KEIFER POV
After Jay went home, I came back to mine. I was happy and sad at the same time.
Happy because the engagement between Yuri and Jay was finally broken.
Sad because I had to push Jay away from me for her safety.
Until I get my inheritance, the Watsons will keep targeting her because she is close to me. I can't protect my brothers and Jay at the same time. So I decided that pushing her away would keep her safe.
Even if it destroys me.
I went to my bedroom and laid on the bed, staring at the ceiling.
Keigen's words from yesterday echoed in my head.
"You're hurting her, kuya."
I closed my eyes tightly.
"I know…" I whispered to myself.
Not long after, exhaustion pulled me to sleep.
NEXT DAY
I woke up early but stayed in bed for a few minutes.
The image of Jay crying replayed in my mind again and again.
Her trembling voice…
Her broken eyes…
The way she looked at me like I had shattered her world.
My chest tightened painfully.
But I had to continue acting cold.
If she hated me, she would stay away from me.
And if she stayed away from me… she would be safe.
I forced myself to get up, got ready, and went downstairs.
Both Kerien and Keigen were already dressed for school, their breakfast prepared on the table.
"Sit in the car. I'll come in a minute," I said while grabbing a sandwich.
"Okay," they answered together.
They went outside while I quickly ate. After that, I grabbed my keys and walked to the car.
The ride was quiet.
I dropped Kerien and Keigen at their respective schools before heading to mine.
The moment I entered the classroom, Mayo spoke immediately.
"Look who finally came," he said sarcastically. "Honestly, Jay should come instead of you."
"Stop. Just stop," Kit muttered.
"What? he is just saying the truth," Josh added.
I ignored them and walked toward my seat.
Then Jay entered.
The entire classroom went silent for a second.
She calmly walked inside and sat between David and Ci-N like yesterday meant nothing.
Like she wasn't the same girl who cried in front of me.
But she never looked at me.
Not even once.
Ci-N started talking to her quietly. I couldn't hear what they were saying, but suddenly Ci-N looked shocked, almost unable to respond properly.
Before I could think more about it, the teacher entered and classes started.
BREAK TIME
The moment the bell rang, Jay stood up and walked outside.
David and Ci-N quickly followed behind her.
A few minutes later, both of them returned.
Their faces had completely lost color.
Fear.
Shock.
Disbelief.
Before anyone could ask them what happened, Jay entered the classroom again.
But this time…
She was smiling.
Suddenly, she hugged Denzel tightly.
Jealousy burned inside me instantly.
I wanted to ask her what happened.
I wanted to ask why she was smiling like that after crying yesterday.
But I couldn't.
Because this was my plan.
I was the one pushing her away.
Felix and Ci-N immediately started asking questions.
Jay slowly walked to the front of the classroom and made an announcement.
And with just a few calm sentences…
She destroyed all of us.
Not by shouting.
Not by crying.
But by speaking too calmly.
That calmness was far scarier.
Every word she said stabbed directly into our hearts.
Yet after saying those words, she simply walked back to her seat like she hadn't just shattered us completely.
Classes continued, but nobody focused anymore.
Not even me.
LAST BELL
The final bell rang.
Jay stood up and walked toward Edrix.
She asked him about the app.
At first, he avoided answering her, but eventually he gave up and handed over his phone.
When she found out about the app…
She didn't get angry.
She was too calm.
Dangerously calm.
Without warning, she threw the phone toward me.
I quickly moved sideways.
The phone crashed hard against the wall, shattering into pieces.
The entire classroom froze.
Jay picked up her bag and walked out without another word.
One by one, everyone left too.
Soon, only Edrix and I remained.
Edrix slowly walked toward the broken phone and searched through the pieces.
After finding something, he looked at me with unreadable eyes before leaving silently.
I stayed there alone.
The classroom suddenly felt suffocating.
Slowly, I walked toward Jay's desk and traced my fingers over it gently.
"I'm sorry, Jay," I whispered into the empty classroom. "I need to do this to keep you safe."
The silence hurt more than anything.
I finally left and headed toward the parking area.
That was when I saw Jay talking to Sir Alvin.
She handed him something before leaving.
A few seconds later, Sir Alvin got into his car and drove away.
I watched Jay walk away alone.
Without thinking, I followed her from a distance to make sure she got home safely.
When she finally entered her house, I stopped the car.
It looked like nobody was home.
After making sure she was inside safely, I quietly drove away.
That night, I ate dinner without speaking much and went straight to my room.
Everything felt empty.
I laid down on my bed and stared into the darkness.
"Jay…" I whispered painfully. "Please don't give up on me."
I closed my eyes, feeling my chest ache.
"I love you, Jay… until scientists finds the end of the universe."
And with her name still lingering on my lips…
I fell asleep.
++++++++ END ++++++++++