Chapter: Forced Choices – Jay's POV
I followed Kuya Angelo silently, my chest still tight from the chaos of the New Year's Eve ceremony.
The crowd, the applause, the cameras—it all still echoed in my ears.
I didn't want to face anyone.
Not Yuri.
Not the squad.
Not even Keifer… though a part of me longed to just collapse in his arms.
Kuya Angelo led me to an empty space behind the hall, far away from prying eyes.
I stopped suddenly.
"Kuya," I said, my voice trembling.
He turned, concern etched across his face.
"Jay?"
I shook my head, tears brimming in my eyes.
"Did you… did you ask my permission?" I yelled, voice cracking, letting all the anger and frustration pour out.
Kuya Angelo flinched but remained calm.
"Jay…" he started, holding up a hand. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you. I only wanted to save my company… Luya Angelo & Co. It was never about forcing you to love anyone."
I stopped screaming for a moment, my chest heaving.
"You… wanted to force me… to accept him?" I whispered, tears falling freely.
"No, no, Jay," he said quickly. "I only needed you to cooperate. That's all. Your feelings… they are yours. You have every right to be angry. Every right to refuse. But the company… everything we've built… I had no choice."
I looked away, shaking my head.
"I don't care about him," I said softly. "I don't care about Yuri. Not now. Not ever. I only… only want things to be done for the right reason. Not because anyone is forcing me to love someone I don't."
Kuya Angelo nodded, his face serious, yet soft.
"I understand, Jay. That's why I'm sorry. You didn't deserve to be put in this position. But you did what had to be done for the company… and that was brave."
I wiped my tears with the back of my hand, swallowing hard.
"I… I accept it," I whispered finally, my voice quiet but firm.
He stepped closer. "Accept what, Jay?"
"Not Yuri," I said, looking straight into his eyes. "I accept… cooperating with the engagement… to save your company. Nothing more. Nothing less. Don't expect me to love him. I'm doing this only because it has to be done."
Kuya Angelo let out a deep breath and nodded.
"I understand. And I promise… no one will force your feelings. I only asked for your help, not your heart."
I nodded slowly, finally releasing some of the tension I had been holding onto.
"Good," he said softly. "I just needed you to understand why."
I swallowed hard, still trembling, but the anger and frustration slowly faded into a hollow resolve.
I wasn't happy. I wasn't in love.
But I would do what needed to be done.
Because sometimes… survival meant sacrificing your own heart.
I turned away from him, taking a deep breath.
"Let's go back," I said softly, still wiping my tears.
And in that moment, I knew… my heart was my own, my decisions were mine, and no matter what anyone else wanted, I would never give love freely… not for this.
I would cooperate.
I would endure.
But I would not betray myself.
And that… that was the only way I could survive this.