Jay-jay's POV
She's older than Mama — that's what I clearly remember Percy telling me about his mother — but she looks like she's just the same age as Tita Gema.
I stared at her, mouth slightly open. Now I know what Percy would look like if he were a girl.
She's stunning.
The maid set down the glasses of juice on the small table between us. Percy's mom smiled and thanked her.
Percy kept grinning at me, and I couldn't tell if he was trying to be cute or just being annoying. The silence was finally broken when he spoke.
"Did you cry?" he asked me.
"W-what... Something just happened," I answered almost in a whisper.
He looked at Aries, who was standing behind me. He didn't say anything, but I bet he just shot Percy a sharp glare because Percy pouted slightly.
His mom cleared her throat slightly to get my attention.
"I'm Reycee, Percy's mother and your father's wife," she introduced herself. "Since I'm your stepmother, you can call me Mom."
Wow. Fancy.
I heard Mama gasp sharply and let out an irritated laugh. I glanced at her sitting beside me.
Percy's mom forced a smile. "Or you can call me Tita, whichever you're comfortable with."
"O-okay," I replied stiffly.
Silence fell over all of us again. You could practically hear a cricket passing by. I knew Kuya Angelo was getting impatient about their real reason for this visit, but he didn't want to be rude.
Tita Gema also seemed unable to hold back anymore, so she started the conversation.
"Mrs. Mariano, can we know the real purpose you're here? Is this about us… or Jay-Jay?"
She smiled, looking pleased that someone had finally asked her.
Honestly, I was also itching to know.
"I'm here to invite all of you. Just a simple dinner at our house. Jasfher wants to finally meet his children."
My forehead creased. Children? I glanced at my body, wondering if I had an unknown twin attached to me.
But never mind—what was clear was that Papa wanted to see me, and I desperately wanted to see him too. This was the moment I'd been waiting and wishing for.
"Why? Did I even agree to this?" Mama asked irritably.
"Jeana… It's been so long. My father-in-law is already on his last legs. You have no reason to keep them away from him anymore," she pleaded, and I started to think.
So my grandfather was still alive. It had never been clear to me whether he was dead or just out of the picture. My stepbrother's stories were always so confusing.
"Oh, I have every reason. My ties with your half-baked husband are over," Mama fired back sharply. "After he deceived me —promising marriage, only for me to find out he was already married! The audacity! He swore he'd fight for me, that we'd build a family—what a joke! Where are those promises now, that bastard?! I had to fake a marriage with someone else just to escape his father—" She stopped abruptly when she noticed all of us staring at her.
Why did she sound so bitter?
But one thing stuck out from what she said. What did she mean by fake a marriage? And why did she need to escape my grandfather? I knew he hated us, but what did he do to make Mom this furious?
I held Mama's arm. "Ma... I've wanted to see Papa for so long. Can't you…let me?"
"You don't know what that family did to me," she hissed.
"Don't take it out on the child. Let her be with her father," Percy's mom urged.
"Yes, agree, agree," Percy chimed in.
It was clear that Mama was stubborn and unwilling to let us to meet. I wanted to cry out from the way she was keeping me from my father.
Such a wasted opportunity. Percy wouldn't need to take me to New York just to see Papa. I wouldn't have to wait until I was older. I could meet him now — but I couldn't, because Mama was dead set against it, clearly still bitter about their love that ended in disaster.
She couldn't move on.
"Maybe it's better if you let us think about it first," Tita Gema suggested, and Percy's mom nodded.
I bit my lower lip. I wanted to go with them. I wouldn't even mind living with them, as long as I got to see Papa.
Percy's mom placed something on the table in front of us — a calling card. Mama snatched it up and crumpled it in her hand.
Percy winced at the sight. He forced a smile at me before they stood up.
"Please, Jeana. Call me," Percy's mom requested before turning to me and smiling. "We'll be going now." She looked at Aries. "Your car will be sent here — I hope you'll like it."
My neck nearly snapped as I whipped around to look at my brother behind me. What car?
"Shit," Aries muttered under his breath — but I still heard it.
I stood up as they walked out of the house. Tita Gema and Kuya Angelo escorted them out. The moment they disappeared from sight, Mama and Aries also vanished in different directions.
I didn't know who to confront first. If my knee hadn't started throbbing again, I would've run around the whole house.
My dilemma was solved when I spotted Aries heading into his room. I'd talk to him first.
"Aries!" I called out, sounding like I was summoning an enemy.
I flung the door open, and it seemed he already knew why I was in his room.
"Why are they giving you a car? What does that mean?" I asked hurriedly.
Why don't I get one?
He took a deep breath. "L-look, it's like this..."
Before he could finish, the door swung open again, and Kuya Angelo stormed in.
"Explain, Aries! What car is she talking about?" Kuya demanded angrily.
My fortune-teller brother (who clearly couldn't predict this mess) looked torn over which of us to answer first.
"Yeah, explain yourself." I chimed in.
Aries glanced back and forth between us. "It's from Papa."
The who?
"Which Papa?" I asked, and the memory of the man who once kidnapped us as kids flashed through my mind.
"Our Papa," Aries said, pointing to himself and me.
"Why are you calling him Papa? Are you his kid, too?"
He raised an eyebrow at me. "That's what he wants me to call him."
"Why would he—" I cut off my question as I realized something from what he said.
"You've been meeting with him?" Kuya confirmed.
"Y-you've been meeting with Papa?" I repeated, struggling to process what I'd just heard.
Aries gave a stiff nod, confirming everything.
Kuya started cursing and scolding him. Meanwhile, I stood there in silence, feeling cheated all over again. It was like joining a game where the winner had already been decided. I should've been the first one he approached, so why did he talk to Aries first?
It should've been me.
"Since when have you been doing this behind my back?" Kuya asked angrily. "And you actually kept this from me?"
"Since I started high school. At first, he was just sending me messages, then he asked to meet up. That's when we started talking properly."
They'd been talking for that long. He'd been seeing my dad for that long. My mind went back to the time I saw Papa in a university parking lot.
That's why Aries rushed to quickly send him away back then. Because they'd already been in touch. They could talk anytime they wanted.
I didn't realize my tears were already streaming down my face.
"W-why you? Why did he go to you first? Why not me? I'm his daughter — he should've contacted me," I asked one after another, sobbing. "I've wanted to see him for so, so long. I've waited years for him. I kept hoping we'd meet. And you, just one text from him."
I felt their eyes on me, like I was a child throwing a tantrum — but I didn't care how I looked. Even if my face was covered in tears and snot, I just needed to let this pain out.
It should've been me.
"Ask Kuya. He's too strict with you, so Papa couldn't find the right time to—"
"DON'T CALL HIM PAPA!" I cut him off. "HE'S MY DAD! NOT YOURS! WE HAVE DIFFERENT FATHERS! You idiot, you're so idiot," I screamed, nearly losing my voice.
"He considers me his son too! Out of respect, I have the right to call him Dad!" Aries shot back, making me even angrier.
I hit him on the chest. My eyes were so blurry from tears that I couldn't clearly see where my hits were landing.
"You're stealing Papa! You're stealing Papa!" I yelled with every strike.
"Ow, Jay. Ow," I heard the person in front of me say.
I forced my eyes wide open, and the furrowed brows of Kuya Angelo came into view.
I was hitting the wrong person.
"What's going on here?" Mama's voice came from behind me. I immediately ran toward her.
"Ma! Aries is stealing my father, that animal!" I blurted out, almost begging her to smack Aries.
"Calm down! What's happening?"
"It's Aries!"
"I just admitted that I have communication with Papa," Aries explained casually.
I cried even harder. Why did it seem like it was nothing to him? That was so important to me.
"Which Papa?"
"Mr. Mariano," Kuya answered.
Mama's eyes widened at Aries. "Why are you talking to that man?" Then she turned to Kuya. "And you just let this happen?"
"I was blindsided."
Mama and Kuya argued in front of me. They also scolded Aries, who just kept scratching his head. I wiped my tears several times, but every time I looked at Aries, I cried even more.
That's why he was so insistent when I was on the island. He didn't want me to make assumptions because he was afraid Percy would tell me the truth and I'd get mad at him.
Wait a minute—did Percy know, too?
That's what Aries was afraid of. So Percy probably knew as well. That's why when Papa came home that day, he panicked.
I gasped at my realization. I sanked to the floor, crying.
"Jay! Be quiet for a second!" Mama shouted at me before going back to arguing with Kuya and Aries.
I crawled out of Aries' room, still crying, feeling completely defeated and betrayed by everything I had learned.
Is it always going to be like this?
"Jay? What's happening to you?" Tita Gema asked as she approached me.
"The floor's dirty. Get up," she ordered, helping me stand.
She peeked into Aries' room. Seeing the heated argument inside, she closed the door.
She faced me and fixed my hair. "Stop crying, stop. What happened?" she asked while wiping my face.
"They hid things from me again. They made me look like a fool again. I'm smart, aren't I? So why do they keep doing this to me?" I said, sniffling.
"That's enough, don't cry. Come on, eat something first—maybe you're just hungry," she said, pulling me down the stairs toward the dining area.
How rude of Tita.
Here I am, drowning in drama, and she offers me food. But of course, I won't refuse. It's bad to turn down a blessing.
She made me sit and called a maid to serve food for me. I just stared at them while waiting for the meal. Once everything was served, I ate quietly by myself. Tita left, probably to go back to Mama and the others in Aries' room.
I wanted to confirm if my suspecions were right—if Percy really knew something. But how can I do that when Kuya has my phone? I don't even know where Percy's house is, except for Felix's place.
He probably wouldn't be there since he was with his mom. There was only one person I knew who might know their address.
I finished my food quickly and hurried outside. Since I had no money, I grabbed my bike from the corner of the garage. I knew it was dangerous, but I didn't care. I needed to see my stepbrother who had a twin tornado for a personality.
I left without asking permission and pedaled away fast. It was a long way, but I could manage. I'd reached his house before just by biking, so I knew I could do it again.
It took me about half an hour before I reached my destination. I was panting like a horse from exhaustion and thirst after all that pedaling.
I stopped my bike and relentlessly pressed the doorbell of Kei-kwanan's—or rather, Keifer the punk's—house. He was the only one I knew who might know where Percy or Papa's house was.
"Come out here, you Kwanan!" I shouted.
A few moments later, the gate opened, and out came the King of Snakes, his brow furrowed.
"Jay?" He looked at me and then around the area. He quickly pulled me inside and brought my bike in, closing the gate behind us. "Are you alone? What you did was dangerous."
"I need your help. I'll do anything you want in return."
A wide grin spread across his face. "Anything I want?"
"As long as I'm okay with it."
His smile instantly faded. "That's no fun."
"Come on, think about the reward later. Help me first," I pleaded.
"Of course. For you, I'll do anything."
"Take me to Percy's house," I ordered, already moving toward his garage.
"To Felix's place?"
I stopped and faced him. "No. To his real house—where my father is."
He stared at me. "I don't think that's a good idea."
But he said he'd help me.
My shoulders slumped. "Why not?"
He approached me and held both my hands. "Okay, to be honest with you, I've been in contact with your dad for quite some time now. I've come to understand now why he hasn't shown himself to you."
I waited for him to continue. So he had talked to Papa.
"He's respecting your mom's decision and is also afraid of her threats."
"Threats? Mama's threats?"
He nodded. "In her anger, your mom made all sorts of threats."
"And Papa was scared of that?"
He nodded again. "I assume it involves her, Aries, and your life."
My legs weakened, and I sank to the floor. Keifer sat down to level with me.
"I'm so tired. All I want is to be with my Papa."
He brushed a few strands of hair from my face and tucked them behind my ear.
"Just a little more patience. I know your dad is working on a way to covince your mom."
"How much longer do I have to wait?"
"Who knows? Maybe just until tomorrow or the day after. Just hang on," he said with a reassuring smile and kissed my forehead. "If you really want to see Percy, I can just have him come here."
He stood up and pulled me to my feet. "Good luck getting him to agree."
"Tss... Remember? I have my ways, and I'll always find a way."
Why did it feel like time turned back? This was exactly how he used to be with me. I… kinda missed it when he acted like this. I even missed his smooth-talking, bankable lines.
He pulled out his phone and dialed Percy's number. After just a few rings, my stormy brother answered.
"Freya's here, and she's crying," the King of the Ulupongs said and ended the call without waiting for a response.
I blinked in surprise. That easy?
Would he actually show up?
"Have some snacks inside first," he invited, and I nodded.
When we entered the house, I was surprised. It looked so bright now, far from the dark place it used to be. I also noticed several maids—unlike before when the house felt empty.
We headed straight to the dining area, and I stared at their massive table—big enough to feed an entire barangay.
"Sit," he ordered, even pulling out a chair for me.
Once I was seated properly, he excused himself to go to the kitchen. When he returned, he was followed by maids carrying trays of food. One by one, they placed the dishes in front of me.
"Young Master, your cousin Hazel is on the line," said a man dressed in a white long-sleeve shirt and vest.
Was he the butler?
"I'm busy," Keifer replied, and the man simply bowed and left.
Keifer faced me and smiled. "Eat up."
"How much do your maids get paid? Can I apply?" I asked bluntly.
I couldn't help but watch the maids—they all had flawless skin and didn't seem overworked. I even saw one wearing pearl earrings, so their salary must be huge.
He laughed loudly. "Why apply as a servant when you can apply to be my wife? All of this would be yours."
I glanced at the food in front of me, then back at him, and nodded.
He quickly grabbed his phone and made a call.
"Hello, Attorney? Can I get married now? Like right now?" he said and I burst out laughing.
"Hey! I was kidding! Stop that! I'm not even of legal age yet!"
He rolled his eyes at me before putting down his phone. Sometimes, it seems like he doesn't even use his brain at all. Such a waste of intelligence—he should just pass it on to me.
I'd make good use of it.
"Eat already." He ordered, and I did.
I started eating while he watched me. Occasionally, he glanced at his phone, but his eyes quickly returned to me.
"Glutton." I heard him comment.
"But you love it." I countered, and he smiled widely.
"Yes, I do."
I playfully rolled my eyes at him and went back to eating. I looked up when he stood and pulled his chair closer to me.
"Feed me." He ordered after moving the chair and sitting down.
I brandished my fork at him. "I'll stab you with this."
"Stab me with your love instead." He replied and snatched the fork from me.
He joined me in eating. I didn't notice the time passing and completely forgot that I hadn't told anyone at home where I was. I might have even forgotten about Percy entirely if we hadn't heard his voice shouting repeatedly:
"Where's Freya? Keifer! Bring Freya out!"
We quickly stood to meet him. We found him at the doorway, pacing and tapping on his phone. He only stopped when he saw us.
"Why are you here?" he asked me before facing Keifer. "Where's Freya?"
"There's no Freya, only Jay-jay who wants to talk to you."
"You tricked me?" he asked, frowning.
Before their conversation could go any longer, I cut in. "I have something to ask you. And it's important, so you better prepare your explanation."
He stared at me for a moment. He even held both of my arms as if he was scared. I wanted to laugh at his reaction, but I was more eager to hear the truth before he start acting dramatic in front of me.
"D-did I do something wrong?"