Chapter 54 — Middle of Exams
Jay's POV
I slowly walked downstairs for breakfast, still feeling tired from all the studying.
When I entered the dining room, I saw Aries, Yuri, Tita Gemma, and Angelo already sitting at the table.
Yuri looked at me and smiled.
"Good morning."
"Morning."
I pulled out a chair and sat down.
Tita Gemma immediately placed a plate in front of me.
"Eat, Jay."
I looked at the food and shook my head.
"I don't want to eat."
Everyone immediately looked at me.
Aries raised an eyebrow.
"You don't want to eat?"
Yuri gave a small laugh.
"You? That's new."
Angelo looked at me suspiciously.
"You're the biggest foodie in this house. What's wrong?"
"Nothing. I'm just not hungry."
Aries shook his head.
"Something is definitely wrong."
I rolled my eyes.
"Can you all stop?"
Tita Gemma pushed the plate closer to me.
"Just eat a little."
"I said I'm not hungry."
"Jay."
I sighed.
"Fine."
I picked up my fork, but before I could take a bite, the sound of the front door opening made everyone turn toward the entrance.
I looked up.
And froze.
Jeana.
My biological mother.
She walked into the dining room.
But she wasn't alone.
A man was standing beside her.
I didn't recognize him.
Angelo slowly stood.
"Jeana?"
Jeana gave him a nervous smile.
"Angelo. I'm sorry for coming without telling you."
Angelo's eyes moved toward the man beside her.
He looked at him questioningly.
Jeana noticed.
She took a breath.
"I want you all to meet someone."
She turned toward the man.
"This is Andy."
Andy gave a polite nod.
"It's nice to meet you."
Aries and Yuri exchanged confused glances.
I didn't say anything.
Something about this situation already felt strange.
Jeana looked at all of us.
"There is something important I need to tell you."
Angelo's expression became serious.
"What is it?"
Jeana took a deep breath.
"I've decided to get married."
The room went silent.
Aries blinked.
"Married?"
Jeana nodded.
"Yes."
She looked at Andy.
"To Andy."
My expression immediately changed.
I stared at her for a moment.
Then I looked down at my plate.
"So that's why you came."
"Jay…"
I didn't look at her.
"When?"
"Soon."
I finally raised my eyes.
"Congratulations."
My voice was cold.
Jeana's expression fell slightly.
"I know this is sudden."
"It's your life."
"Jay, I—"
"You don't have to explain."
Angelo looked at me.
"Jay."
I looked at him.
"What?"
"Don't speak to your mother like that."
I clenched my jaw.
"I didn't say anything."
"Your tone did."
I looked away.
Jeana took another step forward.
"I never wanted to hurt you."
I stayed silent.
I didn't know what I was supposed to say.
I had spent so much time trying to understand the things that happened between us.
And now she was standing in front of me, announcing that she was going to marry someone else.
I couldn't pretend that it didn't affect me.
But I wasn't going to show it either.
I pushed my chair back.
"I'm going upstairs."
Tita Gemma immediately stopped me.
"Wait."
I looked at her.
"You haven't eaten."
"I'm not hungry."
I said and run upstairs
---
Later
After getting ready for school, I walked outside with Aries and Yuri.
The moment we reached the driveway, I noticed a familiar car waiting.
Keifer.
He had come to pick me up.
Yuri looked toward the car.
"Keifer's here."
I nodded.
"I'll see you at school."
Yuri walked toward his car.
Aries also headed toward his own car because he had to pick up Ella.
I walked toward Keifer's car and got into the passenger seat.
"Good morning," Keifer said.
"Morning."
He started driving.
For a while, neither of us spoke.
I looked outside the window.
Then I turned toward him.
"How are Kegan and Kerian?"
Keifer glanced at me briefly before looking back at the road.
"They're fine."
I smiled slightly.
"Kegan still studying like his life depends on it?"
Keifer laughed softly.
"Of course. He's still the same."
I shook my head.
"That boy is seriously obsessed with studying."
"He's busy with his schoolwork even while he's here in London."
I looked at him.
"He really came all the way with you just to support you."
Keifer nodded.
"Yeah. He wanted to be here for me."
"And Kerian?"
"He's fine too. Still serious as always."
I smiled.
"That sounds like both of them."
Keifer looked at me.
"You miss them?"
"A little."
He smiled.
"They miss you too."
I looked back out the window.
For a few moments, the conversation became quiet again.
Then Keifer glanced at me.
"What happened this morning?"
I immediately looked at him.
"Nothing."
"Jay."
"I'm fine."
He gave me a knowing look.
I sighed.
"Jeana came."
He didn't interrupt.
"She brought someone with her."
Keifer waited.
"She introduced him as Andy."
I looked down at my hands.
"She said she's going to marry him."
Keifer stayed quiet for a moment.
"Are you okay?"
"I don't know."
He didn't push me for an answer.
Instead, he simply continued driving.
After a few seconds, he said quietly,
"You don't have to explain everything if you don't want to."
I looked at him.
He gave me a small smile.
"I'll be here whenever you're ready."
I didn't reply.
I just turned toward the window again.
But this time, I was smiling slightly.
---
HVIS
The exam papers continued one after another.
By the time another paper ended, Section E looked completely exhausted.
The second Alvin Sir announced that we could leave, CN practically threw his pen onto the desk.
"FINALLY!"
David laughed.
"We still have more papers."
CN stared at him.
"Why would you say that?"
Felix burst out laughing.
Calix stretched his arms.
"Just a few more and then we're free!"
"Summer vacation!" Edrix shouted.
Everyone started talking at once.
I stood there listening to them.
"Guys, the exams aren't completely over yet."
CN pointed at me.
"Don't destroy our happiness, Jay!"
I laughed.
For once, the chaos around me felt nice.
Everyone was already talking about vacation.
No one wanted to think about another exam.
Then my phone vibrated.
I looked at the screen.
Damien.
My expression immediately changed.
I stepped away from Section E and answered.
"Damien?"
His voice was serious.
"Queen."
"What happened?"
There was a short pause.
Then he said the words I wasn't expecting.
"Clyde escaped."
I froze.
"What?"
"Clyde is gone."
My grip tightened around my phone.
"How?"
"After the incident involving Keifer, you kept him under our watch. Somehow, he managed to escape."
My eyes narrowed.
"Where is he now?"
"We don't know yet."
I looked back toward Section E.
They were still laughing and talking about their exams and vacation.
They had no idea what had just happened.
"Find him."
"We're already searching."
"Keep everyone alert."
"Yes, Queen."
The call ended.
I stood there silently.
Clyde had escaped.
The same Clyde connected to Keifer's accident.
The same person I had made sure couldn't hurt anyone again.
And now he was free.
I took a slow breath.
I couldn't let Section E know.
Not yet.
I put my phone away and walked back toward them.
CN immediately looked at me.
"Jay! Where did you disappear?"
I forced a small smile.
"Just a call."
He nodded.
"Anyway, we were talking about vacation!"
Everyone started talking again.
I smiled faintly.
But my mind wasn't with them anymore.
Because somewhere out there...
Clyde was free.
And I had a feeling our peaceful days were about to come to an end.
— END OF CHAPTER 54 —
Author's Note 💗
And that's another chapter done! 😭❤️
The exams are still going on, Section E is already celebrating, and summer vacation is getting closer!
But then Damien calls Jay with some very bad news...
Clyde escaped. 👀
What do you think he's planning?
And what do you think about Jeana and Andy? Do you think Jay will eventually accept their marriage?
Tell me your theories because I LOVE reading all your comments! 😭❤️
Thank you for staying with this story and supporting me through every chapter.
I love you all so, so much. ❤️
See you in the next chapter!
— Your Author 💗