Jay‑Jay's POV
The next day felt like waiting for an exam result — except instead of grades, it was life or death. Or heartbreak. Or both.
Angelo set everything up like it was a mission. Eman agreed to close the restaurant early "for maintenance," which really meant half of Section E would be hiding behind counters, doors, and tinted glass. Aries, Percy, and Angelo handled cameras and exits, while Keifer paced our living room so much he was practically carving a path into the floor.
"Stop walking," I said finally, flopping onto the couch. "You're making me dizzy."
He stopped, only to start tapping his fingers on the table instead. "We're literally inviting him to see you. I don't know how Angelo talked me into this."
"You agreed because you know hiding forever won't work," I said. "Besides, this time, I'm not some clueless damsel. I know what he's like."
His jaw tightened. "Yeah. That's what I'm afraid of."
Before I could reply, Angelo stepped into the room, phone in hand, expression unreadable. "He answered," he said.
Everything inside me went still.
Keifer straightened. "Yuri?"
Angelo nodded. "He wants to meet. Tonight. Eight p.m. Eman's."
"Fast reply," Percy said from the doorway, uninvited as always. "Dude didn't even pretend to be busy."
Aries shot him a look. "Not helping."
I swallowed. "Did he say anything else?"
Angelo's gaze flicked to me, sharp but gentle. "Just one thing." He held up his phone. "He said… 'Tell Jay I've been waiting for this.'"
A chill slid down my spine.
Keifer moved closer to me instinctively, like his body was a shield. "We're changing the location," he snapped. "He's too eager."
"We can't," Angelo said calmly. "If we start shifting things now, he'll get suspicious. He already doesn't trust us. This is our best chance at some kind of control."
"Control?" Keifer scoffed. "We're inviting a guy who still thinks he owns Jay into our friend's restaurant. That's not control, that's baiting a bomb."
"It's also the only way to diffuse it," I cut in before they could start shouting.
They both looked at me.
I took a breath. "If Yuri really wanted to just hurt me, he's had chances. He knows where I studied abroad. He knows where my family used to live. He didn't come then. He's coming now because he wants something. Answers. Revenge. Validation."
"Jay—" Keifer started.
"No. Listen," I said quietly. "If he wanted me dead and nothing else, he wouldn't be talking. He'd be acting. So we use that. Let him talk first. And while he talks… we listen."
Angelo gave a small nod. "Exactly. You won't be alone with him. Keifer stays in sight. I'll be monitoring from the back room. The others will be… everywhere."
Percy raised a hand. "I dibs booth by the window."
"No," three voices answered at once.
He threw his hands up. "Fine. Put me in the kitchen with the onions or whatever."
Despite everything, a laugh slipped out of me. The tension eased just barely.
Keifer sighed, defeated. "I still hate this."
"I know," I said, stepping closer and taking his hand. "But if we don't face him now, he'll just keep showing up in worse and worse ways."
He squeezed back so tightly it almost hurt. "You stay where I can see you. If he tries anything—"
"I'll scream 'snake' and you'll know to attack?" I joked weakly.
He didn't smile this time. His eyes were too serious. "If he tries anything, I don't care what Angelo says. I'm ending it."
I didn't answer that. Because deep down, a part of me knew that tonight wasn't just about Yuri. It was about Keifer too — about whether he could stand in front of his past and not be swallowed by it.
Night fell faster than it should have.