Ang Mutya Ng Section E (Book - 2) English

Jay-Jay's POV

"Here's the payment," David said, handing the money to the ice cream vendor.

The man thanked him before leaving. When David turned to face me, he stopped immediately.

"I think you're going to melt. Kinga!"

"W-why?" he asked.

"I'm annoyed..." I said calmly, taking the ice cream from his hand. "...Thanks for this."

I turned my back on him and walked toward my shame—where my face fell. It's so annoying!

Sometimes, things just happen as a way of showing off. I wish I was granted at least one moment.

I sat down on the swing again and started scooping the ice cream. That's when I noticed that David had followed me.

"Why are you upset? Did I do something?" he asked, sitting on the swing next to me.

I made him suffer. "I'm annoyed because you can talk to the King. But not me? Well!"

He shook his head while laughing. "Like I said before, he called me ONCE." The last word had a strong emphasis.

"Even so! I only talked to him once, and he didn't even say hello to me!" I complained.

You really are a King!

He told me a month, but why does it feel like a year has passed, even though it's only been a week? If that bastard really comes back, I swear I'll kick him in the face.

"He said hello to me," David said, making me stop.

My tongue was still on the ice cream.

"He said hello to you? Seriously?"

He nodded. "I even threatened him."

Threatened?!

"About what?"

"He told me not to greet you. If I did, he said he'd punch my soul out of my body."

Wow! That Judas really is a fool. But is he also a talipandas hudlong? He actually threatened David after greeting me? He threatened the person who was taking care of me? What kind of logic is that?!

"That's crazy," I muttered, continuing to eat.

I looked at Ci-N and Percy when I noticed they had gone silent. The same was true for Felix, who was currently eating his ice cream—another one David had bought.

The drones were busy.

I stared at Ci. He was the only one capable of contacting that pest—the demonic King of Snakes. Yet, he refused to help me talk to him. He said it was by his order.

"Do you think he'll come back?" I asked David without looking at him.

"It depends," he answered, surprising me.

I frowned as I turned to him. "Depends on what?"

He looked at me seriously. "It depends on whether he has something to come back to."

I followed his gaze. I knew what he meant. I knew he was referring to me and whether that impact would make him return.

I thought about it. Does he even have anything to come back to? With everything going on, problems just keep piling up. What if... it's too late by the time he returns?

"I don't know," I answered, looking away.

I continued eating my ice cream, which was slowly melting. Maybe that's how I feel too—melting in my frustration because of that skinny man.

Because he's beautiful!!

Damn it! When he comes back, if I'm still alive and kicking, I swear I'll drown him in cheap water. He deserves it!

After finishing my ice cream, I reached into my bag for a tissue, but it seemed like I was out.

"Oh," David said casually, handing me a handkerchief. "...Don't give it back, it's yours."

I looked at what he was holding before taking it. "You sure bought a lot of handkerchiefs. Thanks."

I wiped my mouth and hands. I was about to return it when I remembered what he said—don't give it back.

Rich kids really are different.

"What time will they finish?" he asked while looking at Percy and Ci.

I looked at them and furrowed my eyebrows when I noticed they were fighting. They were quiet just now—maybe they ran out of food. I quickly stood up and approached them.

"Dora is better! She can go anywhere!" Ci said, annoyed.

"Diego! He actually saves people like you!" Percy shot back.

I winced and looked around for Felix. I spotted him not far away, his expression almost unchanging.

It was obvious he wasn't happy and was practically begging to be slapped by Kuya. I turned my gaze back to the two, who were still arguing nonstop.

"Don't worry! Diego can't even get out of the jungle!"

"As if! Dora doesn't even inform her parents!"

"Diego only talks to animals!"

"Dora looks like an animal! She has a map, hello?! GPS is a thing now!"

"Hello?!" Percy imitated him mockingly. "...That's called survival training in case the GPS has no signal!"

I didn't even flinch. What they were arguing about was completely pointless. We could only hold our breath and watch the ridiculous debate unfold.

"Hello?!" I interrupted them. "...What you're fighting over is so shallow!"

Ci pouted at me. "Because of him! He keeps arguing about Dora!"

"Diego's show is obviously better!" Percy insisted.

"Are you two seriously still arguing? Both are pointless! Peppa Pig is better!" I said in frustration.

Yes… go ahead, Jay! Join in!

The shows they were talking about were so outdated. My god, those came out when I was still in grade school!

"Wow, Jay, what a great cartoon choice," Felix said sarcastically.

"That's ugly too!" Percy shouted, annoyed. Then, imitating Peppa's accent, he whined, "Daddeh! George is missing!"

I winced. It sounded awful coming from him. The accent didn't suit him at all.

"Seriously?!" David asked irritably. "Are you really going to fight over those shows?" He shook his head. "...Childish."

Ci shot him a glare. "Oh yeah? And what do you watch?"

"Care Bears," he answered without hesitation.

We all burst out laughing at the same time. I nearly had to sit down because my legs felt weak from laughing. Even Percy and Ci were holding their knees, while Felix just shook his head.

And to think he called us childish.

We were still laughing when I heard my phone ringing from my bag. I grabbed it and checked the caller ID.

Horoscope calling…

My eyes widened when I saw the name. I was about to answer, but the call ended before I could. Then, I noticed my phone was flooded with text messages.

30 messages from Aries.

5 from GagongBaliw.

1 from an unknown number.

A sudden wave of unease washed over me. My fingers instinctively moved to open the unknown message.

📩

From: +639**************

Message: Keep playing. I'm watching you.

My hands trembled as my heartbeat quickened. I didn't dare glance around, afraid I might actually see him nearby.

I thought I was safe with my friends. But apparently, I wasn't. I knew I shouldn't be scared—I kept telling myself that—but… damn it. His threats still got to me.

"Jay…" Percy called out to me. "...Is something wrong?"

I quickly shook my head. "It's just Aries. He wants me to come me home."

David checked his watch. "I have to head back. Be careful on your way home." He turned and walked back toward their school building.

"Are we going home?" Ci asked sadly.

"Yeah, it's time to relax. It's dangerous to be complacent, especially with Jay's situation," Felix said.

The little snake lowered his head. "Oh…"

Percy walked up to me, his expression unreadable, as if he knew the real reason behind my reaction.

"Let's go home. Otherwise, we'll end up spending the night here." He turned and started walking ahead.

We followed him. I didn't look in any direction—I just kept walking, my eyes locked onto Percy's back.

He stopped in front of his car. We were still following Ci. As soon as he opened the door, I quickly got in, sensing their surprise.

"Do you really want to go home?" Felix asked.

I hesitated before smiling. "A little. Aries is getting angry."

Once we were all inside, Percy started the car. Ci-N's words were steady as he repeatedly requested us to come back, but I couldn't understand what he was saying.

He was the first one we dropped off at his condo. The ride was quiet—at last. But the uneasy feeling inside me still wouldn't go away.

Just relax, Jay.

When we arrived home, I quickly said goodbye and thanked them before running inside, nearly tripping in the process.

"JAY-JAY!"

"You frog horse!" I screamed in shock.

Did he really have to shout?! Damn it! My heart almost gave out!

"Where the fuck have you been?!" Aries demanded angrily.

"W-what... for what... why... happened b-because—"

"What happened to your face? Why are your forehead and nose red? Is that a scratch?" He bombarded me with questions as he stepped closer.

He cupped my jaw, tilting my face up to examine it carefully. How was I supposed to tell him that I fell face-first?

He let go of my face and grabbed my hand. "Come on," he said, clearly annoyed.

I let him drag me to the kitchen, watching him with curiosity. I didn't know why, but I was touched by his actions.

When we arrived, he made me sit on one of the stools before heading to the drawers. After searching for something, he went to the fridge and took out some ice. He raised an eyebrow as he returned to me, holding an ice pack.

"What were you even doing?" he asked, irritated, before pressing the ice against my forehead.

I took the ice pack from him, feeling his lingering annoyance. I'm sorry. Sometimes, being stupid is just in fashion.

"I became famous. That's why I fell," I explained poorly.

He raised an eyebrow. "Don't tell me... you landed face-first?"

I stayed silent. Don't tell me? Then don't ask! A slow, amused smile spread across his lips.

"Seriously?!" he burst into laughter. "What an idiot!"

I glared at him while keeping the ice pack on my forehead. This guy! Couldn't he just be sympathetic?

It was an accident, okay?!

It felt satisfying to watch him laugh, but I had the urge to slap his face. If I did, though, he'd probably hit me back—hard.

He kept laughing for a few minutes before grabbing a glass of water. Even as he walked back to me, his shoulders were still shaking with amusement.

"So, did you learn anything from your own stupidity?" he asked, crossing his arms.

I nodded. "Don't challenge a kid's arrogance."

He frowned. "Kid?"

"Ci-N. He acted like an acrobat on the swings, so I tried to copy him."

His smile faded gradually. He lowered his head for a moment before uncrossing his arms and stepping closer.

"You were with him. Let me guess—Percy was there too."

I looked away. I knew he had a problem with Percy, but I didn't want him to know we had been together.

"Are you going to force me to avoid him?" I asked, unable to hide the sadness in my voice.

"I already told you to stay away from him, didn't I? But did you listen? And now, after someone tried to kill you..."

Yes, of course.

But part of me still regretted it. I should've kept quiet whenever Percy was involved.

"You're not going to say hi to Percy?" I asked seriously.

He took the ice pack from my hand and pressed it back onto my forehead, forcing a smile.

"Maybe not anymore. Rebuilding a broken organization is too difficult."

But I could hear the regret in his voice. I felt that a part of him also wanted to return to the way things were. I could see it in his sad eyes as he looked at his hand holding the ice pack.

If only I could do something for you.

"Where were you earlier? You weren't in the auditorium or the gymnasium." His question was unrelated to our conversation.

I winced. He didn't seem to know that we had been kicked out of the gymnasium. I didn't want to make things worse.

"W-we were sent home early. The other lecture was just home study," I answered with a smile.

He seemed unsure whether to believe me. In the end, he just shrugged.

When the ice in the pack melted, he emptied it and placed it back in the drawer before washing his hands.

"Get changed. I'll prepare a snack" he ordered.

Food!!

I nodded eagerly and jumped up from the stool. I was about to leave the kitchen when fate, mysterious as ever, called me back.

"Jay-Jay"

"Yes?" I turned to him.

"Whose number did you call last night?"

A rush of anxiety hit me. I wanted to tell him the truth, but what if he reacted the same way as Yuri? Maybe it was best not to say anything.

I forced a smile. "Just a friend. I had something to say."

He nodded, accepting my answer. "How about Keifer? Do you still have contact with him?"

I looked down before shaking my head. "No, I don't."

And that was the painful truth.

His silence made me glance at him again. He was staring at me as if he knew something.

"Why?" I asked.

He quickly shook his head. "Just wondering." Then he motioned for me to go.

Shrugging, I ran to my room and quickly changed my clothes, but instead of leaving, I grabbed my phone. Most of the messages were from Aries, but that wasn't what I checked first.

Gagong Baliw's message.

📩

From: Gagong Baliw

Message: Just wait, and we'll finally be together.

His text was strange. What does he mean by 'together'?

I replied.

To: Gagong Baliw

Message: Did you get the message from Keifer?

I waited, and he didn't disappoint. His reply came almost instantly.

📩

From: Gagong Baliw

Message: Yes.

How thrifty with words! Jusme! Couldn't he at least tell me how that idiot reacted?

To: Gagong Baliw

Message: What did he say?

I stared at my phone screen, anticipation buzzing in my veins. My mind and my phone seemed to be engaged in a silent battle.

Finally, his response came.

📩

From: Gagong Baliw

Message: I love you.

I blinked, letting the words sink in. A simple text, yet it hit differently. Why did it feel as if he was the one saying it, not Keifer? Could he really be the King of Snakes? I needed to figure this out.

I needed help—Yuri, Percy, or Aries. Someone I could trust.

I didn't reply. Instead, I dropped my phone onto the bed and left my room, heading straight for the kitchen. My long-awaited snack was waiting.

"...Stop bothering her."

It was Aries' voice. I saw him walking out of the house. I had intended to ignore him, but then I heard him mention my name. Curiosity burned in me. I followed, stopping just at the door.

"It's better if you start a life there."

I frowned. Who is he telling to start a life—and where?

"That's enough... Stop. I'm the one talking to you. Stop it, my sister....."

Wait… Why do I feel—

"Please, Keifer."

My feet seemed to have a mind of their own as they ran toward Aries. My hands moved quickly, snatching the cellphone from him and pressing it to my ear.

"Keifer! Can you hear me?! Keifer!" I screamed.

Aries tried to grab his cellphone back, so I couldn't hear if the pest on the other end answered me.

"Jay! What?!" Aries shouted.

"Let go! I just want to talk to him!"

I repeatedly hit his hand, trying to break free. I wasn't disappointed. Seizing the opportunity, I bolted to my room and locked the door behind me.

Frantically, I checked Aries' cellphone to see if Keifer was still on the line before pressing it back to my ear.

"Keifer! Please, say something!" I pleaded.

But there was only silence. My chest tightened, and I felt myself breaking. I sank to the floor as tears spilled down my cheeks.

"I-I don't understand. Why won't you talk to me? W-why can you call others but not me?!" I took a shaky breath. "...Keifer! Why?!"

Still, there was nothing. Maybe he really didn't want to talk to me. Maybe… he didn't care anymore.

I fought back my tears. I didn't want him to hear how much this hurt me, how much I was struggling with what he was doing.

I hesitated, wondering if I should end the call. There was no sound—nothing. If he didn't want to talk, what else could I do? My hand trembled as I prepared to pull the phone away from my ear. But then… I heard him.

Words I hadn't heard from him since we met.

["Jay... I'm sorry."]

But it didn't ease the ache in my heart. If anything, it shattered me all over again.

I had longed to hear those words—to hear him apologize for everything, for all the pain he had caused me.

I had hoped it would mend the rift in my heart. But instead… it only broke me more.