Parallel cut: Night:
Jayjay's POV:
I got a message.
"Come out."
It was King Ulupong.
He's really annoying.
"No," I replied.
"If you don't, I'll kidnap you to Japan when I'm going."
Japan? He's going to Japan?
"Why are you going to Japan?" I texted back.
"Pretty sure April and Yuri are planning one."
Oh.
"Then go with them, why am I supposed to come?"
So annoyed with him. He couldn't have said the truth. He confessed, said I'll say everything, but why not this?
"I'm outside."
Hmph! He and his annoying words!
But I chose to go.
There he was, inside his car. Face like a squished tomato. He was sad.
His annoying face is all it takes for me to calm down.
I got inside the car.
"Why did you want me here?"
"Jay, I'm sorry."
Sorry? He's apologising? Wow, he has improved.
"Hm."
That was all I said.
But the silence after?
It wasn't normal silence.
It was the kind that waits.
Keifer didn't start the car.
Didn't look at me either.
His hands were on the steering wheel, but loose… like he forgot what he was doing.
"I should've told you," he said finally.
I looked at him.
There it was.
That voice.
Not leader Keifer.
Not annoying Keifer.
Just… him.
"Told me what?" I asked, even though I already knew.
He let out a quiet breath.
"About April."
My chest tightened slightly.
Of course.
"You mean the part where she's your half-sister?" I said, trying to sound normal.
I failed.
He winced.
Yeah.
That hit.
"I didn't know how to say it," he admitted. "It's not exactly… casual conversation."
"So you just didn't?" I raised an eyebrow.
"I was going to," he said quickly. "Today. At the café."
I looked away.
Of course.
Everything was always almost said with him.
"But you heard it before I could," he continued, voice quieter now.
"Yeah," I muttered. "From April. Loudly."
A small huff escaped him.
"Sounds like her."
Silence again.
But softer this time.
I glanced at him.
"…Did you think I'd react badly?"
He didn't answer immediately.
Which was already an answer.
"…I didn't know what you'd think," he said.
I tilted my head.
"Think about what?"
His jaw tightened slightly.
"About me. About us. About everything."
Us.
That word again.
Always sneaking in.
"I thought you liked her," I said bluntly.
He turned to me instantly.
"What?"
"I mean," I shrugged, trying to act like it didn't matter, "you were always around her, you knew everything about her, the PIN, the house, the way she-"
I stopped.
He was staring at me.
Not shocked.
Not offended.
Something else
"Jay," he said softly, "she's my sister."
"I know that now."
"I never liked her like that." he continued. "She did, but never me."
The way he said it?
Immediate.
Certain.
No hesitation.
"So you didn't think anything when you saw us?" he asked.
I blinked.
"…What?"
"That night," he said. "When you saw us."
Oh.
That.
My stomach flipped.
"You were hugging her," I said. "It looked like-"
"Like what?" he asked quietly.
I looked at him.
Really looked.
"…Like something I didn't understand."
A small pause.
"I was comforting her," he said. "She was upset."
Oh.
Of course.
"She doesn't let many people see that side of her," he added. "But she lets me."
That made sense.
More than I wanted it to.
I leaned back slightly.
Processing.
Everything.
"…You could've told me," I said again, softer this time.
"I know," he said.
Another pause.
Then-
"I didn't want you to misunderstand me."
My heart did that stupid thing again.
Too late.
I looked out the window.
"Too late for that."
Silence.
"…Do you still?" he asked.
I froze.
"What?"
"Misunderstand me."
His voice was careful.
Like he didn't want to push.
But needed to know.
I turned back to him slowly.
"…I don't know."
Honest.
Too honest.
He nodded slightly.
Didn't push further.
Good.
Because I didn't have answers.
Not for him.
Not for myself.
"But one thing," I added.
He looked at me again.
"You're still annoying."
A small smile appeared.
There he is.
"Glad that didn't change," he said.
I rolled my eyes.
But something did change.
Because now:
When I looked at him, I wasn't confused anymore.
Just…
something else.
And I didn't know if that was better.
He leaned closer to me. Why the hell?-
He pressed his lips to mine.
"Mahal kita, Jay..." he murmured, "Don't leave me never.. please.."
"Love you too."
I couldn't stop my words. I love him so much, but his actions just... ugh.
Love him so much, I will do ANYTHING for him.
He's mine.