Jay's POV
My phone rang and it was Mia. As soon as I picked up, she started her interrogation—classic Mia. ⁉️📞
"Sis, are you ok? Percy called me asking for you. Is there any problem? Are you hurt?" she asked frantically. 😰
"I'm fine, Sweetpea. I was just angry with Percy, that's it. No problem at all. By the way, how are you?" I asked, keeping my voice smooth but firm. 🧊✨
"I'm great. You know sis, a boy confessed to me," she said. 💬 "WHAT! What did you do? Who is he?" I demanded, my protective instincts flaring up instantly. ⚡😤
"Relax sis, he is Sam, a classmate. I don't like him and I told him so calmly. Then he grabbed my wrist tightly... so I punched him," she said. 👊💥
"Now, my teacher wants to talk to you," she added. 👩🏫
"No problem. You did exactly what was right. I'll handle the teacher. If he bothers you again, tell me immediately. I'll make sure he never thinks about touching you again," I said, my voice dropping into that cold, bossy tone that usually makes people tremble. 😈🔥
"Alright, boss 🫡. Got it. Take care, I'm still at school. Bye!" she hung up. 📱
I didn't waste a second. I called her teacher. "Hello, I am Jasper Jean Mariano, guardian of Mia Lumina Castro. I hear you have something to say to me. Speak." I stated, not as a request, but as a command. 👑💼
"Miss, I hope Mia told you she punched a classmate?" he asked. 🤨
"She did. And honestly? He's lucky I wasn't there, or he'd be calling an ambulance, not his parents," I replied coldly. 🏥🚫
"Are you encouraging this? She can't just punch people!" he stammered. 🛑
"And he can't just lay hands on my sister. Listen closely, because I only say things once: Mia is my sister. If anyone messes with her, they deal with me. Do you understand the weight of that?" I warned, radiating pure authority. 🐍⚔️
"Sam's parents are going to the principal. They want her expelled," he said. 📉
"Let them try. I want to see who thinks they're bold enough to touch my family. By the way, what's the boy's full name?" 🧐
"Sam Nathaniel Reyes," he replied. 📝
"Take care of Mia. Don't worry about the principal; I own the board they sit on. Goodbye." I cut the call. ✂️📵
The Reyes family? How dare they. They wanted to play games? Fine. I'll end the game before they even take their first turn. ♟️🔥 . I called Alex immediately.
Alex: "Hi Jay, what's up?" 📞
Jay: "Everything is fine. Give me the rundown on the Reyes family." 📂
Alex: "They're one of our partners. Why?" 🤔
Jay: "Terminate the partnership. Now. 📉❌ Tell Mr. Reyes his son needs to learn how to keep his hands to himself. Consider this his first—and last—lesson." 💅🔥
Alex: "Understood. When are you coming to the office?" 🏢
Jay: "In a few days. I'll let you know." 🗓️
I texted Mia: "Everything is handled. 😘 Just focus and study well."
I didn't just fix the problem; I erased it. That's how a Mariano handles business. 👑🦅✨
Later, I was lying on my bed when I remembered Cin's birthday is the day after tomorrow. 🎂🎈 I realized I hadn't bought a gift yet. I grabbed my keys and drove to the mall, heading straight for the kids' section. 🚗💨
What do I get him? Toys? No, he's too mature. Books? He's already a genius. 📚 Chocolates? Everyone does that. 🍫 I was lost in thought until I heard a voice.
"Hi Jay!" It was Rakki. 👋
"Searching for a gift for Cin?" she asked. 🎁
"You too?" I replied.
"Same here. Let's eat and discuss," she suggested. I nodded. 🍽️
At the restaurant, I caught her looking a bit suspicious. "Rakki, what's the deal between you and Cin?" I asked, smirking. 😏✨
She choked on her drink. 🥤💦 "Jay, it's... it's nothing!"
"Then why are your cheeks turning into tomatoes?" I teased. 🍅🤭
"It's just... special," she whispered. "Do you like him?" I pressed. 🎤
"Y..Yeah," she blushed harder. 🌸
"Perfect! He's head over heels for you. Just confess already!" 📣
"Jay, he's 14. He has a high IQ, but he's still a kid. I can't have a kid boyfriend. Maybe when he's 18... if he still feels the same, I'll be the one to propose," she promised. 💍✨
Then her face softened. "You know Jay, I feel kinda bad 😞 for Cin. He's parents are proud of him but don't show it . Sometimes they force him to do something which he doesn't wants and in end he acts more immature. His older brother and sister are angry with him .I don't know why.maybe they are jealous or annoyed by him. Things get worse when he came in section e."
🏚️💔
I felt a pang in my chest. "I didn't know he was carrying all that. He's always smiling Always carefree, Always bubbly." 🥺🌈
"Since you joined Section E, he's changed. He's more lively because he has you. He stopped minding this thing.He started showing his childish side more , in an endearing way.You are his Bestfriend,he's sister, his ate, You're his home, Jay." 🏠💖
A tear escaped my eye. 😢 Behind his smiling face he is hiding a lot of pain and emotions, hiding so much behind those smiles. "Well, Rakki, help me," I said, wiping my face and regaining my composure. 👑
"With what?"
"The gift. I've decided." 🎁✨
I wasn't going to give him a toy. I was going to give him something he truly needs and deserves—something that shows him he never has to hide his pain again. 🦾💎✨
"I will talk to his parents. 🗣️ If they don't know what their own son wants or what actually makes him happy, then it's time for me to give them a ruthless reminder. 🧠💥
No one ignores the heart of someone I care about, especially not the people who are supposed to love him most. 🛑✋
I remember Cin mentioning he wants to become a pilot. ✈️🌍 He wants to soar high above all this family drama and the suffocating expectations they trap him in. ☁️🕊️ So, I'm going to give him exactly that—the sky. 🌌 That is going to be my birthday gift to him. 🎁✨
My heart ached thinking about him staring at the clouds, dreaming of an escape while his siblings looked at him with envy. 💔😔 But as long as I'm around, his dreams won't just stay dreams. I'll make sure he has the wings he deserves, and if his family tries to clip them, they'll have to go through me first. 🦅👑🔥 I'll show them that I just don't just protect my own—I empower them to fly. 🌬️💎