Shadow

Jay's POV

If there's any parallel universe, please lord let me have a normal life... a life where I do not have to fought battles for my existence, just me and him. I came out after taking a warm shower which literally helped me to calm down myself. 

I saw Aries was still asleep, I went near him to cover in quilt, "ahhh", he screamed at first and then I did, "you scared me", he yelled by keeping his hand on his heart, I hit his arms, "same here". I sit beside him, "why are you here?", he sighed, "you're lost and I had to look after Keiran, as Keigan was already tired, so I just sent him back".          

He's been so conscious for Keifer's brothers, literally he treats them like his own well, Kuya Angelo is the reason we both knows how to handle younger ones, "now I know the reason behind Kuya's migraine, he had to handle mischievous kids like us", he said while being serious, but I can't help but laughed. 

"Where were you, I asked Ben, he told me that you left too early?", Aries asked me. How come I'm supposed to tell that Keifer sort of kidnapped me, he'll for sure break his bones though I myself want to do this, his actions deserve this.     

I kept my head on his shoulders, "since I'm here so thought of handling some business, just had a brief meeting", I made some excuse, he nodded and gently caressed my hairs, "are you still into Keifer? don't know if he's pretending or it's real but he's denied recognizing us and even has a daughter with someone else". 

Who's gonna tell him, that jerk is just pretending and lying like he's Potus, well, his best friend just kidnapped me and me kissed him as well. "I don't want to talk about this right now, I'm tired", I said while leaning on him, he sighed, "have some rest, we'll leaving for London soon". 

We're leaving, but the things are still not cleared, and I feel like I've lost the energy to deal with things, I wish I can just escape. Aries covered me in the quilt and left for his room, and the night was sleepless for me, especially after confrontation with Keifer, his story and our hug...that kiss, that warm touch of him, the solace. 

Keiran waked me up in the morning, it's already past ten "Kuya Aries is calling us for the breakfast", I rubbed my eyes and realised that the reality is not that tough though, there are people who cares about me, I smiled at Keiran and he hugs me, "you're so sweet Ate, I love you". 

We all met at the restaurant, "Happy birthday to you", and they all started singing,  Ohh I remember it's my birthday today, fuck... life's so cooked I forgot that time's passing and, I'm in my twenties now. 

Keigan brings cake, "for you beautiful, our sunshine", and I blew the candles, "make a wish Ate", Keiran said, and I looked at that innocent kid, ahh... just in case if the wishes can come true like this. But I'm happy at least I've people who celebrates my birthday and here to make me feel special. I cut the cake and feeds Keiran at first then others. 

Keiran takes some cake and rubs on my face, "to protect you from evil eyes", and I did the same, we all laughed, enjoyed and prayed, in the chaotic life still we can smile that's not less than a blessing. 

My eyes went on the door, someone by standing try to hide, I peeked, it's him Keifer and I tried ignoring him, but I can't. He was looking inside then moved his head behind to ignore the eye contact. I excused and went towards him, I opened up the door and he got startled, and I saw him rubbing his eyes like he's wiping off tears, "what're you doing here?". 

He stayed silent, then took a deep breath, "actually... Happy birthday Jay! happiest birthday to you", his voice was low, my heart wanted that but why everything is this much complicated, I didn't even smile, "thank god my family got you, they're so happy with you". I sighed, "so want to spoil this?".

He didn't react but downed his gazes, took a deep breath, "just trying to correct everything", he smiled, "maybe I can do this for you, for us and for my family", he kissed my forehead, "have a good day". 

I touched my forehead, and soon he kissed on my lips, "I was missing your lips as well, Happy birthday again", and he left "why is he making things tough like this", I was lost in thoughts when someone tapped my shoulders, "let's plan the day Ate", Keigan said and he's looking excited and I didn't want to spoil it by talking about Keifer. 

"No plans but Herberts has invited for the party, it's for partnership between our companies", manager Smith informed, Keigan sighed, "huh! it's Ate's birthday and we've to go for work", I rested my hands on his shoulders, "it's okay. you already made the day with this morning celebration, and we're here for work and should do this". 

He nods but was looking a bit anxious, I know he must be thinking about Keifer. After all he's his elder brother and a father figure to him, these two years were extremely tough for this kid, but he did so well. 

Keigan got a call, "I'll be right back", he excused himself, I've been noticing that he's been talking a lot on phone lately, "who's it", and I saw his ears turning red, "just a friend", he left, is he growing up and already found a girl? Maybe yes, and it made me smile, the excitement of teenage love. 

In the evening, we got ready for the party, I don't want to go but Keigan wanted me to be with him, Aries denied going but Keiran wanted to join, so we three went there. The venue was good, and instead of looking like a simple partnership celebration it's more like a huge feast. Keiran wanted some ice cream, so Keigan took him to the counter. 

I was standing with the support of a wall, hoping that Keifer doesn't show up and also wishing to see him again. My poor heart, in dilemma whether trust him and keep loving or just restart life by leaving this all. 

There were people talking low voice but looking at me, felt like saying something for me, "she's just... just kind of assistant", other one cuts, "not even assistant but kind of babysitter of Watson brothers", " feels like she's just using Watson's name to have rich life", they all laughed. 

"Hey! If you wanna know about me, don't assume but ask me. Jasper Jean Mariano this side". I jumped into the conversation, "Mariano? related to Mariano Industries? ", I nodded, "future holder", they all were shocked, I smiled, "and a shooter by profession, a finance manager by qualification and the current CEO of Watsons, anything more?".

They all go silent, and "but not a Watson, right? the party is just for royal Europeans not for acting CEOs, or Asians", it's Diana, she smirked, "you're nothing more than an intruder". I looked fiercely into her eyes, she got scared cause she can see my burning eyes, how her words didn't shake my confidence. 

Honestly, I was feeling embarrassed, I don't know what to say but I felt hurt of course I've my own dignity and identity, I don't need the tag of anyone else to be seen, and I decided to leave but someone wrapped arms around me, that warm and safe touch, "she's Mrs Watson, my wife. Don't you dare to look at her". 

"Keifer?", I removed his hands, "you..", he cut me off, "I'm the lost heir of Watsons, Mark Keifer Watson and here it's my wife, my life", he pointed at me, "my Miss Universe", everyone was shock, whispering, "isn't he future son-in-law of Herberts?, "he's a Hudson", "Diana's fiancé". 

Keifer once again held my hand, "no, 'm Watson, the heir who was once lost. The king who disappeared and then his queen handled the empire and brought glory to it. She's the ruler and I'm her shadow, wherever she'll go I'll follow her and protect her". 

The complete hall was silent, Diana tried to divert the situations, "he's just making things and...", but Keifer stepped in again with his dominating voice, "no, this is truth. It's just... a misunderstanding because I lost my memory in an accident, but now my real love is here I remember everything". 

The people there started whispering, Diana was looking frustrated, here fists clenched, "Keifer? we've a daughter, how can you...", Keifer calmed her down, "let me handle the situation, don't worry, neither you'll lose nor me. Though I didn't want to do this in public soon but you", he pointed a finger at her, "you tried to defame my queen, I can't hold it". 

I interrupted in between, "I don't need anyone else to define me, I've my own identity, and so just stay away from me", and I left but Keifer was still following me, "what do you want?" that jerked smiled, "you".  

Keigan was there, "what's wrong?", his eyes went on Keifer, and he pulls me towards himself, "stay away from my Ate", his voice was tough and determined that he's here to protect me. "Keigan, listen to me", Keifer approached him, "I'm your Kuya, and I can explain". 

"No, you're nothing, you can only hurt like our father, and we can live by our own and there's no need of you in our life", Keigan held my hands tightly, "we're alive, and in future as well we'll be able to do the same". He moved towards door, "let's go home, me, you and Keiran, we're enough". 

Keiran was seeing this all and he hugged Keifer, "Kuya", his little arms were tightly wrapped around his waist, "Kuya, I missed you a lot. where were you?", Keifer sits down, "my baby brother", he ruffled his hairs, "did you really missed me?", Keiran nods, "too much", and they hug again. 

I can see Keifer was crying, the happiness of reuniting with family, the people you love but Keiran soon pulled Keiran apart, "he's not our Kuya, not our family Keiran! he doesn't even recognize us", Keifer holds both of his brother and took into a side and I followed them, "why are you doing this?", Keigan yells.

Keifer kept standing calmly listening to his brother cursing him, "you left us like we're nothing, if it's not Ate Jay then we would have murdered", and now Keifer stepped ahead and hugged Keigan, "I'm sorry", Keigan didn't say a word, Keifer patted him on the back, "can you please forgive me, for once", both of the brothers were silent, broken, "I'm tired Kuya, I can't..".

Keifer backed off, " I'm proud of you, I feel fucking pride calling you my brother that you handled things better than me, you're real son of our mother", he hold his hands, "but enough, now I won't let you suffer", he looked at me, "I'll never let my loved ones get hurt again, and I mean it". He again hugged him, and Keiran too joins, my lips themselves turned into a smile, the brothers reunited, the family is complete. 

We all moved out of the venue, and sat in a nearby restaurant, though I was leaving but all the three brothers are same in this, "you're not leaving, just stay with us our Queen", and I had no other option. 

Keifer's POV

Finally, I got the chance to explain it to Keigan and seems like he's ready to give me a chance, I promise this was the last time you bear this much but now your Kuya is here. When we're sitting to have a meal together, we three and Jay it made me feel like nothing has changed but we're always like this. I wish all the pain we had can be forgotten but I know it's not easy, especially for Jay-Jay.

Keiran was speaking without a break, "Kuya, I've got many friends, I miss Manila... Yoichi still contacts with me", well he's really my brother still stuck to that one girl, and I looked at Jay, is she's not there maybe I'd have lost my brothers. 

Jay was quite but smiling and it's like a hope, maybe there's still something left in between us, "Keiran, Keigan you both must be tired, we can go to my home. Just rest there". Jay got up, "no we'll get back to hotel", he cut off, "it's too far, just stay at my place". 

She hesitated but looked at Keiran who was really tired, so she agreed "but I'll get back to hotel", I nodded as I know it's a waste to argue, but I sent Keigan and Keiran with my driver but forcefully convinced Jay to go with me, as I need to talk to her. 

We both walked down the street to get into her car which was parked a little away, "Jay! are you...?, she stopped me, "I was silent because of your brothers, Keifer it's better if you come back to London and took over the company. and also, my father is sick and want me to with him, I've to see my own family as well" 

I nodded, and opened the door for her, "just a minute, I want to give you something", and I went into a nearby shop as it's her birthday and I had planned a date, but she'll not agree to be with me at least these flowers can be lucky to go in her hands.

I bought the bouquet, but suddenly heard a blast, like vehicles collided, I ran, there were people assembled on the road, maybe some accident, "Jay!", I started looking around, and moved forward and realised the place of accident was same as Jay's car was standing. 

I pushed the people, "Jay! Jay-Jay!", her car was hit by another car, and both cars were lying down on the road, "fuck.. oh fuck, it's not gonna happen", I reached to her car, the windows were closed, I don't know where the flowers went but I started hitting the window, "I'll not let happen anything to you", and I struggle to break the window, people tried pulling me, "the car might blast anytime", I shrugged them off, "no way, I'll take out my Jay first". 

"Keifer", I heard it but, still continuously hitting the car's window with my hand, the broken glass already injured my hand & it's bleeding heavily, "I'll get you out", I screamed while my voice was trembling and I was whole teared up. (QOT people know this)

Someone pulled me, "Keifer, I'm right here, standing well and good", I looked at her with watery eyes, "Jay!", I didn't think for a second and just hugged her, so tightly that she can't even move, "that's the second time Jay, i thought I lost you", she hits on my chest, "you're completely mad, what if the glass injure you seriously", she's caring about me. 

But I hid my hand, "you can't see blood, it might be...", before I complete, she took out a handkerchief and wrapped it on my injuries, "it might stop bleeding", she didn't react after seeing blood. 

She took me to hospital, we went to see doctor, and the doctor looked at my injuries, "the piece of glass entered your skin, we need to remove them and even keep you under observation".

I was taken to a private ward after the operation, Jay took a seat on a chair beside my bed, "you're crazy", she was so angry, but I smiled, "I don't mind being, if it's you". she looked at my hands, "it might take time to recover".

I smirked, "it's good, at least it made me feel like you care about me, I'm ready to take more injuries if it brings us closer"., she scoffed, "jerk", and forwarded a tablet, "take this it might release your pain", I tilted my head, "well, you're here my pain is gone". 

She rolled her eyes, "you'll never change, still that crazy asshole who annoys me", and I nodded with a proud grin, "and loves you". She gave me water, "take the medicine", I showed my injured hand, "do it for me", and she sighed but got up, I took the medicine and she made me drink water over it, I took a sip and then just kept staring at her, and the water fell on me, she backed off, "fuck, you're good for nothing", she scolded me.

As she turned but I pulled her, "please stay", she tried to get off my hold but it's waste, "I told you I'm your shadow, I'll always be behind you", I shortens the distance between us, "gonna make up for every mistake, will return happiness with interest in turn of the tears I let you shed". 

To Be Continued...

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Hiii!!! Hope you're all doing great....At first, I'm really sorry for ghosting you all like this, but it's just things came up, I was little sick then had a wedding of close relative to attend. Even I had to wait for two damn days to watch the first episode of Amnse. So, apologizing for the delay and thanks for keeping the patience. I hope you'll like this chapter ❤️✨