Jay-jay's POV
Maybe if the nurses inside the nursery could see me, they'd probably think I am a weirdo. I kept looking at Freya, then back at the babies she was watching. Then I'd glance at her again, back to the babies, back to her, then to the babies once more.
"Are you done?" Freya asked without looking at me. "You look crazy."
I scratched my head. I didn't know how to talk to her. I wanted to apologize for what I said before she slapped me. But I was hesitating because her slap was so painful— she definitely got her revenge for what I said.
In fact, She got some extra.
She let out a deep sigh before finally facing me, her eyebrows raised so high at me. I knew she was about to lash out again, so I needed a counterattack.
"Those eyebrows are so sharp — they could stab someone," I said, and she looked even more annoyed.
"Seriously?" she asked sarcastically.
I pressed my lips together. I really should think before I speak. My mouth always gets me into trouble.
"I-I mean..." I scratched my head again.
"Are you jealous of my eyebrows?" she asked, her tone dripping with attitude.
No, thank you. They're dangerous.
I shook my head. "I-I just wanted to say sorry. About what I said before you slapped me."
Her expression turned serious. I knew I had heard this before from Yuri and read it in her conversation with Aries, but it was still different hearing it confirmed by one of them.
"Is it true? Does he really give you money?"
A part of me didn't really want to know the truth. Because I couldn't understand why Keifer would do that. I felt like there was a deeper reason.
But I also know it's easy to get money from the King of Snakes. For all I knew, that's been his way of helping out since way back.
Maybe that's all there is to it.
"Yeah, he does give me money," she said with an eye roll before turning back to face me. "But thanks to you, he suddenly stopped."
I pointed at myself. "Why me?!"
I felt like I was being accused of a crime I had nothing to do with.
"Well, I don't know! All I know is, ever since he got infatuated with you, he stopped sending money consistently, until it just stopped altogether," she replied, clearly annoyed.
"Well, I don't know either! How would I know what's going on between you two—!"
I stopped when a nurse suddenly appeared in front of us.
"Could you please lower your voices? This isn't the street," she said calmly but with clear irritation.
"S-sorry," I said, and she nodded before walking away.
I hadn't noticed how loud we had gotten. Now I had no choice but to bite my lip and stay quiet.
It's her fault.
We went back to watching the babies inside the nursery. They were all so cute, sleeping peacefully. But I couldn't seem to spot Grace's baby.
"Where's Grace's baby?" I asked Freya.
"She's not here. Because the baby was born outside the hospital, she couldn't be placed with the other babies. They consider her contaminated or exposed to bacteria," she explained.
I couldn't help but be amazed by her knowledge. She seemed to know so much about childbirth and babies.
Wait a second... 'she'?
"Grace had a baby girl?" I asked in surprise.
She raised an eyebrow at me. "You were holding the baby earlier — you didn't even notice?"
I shook my head. "She was so tiny — I was afraid to move her legs."
She rolled her eyes. "It's a girl. She seems healthy despite being premature. I just really hope nothing bad happened."
"It's your fault — you picked a fight with me," I muttered absentmindedly
She immediately shot me a dirty look. "Wow, coming from you."
I was about to answer when a doctor approached us. I thought we were going to get scolded again for being noisy, but Freya faced him with concern.
"You delivered Ms. Miller's baby?" the doctor asked, and Freya just nodded in response. "Where did you learn how to do that? You handled everything well. But it was still risky because the mother and baby were exposed. Aside from the baby being premature, we're not sure if the tool you used to cut the umbilical cord was sterilized. Next time, it's better to call an ambulance."
"I know, I just panicked because she could already feel the baby's head. How are she and the baby?"
I looked at the doctor, who was holding a chart. He read something before facing Freya to answer her question.
"They're both safe. Ms. Miller is likely exhausted, but her blood pressure is normal. The baby, however, has sepsis."
Sepsis? Is that an illness?
"W-what is sepsis?" I asked, worried.
This is exactly what I was afraid of. Something bad did happened to the baby. What face am I going to show Denzel? I made a promise to take care of her, and here we were at the hospital with his child's health in danger.
"It's an infection. It can be treated with antibiotics. It's not that severe; many babies get sepsis because they pick it up from the mother," the doctor explained.
Oh, so it's Grace's fault.
I let out a sigh of relief at the doctor's explanation. I had thought the baby had a serious illness because she was born prematurely.
"The baby will be moved to Ms. Miller's room," the doctor added before turning to Freya again. "You could be an obstetrician — you have the skills."
The doctor excused himself, and we both thanked him. I saw the worry on Freya's face finally ease. She had clearly been thinking about the baby and Grace's condition this whole time.
So she really does care.
It was only now that I realized she was genuinely concerned for her former friend. Now I wasn't sure if her mocking and harsh words toward Grace were just an act.
"I got so nervous — I thought something bad was going to happen to them," I said almost in a whisper.
"Good thing, nothing did," she replied before raising her hand as if to slap me again. "Otherwise, oh boy, I might've done more than just slap you."
I immediately gave her a dirty look. "Why me? You're the one who started it."
"You never back down, do you?"
"Neither do you."
"Could you two take your argument outside?" a nurse suddenly butted in. "You've been at it for a while now — you're disturbing people."
There it is. We got scolded again.
I looked down in embarrassment, while Freya stood tall and unfazed. Neither of us dared to speak or respond as the nurse glared at us.
"One more time, and I'll call security to kick you out," she warned.
I felt like sticking myself to the wall to avoid her angry gaze. I was so embarrassed — we had been told off twice already. It would be even more humiliating if we actually got thrown out.
The nurse walked away still fuming. I moved back next to Freya, hoping to talk to her calmly, but I stopped when I saw her staring at her phone.
Someone was calling — but the name that appeared on the screen was 'Blacklisted'. She didn't answer, just stared at the phone screen as if she were watching a video clip.
I suddenly had a hunch about who was calling her.
"Aren't you going to answer?" I asked.
"What for? He'll just say the same thing over and over." She replied.
The call ended, but just seconds later, the same name called again, and she ignored it once more.
"I-is that Percy?" I asked hesitantly.
I felt awkward asking, but I wanted to confirm my suspicion. Thankfully, she didn't get irritated when I mentioned my stepbrother — the one who always brings his own air conditioning.
"I've changed my number so many times, and here he is again. Doesn't he know how to give up?" she said, calm but clearly annoyed.
I couldn't help but feel sorry for my stepbrother. I know, and I've seen, how persistent he is in trying to win Freya back because he loves his ex-girlfriend so much—the one he left behind.
Ex girlfriend— that's heavy!.
Why can't Freya see that those blue eyes are serious about fixing things with her? I know Percy was gone for a long time, but he's ready to make up for the years they were apart.
"Is there really no hope for Percy with you? Can't you at least give him a chance, even just once? At least with him, you're sure he loves you," I said, almost pleading.
She ended the call and turned off her phone before slipping it back into her uniform pocket. She looked at me, irritated. This time, I could tell her anger was serious, unlike earlier when we were just bickering.
"Even Yuri, who loved you so much, you didn't choose. Why would I, who feels nothing for your stepbrother, bother?" she said with a fake smile. "Percy tricked me before. He said he'd help me get close to Yuri, but I had to pose as his girlfriend to give me a reason to be around him. But he never let me talk to Yuri until I found out he was hiding me from them the whole time." She raised an eyebrow at me. "You think I'll let him deceive me again? Hell no."
Is that why she rejects Percy so fiercely? Because he'd manipulated her from the very beginning?
I knew that guy had more screws loose than a hardware store, but he wouldn't act without reason.
"Did it cross your mind, even for a second, that maybe he did it because he loved you? That he was serious about—"
She laughed softly. "The only man who ever takes me seriously is your boyfriend. And no one else ever will. Everyone else always have hidden agendas."
Was Keifer really that good to her back then? Wait —
"He's not my boyfriend," I interjected, but she ignored me.
Suddenly, I remembered Edrix. I couldn't help but recall what he said and how much he liked Freya. I could really see the admiration in his eyes.
"What if... there was someone else like Keifer? Someone who genuinely likes you?" I asked, though it felt like a shot in the dark.
She scoffed sarcastically. "Percy?"
I slowly shook my head. "No..." I answered hesitantly.
Her eyebrow arched again. "Are you messing with me?"
"No..."
She was clearly getting weirded out by me. "That face of yours isn't exactly trustworthy."
"Wow! As if I'm so flattered by yours!" I shot back.
"You again!" the nurse scolded me once more.
I quickly turned around and walked away before she could call a guard. I could feel Freya following me. We stopped in a hallway a bit farther from the nursery so the nurses in that area wouldn't hear us anymore.
"You're so loud!" she hissed.
"You're just too harsh," I sighed. "Anyway, back to what I was saying."
I saw her nod subtly. She kept avoiding my gaze while twirling the ends of her hair. She seemed curious, even if she tried not to show it.
Ayeihhh!
"He's for real — it looks like he's liked you for a long time, but he's never approached you."
"Why?"
"Because he thinks he doesn't stand a chance."
She laughed sarcastically again. "Then why even tell me this if he already knows that?"
"You said you want someone serious and without a hidden agenda, right? That's him. That's exactly why he hasn't approached you — because he thinks you're just playing around, and he's not like that. He wants a serious relationship, and you probably aren't into that." I explained, and she fell silent for a moment.
It looked like she was really thinking about what I said. And finally, I realized she actually had a brain.
Congrats! If only everyone had one.
She suddenly snapped her fingers and pointed at me. I thought I'd done something wrong, so I clutched my chest.
"What exactly is this about? Let's say there is someone and what you're telling is true. What's in it for me?" she squinted at me suspiciously. "Are you just doing this so I'll get away from Yuri?"
Err... Partially.
"N-not like that... I-I just thought you should know that there are people who'd take you seriously. If you end up liking him, then happy ending."
"Happy endings are for kids. And we're not kids anymore."
I blinked at her words. Damn, she's so bitter she's even ruining childhood fairytales.
"You're missing out on a chance" I said, trying to appeal to her conscience.
She rolled her eyes but was clearly still thinking about what I said. She rubbed her chin thoughtfully with one finger, then bit her lower lip.
It was taking her forever to decide. It was like her brain was being squeezed dry and had run out of oil.
"Fine!" she finally said, gathering her courage. "I'll give him a chance. But then what? Is he going to court me?"
I froze. I hadn't thought that far ahead. I didn't even know if Edrix would agree with all this stuff I was saying. What if his chronic shyness swallowed him whole again?
I'd be so embarrassed.
"Maybe. But if you're uncomfortable with traditinal courting thing, we can figure something out," I convinced her.
"Fine."
She turned her back on me and walked away. Once she was out of sight, I wanted to punch myself.
Why did I push for Edrix to get a chance? What about Percy now? I was the one who pushed the girl he's trying to win back, even farther away.
Ugh! Seriously!
Whether I admit it to myself or not, Yuri was one of my reasons too. I knew he didn't love Freya—he'd made that clear to me—but why did they still keep seeing each other?
Ugh. Whatever. Not my circus, not my monkeys.
I'd figure out something for Percy and Edrix later. For now, it was enough that Freya agreed to give someone a chance.
I froze when I saw a man standing at the end of the hallway. He was breathing heavily, staring at me.
"K-Keifer..."
He shook his head before taking large strides toward me.
"Hey, sorry, I didn't—"I couldn't finish what I was saying because he suddenly hugged me. "W-wait a sec"
"I was worried as fvck," he whispered. "I thought someone kidnapped you again earlier."
It was like something caressed my heart. I couldn't help but smile. And after everything that happened today, this was the first time I felt the exhaustion.
My arms instinctively wrapped around him. "Grace gave birth because of us. The baby was premature," I said like a child complaining. "I'm scared of Denzel."
"Sshh... No one wanted this to happen."
"Freya and I fought. Grace intervened to stop us, and that's when her water broke. She gave birth in the car by the roadside." I closed my eyes, remembering how tiny the baby was. "Their baby's so small."
"But I heard they're safe now. So you have nothing to worry about."
"Denzel... he might get mad at me."
"I'll punch him if he does," he teased, and I lightly hit his back.
He gently ran his fingers through my hair before kissing my forehead. "Don't think too much. We can talk to Denzel if he gets mad."
I nodded repeatedly, but I still couldn't shake off thoughts about the possible consequences of what happened. He has every right to be mad because of my negligence. But I don't want our friendship to be ruined.
I buried my face against Keifer's shoulder. He smelled so good. It was like his scent was pulling me in, urging me to keep sniffing. The feeling was so familiar that I couldn't help myself.
"Jay? Why are you sniffing my shirt?"
His question caught me off guard. My eyes widened before I pulled away and pushed him.
Counterattack.
"Y-you! You're so full of yourself! We're not even okay yet!"
He looked at me, puzzled, before a mischievous grin spread across his lips.
"Really? Okay then."
It was obvious he was just teasing me. I just rolled my eyes before walking away. I planned to visit Grace, but I didn't know her room number, and aside from that, I still hadn't returned Freya's car keys yet.
I turned to face the King of Snakes with a frown, but my irritation only grew when I noticed he was still smiling.
"Straighten up or I'll punch you."
"What?" he asked, laughing.
"I'll what-what your face," I said irritably, rolling my eyes again. "Do you know where Grace's room is?"
"VIP ward. 4th floor," he answered quickly.
I immediately looked for the elevator to get to the 4th floor, but I ended up taking the stairs because of my irritation with this damn treacherous snake.
Every time I glanced back at him, that mischievous grin was still plastered on his face.
"Stop it!" I said, annoyed, but he just laughed.
Annoying!
He kept it up even when we reached the 4th floor. I approached the nurse's station and asked for directions. They quickly pointed out Grace's room, and as luck would have it, Freya stepped out just then.
She immediately looked at me, but her gaze shifted to the guy behind me. I couldn't help but feel a surge of irritation.
She raised an eyebrow and was about to approach when I held up my hand, holding her car keys.
"Keys. I forgot to give them back to you," I said with a forced smile.
Freya stared at me before taking the keys from my hand. "You're weird."
She turned around and walked away.
Once she was out of sight, I immediately faced the King of Snakes again, but he was already engrossed on his phone.
What's so interesting about that fancy phone of yours?
"Felix says they're on their way. He's with—" He didn't finish his sentence when he noticed me staring at him.
"What?"
"What what?" I asked.
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
That's when I realized my eyebrows were furrowed while I was glaring at him.
I shook my head. "Nothing."
I quickly walked toward Grace's room before he could say anything else. I knocked first before opening the door. When I entered, I saw Denzel fixing Grace's blanket.
I froze as the events of the day flooded back. My mind raced with what he might say, the things he could throw in my face. I knew he'd be angry, and I just had to accept it.
I looked at Keifer and gestured for him to wait outside. He nodded and closed the door.
"D-denzel," I called his attention.
He turned to look at me and immediately walked toward me with quick, large strides.
I thought he was going to punch me when his hand shot up. I shut my eyes tight but quickly opened them when I felt his arms around me.
"Thank you, Jay!" he said, and I could hear his sobs.
He pulled away and wiped his tears. I blinked in confusion, not understanding what he was thanking me for.
"Denzel... Are you okay?" I asked, worried.
Maybe he'd gone crazy from being so mad at me. I should probably call Keifer.
"Yeah, sorry," he replied, taking a deep breath. "I don't know how to thank you. You didn't leave Grace's side until she gave birth."
"B-but Grace gave birth because of us."
"Honestly, the doctor already warned us about that. That's why Grace was in a hurry to buy baby stuff, but I didn't think it would happen today, and outside the hospital at that."
"But still… If Freya and I hadn't fought, she wouldn't have gone into labor early."
Denzel smiled at me. "That doesn't matter to me anymore. As long as my wife and baby are safe, I'm okay."
I clutched my chest and smiled back at him. I knew his smile was sincere. The fear and all the worries I had been carrying since earlier slowly faded away.
It's a different feeling when a friend forgives you for a big mistake. Maybe that's how they felt when I forgave them for their betrayal back then.
"Don't get all dramatic," someone said.
Denzel and I both turned to Grace. She was looking at us with a teasing smirk. We immediately approached her.
"How are you feeling?" I asked.
"I'm okay. Thanks for screaming with me," she said, chuckling lightly.
Oh, right. My screams were probably even louder than hers while she was giving birth. She held my hand so tightly I thought my bones would break.
We turned toward the door when we heard a knock. It opened, and two nurses entered. One was pushing a hospital crib with a lamp attached, while the other held a chart.
"Here's your baby," one nurse said.
She adjusted the crib and plugged in the lamp. I squinted at the brightness and color of the light.
"The baby needs to stay warm, and her temperature can't drop. That's why she needs to be under the lamp," the nurse explained.
The other nurse monitored Grace with some device and then left.
Denzel didn't miss the chance to pick up his baby gently from the crib and bringing her close to Grace.
"Hello, Grazel Jay."