**KEIFER'S POV**
They're all looking at me like I'm some kind of criminal.
And maybe I deserve it.
"What the hell, Keifer?!" Yuri growled, grabbing me by the collar. "Sinaktan mo si Jay-jay at si Kit dahil lang sa mga hinala mo?!"
I shoved his hand away. Despite everything, I still couldn't bring myself to show remorse—even though that's exactly what I felt.
I'm full of regrets. Full of agony.
It took me a while to come back to my senses. A while before I realized that I let my anger consume me—again. And this time, it hurt the woman I love... and my friend.
*What the f*ck is wrong with me?*
I said I wouldn't hurt her anymore. I swore I'd protect her. But it's like my body has a mind of its own. I *knew* she was hurting. I *saw* how hard it was for her to walk. She even fell down the stairs earlier.
But I ignored all that… because all I cared about was my own pain.
*How selfish can I be?*
"Ano bang nangyayari sa'yo, Keifer?" Ci-N whispered, almost afraid to speak.
I could feel their fear. I looked at them with a blank expression.
"Masama bang magalit?" I asked, almost desperately.
"Hindi masamang magalit," Yuri snapped. "Pero masama ang ginawa mo! Pinairal mo na naman yang init ng ulo mo!"
I let out a bitter laugh.
"Hindi siya hinalikan ni Kit," someone suddenly said, making me freeze.
Edrix stepped forward, his eyes filled with both anger and worry.
"I heard them arguing about it," he said.
"Narinig ko rin 'yon dati," another added. "Nilinaw ni Jay-jay na hindi natuloy. Tinangka lang ni Kit."
My chest tightened. *Sh*t. I'm such a f*cking idiot.*
"Are you telling me the truth?" I asked, though I already knew the answer.
Edrix shook his head in disbelief. "Hindi ako makapaniwala sa'yo. Ganyan na ba kakitid ang utak mo?" he shouted.
I couldn't blame him. I humiliated Jay-jay in front of everyone—because of jealousy. Because of blind rage.
"…Siyempre totoo 'yon! Sa tingin mo ba basta-basta nalang papahalik si Jay-jay kung kanino? Mag-isip ka nga!" he snapped.
I glanced at David, his face still swollen from my punches. If I could smash his skull right now, I probably would've.
But I knew Edrix wasn't lying. He's never lied to me. He had no reason to.
I collapsed on the floor and clutched my head, fingers digging through my hair. *What's wrong with me?* Why am I like this? I feel like I'm going insane.
I want all this to end. I want this pain to stop. I keep dragging everyone into my mess. They're getting hurt because of me—because of the pressure, the stress, the chaos inside me.
"I think we should leave Keifer alone," Yuri said.
"Yeah… Let's check on Kit sa hospital," Rory added.
"Daan muna tayo sa faculty. Magpaalam tayo," Calix said.
One by one, they left—until only two pairs of feet remained in front of me.
"K-Keifer… Puntahan ko muna si Jay-jay. Hindi maganda ang lagay niya," Ci-N said softly.
I looked up and forced a weak smile. "Please do… I just want to know if she's alright."
"Halatang hindi siya okay," Felix muttered. "…Sana Keifer, pag-isipan mong mabuti 'yung mga ginagawa mo. Hindi sa lahat ng oras dapat mong pairalin ang galit mo."
I only nodded as they left.
*How do I control this?* How do I stop myself from hurting her again?
She doesn't deserve this. She doesn't deserve *me*.
Only one person came to mind. The one person who might actually knock some sense into me.
I pulled out my phone and dialed his number.
"Keifer…" he answered.
"Pwede ba tayong magkita? Kailangan ko ng kausap."
"Sige. Sa dating lugar," he said before ending the call.
My thoughts were racing. I didn't even notice the time pass. I just kept thinking—
*I'm sorry, Jay…*
I don't usually apologize. I don't like lowering myself. But for Jay-jay? I'd get on my knees. I'd let the world see me at my lowest.
I forced myself to stand and walk out of the classroom. I was barely aware of my surroundings as I made my way to the parking lot.
I didn't even realize I almost walked past my car—until another parked vehicle nearly hit me. *Get a grip, Keifer.*
I got in, started the engine, and forced myself to concentrate. But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't stop pressing harder on the gas.
Before I knew it, I was already there.
I parked beside a familiar car. *He's here before me.* Of course he is.
I stepped out and entered the building.
**Kingsground.**
The first time I saw this place, it was empty. Just an abandoned structure where people used to sneak in to brawl, hide, or drink. A place for rebels.
Now? It's Tiger's dream come true.
A place where everyone is free—to dance, to drink, to fight, to be whoever the hell they want to be. And somehow, it worked.
As I walked in, the disco section was already closed. Only the crew remained, cleaning up.
Then, a slow clap echoed from a distance.
"Look who we have here!" Tiger yelled, walking toward me in his usual flashy outfit.
"I'm looking for someone," I said.
"I know. He's upstairs," he pointed at the office.
I didn't wait for another word. I climbed the stairs to the glass-walled office. It was quiet—soundproof. From here, you could see everything happening on the dance floor below.
I pushed the door open. He was seated, back turned, sipping brandy.
"You're late," he said, not turning around. "…Or I'm just early?"
"I hurt Jay-jay."
He turned so fast, his glass flew across the room—almost hitting my head.
"Damn it, Keifer! I told you to stay away from my cousin!" he shouted.
*Michael Angelo.*
He hadn't been this angry in years. But the fear he struck in me felt just the same.
"What did you do to her?" he demanded, trying to hold back his rage.
I stared at him. *How does he do it?* How does he keep his anger in check?
"I—How do you do that?" I asked, suddenly unsure.
"What?" he snapped, confused. "I'm asking about Jay-jay!"
*My anger… I have to control it.*
"I-I…" I hesitated, afraid of what he'd do if I told the truth.
"Aries called me earlier. He said Jay-jay might've gone home dahil hindi maganda pakiramdam niya. But when I texted the house, they said she's not there," he paused. "May kinalaman ka ba don?"
I lowered my head. "She's at the hospital."
Before I could even blink, his fist collided with my jaw.
I hit the ground hard.
"Mapapatay kita, Keifer! Anong ginawa mo at kailangan pa siyang dalhin sa ospital?!"
"I-I didn't mean to…" I stammered. He grabbed me again, lifting me by the collar.
"Speak now, or I'll break every bone in your body."
"I-I humiliated her… in front of everyone. And I ignored her pain."
He let go. I dropped to the floor and leaned against the glass wall, trying to breathe through the pain.
"What do you mean she was in pain?"
"I don't know. But she could barely walk. I should've noticed."
He pulled out his phone and made a call.
"Check the CCTV around Kingsground. Look for a girl in an HVIS uniform, riding a bike… Yes. Jay-jay."
He glanced at me. "I owe you."
He slipped the phone back in his pocket and walked toward me.
"Explain. Everything."
So I did.
I told him everything—how I lost control, how jealousy clouded my mind, how I took everything out on them.
He listened. Quietly. Just sipping his brandy.
And for once… he didn't say a word.
So I broke the silence.
"Aren't you going to hit me again?"
He shook his head. "One punch is enough. If it were before, I probably would have already broken your jaw, but now… I can handle things without using my fist all the time."
I stared at the glass I was holding, gently shaking it, and the ice inside moved. "I don't know what to do anymore," I whispered.
Angelo cleared his throat. "To be honest with you, what you did isn't all bad. You just pushed Jay-jay away from you."
Yes, I just did.
I know she doesn't want me for Jay-jay. She doesn't want me getting close to her. She doesn't want what happened to her before to happen again. She doesn't want that to happen to us.
I'm not dumb. Even though she doesn't show it, I know she still carries her past—the woman who built her, but also destroyed her.
"…You both have stubborn heads," he muttered, pouring more alcohol into his glass. "I want Jay-jay to study well, but it seems like she's becoming even more stubborn." He sighed. "Maybe I should've transferred her to another section earlier."
"Do you hate me that much?" I asked, my voice trembling.
He stopped before taking another sip from his glass. "What do you mean?"
"Do you hate me that much that you don't want me for Jay-jay?"
"I don't hate you, but I don't really like you for Jay-jay." He answered calmly.
Even though I already knew that, I couldn't help but feel sad. It felt like everyone was against me.
"W-why?" My throat felt tight as I asked.
"Because you have a very complicated life. I don't want Jay-jay to get dragged into the mess of your family. Her life is already complicated, and she doesn't need someone like you." His gaze never wavered from mine as he continued, "…and one more thing… I see it."
Maybe he's right. I shouldn't drag Jay-jay into the mess of my family. As long as she's close to me, she will be targeted by Clyde and the Elders.
"What should I do?" I asked him, lost in my own thoughts.
His eyes filled with authority, like a King on his throne. No one could dethrone him from his position. And like before, his words were still powerful.
"Push her away from you."
Those words struck me like an arrow. I have to push her away. It's the only way to protect her from my family… From me.
But pushing her away means… hurting her.
No.
The image of her crying because of me was already causing so much pain. But I had no choice. I had no other option.
I don't think I can do it. I can't bear the thought of being apart from her. I can't stand losing her.
I'll go crazy! I can't take it. I couldn't hold it in any longer. I dropped to my knees, my tears falling freely.
I dropped the glass I was holding.
"N-no… I-I can't," I whispered, crying like a child.
I don't know why, but it felt like I was being crushed. I couldn't lose Jay-jay. I didn't know what I would do if that happened.
Everything I ever wanted, I never got. No matter what I did to try and make them mine. But it was all for nothing, because Yuri was always the one on their minds. And I was left with no one to love.
Now, for the first time, I've been given a chance to love and be loved. But why does it have to be like this? Why do I have to push her away from me? I feel like I don't deserve to be happy.
I heard footsteps walking toward me. I didn't bother to look.
"Look at yourself. You're weak," Angelo said, his voice cold.
"…How can you fight for her against me if you can't even protect her from your own anger?"
I'm not strong enough.
"…Show me our difference. Prove to me that you deserve her."
I will… I will prove to you.
I will do anything to prove it. I will fight for her, and I will never let her go. I will make myself stronger. But I have to protect her first. From my relatives and from me. I have to push her away. I need to do that.
But I need you so badly… Jay-jay.