JAY'S POV
I was busy scrolling on my phone because today is Sunday, and I don't have any plans. I just want to stay in bed all day, away from everyone.
Soon a message popped up.
I looked.
A message from GagongBaliw, the person who just wouldn't stop texting me.
FROM: GagongBaliw
MESSAGE: My life, my wife...
I frowned.
There is really something weird I feel whenever this jerk texts me. I don't know why. Maybe because I want to know who the hell he is.
So I can punch him hard in the face.
TO: GagongBaliw
MESSAGE: Fuck you!
FROM: GagongBaliw
MESSAGE: I love you too!
Is this man serious?
Is he even reading my texts or not?
Why the hell is he messing with me?
Then an idea popped into my mind.
TO: GagongBaliw
MESSAGE: Let's meet… I want to see you.
FROM: GagongBaliw
MESSAGE: As long as you are ready to make love with me.
This animal.
I really want to shout at him, FUCK YOURSELF.
This perverted jerk.
I am going to smash his face the moment I find out who the hell he is. I am really furious right now.
I slammed my phone hard onto the study desk.
The sound echoed through the quiet room.
Because of the impact, a few things on the desk shook. Some of the papers shifted and slid slightly out of place.
My chest rose and fell quickly, anger burning inside me. That disgusting jerk. Who the hell does he think he is, talking like that as if I'm some kind of toy?
I grabbed the pillow beside me and threw it across the room.
"Idiot… pervet … psycho…" I muttered under my breath.
My phone vibrated again.
Once.Twice.
I glared at it like it had personally offended me.
For a moment, I thought about ignoring it… but curiosity won.
I snatched the phone and looked at the screen.
Another message.
FROM: GagongBaliw
MESSAGE: Why so quiet, my wife? Did you get shy?
My eye twitched.
TO: GagongBaliw
MESSAGE: You seriously need a doctor.
A second later, the reply came.
FROM: GagongBaliw
MESSAGE: Already sick. For you
I groaned loudly and dropped back onto my bed.
"UGH!"
Why does this idiot keep texting me like we're some kind of couple? And why… why do I feel this strange feeling every time his message pops up?
It's annoying.
Really annoying.
But also…
Suspicious.
I stared at the ceiling, thinking.
Who could it be?
Someone from school?
Section E?
Or maybe Keifer ?
After a moment, my eyes drifted back toward the study desk. The papers I had disturbed earlier were slightly scattered now.
That's when I finally noticed a card peeking out from beneath the pile.
I slowly picked it up. My heart almost jumped out of my chest the moment I saw what it was.
It was Ci-n's birthday invitation card.
I sank down onto my bed.
Every memory with him came rushing back. Our bond was unique. We were ST, best friends, and even like siblings.
I miss him.
So much.
Because whatever happened… he was still just a kid. A sad kid.
I hadn't even seen him smile since the day Keifer exposed his plan.
I feel like the worst person for making him cry. His family might be rich, but when it comes to love and time, they are poor. He used to beg for their attention. He always told me that it didn't matter anymore because now he had me.
But right now… he doesn't have anyone. And I feel terrible about that.
I know nothing will ever be the same as before, but at least I can make him smile once again.
Because it wasn't really his fault, right? He was forced into the plan. He couldn't do anything against Keifer—he's still just a kid.
And now I can't bear the thought that I might be the reason he is suffering right now.
I grabbed my wallet, phone, and car keys. My arm is much better now, so I can drive easily.
Then I stepped out of the house. I didn't need to tell anyone where I was going. They were both spending quality time together, and I didn't want to disturb them.
I went to the nearest mall to look for a gift for him. I still had no idea what I should get.
Maybe toys… but he probably already has a pile of them.Clothes? I don't think so.Shoes? But I don't even know his size.
I was still wandering around the department store when I suddenly noticed a familiar face.
It was Rakki.
We both saw each other at the same time.
"Hi, Jay," Rakki said.
"Hello."
She looked at the bags and shelves around me before asking, "Are you looking for a gift for Ci-n?"
I nodded. "You too?"
"Yeah."
For a moment, we both just stood there awkwardly.
Then I asked hesitantly, "Do you want to look around together?"
She smiled and nodded. "Sure."
We wandered around the men's section for a while, checking different things, but nothing really felt right.
After a few minutes, Rakki suddenly said, "Would you like to eat something first? My treat."
Who would be foolish enough to say no to food?
"Sure," I said immediately.
So we went to a small café inside the mall and ordered meals for ourselves.
While we were waiting, Rakki looked at me carefully.
"By the way… how are things between you and Ci-n?"
I hesitated.
"Ummmm… I don't know."
There was a short silence between us.
Then she spoke again, her voice softer this time.
"I want to apologize on behalf of Ci-n."
I shook my head immediately.
"No, Rakki. You don't have to do that."
She looked down at the table for a moment before speaking again.
"You're important to him. He always keeps bragging about you to me."
I didn't know what to say to that, so I simply nodded.
Soon our meals arrived.
While we were eating, my eyes wandered around the café. That's when I noticed a family sitting near our table. They were laughing together. A boy sat in the middle with a wide smile on his face, excitedly talking to his parents and siblings.
Rakki followed my gaze.
Her expression softened a little.
"Ci-n never experienced things like that," she said quietly.
I slowly looked back at her.
"He always wanted family time… support… someone who would just sit and listen to him. But he never really got it."
She paused for a moment before continuing.
"His older brother and sister are always angry at him. Maybe they're jealous… or maybe they're just annoyed by him."
I sighed softly.
I already knew that.
He once told me everything.
Rakki continued, her voice filled with sympathy.
"I always felt sorry for him. His parents are proud of him… but they never show it. Sometimes they even force him to do things he never wanted to do."
She shook her head slightly.
"So in the end, he started acting more immature. Like a child demanding attention. And things got even more complicated when he ended up in Section E. Sometimes he doesn't even listen to his parents… but he listens to Keifer."
I listened to everything calmly. I didn't want to react too much. And when she mentioned that king, I had to focus even more on keeping my expression neutral.
Then Rakki suddenly smiled faintly.
"But do you know what changed after he met you?"
I shook my head slowly.
Her eyes softened.
"He became more lively. He started showing his childish side more… but in a lovable way. Before, he used to get upset whenever his family didn't have time for him. But now he doesn't mind as much."
She looked at me gently.
"Because he says you're his Ate. And you always have time for him."
Her voice softened even more.
"For him… you are his real family."
Tears started forming in my eyes before I could stop them.
I quickly looked down, but it was too late. I didn't know I had this much effect on him.
A small smile formed on my lips as I wiped my tears.
Then I looked at Rakki.
"Help me."
She blinked in confusion.
"Where?"
I smiled slightly.
"I know exactly what I'm going to give him."
We finished our meals quickly.
Both of us looked like complete idiots, excited about what we were about to do.
Rakki suddenly grinned.
"Let's do it at my house."
"Okay," I said, grabbing my bag.
"Let's go."