Ang Mutya Ng Section E (Book - 2) English

Jay-Jay's POV

Liar! I can't believe you anymore. You can't fool me again. It's too late!

"Oh!" Percy said, handing me the ice cream he bought.

I took it and started eating. Even though I'm stupid and out of my mind, I still eat.

We're currently at the park, thanks to this crazy stepbrother of mine. I agreed to come with him because no one was home except the maids.

They went out without me. Left me behind!

"Say that again. I didn't catch what you were saying earlier—you were too busy lecturing your ice cream," Percy said while eating his own.

I sighed and started my story again—what Keifer and I had talked about. His words kept me up all night. I don't even remember how I got out of his unit and made it home alone.

Percy had already finished his ice cream by the time I was done talking.

Greedy! Thanks a lot!

"Do you believe what he said?" he asked.

I shook my head. "I—I don't know."

"Why don't you know?"

I took a deep breath. "Of course! It hasn't even been a month since I found out they were fooling me. I don't know if he's lying again."

"But there's a chance you believe he's telling the truth."

I looked at him strangely. "No! No way!"

He smirked. "Then your answer should've been 'I don't believe him.'"

I froze.

"…But instead, you said, 'I don't know,' because deep down, a part of you hopes it's true."

Damn. He's right. If I truly didn't believe it, I would've just said no. Because maybe… a part of me is hoping. Hoping that what Keifer said was true.

I was about to take another bite of my ice cream, but I stopped when I realized I had nothing in my hand. I looked down at my feet, checking if I had dropped it.

Then I turned to Percy—who was shamelessly eating ice cream, even though he had finished his own a while ago!

"That's mine! You animal!" I yelled, annoyed.

"It was melting! If you weren't gonna eat it, I did you a favor." He grinned, teasing me.

This idiot! I swear, I should smack him.

"You didn't think I drooled on that?" I said sarcastically.

He froze. "Wait… did you?!" His eyes widened as he covered his mouth. "...Shit! What if you have rabies?"

I nearly took off my shoe to hit him. The only reason I didn't was that untying the laces was a hassle. He just laughed at my reaction and kept eating.

I sighed and looked around. Unfortunately, my gaze landed on a couple, walking sweetly past us. Of all the places to pass by… why here?!

"Must be nice… fighting one moment and making up the next," I muttered under my breath.

"Woohh! Bitter alert! Bitter alert! Bitter alert!" Percy said dramatically. "...Somebody had ampalaya for breakfast!"

Crazy!

I smacked the back of his neck—hard. He deserved it for eating my ice cream and making fun of me. People around us started staring.

"Ouch!" He whined, rubbing his neck. "You have the power to destroy the sun!"

"You're bitter because—look, don't project your misery onto other people. If you don't believe in forever, fine. But don't go around shouting about it and ruining things for others. Let them figure it out on their own." He rubbed his neck again. "...Besides, it's not like they did anything to you. So stop blaming them for your bitterness."

I raised an eyebrow. "What are you even talking about?"

He looked flustered, running a hand through his hair before glancing away. I understood his point, but since he wouldn't explain properly, it just annoyed me.

"You're still bitter about Keifer," he muttered.

Am I?

I shot him a glare. "I'm not bitter! I'm disgusted by him! His mind is a mess! First, he pushes me away, and then when I try to leave, he pulls me back! What does he think I am?! A dog on a leash?!"

He adjusted his seat and faced me. "Do You know about Keifer, love is a strange thing for him. He gives everything—he will sacrifice everything—for the one he loves."

I looked at him. "Everything?"

"Yes... Crazy in love. Maybe because he lacks a family, so when he finally meets someone, he doesn't let go."

"W-what are you trying to say?"

He took a deep breath. "What I'm saying is, he could really have feelings for you. Because if he didn't, he would have let you go a long time ago."

Percy's words were comforting. It felt good to believe in them, but at the same time, it was terrifying. Terrifying because of the word could.

"...but he didn't leave you because he couldn't. He's crazy about you! Maybe something happened, and he had no choice but to go." He added.

I held my breath. "I don't know what happened... But it's better if he stays away forever."

I need to put an end to this.

"You really don't want him back?" he asked.

I shook my head slightly. I didn't want to hope. It was exhausting. I would rather believe there was nothing between us than live with the uncertainty of maybe.

"Then prove it."

I frowned. "What are you talking about? You're not making any sense!"

"Show me that you've moved on. Go on a date with someone else. Prove that you're happy without him."

For the first time, his words actually made sense. I couldn't bring him back into my life. But at the same time, I didn't want to make any corny, dramatic moves either.

I'd rather just give him actual corn.

"I hope I can do that." I almost whispered.

We hung out and talked for a while longer before heading to lunch. We went to a restaurant that seemed a little too fancy.

"Persing... I don't have much money with me," I whispered, glancing at the menu.

"Who's Persing?" he asked, sounding slightly annoyed.

I just shook my head in response. He didn't even know that's what I had saved his contact as on my phone.

"...I'll pay for it. Don't worry." He then turned to the waiter and placed our order.

As the waiter left with the menus, I glanced around the restaurant, admiring its elegant decor. The chandelier caught my eye.

I'll sing later... I wanna swing... Chandelier, chandelier!

Then, purely by accident, my gaze landed on the entrance. I looked twice at the two people who had just walked in. And just like that, I realized that the King of Snakes truly has the power to kill.

That Honey Bee Raider was with him again! They were semi-formally dressed, unlike Percy and me, who had just randomly decided to stop by and eat at an expensive restaurant.

We looked like peasants.

I watched as they spoke with a waiter, searching for a table. Hopefully, they'd be seated far from us. Or better yet, they could eat outside while we stayed inside.

I turned to Percy, who was busy tapping away on his phone.

"Can we switch restaurants?" I asked, trying to keep my annoyance hidden.

"I already ordered. The steak here is really good."

I was about to tell him that this situation was giving me a headache, but I didn't get the chance—because just then, they stopped right in front of us.

"Keifer?" Percy said, glancing at me before turning back to them.

"Percy..." Keifer's gaze shifted to me. "...Jay."

Shit!

The way he said my name sent an electric jolt through me. Annoying! Why does it have to be like this? Slowly, I turned to face them, forcing a plastic smile—the kind that would fit them perfectly.

"Oh, you're here? I didn't notice." I said.

"Didn't notice or pretended not to notice?" Honey asked, raising an eyebrow.

This girl was really trying to start something.

"Both," I replied, still smiling.

Her eyebrow arched even higher, but instead of snapping at me, she just clung onto the Plague King's arm and stroked it.

"Maki..." She said politely. "...introduce me to your friend with blue eyes."

Keifer looked at her before turning to Percy.

"Percy, this is Honey Bee Raider, my lawyer's nephew." He patted the hand of the Bee Woman clinging to her. "Honey, this is Percy Coll—Mariano."

Honey immediately shook hands with Percy. It was obvious that my stepbrother didn't even acknowledge her presence.

"So, what are you two doing together?" Honey asked, trying to figure out the connection between Percy and me.

"She's my stepsister," Percy answered seriously.

Honey just nodded, accepting my crazy brother's response. But what puzzled me was how this girl kept smiling at my partner.

This was the King of Serpents—the one who wouldn't take his eyes off me. I didn't want to stay here with them.

"Introductions are done... Now, you're leaving," I said with a smile, even though I really wanted to push them away from our table.

"Rude," Honey remarked smartly.

Rude, my face!

"Jay..." Percy called my name. "...don't do that."

I raised an eyebrow, expecting him to take my side, but it seemed like I had done something wrong.

"Since we're going to eat here too, do you mind if we share a table?" Honey asked—but only directed the question to Percy.

Percy and I exchanged glances. I glared at him, silently warning him that I was not okay with this.

"That's a great idea," the so-called King said, then called a waiter.

I signaled Percy to stop him, but it was too late. Another table was already being placed beside ours, forcing me to move closer to Percy while the annoying King sat across from me.

The two placed their orders, while I just stared at my brother. Seriously? How can you let this happen? We hadn't even agreed, yet here we were, stuck at the same table.

The waiter poured wine into four glasses and placed them in front of us. I clung to Percy.

"Did you order this?" I whispered.

He shook his head. "It's theirs. They just included us."

I had never actually drunk anything like this before. I'd seen Aunt and brother Angelo drink, but I had never tried it myself. I simply pushed the glass aside and took a sip of water instead.

I looked at the person in front of me, and immediately, my eyebrows furrowed. This shameless man was staring at me, while the person next to him kept smiling at Percy.

"So, how did you two become step-siblings?" Honey asked Percy.

"Please," I quickly answered before Percy could.

Honey shot me an intense look and even leaned slightly over the table to pinch me.

"I wasn't talking to you; I was asking him," she snapped.

Oh, so now you're the only one allowed to be rude?

"Well, I wasn't talking to you either. I was talking to..." I paused, thinking of who to point to, but ended up choosing Percy anyway. "...him."

Both of them raised an eyebrow. I turned to Percy, silently urging him to go along with it.

"O-Oh... I was talking to her," Percy said, scratching his head.

I wanted to burst out laughing at how awkward he looked, but I held back. If I laughed now, people would hear me and probably think I was crazy.

Even if it were true... Crazy!

Our food arrived, and they started eating. I, on the other hand, had no idea what to do with the steak in front of me—it was practically raw.

"Let me slice it for you," the man across from me offered.

He was about to take my plate when I quickly pulled it away and handed it to Percy instead.

"Slice it for me, please. Thank you!" I said.

Percy sighed but did as I asked. Without even looking, I knew the King was irritated by what I had done. But I didn't do it to annoy him—I just didn't want him thinking every little action of his meant something to me.

Percy handed my plate back, and I started eating. But as I chewed, I felt like spitting it out. This Beast wouldn't take his eyes off me.

I was about to lose it.

"Percy..." Honey suddenly called the person beside me. "...do you have a girlfriend?"

Ateng was straight to the point. It was obvious that someone next to me was looking at him. I wanted to interject in their conversation because I noticed it—and maybe even start a fight.

"No, I don't..." he answered hesitantly.

Percy placed a hand on his thigh, squeezing it slightly, seeming annoyed by Honey's question.

He stood up slowly. "I'm just going to the comfort room."

I couldn't speak anymore. I just watched him leave until he disappeared from my sight. I was about to get up to go to the CR when the King suddenly spoke.

"Honey..." Honey looked at him. "...keep him busy."

Honey smiled widely and dropped the table napkin onto the table. "My pleasure." She stood up and followed Percy's path.

I was dumbfounded. I didn't understand what this gago meant. I could understand English, but I was confused. And why was Honey smiling so widely? It only added to the mess in my head.

I was about to continue my plan of going to the CR, but I couldn't move. I felt frozen in place under his gaze.

"We need to talk," he said with authority.

I looked straight at him. "You're already talking."

He took a deep breath, obviously holding back his anger. Now I knew why he had ordered Honey.

"Listen to me..." he began. "...I don't know where to start—"

"At the starting line," I quickly interrupted.

His forehead creased, and his eyebrows knitted together. He loosened his collar slightly.

"Okay..." He sighed. "...I was there from the beginning."

I smiled. "Finally, just for fun."

The finish line is...

I was slowly killing him with my gaze. The truth was, I didn't want to hear his explanation. Because I was afraid. Afraid that I might get hurt again.

"Jay... I'm trying to be nice here," he said with emphasis.

He picked up the wine glass in front of him, took a sip, and looked at me.

"Please, Jay. I want to explain everything to you. So please, just sit down and listen to me," he added.

The teasing slowly faded from my mind. We both became serious, and for a moment, it felt like we were the only two people in the room. I looked into his eyes.

"That's right, Keifer," I said calmly. "...Don't explain."

"I have to. I want you to know everything."

"I don't want to..." I lowered my head. "...I don't want to listen to you."

It felt like something was stuck in my throat. I tried to face him, and when I did, I saw the hurt in his eyes. His mouth was slightly open.

"That's enough... please. I'm getting tired," I said, my voice breaking. My vision started to blur. "...I'm getting tired of loving you, even when I'm not doing anything..." My tears kept falling. "...I'm trying to get away from you, but you keep pulling me back."

"Why? Why are you running away from me?" His voice was soft.

And he actually asked...

"Because that's how it should be. There's no reason for me to stay, right?" I tried to smile. "...I loved you, but you didn't love me. I was right once when I made a fool of myself for trusting you despite your cheating. I don't want to make the same mistake again."

He kept looking at me, silent, so I continued.

"If I had a choice, I would leave Section E. Because your presence torments me. When you're there, it's like my heart is being crushed." I tried to hold back my tears. "...Walking in is torture because it reminds me of everything we did together—the happy memories we all shared—t-then suddenly, it all turned out to be a lie."

I took a deep breath. "It hurts..." I pointed to my chest. "...Too much." I bit my lip to stop myself from crying out loud.

I had no real friends. When he offered friendship, I accepted it right away. When I introduced him to grandma, she already knew what kind of person he was. She was often right.

Only in Section E did I experience true friendship, having friends, having a group. I thought it would last, but I was wrong. It was taken from me, as if telling me I was never meant to have it.

"So please, Keifer." I looked at him. "...That's enough."

I stared at him for a long time. He didn't react at first. Then suddenly, he dropped his table napkin onto the table and leaned slightly toward me.

He smiled—the kind of smile that made it seem like nothing had happened.

"You..." he started. "...You're making me crazy."

I wiped my tears and looked at him in wonder.

"I'm Mark Keifer Watson. I'm smarter than you think. I'm stronger than you know..." He smirked. "...And I'm the King of Ulupongs."

His movement was swift. In an instant, he was no longer sitting across from me but right next to me. I looked up at him as he bent down, his hand gripping my neck, and kissed me. ❤️

I must have looked like a fool, pushing him away while my lips instinctively chased his.

Is this real?!

He pressed our foreheads together, both of us closing our eyes. His hand remained on my neck. We were breathless from the kiss.

I won't deny it—I missed his lips. But that only added to the pain I was feeling.

"You're the only one, Jay... The only girl who's made me suffer like this," he whispered.

He pulled away and sat beside me on the bench, holding my hand tightly, refusing to let go.

"You're the one who makes me suffer," I said, a little annoyed.

He brought my hand to his lips, kissed the back of my palm, and pressed it against his cheek. He smiled at me, looking exhausted yet lighthearted.

"I'm scared," he said with a faint smile. "...I'm scared of many things." He closed his eyes.

What is he afraid of?

I watched him closely, and suddenly, I felt something wet against the back of my hand. He was crying.

"Yuri was right. I lied to him, I lied to you... and I lied to myself." My throat tightened, and I couldn't say a word. "...I have feelings for you—feelings you could never imagine."

Shit! Shit! Shit! Shit! Shit! Shit! —my heartbeat screamed.

Is this real? Maybe it's just the effect of the hit on my head. Maybe I'm hallucinating. Maybe it's just gas, and I need to fart. Maybe I'm just hungry and need to eat. Or maybe I'm just sleepy and need to rest.

"K-Keifer..." was all I managed to say.

He gently touched my cheek. "I'm afraid to touch you, even though I really want to. I don't want to hurt you like I did to Freya. But when jealousy takes over, I lose control."

I remembered what he did when I kissed Yuri. He dragged me to the back of the room, gripping my jaw tightly. It hurt, and I have to admit—I was scared of him.

"...I won't let that happen again."

He smiled, closing his eyes once more. "...My birthday is coming up, and you're the only gift I want."

His birthday? February 29th.

I lowered my head. I can't give him the gift he's asking for.

He slowly let go of my hand, removing it from his cheek, then wiped his face and stood up. He returned to his seat as if nothing had happened.

"You want me to stop? Then I will," he said emotionlessly. "...But only for a while."

I'm confused again. I understand English, but what he's saying is completely messed up.

"What..." I gasped. "...You'll stop, but only temporarily? W-why? What are you thinking?"

"I'm giving you space."

A spaceship is what I need—to get away from you!

I was shaking. I couldn't believe it. He's seriously insane.

"...But when I return, you're officially mine—whether you like it or not." ❤️

What the hell?!

I was about to turn my back on him when, suddenly, someone sat down beside me. I turned to look—and my eyes widened at the sight of Percy.

His hair was a mess, his clothes were wrinkled, and—his pants zipper was still open. He was panting, as if he had been running.

"Let's go!" he said, trying to pull me up. "...Come on!"

I stood and stared at him in confusion. He pulled out some money from his wallet, placed it on the table, then grabbed my hand again, dragging me away. We kept going until we reached the parking lot where his car was parked.

"What's wrong with you?!" I asked as we got in.

He was still panicked as he started the car and drove off in a hurry.

"Hey! What's going on?! And your zipper is still open!"

He suddenly slammed the brakes, stopping in a corner. I nearly fell forward. He quickly zipped up his pants, gripped the steering wheel, and drove again.

"Percy! What the hell?!" I asked, annoyed.

Suddenly, he started crying. There were no tears, but his face was scrunched up in distress. I wanted to laugh, but he might get mad.

"Jay..." he sobbed. "...I was tricked... by Honey!"

And then, he cried like a child.