Two Days Before
Jay-Jay (POV)
After talking to Kiefer, I didn't remember how I ended up in the taxi.
Only that I couldn't stop crying.
The city lights blurred past the window, melting into streaks of gold and white—but I couldn't see any of it clearly.
Because everything hurt.
"Something happened, miss?" the driver asked gently.
"Nothing…" I whispered, my voice breaking anyway.
He didn't press further. Just nodded, like he understood silence better than words.
When the taxi stopped, I stepped out and walked into the house like a ghost of myself.
"Jay, what happened?"
Aries.
The moment I saw him—
I broke.
I walked straight into his arms and cried, clutching onto him like I was falling apart.
"Hey… it's okay," he murmured, patting my back softly. "I'm here."
"Did something happen?" he asked, his voice turning serious.
"Ari kuya…" I started.
I wanted to tell him everything.
About the mall.
About Kiefer.
About how my heart betrayed me.
But how do you explain loving someone…
Who might already belong to someone else?
My voice disappeared.
And somehow he understood anyway.
"…Did Kiefer say anything?" Aries asked, his tone darkening. "Do you want me to beat him?"
I shook my head quickly.
"No, kuya… he just made me realize something… I've been trying to deny."
That was all I could say.
I wiped my tears and walked away before he could ask more.
The shower was already running when I stepped inside.
Cold water poured over me—
And I finally let go.
My cries echoed against the walls, raw and uncontrollable, as if I let it all out, maybe…
just maybe…
This pain would lessen.
But it didn't.
It stayed.
Right here—
in my chest.
When I came out, dressed in my pajamas—
Ion and Ella were standing outside my door.
With pillows.
I blinked at them.
"…Why are you here?"
They looked at each other before grinning.
"Can't you see?" Ella said casually. "Sleepover."
Despite everything—
I nodded.
We lay down together.
I made sure Ella was comfortable first, adjusting the pillows carefully because of her pregnancy.
Ion turned off the lights.
The room fell quiet.
But my mind didn't.
School.
The mall.
Kiefer.
Everything replayed over and over again.
"Don't you have something to share?" Ion asked softly.
I turned.
Both of them were already looking at me.
"Is it about love?" Ella asked.
I hesitated.
Then nodded.
And just like that—
Everything spilled out.
Kiefer.
The way he looked at me.
The way he spoke.
The way he made my heart feel seen… and shattered at the same time.
When I finished—
They smiled.
I frowned. "Why are you smiling?"
"Nothing," they said in unison.
I narrowed my eyes.
Ion leaned slightly closer. "So… you love Kiefer. But you don't know what he feels for you… Or for the other girl?"
"…Mm." I nodded.
Ella's voice softened.
"Jay… I know it hurts. Seeing the person you love feel like they belong to someone else…"
She reached for my hand.
"But tell me something… when he's with you… Don't you feel it?"
"…I do," I admitted quietly. "But—"
Ion cut me off.
"Then what's stopping you?"
I froze.
"I'm not telling you to blindly love him," she continued. "But give him a chance. Let him feel your love."
Her gaze turned serious.
"He's already suffered more than you think."
My chest tightened.
"You may not understand it now," she added softly. "But one day… when everything falls into place… you'll realize just how much he loves you."
Ella nodded beside her.
"Don't let doubt be the reason you lose something real."
They eventually fell asleep.
But I couldn't.
I stared at the ceiling, my thoughts spiraling.
How do I prove to him…
that I won't leave?
How do I compete…
with someone he wants?
How do I make him mine?
Then—
Ella's arm shifted slightly.
And I saw it.
The ring on her finger.
Something clicked.
Suddenly.
Clearly.
Dangerously.
…Why can't I just marry him?
If I marry him—
He can't leave.
I'll be beside him every second.
I'll make him fall for me.
I'll make him love me—
until he has no choice but to stay.
My heart started racing.
Before I could second-guess it—
I grabbed my phone.
And called.
"…You didn't sleep?" Clyden's kuya's voice came through, half-awake. "What are you thinking?"
"Kuya…" I said, my voice steady now.
"I need you."
There was a pause.
"Do I need to come to Manila?"
"No."
I sat up.
"Come to New York."
Silence.
"…Why?"
"Because I have something to say."
I swallowed.
"And it's important."
Another pause.
Then—
"…Alright. I have some work left. I'll come as early as I can."
The call ended.
Next—
Mom.
Dad.
Then—
Angelo, kuya.
His office light was still on.
I knocked once and stepped inside.
"Kuya… I want to go to New York."
He didn't even look surprised.
"Finally decided to leave?" he said calmly. "I'll arrange a jet."
I shook my head.
"No… I want all of us to go."
That made him look up.
"I need to discuss something."
His expression changed.
"…What is it?"
"I know you called the school," I said quietly.
He froze.
"But I'm not asking about it."
I held his gaze.
"So… do me a favor."
"Let's leave in the morning."
After a moment—
He nodded.
Morning came faster than expected.
And before anyone could question me too much—
We were already on our way to New York.
Everyone kept asking why.
I didn't answer.
Not yet.
Two hours after we arrived—
Clyden came.
Then Mom and Dad.
One by one—
Everyone gathered.
The living room was filled with the people I loved most.
Mom. Dad.
Cole, Amy, Kai, Jare, Mia, and Percy.
Angelo, kuya. Ion. Aries. Ella.
Tita.
Clyden.
All of them.
Watching me.
Waiting.
I took a breath.
"Thank you for coming… when I called."
Jare crossed his arms, narrowing his eyes. "Why do you look so suspicious?"
"What is it?" Aries asked.
All eyes turned to me.
I cleared my throat.
Not because I was nervous—
But because what I was about to say…
would change everything.
"I won't ask about my past," I said slowly. "I won't dig into it."
For a second—
silence.
I looked at each of them.
One by one.
Measuring.
Reading.
Making sure they understood this wasn't negotiable.
"But I have a condition," I said.
That stopped them.
The air shifted.
Aries' expression tightened slightly. "What condition?"
"What?" Angelo Kuya asked, brows pulling together.
I didn't hesitate.
"I want to marry."
Silence.
Not the normal kind—
the kind that stops everything.
For a second, it felt like the entire room forgot how to breathe.
They just stared at me.
Like I had said, something impossible.
Something insane.
Like their souls had stepped out of their bodies and hadn't decided to come back yet.
"...Not dating?" Percy finally spoke, a slow, disbelieving smile forming on his lips.
"You're saying marriage?"
I met his gaze.
Steady.
Unshaken.
"Yes."
"You want to get married? But why… all of a sudden?" Cole Kuya asked.
His voice carried confusion… and something else.
Doubt.
"You always said, 'Why waste time… when you already know you'll end up with them?'"
I smiled.
Not wide.
Not bright.
Everyone looked at him.
Jare didn't even hesitate.
"No… no," he said firmly.
Beside him, Cole Kuya gave a slow, approving nod.
My fingers curled.
"Why…?" I asked, my hand lifting slightly.
Before Jare could answer—
Aries stepped forward.
"Because you're not thinking straight," he said, voice low but controlled.
I turned to him.
Of course, he would step in.
He always did.
"I am thinking, kuya," I said, holding his gaze. "For once… I'm not running away from it."
"That's not what I see," Aries replied. "I see you rushing into something you don't fully understand."
"And you think I don't know what I feel?" I shot back.
His jaw tightened.
"That's exactly what I'm afraid of."
Silence stretched.
"Is it… Kiefer?"
Cole's voice cut through the room—
sharp like a blade.
Everyone turned to him.
I didn't hesitate.
I just nodded.
That was enough.
The atmosphere shifted instantly.
Heavy.
Uneasy.
"You… know him too?" I asked, my brows drawing together.
Cole didn't answer right away.
Which was answer enough.
"Why him?" he finally asked, his voice lower now.
More controlled.
More dangerous.
I held his gaze.
"Why not?"
That didn't sit well.
I saw it in his eyes.
"I won't agree if it's him," Jare said firmly.
My head snapped toward him.
"Why?"
Silence.
Again.
Too much silence.
"Did I ever oppose your marriage?"
My gaze swept across the room—
one by one.
Angelo.
Aries.
Jare.
Cole.
"Any of you."
I pointed at them—not accusing, just reminding.
"I always supported you."
My voice steadied, even as something inside me tightened.
"Because I saw it."
A small pause.
"In your eyes."
I swallowed.
"I saw my kuyas fall in love…"
My voice softened for a second—
"…and be loved back."
Silence.
No one moved.
No one dared to interrupt.
My voice came out sharper than I intended—
But I didn't take it back.
"Did I ever question it?"
I looked at them again.
Waiting.
Challenging.
Hurting—
But standing my ground.
Silence.
I took a step forward.
"Or is it that everyone gets to marry the person they love…"
A small pause.
"…except me?"
His brows furrowed.
Conflicted.
Uncomfortable.
"You all taught me what love is," I continued, my voice steadier now—but heavier.
"I learned it by watching you."
Then I pointed straight at Jare and Cole.
"Watching how you look at them…"
A glance toward Mia, Amy.
"How you stay… how you choose each other—every single day."
I let that sink in.
"So why…"
Another step closer.
"…am I the only one you don't trust to make that choice?"
The question hung between us.
Unanswered.
"You should be supporting me in this."
Not a plea.
A truth.
A right.
"You're married to Mia…"
My voice softened—but it cut deeper.
"…because of me."
The room shifted.
That wasn't just a statement—
It was a threat.
"Jay," Mia whispered, but I didn't look at her.
Cole Kuya stepped in again, voice calm but firm.
"You're still a child."
That hit.
Harder than shouting ever could.
"Enjoy your life a little," he continued. "Marriage isn't a game. It's their responsibility."
I let out a quiet, humorless laugh.
"Responsibility?" I repeated. "You think I don't understand that?"
My gaze moved across the room—
to Aries… who still looked unconvincedto Clyden… who had been silent the entire timeto Angelo… still watching
"To love someone is also a responsibility," I said, my voice dropping—but growing stronger.
"And I'm choosing it."
Clyden shifted slightly at that—
leaning forward, elbows resting on his knees.
"…You sound like you've already decided," he said.
Not questioning.
Just stating it.
I met his eyes.
"I have."
That made Aries exhale sharply.
"Jay—"
But I didn't stop.
"I'm not asking for permission."
I shook my head slowly.
"I called all of you here to tell you."
A pause.
To make sure they understood.
"This isn't a discussion."
My voice steadied—firm, unshaken.
"I want my family to accept…"
I took a small breath.
"…that I love someone."
My gaze didn't waver.
"Just as deeply as you do."
A pause.
A breath.
A decision that had already been made hours ago—
in the quiet, broken space of my heart.
"Do you know what you're stepping into?" Clyden asked.
Not judgmental.
Not soft.
Just… real.
"I do," I said.
"Do you?" Aries snapped.
Do you even know what kind of man he is?" Cole said.
That word again.
Not normal.
"You don't know anything about him."
I smiled.
Not because it was funny—
But because they still didn't understand.
"Why are you smiling?" Percy asked, his voice tightening.
I tilted my head slightly.
"You think I'm normal.. Kuya?"
That made him go quiet.
Just for a second.
"He's obsessed," someone added. "Possessive. What if he hurts you?"
Now—
That made me shake my head.
Slowly.
"I know Kiefer, Kuya."
My voice wasn't loud.
But it didn't waver.
"If I were ever uncomfortable…"
A small pause.
"If I ever felt unwanted…"
I met their eyes.
One by one.
"He wouldn't touch me."
Silence.
"He wouldn't hurt me."
My fingers curled slightly at my sides.
"Because he loves me."
Not dramatic.
Not exaggerated.
Just truth.
"He loves all of me."
A breath.
"And I trust him."
That word settled heavily in the room.
Trust.
Dangerous.
Unshakable.
And that—
was exactly what scared them.
I looked at him.
"I know enough."
"You don't," Cole said immediately. "You don't know what he's done."
"I don't need to know everything," I replied calmly.
Angelo's gaze sharpened slightly at that.
"…Let her finish."
Angelo.
He hadn't moved from his place.
Leaning back slightly, arms crossed, eyes fixed on me like he was dissecting every word before I even spoke it.
I let out a small breath, almost amused.
"He may look grumpy," I said casually, "but he's good-looking."
I let out a small breath, almost amused.
"I can find you someone more handsome… but not him."
Cole Kuya's voice was firm.
But I didn't argue.
I just moved.
Slowly—
toward them.
Angelo, Cole, and Clyden sat on the sofa.
Percy and Jare leaned forward at the edge.
Aries sat apart, on the single couch—
watching.
Waiting.
I stepped closer…
then lowered myself in front of them.
Close enough to reach.
Close enough to feel.
For a second—
No one moved.
Then I did.
I reached out—
taking their hands one by one.
Carefully.
Gently.
Until all of them—
were held within mine.
My fingers tightened slightly,
holding them together—
like I was afraid they'd slip away.
I looked up at them.
At all of them.
And for the first time—
There was no distance left between us.
"It's not about his face, Kuya."
My fingers tightened slightly around their hands.
"He listens.
A pause.
"I feel safe with him."
The room went quiet again—
But this time, no one interrupted.
"He sees through me… even when I don't say anything."
My voice softened.
"He taught me it's okay… to not be perfect."
I swallowed.
"I don't have to ask for attention with him… he gives it."
A small, almost breathless laugh escaped me.
"And that's when I realized… if someone really loves you…"
I looked up.
"You don't have to ask."
No one moved.
No one spoke.
"He knows when I'm not okay," I continued. "He calms me down… without making it feel like I'm a burden."
My fingers trembled slightly.
"When I asked if I was irritating him…"
A faint smile touched my lips.
"He said—"
I closed my eyes for a second.
"'Those were my feelings.'"
Silence.
Heavy.
Unavoidable.
"When I'm with him… I forget the world."
I exhaled slowly.
"And when I look at him…"
A small pause.
"He's already looking at me."
That got to them.
I saw it.
"His eyes soften… and then he smirks like he knows something I don't."
My heartbeat quickened just remembering.
"It makes me nervous… like I'm the only thing he sees."
I shook my head faintly.
"Everything feels easy with him, Kuya."
My voice dropped.
"My heart feels… calm."
A fragile pause.
"I've never felt that before."
Another breath.
"When he smiles…"I pressed my hand lightly against my chest."…something here doesn't stay still."
I looked down, then back at them.
"I know I haven't known him for long…"
My voice cracked just slightly—
honest.
"I want him."
"Jay—"
"No." I shook my head. "I need him
The words settled.
Deep.
Permanent.
"I can't imagine anyone else in his place."
And then—
the most dangerous truth—
"I'm okay… even if he hurts me."
That made the air turn cold.
"Because I know… I'll still choose him."
I shook my head softly.
"I don't even know how to explain it…"
"He understands me…"A pause."…but sometimes, it feels like he understands me too well."
My grip on Kuya's hand tightened again.
"He doesn't treat me like a princess."
A faint smile.
"He treats me like a queen."
"And even when I'm a mess… he stays."
No hesitation.
No retreat.
"When I'm wrong, he doesn't fight me… he fixes it."
"When I'm angry, he doesn't leave…"
My voice softened to almost a whisper.
"He just… holds me."
A pause.
"Even if I push him away…"
A fragile breath.
"He stays."
Silence.
Complete.
Unbroken.
"But one thing is certain, Kuya—"
I looked straight at him.
Clear.
Unshaking.
"I love him," I said softly
A beat.
"Only him."
My voice dropped.
Quieter now.
Almost like I was realizing it for the first time.
"I didn't even know I had fallen this deep…"
A small, helpless smile formed.
"But I keep falling for him…"
Again.
And again.
"And it's so hard…"
My voice faded slightly.
"Not to."
I finally looked at their faces.
No shock.
No surprise.
Just that same expression—
like they already knew.
"Please…" I said quietly.
My voice was barely above a whisper.
"Try to understand me."
Like they had been waiting for this moment…
and fearing it at the same time.
"She's gone," Amy whispered.
Not loud—
But enough.
"She's completely lost in him," Mia added, her voice softer… heavier.
The words settled into the room like something irreversible.
No one argued.
No one denied it.
Because they all saw it.
Because they all knew.
Silence followed.
thick.
Uncomfortable.
Jare clicked his tongue under his breath and turned away, running a hand through his hair before walking off.
"…Damn it," he muttered, low enough that only the walls heard him.
No one stopped him.
No one could.
Clyden's voice broke through the silence.
Calm.
Too calm.
Like he had already accepted something the others hadn't.
"I don't have a problem with your choice…"
My voice softened.
"Because I trust you."
A small pause.
"And I knew… if you went to Manila…"
I smiled faintly.
"…you'd end up with him anyway."
That made him still for a second.
"So I agree."
No resistance.
No argument.
Just acceptance.
"Love you, Kuya."
I stepped forward, wrapping my arms around him—
pressing a soft kiss against his cheek.
He let out a quiet breath, his hand coming up to rest on my head.
"My Kuya is always on my side…"
I pulled back slightly, smiling up at him.
"That's why you'll always be my number one."
"Me too… I'm okay."
He tapped his cheek lightly, a small grin forming.
"Where's mine?"
I rolled my eyes—but I was already walking toward him.
No hesitation.
I stood in front of him—
and leaned in, pressing a soft kiss against his cheek.
"Thank you, Kuya," I whispered.
My voice was gentle.
My arms wrapped around him gently.
"You never disappoint me."
For a second—
He didn't move.
Didn't react.
And then—
slowly—
His hand came up to rest on my head.
Light.
Careful.
But his eyes…
They didn't match his words.
Because while everyone else was shaken—
Percy wasn't.
He was thinking.
Watching.
And somewhere deep inside—
He knew something I didn't.
Something that made my trust…
feel dangerous.
I'll always be by your side."
Percy's voice was gentle—
steady in a way that felt practiced.
"Didn't I promise you… I'd stay with you?"
I nodded against him.
Because he did.
He always did.
For a moment, his hand lingered on my head—
fingers brushing softly through my hair.
Almost like he was memorizing it.
Then he pulled away.
Slowly.
Reluctantly.
"I'll check on Jare," he added, his tone shifting back to something lighter.
Normal.
Too normal.
He turned and walked out—
Following the path Jare had taken.
But just before he disappeared—
He paused.
Only for a second.
His shoulders stiffened slightly.
Like there was something he wanted to say…
but chose not to.
And then—
He kept walking.
Leaving behind a silence that felt heavier than before.
"I'm leaving for Manila."
The words left my mouth before anyone could stop me.
Before I could stop myself.
I turned—
and walked out.
No hesitation.
No looking back.
Because if I did…
I might stay.
The air outside felt colder than it should have.
Or maybe—
It was just me.
My steps didn't slow.
Didn't falter.
There was only one place I could go.
Only one person.
Kiefer.