Near Death
jay-jay's POV
Near Death
Jay-jay's POV
Seriously?! Is this a lunch date or a fiesta? Just a simple lunch or a grand celebration? So much food. Super extravagant! Feels like I'm attending a birthday or a christening. The food is all laid out on the side.
Of course, since we're all naturally gluttons, here we are in line. Yes, I'm included. I'm a glutton too. Who wouldn't get hungry with this?
Lechon, guys!
Out of everything oily and greasy, this one is the most tempting.
These jerks are taking forever to get their food. It's like they're hoarding everything.
"There's ice cream!" Ci said, clapping.
"Eat rice first... You might get an upset stomach if you eat ice cream right away."
"But I want ice cream," he insisted, pouting.
"Ugh, whatever! Suit yourself."
I just let him be. We finally made it to victory. Grabbed food here and there. We had to make it fit on our plates.
Once we got our food, we headed straight to the table. We were seated close to Keifer's group, so we could hear their conversation. I was told to stay near Keigan anyway.
While I was happily eating, there they were, deep in serious talk. Keifer's vibe alone felt heavy. Add Yuri and Keifer's dad to the mix. What I didn't get was why Aries was at their table too—with Ella.
Wow, okay!
"How's school? Are you studying well?" their dad asked Keifer.
"My studies are none of your business," the prince bluntly replied.
"Come on, Keifer. I'm still your dad. I still have responsibilities for you and your brother."
"Bullshit," Keifer said, annoyed.
"Language, my son. You're still in my house," his dad said authoritatively.
Damn! Intense!
I felt like I was watching a movie, just waiting for the big showdown. All that was missing was someone pulling out a gun.
Keifer's dad looked over at Aries and Yuri.
"Look at you. You used to come here just to pick up Keifer. Too bad someone's missing now," he said, smiling.
So he knew Percy too. It's true! Aries did come here before. That's why he seemed so familiar.
"You're Ella, right?" he said to her. "Last time I saw you, you were with Keifer. But now, it looks like you're with someone else."
Ella visibly felt awkward. Aries quickly grabbed her hand. I couldn't blame her. She was surrounded by her past.
Then suddenly, Keifer's dad looked at me. I nearly choked. It was so sudden!
"Only rose among the thorns?" he asked me.
Excuse me?!
"What is your name? You're new to me."
I looked over at Keifer and the others, who were also watching me. As if they were silently warning me to be careful with what I said.
"J-Jasper Jean Mariano, sir... Just call me Jay-jay," I stammered.
He was silent for a moment, thinking, but his attention stayed on me.
"I know a few Marianos in the business industry. What are your parents' names?" he asked again.
"Those are none of your business," Keifer cut in quickly.
Good thing he did. I didn't want to say their names either. It was awkward—especially because of Dad.
"It's just a name. Nothing wrong with asking," he said, looking back at me. "Do you mind telling me their names?"
Holy sh*t!
"J-Jasfher Mariano, sir, is my dad. Jeana Fernandez is my mom," I answered hesitantly.
He suddenly grinned widely.
"What a small world! So they had a kid!" he said.
I felt a surge of irritation. What was he trying to say with that?
"It just so happens I know your father. He's a stockholder in our telecom company. I also know your mother. She's the sister of Gema Fernandez, who happens to be a friend of mine," he said, then looked at Aries.
"So you two are cousins?"
Aries looked away. Clearly, he wasn't proud to hear that. He wasn't proud to be related to me.
"…Never in my life did I imagine your parents together. I mean... no offense, but your mom seems a bit... loud-mouthed," he said, trying to find the right word to describe my mom.
I just bowed my head. It's true—Mama is loud. She speaks her mind so boldly. No filter at all, and she often gets into trouble for it. We'd just hear later that she's in the police station because she fought someone. Lola would rescue her, but I'd just stay quiet at home.
"I never even saw them together before. It amazes me that—" He stopped.
Keifer's glass suddenly shattered. He didn't throw or slam it. It broke right in his palm.
He slowly clenched his fist, blood dripping onto the table.
"Did you bring them here just to insult us?" Keifer asked seriously.
"No... Why are you so affected?"
I looked between Keifer and his dad. If there was electricity in their glares, I could've charged my phone.
"Can you just say what you want from all of us? We've got school too," Keifer said angrily, wiping his hand with a napkin.
His dad gestured to one of his men. "I'm glad you brought that up."
One of the men in black handed him a document. He gave it to Keifer.
"Sign this," he ordered.
Keifer read it and got immediately angry. He stood up and glared at his father.
"If you won't give me custody of Keiren, give back your inheritance."
"That's my mom's money! She worked hard for that and gave it to me!"
"Your mom had no money. She stole that from the company's stockholders. From me, to be exact."
Keifer threw the paper. "I'm not signing anything!"
His dad looked at him seriously. "You leave me no choice."
Suddenly, the men in black surrounded them. We all stood up and stepped away.
My food!
They were about to grab Keiren, but before they could, Keifer punched one of them hard.
More guards moved in. Ella and Aries stepped back. Yuri helped Keifer fight them.
Damn you, Aries! Help them out! It's embarrassing at this point!
"Let's help Keifer!" someone shouted, and they rushed to where Keifer was.
More guards showed up. Seriously? How many of you are there?
I saw Keigan running toward me. Is this it? Are we running away? I met him halfway. But someone suddenly grabbed Keigan.
Keiren was forced to run.
"Keiren!" I called out.
He ran toward me. I looked around. It was total chaos! I couldn't see any way out.
"Where do we go?!" he asked, panicked.
Shit!
I pulled him toward one of the doors. Tried opening and kicking it, but it was locked.
Damn it!
I looked around. All I saw were flying plates and cutlery.
I had no choice. I crawled under one of the tables and forced Keiren to hide.
"Stay here! I'll find Keigan!" I said and dropped the tablecloth.
I ran off to find Keigan but couldn't see him anywhere. Where is he?!
I kept circling. I almost tripped and got hit by flying things.
A hand grabbed me. One of the men in black.
"Where is Keiren?!" he demanded angrily.
"In my pocket! Drinking coffee!" I yelled and shoved him hard.
He lost his grip, and I managed to run. The fight grew worse, but a loud male voice stopped us all.
"ENOUGH!!" Keifer's dad shouted, and guns were cocked.
I saw Keigan being held in a headlock by one of the guards. He was struggling to get free.
I swallowed hard, especially when I saw the man I shoved earlier pointing a gun at my temple.
Shit! This is it! I'm done for!
Everyone stopped fighting. Keifer glared at his dad.
"YOU SON OF A BITCH!" he shouted.
"Language," his dad replied and signaled to a guard.
One of them suddenly punched Keifer in the gut. He fell to his knees but tried to stay strong.
"Where is Keiren?" his dad asked, looking around at us.
No one answered. No one else knew but me.
"Sir! That girl was with Keiren earlier!" the man pointing a gun at me said, accusingly.
Lucky you've got a gun!
His dad walked toward me, followed by more guards.
"Where is my son?" he asked seriously.
I shook my head. "I-I don't know... W-we got separated," I lied.
He clearly didn't believe me. He gave another signal, and to my horror, three men started beating Keifer.
"Argh!" he cried out.
"Keiren! Come out, come out, wherever you are!" his dad yelled.
I wanted to run to Keifer. I wanted to stop them, but how could I move when every step I made, the gun followed me?
I looked at the others and Aries. I pleaded with my eyes, but even they couldn't help.
Keifer was already on the floor, but they still wouldn't stop.
"S-stop it... Please have mercy on Keifer," I begged.
"Mercy? That word doesn't apply to my son. Keifer needs to learn a lesson," he said with a smile.
Are you even really his father? Why are you like this to your son? I was close to tears. I wanted them to stop so badly.
Keifer was still tough despite it all. He stayed silent and just blocked the punches.
His dad probably realized hurting him wouldn't work.
"Keifer, why are you so stubborn?" he asked, walking closer. Keifer didn't answer.
"Tsk. Plan A isn't working. I'll go with Plan B," he added.
To my horror, more guards pulled out guns and aimed them at our friends.
I stepped back as the gun on my head pressed closer.
"All I need is a signature. That, or Keiren."
I saw the worry in Keifer's eyes. He looked at all of us for a moment. Then he forced himself to stand and looked straight at me.
No! Don't look at me like that!
"Kuya, no!" Keigan shouted, but was silenced by the one holding him.
Keifer fell quiet and thought for a moment. Then, to my surprise, he slowly reached for a pen on the table.
"Keifer!"
"Don't!" Yuri and I shouted together.
His dad brought the document closer. Slowly, Keifer's hand lowered with the pen.
No! His mom's money meant so much to him. If he gave that up, it's like surrendering everything he fought for.
Ughhh... I'm only going to do this once!
"Go ahead! Pull the trigger!"