Jay's POV (Return to the Philippines – The Kuya Scolding)
The plane touched down in the Philippines, and even before we collected our luggage, I could feel my stomach doing somersaults.
We were back. Home.
But… there was one thing I couldn't forget.
Kuya Angelo.
Keifer, always calm and confident, held my hand tightly as we drove straight to his house. The mansion loomed in the distance, familiar, yet somehow more intimidating after a week of freedom in London.
Arrival at Kuya Angelo's House
The moment we stepped inside, I could feel it: the tension. Kuya Angelo was waiting in the living room, arms crossed, eyes sharp. He had that serious, unamused look that made even Keifer pause slightly.
"Keifer… Jay," he said slowly, voice calm but deadly. "Welcome back."
I gulped. Keifer squeezed my hand gently, giving me a small reassuring nod.
Kuya Angelo didn't waste any time.
"I heard about London," he said, tone clipped. "And I heard about you two sneaking around, leaving me, Aries, and everyone completely in the dark."
My cheeks flushed. I opened my mouth to explain… but Keifer gently shook his head. Let Kuya speak first, his eyes seemed to say.
The Scolding Begins
"Do you understand," Kuya Angelo continued, pacing slightly, "that being a couple doesn't give you the right to disappear? You're a part of this family! You don't just vanish to another country without a word!"
I nodded quickly, biting my lip.
"Yes, Kuya… I'm sorry. We didn't mean—"
"Don't apologize yet," he cut me off sharply. "Keifer, you know better. You're a grown man, responsible… and you decided to take Jay along without even consulting me?"
Keifer smiled faintly, calm as ever, but his arm never left mine.
"Kuya Angelo, we were careful. I made sure she was safe, comfortable, and—"
"You made sure she was safe?" Kuya Angelo's eyes narrowed. "Keifer, safety isn't the issue! Respect, communication, boundaries—those are the issues! Do you even realize how worried we were?"
I flinched slightly, but Keifer whispered softly to me,
"Don't worry, babe. We'll survive this."
The Lecture Continues
Angelo turned to me, his expression softer now but still serious.
"And Jay… you need to understand that while it's fine to be with Keifer, there are limits. You can't just run off to London like that, leaving everyone behind. Do you understand me?"
"Yes, Kuya," I said sincerely. "I understand."
Aries, of course, couldn't resist chiming in, smirking as usual.
"Wait, Kuya, are you seriously scolding them? They're a couple now. Let them live a little."
Kuya Angelo shot him a glare that could have frozen water.
"Yes, Aries, I am scolding them. And you… stay out of this unless you want to end up grounded too."
Aries pouted but sat quietly. I giggled a little, and Keifer squeezed my hand under the table.
Kuya Angelo Approves (Sort Of)
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Kuya Angelo's expression softened.
"I know you two care for each other," he said slowly. "And… I approve, as long as you respect each other and the family. But remember—limits, communication, responsibility. Don't forget that."
I exhaled, relief flooding through me. "Thank you, Kuya… I promise."
Keifer smiled at me, eyes sparkling with quiet amusement. "See? Told you we'd survive."
Aries muttered under his breath, "Barely…" and I couldn't help but laugh.
Aftermath
By the time we left, the scolding had turned into a long lecture peppered with advice, teasing, and occasional warnings. I clung to Keifer's arm, half embarrassed, half laughing at how dramatic Kuya Angelo could be.
"Next time," he said quietly as we walked to the car, "we'll ask permission first."
I rolled my eyes but smiled. "Yes, sir… Kuya Angelo."
Keifer chuckled. "You're enjoying this way too much."
"Maybe a little," I admitted.
And somehow, despite the scolding, the teasing, and the dramatic lecture, it felt good to be home.
Because no matter how far we went, or how exciting London had been… we belonged here too.Jay's POV (Back at Home After Dinner)
The ride back from Kuya Angelo's house was quiet at first, just Keifer driving and me leaning against the car seat, still digesting the afternoon scolding.
"I can't believe Kuya Angelo actually scolded us," I murmured. "I thought he'd never stop."
Keifer chuckled softly. "He did get dramatic, didn't he? But he's just… protective. And you know it."
I nudged his arm playfully. "Protective? That was more like interrogation-level drama."
He laughed, the kind of laugh that made my heart skip. "True. But at least we survived. And we survived together."
I smiled, resting my head lightly on his shoulder. "I like surviving with you."
Arriving Home
By the time we reached the house, the sky had darkened into a deep navy, and the soft glow of the streetlights reflected off the driveway. The mansion felt welcoming, familiar, and comforting after a week away.
As we stepped inside, the faint scent of dinner lingered in the air, and I realized that even though London had been incredible, home always felt different. Warm. Safe.
Keifer helped me with my bag, and I followed him into the living room. We had barely settled when Aries appeared, smirking as always.
"So…" he began, arms crossed, leaning against the wall. "Back from London, huh?"
"Yes, we survived," Keifer said smoothly, pulling me slightly behind him like a shield.
I rolled my eyes. "It wasn't that dramatic."
Aries raised an eyebrow. "Really? Because last I checked, Kuya Angelo nearly roasted you two alive. And you still look like you're glowing, Jay."
I laughed softly, giving Keifer a playful nudge. "Stop it, Aries. You're worse than Kuya sometimes."
Aries shrugged. "I just like pointing out the obvious."
Dinner Reflections
Keifer and I finally made our way to the kitchen. Dinner had already been cleaned up, but the lingering aroma made me smile.
"I think London spoiled us," I said softly. "I keep expecting everything here to feel… boring."
Keifer wrapped his arm around me gently. "Home doesn't need to compete with London. It's us, together—that's what makes it exciting."
I rested my head against his chest, taking in the warmth of the moment. "I missed this," I admitted. "The chaos, the teasing, even Kuya Angelo scolding us."
He kissed the top of my head. "You really are strange, Jay. But I like it."
I laughed. "I know."
Settling In
After a little while, we went upstairs to our room. The house was quiet, the soft hum of the fans and occasional creaks of the old building filling the space.
I leaned against Keifer as he helped me with my luggage. "London was amazing, but… I'm glad to be back," I murmured.
"Back where?" he asked softly.
"Home. With you," I said, smiling.
He kissed my forehead. "Then this is perfect."
We settled in, letting the calm of the night wrap around us. Outside, the world moved on, Section E was probably erupting in messages as usual—but in that moment, it was just the two of us, home, together, and finally at peace.