AUTHOR’S POV Morning had arrived at Fernandez Mansion.
And somehow…
The mansion was already loud.
Everyone was in the living room.
Keifer.
Yuri.
Ci-N.
Eman.
Kit.
Calix.
Blaster.
Edrix.
Eren.
Mayo.
Josh.
Denzel.
Felix.
Rory.
David.
Aris.
Angelo.
Seventeen people.
But two people were missing.
Jayjay.
And Percy.
Josh looked around.
Josh: “Where are Jay and Percy?” Yuri glanced toward the staircase.
Yuri: “I haven’t seen either of them since last night.” Keifer looked at Percy’s empty chair.
Keifer: “Percy’s room?” Aris nodded.
Aris: “Let’s check.” Yuri stood immediately.
Keifer followed.
The three of them walked upstairs.
They first went to Percy’s room.
Aris knocked.
No answer.
He opened the door.
Empty.
Yuri looked around.
Yuri: “Not here.” Keifer frowned.
Keifer: “Jay’s room?” Aris immediately started walking.
Aris: “Let’s check.” They reached Jay’s bedroom.
Aris slowly opened the door.
And froze.
Yuri nearly walked into him.
Yuri: “Why did you stop?” Aris didn’t answer.
Yuri looked inside.
His eyes widened.
Keifer looked over Yuri’s shoulder.
And froze too.
The room was full of shopping bags.
There were bags on the floor.
Bags on the chair.
Bags near the wardrobe.
Bags beside the sofa.
There were kurtis.
Sarees.
T-shirts.
Jeans.
Shoes.
Accessories.
Shopping boxes.
It looked like someone had gone shopping for half the city.
But that wasn’t what shocked them.
Percy was sleeping on the sofa.
Jay was sleeping peacefully on the bed.
Yuri’s mouth fell open.
Yuri: “…” Keifer stared.
Keifer: “…” Aris slowly blinked.
Aris: “…” Nobody said anything.
Yuri leaned closer to Aris.
Yuri: “Why are they sleeping in the same room?” Aris whispered back.
Aris: “I don’t know.” Keifer looked at the shopping bags.
Keifer: “And why are there so many bags?” Yuri whispered— Yuri: “Maybe they went shopping.” Keifer looked at him.
Keifer: “Obviously.” Yuri shrugged.
Yuri: “I’m just saying.” Aris looked at Jay.
She was sleeping peacefully.
Then he looked at Percy.
Percy was sleeping with one arm over his face.
Yuri whispered— Yuri: “Should we wake them?” Aris immediately shook his head.
Aris: “No.” Keifer: “Why?” Aris looked at Jay.
Aris: “Because I value my life.” Yuri nodded seriously.
Yuri: “Good reason.” They were about to leave.
Then Jay suddenly moved.
Her eyebrows pulled together.
She turned slightly in her sleep.
And suddenly— Jayjay: “I will kill you, Percy…” All three froze.
Jay continued sleeping.
Jayjay: “Let me sleep…” She pulled the blanket higher.
Jayjay: “Stop talking.” Percy moved slightly on the sofa.
His eyes remained closed.
He replied sleepily— Percy: “I didn’t say a single word, baby…” Silence.
The three stared at each other.
Yuri’s eyes widened.
Keifer slowly turned toward the door.
Aris immediately whispered— Aris: “We’re leaving.” Yuri nodded.
Yuri: “Immediately.” Keifer didn’t argue.
They quietly stepped outside.
Aris carefully closed the door.
The moment they were outside— Yuri whispered— Yuri: “Did that actually happen?” Keifer looked at him.
Keifer: “Yes.” Yuri nodded slowly.
Yuri: “Okay.” A pause.
Yuri: “I’m never waking Jay up.” Aris nodded.
Aris: “Smart.” They went downstairs.
Nobody asked them what they had seen.
And they certainly weren’t going to volunteer the information.
Especially after hearing Jay threaten Percy in her sleep.
ONE HOUR LATER The sound of footsteps came from upstairs.
Everyone looked toward the staircase.
Percy appeared.
He had showered and changed.
He was wearing a loose oversized white T-shirt, paired with light beige trousers.
His curly hair was slightly messy, giving him a relaxed, effortless look.
(check comments for pic) He walked into the living room.
Josh immediately looked at him.
Josh: “Bro.” Percy looked over.
Percy: “Hmm?” Josh: “Nice.” Percy looked down at himself.
Percy: “What?” Josh: “The outfit.” Percy smiled.
Percy: “Thanks.” Eren nodded.
Eren: “Simple.” Mayo added— Mayo: “But somehow you look expensive.” Percy laughed.
Percy: “I’ll take that as a compliment.” Aris was still remembering the bedroom.
He looked at Percy.
Percy noticed.
Percy: “Why are you staring at me?” Aris immediately looked away.
Aris: “Nothing.” Percy narrowed his eyes.
Percy: “You’re acting weird.” Aris: “I’m not.” Yuri quickly joined in.
Yuri: “He’s not.” Percy looked at Yuri.
Percy: “You’re also acting weird.” Yuri smiled awkwardly.
Yuri: “We’re all normal.” Percy shook his head.
Percy: “Sure.” He sat down.
Ten minutes passed.
Then— Footsteps.
Everyone looked toward the staircase again.
And this time…
Nobody spoke.
Jayjay slowly walked downstairs.
Her straight hair was gone.
Her new hairstyle was completely different.
Her hair fell in long, soft waves, with volume around her face and down her shoulders.
The hairstyle changed her entire appearance.
And she was wearing a fitted white cropped top with a small bow detail, paired with loose grey cargo jeans.
(check comments for pic) Simple.
Casual.
But somehow…
Extremely beautiful.
Jay reached the last step.
She looked around.
Everyone was staring.
She raised an eyebrow.
Jayjay: “What?” Josh was the first to speak.
Josh: “WOW.” Jay stared at him.
Jayjay: “What?” Josh: “Nothing.” He shook his head.
Josh: “You just look completely different.” Jay touched her hair.
Jayjay: “It’s just a hairstyle.” Yuri smiled.
Yuri: “It’s a really good hairstyle.” Ci-N nodded.
Ci-N: “It suits you.” Eman added— Eman: “A lot.” Kit looked at her outfit.
Kit: “And the clothes.” Jay glanced down.
Jayjay: “What about them?” Kit: “They look really good.” David quietly said— David: “You look beautiful.” Jay looked at him.
Jayjay: “Thank you.” David immediately looked away.
Keifer had been silent.
He looked at Jay.
The new hairstyle.
The white top.
The grey cargo jeans.
His expression softened for half a second.
Then he looked away.
Jay noticed.
She didn’t comment.
Percy, meanwhile, was staring openly.
Jay turned toward him.
Jayjay: “Perse.” Percy blinked.
Percy: “Hmm?” Jayjay: “Why are you staring?” Percy smiled.
Percy: “Because you look really good.” Jay gave him a small smile.
Jayjay: “I know.” Percy laughed.
Percy: “Still arrogant.” Jay shrugged.
Jayjay: “Still true.” Aris smiled.
Aris: “That’s my—” He stopped himself.
Everyone looked at him.
Aris immediately corrected— Aris: “That’s Jay.” Jay narrowed her eyes slightly.
Aris smiled innocently.
Aris: “What?” Jay shook her head.
She knew exactly why he had stopped.
But neither of them said anything.
Their secret remained exactly where it belonged.
Hidden.
THE MATCHING Yuri suddenly looked between Percy and Jay.
Then looked again.
His eyebrows slowly rose.
Yuri: “Wait.” Nobody responded.
Yuri pointed at Percy.
Yuri: “White.” Then he pointed at Jay.
Yuri: “White.” He looked at their bottoms.
Yuri: “Beige.” Then Jay’s grey jeans.
He frowned.
Yuri: “Okay, not exactly.” Josh immediately jumped in.
Josh: “They’re matching!” Jay looked at Percy.
Percy looked at Jay.
Both of them looked down.
White.
Neutral colors.
Coordinated casual outfits.
Josh pointed dramatically.
Josh: “I KNEW IT!” Percy laughed.
Percy: “Knew what?” Josh: “You two matched!” Jay crossed her arms.
Jayjay: “We didn’t plan it.” Percy nodded.
Percy: “Exactly.” Josh shook his head.
Josh: “That’s what matching people always say.” Yuri laughed.
Yuri: “He’s right.” Keifer looked at Percy.
Keifer: “You couldn’t choose another color?” Percy looked confused.
Percy: “Why?” Keifer: “Because she’s wearing white too.” Percy shrugged.
Percy: “I like white.” Jay immediately added— Jayjay: “So do I.” Josh gasped.
Josh: “SEE?!” Everyone laughed.
Josh: “They’re even answering together!” Jay gave him a deadly look.
Jayjay: “Josh.” Josh immediately sat down.
Josh: “Okay.” A pause.
Josh: “I’m quiet.” 🍳 BREAKFAST Everyone eventually moved toward the dining table.
Jay sat between Aris and Percy.
Percy immediately pushed a plate toward her.
Percy: “Eat.” Jay looked at him.
Jayjay: “I know.” Percy: “Then eat.” Jay took a bite.
Percy watched her.
Jayjay: “Stop watching me.” Percy: “Why?” Jayjay: “Because it’s annoying.” Percy: “I’m making sure you’re eating.” Aris sighed.
Aris: “You two argue about everything.” Jay looked at Aris.
Jayjay: “Kuya Ari.” Aris immediately became quiet.
Aris: “Yes?” Jayjay: “Eat.” Aris nodded.
Aris: “Yes.” Percy laughed.
Percy: “She controls you too.” Aris looked at him.
Aris: “Don’t expose me.” Jay smiled slightly.
Breakfast continued.
For a while…
Everything was peaceful.
Until Percy suddenly remembered something.
His eyes widened.
He looked at Jay.
Then— Percy: “BABYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!” Jay FLINCHED.
The glass in her hand slipped.
CRASH!
Everyone jumped.
Jay stared at the broken glass.
Percy immediately stood.
Percy: “OH MY GOD!” He rushed toward her.
Percy: “Baby!
I’m sorry!” Jay stared at him.
Completely expressionless.
Jayjay: “…” Percy froze.
Percy: “I’m sorry.” Jay continued staring.
Percy: “Very sorry.” Jayjay: “You screamed like someone attacked the mansion.” Percy smiled awkwardly.
Percy: “I got excited.” Angelo rubbed his forehead.
Angelo: “One day you’re going to give everyone here a heart attack.” Percy pointed toward the broken glass.
Percy: “I’ll clean it.” Jay sighed.
Jayjay: “Why did you scream?” Percy suddenly grinned.
Percy: “Because…” He showed her his phone.
Percy: “Your followers.” Jay blinked.
Jayjay: “What about them?” Percy turned the screen toward her.
Percy: “Seven point five million yesterday.” He paused.
Percy: “Eight million now.” Jay’s eyes widened.
Jayjay: “What?” Everyone immediately reacted.
Josh: “EIGHT MILLION?!” Eman: “Followers?!” Denzel: “Wait, Jay has Instagram?” Silence.
Jay slowly looked around.
Everyone was staring at her.
Yuri frowned.
Yuri: “You have Instagram?” Jay nodded.
Jayjay: “Yes.” Aris pretended to look surprised.
Aris: “Since when?” Jay looked at him.
Jayjay: “For years.” Aris nodded as though this was completely new information.
Aris: “Oh.” He played along perfectly.
Keifer looked at Jay.
Keifer: “And you never told anyone?” Jay took another sip of water.
Jayjay: “Nobody asked.” Keifer had no answer.
Yuri immediately asked— Yuri: “What’s your username?” Jay looked at him.
Jayjay: “Why?” Yuri: “Because now I’m curious.” Jayjay: “Curiosity isn’t always healthy.” Yuri laughed.
Yuri: “Still give it.” Jay finally told them.
Within seconds…
Everyone had her account open.
And the room went silent.
📱 JAYJAY’S INSTAGRAM Her profile showed: 8.0M Followers.
Everyone stared.
Josh zoomed in.
Josh: “Eight million…” Eman looked at Jay.
Eman: “How?” Jay shrugged.
Jayjay: “People followed.” Josh stared at her.
Josh: “That’s your explanation?” Jayjay: “Yes.” He had nothing to say.
They started scrolling.
And then they understood something.
Jay’s Instagram wasn’t full of random selfies.
Most of her posts were traditional.
Sarees.
Kurtis.
Lehengas.
Traditional jewellery.
Temple visits.
Diyas.
Rangoli.
Janmashtami.
Radha-Krishna decorations.
Diwali.
Holi.
Flowers.
Pooja.
Traditional celebrations.
Beautiful photographs from temples.
Some pictures showed her in simple kurtis.
Some showed her wearing elegant sarees.
Some were from festivals.
Some were just quiet photographs of flowers, diyas and Krishna idols.
Yuri smiled.
Yuri: “This is actually really beautiful.” Ci-N nodded.
Ci-N: “I didn’t expect this.” Jay looked at him.
Jayjay: “Why?” Ci-N immediately shook his head.
Ci-N: “Nothing.” Angelo scrolled through the account.
He stopped at one picture.
Jay was wearing a traditional saree, standing beside a decorated Krishna idol.
Angelo smiled slightly.
Angelo: “This one is nice.” Jay nodded.
Jayjay: “I like that one.” David quietly looked through another post.
David: “You have really good pictures.” Jay simply nodded.
Then Yuri suddenly stopped scrolling.
His expression changed.
Yuri: “Wait.” Everyone looked at him.
Yuri: “There’s a new post.” Jay’s eyes moved toward him.
She knew exactly which one.
The shopping picture.
The picture she and Percy had taken yesterday.
Percy was beside her.
Both were dressed in coordinated neutral colors.
Jay looked beautiful with her new hairstyle.
Percy looked relaxed.
The picture looked natural.
Too natural.
And the caption was simple.
Nothing romantic.
Nothing dramatic.
Just a small line.
But the comments underneath were already exploding.
Thousands.
Then tens of thousands.
Then hundreds of thousands.
Josh: “Oh my God.” Mayo: “Look at the comments.” Yuri started reading.
Yuri: “People are asking who Percy is.” Percy smiled.
Percy: “Interesting.” Yuri scrolled.
Yuri: “Someone said, ‘Who is this guy?'” Josh laughed.
Josh: “Another one says, ‘Jay finally posted a man.'” Everyone immediately looked at Percy.
Percy raised his hands.
Percy: “Why are you looking at me?” Jay rolled her eyes.
Yuri kept reading.
Yuri: “Someone says they’re jealous.” David’s expression tightened slightly.
Keifer’s eyes remained on the screen.
Yuri continued.
Yuri: “Someone said, ‘They look good together.'” Silence.
Percy’s smile faded slightly.
Jay looked completely calm.
Josh immediately grinned.
Josh: “Ohhhh.” Keifer glared at him.
Josh: “What?” Keifer: “Nothing.” Yuri scrolled again.
Yuri: “Another person said Jay looks beautiful.” David nodded.
David: “That’s true.” Yuri looked at him.
Yuri: “You’re agreeing?” David shrugged.
David: “It’s obvious.” Keifer looked away.
He hated how many people were complimenting her.
Especially the ones complimenting the picture with Percy.
But he kept his expression controlled.
Then another comment appeared.
“WHO IS THE GUY NEXT TO HER?” Josh laughed.
Josh: “They really want to know.” Jay took her phone back.
Jayjay: “They don’t need to.” Yuri raised an eyebrow.
Yuri: “You’re not going to tell them?” Jay’s expression became calm.
Almost dangerous.
Jayjay: “No.” Yuri: “Why?” Jay looked at him.
Jayjay: “Because my personal life isn’t public property.” Everyone became quiet.
Jay continued.
Jayjay: “People can look at my pictures.” She locked her phone.
Jayjay: “They don’t get access to my life.” Angelo nodded approvingly.
Angelo: “Good.” Percy smiled proudly.
Percy: “That’s my girl.” Jay looked at him.
Jayjay: “Don’t start.” Percy laughed.
😭 THE COMMENTS GET WORSE Josh grabbed his phone again.
Josh: “Wait!” Everyone looked at him.
Josh: “There’s another comment.” Jayjay: “Don’t read it.” Josh: “Too late.” He read it aloud.
Josh: ” ‘They look like they went on a date.’ ” The room exploded.
Yuri: “A DATE?!” Mayo: “Shopping date?” Eren: “That explains the matching outfits.” Percy immediately shook his head.
Percy: “It wasn’t a date.” Jay nodded.
Jayjay: “Correct.” Josh pointed at them.
Josh: “Then why are you matching?” Jay sighed.
Jayjay: “Again?” Percy laughed.
Percy: “I told you.” Josh crossed his arms.
Josh: “I don’t believe you.” Keifer finally spoke.
Keifer: “Neither do I.” Percy looked at him.
Percy: “Why?” Keifer shrugged.
Keifer: “Because you two look coordinated.” Jay answered calmly.
Jayjay: “Coincidence.” Josh immediately shouted— Josh: “COINCIDENCE?!” Jay looked at him.
Josh immediately lowered his voice.
Josh: “Okay.” ⚔️ KEIFER’S SILENT DECISION While everyone was busy with Jay’s Instagram…
Keifer wasn’t paying attention anymore.
His mind had moved somewhere else.
He looked toward the window.
The Apex.
The underground league.
He had been thinking about it for days.
And now…
He had finally made his decision.
He was going to join.
Not because anyone had forced him.
Not because he wanted attention.
Because he knew he needed to become stronger.
He needed to understand that world.
He needed to be prepared.
And he needed to protect the people he cared about.
Especially his family.
But he wasn’t going to announce it.
Not yet.
Nobody needed to know.
Not Jay.
Not Percy.
Not Yuri.
Not Section E.
Nobody.
Except one person.
Angelo.
Later, while everyone was still distracted, Keifer quietly walked toward Angelo.
Keifer: “Angelo.” Angelo looked at him.
Angelo: “What?” Keifer lowered his voice.
Keifer: “I made a decision.” Angelo studied his expression.
Angelo: “What decision?” Keifer paused.
Then said quietly— Keifer: “I’m joining The Apex.” Angelo’s expression immediately changed.
He stared at Keifer.
Angelo: “You’re serious?” Keifer nodded.
Keifer: “Completely.” Angelo looked around to make sure nobody was listening.
Nobody was.
He looked back at Keifer.
Angelo: “Does anyone else know?” Keifer: “No.” Angelo: “And you’re planning to keep it that way?” Keifer: “For now.” Angelo nodded slowly.
Angelo: “Then don’t tell anyone until you’re ready.” Keifer nodded.
Keifer: “I won’t.” Angelo placed a hand on his shoulder.
Angelo: “If you’re doing this, don’t do it halfway.” Keifer looked at him.
His voice was quiet.
Keifer: “I won’t.” Then they returned to the living room.
Nobody noticed.
Nobody knew.
The decision remained between the two of them.
😂 JOSH RETURNS TO THE MATCHING ISSUE Unfortunately…
Josh wasn’t done.
He suddenly looked at Percy.
Then Jay.
Then their Instagram picture.
Then their clothes.
His eyes widened.
Josh: “WAIT!” Everyone groaned.
Jayjay: “What now?” Josh pointed at Percy.
Josh: “You’re wearing white.” Then he pointed at Jay.
Josh: “She’s wearing white.” Then he pointed at the Instagram picture.
Josh: “Yesterday you were matching.” Then he looked at today’s clothes.
Josh: “And TODAY you’re matching.” Percy blinked.
Percy: “How are we matching today?” Josh pointed.
Josh: “WHITE!” Percy looked at Jay.
Jay looked at Percy.
Percy laughed.
Percy: “You call every white shirt matching?” Josh nodded seriously.
Josh: “When it’s you two, yes.” Yuri laughed.
Yuri: “He’s got a point.” Jay looked at Yuri.
Jayjay: “Do you want me to throw something at you too?” Yuri immediately shook his head.
Yuri: “No.” David laughed quietly.
Keifer rolled his eyes.
Keifer: “This is ridiculous.” Josh pointed at him.
Josh: “You’re jealous.” Keifer’s expression instantly changed.
Keifer: “I’m not.” Josh grinned.
Josh: “You answered too quickly.” Keifer glared.
Keifer: “Josh.” Josh immediately sat down.
Josh: “Yes?” Keifer: “Stop.” Josh: “Okay.” Two seconds later— Josh: “But they are matching.” Jay threw a cushion at him.
THUD!
Josh caught it.
Josh: “Violence!” Jay crossed her arms.
Jayjay: “You deserved it.” Percy started laughing.
Aris shook his head.
Aris: “Josh, just accept defeat.” Josh pointed toward Percy and Jay.
Josh: “I will never accept this mystery.” Aris froze for half a second.
Then immediately corrected him.
Aris: “I mean…
this situation.” Jay glanced at him.
Aris gave her a tiny innocent smile.
She understood.
He was protecting their secret.
She looked away.
📸 MORE INSTAGRAM CHAOS Yuri suddenly looked at the screen again.
Yuri: “Jay.” Jay looked at him.
Jayjay: “Hmm?” Yuri: “Your followers are increasing again.” Jay frowned.
Jayjay: “How much?” Yuri showed her.
8.01M.
Jay stared.
Jayjay: “Already?” Percy smiled.
Percy: “Told you.” Josh looked shocked.
Josh: “You posted ONE picture and gained thousands?” Jay shrugged.
Jayjay: “Apparently.” Yuri laughed.
Yuri: “You’re secretly famous.” Jay looked at him.
Jayjay: “Not secretly.” She paused.
Jayjay: “I just don’t care.” That answer silenced everyone.
Because it was very Jay.
She could have millions of followers.
Millions of people could admire her.
Millions could know her face.
And still…
She didn’t care about attention.
She cared about keeping her real life private.
Percy smiled.
He knew that better than anyone.
ONE LAST CHAOS Josh suddenly looked at Percy.
Josh: “Bro.” Percy: “What?” Josh: “Since you’re the one who went shopping with Jay…” Percy nodded.
Josh: “How many bags?” Percy thought.
Percy: “I don’t know.” Jay answered from beside him.
Jayjay: “A lot.” Aris raised an eyebrow.
Aris: “How many is a lot?” Jay looked at him.
Jayjay: “Enough.” Josh immediately stood.
Josh: “I want to see.” Jay shook her head.
Jayjay: “No.” Josh: “Why?” Jayjay: “Because you will touch everything.” Josh looked offended.
Josh: “I don’t touch things.” Everyone stared at him.
Josh sighed.
Josh: “Fine.
I touch things.” Percy laughed.
Percy: “The bags are upstairs.” Josh immediately started running toward the staircase.
Jay shouted— Jayjay: “JOSH!” Josh stopped.
Slowly turned.
Josh: “Yes?” Jay pointed toward the staircase.
Jayjay: “If you touch my clothes…” She smiled.
It wasn’t a friendly smile.
Jayjay: “…you won’t have hands to touch anything tomorrow.” Josh immediately came back downstairs.
Josh: “I’m staying here.” Everyone burst out laughing.
Percy looked at Jay.
Percy: “You scared him again.” Jay smiled.
Jayjay: “Good.” Aris shook his head.
Yuri laughed.
David smiled.
Keifer quietly watched her.
Angelo remained calm.
And the rest of the mansion continued arguing about Instagram, shopping bags, matching outfits and Jay’s sudden rise to eight million followers.
No mystery.
No danger.
No secret exposed.
Just chaos.
And somewhere inside that chaos…
Keifer’s decision remained hidden.
The Apex.
Only he and Angelo knew.
And nobody else had any idea what Keifer was preparing to step into.
Meanwhile, Jay looked at Percy.
Percy looked at her.
They both looked down at their matching outfits.
Jay narrowed her eyes.
Jayjay: “We’re changing.” Percy laughed.
Percy: “Why?” Jayjay: “Because Josh won’t shut up.” Josh shouted from across the room— Josh: “I HEARD THAT!” Jay immediately grabbed another cushion.
Josh ran.
Josh: “NO!
NO!
I’M SORRY!” And the mansion exploded into laughter once again.