After school
Evening — Watson Villa
Jay POV
I was halfway up the stairs when the doorbell rang.
Keifer glanced at me.
"You expecting someone?"
"No."
The door opened.
And my stomach dropped.
"Kuya.
Angelo stood there.
Not angry.
Not cold.
Just tired.
Behind him, the car engine was still running.
He stepped inside without asking.
Keifer straightened slightly but stayed calm
"Good evening."
Angelo nodded once at him.
Then looked at me
"Pack your things.
Silence.
"…What?"
"You're coming home."
The air changed.
Keifer didn't move.
But I felt it.
That shift.
I crossed my arms
"I live here."
"For now," Angelo said evenly.
"Kuya—"
"I have a business trip. one week. Maybe two."
I frowned.
"So?"
"So Aries is barely home.
I blinked.
"…What does that have to do with me?"
Angelo exhaled slowly.
"Tita Gemma misses you."
That hit differently.
"She's alone most of the time. The house is quiet."
I swallowed.
"She doesn't say it directly. But she waits for you."
That made my chest tighten.
Behind me, I could feel Keifer go still.
Not defensive.
Not angry.
Just listening.
Angelo continued.
"You think she likes eating alone? Watching TV alone?"
I looked down.
"She keeps your old room clean.
Silence.
"She talks about you every day."
My throat burned.
"That's not fair," I whispered
"I know."
Angelo softened slightly.
"But you're her daughter."
That word.
Daughter.
Keifer finally spoke.
"How long.
Angelo looked at him.
"Until I'm back. Until things settle."
"And after that?" Keifer asked calmly.
Angelo held his gaze.
"She can choose."
That wasn't a threat
That was honest.
I hated this.
Because this wasn't about rules.
This wasn't about control.
This was about Tita Gemma sitting alone at dinner.
And I knew she did.
I'd seen it before I moved.
Keifer stepped closer to me.
Not possessive.
Just close.
"You want to go?"
He didn't tell me to stay.
He didn't say no.
He asked me.
I stared at the floor.
"…I don't want her to be lonely."
His jaw tightened slightly.
But he nodded.
"Then go."
Angelo noticed.
Something unreadable passed in his eyes.
"I'll send someone for your things tomorrow," Angelo said.
"No," Keifer replied quietly.
"I'll bring her."
That made Angelo pause.
"You don't have to."
"I know."
Silence again
Two men.
Not fighting.
But measuring.
Then Angelo nodded once.
"today'
He walked toward the door.
Before leaving, he looked at me again.
"She really misses you, Jay."
And then he left.
The door closed.
The house felt heavier.
I didn't turn around
Because I knew if I saw Keifer's face, I'd feel worse.
"You're quiet," I said
"I'm thinking."
"About?"
He exhaled.
"You being gone."
That simple
No drama.
Just truth.
"It's temporary," I said
.
He nodded.
"I know."
But he didn't look convinced.
I finally faced him.
"You're not mad?"
"At you? No."
"At them?"
He looked away slightly.
"…Maybe."
I almost smiled.
"You don't get jealous."
"I'm not jealous."
"You're territorial."
His lips twitched slightly.
"That too."
I stepped closer.
"Hey."
He looked down at me.
"You can visit."
"I will."
"You better."
"I will," he repeated.
Then softer—
"You got used to being here."
It wasn't a question.
I hesitated.
"…Yeah."
He swallowed.
"I got used to you being here."
That made my heart do that stupid thing again.
I looked down at my hands.
"Don't make this dramatic."
"I'm not."
But his voice was lower.
Quieter.
"Just… don't forget this is still your place."
That did it.
I stepped forward and hugged him.
Not dramatic.
Not desperate.
Just close.
His arms wrapped around me immediately.
Secure.
Warm.
Home.
"I won't forget," I murmured.
He rested his chin lightly against my head.
"You better not."
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I know it's bad that jay has to go but still
Tita jemma misses her she cares about her like her own daughter, and don't silk something is coming... you'll like it 🥰🥰
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