JAY-JAY'S POV
I'M NOT STARVING!!
Why am I hungry? It's just chocolate. I can buy it—not now, but next time.
"Get that out of my face," I insisted.
"Don't you dare touch anything!" he sneered.
I'm so tired. I feel like I'm about to pass out. This is exactly what I dream of—beating Kei-kwanan over and over. His face will be so swollen his own brothers won't recognize him.
I held a box of chocolates, and I could clearly see the hunger lighting up the eyes of these starving snakes. They followed my every hand movement like predators.
I was about to push the table away, but I froze when the teacher entered the room. The students sitting down immediately adjusted their seats, while I was still struggling with my pile of chocolates.
"Let's start," the teacher said without even acknowledging my situation.
Eh?
The other teachers don't really care about us. Sometimes, I feel like they only come in because they have to. They don't even teach properly. Only Sir Alvin genuinely cares about us.
I sighed and grabbed my notebook. The smell of chocolate still lingered in the air, making my struggle even worse. Even if someone offered me a million bucks, I wouldn't budge.
I'M NOT STARVING!
It can be a Fairytale
I swallowed hard when I saw a black box with a golden ribbon. I've seen it on TV before—it's a limited edition, only available to royalty. It's said to taste completely different from other chocolates because of its long manufacturing process, and it contains no preservatives.
I'M NOT STARVING!
The smell!
I coughed as I tried to take deep breaths. The scent of chocolate was intoxicating. I really, really wanted to eat it.
I'M NOT STARVING!
The amount!
I tried to focus on the board, but my eyes kept drifting back to my desk. A small, gold-wrapped chocolate had somehow separated from the container.
Maybe he won't notice.
Just one. One tiny piece, and I'll be satisfied. If they don't know, then it won't count, right? That's a fair solution! I'll be happy—especially if that viper, the King of Snakes himself, doesn't realize I couldn't resist.
I casually pushed my notebook closer, pretending to concentrate. My hands rested on the surface, looking innocent. My face remained turned toward the board, but my eyes stayed locked on the chocolate.
Just a little bit…
I held my breath, trying to execute my plan perfectly. As my fingers finally brushed the golden wrapper, a grin almost slipped onto my face. But I stopped myself. No one could know.
I was this close to getting away with it—until I heard Ci-N softly calling my name. When I turned to peek at him, I nearly collapsed.
He was slumped over his desk, facing me, eyes wide open and unblinking. He was drooling—literally, saliva dripping from his mouth.
I had no choice but to let go of the chocolate. I wanted to cry. These chocolates were torturing me. I couldn't even write properly because there was no space for my notebook or my arm.
I knew David was writing, so maybe I'd just copy him again. I glanced at him discreetly—my neck still aching. He seemed alert, his leg bouncing as if he was bored. I wasn't sure if he was actually writing since one of his fists was pressed against his mouth and nose.
My brows furrowed slightly when I noticed him repeatedly glancing at my desk.
He knows.
Kei-kwanan is a beast! I'm not the only one suffering from his games. His fellow Ulupongs are struggling, too. I lowered my head and rubbed my stiff neck, which now hurts even more.
Because he's the King!
I wanted to cry. I was paralyzed, and I didn't even know why. If I had seen him at the door earlier, I wouldn't have entered the room. I should have checked first. I shouldn't have been so careless.
Then again, maybe it was for the best. If my brother found out I skipped class, I'd have gotten a vibrating drumstick to the head, plus a pin got and a lecture as a consolation prize.
Brother Angelo, please understand me.
Honestly, this isn't how I imagined seeing him again. I thought someone would at least tell me in advance. But no, once again, I was the last to know..If only they had warned me of his arrival, I would have prepared.
A long gown, makeup, and a proper hair salon visit…
A ramp! I wish I would have a wonderful time meeting him. I wish I had a cat walk like a model. I would parted my hair in front of him, gazed at him with tantalizing eyes, and bit my lips. Then—BAM! I'd punch him in the face. Followed by bending him and kicking his stomach. If he dared to get back up, I'd suplex him like the Undertaker. If he still survived, I'd throw a bench or a table at him. And if he was somehow still breathing, I'd stab him with a ballpoint pen.
Ugh! I should have prepared.
I inhaled the scent of chocolate again. I'm even more addicted to inhaling the smell. Maybe there is nothing wrong sniffing chocolate? I look like an addict, but I'm not.
I took a deep breath. How many times have I pondered over my sin? I really don't understand why I am suffering like this. I would have been a good person if not for my antics!
So, there is no one else to blame for my suffering except the Demon King of Snakes. And I also blame his friends because they didn't tell me the truth. We will suffer the same!
Our class ended. After the teacher left, I felt an overwhelming sense of conscience weighing on me.
"Jay, Keifer doesn't deserve your anger," Rory whispered.
What connection?
"He loves you, I promise," Edrix whispered.
That's fake love.
"Take it. Don't put up with him anymore," Calix whispered. "I'll give it to Mica too."
You can just buy it.
"I have a wife and child who depend on me," Denzel whispered.
You think you're getting fired?
It's just chocolate, not a livelihood.
"Jay..." Josh whispered, nearly making me jump off my chair.
It felt as if the dead were whispering to me, his voice chilling. I turned to look at them, but the pain in my neck made my whole body follow.
My eyebrows furrowed when I saw almost all of them seated behind me. The crooked ones were all smiling, while the others looked apologetic. I was about to curse them when their King caught my attention.
He walked toward my table, picked up a small piece of chocolate wrapped in gold, and rudely peeled it open before eating it—completely unfazed by the fact that we were all suffering because of him.
Demon!
He kept chewing, as if we weren't all watching. I accidentally swallowed as I started to drool. Then, he grabbed another one and ate it again.
For some reason, I found myself staring at his jaw. His jawline was beautiful. Has it always been like that? Then, I noticed his neck—sush! What am I doing, admiring his jaw and neck? I have those too!
Calm down! All the men around you have that.
He must have noticed my staring because I immediately looked away and casually massaged my neck.
"You want some?" he offered, holding out the chocolate to me.
I shook my head weakly. "N-no. You're in bad health," I whispered.
"What?"
"That's bad!" I snapped, pointing at the chocolates.
His arrogant smile widened, making my pain worsen. This crook from London really had an ego. This snake had never been humbled, not even once. This snake has never fallen down a bridge.
As if he were the only one with soft red lips. Kiss the floor! Kiss the floor! King, indeed!
He picked up another chocolate, unwrapped it again, and, instead of eating it, held it up to me. My head jerked back slightly, but my stiff neck stopped me from moving too far.
"Say ah," he teased, bringing the chocolate to my mouth.
This is a trap! I'm being tested!
I bit both of my lips to stop my mouth from opening. I will be defeated by the Kei-kawanan animal tail. He turned it around in front of my face. I kept smelling it and quickly drooled from my mouth.
"There is a train, open your mouth."
"You're being tested."
"Eat that! Eat that!"
The shiny snakes around us encouraged me as if they thought they could break me so easily. It's just chocolate! My pride is worth more than that! Even if he ordered an entire factory for me! Even if he made me plant cocoa trees! Even if he harvested and ground them himself to make chocolate!
I WILL NOT LOSE MY DIGNITY OVER THIS!
I looked up at their so-called King. When he realized I wasn't going to open my mouth, he sneered and pulled his hand away.
"Maybe you'll eat it this way," he said before pressing the chocolate to his lips and leaning toward me.
Just Wait! I'm not ready!
My eyes widened, and I desperately tried to move away, even though I heard my neck crack. Looks like I won't have a neck tomorrow.
"There it is, Jay! Go ahead!"
"It turns out lips want a mouthful."
My nostrils flared as I took deep breaths, trying to hold back my irritation. When he smirked again, my gaze unwillingly dropped to his lips.
They look like—NO! It's just the chocolate that looks delicious!
I quickly looked away. Why am I even looking at that? I'll touch those lips holding the chocolate. His lips touched the chocolate—it's dirty now! I might catch some germs if I take it. And even if I do want it, I shouldn't take it!
He must have realized I had no intention of accepting it, so he simply ate the chocolate himself. I sighed in relief as he walked away, though that infuriating smile remained on his face.
He returned to his seat as the next teacher arrived. My stomach started to growl. I had barely eaten breakfast—only four hotdogs, three slices of bacon, four hams, one egg, and two scoops of fried rice. That's really not much. I usually have five of everything.
If I had known their pesky King would be here, I would have emptied the fridge. Or better yet, I would have ordered a buffet and eaten it all right here! Though, knowing my luck, starving people would have snatched it away from me.
The class began, and my eyes started to blur—not from hunger, but from sheer frustration. I felt so oppressed. These snakes were tormenting me.
I AM BEING OPPRESSED.
I couldn't even write anymore—there was no space for my notebook or my arm. I just sat there, dumbfounded, while the teacher continued lecturing. I couldn't think of anything else.
I just wanted to grab those chocolates and devour them all. Time passed without me realizing it until the teacher began putting away his supplies. I could hear the clock ticking as I watched him pack up his things, one by one.
I've decided. I refuse to be oppressed like this. No one can oppress me like this. Not even a president. Not even a king. I won't allow it!
The teacher stood up and left the room. As soon as he disappeared from my sight, I stood up. I knew everyone was looking at me, waiting to see what I would do.
I took a deep breath before stepping out of my seat, stopping next to my desk.
"Jay?" Ci called out to me.
I glanced at him for a moment before shifting my gaze to my table, searching for the chocolates. Taking another deep breath, I closed my eyes for a moment before quickly grabbing the boxes of chocolates. The moment I did, the "snakes" screamed and rushed toward my table.
"AAYYAAANNN NAAA!! I CAN'T STAND IT ANYMORE!"
"HEY! HEY! THAT ONE'S MINE!"
"WE'VE GOT THE GREEN LIGHT!"
"IT'S RAAAAININGGGG!"
"GOOD! RAWR!"
Luckily, I managed to dash out of the room in time. I leaned against the wall beside the door, hugging the chocolates I had taken. Peeking down at them, I sighed in relief—I had secured the black box I had been eyeing for a while.
Yes! Victory!
"You want more?"
I nearly jumped in shock. My eyes widened as I turned toward the voice, and when I saw who it was, I immediately wanted to slam the door on him.
Leaning against the doorframe was him—the sneaky pest, the demonic King of Snakes. I quickly straightened up, clutching the chocolates tightly to my chest. He took the opportunity to step outside completely.
Why does he look taller?!
I looked up at him as if I were a landlady collecting overdue rent.
"We'll talk later," he said.
"Why? Why? Did I agree to that?" I asked arrogantly, hiding the chocolates behind my back.
He chuckled and shook his head. He really thought that laugh made him look handsome.
"Come on. You accepted the chocolate," he pointed out.
That fucking accent!
"So what?"
"You can't resist me."
"The only thing irresistible here is chocolate."
"I'll give you more chocolate," he said with a smile.
His words rang like a bell in my mind. More chocolate means more chances of winning. But no, I'm not that desperate! I knew this idiot had an ulterior motive.
I narrowed my eyes at him. "You can't buy me with chocolates."
"I have plenty of other things to welcome you with," he replied, still smiling.
If his English accent caught me off guard earlier, his deepened baritone in Tagalog completely threw me off now.
His voice is deeper now?! Seriously?!
"Just welcome me! Just don't talk to me!" I huffed in frustration.
"You don't want my pasalubong?"
I raised an eyebrow so high it practically touched the ceiling. "Nope! Whatever it is, I don't want it!"
"Not even food?"
…Wait. Food?
I rolled my eyes and turned away slightly. I refused to let my nose twitch at the mere mention of food. This snake is smart—he knows my weakness.
"What kind of food?" I asked, pretending to be uninterested.
His annoying smile grew wider. He stepped closer, and I instinctively backed away, but he was quick—before I knew it, he was holding a strand of my hair that had fallen over my face.
My entire body stiffened. Is he going to tweak me like he did to Yuri at the mall?!
He leaned in even closer.
"W-what?" I stammered, my nerves betraying me.
Brilliant, Jay. Absolutely brilliant.
When we were just inches apart, he tucked my hair behind my ear. My heart nearly leaped out of my chest.
What the hell is he doing?!
"I'm glad to see you're still the same Jay. The same girl I adore and love so much," he said, his cool hand brushing my cheek.
Adore? Love?! Isn't that a red flag?!
I blinked at the chill of his touch, my eyes locking onto his. He didn't look away, and when we were barely a foot apart, he started closing his eyes.
Narrowing my gaze, I immediately lifted the chocolate box and slammed it against his face.
I heard him groan.
"That's your chocolate, right? Here! Have it! Enjoy!" I snapped, shoving the box harder against his face. "There's your kiss, you viper!"
Just because he came back doesn't mean he gets to score points! The audacity!
I'll not waste a month of crying and cursing him with just on KISS. With so many sins he has committed against me. I can't forgive just like this!
I pressed the box against his face with more force, making him step back. My breath was heavy, a mix of nerves and frustration coursing through me. He held his face, rubbing his nose.
"Feels nice to cuddle with chocolate, huh?" I said sarcastically.
I heard him chuckle.
"As expected from my queen," he murmured, shaking his head.
My queen?
Where have I heard that before? It sounds familiar.
I glared at him as he lowered his hand, revealing his deep smile. His nose was red.
"Stop it. I'm not happy with you," I warned.
"I missed your feistiness," he mused.
What is his deal?!
"I didn't miss you," I retorted.
"I didn't ask," he shot back.
"Your Majesty!"
His smile widened even further. My annoyance skyrocketed—I really wanted to hit him. If I could, I'd stomp on his foot without hesitation.
I was seriously holding back. If I weren't, I'd turn this entire school upside down on his smug face. Let's see if he'd still be smiling then.
"Keep cursing at me. Always remember that I'm counting it" he teased.
Then he winked again.
Keep winking! I swear, I'll gouge your eyes out!