Clyden (POV)
The airport was crowded, loud, and full of strangers, but all I could think about was keeping her safe.
I had arranged a fake passport for Jay. Both of us wore oversized hoodies, our heads lowered, our faces hidden from every camera we passed.
I wanted us to disappear.
No traces.
No names.
No mistakes.
Because Grandfather's men would find us before I could protect her...
She would die.
And the worst part?
She had no idea how serious this was.
She walked beside me like this was some kind of vacation. She was enjoying it.
"Kuya, I want that."
"Kuya, let's eat first."
"Kuya, look over there. It looks fun."
I glanced at her and sighed.
She really knew how to use that word.
Whenever she wanted something, she would call me kuya in that soft voice, and somehow, no matter how annoyed I acted, I always gave in.
"Why are you eating so much junk food?" I asked, taking another packet of chips from her hands. "You're taking medicine. You need proper food. Exercise. Healthy things."
She pouted immediately.
"Kuya... food is happiness," she said dramatically. "If I die one day, I don't want my last regret to be not eating enough delicious food."
For a second, my chest tightened.
I stopped walking.
Then I lightly hit her head.
"Don't joke about dying," I said quietly.
Because she did not understand.
The thought of losing someone close again was enough to make me feel like I could not breathe.
She rubbed her head dramatically and pouted even more.
"Okay then," she said. "Let's eat first before you become emotional again."
I stared at her.
This girl.
We boarded the plane soon after.
The second she sat down, she fell asleep.
Her head leaned against the window, her lips slightly open, looking peaceful for the first time that day.
We had woken up at three in the morning just to reach the airport.
She was tired.
I quietly pulled the blanket over her.
Even in her sleep, she looked small.
Fragile.
Like someone the world would destroy if I looked away for even one second.
By the time we reached the mansion, everything for Kiefer's birthday had already been prepared.
I took Jay to the far-right side of the mansion, to an area almost nobody used anymore. I had already arranged everything because I did not want any elder to find out that I was not in London.
Dust covered the corners.
The hallways were silent.
It was the safest place I could think of.
I turned to her before leaving.
"Listen to me carefully," I said seriously. "If you leave this room, I'll ban snacks for a whole week."
She gasped in horror.
"Kuya!"
"I'm serious," I said. "This place is dangerous. I can't protect you if I'm not near you. So please... stay here."
For once, she saw how serious I was.
She nodded slowly.
I reached into the bag and handed her chocolates.
"Here. I brought these for you. Please behave for one day. Don't roam around as you do at home. We're not on the island anymore."
She looked at the chocolates and then at me.
"So you're bribing me?"
"Yes," I admitted.
She smiled a little.
"But it's not enough."
I closed my eyes for a second.
"What else do you want?"
"Ice cream."
"No."
"Kuya..."
"The doctor said you shouldn't eat cold things."
She glared at me.
A real glare.
The kind that made me feel like I was the worst person alive.
"Fine," I said with a sigh. "I'll buy it for you later. But only a little."
She immediately held out her hand, pinky finger raised.
"Promise?"
I looked at her hand for a second before locking my finger with hers.
"Promise."
And for some reason, that tiny smile on her face made me feel like I had just given her the world.
She would really follow people if they gave her food.
Before leaving, I looked back one last time.
She was already sitting on the bed, happily opening the chocolates.
I smiled a little.
I just hoped she would still be there when I came back.
The party began slowly.
Everyone smiled.
Everyone pretended.
Pretended to be happy.
Pretended to respect Kiefer.
Pretended to care.
Kiefer entered with his younger brother by his side.
Everything was going according to plan.
Until Kaizer walked in.
The entire room went silent.
How did he get inside?
Nobody could enter without an invitation.
Then I noticed one of my cousins smiling from the corner.
That bastard.
He invited him.
Everything happened too fast after that.
Kaizer pulled out a gun.
Kiefer pushed his brother away.
Then blood.
People screamed.
Security rushed in.
I shouted orders.
Kaizer was dragged out.
Kiefer was lucky.
Only his hand was hurt, and there was a cut on his forehead.
But still...
Blood looked terrifying when it belonged to someone you knew.
Kiegen, even at fourteen, handled the situation better than most adults.
He stood beside his brother, calm and strong, even though I could see fear in his eyes.
I cleaned up the mess, spoke with business partners, and tried to act like everything was under control.
But inside, I was restless.
So I took out my second phone and checked on Jay.
"I'm bored," she whined. "Let's go home already."
I almost smiled hearing her voice.
"Just wait a little longer," I said softly. "Kuya has important work."
Then I put my phone away.
Jay-Jay (POV)
I was bored.
Really bored.
I had already eaten everything in the room.
I played games.
Watched videos.
Outside, it was already dark.
Nobody would notice me.
Just one look.
Just for a few minutes.
That was what I told myself before quietly opening the door.
The hallway was cold and dark.
The mansion felt different at night.
Lonely.
As I walked further, I heard someone crying.
Then I heard a familiar voice.
My heart stopped the moment I heard the words.
"No one sees that I'm beyond broken."
"I wanted to love and be loved."
"But they never loved me back."
Those words broke me.
I could not see his face clearly.
It was too dark.
But even without seeing him properly, there was something so broken in the sound of his voice that my chest started hurting too.
Tears filled my eyes.
I did not even know why.
Without thinking, I walked closer.
He was sitting alone.
Like he was trying so hard not to fall apart.
Crying quietly, whispering, "I don't want to hear... I don't want to hear."
I slowly reached out and covered his ears.
For one second, he froze.
Then suddenly, he turned around and pulled me into his arms.
The hug was so tight that I almost lost my breath.
Like he was scared I would disappear if he let go.
"Where are you?" he whispered shakily. "I miss you so much."
The moment he buried his face into my neck, like it was the safest place for him, something inside me broke.
His touch felt familiar.
Too familiar.
His scent.
His warmth.
The way he held me.
It felt like my heart knew him even if my mind did not.
I slowly lifted my hand and patted his hair.
Like I was telling him, I'm here... you're okay now... You can cry.
And he cried harder.
At that moment, even though he was a stranger, I forgot to be scared.
I forgot where I was.
I forgot everything.
Because for some reason...
Being in his arms felt like home.
Then suddenly, he pulled away.
And kissed me.
For one second, I froze.
But then...
I kissed him back.
Because it did not feel wrong.
It felt warm.
Safe.
Like I had been waiting for it without even knowing.
Then reality hit me.
I pushed him away so hard he almost stumbled.
"You pervert, asshole!" I shouted, my face burning. "You took advantage of me!"
I kicked his leg before running away.
But even while running...
I touched my lips.
Because I hated myself for liking it.
When I opened the door to my room, Clyden was already there.
Packing.
His face looked pale.
Scared.
"Didn't I tell you not to go outside?" he shouted.
I froze.
Because this was the first time I had ever seen him look at me like that.
Like he had almost lost me.
"We're leaving," he said quickly. "Pack your things."
I stood there quietly.
Then suddenly, he pulled me into a hug.
His hands were shaking.
"Sorry," he whispered. "But don't ever do that again. It's not safe here anymore."
I slowly hugged him back.
"Okay," I said softly. "But don't shout at me. I got scared. I want my kuya back."
He closed his eyes for a second.
"Okay," he whispered. "I'm sorry."
Clyden (POV)
I was talking to an old business partner when one of the elders called me over.
"What is it, Grandfather?" I asked.
"I heard someone saw a girl who looked like Kiefer's woman in the right wing of the mansion," he said. "I already sent people to look for her. I want you to check if she is here too."
The second I heard those words, my whole world shook.
I nodded and immediately prepared my private plane.
I ran toward Jay-Jay's room.
When I opened the door, it was empty.
There were chocolate wrappers and video games scattered across the bed.
My thoughts ran wild.
Did someone find her?
Did they take her?
Where could I find her?
I rushed back into the hallway.
Then I saw her.
She was hugging Kiefer.
For a moment, my heart finally felt at peace.
I walked back into the room and started packing.
Then she opened the door.
I shouted at her.
Because I was scared.
Scared to lose someone again when I had only just learned how to smile again.
Jay-Jay (POV)
The whole ride back home, he looked out the window.
Quiet.
Restless.
Like his mind was somewhere else.
I wanted to ask questions.
But I already knew he would not answer.
Still...
I could not stop myself.
"Why did we leave London so early?"
He looked at me for a second.
"Because someone found out you were there, you wanted to go home, right?" he said quietly. "And if they know you're in London, then you're not safe anymore."
I swallowed hard.
"Is my life really in danger?"
He looked away.
"Nothing will happen to you while I'm still alive," he said. "I already lost too much. I'm not losing my family again."
After that, neither of us spoke.
I closed my eyes and fell asleep.
But even in my dreams...
I could still feel that familiar touch.
I could still see a blurry boy smiling at me and calling my name so sweetly.
But I could not see his face.
A part of me wanted to know who he was.
But another part of me felt like finding out would only hurt even more.