouldn't find out where I was. I wasn't ready to face him.
Especially after yelling like that!
But even so, his voice sounded like music to my ears. It seemed a bit deeper now. Puberty hit, huh!
"She disappeared." said a deep voice.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Watson. Please believe us, she's not one of our employees." said a woman, almost pleading.
"It doesn't matter. That won't affect your business proposal." he replied. "...I just don't like hearing inappropriate words. Maybe I'll make her pay for that profanity."
I squeezed my eyes shut tightly. He knows I'm here. He knows! There was emphasis in that last word he said. Damn it!
"Kuya!" Keigan's voice. "...we have to leave. We're going to be late for our flight."
Yes! Go now!
"Okay." he replied, and I heard footsteps moving away.
Even when I could no longer hear anything, I still didn't move from my hiding spot. I could feel someone's presence. My instincts were telling me—
And I was right. I heard him speak again.
"Maybe next time." he said, his voice sounding like he was walking away. "...Jay-jay."
I finally stepped out from my hiding place. But he was already gone, walking toward the exit of the building.
I wanted to cry again!
Like, full-on sobbing. Like a child.
And it looked like that was exactly what I was going to do later. Because, not far away, standing with his arms crossed, brows furrowed, and nostrils flaring with anger—
Was Kuya Angelo.
Dead. Funeral. Burial.