Keifer's POV
The tension in the hallway was thick, but Jay didn't seem to care about our drama anymore. She didn't even look at Elara as she spoke.
Jay-Jay: "Did you buy that?"
Elara: "Yeah, of course.
Everything is ready."
Angelo: "What are you two talking about?"
Before Jay could even open her mouth, Elara cut in with a mysterious smirk.
Elara: "Nothing, Kuya. Just sit back and enjoy. Today is going to be very fun. You can leave if you want, or just sit on that desk over there."
She pointed to a nearby desk. To our total shock, Kuya Angelo—the man who usually scares everyone—actually sat down and stayed quiet. We all stared at each other, wondering what kind of secret alliance these two had formed while we were busy punching each other.
Percy tried to use his charm to soften the mood.
Percy: "Come on, baby sistah, you're scaring me—"
Aries tried to step in and take control like he always does.
Aries: "Jay, listen to me—"
Jay-Jay: "SHUT UP! Both of you!"
She silenced them both with one look. Then, Elara reached into her bag and pulled out four thick pieces of rope. My heart skipped a beat. This was not the "rest" the doctor ordered.
Percy: "AHHH! Jay-Jay! Are we being kidnapped?! Is this a horror movie? I'm too handsome to be a victim!"
Keifer: "Jay, what is the rope for? Are we going rock climbing in a hospital?"
Jay didn't laugh. She didn't even crack a smile. She was on a mission.
Jay-Jay: "Since you all act like toddlers who can't stop hitting each other, I'm going to treat you like toddlers. Sit. Down."
Before we could protest, Jay and Elara moved with the speed of professional wrestlers. They forced us into a row of chairs. One by one, they tied our hands behind our backs. I tried to struggle, but Jay gave me a look that said, 'If you move, you're sleeping on the floor for a month.' I froze.
Then, to make it even worse, Elara pulled out four pieces of cloth.
Yuri: "Wait, not the mouth—"
Mmph!
In seconds, all four of us—me, Aries, Percy, and Yuri—were tied up and gagged. We sat there in a row, unable to speak, looking like the world's most pathetic boy band.
Jay-Jay: "Now," she said, dusting off her hands and looking at us with a satisfied grin. "Since you guys love to argue so much, you're going to sit there and listen to me. And if anyone tries to wiggle out, Elara has a taser."
Elara: "I don't actually have a taser, Jay."
Jay-Jay: "Shhh! They don't know that!"
Jay-Jay's POV
They were all lined up like naughty kids in detention.
Hands tied, mouths covered. It was finally time to uncover the truth. These boys are way too stubborn for their own good, so I had to take control of the situation.
I looked at Elara and nodded. "Open Keifer's mouth first."
Elara pulled the cloth away.
Keifer gasped for air and immediately gave me a charming, lop-sided grin.
Keifer: "Thanks, Wifey. I knew you couldn't stay mad at this face for long."
I didn't smile back. I gave him my sharpest glare.
Jay-Jay: "Don't get too comfortable. I'm not giving you special treatment. I'm only letting you speak because I have questions, and you have to answer them. Honestly."
Keifer's expression changed instantly. He looked away, his jaw tightening.
Keifer: "If you're going to ask about that day... then please, Jay, don't. Just let it stay buried."
Ugh! Why are they all so difficult? I looked at the others—Aries, Percy, and Yuri were all watching us with wide, worried eyes behind their gags. I knew logic wouldn't work here. I needed a different weapon.
I took a deep breath and activated "Mode: Drama Queen."
I let my lip tremble. I squeezed my eyes shut until they started to water. I let out a small, pathetic sob.
Jay-Jay: "Why? Why can't I know? I'm the one who collapsed! I'm the one who's scared! Don't you care about me at all?"
To add the finishing touch, I put my hand to my forehead and swayed slightly, pretending to be dizzy. It worked like a charm.
Keifer's eyes softened instantly, filled with panic and regret.
Keifer: "Okay! Okay, Jay! Don't cry, and please don't faint again. I'll answer. I'll tell you everything. Just stay calm."
I immediately straightened my back and wiped my dry eyes. The "dizziness" vanished in a second. I looked at him with a serious face, ready for the truth.
Jay-Jay: "Good. Start talking."