JAY-JAY POV
"Guys, I have to use the bathroom, excuse me for a moment," I said, rising from my seat
"Okay, but hurry up," Noah replied, his grin playful but impatient.
"Yeah, the awards are about to start," Alex added, leaning back casually.
I forced a smile, nodding at them, but inside my chest was chaos.
I stepped into the bathroom, the noise of the crowd fading behind me.
The mirror reflected a version of me I barely recognized—heels, dress, lip gloss, flawless hair.
On the outside, I looked untouchable.
On the inside, chaos churned.
I gripped the sink, leaning closer to my reflection.
"Okay, Jay, you're strong," I whispered, my voice firm but trembling at the edges. "Don't let anyone make you feel weak."
I checked myself in the mirror one last time, forcing my shoulders back, lips pressed into a determined line. Then I pushed open the door.
And froze.
They were there. All four of them. Waiting.
Aries stepped forward first, his voice breaking with disbelief. "Jay… you were alive all this time?"
Yuri's tone was softer, almost pleading. "Why didn't you come to meet us?"
Percy's eyes glistened, his usual grin gone. "You know we all thought you were dead, Jay."
The words hit me like a blade, sharp and heavy with the weight of eight years.
But it wasn't Percy's voice that shook me most—it was Keifer.
Or rather, the silence of him.
He didn't say anything.
He just stood there, frozen, staring at me like the world had stopped spinning.
His eyes locked on mine, wide and unblinking, carrying every ounce of disbelief, pain, and something deeper—something I didn't dare name.
My breath caught only for a moment, but I forced the words out, my voice steady though my heart raced.
"I'm so sorry… but how do you know my name?" I asked, feigning confusion, pretending I didn't recognize them.
Aries stepped forward, his tone sharp, disbelief etched across his face. "Jay, stop joking."
I shook my head "I'm sorry… I really don't know who you guys are." The lie tasted bitter, but it was safer than the truth.
For a moment, silence hung heavy in the hallway.
Percy's lips parted, his eyes shimmering with hurt.
Yuri's brows furrowed, his voice caught in his throat.
And then Keifer finally spoke.
His voice was low, steady, but trembling with something deeper. "Jay… if you want to yell at us, then yell. But please don't shut us off like that."
"Why would I want to yell at you guys?" I asked, my voice steady but cold. "I mean… I really don't know you."
Aries flinched, his jaw tightening as if he couldn't believe what he was hearing.
Yuri's brows furrowed, his tone soft but pleading.
Percy's lips parted, his eyes shimmering with hurt, the weight of eight years pressing down on him.
And Keifer—Keifer didn't move.
He just stared, frozen, his eyes locked on mine, carrying everything I was trying to deny.
Pain.
Hope.
Anger.
Love.
"Jay, please," Yuri said, reaching for my hand.
I pulled back instantly, my voice sharp as ice. "Mr. Hanamitchi, I think it's better for both of us if you keep your hands to yourself."
Aries' eyes widened, his tone desperate. "See, Jay—you do know us. Or else how would you know Yuri's last name?"
I didn't answer. Silence was my shield.
"Please, Jay, talk to me," Aries begged, his voice cracking. "You're my sister."
I let out a bitter laugh, sarcasm dripping from every word. "Oh really? I'm your sister? Last time I checked, you denied that you were my brother. And your friends right here? They're awesome." My tone cut like glass. "One forced me into an engagement I hated, and the other used me for revenge."
The air grew heavy, their faces pale with guilt.
"Jay, please listen to our explain—" Keifer started, his voice trembling.
But I cut him off, my words sharp and final. "I don't want to listen to your explanation, Mr. Watson."
"Jay, please," Percy said, his voice trembling.
I turned to him, softening just for a moment.
"We will talk later," I said with a small smile.
He didn't deserve my anger—he never hurt me.
He only ever tried to protect me from them.
Before the silence could settle,
Alex appeared, his brows furrowed. "Jay, is there a problem here?"
he asked, glancing between me and the four men.
"Who are you guys?" Alex demanded, his tone sharp, protective.
Keifer stepped forward, his fists clenched so tight I thought his knuckles might split.
His voice was low, dangerous. "I think it's better if you mind your business."
The tension snapped like a live wire, but I refused to let it explode.
"Alex, let's go. I can already hear Cj's voice," I said quickly, slipping my hand into his and pulling him toward the hall.
"Yeah, he already started with his welcome speech—and god, I'm getting bored," Alex muttered, rolling his eyes.
I laughed, the sound breaking through the heaviness that had been choking me moments before. For a second, it felt lighter—like the chaos behind me didn't exist, like the past wasn't clawing at my heels.
But even as I laughed, I could feel his eyes burning into my back.
Keifer.
They weren't gone.
I walked with Alex back into the hall, forcing my smile to stay in place as we slipped into our seats.
The lights dimmed, the chatter softened, and the stage came alive.
"I welcome you all to the Business Awards," he began, pausing dramatically. "Or as I like to call it—the one night CEOs pretend they're humble."
The crowd chuckled.
"Okay let's make it short and nice so nobody feels bored" He said "Okay let's make it short and nice so nobody feels bored" He said
"Alright, alright, let's get to the fun part—the awards!" he announced, his voice booming across the hall. "Because let's be honest, speeches are nice, but trophies are shinier."
The crowd laughed, leaning forward as the spotlight shifted.
"This year we had some tough competition for The Best CEO/Company awards because everyone put their 100 percent in," Cj said, his grin wide as he held the mic like it was his toy. "But let's start with…"
"Number 5—Mr. Yuri Hanamitchi from the Hanamitchis!"
The crowd clapped as Yuri rose from his seat, calm and collected. He walked to the stage, accepted the award with a polite bow, and was guided to the row of chairs reserved for the top five companies.
"Number 4—Mr. Michael Aries Fernandez from Fer-Crops!"
Aries stood next, his jaw tight, his eyes flicking toward me for just a second before he strode to the stage. He accepted his award with a firm handshake, then sat beside Yuri, his posture sharp and proud.
"Number 3—Mr. Percy Rey Collons Mariano from Mariano Enterprises!"
Percy rose, his usual grin absent, replaced with quiet determination.
He accepted the award gracefully, his eyes soft as they brushed mine for a fleeting moment, before he joined the others in the top five row.
"Number 2—Mr. Mar Keifer Watson from Watson Industries!"
The applause thundered, but Keifer didn't move right away.
He stood slowly,eyes, frozen in disbelief maybe because he thought he will get in first place
The weight of his stare pressed against my chest as he walked to the stage, accepted the award stiffly, and sat down without breaking eye contact.
"And finally…" Cj's grin widened, dragging out the moment. "Number 1—Co-CEO of the Reyes, Jasper Jean Reyes Mariano!"
I rose from my seat, the applause crashing around me like waves.
My heels clicked against the polished floor, each step deliberate, each breath steady.
"Go, Jay!" Lily whispered, her grin wide, her voice bubbling with excitement.
I smiled at her, but inside my chest was chaos
"Ladies and gentlemen," he said, his voice booming, "not only is she the youngest Co-CEO to snatch this award tonight, but she also managed to walk in heels taller than my career. Respect."
Then, with that mischievous grin of his, he leaned closer to the microphone, eyes twinkling as he winked at me.
"And honestly," he added slyly, "if running a company doesn't work out, Jay could easily run the runway. I mean—look at her. Even I'd sign up for that board meeting"
I took the microphone from his hands, the weight of the trophy still firm in my grip.
"Thank you, Cj," I said, laughing lightly, the sound carrying through the speakers.
"Uhh… hello everyone, I hope you guys are having an amazing evening," I started, my voice steady but playful. The crowd chuckled softly, leaning in.
I tightened my grip on the microphone, the trophy gleaming under the lights.
"As you guys know, I'm the Co-CEO of the Reyes company," I began, my voice steady but warm. "And I'm really grateful for this award because it shows just how much my brother and I had to work—late nights, early mornings, and more coffee than I'd like to admit."
The crowd chuckled softly, the atmosphere lightening.
"This isn't just about numbers or success," I continued, my smile widening. "It's about resilience. About proving that when you put your heart into something, even the toughest challenges can turn into victories."
I glanced at the front row—their eyes locked on me, unblinking. Yuri. Aries. Percy. Keifer. Each one carrying a different weight in their stare.
"And yeah," I added with a laugh, shaking my head slightly, "it wasn't easy. But standing here tonight, holding this award, I know every struggle was worth it."
The applause swelled, the cameras flashing again.
I lifted the trophy high, my smile flawless for the crowd, the cameras flashing like fireworks.
Handing the microphone back to Cj, he grinned and boomed, "Time for pictures with the top five!"
The applause swelled again as I walked toward the row of chairs.
My heels clicked against the floor, each step heavier than the last.
I slid into place between them—Yuri, Aries, Percy, Keifer—my presence cutting through the line like a blade.
The photographers shouted, flashes exploding in my face.
I turned, smiling for the cameras, but when I looked at them… their expressions told a different story.
Shock.
Pride.
Disbelief.
All tangled together in their eyes.
For a heartbeat, I wanted to run.
My legs screamed, my heart pounded against my ribs, begging me to escape.
But I stayed. I smiled. I held the trophy high, letting the world see Jasper Jean Reyes Mariano—the Co-CEO, the survivor, the woman who had rebuilt herself.
Even if inside, Jay-Jay was trembling.
After the pictures, I slipped away from the blinding flashes and walked toward Alex, Lily, and Noah.
The moment I reached them, Lily threw her arms around me, squeezing tight.
"You did amazing!" she whispered, her excitement bubbling over.
Alex followed, pulling me into a hug, his smile wide. Then Noah stepped in, wrapping me in his calm embrace.
"Congratulations," Alex said again, giving me another hug, firmer this time, like he wanted me to feel the weight of his pride.
"Thank you," I replied softly, my voice steady even though my heart was still racing.
For a moment, surrounded by them, the chaos faded.
Their warmth anchored me, reminding me that I wasn't alone—not anymore.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
KEIFER POV
"Guys, she's leaving," Yuri muttered, his voice low but urgent.
We all turned at once, watching her slip away from the crowd.
Without hesitation, we followed—every step heavy with the weight of years we couldn't erase.
She disappeared into the bathroom, and for a few minutes, all we could do was wait.
My chest tightened, every second stretching longer than the last.
When she finally came out, her eyes widened—shocked, raw—but in an instant, she masked it.
The polished smile returned, the armor sliding back into place.
Aries spoke first, his voice trembling. Yuri followed, pleading. Percy's words carried hurt. And me? I couldn't even speak. I just stared, frozen, waiting for her to acknowledge us.
But she didn't.
She denied knowing us.
Denied me.
That hurt more than anything ever could.
It was like she had carved us out of her life completely, like we were strangers.
And then—he appeared. Alex.
"Jay, is there a problem here?" Alex asked, his tone sharp, protective.
And then she moved—straight to him. Her hands pulled his, like it was the most natural thing in the world.
My chest burned. My fists clenched so tight I thought my bones might snap.
I wanted to rip his hands away. Cut them off if I had to. Because he was touching her. My Jay-Jay.
How dare he? How dare he stand there, acting like he was the one meant to protect her, when that was supposed to be me?
Every laugh she gave him, every glance, every touch—it felt like a knife twisting deeper.
She denied knowing me.
Pretended I was a stranger.
But she let him hold her hand.
She let him walk her away.
And I stood there, frozen, watching her slip further out of reach.
She wasn't mine anymore.
But God, every part of me screamed that she should be.
We went back inside, the noise of the crowd swallowing us whole. The host—what was his name again? Oh right, Cj—stood at the center of the stage, grinning like he owned the room. He started with his usual flashy introduction, dragging out every word like it was a performance.
Then the prizes began.
And that's when it hit me.
What is Jay doing here? This was the Business Awards. The night for CEOs, for companies, for people like us. And yet… she was here. Sitting among them. Among us.
The names rolled out one by one.
"Fifth place—Yuri Hanamitchi." "Fourth place—Percy Mariano." "Third place—Aries Fernandez."
I sat there, waiting, confident. I always came first. Always.
"Second place—Mar Keifer Watson."
The words slammed into me like a punch. Second. Not first.
I rose slowly, my chest tight, my mind spinning.
Shock rippled through me, disbelief clawing at my pride.
I accepted the award stiffly, my jaw locked, my smile forced.
Because for the first time, I wasn't number one.
I walked to the stage, the applause ringing hollow in my ears as I took the award. My grip was tight, my smile stiff, but I forced myself to move toward the others—Yuri, Percy, Aries.
"Looks like the first got beat," Aries muttered, his smirk sharp, trying to poke at me.
"You're funny," I shot back, my tone clipped, unwilling to give him the satisfaction.
Then Cj's voice boomed again, dragging out the suspense. "And finally… Number 1—Co-CEO of the Reyes, Jasper Jean Reyes Mariano!"
The hall erupted in cheers, the spotlight shifting. And there she was. Jay. My Jay-Jay. Rising from her seat, her smile flawless, her presence commanding.
I should have been angry. I should have been bitter. First place was mine—it had always been mine. But as I watched her walk to the stage, the trophy gleaming in her hands, something inside me broke differently.
I smiled.
Because if she was the one I lost to, then I would lose again and again. Gladly.
She wasn't just number one tonight.
She was everything.
She came to us, stood for the pictures, her smile flawless even though I could see the tremor in her eyes. And then—just like that—she walked back to her friends.
They hugged her, one after the other, their pride obvious. But then he did it. Alex. Not one hug. Two.
That motherfucker.
My jaw clenched, my fists tightening at my sides.
Every second his arms were around her felt like a fucking challenge, like he was staking a claim that didn't belong to him.
She laughed at something he said, the sound cutting through me like a blade.
That laugh used to be mine.
That smile used to be mine.
And now she was giving it to him.
This asshole was getting on my nerves, and the worst part?
She let him.
She leaned into him like he was her anchor, like he was the one meant to protect her.
It burned.
It fucking burned.
She got a phone call and left
Just like that—her phone buzzed, she answered, and we followed, desperate for any scrap of her attention.
I heard her voice, steady but rushed. "Yes, I will be there by tomorrow."
And then she was gone again.
No explanation.
No glance back.
No chance for us to stop her.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
💙🔥 Author's Note 🔥💙
Good news and bad news time 👀✨
❌ Bad news first: This is the only chapter I'll be posting today 😭💭.
✅ Good news: You just have to wait a little longer to find out 🥹📚.
Next Chapter Target:
🎯 40+ comments 😊💬
Question to motivate you guys:
If Section E had a TikTok dance battle, who would win and who would embarrass themselves? 🎶💃😅
👉 Drop your answers in the comments 🍩💬 — I'm ready to laugh at your theories 😂🔥.