Chapter 24 – A Family Found Again
Author's POV
Philippines – JJM Enterprises
The conference room doors slowly opened.
Three people walked inside.
Jaspher Mariano.
Reycee Mariano.
And Percy.
Jay slowly rose from her chair.
Her eyes immediately fell on the man standing in front.
"...Dad?"
Jaspher's eyes filled with tears.
"Jay..."
For a few seconds, neither of them moved.
Years of separation...
Years of unanswered questions...
Neither of them knew where to begin.
Finally, Jaspher closed the distance between them and hugged her tightly.
"I found you..."
"I finally found you."
His voice trembled.
"I'm sorry."
"I'm sorry I wasn't there for you."
Jay slowly returned the hug.
She closed her eyes.
"I missed you too, Dad."
Jaspher smiled through his tears.
"And I promise..."
"I'll never lose you again."
They stayed like that for a long moment before finally pulling apart.
Jay wiped the tears from her face and laughed softly.
"You still cry so easily."
Jaspher chuckled.
"I wonder who you inherited that from."
Both of them laughed, easing the heavy atmosphere.
Jaspher then turned toward the woman standing beside him.
"Jay..."
"There's someone I'd like you to meet."
Reycee stepped forward with a warm smile.
"So..."
"You're Jay."
Jay politely smiled.
"It's nice to meet you."
"I've heard a lot about you."
Reycee nodded gently.
"And I've heard even more about you."
"I know we've never met before..."
"But if you'll allow me..."
"I'd love for us to become a family."
Jay looked at her for a moment before smiling.
"I'd like that too."
Reycee hugged her gently.
"Thank you."
"I'll always be here for you."
Jay smiled.
"...Mom."
Reycee froze before smiling brightly.
"That means more than you know."
Jay returned the smile.
Then...
Her eyes shifted toward the young man standing quietly behind them.
She frowned slightly.
"...Percy?"
The young man grinned.
"The one and only."
Jay's smile disappeared.
She stared at him in disbelief.
"...You're alive?"
"I thought..."
"I thought you died."
Percy scratched the back of his neck.
"Yeah..."
"Almost everyone thinks that."
Jay slowly walked closer.
"I can't believe this..."
"You really are Percy."
Percy laughed.
"Still as handsome as ever."
Jay rolled her eyes.
"You're still unbelievably full of yourself."
"Confidence."
Percy corrected.
"It's called confidence."
Jay couldn't help smiling.
She suddenly hugged him.
"I'm glad you're alive."
For the first time since entering the room...
Percy's joking expression disappeared.
He gently hugged her back.
"I'm glad to see you too."
Jay stepped back and looked between Percy and Jaspher.
"...But..."
"What are you doing here?"
Jaspher smiled.
"There's one more truth you need to know."
Jay looked at him curiously.
Jaspher placed a hand on Percy's shoulder.
"Jay..."
"Percy isn't just someone you used to know."
"He's my son."
Jay blinked.
"...What?"
Percy smiled awkwardly.
"Which means..."
"We're family."
Jay looked from Jaspher...
To Reycee...
Then back to Percy.
"So..."
"You're my stepbrother?"
Percy folded his arms proudly.
"The coolest and most handsome one you'll ever have."
Jay laughed despite herself.
"I don't know about the handsome part."
Percy placed a hand over his heart dramatically.
"Ouch."
"My own sister is bullying me already."
Everyone in the room laughed.
The years they had lost could never be returned.
But today...
A new chapter had begun.
Not as strangers.
Not as people connected only by the past.
But as a family, finally standing together again.
To Be Continued...