Ang Mutya Ng Section E (Book - 2) English

Jay-Jay's POV

I have many fears—too many to count. But I can deal with them.

Right now, I'm facing one of them.

Brother Angelo.

"Yuri said he brought you home at 5:38 PM," he said, crossing his arms.

"Was it really 5:38 PM? I think it was closer to six something," I replied, as if he were deliberately trying to catch me in a lie.

He raised an eyebrow while looking at me. I quickly avoided his gaze. Making eye contact with him was too hard.

I got home at midnight because we had quite a drama-filled evening. We cried, we talked, and… well, you know what happened. Then we talked again.

I thought everyone was asleep when I arrived, but brother Angelo was waiting for me. I couldn't make excuses—he had already called Yuri.

"Where have you been?" he asked calmly.

Signal #1!

"J-Just around…" I answered hesitantly.

"Where exactly is around?!" His tone sharpened.

Signal #2!

Where is just around? I don't know any place open this late except for the mini-mart where I usually shop.

"By the mini-mart," I said.

Brother took a deep breath, clearly trying to keep his patience in check.

"Aries was there too… Why didn't you two run into each other?!"

Signal #3!

I'm doomed! Does Aries really go to that mini-mart? And now brother is actually thinking about it. Wow.

"I hid from him," I answered quickly.

Wow, Jay. Great excuse.

Brother immediately shot me a sharp look. I knew he caught me lying, but maybe—just maybe—I could get away with it.

"Is it that hard to tell me where you were?!" he asked angrily.

Signal #4!

Here comes the storm. This is it.

"...Look at the time! Do you think a sane woman would come home this late?!"

I bowed my head as he scolded me. I knew he was right, but this was really the King of Serpents' fault.

That was all I could think, but of course, I couldn't say it out loud. If Kuya found out what happened earlier, I might not survive.

"Angelo..." Someone called.

We both turned around. Aunt Gema was walking toward us.

"...It's late. You have to play music tomorrow, and you still have school," she reminded him.

"Later, Ma. I just need to clear this up," brother replied, still glaring at me.

"Tomorrow," Aunt insisted. She turned to me and motioned for me to come closer. "...Let's go. Leave your brother be."

I immediately approached Aunt and avoided looking at brother. I knew his stare alone would make me melt.

She led me to my room.

"Go to sleep. We'll talk tomorrow," she said before walking away.

I slowly opened my bedroom door, careful not to wake Ci-N. I wasn't surprised to hear his loud snoring.

As soon as I stepped inside, my phone rang.

King Ulupong Calling... 🐍

I answered while closing the door.

"Hello…"

["Are you mad?"]

"Hmmm… Yes. But we can talk tomorrow."

["Should we tell them?"]

I glanced at my phone before putting it back to my ear.

"Tell them what?"

["That she's pregnant… and we're both going to get strangled."]

He suddenly laughed on the other end.

He's seriously crazy!

"You better be ready!" I hissed.

I quickly covered my mouth. I had forgotten that Ci-N was already asleep.

["...Looks like someone's busted. Go to sleep,"] he teased.

["I can't sleep yet. I have a lot to do."]

"Like what?"

["Secret… I have to go now. Don't have any wet dreams about me."]

Oh my God! This shameless idiot!

"You're unbelievable!" I shouted.

I didn't even care if Ci-N woke up. I was beyond annoyed!

He only responded with a loud laugh.

["Alright… Good night, my love. I love you to infinity and beyond."]

I suddenly froze at his words. I bit my lower lip.

Wait… Am I feeling butterflies?! Queen!

"Good night too, and I love…" I stopped mid-sentence when I saw Ci-N staring at me wide-eyed. "...Me."

I immediately hung up without waiting for the King to say another word. Placing my phone on the bed, I went straight to my cabinet to get a blanket.

"Go ahead and kill me," Ci-N muttered.

"W-Were you awake?" I stammered.

"Oh no... I'm asleep. I just sleep with my eyes open," he replied sarcastically.

I shot him a glare. He's insane! Philosophers would be proud.

"Who was that?" he asked.

I immediately looked around the four corners of the room, pretending to search for something.

"Who? Where? Do you see something?" I asked, continuing my act.

I knew exactly who he was referring to, but I played dumb, hoping he'd drop it. I didn't want to say anything because if he found out, the whole town would know by morning.

"Keep it up... I'll spread the word that you have a boyfriend," he threatened.

That's NOT my boyfriend!

"If you spread that rumor—" I started confidently.

"Who was it?" he interrupted, growing impatient.

"It's nothing! Just nothing."

Suddenly, he stood up and reached for my phone on the bed. I immediately ran, nearly tripping in my haste to grab it before him.

"Why won't you let me see?!" he demanded, frustrated.

"Why?! Just go to sleep!" I shouted.

"Say it—"

"IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SLEEP, THEN GO TO SLEEP!" 🤣

A voice yelled from the other room.

It was probably Aries, since his room was the closest to mine.

Ci-N and I exchanged signals, rolling our eyes at each other.

Good luck to us—we might be here all night.

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

Keifer's POV

I love me?!

Was it really that hard for her to say I love you? And yet, that's what she ended up saying?

Well, whatever. I heard her say it once, and there's no taking it back. She's officially mine. ❤️

But that's not what's worrying me. There's something more important.

"Where's Keiren?!" I demanded.

Every light in the house was on. Our maids and butlers were still awake.

I knew something bad had happened.

"Brother..." Keigan called out.

Keiren was hiding behind him. The moment he saw me, he ran straight into my arms, hugging me tightly. He was crying.

"It's okay... Brother is here," I assured him, holding him close.

"Where did you go? You knew Dad was coming home to the Philippines, yet you still chose to leave the house," Keigan scolded me.

I didn't answer. I looked around—everyone was exhausted.

"You all can go rest now. Thank you for protecting my brother," I said to them.

They all bowed and started to leave. One of the butlers stopped in front of me.

"We have also added extra security for your brother," he informed me.

I gave him a small smile and nodded. Once they all left, only the three of us remained. Keigan stood there, fuming.

"What happened?" I asked calmly.

"Dad was here! He tried to take Keiren! If we hadn't been here, he would have succeeded!" Keigan snapped.

I looked at Keiren, who was still crying.

"I don't want to go with him," he sobbed.

I shook my head. "No... He can't take you. Not while Keigan and I are here."

I lifted Keiren in my arms and carried him upstairs. Keigan followed.

Damn it!

I didn't expect them to come back this soon. If I had known, I would've added more security.

Legally, we're both still minors. By law, a child must be in the custody of a parent or a legal guardian.

Keiren is his priority because he's the youngest of the three of us. But I won't let him go.

I walked straight to Keiren's room and gently laid him on his bed. He fell asleep in my arms.

Once Keigan stepped out of the room, I confronted him immediately.

"Did he say anything?" I asked.

"Nothing. What's your plan now?"

"I'm about to turn eighteen… Once I do, I'll have full legal custody over both of you," I stated, walking away.

Keigan quickly followed.

"So, we're just going to wait for your birthday? That's the plan?!" He was getting angry again. "Brother! What if they take Keiren before then?!"

I stopped walking and met his gaze.

"No... That will never happen," I said firmly.

"You better keep your word," he muttered.

I understood Keigan. No older brother would stand by and let his sibling end up in bad hands.

I walked straight into the office next to my room and gathered all the necessary documents, including a copy of Mom's last will and testament.

I needed to go through every provision and understand the legal grounds. I needed to fight back legally.

Keiren cannot go with him.

Otherwise, what? Would they do the same thing to him that they did to Keigan? And even now, I still don't know what they did to him.

I grabbed my phone and called my lawyer.

"Good evening Mr. Ryder, sorry for disturbing you. I just need to talk to you about something.... About my legal rights."

I'll surely become busy for this week. I will lose time in school and many things. I just hope nothing bad happens while I'm gone.

Nothing yet but I'm thinking of Jay-jay. I just hope that the whole section can watch over her properly.

Her words keep running in my mind. I couldn't help but smiled.

I Love Me...