Jay-jay's POV
Two weeks!
We've been helping out at Eman's restaurant for two weeks now.
It's exhausting, but it also feels like a bonding experience for us. And it's worth it—Eman pays us with food. Food!!
My older brother knows about this too. I made sure to ask for his permission so he wouldn't scold me. He was fine with it—except for how late we get home. We sometimes stay until dawn.
"Jay! Clean up table two!" Yuri ordered.
See? We're already used to this!
I immediately obeyed and approached table two near the entrance. While wiping the table, I noticed a car pulling up outside.
Aries' car! And he brought his classmates.
Talk about luck.
I quickly carried the tray with the used plates and glasses to the kitchen and called out to the others.
"Guys! Aries' group is here!" I shouted.
Everyone froze, waiting for Keifer to say something. But Eman was the first to speak.
"Please don't start any trouble here!" he pleaded.
They all turned to Keifer, who was silent, just staring at me.
"Eman is right! No one starts a fight!" Keifer finally said.
I immediately stepped out to attend to the other customers, but it seemed like Aries' group was the only one needing attention.
No choice!
All the other crew members were busy. I took a deep breath, grabbed a menu, and approached their table. But before I could even greet them, Freya's smile widened.
"O.M.G! So it's true! You really became a waitress!" she said, grinning from ear to ear.
I smiled back—fake, of course. Because, duh, she's fake too!
Someone placed a tray of water on their table. I thought it was Yuri since he usually did that.
But no, it was Keifer standing in front of me.
"Hahaha... Keifer Watson? What the hell?!" Mykel burst out laughing, slapping the table repeatedly.
Other customers started looking at us. He was acting like an idiot. I glanced at Kiko, who gave me a forced smile, as if he wanted to say something.
Keifer, on the other hand, remained expressionless, staring at them. Ella looked uncomfortable, so Aries put his arm around her.
"Keifer... Seriously? Are you guys struggling financially?" Mykel asked.
"I don't know..." Keifer replied innocently. "Why don't you ask my friend?"
He suddenly turned and gestured for someone to come over.
"W-why?"
Mica?! This guy is insane.
Mykel's expression darkened—his face looked like he was ready to throw a punch.
"You're here too, Mica?" Freya asked.
Idiot!
"No! She's not! That's just a picture! Sometimes a hologram!" I shot back sarcastically.
Freya's eyebrows immediately knitted together as she crossed her arms.
"Uhmmm... Jay, I'll just take their orders instead," Mica volunteered.
"No! We want Jay and Keifer to serve us," Aries demanded.
I looked at Keifer. I wanted to ask if he was okay with it, but he answered first.
"Okay."
We stood in front of them, waiting for their orders. It felt like they were intentionally stalling—taking forever to decide. I glanced to the side where Yuri was attending to a customer. Lucky him... I wish I were over there instead.
Ugh, these guys are so annoying! It's so obvious they're—Wait! What the hell?!
Keifer suddenly put his arm around me and pulled me close.
What is this?! What is this snake king up to now?!
My heart!!!
It was beating so fast—like it was racing at top speed. I couldn't move. I think I was frozen stiff!
Woah! Woah!
I swallowed hard—multiple times. My blood flow felt weird, and my face was burning up.
"Don't move." Keifer whispered.
Aaarrrgghhhh... His lips were so close to my ear. I was getting ticklish! My goodness, his breath was warm.
I CAN'T BREATHE! OXYGEN! PULL TANK!
"Ahem." Kiko cleared his throat, grabbing our attention.
Both Keifer and I looked at him, but Keifer's arm was still around me.
For crying out loud!
"I want to order this Ultimate Burger," Kiko said, handing the menu back to me.
I took it while Keifer wrote Kiko's order on the notepad he was holding. But the moment he finished, he put his arm around me again.
Just place your damn orders already! For the love of—
"I'll have the same, with bottomless iced tea," Mykel said, returning the menu.
Keifer finally let go of me to write it down. I quickly stepped away, fearing he'd put his arm around me again.
The rest of them gave their orders, but it felt like they were doing it on purpose—being difficult with their requests. Freya, for example, wanted salad but insisted on reducing whatever leafy thing she was talking about. Aries asked for extra chili, specifying he didn't want the chicken half-cooked or overcooked.
So picky!
Keifer took the note to the kitchen while I returned the menus to the counter.
I didn't notice Kiko had followed me.
"Jay.." he started. "..can we talk? Just the two of us?"
I glanced at the wall clock. My break was still far off. I couldn't leave my coworkers behind—they might get mad at me.
"Can we just talk here? I still have work to do." I pleaded.
Kiko had no choice but to agree. He didn't really have any other option.
"I... I want to court you. I haven't asked Aries about this because I wanted to hear your answer first."
Well… I was speechless. I didn't know what to say. I never thought someone would even consider courting me at this point.
Honestly? I felt flattered. I still had a crush on Kiko, but not in the same way as before—where I used to get giddy every time he came near. Maybe because of everything that had happened. I glanced at their table and saw Aries looking in our direction.
But getting a boyfriend again… was the last thing on my mind.
"Kiko… I…"
"Is there a problem here?" David suddenly interrupted.
Kiko shot him a glare. Oh no! These two might start a fight right here!
"It's noth—"
Kiko cut me off. "Nothing. We're just talking. Maybe you could leave." His tone was calm.
David and Kiko stared at each other, trying to intimidate one another.
I looked around and noticed even Ci-N and the others were watching us now.
Please don't fight!
"David… Maybe they need you inside." I tried to divert his attention.
He was still staring at Kiko. "You too. They need you inside."
"O-okay." I answered and grabbed his arm to lead him away.
At first, he didn't want to move, but I refused to leave without him.
"Jay… I'll be waiting for your answer." Kiko said.
I didn't respond. I just walked into the kitchen with David.
"Are you really going to let Kiko court you?" David suddenly asked.
It seemed like the others heard him too because they suddenly stopped what they were doing and looked at me.
"I-I don't know."
I felt like I was on the hot seat. David really knew how to ask surprising questions.
"Do you like Kiko?" Yuri asked, standing nearby.
"U-uh… W-well…"
"You like him." Keifer stated.
I swallowed hard. It was just a crush—it didn't mean I would immediately agree to be courted.
"N-no… I-I have no plans of being courted." That was all I could say.
I quickly stepped out before they could bombard me with more questions. I went back to the counter where Mica was arranging the menus.
"Keep an eye on David." She whispered.
Huh? Shouldn't I be watching Kiko instead?
"W-why David?" I asked.
"Hasn't anyone told you that Kiko and David fought before?"
Oh, right! I remember Kiko once said he took David down before.
"I've heard about it, but I don't know the full story." I replied.
"I don't know the details either. But Kiko is the one who gave David that scar on his jaw." Mica said before walking away.
Now I was even more confused. These two might really end up fighting again. But David is smart—he probably wouldn't let Kiko provoke him so easily.
Still, I wanted to know what happened between them. Why did they fight? But I was sure David wouldn't tell me.
There was only one person I knew who was willing to share information, even if his explanations were all over the place.
"Ci-N! Let's take a break!" I called out to him.
He nodded and followed me. We went through the back door. I handed him the burger we ordered earlier.
"I have a question." I said, taking a bite of my burger. "…What happened between David and Kiko?"
He chewed for a moment before answering. "You mean their fight?"
I nodded.
"I don't know." He said, then took another bite.
Ugh! I didn't get any useful information from this kid.
"All I know is that 'A' filed a complaint against Kit and Eren. They talked to David about it. But we don't know what was discussed. Then, suddenly, we heard that they were fighting in the old factory. When we got there, David's face was bleeding, and Kiko was holding a pipe." He added.
Nice! At least I got some information, even if it was just a little.
But why would Kiko do that?
A fight was one thing, but he even grabbed a pipe. I wanted to ask either David or Kiko about it.
But of course, that would make me seem like a total gossip.