Ang Mutya Ng Section E (Book - 2) English

Jay-Jay's POV

"Where to?" I asked in almost a whisper.

Honey's face looked stuck in deep thought. Her grip on the steering wheel was tight. It seemed as if she had deleted something from her mind. The car started speeding up.

A Ferrari, for God's sake! We're flying here!

I knew I wouldn't get an answer from her if she was like this. She still owed me an explanation about what was happening in the life of the King of Snakes.

"Damn it! Ugh!" she suddenly shouted, nearly making me jump.

If she keeps this up, she'll lose it completely. Maybe I should jump out of the car. My goodness! But I didn't need to. The car gradually slowed down, and she pulled over to the side of the road.

"Is there a problem?" I started to ask, but before I could finish, she slammed her hands against the steering wheel.

Damn it! I was about to get out in case she decided to hit me next.

"I hate them! I hated Felix, and now I hate Percy! They're jerks!" she screamed.

I clung to my seat, afraid of her outburst. Did I even know what to do next? I hadn't opened the door yet, so I couldn't escape right away.

"W-what did those two do to you?" I asked, worried.

Maybe I shouldn't have spoken. If I don't redirect her anger elsewhere, she might end up taking it out on me. Suddenly, she let out a high-pitched scream. My eardrums nearly burst, and I swear all the earwax in my ears just fell out.

Damn… six.

"That Felix! He's insufferable! And that Percy!" She took a deep breath. "We were supposed to have a date last night. It was already hard enough for me to fit it into my schedule, and then he just wasted it! He promised me a date!"

I frowned. Something wasn't right. Percy was the one who promised the date—so why did he flake? These two are a mess.

"He promised?"

"Yes! He said that if I helped him talk to Keifer, he'd take me on a date! That guy! So stupid!" she said in frustration.

Talk to… what?!

That idiot is up to something I don't know about. Why would he need to talk to that fool? Is there something going on that I'm unaware of? What does this even mean?

"W-what did they talk about?" I asked.

"I don't know. I don't stick my nose in his personal business."

Annoying! This feels off. That Percy never likes to talk. And I still don't know the reason for his grudge against Yuri. I bit my lower lip. I don't like this feeling. Whenever something involves The King of Demons, I can't sit still.

"You still owe me an explanation," I said, ignoring her frustration.

She raised an eyebrow. "What?"

Now I was the one getting annoyed. "What we were talking about earlier! Why did Demon—I mean, Keifer—come back to the Philippines?"

She shot me a sharp glare, which only annoyed me more. Should I poke her eye?

Should I blind her?!

"Maybe it's better if I take you to him," she said and quickly restarted the car.

I couldn't even protest. She sped off so fast that I was practically glued to my seat. She was driving like she was in a race. We got honked at several times because of her reckless overtaking.

Out of panic and fear, I didn't even bother looking around. I only let out a breath of relief when she finally pulled into a large parking lot.

She stopped the car.

"Babe!"

I was doomed. You wish!

The moment I stepped out of the car, I wanted to jump back in. The huge Fer Corp sign caught my eye.

Son of a—! If Kuya sees me, I'm dead!

"What are we doing here?!" I hissed, looking around anxiously.

Kuya Angelo could be nearby. If he saw me, I'd be in deep trouble. His lectures would never end!

"Keifer is coming," she said.

I froze. He's coming? Son of a—! Don't tell me…!

My feet moved on their own toward the building entrance. The place was packed. Most people were dressed in business attire. Forget Kuya Angelo—If he got me here, I'm dead.

Annoying! Why am I excited to see him?!

Suddenly, someone grabbed my arm before I could enter the building. When I turned around, I saw Honey's serious expression.

"What are you? Stupid? Can't you see something's going on here?"

I looked around at the people I had noticed earlier. Most of them were watching us.

"Miss Jasper Jean," someone called.

Wow. The word "Miss" really has the power to make someone feel elegant.

I turned to see a familiar woman approaching. She stopped in front of us just as Honey let go of my arm.

"Did you visit Sir Angelo?" she asked me politely.

I could only force a smile and grimace. "W-what…"

I couldn't remember who she was—maybe Kuya Angelo's assistant or one of the employees I had met before.

"We're looking for Mr. Watson," Honey interrupted.

"Oh, him? He and Sir Angelo are still in the conference room."

Are they together? Damn it! I knew it! He must be the investor from the UK.

I held my head. What is this? I feel like my brain has stopped working. I don't know what to do. I want to see him, but for what? What if I don't want to see him?

"You can wait for him inside. Come, I'll get you a visitor's ID," the woman offered.

She started walking ahead, and Honey followed. But my legs refused to move. Great. Now they're completely stiff.

This is too much.

"What?! Are you coming or not?" Honey asked irritably, turning to look at me again.

I forced my legs to move. They felt robotic as I walked toward them. More people started watching me. What are you all looking at?! Mind your own business!

At the reception, I saw Honey and the woman. She handed over a large visitor's ID, the same type I received the first time I came here. As I got closer, Honey handed me my ID while putting on hers.

"This way," the woman said.

She led us behind the reception area, where a large sofa set and a coffee table sat in the middle. A marble wall separated this space from the main reception, while glass panels allowed a view of the outside.

I sat on one of the sofas, facing the elevator. I wasn't sure why, but I couldn't take my eyes off it.

"I'll let them know upstairs that you're here," the woman said, but Honey quickly stopped her.

"No need. I already texted Keigan."

The woman simply smiled, excused herself, and left. I thanked her before turning my gaze back to the elevator doors.

I never even made it to class today. I knew Ci-N and Yuri were probably worried about me, along with the other Ulupong. I wanted to call them, but my phone was still in my school bag.

"You know, you look pathetic," Honey commented.

I winced and turned to face her. She was still leaning back on the couch, focused on her phone.

I really wish I had my phone with me!!

"W-when did you get back to the Philippines?" I asked.

"Me? Just yesterday. Keifer? I have no idea."

"What do you mean you don't know? I thought you were together in the UK?"

She blinked before answering. "Duh! Not all the time. Besides, he ran away from us a few times. We'd only find out when he and Keigan suddenly got into an argument." she typed something on her phone before adding, "...but from what I understand, he's been back to the Philippines multiple times."

He's been home several times?

If that's the case, why hasn't he reached out to us... or me? What does that mean? Is he really giving me the space he talked about?

Or does he just not want to see me anymore? I suddenly clutched my chest. Annoying! It hurts just thinking about it.

Maybe he really doesn't want me anymore.

"H-how is he?" I couldn't help but ask.

"He's fine, I think. He's still the same as before. He doesn't talk much—always alone and drinking. The only thing that changed is that he might have stopped smoking."

I want to know if he's eating well. I want to know if he's talking to another girl. I want to know if... if... if I still miss him.

I'm disgusted with myself. I'm hoping for him again. It shouldn't be like this. Why am I affecting him so much?

Sweetie! It's your fault that you're affected.

I looked at Honey. I'm jealous of her. Jealous because she's with Keifer. I can't help but wish I were in her place.

I remember the first time I met Keifer. I was so annoyed by his rudeness and flirtatiousness. Speaking of our first meeting, something suddenly came to mind.

"Didn't you say that you and Keifer have nothing going on?" I asked Honey.

She nodded in response.

"Then why was it that, when we first met, you were clinging to him like a snake sneaking up on its prey?" I asked, a little annoyed.

Honey thought for a moment before adjusting her seat. "Oh, that one!" She smiled sweetly. "...It was just for show. We often do that to keep girls away from him. Keifer gives off a playboy vibe, but he's actually quite careful when it comes to women."

Keep girls away?

"Who were you trying to drive away that day?"

"None. It was actually the other way around. He was trying to make someone jealous," Honey replied with a wink.

She stared at me, her eyes full of meaning. It was as if she were saying, You know what I mean. Don't play dumb with me.

I quickly looked away, making her laugh. What a bad trip!

Her phone rang, cutting off her laughter. She answered and spoke for a while. Then, as she hung up, she stood and started walking.

"Come on..." She said as she passed me. "...They're coming down."

At her words, I turned toward the elevator. I could clearly see the small monitor displaying the floor number and the arrow pointing downward.

My heartbeat quickened, little by little. It felt like the moment I had been dreading was approaching. My mind was conflicted—I didn't know whether to face him or hide.

But it didn't matter what I wanted. My body made the decision for me. I couldn't move from where I stood. I couldn't tear my eyes away from that cursed elevator.

My breathing tightened as the elevator's chime rang like a death knell. My heart pounded violently, as if it wanted to escape my chest. I felt like I was going to collapse.

Get a grip! Or I'll beat you up!

Finally, the doors slid open, and people began stepping out. The first person I saw was Keigan. He looked different—thinner. Then, behind him, came the person I had been longing to see for so long.

The person I hate but still yearn for. The person I curse but still cry over. The person I desperately want to suffer the way we suffered when we lost him.

"K-Keifer..."

Dressed in business attire, his movements were refined—like someone respectable. He looked more mature, yet still as handsome as ever. His face was clear, unbothered.

He briefly spoke to another man in a similar suit, giving me the chance to observe him longer.

"I have to go," Honey said, but I ignored her.

I didn't even notice when she left my side. I was too focused on the man in front of me. My eyes were glued to Keifer. My legs refused to move. My knees refused to support me. Why do you have this effect on me, Keifer?!

You're an animal!

My whole body froze. My emotions swirled uncontrollably. I wanted to run toward him. I wanted to scream at him. I wanted him to know how much pain he had caused me.

And then— Before I could stop myself—

"GET DOWN, KEIFER!!"

Too late, I realized I had actually shouted my thoughts out loud. I clapped my hand over my mouth in shock. Honey and several others turned to look at me.

But that's not what I'm worried about. It was the King's lack of movement that concerned me. Did he recognize my voice?

I have to hide! What… squat? Nope. Creepy… sliding… tires! Kinginames! I feel like I have a debt to pay just for hiding.

Because I want to hide from the King. I jumped from the stand to the other side of the sofa. I even outdid an action star with what I just did.

"Who's that?"

"Someone, please call security."

"It's really chaotic today."

"What a filthy mouth."

I heard people talking not far from where I was hiding. Call security later—once they're gone. I heard footsteps approaching my hiding place. Come on! Where are the safes?

"Where is she?" said a familiar voice.

My body stiffened. I even held my breath so they wouldn't notice me. I'm not ready to face him.

Are you going to shout?

But even so, his voice was like music to my ears. It sounded a little deeper now. Puberty hit, ganern!

"She's gone," said a deep voice.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Watson. Believe me, she's not one of our employees," a woman pleaded.

"It doesn't matter. This won't affect your business proposal," he replied. "...I just don't like hearing inappropriate words. Maybe I'll make her pay for those profanities."

I shut my eyes tightly. He knows I'm here. He knows! There was emphasis on the last word he said. Mud!

"Brother!" Keigan's voice broke in. "...We have to leave. We'll be late for our flight."

Go ahead! Leave already!

"Okay," he said, and I heard footsteps moving away.

Even though I could no longer hear anything, I still didn't leave my hiding spot. I could feel a human presence. I had a strong hunch! My suspicions were confirmed when I heard him speak.

"Maybe next time," he said as if walking away. "...Jay-Jay."

I finally came out of my hiding place. But he was gone, having turned his back on me and left the building. I wanted to cry again!

A real wail. Like a child. And that's exactly what I'll do later.

Not far away, Kuya Angelo was standing there, his eyebrows furrowed and his nose practically steaming with anger.

Dead. Buried. Funeral!