Author's POV
The morning at the Fernandez Mansion was peaceful.
Jay came downstairs wearing her HVIS Section E uniform.
"Good morning, Tita Gama."
Tita Gama smiled.
"Good morning, anak."
Aries looked up from the dining table.
"Don't be late today."
Jay smirked.
"You should worry about yourself."
Before Aries could reply, little Kerian ran downstairs.
"Ate Jay!"
Jay smiled.
"What happened?"
"Will you help me with my homework after school?"
Jay pinched his cheek gently.
"Of course."
Kerian hugged her happily.
Angelo watched them quietly before saying,
"Keifer called early this morning."
"He's doing well in London."
Jay simply nodded.
"That's good."
No one noticed the small smile that appeared on her face.
---
London – Watson Enterprises
Keifer and Kegan walked through the massive headquarters.
Honey Ryder stood beside them, holding a tablet.
"Mr. Keifer, today's schedule is full."
"Board meeting at ten."
"Finance review at one."
"Management training at four."
Kegan whistled.
"CEO training is harder than school."
Honey laughed softly.
"Not CEO yet."
"First, everyone has to see that Mr. Keifer deserves the position."
Just then...
Mr. Ryder entered.
"Good morning."
"The board members were impressed with your performance yesterday."
Keifer bowed respectfully.
"I still have a lot to learn."
Mr. Ryder smiled.
"That's exactly why your mother believed in you."
Across the hallway...
Clyde Watson watched silently.
His smile looked polite.
His eyes did not.
"Let's see how long you survive..."
---
HVIS – Higher Value International School
The hallway was already filled with students.
Jay entered the Section E classroom.
Ci-N was standing on a chair.
"Attention, everyone!"
"I have another perfect score!"
David didn't even open his eyes.
"Congratulations..."
"...now let me sleep."
The whole class burst into laughter.
Jay shook her head.
"You never change."
Ci-N grinned.
"Why should I?"
Then he suddenly looked out of the classroom window.
"RAKHI!"
Students from Section C turned around.
Rakhi sighed.
"What now?"
Ci-N smiled brightly.
"I love you!"
Rakhi rolled her eyes.
"Go study."
"I already got one hundred!"
"Then get another one."
The entire corridor echoed with laughter.
Jay couldn't stop smiling.
She knew Ci-N always acted cheerful...
But she also knew...
Behind that smile...
He carried dreams nobody understood.
---
A few minutes later...
Sir Alvin entered the classroom.
"Good morning, Section E."
"Good morning, Sir!"
Sir Alvin looked around.
"It feels strange without Keifer."
Felix nodded quietly.
"...Yeah."
No one noticed the sadness in his eyes.
Everyone still missed Percy.
Even after all this time...
The pain never truly disappeared.
---
Lunch Break
Jay met Ella, Freya and Mica from Section A.
Aries also joined them.
Nearby...
Calix walked over with a lunchbox.
"Mica."
"I made your favourite dessert."
Mica smiled brightly.
"Thank you."
Ella teased,
"You're too sweet."
Calix scratched the back of his neck awkwardly.
Freya laughed.
"Poor Calix gets embarrassed so easily."
Just then...
Edrix walked over.
"Freya."
"You forgot your notebook."
Freya blinked.
"Oh..."
"Thanks."
Edrix smiled softly before walking away.
Ella looked at Freya with a teasing grin.
Freya pretended not to notice...
But for the first time...
She watched Edrix walk away.
---
King's Ground
The music echoed through the famous club.
Tiger stood inside his office.
One of his men entered.
"Boss."
"We've been hearing rumours."
Tiger looked up.
"What rumours?"
The guard hesitated.
"...Someone matching Percy's description has been seen."
Tiger froze.
"...That's impossible."
"Everyone knows Percy died."
The guard lowered his head.
"I thought the same."
Tiger looked out of the window.
"...Find out who it is."
"I want the truth."
---
Somewhere Unknown...
A man stood on a rooftop overlooking the city.
The wind blew through his hair.
He smiled while looking at an old photograph.
In it...
Keifer...
Aries...
Yuri...
Felix...
And himself...
Slowly, he whispered—
"Looks like... it's almost time to come home."
A small smile appeared on his face.
"Miss me?"
To Be Continued...
◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇
Author's Note
Hello, my lovely readers! 💖
How was today's chapter? 👀
Do you think Percy is really alive... or is someone pretending to be him? 🤫
Don't forget to vote, comment, and support me!
Love you all veryyyyyyy much! ❤️🫂
Your Author ✨💕