KEIFER'S POV
I think something is wrong. As far as I remember, I am the oldest among the three of us. But why does Keigan seem older than us now?
"Why do you still know the doctor?" he asked, glaring at me.
I couldn't swallow my food because of the way he was acting. Even the butlers and maids looked surprised by his outburst.
It's early in the morning, yet I'm already being lectured. He's angry because I left the hospital, even though it wasn't really possible yet.
We were supposed to have a normal breakfast, but my brother chose to scold me instead.
"Babylyn!" He called one of the maids, and we all flinched at the sound of his voice. "...Please follow the diet the doctor prescribed for Kuya."
"Yes, sir—"
I cut in. "You don't have to."
"No! You have to," Keigan insisted.
I was starting to get bored with his demands. He still treated me as if he were the boss of the house. I drank my water in one gulp and looked him straight in the eye.
"I said, you don't have to," I repeated, my tone calm but firm. "It's my food. Would you like to control that too?"
"The doctor recommended it so your wound will heal faster."
"As if this is something new to you," I scoffed. "I've been stabbed and broken multiple times, but I've never followed a diet plan before. I don't even take my medicine properly."
He wiped his lips with a napkin and put down his spoon and fork. His gaze was serious, showing no signs of backing down.
"This time, it's different. You can't show weakness anymore. We already talked about this before."
"I have no weakness—"
He chuckled bitterly. "Really? Then what do you call that wound of yours? Why did you get stabbed?"
I looked away. He didn't even know I had saved Jay-jay. As far as he knew, I had gotten into a simple fight. What he didn't know was that the people we had fought before came back for revenge and attacked me when I was alone.
"I was occupied. I didn't notice the knife," I explained simply.
I saw him mouth bullsht*. I hated when he talked like that in front of me. Crossing my arms, I frowned.
"Yes, it is bullshit. Especially since you weren't even there! You don't know what actually happened!" My voice started to rise.
For a moment, guilt flashed across his face before he looked away. I checked my wristwatch and let out a heavy sigh.
"Get ready. You're going to be late for school," I said, looking at Keiren.
He looked uncomfortable—probably because of our argument. Keigan and I had almost fought in front of him.
"I-I'm done," he mumbled.
I forced a smile. "Your personal butler will drive you to school."
"Why not you?"
I pointed to the spot where I had been stabbed. He tilted his head slightly to look at it.
"Still giving me trouble to drive," I explained, and he nodded.
I signaled for his butler to help him with his bag, but my youngest brother was stubborn. He insisted on carrying it himself.
Keigan followed them out.
"Make sure you don't do anything reckless again," he said before leaving the dining room.
Once they were gone, I signaled for the maids to leave as well. I wanted to be alone. I ran both hands over my face. I had given Keigan my full trust in handling our plans, but why did it feel like he was using the situation to make me obey him?
His expectations confused me. But for now, I needed to focus on our bigger problem. I picked up my phone and dialed Yuri's number. It only rang for a few seconds before he answered.
["Keifer..."]
"Are you coming in? I'll go with you again."
I heard him sigh. ["You know I'm picking up Jay-jay, right?"]
I smirked mischievously. "I know that, just gives me more reason to ride along."
["Fine. I'm on my way,"] he said, and I ended the call.
Grabbing my bag—which only had a single notebook inside—I walked out of the house. That's when I noticed some bodyguards in the garage. I quickly approached them.
"I told you not to show up here. What are you doing?" I asked, irritated.
"Sir... just reporting. We saw some of your dad's men hanging around the house."
"Any casualties?" My tone immediately became serious.
"None, sir. But we suggest having bodyguards for your protection."
I shook my head. "No. I don't want bodyguards."
"But sir—"
"I said no!"
They bowed in response. I took a deep breath to regain my composure.
"Did you check on Jay-jay?"
"Sir, Keigan blocked us."
Damn it!
He had already warned me that he would. He probably thought Clyde would notice if they found out I still had a connection with Jay-Jay.
My only hope now was our friends.
This was frustrating. I felt like we were stranded on an island in the middle of a vast sea, with limited resources. The only way to save Jay-Jay was to get her off this island.
But how?
Just then, I saw Yuri's car pull up at the gate. I signaled for the bodyguards to return to their duties before heading over. I knocked on his car window, and I heard the door unlock.
Opening it, I got in right away.
"You okay?" he asked.
I nodded shortly.
"Is this the last time you're riding with me?"
"And why would it be?"
He frowned. "You're bothering us, me and Jay-Jay."
"Wow... How embarrassing," I said sarcastically.
He drives his car while still talking. "How will I make her mine when you're always around? She's still mixed emotions so it's not nice to see her.''
"Around her or not, if she's meant to be yours, she will be. But she won't be—because you're a loser."
"Tss..." He sounds pissed.
I can't help but smile. Maybe he had plans for Jay-jay today, but he obviously has to postpone them because of me. Not long after, we arrive at our destination. He opens the car door and gets out.
"Behave!" he warns, his eyes sharp before slamming the car door shut.
Sometimes, annoying a friend is really satisfying. I can't stop thinking of another prank. My phone suddenly rings. I grab it and step out of the car before answering.
"What?"
["Grumpy... Where are you?"] It's Honey.
"Probably heading to school."
["Whatever. Uncle said we should set another meeting. It's happening soon because we're leaving."]
Leaving? How? Why?
"Wait! What do you mean by 'happening soon'?"
["Hmm... Well, you don't talk to me, so you wouldn't know."]
I run a hand down my face. Looks like there's been a change in plans.
"What is it?"
["We have to leave earlier than planned."]
No! No! That's not possible yet. I can't leave. I can't leave Jay-jay yet. I haven't even had a proper conversation with our friends. I haven't dealt with the people who want to hurt her. My plan for her isn't complete yet.
I glance toward their house and straighten up when I see her walking toward the Yuri's car.
Not yet.
"I'll talk to you later." I end the call before she can respond.
I see Jay-jay bowing slightly as she approaches Yuri's car, moving almost cautiously. She barely manages to crawl forward. Slowly, I walk toward her, stopping just a meter away.
She stands at the back of the car, trying to peek inside—maybe checking if I'm there. She seems to know I might be.
"What are you doing?"
She freezes at the sound of my voice, clearly not expecting it.
"Again... what are you doing?" I ask once more.
She slowly turns to face me but keeps her head down. I want her to look at me. I want to see her eyes. I want to take in everything about her, even if all I see is anger.
I miss staring at her.
"None of your business," She replies.
She's about to walk away, but I block her path with my arm. She tries to move past me, but I do the same on the other side, trapping her between my arms. Just a little closer, and I could claim her lips.
But I won't.
Even though my wound aches from keeping my arm raised, I hide the pain. He can't know.
"W—What is it?!" She sounds irritated, avoiding my gaze.
I don't want her to. I badly want to see her eyes—I need to. I know there's emotion there, and I want to witness it. Yes, she's mad at me, but I want to see that too.
I'm getting weirder.
I don't even understand why I want to see her emotions so badly. Maybe I'm waiting to find something.
"Look at me," I commanded, but she doesn't move a muscle. I sigh heavily. "Look. At. Me."
Still, no response.
I smiled slightly. She's stubborn as always—if she doesn't want to do something, she won't. I'll have to be persistent.
"LOOK..." I gently hold his chin, forcing her to face me. "...AT..." I lock eyes with him. "...ME."
There it is.
I see it immediately—a mix of emotions. Anger, pain, and the one I was searching for: loneliness.
I wish that loneliness was for me.
That's all I wanted to know—to be sure, she's still mine. But this girl—this stubborn, impossible girl—she won't let me have my moment.
She suddenly crosses her eyes and makes a ridiculous face.
My forehead creases slightly. "What the hell?"
She doesn't keep it up for long. The next second, she looks like she's regretting her own stupidity, covering her eyes with her hands.
"You are blessed," I mutter.
She removes her hands and glares at me, looking ready to pick a fight.
"Go away!" she yells, but I don't move. "Tang'na! Go away!"
Profanity.
My lips automatically curl into a smile. I feel like sometimes she swears just so I'll kiss her. But I know—this time, it's not intentional.
"Keifer."
I almost roll my eyes. Yuri just had to interrupt us.
"...Let's go," he says.
I don't budge. My eyes remain locked on Jay-jay. I'm still smiling like an idiot. I miss being this close to her. If only I could do this all the time. If only I could always be this close to her. I don't want to let go. I can't let her go.
"Leave already!" she shouts again.
Slowly, I move closer. I see her shift back, trying to put distance between us—but that only gives me an excuse to close the gap further.
I lean in near her ear.
"Profanity," I whisper, then press a soft kiss against her neck.