THAT EVENING
JAY'S POV :
"Bro, do you know what happened today?" I exclaimed, my voice bubbling with uncontainable joy as I paced the room, phone pressed to my ear.
"Jay… I have to tell you something," Percy replied, his tone low and heavy with sadness.
But I was riding too high on my cloud of happiness to notice the storm brewing in his words.
"Tss. First, listen to me," I cut him off, waving my free hand dismissively even though he couldn't see it.
"Jay, it's important."
"Percy, listen!" I insisted.
"Jay, you have to know this."
"I said listen! Today, Keifer—"
"—LISTEN TO ME, DAMN IT!"
Percy's shout exploded through the line like thunder. I froze, startled.
Percy never raised his voice like that—never got this serious. My bubbling excitement evaporated, replaced by a cold knot of worry twisting in my chest.
He sighed deeply, the sound ragged and exhausted.
"Jay… listen. No matter what I'm about to say, it's the truth. You have no other choice but to accept it. But no matter what, I'll always be there with you. I promise."
"Percy…" I whispered, my throat tightening as I sank onto the edge of my bed, bracing myself for whatever storm he was about to unleash.
"Jay… Keifer… he wants to use you."
FLASHBACK
PERCY'S POV :
My phone buzzed insistently on the table, the screen lighting up with David's name. My gut twisted—David didn't call till now. I snatched it up and answered.
"Hello, David."
"Percy, I have to tell you something important…" His voice trembled, hesitant.
"What is it?" I pressed, already pacing my cramped room, the late afternoon sun casting long shadows across the floor.
"It's… it's about Jay."
I frowned, stopping dead.
"What about Jay?"
He took a shaky breath, like he was steeling himself.
"Keifer… he wants to use her. To take revenge against Aries. He made a plan—to make her fall for him, mess her up… and… and…"
"AND WHAT? FINISH IT, GODDAMN IT!" I roared, my fist slamming into the wall.
Pain shot through my knuckles, but it was nothing compared to the dread clawing at my insides.
"And to break her heart."
The words hit like a dagger straight to the chest. Break her? My Jay. My baby. The only person who truly saw me, who understood the cracks in my soul without judgment. I collapsed into the chair beside me, the room spinning as betrayal burned through my veins.
"Percy?" David's voice crackled through, uncertain if the call had dropped.
"What the fuck, David?" I whispered, tears stinging my eyes, hot and unbidden.
I blinked them back, but they kept coming.
"I'm sorry, Percy. It started when he saw Aries caring for Jay during that PE incident. At first, he just wanted to use her as bait. But today… they kissed. Not really—just an accident at first. Aries tried to pull her away, but Keifer wouldn't let go. He grabbed Jay, forced the kiss. She punched and kicked him. An hour ago, that's when he finalized the plan. I didn't tell you sooner because I couldn't believe you. But now… my heart's screaming at me to warn you."
I squeezed my eyes shut, the world narrowing to a pinpoint of rage and heartbreak.
Keifer—my best friend, my partner in crime, the boy my sister adored, her one and only love. The kid who'd lost his mother young, who'd clawed through hell and emerged scarred but strong. How had he become this? A monster plotting against an innocent soul, all for revenge on her brother, Aries. Jay, who'd already fallen for him heart-first, even when he barely noticed her existence. He'd twisted her pure, unspoken love into a weapon.
"Thank you, David. Thanks a lot," I managed, my voice hollow.
"Can I ask you something?"
"What's it?"
"What's Jay to you? Why do you care so much?"
"You'll know soon."
I ended the call, the phone slipping from my numb fingers.
God, how was I going to tell her? How could I let her suffer like this? The boy she loved more than life itself—a love that kept her whole, body and soul—was setting a trap. She didn't deserve it. No one did.
Why did the universe always punish the good ones? What had she done to earn this endless cycle of pain?
FLASHBACK ENDS
JAY'S POV :
"Jay? Jay, are you there?" Percy's voice broke through the line, urgent now.
I clamped my hand over my mouth, stifling the sobs ripping from my chest. I never cried in front of anyone—not even Percy. Silent tears streamed down my face as the world shattered around me. God, why did this always happen to me? Why did I always lose the one person I loved most? Didn't I deserve love? Didn't I deserve a sliver of happiness? What sin had I committed to this torture?
My love for Keifer wasn't just a crush—it was my anchor, the fire that made me feel alive, not just existing but truly human. And now… this.
I ended the call without a word. Percy didn't call back. He knew I needed space, the way only he could know.
Curled on my bed, the room dimming with evening shadows, the questions clawed at me. Why, God? Why do you always prove me wrong? Why rip away my love every time? Why delight in my suffering? I fell for him without even seeing his face clearly—fell hard, with every fiber of my being, every secret dream. I loved him fiercely, completely.
But he… he plotted against me. Against an innocent soul, all for revenge on my brother. Blinded by hate, he'd use a pure heart like mine as collateral. Become a total brat, a shadow of the boy I idolized.
A bitter chuckle escaped my lips, raw and broken.
"You'll regret this, Keifer," I whispered to the empty room, wiping my tears with trembling hands.
"You think I'm just some innocent girl with a quirky character? Think again. I'm a devil. A bloody bloody bitch. Mark my words, Watson. I'll make you fall for me—hard. I'll make you to dismantle your own plan my yourself. And when you do, you'll regret every twisted scheme."
Laughter bubbled up, no longer sobs but something darker, sharper—an evil cackle that echoed off the walls as I lay back on the bed, eyes gleaming with newfound fire.
I played cool till now. But not anymore. I'll make him fall for me. And my love—I won't kill. I never will. But I will make him regret if he doesn't stop the plan.