Ang Mutya Ng Section E (Book - 2) English

Jay-Jay's POV

If only my eyes could speak, they would be cursing me right now. As if my dark circles weren't bad enough, they've gotten even worse.

It's a good thing I haven't run into Aunt or brother yet, or they'd start asking me questions again.

"Did something happen?" Ci-N asked.

I shook my head. "N-no, it's nothing…"

He put down what he was carrying and sat beside me. Even though I wasn't crying, I wiped my eyes instinctively.

"Jay… what's wrong?" he asked gently.

"I just found out something about Papa."

"Shouldn't you be happy?"

I forced a smile. "I am… It's just that our situation is complicated." My eyes started to tear up again.

"That's okay…" He patted my shoulder reassuringly. "...At least the electricity bill will go down."

I winced.

What does this have to do with electricity?

Suddenly, he burst into laughter. This idiot! I was in the middle of an emotional moment, and he just had to ruin it!

"Hahaha… S-sorry! Hahahahaha!"

I grabbed a pillow and smacked him in the face. He still wouldn't stop laughing, so I hit him again.

"Hahahaha… Ouch! Hahahaha… Okay, wait! Hahaha, stop!"

How can I stop when he won't stop laughing?

We both got tired from all the play-fighting, so I finally gave up. He really knows how to ruin a moment.

"You're enjoying this, aren't you?" I huffed.

"S-sorry… I'm just not used to seeing you sad," he admitted with a smile.

Honestly, I wasn't used to it either. Happiness is like a contagious disease around Ci-N.

Even though his response had nothing to do with what I said, somehow, it made me feel better.

"So, how was your walk?" I changed the topic.

"W-what? It was… fine," he replied, avoiding my gaze.

I suddenly remembered what happened earlier and couldn't stop myself from smiling. Should I tease him about it or keep it to myself?

"Ahhh…" I hummed knowingly, nodding.

My attention shifted to the bags he had set down earlier. Two eco-bags and a paper bag.

"What's this?" I asked, opening one of the eco-bags.

Food!

A lot of food! It looked like he had just gone grocery shopping.

Next, I opened the paper bag and pulled out a magazine.

Condo units? Penthouses? Apartments?

What is this? It looked like a brochure for real estate properties. Each page even had an estimated price at the bottom.

"Why do you have this?" I asked, glancing at Ci, who was now getting dressed.

"Sister gave it to me… She said I should pick one."

"Huh? Pick one? Why?"

He looked at the brochure seriously before answering.

"I can't go home with them anymore. They want Mama to grow up and be independent. This is their solution."

WTF?!

Did they forget that Ci-N is only 14 years old? And what do they mean by making Mama 'mature'? What kind of logic is that?

I felt sad. I thought we were going to joke around and tease each other about what happened earlier. Instead, he came home with bad news.

"What are you going to do?" I asked.

"I don't know, but maybe it's for the best. It's not like it's new to me. I've always been on my own… except for the helpers who take care of me and travel with me," he said with a forced smile.

I felt bad for him. He was too young to be dealing with this. Too young to be forced out of his home.

"...I wish I could do something for you, Jay," he suddenly said.

"What is it?" I asked eagerly.

At least let me help him in some way.

"You should apply as my assistant," he said with a goofy grin.

Oh, come on!

This idiot! I grabbed a pillow and smacked him again. I actually thought he was being serious!

"I was just joking!" he said, laughing.

"It's like you don't know me… You really know how to ruin the mood," I sighed, lowering the pillow and sitting beside him again. "...When are you moving? Will you be living alone?"

"Uh, hello? Let me find a place first!" he said, giving me an annoyed look.

I couldn't help but laugh at his reaction. Sometimes, I really questioned Ci's personality. But after what I saw earlier, I had a feeling he wasn't like Mayo and Kit.

A knock on the door interrupted us. It opened slightly, and Aunt Gema peeked inside.

"Jay… Let's go, it's time for dinner," she said with a smile.

Before I could even move, Ci suddenly jumped up and ran out. Aunt Gema just chuckled at his excitement.

"What about you, Jay?"

"I'll be there in a minute," I said, smiling.

She nodded and left. I had something to do before heading to the dining room.

I took my cellphone, dialed David's number, and waited for him to answer.

["Jay?"] he said upon answering.

"Can I ask you a favor?" I asked.

["About what? Can we talk about it in person?"]

"There's no time… Please, just tell—"

["I'm going to see you. Where are you?"] he insisted.

"Don't! Please, David… Just tell him."

I heard him sigh.

["What do you want me to say?"]

I grabbed my necklace. "Tell him… 'If you have no intention of introducing me to who you really are, don't show up or appear in front of me anymore.'"

["I'll be there."] He answered and hung up.

It's better this way. I'm just confused about what he's doing. It's obvious he doesn't want to admit what he's up to or who he really is.

And that hurts.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

David's POV

["...I can't blame her,"] Percy said.

"She almost said your name on the phone. It's a good thing I stopped her in time."

["It doesn't matter to me. What I care about is Jay-jay. I'd even prefer if Keifer found out that we're in contact,"] he said, irritation evident in his voice.

"Yeah… But if Keifer gets close to Jay-jay, I won't let him near her."

["I know… I know."]

"Just get back here as soon as you can," I said and ended the call.

I don't know exactly what happened with Jay-jay or why she said that, but I know Keifer must have done something to make her react this way.

Just last night, she was almost begging me to call Percy, and now she doesn't want to talk to him anymore.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Percy's POV

I want to go back. I want to see Jay-jay and explain everything to her.

"Sir," someone called me.

I looked at him, bored.

"...Your mom is waiting for you."

When will this end?

I stood up and walked toward their office. It wasn't far, but it felt like an eternity just to reach the door.

"Son," she called when I opened the door.

As expected, Tito Jasfher was there too.

"Can I go back?" I asked her before kissing her cheek.

"You know you can't, right?" Tito Jasfher answered.

Damn it.

I just nodded briefly and waited for them to finish talking.

I stood near the glass window, looking down at the cars and people below. From up here, they looked like tiny toys and ants.

"Percy… What did your doctor say?" Mom suddenly asked.

"Same old, same old," I answered flatly.

"Did he give you a new prescription?" Uncle Jasfher asked.

"Nope… He said it's good that my body is responding well to the first medicine he gave me."

"Tell me immediately if you feel pain in your spine again."

I forced a smile and nodded.

Stupid spine! Why can't it just cooperate? Every time I think I'm okay and can go back, the pain returns.

We even had to come all the way here just for therapy and surgery.

That accident…

It changed my life. Literally.

Percy Rey Collins was gone, and Percy Rey Mariano was born. And it's stupid!

I was taken away from my friends, my family, my girlfriend, and the life I used to have.

And in return, I got this.

I blame no one for that accident. It wasn't Aries' fault—he was spacing out at the time, traumatized by the kidnapping incident.

"Percy! Let's go!" Mom called.

I followed them. As we walked, Mom was still holding Tito Jasfher's arm—something they only did outside the house.

To show people they were a couple.

Inside the elevator, one of Mom's secretaries accompanied us. He handed an envelope to Tito Jasfher.

I knew exactly what it was for. My palms itched to grab it. I knew he would give it to me eventually, but I couldn't wait.

We arrived at the basement parking lot.

Finally, my favorite part—riding in the car.

Tito handed me the envelope.

"Finally…" I muttered.

I opened it and checked the contents.

A picture.

Jay-jay's picture.

"What's the update on Jay-jay?" Uncle Jasfher asked.

"Nothing new. She goes to school, walks around with that Ci-N kid, and goes home with food."

I suddenly stopped when I saw something different.

"This one…" I started, handing him the picture. "...She visited someone at Benedict Hospital."

"Does it say who?" he asked, staring at the picture.

"No."

Mom suddenly laughed at us. "You both look like stalkers."

"Can you blame me? I'm her dad," he said, guilt in his voice.

"I'm just excited to see my stepsister," I replied.

Yes, I was excited.

I just hoped Jay-jay would be excited to see her stepbrother too.