Ang Mutya Ng Section E (Book - 2) English

Jay-Jay's POV

"Do you go to church?" I asked Ci-N when he came out of the bathroom.

"I've only been once, really. Someone just invited me today," he replied.

Ayyyeeeeehhhh…

I already knew. There was no need to ask. The name was definitely Rakki San Diego.

I looked at my cellphone when I heard it ring.

Yuri Calling…

I quickly left the room. I didn't want Ci-N to know that Yuri was calling. Who knows what he might think?

"Hello?" I answered in a near whisper.

["Are you busy?"] he asked.

"N-not at all… Why?"

["Let's go to church."]

I glanced at the bedroom door. "W-what? B-but…?"

["Great! I'll pick you up in 20 minutes."] He said and abruptly hung up.

Rude?!

He and Keifer were really alike—both always hanging up without warning. Why did I have to go to church? I needed to get out of here before I was caught.

I went back into the room and sat on the bed, pretending nothing had happened.

"Do I look okay?" Ci-N asked.

"It's fine."

"That's my Bae?" he said smugly.

"Are you going to church or a fashion show?"

He scratched the back of his neck and snorted. "Going to church."

"Just go! You look fine!" I said, annoyed.

Go already!

A few minutes were wasted talking to him.

"Alright, I'm leaving," he finally said, checking his wallet and phone.

He walked toward the door. I thought he was leaving, but he turned back to face me.

"Are you sure, I look okay?" he asked again.

"YES! YOU LOOK GREAT!" I shouted. He grinned foolishly.

"I knew you'd say that," he said with a wink.

I threw a pillow at him, but he dodged it and slipped out the door before it could hit him.

Once he left, I slightly opened my bedroom door and listened. I heard him saying goodbye to Aunt Gema and Tito Julz.

He's gone!

I immediately ran into the bathroom and took a quick shower. I dressed in record time, throwing on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. I was in a hurry and didn't have time to pick out an outfit properly.

I ran out of my room straight into the living room, where Aunt Gema greeted me.

"Jay… Where are you going?"

"To… To… To… Sim—"

"Ma'am, someone is outside waiting for Miss Jay-jay," the maid interrupted.

That must be Yuri!

"Who is—"

"I'm leaving, Aunt!" I shouted and ran out before she could say anything.

When I stepped outside the gate, I stopped.

I suddenly felt self-conscious about my outfit after seeing Yuri.

He was dressed semi-formally, while I looked way too casual. Should I go back and change?

"Jay!" He called out when he saw me. "…Shall we go?"

I glanced down at my outfit, then at his. This was embarrassing.

"I should change first," I said, about to head back inside, but he gently grabbed my arm.

"It's okay… You look perfect to me," he said with a smile. ❤️

I didn't say anything. He walked over to his car and opened the door for me.

Oh wow! A gentleman!

Not like someone else. So—Haaaaiiiizt! Don't think about him! Bad thoughts!

Yuri got into the car and started the engine. I wondered where he was taking me, but we soon arrived at the nearest church.

I hope Ci-N isn't here…

"Are we going to church here?" I asked, looking at the building.

"Of course… Don't you want to?" he asked as he parked the car.

"Not really… I just expected a Buddhist temple."

He raised an eyebrow.

"…Because you're Japanese, right? Japan is mostly Buddhist," I added.

He suddenly burst out laughing, even hitting the steering wheel.

"What year were you born? This is the 21st century, Grandma. Catholicism is widespread worldwide," he teased.

I blinked in surprise. "How was I supposed to know?"

He just shook his head, opened his car door, and stepped out. I followed suit.

He waited for me to get out properly, and we walked into the church together.

There were quite a lot of people. I tried to look around to find Ci-N or Rakki, but because of the crowd, I couldn't see or recognize them.

Yuri suddenly grabbed my hand and pulled me. "Here we are."

In the middle, we took a seat at the end of the long bench.

"Okay?" I asked, surprised. "...It's okay, right? Maybe you can let go of my hand."

This is crazy!

We're already sitting, and he's still holding my hand. He liked it.

He looked at our hands. I was about to pull mine away, but he just smiled and tightened his grip. ❤️

"Hey. Are you clinging, or are you stuck?"

"Just give it to me," he said at the same time.

I shook my head. "Don't act like that, it doesn't suit you."

He leaned in closer. I knew what he was about to do. Suddenly, he gave me puppy eyes and pouted.

"Doesn't it suit me?" he asked.

I was about to laugh at his expression, but someone beat me to it. I turned to see a group of women watching us and giggling.

Oh... So you want to be close, huh?

Yuri suddenly sat up straight and looked ahead, his expression turning serious as he let go of my hand.

"What a waste... This is your fault, Jay-jay," he said.

Wow!

"Why is it my fault?" I asked, laughing.

The number of people inside the church had increased. Suddenly, a loud feedback sound came from the speakers. Someone spoke, and the mass began.

As I listened to the priest, I couldn't help but glance at the group of women who had laughed at Yuri earlier.

They kept looking at us—or rather, at Yuri. They whispered and giggled among themselves.

Really? Did you actually come here for mass?

I lightly elbowed Yuri to get his attention.

"Why?" he whispered.

"You have a fan club," I answered, as the group of women snorted softly.

He seemed to understand right away because he glanced at them, too.

"Ignore it," he said.

I did as he said, but it was hard not to notice their actions.

Now I was the one they were focusing on. How did I know? They kept looking me up and down before laughing.

Oh, come on!

Bad timing! We're in church, for heaven's sake. Forgive me, Lord… I'm a sinner… a sinful creature.

l immediately grabbed Yuri's hand. Holding hands, ladies! He was slightly surprised but let me do it.

I thought that would stop them, but nope. They were still whispering. What is wrong with these people? I couldn't focus on the mass anymore.

"Jay…" Yuri called me. "...Is something wrong?"

I motioned for him to lean closer. He did, and I whispered,

"Look at your fan club and then laugh."

"Why?"

"Just do it."

He smirked and glanced at them. Then, he suddenly giggled, causing the people across and beside us to look our way.

"Behave yourself," I whispered again.

"Sorry… I couldn't help it."

Ugh! I really shouldn't be paying attention to them. This is embarrassing. So annoying!

I tried to ignore the other group until it was time to receive the wafer.

As we stood in line, fate played its tricks on me. The group of women ended up on the other side of the line, right next to us.

Seriously?!

They kept making cute gestures at Yuri. And since they were behind me, I couldn't even tell if he was responding.

Suddenly, I lost my appetite. This is ridiculous! I stepped out of the line, leaving Yuri there alone. The shameless guy didn't even follow me!

I refuse to act cheap! We're in church!

That's it! So annoying!

I waited a few minutes in our seat, wondering if Yuri would ever come back. Eventually, he returned and immediately knelt to pray.

After a moment, he sat beside me again.

Then, out of nowhere, he cupped my jaw. "Say ahh."

Huh?

"Come on… Open your mouth," he insisted.

Even though I was confused, I did as he said. To my surprise, he suddenly fed me a wafer.

"This was meant for me, but I thought I'd give it to you," he said with a smile.

I didn't say anything.

I was speechless for a moment. But wait… Isn't it forbidden to give your communion wafer to someone else? Yuri really is something else.

The group of girls from earlier completely disappeared from my mind after that.

By the time the mass ended, he was holding my hand again as we walked out of the church.

"Where do you want to go?" he asked me.

"W-Anywhere."

"Are you sure?"

I only responded with a modest nod. I had no idea what beautiful sights awaited us that day.

"Even at a motel?"

My eyes widened at his words. Some elderly people passing by also glanced at us.

I immediately hit him hard. "You're crazy!"

"Just kidding! Calm down."

"I'm going to kick you! Think properly. Ci-N will be home later."

He fell silent for a moment, thinking. Then, he checked the time on his watch.

"Let's cook."