The Girlfriend Revelation (Jay's POV)
I knew something was suspicious.
Aries was smiling too much.
And when Aries smiles too much, it means one thing—
He's hiding something.
I was at home, peacefully eating chips, when I heard him talking softly on the balcony.
Softly.
ARIES.
Soft.
That itself is illegal.
I quietly walked closer.
"Yes, Ella… I'll call you later."
Ella?
Ella who?
I froze.
Call you later???
Excuse me???
I pushed the balcony door open dramatically.
"WHO IS ELLA?"
Aries jumped like he saw a ghost. "ARE YOU MAD?"
"Yes," I crossed my arms. "Start explaining."
He rolled his eyes. "Why are you spying?"
"I wasn't spying. I was… walking aggressively."
He sighed. "She's my girlfriend."
Silence.
Wind stopped.
Birds stopped.
My brain stopped.
"You… have… WHAT?"
"My girlfriend."
"Since when do you qualify?"
"Since two months ago."
"TWO MONTHS?!"
I clutched my chest dramatically.
"You didn't tell me?!"
"You'd overreact."
"I AM NOT OVERREACTING."
"You screamed."
"That's passion."
He pinched the bridge of his nose. "Her name is Ella. She's from Section A."
Section A???
"Ohhh," I smirked. "So that's why you suddenly started combing your hair."
He gasped. "I always comb my hair."
"No you don't. You look like you argue with the wind daily."
He threw a cushion at me.
I dodged it.
"So," I leaned closer mischievously, "does Kuya Angelo know?"
His face went pale.
"…No."
I gasped dramatically. "You criminal."
"Don't you dare tell him."
I put a hand on my chin. "Hmm. I don't know. Information like this is valuable."
"Jay."
"Yes, horoscope?"
"I will expose your childhood videos."
I froze.
"You wouldn't."
"I would."
We stared at each other.
Then I smirked.
"Fine. I won't tell."
He relaxed.
"But," I added sweetly, "I want to meet her."
His eyes widened. "No."
"Yes."
"No."
"Yes."
"She'll think you're crazy."
"She'd be correct."
He groaned. "Jay, please behave."
"Does she know you're dramatic?"
"Yes."
"Does she know you eat Maggi at 3 AM?"
"Yes."
"Does she know you cried watching that dog movie?"
"That was emotional!"
I grinned wickedly.
"Ohhhh so Aries is soft."
"I am not soft."
"Ella," I said in a fake sweet voice, "does my strong cousin also get scared of lizards?"
"I DO NOT—"
Kuya Angelo's voice echoed from the hall.
"What are you two screaming about?"
We both froze.
Aries whispered, "Don't."
I smiled innocently.
"Nothing, Kuya! Just discussing… astrology."
Angelo narrowed his eyes. "Why does astrology sound like blackmail?"
Aries looked at me.
I looked at him.
And burst out laughing.
Later that night, I lay on my bed staring at the ceiling.
Aries.
Has.
A girlfriend.
My chaotic, loud, annoying cousin.
Actually fell in love.
Weird.
Strange.
But also…
Kind of cute.
I grabbed my phone.
Texted him:
"If she hurts you, I'll handle it."
He replied instantly:
"She's not like that."
I smiled slightly.
Good.
Because if Ella makes him happy—
Then she's safe.
But still…
I can't wait to meet her.
Let's see if she can survive this family.
Because if she can handle Aries—
And Kuya Angelo—
Then she deserves a medal.
And maybe…
Just maybe…
I'll approve her.
After a little interrogation first.