Jay-Jay(POV)
I walked inside and headed straight to the administration office.
"Excuse me… can you tell me where the guidance office is?" I asked.
They pointed me in the right direction.
I nodded and walked away.
The halls felt…
familiar.
Not just the place—
but the feeling.
Like I had walked here before.
Like I had belonged here.
My fingers brushed lightly against the wall as I walked.
Did I use to wear this uniform…?
The thought came and went too quickly.
I stopped in front of a door.
Knocked.
"Come in."
I pushed it open.
"Hello po," I said politely.
The woman inside looked up—
and froze.
Just for a second.
Like she recognized me.
Then she quickly composed herself and nodded.
I walked closer.
"Can I get details of Section A… from four years ago?" I asked. [A/N : Angelo manipulated the records—making it appear that Jay graduated from Section A. No matter how many times she returns to the school… the truth won't be there waiting for her.]
"Or… maybe a list? Even just one contact number… from any of my classmates?"
Something flickered in her eyes.
Then she shook her head.
"I'm sorry, Miss.. Due to the fire accident… the records were destroyed."
Fire.
Again.
"Don't you have soft copies?" I asked.
"No," she said quickly. "We don't have any details left."
Too quick.
Too clean.
Like she had practiced that answer.
I nodded slowly.
"Okay… thank you."
I turned and walked out.
Halfway down the hallway—
I stopped.
My phone.
I left it inside.
I turned back.
Quietly.
Carefully.
I reached the door and pushed it open just slightly—
enough to hear.
"…Mr. Fernandez," her voice said on the other side. "I did as you asked me to. I told her there were no records."
My breath hitched.
I didn't move.
"Alright," she added softly. "I understand."
The call ended.
I stepped back—
then knocked.
Opened the door like nothing happened.
"I forgot my phone," I said casually, walking in.
She handed it to me without meeting my eyes.
I smiled faintly.
"Thank you."
Then walked out.
So it's true.
They're hiding something.
Angelo Kuya…
You really don't want me to find out.
But why?
What kind of past do I have—
that everyone is trying to bury?
I walked without thinking.
Step after step.
Lost in thoughts that didn't have answers.
Until—
I stopped.
I looked up.
"…Where am I?"
An abandoned building stood in front of me.
Old.
Broken.
Forgotten.
My phone buzzed.
Kiefer.
Calling again.
This time—
I answered.
Before I could speak—
"Kindly explain why you're ignoring my calls and messages," his voice said, low and controlled.
"I just saw my phone," I said.
A pause.
Then—
"Did I do something wrong?" he asked. "Tell me, Jay."
Something in my chest tightened.
"Nothing," I said quickly. "I was busy."
And I hung up.
I stepped inside.
Dust.
Silence.
Broken chairs.
Fallen tables.
It felt like time had stopped here.
But my feet—
They kept moving.
Like they knew where to go.
Second floor.
A hallway.
Then—
I stopped.
Room 503.
Section E.
My chest tightened.
"…Why does this feel so familiar?"
My hand reached for the door.
And pushed.
The room was empty.
Chairs arranged in a U-shape.
Old.
Covered in dust.
But something—
pulled me in.
I stepped closer.
There was a chair—
with a skirt caught in its edge.
My fingers brushed it.
And then—
voices.
"Jay-Jay! Come here!"
Laughter.
"You two look like husband and wife!"
"Oi, king of Ulupong!"
"Middling again?!"
Voices.
So many voices.
Calling my name.
Teasing me.
Laughing with me.
I could see it—
blurred, broken—
But I was there.
Smiling.
Running.
Fighting.
Living.
My vision blurred.
Before I knew it—
Tears were falling.
"…Why…?"
My legs gave out.
The world tilted—
and I fell—
—but someone caught me.
Strong arms.
Familiar warmth.
I looked up.
"Kiefer…"
He was there.
Of course he was.
"What are you doing here?" he asked, his voice tight.
But I couldn't answer.
I just—
held him.
And cried.
His arms wrapped around me instantly.
One hand is brushing my hair.
The other stood steady against my back.
"It's okay," he murmured softly, pressing a kiss to my forehead. "I'm here."
I shook my head weakly.
"I—I don't understand…"
"I know," he said quietly.
"I'm not leaving you."
Those words—
felt heavier than comfortable.
I tried to stand—
But my legs failed me.
Before I could protest—
He lifted me.
Effortlessly.
Like I weighed nothing.
and he kissed me
I blinked at him.
"Why… did you do that?" I asked, confused.
His lips curved slightly.
"You owe me," he said.
"What?"
"You used two profanities," he added calmly. "Earlier. When I locked the door… and when you were on the couch. Don't think I didn't hear you."
I stared at him.
"How did you even hear that, ass—"
Before I could finish—
He kissed me.
Again.
Short.
Precise.
Like punishment.
Like a reminder.
My eyes widened.
"Kiefer—!"
He adjusted his hold on me like nothing happened.
"Let's get out of here," he said.
And just like that—
He walked out.
Carrying me with him—
He didn't say a word.
The drive was silent.
Too silent.
I leaned my head against the window, watching the city blur past, but my mind…
was still stuck back there.
Room 503.
The voices.
The laughter.
My name.
"What happened?" Kiefer asked, his voice cutting through my thoughts.
"Nothing… my stomach hurts. Maybe it's just my period," I said.
A lie.
I looked away.
Because I didn't know what to say.
Didn't even understand what I was feeling enough to explain it.
He didn't question me.
Instead, he slowed the car and pulled over near a small store.
"Wait here."
He stepped out without another word.
A few minutes later, he came back and handed me a small bag.
"Here" he said.
I blinked at him, caught off guard.
"…You're not even going to ask why I cried?" I asked quietly.
He looked at me—
calm.
Steady.
"Those are your feelings," he said. "Why would I question them?"
A pause.
"I'll just do my best to understand you."
Something in my chest tightened.
I looked down at the bag in my hands.
"…I lied," I said softly.
"I know," he replied.
I looked up, confused.
"Then why did you still go inside?" I asked.
He didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he opened the bag slightly and tilted it toward me.
Inside—
chocolates.
A lot of them.
I blinked.
"…What?"
He rubbed the back of his neck, almost awkwardly.
"Because I figured… you don't know why you're feeling like that either," he said.
A small pause.
"So I bought something that might make it a little easier."
My grip tightened around the bag.
And for a moment—
I didn't know what to say.
Because this—
this quiet, careful version of him—
felt just as dangerous as the one who didn't hold back.
He slid back into the driver's seat like it was nothing.
Like he hadn't just—
made my chest feel heavier.
The car slowed.
Then stopped.
I blinked and looked outside.
A mall.
Before I could ask—
"Let's go," Kiefer said simply, already stepping out. "Everyone's waiting."
Everyone?
I barely had time to react before he reached for my hand and pulled me along.
The moment we stepped inside—
"JAY-JAY!"
The voice hit me before I could see him.
C-in came running straight toward me—
and before I could react, someone else joined—
then another—
until I was surrounded,
pulled into a warm, overwhelming group hug.
And before I knew it, I was pulled into a tight hug.
And just like that—
The tears came again.
Uncontrolled.
Unwanted.
"Hey… hey…" Felix said softly, his tone instantly gentle. "What happened?"
"I don't know…" I whispered against his shoulder. "Why am I feeling like this…?"
He didn't press further.
"Don't tell me you missed me enough to cry," C-in said, his voice light, trying to lift the mood.
A small smile slipped onto my lips.
I nodded.
"Maybe… I missed all of you," I said quietly.
And somehow—
being around them made everything feel a little easier.
They didn't question me.
Didn't push.
They just stayed.
Felix held me for a second longer—
then gently pulled back.
"Come on," David said, giving me a small smile. "Eman said he's cooking again. You can't miss that."
"Are you okay?" Yuri asked gently.
I nodded, forcing a small smile.
"I'm fine."
Before the silence could stretch—
C-in suddenly appeared beside me and grabbed my wrist.
"Enough of that," he said lightly. "You're coming with me."
I blinked—
but didn't resist.
I just let him pull me along.
We ended up in a grocery store.
The others were already there, picking things, arguing over brands, laughing like nothing in the world was complicated.
I tried to focus on that.
On them.
On something normal.
I reached for a lollipop near the counter.
Without thinking.
Like it was something I always did.
I unwrapped it halfway—
then—
"Is that for me?"
The voice was close.
Too close.
I turned.
Kiefer.
Watching.
"No," I said quickly. "It's for me."
But—
My eyes betrayed me.
They dropped.
To his lips.
And I didn't even know why.
Annoyed at myself, I looked away and pushed the lollipop into my mouth.
"Tch… it tastes bad," I muttered.
"Really?" he asked.
I nodded, still avoiding his gaze.
"Then let me taste it," he said casually.
I reached out, handing him the one in my hand—
still wrapped.
But before I could even process—
His hand caught my wrist.
Pulled me closer.
And then—
He kissed me.
My mind went blank.
It wasn't rushed.
Not teasing.
Not even playful.
Just—
certain.
Like he knew exactly what he was doing.
He pulled back slightly, just enough to look at me.
For a brief second, his teeth caught his lower lip—
like he was holding something back.
"Yeah," he said calmly. "It's sweet."
My face burned instantly.
"What the—?!"
He tilted his head slightly, a faint smirk forming.
"Maybe it tastes better," he added, voice low, "because you had it first."
He winked.
That was it.
I was done.
I turned—
and walked away.
No—
ran.
Because my face was burning, my heart was racing, and my thoughts were completely gone.
And behind me—
I could feel it.
His gaze.
Following.
Like he wasn't done with me yet.
I turned too quickly—
and bumped straight into someone.
"Oh—sorry, that was my fault," I said quickly, not even looking up.
"It's okay," he said.
I looked up.
He was smiling.
Too easily.
"Miss, you look beautiful," he added, tilting his head slightly. "Can I get your number?"
I blinked.
"…What the hell?"
He chuckled. "Why? Are you in a relationship?"
My mind stalled.
"No…?"
Why did I even answer that?
Before I could take it back—
He slipped a flower into my hand.
"Then I'll take that as a chance," he said with a wink. "Let's meet again."
And just like that—
He walked away.
Leaving me standing there, holding a flower I never asked for.
"What was that…?" I muttered under my breath.
Before I could even process it—
My wrist was grabbed.
Hard.
I was pulled—
fast—
until my back hit the wall.
A sharp sting shot through me.
"Kiefer—"
I didn't get to finish.
His hand came up, bracing beside my head—
trapping me.
And then—
He kissed me.
Not like before.
Not controlled.
Not teasing.
This—
was different.
Possessive.
Demanding.
Like something he had been holding back finally snapped.
My breath caught.
My fingers instinctively clenched against his shirt—
not pushing him away.
Not pulling him closer either.
Just—
caught.
Between everything.
He didn't rush it.
But he didn't soften it either.
It was a claim.
Clear.
Undeniable.
When he finally pulled back—
His forehead rested lightly against mine.
His breathing was uneven.
His eyes—
dark.
"Don't answer like that," he said, voice low and edged.
"To anyone."
My heart was still racing.
"What answer…?" I managed.
His gaze didn't leave mine.
"The one where you sound like you're available."
A pause.
Then, quieter—
but heavier:
"You're not."
"Why?" I asked.
The word came out before I could stop it.
Because I needed to know.
Why was he acting like this—
When did he love someone else?
My throat tightened.
"Do you love me?" I asked.
The question felt reckless.
Dangerous.
Like I was digging my own grave—
and still choosing to go deeper.
His expression changed instantly.
"Of course," he said, almost incredulous. "Are you numb? Can't you feel that?"
My chest tightened.
"Then why?" I shot back, my voice trembling despite myself. "Why do you make me feel like I belong to you one moment… and the next, like there's someone else in your heart?"
He didn't answer.
Of course he didn't.
"You always avoid it," I continued, my voice sharper now. "Every time I ask About her."
I stepped closer.
Not backing down this time.
"What am I to you, Kiefer?"
Silence.
Then suddenly—
He laughed.
But it wasn't light.
It wasn't amused.
It was… broken.
"Why are you doing this to me?" he asked, his voice cracking.
I froze.
His eyes—
were wet.
"You kissed me… and now you're saying there's no one?" he said, his voice tight, like he was holding onto something breaking. "You stay close to me… you look at me like I'm yours…"
His jaw tightened.
"And then you ask me what you are to me?"
My heart pounded.
"You say you don't know," he continued, quieter now, but more dangerous. "But what about me, Jay? What am I supposed to think?"
A tear slipped from his eye.
"I've been holding onto you for four years."
My breath stopped.
"…What?"
"You think this is easy?" he asked, almost laughing again. "You think I can just—forget?"
Forget.
That word echoed in my head.
"They all act like they know me," I said suddenly, my voice breaking. "Like I'm someone I can't even remember being."
My hand pressed against my chest.
Tight.
Achingly tight.
"I keep saying I don't feel anything…"
I swallowed hard.
"But—"
My voice cracked.
"It feels like I know you."
Silence.
Heavy.
Shaking.
"I just…" I whispered.
My breath hitched.
"…can't remember."
The words felt like they took everything out of me.
Like I had nothing left to hold onto.
For a second—
He just looked at me.
Like that answer hurt more than anything I could've said.
Then—
He moved.
Fast.
His hand caught my wrist.
And he kissed me.
Not gentle.
Not careful.
Desperate.
Like he was trying to make me remember.
Like he was trying to force something back into place.
My chest tightened—
and I pushed him.
"Let go of me, Kiefer!"
My voice broke.
I stepped back, shaking.
"Why?" he shot back immediately. "You can't let me kiss you now?"
His eyes burned into mine.
"Is it because you don't like me…?"
A pause.
Then, quieter—
but far more dangerous:
"Or are you abandoning me again?"
My breath caught.
"Kiefer… I don't understand what you're saying."
A hollow laugh escaped him.
"Then what is it?" he pressed. "Why can't I kiss you?"
I swallowed hard.
"Because I'm scared."
The words came out softer than I expected.
But they didn't stop.
"If I admit it… if I really accept that I love you…"
My fingers curled tightly at my sides.
"I won't be able to stop myself from falling deeper."
His gaze didn't waver.
"And everyone keeps saying you love someone else," I continued, my voice trembling. "So I'm trying to protect myself before I get hurt."
A tear slipped down.
"I've only known you for three days, Kiefer."
I shook my head slowly.
"I don't understand anything… but when you look sad, I want to know why."
My voice cracked.
"I want to protect you… but you won't let me in."
I looked up at him.
"So what am I supposed to do?"
Silence.
Heavy.
Then—
"Then fall for me."
His voice dropped.
Steady.
Certain.
"Be mine."
A step closer.
"Don't lose me."
His eyes softened—just slightly.
"Make me believe you won't let go."
My heart pounded painfully.
"I don't care about anything else," he continued, more quietly now. "I don't care about the past."
A pause.
Then—
"I want you."
His voice almost broke.
"Only you."
That—
That was too much.
Too fast.
Too deep.
I pushed him.
Hard.
Then turned—
and walked away.
No—
I ran.
Not because I didn't love him.
But because I didn't understand.
Did he really mean it?
Did he love me—
Only me?
Or was I just… filling a space meant for someone else?
My chest tightened painfully.
"I don't know…" I whispered to myself.
"I don't know what he meant…"
And that scared me more than anything.
Because I couldn't stay there.
Not when everything inside me felt like it was breaking apart.
The moment I stepped out—
I couldn't hold it in anymore.
Tears blurred my vision.
People stared.
I didn't care.
I just kept walking.
Faster.
Farther.
Anywhere but there.
Behind me—
Someone muttered,
"What the hell did you do, Kiefer…?"
"Why did you make her cry?