CHAPTER 382 - SPY V/S SPY
JAY-JAY'S POV
"Just let your mother rest," Tita said while cooking porridge. "It's too much for her to work at home."
"I feel like it's my fault," I replied.
She looked back for a moment. "Why? Did you infect your mom?"
I shook my head. "Maybe she got stressed when I asked about Papa."
She chuckled a little. "Maybe not."
Since Monday, when Aries and I came back, Mama has still been sick. It's been two days, but she's not getting any better. I keep pacing outside her room because I don't want to go in—I might stress her out more.
Did what I said really have an effect on Papa?
"What are you doing here? Have you finished reviewing?" Kuya Angelo asked when he saw me in the kitchen with Tita.
I looked at him. "It's done. Aries helped me."
"Your exam is tomorrow, so go to bed early."
I didn't answer. It's still too early to sleep. We haven't even had dinner yet.
Kuya went straight to the fridge, grabbed a Chuckie, then peeked at what his mom was cooking. Auntie looked small compared to my cousin's size.
Who did he get his height from? Maybe his real dad. I want to be tall too. What if I drink the Chuckie in my fridge?
Maybe. But not because of the Chuckie. Maybe because I'd be running from Kuya after messing with his most treasured drink.
Kuya had already passed me by the time the maid called him. He went to the living room. I accidentally overheard them mention a name—I think I heard "David." I turned to listen more clearly, but they were too far away. I had no choice but to stand up and follow them into the living room.
I was surprised—but my face lit up when I saw who the guest was.
"Ci! Why are you here?" I said to him.
I looked at the person next to him, who was talking to Kuya. It was David, who smiled and greeted me briefly before facing my cousin again. Ci came to me, crying like a little kid, and hugged me tightly. Wow, like a child who just had their candy stolen.
"D-Drew," he stammered through tears, and I suddenly felt nervous.
"Why? What happened?" I asked, worried.
Is this what I was thinking about earlier? Looks like something bad happened to Drew. We weren't aware of what was going on with him, so he ended up betraying us—and now this. We couldn't even help.
"Drew is…"
He still wasn't speaking clearly. I started to panic as my mind raced through all the worst possibilities. I felt like I was about to cry. Jusko, please don't let it be something serious.
"Ci," I called him softly.
"Drew... Drew—" he sobbed, wiping his face. "Drew doesn't want to pay his debt."
Oh. Pussycat.
I lightly hit the little boy. "You really had me panicking."
"Aray," he muttered, walking away and wiping his face again.
"I'm serious here, and you're fooling me again."
"Hey, I'm really crying—but not because of his debt. I... I'm worried," he said seriously.
"Worried?"
"He's telling the truth," David chimed in. "The other day, he called me because he was worried about Drew."
I looked at him and my cousin as if they were reading my mind.
Kuya really has telekinesis.
I couldn't help but pity Batang Kumag. He didn't hesitate to confess who the traitor was. It was obvious he didn't agree with Keifer's decision either. I understood his concern.
"Why did you come here?" I asked.
I didn't remember having a conversation with them or them mentioning anything. It wasn't clear who they sent here because nothing bad happened to me after coming from Sir.
"We have something to talk about," Kuya answered, even though he wasn't the one I was asking.
I was about to ask again, but I stopped when I heard a car horn outside the house. I looked toward the open gate as an SUV pulled up and Mam Cindy, Sir Alvin, and Yuri got out.
Following their car was an expensive sports car. I could already smell who it was. Yuri approached me and greeted me.
"Good evening. How are you feeling?"
I smiled. "I'm okay. There are still some scars, but they'll fade. You?"
"A bit tired. We had a hard time finding a new house."
"Me? You're not going to say hello?" Ci said while pointing to himself, making us look at him.
"Or maybe greet us first," David added, crossing his arms.
Yuri winced, and I laughed. He seemed forced to greet David and Ci. I looked over at Sir Alvin and Mam Cindy, who were talking to Kuya. Then I turned my gaze to the man who just entered through our gate.
My feet moved on their own to meet him. I wasn't excited to see him—I was excited about what he was holding. A paper bag from a well-known restaurant.
The King of Serpents came bearing gifts.
"Is that for me?" I asked.
He laughed a little. "No, this is for your mom."
Oh.
I had mentioned in a text that my mom was sick. I should've said I was the one who was sick—maybe then I'd get food too. Too late. I'm sad now. Still, I took the paper bag and brought it to the kitchen to hand to Tita.
"Who brought it?" she asked.
"It's Keifer."
She nodded and began taking the food out of the paper bag to transfer it to another container. I left her and went back to the living room, but they were gone. They were already heading upstairs. Ci was at the back, waving at me. Where were they going? There's a field trip happening in the house.
I quickly followed them. They went straight to Kuya's room.
"What's going on?" asked Aries, who had just come out of his room. "Why are they here?"
I was about to answer, but Kuya Angelo called him. "Come here and join us."
I looked at Kuya to ask if I could come too, but he stopped me from entering.
"You stay out here." He looked at Ci. "You too. You're our first."
Ci frowned and stepped back. I was about to insist on knowing what they were going to talk about, but Kuya was already giving me a look, so I backed off and watched him close the door.
Ci and I looked at each other. It felt like we'd been kicked out of class—so embarrassing. He smiled at me and showed me his phone. There was an ongoing call with the name "David."
Well, great!
We quickly ran to my room and shut the door behind us. We seemed to be thinking the same thing. He pressed the mute button and put the call on loudspeaker.
"I accidentally called him earlier before we entered your brother's room. Then he answered without noticing," Ci said, giggling. "I didn't hang up because I knew something was going to happen."
"Did you hear them talking?" I asked, as we both leaned in to listen to the phone.
They were talking almost at the same time, so we couldn't understand anything at first. They only stopped when they had something to ask, and David answered.
"I didn't talk to Drew, but thankfully Rory and Edrix listened to me," he began. "It's true that the loan shark didn't know we all know the truth. He also doesn't care much about Ram—maybe because he already got what he wanted."
"He sent Drew back?" Kuya asked.
"I wouldn't say sent back—more like let him come back. Thanks to Rory and Edrix, who managed to convince Drew to follow our plan," David replied.
What plan?
I looked at Ci, but he didn't seem to have a clue either. I kept listening to the phone.
"So, what did they discover?" asked the Voice of the King.
"Now their target has changed. They want Drew to monitor you and gather information."
He was referring to Keifer as the new target of the loan shark. Why him now?
"For what?" Mam Cindy's voice asked.
"The loan shark is also working for someone close to Keifer's dad. It's like a network—someone knows someone," David explained.
Keifer cursed repeatedly. Who is that someone?
But why did they send Drew back to the loan shark in the first place? I was confused. I didn't know they had this kind of conversation.
"It seems your suspicion was also correct. According to Rory, someone is funding Ram. That's why he recovered so quickly and brought in a partner to get revenge on Jay-Jay," David added.
I covered my mouth. Does this mean Keifer's dad had something to do with it? It's hard to believe he knows Ram, but if they're part of a network, then he might also know about what I'm planning—and the person David referred to as someone close to Keifer's dad was able to get in the middle of everything.
I don't understand why they're involved. He shouldn't be dragged into our mess. I can't stop feeling scared.
It's like my world is shrinking.
Just hole it up.
"Did I hear that right? They forced Drew to go back to the loan shark to continue his work? Didn't they think that was dangerous?" I said, annoyed, but Ci signaled for me to be quiet.
We kept listening.
"Maybe we can pull Drew out? It's dangerous," said Yuri, but Kuya Angelo disagreed.
"It can't be sudden," he said, sighing for a moment.
"Let him return to your class and section."
"What for?"
"To provide information. Then, when they make minimal contact with Drew, we pull him out and make sure he cuts ties with them. Let him go as if he was almost caught and is no longer useful to them."
I was suddenly impressed by what Kuya said. It's like he knew exactly how to get Drew out of the loan shark's grip without hurting him. I thought he was furious because I was the one who got ruined, but he actually seems to care.
Kuya is a carebear.
"Is it okay with you if we send Drew back to Section E?" Yuri asked—probably speaking to the King.
There was a few seconds of silence before someone finally spoke.
"I know you hate him, but he clearly told Rory and Edrix that he wants to make up for what he did. That's why he agreed to your plan," David said.
Keifer laughed softly. "I don't have a problem with him recovering. My problem is Jay-Jay's safety." ❤️
"I want Drew to come back too, but I agree with Keifer. It's really risky. I just can't shake the feeling that he might have someone else to pass on the information he gathers," said Yuri.
They fell silent again. It seemed like they were all deep in thought. I heard someone sigh—but when I looked beside me, it was just Ci. Ci-N, buset!
"For now, let him come back. The exam's tomorrow. He also needs to catch up on his grades. We should be worried he might not be able to graduate," said Sir, and it seemed like they had finally made their decision.
Ci and I looked at each other, and it felt like a thorn had been pulled out at the same time. I liked the idea of sending him back to Section E. But I won't deny that I'm a little worried. Keifer is now the one he needs to observe and gather details about. What if he's the one who ends up perishing?
Ci ended the call after realizing we had started talking about something else.
"You mean, all this time, they had a plan for Drew?" Ci asked, and it made me think.
His confession about what he did was really unexpected, especially considering Keifer's decision to fire him. But what was even more surprising was that they had actually come up with a plan for what to do.
"Maybe they got the details right away," I answered, and he nodded.
"I'd also prefer if Drew were still in Section E," he said with a snort.
We both do. I prefer that too. I don't know why, but I believe Ulupong needs us more. What he's going through is unfair—he's the only one facing it. After all, we should be the first to help him. He was so consumed by fear that he accepted any help he could get.
So, I honestly don't agree with Keifer's decision.
"Honestly, Drew is a fool when it comes to money, but he can still be counted on," added the batang kumag. "Did you know they used to be rich?"
I thought for a moment. I feel like I've heard the Ulupongs talk about that before. I also found out once that he had already been to another country, but he never clarified if it was true—he was probably just joking.
"Really? Then why is he suffering now?"
"I don't know, but his mother was a gold medalist in the Chess Olympiad and competed several times in the World Chess Championship," he explained, and I stared in amazement.
That's crazy—his mom was that good, and yet he ended up gambling? Even coins suffer. Lintik was destroyed several times.
He didn't even inherit anything from his mom.
"What happened to them? Have you ever met his parents?"
He shook his head. "He doesn't want anyone going to his house. I know Blaster went once, but they ended up fighting."
I thought deeply about what could have gone wrong. The depth of the well. But maybe he's just shy too. Maybe that's what happened to their lives.
I just can't help but feel frustrated. Imagine, they were already struggling, and he still kept gambling. If only he had set aside money to save or provide for what he needed. Now, he has all kinds of debt, including a loan from the Shark.
I really hope that after this, he'll be saved from that and stop gambling.
We were about to continue talking about Drew's life, but someone knocked on my bedroom door. I immediately opened it and saw the face of the King of Snakes.
Handsome. Em.
"What?" I asked, and he smiled.
"Nothing. Is it bad if I just wanted to see you?"
I looked at Ci, who was still sitting on my bed, grunting as he smeared my blanket. I was about to visit him, but Keifer motioned for him to go out first. He looked at both of us before flashing a foolish smile.
What's on this little guy's mind?
He slowly walked out and closed the door, but I immediately opened it again. I didn't want my cousin to show up suddenly and get the wrong idea because the door was closed.
Death is blind! We're being picked off.
"How was your day?" asked the King as he came closer to me. I felt his hand on my waist, and it was like an electric shock. He even laughed at my reaction.
"It wasn't good. I feel like my mom got sick because of how rude I was. I'm dying to ask her about Dad—she's allergic," I explained.
"I don't think it was because of you. You also told me in your text that she might've just overworked herself at home."
We always text, but yesterday he was slow to reply, so I didn't text back anymore. He didn't check in on me, so I figured maybe he was busy. But honestly, I was annoyed that he took so long to respond.
He was too busy, so I didn't bother.
I nodded. He gently pulled me closer to him. I leaned against his chest and he immediately folded him arms. ❤️
"Hey, Kuya might catch us," I whispered, and he shook his head.
"He's busy talking to Sir Alvin and Ma'am Cindy."
I simply bit my lip. Of course, they also want to be alone with each other.
"What were you talking about earlier?" I asked, even though I already knew the answer. I just didn't want to show that I knew the truth.
I'll tell him what I found out, too. I just want to see if he'll share it with me first.
Because sharing your chismis is caring.
"About Drew. We just did something to him," he answered.
"What something?"
"Can't tell you yet, but it has something to do with the shark loan."
He wants to make up for what he did to me… to us."
I really can't help but feel nervous for Drew. It's too dangerous for him to go back there. What if he gets caught?
"Isn't he doomed?"
He didn't answer. He looked at me like he was weighing whether his answer would be right or wrong.
Ampucha! Arrange your answer!
"Keifer?" I called his name as if it were a threat.
"I—I can't confirm," he stammered and looked away.
I pulled away from him and hit him on the arm. He looked surprised by what I did.
"Keifer! That's not just some loan shark. His sister, he is worried for her, isn't he? It would be fine if it was just like the gangs we used to fight with."
"Calm down, Rory and Edrix are making sure Drew is careful with his actions."
I held my breath. "What if he isn't?"
"Of course he will be. He managed to move without being caught—except by Rory and Edrix. But if you think about it, he's been careful not to get caught so far, right?"
He had a point. Maybe 0.5 of a point.
If he hadn't confessed, we wouldn't have known. I just hope the King of Snakes is right. I feel like that shark loan is part of a big syndicate. What are we up against? We only have enough courage for a street fight.
He grabbed my hand to pull me closer to him again. "Don't worry too much."
"Of course I can't help it. I haven't even talked to Drew and properly forgiven him. But to me, he's still our friend."
He looked at me softly. "Sometimes I get annoyed by your kindness. But then I remember—that's one of your best qualities."
I blinked. "Who's kind?"
"You are," he replied with a laugh. "You're too soft."
"Weh? You mean I'm too smart?"
He burst out laughing, but then his expression turned serious. "It's also scary. Sometimes people forgive and let go quickly because their minds are looking for peace."
"What do you mean?"
"Your mind has been through a lot. It's tired, so it just wants peace. That's why you forgive betrayal, abuse, pain, and anger so easily—because your brain is desperate for relief," he explained, and I couldn't answer.
I hugged him and rested my head on his shoulder. It's true. Sometimes I wonder why I forgive so quickly. I just want it all to end. Like I want to go back to before the trouble happened—or before I felt the anger.
Now I understand.
"Please learn to set boundaries. I'm not saying don't forgive Drew or anyone who hurts you. You can forgive them, even those in the future—but please, put yourself first before others."
I laughed a little. "It's like you're telling me to stay away from you."
He went quiet for a few seconds, and I got confused. I immediately turned to him. He was smiling, but there was no sign of pain or anger.
"If that's how you feel it should be, then so be it," he said, and started to let go of me.
I immediately hit him. "I hope you don't walk away just yet. I hope you don't try to make me forgive you too easily."
He laughed out loud. "I'm just saying, just in case."
I was about to walk away from him, but he immediately pulled me into a hug again. I got annoyed, so I pushed him away a bit.
"I missed you," I muttered, irritated.
"I'm just saying… I'm not saying—"
"AND YOU'RE STILL FALLING FOR THIS?!" Kuya shouted like thunder inside my room.
We immediately let go of each other. I quickly moved away, scared Kuya's hand might suddenly hit my ear.
"Get the fuck out of here!" he ordered Keifer, who didn't want to move, but I signaled him to leave.
Kuya pointed at me and glared.
"Behave. And no dinner for you."
Why is dinner always the casualty?
He motioned for me to go out. I took a big step to quickly get away from my cousin. I didn't expect what Keifer said, but I did learn something.
The King of Serpents is really smart.