JAY'S POV
I stopped the car midway. I couldn't drive anymore. My hand was hurting so badly, and my head was spinning. Exhaustion washed over me. I leaned back and closed my eyes for a while.
If I hadn't forgotten my watch, none of this would have happened.
Today's lesson — wear the watch every day. You never know when someone might snap out of nowhere, ready to kidnap you or kill you.
After a while, I finally gathered some strength. I opened my eyes, bent down, and grabbed my phone. For a moment I thought about calling CCTV. But both Kuya and ate were together, spending time with each other. I shouldn't disturb them.
So I called Percy.
He picked up after a few rings.
"Hello! Baby sistah. Did you miss my handsome face already?" he said cheerfully.
"Percy… can you pick me up?" I said in a low voice.
His tone instantly changed.
"What happened, Jay? Are you okay?"
"I'll tell you later. I'm sending you the location. I'm not in a state to drive… please drive me home."
"I'm coming."
I placed the phone beside me and waited.
But I was so exhausted that I didn't even realize when my eyes closed and I drifted into a deep sleep.
When I opened my eyes again, I was in my bed.
For a moment, I stayed still, replaying yesterday's memories in my mind.
Rakki.
Ci-n's gift.
The fight.
Keifer.
Percy.
Maybe Percy took me here , I thought.
I slowly sat up and leaned against the bed frame.
Then I froze.
Kuya Cris was sleeping on a chair not far from my bed.
Ate Maya was sleeping beside the bed, leaning against the same frame as me.
Percy was half on the sofa and half on the floor.
And Aries was also sleeping on the sofa, his head tilted upward.
I muttered to myself quietly.
"Why are they all sleeping in my room? Did something happen last night while I was sleeping? I was just exhausted… I didn't know they would panic this much."
Should I wake them up?
Before I could decide, the alarm in my room suddenly started ringing.
Damn. I hate it.
I quickly grabbed it and shut it off.
But it was too late.
Everyone woke up because of the alarm.
"Good morning, everyone," I said.
"Good morning, barracuda," Kuya Cris said, stretching slightly. "How are you feeling?"
"Good morning, baby sistah," Percy said with a grin. "How are you feeling after seeing my handsome face first thing in the morning?"
"Good morning, monkey," Aries added. "Are you good now?"
"Good morning, baby," ate Maya said softly. "Are you okay right now?"
I blinked at all of them.
"I'm okay… but why are all of you asking me the same thing?"
Aries crossed his arms.
"Oh really? If you were okay, we wouldn't have found you unconscious in your car."
Percy nodded immediately.
"Exactly! You terrified me, Jay."
Ate Maya looked worried.
"What happened there, Jay?"
"Well… actually I got into a fight. Because of that I got exhausted, and my head was hurting. So I called Percy to pick me up."
Then I looked at Aries.
"But Aries… why are you here?"
"I was with Percy when you called him."
Kuya Cris spoke next.
"And you also had a high fever last night."
"Huh? Really?"
"Yes," ate Maya said gently. "That's why we were all here taking care of you last night."
I couldn't express the feeling that filled my chest.
They were all here.
They stayed all night.
Taking care of me.
I was so happy.
I have a family… people who care about me.
Always.
"You know… I love you all so much," I said quietly.
Percy immediately grinned.
"I know. Who wouldn't love this handsome face?"
Aries groaned.
"Seriously, Percy. Can you talk normally without mentioning your so-called handsome face?"
"I can't," Percy replied proudly. "No one can ignore this masterpiece."
"Just ignore him, Jay," Aries said. "But we all love you too. You're our sister."
"Of course, baby," ate Maya said. "We all love you."
Kuya Cris nodded.
"We're always here for you, Jay."
Ate Maya clapped her hands lightly.
"Okay, okay. Enough emotional talk. Jay, freshen up, change your bandage, and come eat breakfast."
"Finally!" Percy said dramatically. "I need food."
"Same here," Aries added.
Kuya Cris laughed.
"Yeah, Jay, hurry up before we eat your portion too."
"Don't you dare," I warned.
"Then come fast," Percy said.
"Okay, okay! I'm coming."
CI-N'S BIRYHDAY PARTY -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The building stood tall in front of me.
Music was faintly echoing from the rooftop, and colorful lights reflected against the glass windows. It was obvious the birthday party had already started.
I stood there at the entrance, staring at the building.
Maybe I should just go back.
Maybe coming here was a bad idea.
After everything that happened between us… I wasn't sure if I should even show my face here.
I slowly turned around, ready to leave.
But Rakki suddenly grabbed my wrist.
"Where are you going?" he asked.
"I… I think I should go back," I muttered.
Rakki sighed dramatically.
"Jay, you literally came all the way here. Don't run away now."
"But—"
"No 'but'," he cut me off. "He's been waiting for you."
I stayed silent.
Rakki looked at me seriously this time.
"Just go. Trust me."
For a few seconds, I hesitated.
Then I took a deep breath.
"…Fine."
Rakki immediately smiled like he had just won a battle.
"That's my brave girl."
We entered the building and took the elevator up to the rooftop.
When the elevator doors opened, the sound of music and laughter filled the air.
The rooftop was decorated with lights, balloons, and a huge HAPPY BIRTHDAY banner hanging across the wall. People were chatting, laughing, and dancing around.
And in the middle of it all…
I saw him.
Ci-n.
He was talking to a few friends, but the moment his eyes landed on me, he froze.
For a second, he looked like he couldn't believe it.
Then his face lit up brighter than the rooftop lights.
"Jay!"
He rushed toward me like an excited child.
"You came!"
The happiness in his voice was impossible to miss.
I smiled a little.
"Happy birthday, Ci-n."
Before he could say anything else, I handed him the gift I was holding.
"This is for you."
He looked surprised.
"You didn't have to bring anything…"
But he still took the box carefully and opened it. Inside was a glass jar filled with colorful surprise eggs.
Ci-n blinked in confusion.
"What is this?"
"One egg per day," I explained. "Almost a whole year's worth of surprises."
For a moment, he just stared at the jar.
Then his eyes widened.
"You mean… I can open one every day?"
I nodded.
His expression slowly turned into pure excitement.
"Jay… this is the best gift ever!"
He looked like he had just landed on the moon. Suddenly, his excitement faded a little, and his expression turned serious.
"Jay… I'm really sorry."
He lowered his head.
"I know I already apologized before, but… I still feel guilty. I hurt you. I messed up. I shouldn't have hide it from you."
He looked up at me again.
"I'm really sorry… ate."
For a moment, he kept apologizing again and again. I sighed softly. Then I lightly tapped his head.
"Okay, okay. That's enough."
He blinked.
"Really?"
I smiled.
"It's okay, Ci-n." Your ate is no longer angry."
For a second he looked completely stunned.
Then the biggest smile spread across his face.
"Really?!"
I nodded.
And before I could react—
He suddenly hugged me tightly.
"BEST BIRTHDAY EVER!"
Behind us, Rakki groaned dramatically.
"Wow. I should start bringing jars of eggs too if this is the reaction."