Yuri's POV:
"You're really rich... The whole building is yours. Who built this house on the rooftop?" Jay asked.
"Tanda did. He said he wanted to feel closer to his hometown, so he built it." I replied.
"Ahh, where are your parents?" She asked again.
"They're in Japan, taking care of our business there." I answered.
"Why don't I ever hear you speaking Japanese if you're Japanese?"
"I'm the Philippines, so I don't have to speak Japanese all the time."
"Is your hair color natural?"
"No."
"Are you copying Sakuragi from Slam Dunk?"
"Kind of."
"Is he related to you? You both have the same 'Hanamitchi' vibe."
"Sakuragi's not even a real person."
"Oh, right. Uh.... blah blah blah..."
She's been like this for a while, asking one question after another. I just answer to avoid her getting boredm I don't want her going outside and getting caught by Tanda. I'd get a lecture for that. Plus, Tanda might think she's my girlfriend.
Last I knew, tandon went back to Japan, so why is he still here in the Philippines? I thought the house was all mine.
"Can you make sushi?" She asked again.
Why is this girl so talkative? It's really annoying.
"Uh....." I stopped, realizing too late that she was staring at me while smiling. She was lying down on my bed with their chin resting on her hands.
I quickly looked away and pretended to be busy at my study table.
Why do I feel embarrassed all of a sudden? My heart started beating faster. I wasn't feeling this way earlier.
"You know... I take back what I said. You're really different from Keifer," She said.
"What do you mean?" I asked, not looking at her.
"You're easy to approach and talk to," She replied.
Shit! I let my guard down. I got too comfortable and distracted. This girl has already figured me out.
Yeah.... She's right. I'm like Keifer. I'm not stubborn or hot-headed like him. I used to be friendly and approachable, but that was before.
Before Ella hurt me. She didn't like me for who I was. So I changed myself, hoping she'd notice me.
She never did, and she never will.
Why do girls like bad boys? Like Keifer..... and Aries.
" I like you better like this," Jay said.
I don't know why, but those words hit me hard. Could it be....?
I looked at Jay, who was rolling around on my bed. I was about to speak when someone knocked on my door.
"Come in!"
Auntie, our housemaid, entered.
"Young Master, your grandfather is calling you."
I stood up, about to go to Tanda, but Auntie said something that stopped me.
"He wants you to bring your friend with you."
Oh, crap! We're in trouble!
Sighing. I turned to Jay and motioned for her to follow me.
Whoever blabbed that I had company will pay for this.
I walked straight to Tanda's office with Jay following me. She had to almost run to keep up because I was walking fast.
"Slow down...." Jay said.
But I ignored her. I had to face Tanda. When we arrived at his office, I waited for Jay before opening the door.
"When you face Tanda, you need to bow right away," I whispered to Jay.
She just nodded. I opened the door, but before I could even take a step inside, a brush flew at me.
It nearly hit me. I immediately glared at Tanda out of frustration.
"Are you trying to kill me?!"
"Japa'nese!!" Tanda shouted angrily.
This is the problem with him. He wants everything to be traditional. He insists on speaking Japanese even though we're at home.
"I don't want to! We're in the Philippines, I'll use whatever language I want!" I snapped back.
"Bakero!"
There it was! He cursed me! He was really mad now. I started at him.
"What's your problem?!" I demanded. Just as he was about to speak, I cut him off. "Speak in Tagalog! Or I'll leave!"
His nostrils glared in anger at what I said. He wouldn't win this one.
He always speaks so fast in Japanese, it's hard to understand! I can't keep up!
"Wara ka garang! You should bow before entering my room!" He scolded.
It's a traditional way to greet elders before entering their room, but it's so inconvenient! It hurts the legs, and then you have to bow. It's fine if it's just for a short time.
One more think that annoys me about this old man is that he's been in the Philippines for so long, and his Tagalog still isn't right. It's hard to understand! Even the people at home have trouble understanding him. They end up learning Japanese just to get by.
"Why aren't you wearing a kimono or yukata?" He added, pointing at my outfit.
Kimono is too hot, and I was too lazy to wear yukata.
If we were in Japan, it would make sense. But we're in the Philippines! He's just so particular about how people dress. He probably wore that stuff since he was born.
"I'm at home! Why do I need to wear that?!" I retorted.
He gave me a death glare and was about to throw his fan at me, but then he noticed Jay behind me.
Right! Jay!
I motioned for her to come closer.
"She's my classmate."
Tanda suddenly became serious, shifting his gaze between Jay and me.
"What's your name?" He asked Jay.
"Jasper Jean Mariano, but you can call me Jay-jay," She answered, bowing.
Tanda suddenly threw his fan at me. It hurt! He hit me right on the head.
"What the heck?!" I yelled at him.
He was really pissing me off!! He's always throwing things. Sometimes he even throws forks.
"Do you want to get married?! Why did you bring a girl here?!" Tanda yelled angrily, standing up from his seat.
"Are you out of your mind?! Why would I get married?!" I snapped back.
This old man is too forward! That's why I avoid bringing women here.
"Why did you bring her here?!" He asked, pointing at Jay.
Jay grabbed my arm. I couldn't blame her for being scared of Tanda.
I scratched me head. "It's a long story!"
Tanda's eyes narrowed. He almost closed them completely.
"You two are up to no good, huh? Planning to------"
I cut him off. "You have a dirty mind!"
He was about to pull out the samurai sword on display behind him when Auntie walked in.
"Master, dinner is ready," Auntie said.
It seemed to calm Tanda down. He smiled and invited us to the dinning room.
"Yuri.... Is that your grandfather? He's scary, " Jay whispered.
I didn't respond, just walked to the dinning room.
Tanda was sitting on his chair by the time we got there. He was smiling at Auntie as she served him. He's so annoying, but when food is involved, he becomes nice.
I sat Jay beside me.
"Eat now. When the rain calms down, I'll drive you home, I whispered.
She nodded. But it looked like Jay didn't know how to use chopsticks.
" How do you use these?" She whispered, struggling with the chopsticks.
She looked funny trying to figure them out. Sigh.....
I handed her a spoon and placed food in her rice bowl. She could figure out hwi to eat.
"Jay-jay... Who's your parent? I don't know anymore named Mariano," Tanda asked.
Miracle!
He didn't like talking while eating, but here he was, asking questions.
"I don't know my dad. My mom....." Jay hesitated.
It was obvious Jay wasn't comfortable talking about her mom. I didn't know if she was embarrassed or something. Rory told me her mom had many husbands. Maybe Jay wasn't okay discussing it.
"She's living with the Fernandez family now," I added.
Jay looked at me, surprised. I knew she was wondering how I knew that. But she didn't say anything.
Everyone in Section E knew she was living with Aries, thanks to Ci-N.
"Fernandez? Is she related to Michaer Angelo Fernandez? The new CEO of Fer Corp.?" Tanda asked.
They changed CEO's at that company? Angelo's the new one. I haven't heard much about Aries' family. I've been too busy with my own life.
"Yes, he's my cousin," Jay answered.
Tanda just nodded and went back to eating. Why do I have a feeling Tanda's cooking something up in his mind?
After we ate, I had Auntie take care of Jay's things, and I drove her home. Thankfully, the flood was gone quickly.
"Who's car is this?" Jay asked.
I had taken a different car----my Toyota Hilux----because I expected flooding near her place.
"It's mine..." I replied, bored.
"Really living the high life," She commented.
I glanced at Jay, who was busy checking out the car's features. She looked like someone from another world.
"Jay..." I started, looking at her. "About your mom... where is she?"
I couldn't help but be curious. It took her a while to answer.
"She's with her new husband."
"Is that why you're staying with Aries?"
"No," she avoided my gaze. "It's for another reason," She added in a near whisper.
I didn't ask any more. It seemed like a sensitive subject. I should've kept my mouth shut.