KEIFER'S POV
After talking to Jay Jay for what felt like the last time, I boarded the plane.
Keigan and Keiran were already waiting for me.
The moment the plane took off and we were finally in the air, I leaned back against my seat and took a deep breath. Everything that happened a few hours ago replayed in my mind.
Especially the kiss. I honestly wasn't sure if she would kiss me or not. But she did. And I couldn't even explain how happy I was. She kissed me.
She actually kissed me.
My Jasper Jean Mariano Watson.
My queen.
My future Mrs. Watson.
She kissed me.
I didn't even realize I was smiling like an idiot until Keigan interrupted me.
"Kuya..."
I turned toward him.
"Hmm?"
He raised an eyebrow.
"Why are you smiling like a fool?"
I immediately straightened my face.
"Huh? What are you talking about? I'm not smiling."
Keigan stared at me like I was the dumbest person alive.
"Kuya..."
He pointed at my face.
"You were smiling."
Then his grin widened.
"And your ears are bright red."
Damn. I touched my ears instinctively.
"Tell me, Kuya..."
That mischievous smile appeared. The same smile that clearly said: "I already know. Just confirm it." I sighed dramatically.
"Ahh..." A smile escaped before I could stop it. "She kissed me."
Keigan immediately jumped from his seat.
"I KNEW IT!"
He pointed at me triumphantly. "I knew something happened!"
The idiot looked happier than when I bought him a PS5. And he already owned one.
"Still, Kuya... Why are you so red? It's not like it was your first kiss."
I looked out the window. A stupid smile appearing again.
"Because she kissed me."
Keigan blinked. I laughed softly.
"Usually, I'm the one who starts it. It's the first time she initiated it."
Keigan stared at me for a few seconds before shaking his head.
"You know, Kuya..."
He sighed dramatically. "You're completely whipped. You became a fool in love."
"Shut up, Keigan."
I rolled my eyes. "You know nothing about love."
"Whatever."
He rolled his eyes right back at me before returning to his book. Meanwhile... I stayed there smiling like an idiot. Still thinking about her kiss.
-------TWO WEEKS LATER — LONDON---------------------------
It's been two weeks since I arrived.
And honestly?
These two weeks were hell.
Dealing with the Watson elders alone was enough to give me a headache. Then there was my cousin Clyde. That idiot deserved his own special place in hell. The first week was especially difficult. But things slowly started getting better.
I stayed in constant contact with Jay Jay through my anonymous account, GagongBaliw, and I also kept in touch with Section E.
Most importantly—
I continued my anger-management therapy. Because I made a promise. A promise to Jay Jay. And more importantly to myself. I would become a better person for her. No matter how long it took.
But right now...
My biggest problem wasn't therapy. It wasn't the Watson elders. It wasn't even the inheritance. It was the engagement. Those idiots had arranged an engagement between me and Ion. My childhood friend.
Someone I cared about.
But not like that.
Not even close.
Because marrying her was never an option. Not for me. I was already married. At least in my heart. To Jay Jay. The only woman I would ever call my wife. The only woman I wanted standing beside me for the rest of my life.
But opposing the engagement right now wasn't possible. If I protested, the Watson elders would immediately suspect I wasn't over Jay Jay. And I still didn't have my inheritance. I couldn't risk everything yet.
Still...
The thought of Jay Jay finding out about the engagement terrified me. What if she lost hope? What if she thought I gave up on us? What if she finally walked away? Just imagining it made my chest hurt. I was overwhelmed.
Exhausted.
I missed her. God, I missed her so much. I just wanted to hold her. Just once.
So I made a decision. I was going back to the Philippines. I grabbed my passport and headed toward Keigan's room. He was sitting at his desk, reading a book.
I walked in.
"Keigan."
He looked up. "Hmm?"
"I'm going to the Philippines."
He blinked. "Again?"
" I need to see her."
Keigan sighed.
Not surprised at all.
"Okay, Kuya. Just take care of yourself. You've been off ever since the engagement news came out."
I sat on the edge of his bed. For a moment... I didn't know how to answer. Then I finally spoke.
"I'm scared, Keigan. If Jay Jay finds out about the engagement..."
I swallowed hard.
"She might lose hope. She'll be shattered. And I can't...I can't watch her break because of me again."
Keigan stayed silent for a few seconds. Then he stood up and placed a hand on my shoulder.
"Don't lose hope, Kuya."
His voice was calm. Steady.
"We just need to finish things here. Then everything will be okay."
I wanted to believe him. I really did.
"I hope so. I should go now."
Keigan nodded. And I left.
--------PHILIPPINES------------------------
After nearly twelve hours of flying, I finally landed.
This wasn't even my first trip back. I had already returned twice after leaving for London. The first time because I missed her so much I couldn't breathe. The second because of the Mykel incident.
And now...Here I was again. Thinking about her. Always her.
I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn't realize I was already reaching for my phone. I needed to hear her voice. Just once. I dialed her number.
(The rest of the conversation remains the same as in "A Love Left Waiting.")
When the call ended, I stared at my phone silently. Then I felt it. A tear slipping down my face. I quickly wiped it away.
Why was she talking like that? How could she think I moved on? How could she think I stopped loving her? Then a horrible thought crossed my mind. Did she already know about the engagement?
My heart sank.
There was only one way to find out. I would ask her myself. She mentioned she was at an abandoned beach. So I got into my car and started driving.
One beach.
Then another.
Then a third.
Finally—
I found her.
She was sitting alone near the shoreline. Surrounded by empty beer bottles. Her knees pulled close to her chest. And she was crying. Not loudly. Not dramatically. Just silently.
Like someone carrying too much pain. The sight alone was enough to destroy me. My chest tightened painfully. Slowly, I walked toward her.
Then sat beside her without making a sound. For a moment, I just looked at her. The girl I loved. The girl I crossed oceans for. The girl I would always choose.
Then softly—
I spoke.
"Jay..."