🖤 Jay's POV — Section E
Monday.
—
The moment I stepped into the classroom—
—
My eyes went there.
—
His seat.
—
Empty.
—
Of course it is.
—
London.
—
Two weeks.
—
I wonder what he's doing right now.
Is he already busy with meetings?
Or standing somewhere alone… thinking?
—
My fingers tightened slightly around my bag.
—
His birthday is next week.
—
Would he celebrate?
Or ignore it like everything else?
—
I looked away immediately.
—
Stop thinking about him.
—
I walked in fully.
—
And just like that—
Everything went quiet.
—
Section E.
—
Same people.
Same place.
—
But now—
they look at me differently.
—
Guilt.
Carefulness.
Effort.
—
I didn't react.
—
Just walked to my seat—
sat down—
opened my notebook.
—
Like nothing mattered.
—
"JAY JAY."
—
I exhaled softly.
—
There he is.
—
I turned.
—
CI N.
—
Grinning like he didn't just destroy my peace.
—
"You're alive," he said dramatically. "Amazing. I thought Jason kidnapped you permanently."
—
"…Why are you obsessed with him?"
—
"Because he exists," he said. "And I don't like that."
—
I rolled my eyes.
—
"You don't even know him."
—
"I don't need to. His face is enough."
—
"That's your problem."
—
"That's my instinct."
—
I almost smiled.
—
Almost.
—
He leaned closer.
—
"Also," he added, whispering loudly, "why do you go with him every day? Like… voluntarily?"
—
"He picks me up."
—
"And you GO."
—
"Yes?"
—
"Suspicious behavior."
—
I shook my head.
—
"You're impossible."
—
"And you're avoiding the question."
—
"Because it's none of your business."
—
He gasped. "Everything about you is my business."
—
"…That's concerning."
—
"Emotionally."
—
"Still concerning."
—
He grinned.
—
And just like that—
—
It felt normal.
—
Because I've already forgiven him.
—
He messed up.
—
But he didn't mean it.
—
And that matters.
—
The rest?
—
Still… processing.
—
—
Behind him—
everyone else.
—
Quiet.
—
Careful.
—
Trying.
—
I noticed.
—
Of course I did.
—
Class started.
—
And something strange happened—
—
No one disturbed me.
—
No unnecessary comments.
—
No jokes.
—
Just silence.
—
Respect.
—
Effort.
—
And I noticed that too.
—
Thought
They're trying.
—
Not loudly.
—
Not forcefully.
—
Just…
carefully.
—
Maybe that matters more.
—
—
📚 Between Classes
One by one—
they started.
—
Not all at once.
—
Not overwhelming.
—
Just small steps.
—
Yuri came first.
—
"Hey… if you need notes, I've got extra."
"And… I'll stop talking in class. At least… around you."
—
I nodded slightly.
—
"Okay."
—
David next.
—
"I didn't know how to say sorry properly."
"But I meant it. I still do."
—
I looked at him briefly.
—
"Noted."
—
Calix.
—
"I won't interfere anymore… unless you want me to."
"And I'll earn your trust back. Slowly."
—
No reply.
—
But I didn't ignore him.
—
That was enough.
—
Felix.
—
"I'll stop joking at wrong times."
"And… I'll think before speaking. For once."
—
"…That would be new."
—
He smiled faintly.
—
Drew.
—
"I messed up. I know that."
"But I'm not repeating it again."
—
Eren.
—
"I'll stay out of your way if that helps."
"But I'm here… if you ever need anything."
—
Josh.
—
"I won't push you to talk."
"But I'll wait till you're ready."
—
Denzel.
—
"I'm not good with words…"
"But I won't hurt you again."
—
Mayo.
—
"I'll keep things normal."
"No pressure. No forcing."
—
Kit.
—
"I'll respect your space."
"And your silence."
—
Silence filled the space again.
—
But this time—
—
It wasn't heavy.
—
It was…
understanding.
—
And I felt it.
—
Slowly.
—
Something easing inside me.
—
Not fully.
—
But enough.
—
—
🍽️ Lunch Break
We sat together.
—
This time—
less awkward.
—
Still careful.
—
But better.
—
CI N opened his lunch box like a show.
—
"Today's menu: survival-level cooking."
—
Felix leaned in. "We're all dying."
—
"Negative energy," CI N snapped. "Jay Jay will taste first."
—
"Why me?"
—
"Because you're strong."
—
"…Or disposable?"
—
"Same thing."
—
I took a bite.
—
Paused.
—
"…It's actually good."
—
He froze.
—
Then stood up.
—
"SHE SAID IT'S GOOD."
—
"Sit down."
—
"THIS IS HISTORY."
—
"CI N."
—
"Yes, my queen."
—
"Sit."
—
"Yes, ma'am."
—
A small smile escaped me.
—
This time—
—
I didn't hide it.
—
And they saw.
—
Of course they did.
—
Relief spread instantly.
—
Yuri relaxed.
Felix leaned back.
David smiled.
—
And CI N—
—
looked like he just won a championship.
—
—
Thought
This feels…
lighter.
—
Not fixed.
—
But not broken either.
—
Maybe…
we're getting there.
—
—
Then—
CI N leaned toward me again.
—
"Also," he said, "that Jason guy—"
—
I sighed.
—
"Again?"
—
"Yes, again," he said. "He gives very 'I will ruin your life politely' vibes."
—
I choked slightly.
—
"…What?"
—
"I don't trust calm people," he continued seriously. "They're dangerous."
—
"That's very specific."
—
"That's very accurate."
—
I shook my head.
—
"You're impossible."
—
"And yet," he grinned, "I'm your favorite."
—
"…Debatable."
—
"Not debatable."
—
A pause.
—
Then—
—
"Just… be careful, okay?" he added quietly.
—
I looked at him.
—
No jokes.
—
No drama.
—
Just concern.
—
Real.
—
"I can handle myself."
—
"I know," he said. "That's what scares me."
—
Silence.
—
Then—
—
"If he kidnaps you," he added, "call me. I'll bring snacks."
—
"…You're useless."
—
"I'm emotional support."
—
"Barely."
—
He grinned.
—
And just like that—
—
everything felt normal again.
—
—
Thought
They don't know.
—
About my work.
About who I really am.
—
And maybe—
—
that's good.
—
Because here—
—
I'm just Jay.
—
Not a name.
Not a title.
—
Just…
me.
—
But still—
—
My eyes drifted once more.
—
To that empty seat.
—
London.
—
Next week—
his birthday.
—
A slow breath left me.
—
"Let's see…" I whispered.
—
Because something tells me—
—
This story isn't over yet.
🖤 Jay's POV — Friday
Friday.
—
I walked into Section E—
—
And the first thing I saw—
—
That bag.
—
On my desk.
—
Again.
—
A big bag.
—
Filled.
—
With my favorite snacks.
—
Chocolates.
Chips.
Drinks.
—
Everything.
—
I stopped for a second.
—
They did it again.
—
They've been doing it every day this week.
—
And somehow—
—
It hasn't stopped surprising me.
—
I walked closer slowly—
—
put my bag down—
—
and opened theirs.
—
Still untouched.
—
Not even one missing.
—
I blinked slightly.
—
They didn't eat it.
—
Not even CI N.
—
That's… impressive.
—
Thought
Growth.
—
Miracles exist.
—
"Jay Jay has arrived."
—
I didn't even turn this time.
—
"Good morning, CI N."
—
He gasped loudly.
—
"Wow. Full sentence. Eye contact soon?"
—
"Don't push it."
—
"Noted."
—
I sat down.
—
And this time—
—
they didn't hesitate.
—
Felix sat across.
Yuri leaned back comfortably.
David joined in.
—
Normal.
—
Almost.
—
Not fully.
—
But close.
—
Thought
We're not okay.
—
But we're… better.
—
And that's enough.
—
"By the way," CI N said, grabbing a chip from his OWN lunch this time, "we deserve appreciation."
—
"For what?"
—
"For not eating your snacks."
—
"That's basic decency."
—
"That's sacrifice."
—
I gave him a look.
—
He grinned.
—
Then—
—
his eyes narrowed slightly.
—
Danger.
—
I know that look.
—
"Ohhh," he dragged the word, leaning forward, "someone looks… distracted today."
—
"I look normal."
—
"You look like you're thinking about someone."
—
I paused.
—
Just for a second.
—
Too fast.
—
But he caught it.
—
Of course he did.
—
CI N sat up straight dramatically.
—
"GUYS."
—
"No—"
—
"She's missing someone."
—
"I'm not."
—
"Oh, she is," Felix added immediately.
—
"Definitely," Yuri nodded.
—
"100%," David joined.
—
I stared at them.
—
Traitors.
—
CI N leaned closer.
—
"Should I say the name?"
—
"Don't."
—
"Starts with K…"
—
"CI N."
—
"Ends with… trouble."
—
Laughter.
—
Of course.
—
I glared at him.
—
Hard.
—
He raised both hands.
—
"Okay okay, but come on—"
—
"No."
—
"Of course we noticed," he continued anyway. "You keep looking at his empty seat like it's going to talk back."
—
I froze slightly.
—
Did I?
—
No.
—
Maybe.
—
Shut up.
—
Yuri chuckled. "It's kind of obvious."
—
Felix smirked. "Very obvious."
—
David added, "Painfully obvious."
—
I crossed my arms.
—
"I'm going to throw something."
—
CI N grinned wider.
—
"Violence won't hide your feelings, Jay Jay."
—
"I don't have feelings."
—
"That's a lie."
—
"That's a fact."
—
"Then explain prom night."
—
Silence.
—
Dangerous silence.
—
My eyes narrowed.
—
"Don't."
—
Too late.
—
"Oh come on," CI N laughed, "we ALL saw how he carried you out."
—
My jaw tightened.
—
Of course they did.
—
Of course they remember THAT.
—
Felix leaned in. "That was dramatic."
—
Yuri nodded. "Very cinematic."
—
David smirked. "Very… personal."
—
I glared at all of them.
—
One by one.
—
Murder.
—
Pure murder.
—
CI N wasn't done.
—
Of course he wasn't.
—
"He literally picked you up like—" he gestured, "—and just left."
—
"I remember."
—
"I think the whole school remembers."
—
"CI N."
—
"Yes, my angry queen."
—
"Stop."
—
He leaned back, laughing.
—
"Okay okay, but admit it—"
—
"I will not."
—
"You miss him."
—
"I don't."
—
"You do."
—
"I don't."
—
"You do."
—
"I DON'T."
—
Silence.
—
Then—
—
laughter.
—
Loud.
—
Annoying.
—
Unnecessary.
—
I closed my eyes briefly.
—
Why do I sit here?
—
Why do I tolerate this?
—
Oh right—
—
Because a part of me—
—
doesn't hate it.
—
And that's the problem.
—
Thought
Do I miss him?
—
…
—
No.
—
Maybe.
—
Shut up.
—
I grabbed a chocolate from the bag and threw it at CI N.
—
He caught it instantly.
—
"Gift accepted."
—
"It's a weapon."
—
"Still accepted."
—
I shook my head.
—
"You're all idiots."
—
Felix smiled. "Your idiots."
—
"…Don't say that."
—
"Too late."
—
Yuri added softly, "At least you're talking to us now."
—
I paused.
—
That hit.
—
Softer.
—
Real.
—
I looked at them—
—
All of them.
—
Not joking.
—
Not teasing.
—
Just… there.
—
Trying.
—
Still.
—
Even after everything.
—
Thought
We're not the same.
—
But maybe…
—
we're not broken either.
—
I exhaled slowly.
—
"Don't get used to it," I said.
—
CI N grinned immediately.
—
"Too late."
—
"Regret it."
—
"Never."
—
I rolled my eyes.
—
But this time—
—
I didn't hide the small smile.
—
And of course—
—
they noticed.
—
They always do.
—
And somewhere—
—
in between the noise—
the teasing—
the laughter—
—
My eyes drifted again.
—
To that empty seat.
—
London.
—
His birthday.
—
A slow breath left me.
—
Thought
…Idiot.
—
Then I looked away.
—
Because I'm not giving them more material.
—
Absolutely not.
🖤 Jay's POV — Office
Saturday evening.
—
I dropped into the chair in my office—
—
exhausted.
—
Completely.
—
This week?
—
Insane.
—
Meetings.
Decisions.
People.
Endless work.
—
Sometimes flying to NYC—
—
and coming back the same day.
—
Who even does that?
—
Oh right.
—
Me.
—
I leaned back, closing my eyes for a second.
—
Thought
I'm actually doing it.
—
Handling things.
—
Learning fast.
—
Not bad, Jay.
—
A small smile formed—
—
then disappeared just as quickly.
—
Because my eyes fell on the envelope on my desk.
—
Black.
—
Elegant.
—
Heavy.
—
I picked it up slowly.
—
Opened it.
—
And there it was.
—
An invitation.
—
London.
—
Sunday.
—
His birthday.
—
My fingers paused on the paper.
—
Keifer.
—
So he's really there.
—
Already settled.
—
Already… living his life.
—
I stared at the card.
—
As a Mariano.
—
And Jason—
—
as a Reyes.
—
Of course.
—
High society.
—
Big names.
—
Big presence.
—
And me—
—
I froze.
—
No.
—
I can't go as a Mariano.
—
If I do—
—
he'll know.
—
Everything.
—
That I'm—
—
The secret Mariano Princess.
—
My chest tightened.
—
No no no.
—
That's not happening.
—
Not like this.
—
Not yet.
—
I placed the card down—
—
then picked it up again.
—
But I have to go.
—
What if—
—
What if he's there—
—
smiling.
—
Charming.
—
Talking to some London girl—
—
like nothing ever happened.
—
My jaw clenched.
—
No.
—
Absolutely not.
—
I will break his jaw.
—
No hesitation.
—
Zero mercy.
—
I blinked.
—
Wait.
—
Why do I care?
—
…
—
I looked away.
—
Ugh.
—
Leave it.
—
But still—
—
I need to go.
—
Not for him.
—
For answers.
—
London.
—
That's where everything connects.
—
That's where I'll find out—
—
why he did all this.
—
Why he hurt me.
—
Why he lied.
—
Why he still—
—
My thoughts stopped abruptly.
—
No.
—
Focus.
—
A knock on the door.
—
"Come in."
—
An employee stepped in.
—
"Ma'am, the file Mr. Jason Reyes asked for."
—
Oh.
—
Right.
—
Work.
—
I nodded and handed it over.
—
"Here."
—
"Thank you, ma'am."
—
He left.
—
And I froze.
—
Jason.
—
…
—
Wait.
—
I sat up straight.
—
An idea forming.
—
Slowly.
—
Then—
—
a grin.
—
Oh.
—
Oh this is good.
—
Very good.
—
"Jass…" I whispered.
—
Yeah.
—
He's the key.
—
I can go with him.
—
As his guest.
—
Not as a Mariano.
—
Perfect.
—
No suspicion.
—
No reveal.
—
No risk.
—
Just…
—
entry.
—
And answers.
—
My grin widened.
—
And then—
—
another thought.
—
Even better.
—
What if—
—
I show up with Jason.
—
Right in front of him.
—
At his birthday.
—
Looking perfectly fine.
—
Perfectly unaffected.
—
My eyes sparkled slightly.
—
What if he gets jealous?
—
What if he can't take it?
—
What if—
—
he breaks.
—
And finally—
—
tells the truth himself.
—
I leaned back, crossing my arms.
—
Satisfied.
—
Thought
You deserve this.
—
Every second of it.
—
A small, mischievous smile played on my lips.
—
"Let's see how long you last, Mr. Mark Keifer Waston…"
—
London, huh?
—
I tilted my head slightly.
—
"Game on."
A/n guys pls comment on my chapters because there are only few comments on my chapters...and give me some ideas and suggestions coz I'm running out of ideas... I will give u a shout out also
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