Jay jays pov:
Morning
I woke up to knocking on my door.
When I opened it, Ci:n was standing there in his school uniform, his bag slung over one shoulder.
"Jay… are you okay?" he asked immediately.
"Why are your eyes red and swollen?"
"Um… I'm fine," I said quietly.
"Jay?"
"Are you really okay?"
"Yeah. I'm fine," I repeated, not meeting his eyes.
He hesitated, clearly unsure.
"Can I ask you something?"
I already knew what he might be thinking—not because he knew anything, but because everyone had seen the chaos yesterday.
"Go on," I said, my voice empty.
He rubbed the back of his neck.
"I don't know what happened yesterday," he said carefully.
"But something clearly did. You don't look okay."
I stayed silent, staring at the floor. The sunlight streamed in through the window, but it didn't feel warm. It felt heavy, like it was pressing down on my chest.
"Ci:n," I whispered, my voice cracking.
"Can we not talk about it? Please."
He paused, then nodded.
"…Okay," he said softly.
After a moment, he asked,
"Jay… are you coming to school today?"
"No."
"Why?"
"I'm not feeling well," I said.
"I'm tired."
He nodded slowly, not pushing anymore.
"Alright. I'm already late," he said.
"I'll check on you after school."
"Okay."
He turned to leave, then stopped at the door.
"Keifer's been calling since last night," he said.
"He's worried about you."
I didn't respond.
He sighed quietly.
"Just… take care, okay?"
I nodded.
I made my bed, freshened up, and went downstairs for breakfast.
It was painfully quiet. The clinking of spoons against plates sounded too loud in the stillness.
Aunt Tita tried to start a conversation, but no one responded properly.
The silence only grew heavier, like it was stretching itself across every corner of the house.
After eating, I went back to my room.
I started packing my luggage.
My flight was at 12:00 PM, so I had to be quick.
I needed to leave without Keifer or Aries knowing.
Aries still didn't know anything.
Not because I didn't trust him.
I just… wasn't ready to face anyone.
I was folding clothes when the door suddenly opened.
"Jay."
Aunt Tita stood there, arms crossed, eyes sharp.
"So it's true," she said.
"You're really leaving."
My hands froze.
"Why?" she demanded.
"Why are you leaving? Stay."
"Tita—"
"No," she cut me off.
"You think you can just pack your bags and leave like this?"
"I can't stay," I whispered.
"What happened?" she asked angrily.
"What's so big that you have to leave?"
"I'm not running," I said, my voice breaking.
"I just… can't be here right now."
"You think leaving will fix everything?" she snapped.
"I don't know," I cried.
"But staying hurts too much."
She went silent.
Then she pulled me into her arms.
I broke down completely.
I cried until my chest hurt, until I could barely breathe.
She held me the entire time, her warmth grounding me as the storm inside me raged.
When my sobs finally slowed, she pulled back and wiped my tears.
"…Alright," she said softly.
"If this is what you need."
She sighed.
"I don't like it," she added firmly.
"But I support your decision."
My heart clenched.
"Just promise me one thing," she said.
"Come back."
"I promise," I whispered.
Downstairs, Kuya Angelo was waiting.
His eyes went to my suitcase.
"Do you want me to drop you at the airport?" he asked.
I shook my head.
"No, Kuya. Alen is coming."
He studied me for a moment, then nodded.
"Take care of yourself," he said.
Aunt Tita stood near the door, eyes red.
"This isn't goodbye," she said firmly.
"I know," I replied.
A few minutes later, Alen's car pulled up.
The ride was quiet.
The city passed in a blur outside the window, tall buildings shrinking into tiny shapes beneath the early morning haze.
At the airport entrance, Alen finally spoke.
"Your house in LA is ready," he said.
"Furniture, security—everything's done."
I looked at him.
"And the company?"
"Aurelian Corp is stable," he replied calmly.
"Meetings are scheduled, but nothing urgent. Take your time."
He paused.
"I'll come there too," he added.
"After two weeks."
I nodded.
"Text me when you land," he said.
"And don't push yourself!"
"I won't," I whispered.
Inside the plane, I settled into my seat.
As it took off, the city disappeared beneath the clouds.
The hum of the engines was almost comforting, like a lullaby for my restless thoughts.
My phone vibrated.
I looked down.
Keifer.
No messages from Section E. Just him.
My fingers trembled as I slid the SIM tray out.
The tiny chip rested in my palm—
every call, every message, every memory tied to him.
I stared at it.
My fingers curled slowly around it.
Snap!
The sound was sharp in the quiet cabin.
Clean. Final.
I stared at the broken pieces for a second before slipping them back into my bag.
I powered the phone off and set it aside.
From my carry-on, I took out a new phone.
Unopened. Untouched.
I inserted the new SIM card.
Click.
The screen lit up.
No past.
No noise.
I opened contacts and added three names:
Alen.
Lucas.
Judy.
I locked the phone and leaned back in my seat.
Tears slid down silently as the plane cut through the clouds.
This wasn't running.
This was a beginning.
A/N:
Hey loves, how is the chapter?
Do you like this chapter?
Do you have any ideas what will happen next??
Comment your thoughts and ideas 😭
Nb:guys do you not like my story? Cuz please share your thought and opinion cuz that really motivates me to write more.