JAY'S POV
Today is Saturday. Finally, I get two days free from the hellhole… also known as school.
And today, Aries and Percy are going to meet Kuya.
Honestly, I want them to meet him so they can finally stop worrying about me.
I get ready and head straight to the living room. Just as I step in, I hear the sound of cars outside.
"They are here." I mutter to myself.
I walk outside.
Two cars stop in front of the house. A second later, Aries and Percy step out of their cars.
The moment they see each other, Aries shoots Percy a look that clearly says I'm going to send you back to your coffin.
But Percy is… well… Percy.
"Aries baby!" he shouts and immediately pulls him into a tight hug.
"Percy, get off."
"Aries baby, I missed you."
"Shut up, Percy. Get off me. We met yesterday."
Percy finally breaks the hug.
"Still."
Before they can start fighting again, I step between them.
"Hey, hey! Stop it. And wait… you already had a meeting?"
"Yup," Percy says casually. "I was missing them, so I thought of a reunion."
"That was not a reunion," Aries says flatly.
"Okay, okay," I sigh. "Fight later. Now come inside."
As we start walking toward the house, Percy suddenly looks around.
"Jay Jay… why are you living at the Reyes Mansion?"
"You'll find out soon."
We enter the house and settle down on the couch.
A few moments later, Kuya Cris walks into the living room.
PERCY'S POV
I was still wondering why Jay Jay was living here.
Then a man walked into the living room, heading toward us.
He was tall, broad-shouldered, with sharp eyes.
Still not more handsome than me, obviously.
He stopped in front of us.
"Hey Percy… hey Aries. Nice to meet you."
"Hey," I reply.
"Hello," Aries nods.
"I know you must be wondering who I am," he says calmly. "So let me introduce myself properly. My name is Crisanto Delos Reyes, CEO of Reyes Corporation. But you can call me Kuya Cris."
Before we can respond, Jay Jay jumps in.
"And now the informal introduction," she says. "He is my Kuya. Not by blood, but by bond. He was my senior in Holy Saints and eventually became my brother. He has been taking care of me all this time. He helped me with the engagement, the custody papers… everything."
I slowly nod.
But something still bothers me.
"Okayyyyy… but I still want to ask something," I say. "Why are you doing so much for Jay Jay? She's not your real sister."
Aries adds, "You only knew her for a few years. Why help her this much?"
Kuya Cris smiles softly.
"Because for me, she is not less than my real sister."
His voice turns quieter.
"When I lost my sister… Jay Jay was the only one who stayed with me and supported me. So as her brother, it's my responsibility to take care of her."
Aries and I look at each other.
Then we both nod.
"Honestly," I say, smiling, "I'm really happy my baby sistah has another brother taking care of her."
"I'm happy for you too, Jay Jay," Aries says. "And I guess I got a new brother because of you."
"Same here."
Jay Jay dramatically drops her shoulders.
"Finally. My shoulders feel light. You two stressed me out with the amount of questions you kept asking."
"Hey," Aries says. "We were worried."
"Of course I have a right to know the truth," I add.
"Whatever," she mutters.
Then she suddenly looks around.
"By the way, Kuya… where is Ate?"
"She went to her company," Kuya Cris says. "Some urgent work came up."
"Too bad," Jay Jay sighs. "I wanted to introduce her too."
"Ate?" Aries asks.
"Ate Maya," Jay Jay explains. "Kuya's girlfriend… and soon-to-be wife."
"WHOA!" I grin. "I get an Ate too?! I'm so damn happy."
"Even I am," Aries laughs. "Because I don't think Kuya Angelo is ever going to marry."
"You're right," I nod. "Boss is already married to his work."
The moment we mention Boss, I notice Jay Jay's expression change.
Her face stiffens slightly.
For her… that topic isn't a good one.
Aries notices it too.
"Jay Jay… Kuya is looking for you. He has been worried since the day you walked out of the house."
She looks away.
"Then tell him not to worry," she says quietly. "I'm no longer his responsibility. Kuya Cris is taking care of me now."
"Jay Jay… please, can you—"
She cuts him off immediately.
"Please, Aries. Let's not talk about it right now."
I quickly step in.
"She's right. Leave it. Besides, I'm starving."
I rub my stomach dramatically.
"If I don't take care of my health, what will happen to my handsome face?"
Aries groans.
"Please Percy, keep your so-called handsome face out of this conversation."
"No, baby Aries," I say proudly. "That's not going to happen. My handsome face belongs everywhere."
Kuya Cris suddenly speaks.
"But you don't have a handsome face."
Aries immediately points at him.
"Yes, Kuya! Tell him!"
"WHAT THE HELL?!" I protest. "Kuya, how can you deny this masterpiece?!"
"There is no masterpiece," Kuya says calmly.
"Exactly," Aries adds.
I turn to Jay Jay in betrayal.
"Jay Jay! See?! Both of them are bullying me!"
She sighs dramatically.
"God save me. I really have a weird variety of brothers."
She starts counting on her fingers.
"One is CCTV, one is Horoscope, and another one is the Ugliest Creature."
"DON'T CALL ME THAT!"
All three of us shout at the same time.
For a second, the room goes silent.
Then suddenly—
We all burst out laughing.
LUNCH AT REYES MANSION
After laughing in the living room, Kuya Cris suddenly stands up.
"Alright, kids. Enough comedy. Let's eat."
Percy jumps up immediately.
"Finally! My handsome face has been starving for hours."
Aries rolls his eyes.
"Your face doesn't eat, Percy. Your stomach does."
Percy looks offended.
"You clearly don't understand the responsibilities of maintaining a face this handsome."
Jay Jay groans.
"Oh God. Here we go."
They all walk into the dining room where the table is already filled with food.
Rice, chicken adobo, pancit, fried fish, vegetables—everything.
Percy freezes in front of the table.
His eyes shine dramatically.
"This… this is the kind of food that keeps a handsome man alive."
Jay Jay pulls out a chair.
"Just sit down before you start giving a speech."
Everyone sits.
The moment the rice bowl appears, Percy piles rice onto his plate like he's preparing for winter.
Aries watches him.
"Percy… are you feeding yourself or protecting your handsome face for the next ten years?"
Percy nods seriously.
"Exactly. A handsome face requires energy."
Kuya Cris whispers to Jay Jay ,
"Is he always like this?"
Jay Jay nods calmly.
"I think this is his calm version."
Percy suddenly points his spoon at them.
"You people laugh now, but when my handsome face becomes world-famous, you'll regret bullying me."
Aries scoffs.
"The only thing famous about your face will be the amount of food it consumes."
Jay Jay bursts out laughing.
Percy dramatically touches his cheek.
"Careful, Aries. Jealousy doesn't look good on your face."
Aries smirks.
"I'm not jealous."
"Of course you are," Percy says confidently. "It's hard living next to a masterpiece."
Kuya Cris shakes his head while eating.
"There is no masterpiece."
Jay Jay immediately agrees.
"Exactly."
Percy gasps.
"Kuya! I thought you were on my side."
"I'm on the side of reality."
Aries claps once.
"Perfect answer."
Percy points at them all.
"You are all bullying a handsome man."
Jay Jay sighs.
"Percy, if you say 'handsome face' one more time—"
He raises a finger proudly.
"Handsome face."
She drops her head on the table.
"I give up."
Everyone laughs.
While eating, Aries suddenly looks around the dining room.
"I still can't believe you live here now."
Jay Jay shrugs.
"Then start to believe ."
Percy leans forward again.
"Jay Jay."
"What?"
"Living in a billionaire mansion is good for your health."
"Why?"
He points to his face.
"Because look at me. My handsome face feels ten times more handsome already."
Aries sighs loudly.
"That's scientifically impossible."
Jay Jay nods.
"In fact, I think your face became worse."
Percy clutches his chest dramatically.
"My handsome heart… betrayed by my own sister."
Kuya Cris chuckles.
"You three act like children."
Jay Jay smiles.
'' Because we are .''
For a moment the table becomes quieter.
Then Percy squints at Jay Jay.
"Wait."
She looks suspicious.
"What now?"
"You look happier."
Aries nods slowly.
"He's right."
Jay Jay suddenly feels awkward.
"I'm always happy."
Percy and Aries look at each other.
Then they both say together,
"No you're not."
Jay Jay groans.
"Oh my God. Can we not start emotional therapy during lunch?"
Percy raises his hand.
"I vote we protect Jay Jay's happiness."
Aries nods.
"Agreed."
Percy smiles proudly.
"Good. Because sadness creates wrinkles."
Jay Jay stares at him.
"What does that have to do with anything?"
He points to his face again.
"I'm protecting my handsome face from secondhand stress."
For two seconds, the table is silent.
Then—
"PERCY!"
Everyone shouts.
And the dining room fills with laughter again