Ang Mutya Ng Section E (Book - 3) English (On-going)

Keifer's POV

Angelo's words replay in my mind like a broken record. My head pounds over and over again.

He's alive.

I really do have an older brother—one who is still just a boy. My inheritance, or rather, my inheritors, are now in jeopardy. I need to find him before he learns the truth about our family.

I glanced at Honey, who had just returned with the gift I had wrapped.

"All done," she said, handing it to me.

"Thanks," I replied in a flat tone.

I picked up my cell phone to check if Ervin had responded, but there was nothing. Sighing, I let the phone drop onto the coffee table.

Honey sat down on the sofa across from me. She looked from me to my phone, then noticed the other phone beside it—the one I used to contact Jay.

"A new phone? What's this for?" She reached out to pick it up, but I grabbed it first.

"It's my private phone."

She pouted. "Does Keigan know about this?"

"No. And it's better if he doesn't."

"It's up to you..." She stood up to leave. "But when you two fight again, don't expect us to take your side anymore."

I let her go. Keigan was getting more bossy by the day. Every time we argued about who should be in charge, he would start acting differently—sometimes for a while, sometimes only briefly.

I knew he was absorbing my stress, too. Last night, one of my cousins called, offering to throw me a "Watson-Style" birthday celebration. They would organize everything.

I knew it was their plan, which is why I rejected it. It felt like they were just sucking up to me because my birthday was coming up—the day everyone suddenly remembers my name. Each passing day felt more suffocating. I felt like I was being choked.

Frustrated, I gripped my phone. Before I could overthink, I decided to text Jay-Jay. I sent her a message wishing her a happy Valentine's Day. A small smile formed on my lips as I pressed send.

It didn't take long for her to reply.

📩

From: My Future Mrs. Watson

Message: Please!

Profanity!

I laughed out loud reading it. Keep cursing. I'm mentally keeping count.

At least some of the weight I was feeling had lifted. Jay-Jay always knew how to make me feel better. I wished I could do the same for her.

I decided to head to Ci's birthday party, bringing the gift I had prepared. Placing it in the passenger seat of my car, I drove at a normal pace—there was no reason to rush.

When I arrived at Ci's condo building, I remembered it was owned by the Peraltas. I wasn't sure which of them owned it—maybe his brother or sister.

I got out of the car, carrying the gift. Not knowing where the event was being held, I decided to go straight to Ci's unit. Upon arrival, I rang the doorbell.

"Keifer? Hi…" It was his mother. "Come in."

I stepped inside. Ci's family was gathered, but I couldn't see any happiness on his face.

"Mr. Watson! Nice to see you here." His father greeted me, extending his hand for a handshake.

I accepted it and gave a short smile. "I came to give this personally."

I handed Ci his gift, and he grinned widely as he took it.

"Happy Birthday," I added.

"Thank you! Can I open it?" He gestured at the wrapped package.

I nodded, granting permission. He eagerly tore off the wrapping, biting his lip in anticipation. My eyes drifted to the coffee table, where the other gifts were stacked. Most of them were gadgets and shoes—probably from his family.

"What is this?" he asked, staring at the certificate inside. "Ownership? Jet plane?" His eyes widened, and he shouted in excitement. "A real jet plane? For me?"

Ci's parents looked equally shocked as they picked up the rest of the contents—the manual, contract, and plane design. Their expressions were filled with disbelief.

"Y-you're giving my son a private jet?" his father asked, looking at his wife.

"Yes, but he can't use it yet."

Ci rummaged through the box and found a toy replica of his future airplane, his name printed on its tail. His smile grew even wider.

"Cool! When can I get it?"

"When you turn 21. You still have time to study piloting."

The whole family turned to look at me, clearly not in favor of the idea.

"I think that's impossible," his mother said. "He's about to enter medical school after high school."

"I know. But no one else can fly that plane—it has a voice recognition system."

His older brother immediately shook his head and left without another word. Someone was pissed off.

"I think I'll wait outside. My friends might be coming," his sister said, following after their brother.

"I have a plane!" Ci cheered, waving his toy figure in the air.

Ci's father turned to me with a serious expression.

"Can we talk outside?"

I already knew what he wanted to say, but I agreed anyway. We stepped out of the unit.

"You should take back your gift," he said with a forced smile. "My son will be the most successful doctor in our family. I don't want his studies to be disrupted."

"No worries, Dr. Peralta. Piloting is just a matter of time in Ci's case. He can still pursue medical school."

He sighed. "We appreciate the gift, but please don't push my son toward piloting."

"I'm not pushing him. It's up to him whether he continues with piloting or sells the plane."

Just then, the unit door opened. We both turned to look. Ci and his mother stepped out.

"Let's go to the rooftop!" he shouted excitedly, raising his arms.

"Stop shouting," his mother scolded.

His father gave me a knowing look before we all headed to the elevator. Ci still couldn't stop smiling. Every now and then, he would hum, earning him a pinch from his mother.

"Ow! Ow! That hurts," he whined, rubbing his back.

When the elevator doors opened, we stepped out one by one. We took the fire exit to the rooftop, where a birthday party fit for a seven-year-old was set up. And yet, they wondered why Ci still acted like a child. They spoiled him like one.

I noticed some people preparing mascot costumes, most of them men. My eyes landed on a Snorlax costume.

Jay-Jay would love that.

But I didn't like the idea of her hugging that Snorlax. A guy was wearing that costume—what if he tried something inappropriate? I'd break his neck and bury him in that suit.

"Keifer." Someone called my name.

It was Felix, with David and Rory. I glanced behind them, checking if everyone was here. We were almost complete.

Almost.

"Have you given your gift yet?" Yuri asked, offering me a drink—orange juice.

"Yeah," I said, accepting it.

"I won't even ask what it is. I already have an idea," he said with a grin.

I just shrugged and looked for a place to sit. I spotted Calix sitting alone while his girlfriend stood a little distance away. Lover's quarrel? Edrix must have noticed what I was looking at because he spoke up.

"Mica found out what we did to Jay. That's why… she's threatening to break up with him."

"Ouch," Eren winced, clutching his chest dramatically.

"Don't worry, it'll probably pass," Kit interrupted before the others could start teasing.

I sat next to Josh, who was quietly observing the scene. Yuri sat beside me.

"Do you think Jay will come?" Denzel asked Blaster.

"She will," he replied.

"What if she doesn't?" Drew chimed in, intrigued by their conversation.

"I'll go pick her up myself," David said.

I shot him a deadly glare. If anyone's picking her up, it's the Grim Reaper.

"And why are you going to pick her up?"

"Because she won't come if you pick her up," he said in a matter-of-fact tone.

"Burn, baby, burn..."

"Roasted chicken is the best."

"Where's the burn area?"

They reacted one after the other. Someone whistled, which annoyed me even more.

"What makes you think she'll come with you?" I tried my best to remain calm.

"Instinct," he said shortly.

He turned his back on us and quickly walked away. I'll let him go for now, but in the next few days, if I see him making a move on Jay-jay, I'll break his spine.

"Why did you let that happen?" Yuri whispered.

"So far, he's the only one who can get close to Jay-jay without getting reprimanded."

I just hope Jay actually comes. The time I have here is short. Sooner or later, I'll be traveling back to London. I'm just making the most of the time I still have to see her. I'll definitely be busy once I get there.

Others started getting food, but I wasn't in the mood to eat yet. My eyes automatically drifted to the fire exit door.

Please... Jay.

I almost stood up when I saw it open. I held myself back immediately—I might not be able to stop myself from hugging her. But Jay-Jay wasn't the one who stepped out of the door. It was Rakki.

Still, I didn't take my eyes off the door, hoping to see a very familiar face. The door opened again, and there he was—David—holding a huge jar with a ribbon. I scanned the area to see if anyone was following him, but no one was.

David placed the gifts on the table, then walked toward us.

"Where's Jay?" I asked.

He pointed to the fire exit door. "Doesn't want to come here."

Ci-N suddenly ran toward the fire exit, shouting "Jay-Jay" repeatedly. I hadn't even noticed him approaching us.

"Ci-N will take care of her," Eren said while eating cake.

I just hope they don't end up fighting.

I saw Rakki sitting next to Mica, and they talked for a while. I had a feeling she and Jay had really come together, and that David hadn't actually gone to pick her up.

Not long after, the fire exit door opened again. This time, Jay-Jay stepped in. She immediately rolled her eyes, probably surprised by the party. I watched as Rakki approached her, and they started talking.

"Told ya she'd come," David called out smugly.

I rolled my eyes. It was obvious that he hadn't picked up Jay-Jay. I had a strong suspicion that she and Rakki arrived together—he had come back too fast.

Asshole.

I looked back at Jay-jay, who was now talking to Rakki. Out of nowhere, she stood up and shouted while pointing at Snorlax. But what I didn't expect was what she did next.

She hugged Snorlax.

Hugging Snorlax? That's fine. Snorlax hugging her back? Also fine. But knowing that there's a guy inside the Snorlax mascot?

NOT OKAY. And it never will be!

I forced myself to stay calm. That guy was just doing his job—wearing a mascot costume and entertaining kids.

Kids.

Jay-Jay is not a freaking kid, and hugging her is definitely not part of his job!

I quickly stood up and rushed toward them, but Jay-Jay was smart and immediately pushed Snorlax away. I tried to follow them, but the children running around got in my way. In the chaos, I lost sight of them.

Where the fuck are they?

As soon as I find that Snorlax, I swear I'll throw him off this building.

I scanned the crowd, but they were nowhere to be seen. The chaos of the children only made things harder. This party doesn't even feel like it's for Ci-N anymore.

Frustrated, I returned to our table and sat next to Yuri again, but my eyes were still searching for that mascot.

"Letting go, but here you are, searching for your next victim," Yuri muttered, and I shot him a death glare.

I continued looking for the Pokémon until I finally spotted him, walking and playing with the kids.

"Found you, son of a bitch!" I muttered before marching toward him.

I was already plotting how I was going to deal with him. I shoved aside some kids to reach him faster and grabbed him, making him panic.

"Sir!" I heard a muffled voice from inside the mascot.

"I'll kill you for hugging my girlfriend!" I growled, about to throw him off this building.

"Sir, don't!"

I suddenly stopped when an idea popped into my head.

Jay-jay likes hugging Snorlax.

I turned to face the mascot and forcefully pulled off the headpiece. He looked at me, terrified.

"Take off the costume," I ordered.

"And then?"

"Take off your clothes!"

"My boss is going to be mad," he said, scratching his head.

I pulled out my wallet and handed him some money. He stared at it in shock.

"Buy yourself a new boss who won't get mad at you," I said, forcing him to accept the money.

Reluctantly, he removed the costume and handed it over.

"Are you serious, sir?"

"Just give me the costume and leave. I don't want to see you here anymore."

He took off the rest of the suit, which I immediately grabbed and put on. He even helped me adjust it.

Before putting on the headpiece, he asked, "Seriously, sir? What are you planning?"

"None of your business!"

He scratched his head again before placing the headpiece on me, completing the mascot. Walking was difficult at first, but once I got the hang of it, I could move more easily. It was hot inside and smelled weird, but I didn't care.

I searched for Jay-Jay, but she was busy talking to the birthday boy. I didn't want to steal the spotlight, so I let them be for now. Ci-N was crying and apologizing, while Jay-Jay smiled genuinely.

Someone got forgiven.

I waited for them to finish talking. Eventually, Ci-N picked up his gift. But where's Jay-Jay?

"Blind!"

I nearly jumped when I heard her voice. Suddenly, she appeared and hugged me.I smiled under the mask.

She hugged me. ❤️

She looked up at me, smiling. I missed this—I missed her. I hugged her back, holding her tightly. I didn't want to let go. If only I could stay here forever, always hugging her.

"I'm sorry about earlier, okay? The King of Snakes has a spot," she said, making me frown. "...Can't understand what I want in life."

Are they really that close? Is she talking about the guy who wore this costume before me? It didn't matter. What mattered was that she was hugging me now. Even if she insulted me, I wouldn't care.

"...It doesn't matter... I can move on from that pest too. I'll lose feelings for him eventually. I can't wait," she added.

I froze.

Did she just say 'move on'?! No! That's not possible! She can't move on from me. Not now. Not ever.

I let go of her and stared.

"I won't let you!" I shouted, pulling off the mascot's head.

She stepped back, her eyes widening in shock.

"I won't let you move on. I won't let you fall out of love. I won't allow it."

She was speechless. I took a step closer.

"You can't do that! You can't move on and forget everything we've have done!"

Instead of answering me like she always does, she suddenly ran away. I chased after her as fast as I could, but this costume was making it difficult. Every movement felt like a struggle.

The kids around me only made things worse, getting in my way and slowing me down. Then, I spotted Jay at the top of the inflatable slide.

"We need to talk!" I shouted, but she just shook her head.

She was about to climb down, but at the last second, she changed her mind and slid down instead. I tried to stop her, but this ridiculous costume made me trip, and I tumbled forward.

"Damn it! Get this thing off me!"

I struggled to get up, but it was no use. Then, two strong hands reached out to help me—Rory and Edrix, both laughing at my situation.

"Seriously, Keifer?" Edrix asked, shaking his head in amusement.

"Stop laughing and help me get this thing off!"

They helped me out of the costume, and I let out a sigh of relief, as if I had just escaped a trap. I handed the Snorlax costume to Rory.

"Take care of this. I'll take it home later." Rory just chuckled and shook his head.

I immediately started searching for Jay, but she was nowhere to be found. Then, I saw Ci-N walking by, holding a balloon.

"Ci, I need a place where I can talk to Jay in private."

"I have an extra unit. You can use it. Just enter through the fire exit." He handed me a piece of paper with the room number and door code.

Without wasting time, I resumed my search for Jay. I wandered around the rooftop for almost 30 minutes before finally spotting her.

"We need to talk," I said, grabbing her hand.

She didn't resist or pull away, so I kept walking, leading her to the unit Ci had mentioned.

Even after we entered the room, she remained silent. I knew this was my chance—I had to tell her everything. No more running, no more pain.

"I'll explain everything.....," I started, but before I could say another word, a sharp slap landed across my face.

Anger burned inside me, but I forced myself to stay calm. I couldn't do anything to hurt her again.

"Did that hurt?" She asked sarcastically. "Good. Now we're even."

I took a deep breath, swallowing my pride. "I deserve that," I admitted in a low tone.

She let out a bitter chuckle. "At least you know. But that doesn't change the fact that I want you gone!" Her voice cracked with emotion. "I want to break your bones. I hate you!"

I bit my lip and looked away. Maybe I had pushed her too far. Maybe I had waited too long to tell her the truth. I tried to reach for her, to hold her, but he slapped my hand away.

"Don't touch me!"

"Just let me explain," I pleaded, keeping my voice steady.

"Explain what? Another lie?" Her eyes burned with pain.

I swallowed hard, my throat dry. I needed her to listen.

"Jay..." My voice almost broke. "...I understand that you're angry, but please, just listen."

"Fine!" She snapped. "Go ahead, explain! Maybe—just maybe—you'll say something that will finally help me forget about you."

No. She can't move on. She can't forget everything just like that.

I couldn't hold back anymore—I slammed my fist against the wall, frustration and pain boiling inside me. My chest ached, my breathing heavy.

"I told you, I won't let you!"

"Who do you think you are?" She shouted back. "Why?! Why won't you let me move on?! You're the reason I want to forget! And now you're stopping me? You're unbelievable!" Tears streamed down her face, and the sight of it made my heart ache even more. "...I don't want to love you anymore."

"It's not possible," I whispered.

"I don't want to!" She yelled.

"It's not possible," I repeated, my voice firmer.

"Enough! Stop it! Stop torturing me!"

Please stop!

"No way."

"Why?! Why won't you let me move on?! Why?!"

"BECAUSE I CAN'T LOSE YOU!" 🥺

The words tore from my throat as tears welled up in my eyes. The thought of losing her forever—it was unbearable. I couldn't handle it. How could I go on if the very reason I fought for was gone?

"I can't lose you. So please... don't move on," I begged.

Silence filled the room.

Then suddenly, she broke down, sobbing uncontrollably. And that, more than anything, shattered me.

I wanted nothing more than to protect her. To keep her safe.

To keep us safe.