Chapter 4: The Daughter of Jaspfher Mariano
(Jay-jay's POV)
I couldn't sleep.
Not in a new country.
Not in a penthouse that probably cost more than ten schools combined.
Not after everything that happened in Ang Mutya ng Section E.
The lights of New York City glowed outside my window like thousands of stars that had fallen to the ground.
Cars moved endlessly.
People walked even at midnight.
This city never stopped breathing.
I sat on the edge of the massive bed inside the guest room.
Guest room.
Right.
Because technically…
I didn't live here.
And I wasn't sure if I wanted to.
A knock interrupted my thoughts.
Before I could answer, the door burst open dramatically.
Of course.
"Good morning, world!" announced Percy Mariano.
I checked the clock.
"Percy."
"Yes?"
"It's 2:17 AM."
"Exactly," he said proudly. "Perfect time for a dramatic family discussion."
I stared at him.
He was wearing sunglasses.
Inside the penthouse.
At night.
"Why are you wearing sunglasses?"
"Because I woke up looking too handsome."
I threw a pillow at him.
He caught it easily.
"Violence," he sighed. "So unnecessary for someone who just moved into a billionaire penthouse."
"I didn't move in," I said.
Percy walked inside and flopped onto the couch like he owned the place.
Technically… he kind of did.
"You know," he said, inspecting his nails, "most people would be excited to reunite with their mysterious rich father."
"I'm not most people."
He tilted his head.
"True."
For a moment the room became quiet.
Then Percy spoke again.
"You're thinking about him."
I didn't need to ask who.
Keifer Watson.
"No."
"Liar."
I glared at him.
"You're obsessed with drama."
"Of course I am," Percy replied proudly. "Drama makes life interesting."
He suddenly leaned closer.
"So… how hot is he?"
I nearly choked.
"Percy!"
"What? I'm asking as a concerned brother."
"You're not even my real brother."
"Stepbrother," he corrected dramatically. "Still counts."
I rolled my eyes and stood up.
"I'm getting water."
Percy followed me into the kitchen anyway.
"By the way," he said casually, "Dad is having a meeting tomorrow."
I froze.
"With who?"
"Some powerful investors."
He grinned.
"And he wants you there."
"Why?"
Percy shrugged.
"Because you're his daughter."
That word again.
Daughter.
The kitchen suddenly felt colder.
"Percy," I said quietly.
"Yeah?"
"Why did he suddenly want to see me after fifteen years?"
For once…
Percy didn't joke.
"He's scared."
"Of what?"
"You."
I blinked.
"What?"
Percy leaned against the counter.
"Your father didn't just build companies."
His voice lowered slightly.
"He built an empire."
I crossed my arms.
"So?"
"So enemies come with empires."
That sounded familiar.
Too familiar.
Keifer's world was also full of enemies.
Powerful families.
Dangerous people.
I pushed the thought away immediately.
I didn't want to think about him.
Not tonight.
Not ever.
"Come on," Percy said suddenly. "Let's go."
"Where?"
"Outside."
"It's 2 AM!"
"Exactly," he repeated dramatically. "The city is most beautiful when people are sleeping."
Thirty minutes later we were walking through the glowing streets of New York City.
Neon lights.
Street food.
Music echoing from somewhere.
The city felt alive.
Percy suddenly stopped in the middle of the sidewalk.
He raised his arms dramatically.
"Behold!"
I stared at him.
"What are you doing?"
"Embracing the aesthetic."
"You look insane."
"Insanely handsome."
I groaned.
"Why do I even talk to you?"
He smirked.
"Because deep down you love my personality."
"No."
"Yes."
"No."
"Yes."
Before we could continue arguing, Percy's phone rang.
He checked the screen.
Then whistled softly.
"Well well."
"What?"
"It's Dad."
He answered.
"Yes, father of the year?"
A pause.
Percy's expression changed slightly.
Then he looked at me.
"He wants to talk to you."
My stomach tightened.
"Now?"
Percy nodded and handed me the phone.
I hesitated before taking it.
"Hello?"
The voice on the other side was calm.
Powerful.
"Jay-jay."
Jaspfher Mariano.
My father.
"I wanted to see if you arrived safely," he said.
"I did."
A short silence followed.
Then he spoke again.
"There are things I need to explain."
"Like why you disappeared for fifteen years?"
"Yes."
My heart beat faster.
"But those explanations," he continued, "will also change your life."
I frowned.
"What does that mean?"
Another pause.
Then he said something that made the world feel suddenly heavier.
"Because whether you like it or not…"
"You're part of this empire too."
I looked at Percy.
He was watching me carefully.
"Goodnight, Jay-jay," my father said before ending the call.
The line went silent.
I slowly lowered the phone.
Percy raised an eyebrow.
"So?"
I looked up at the towering buildings around us.
The glowing city.
The endless lights.
Everything felt bigger now.
More dangerous.
"He said I'm part of the empire."
Percy grinned slightly.
"Welcome to the family business."
Far away…
Across the ocean…
Inside a private jet flying toward London…
Keifer Watson stared out the window.
Thinking about only one person.
Jay-jay.