Fourteen

**Fourteen**

**Jc's POV**

Almira and I entered the ICU when I saw that Rhea had completely left. I noticed that Cesha was awake and sitting on her bed. There was no more tube attached to her, and her face was clear. She seemed to be feeling better.

My heart jumped with joy when I saw the smile on her face again. I ran to her and hugged her tightly.

"Brother, I'm hungry," Cesha whispered as I hugged her.

I broke away from hugging her, took the lunch box that Rhea had brought, which was placed on the bedside table, and handed it to her. "Eat, and then tomorrow we can go home."

My little sister was smiling while opening the lunch box. She was very happy when the Tilapia dish surprised her. I went to the sofa chair where I had slept earlier and sat down while watching my sister enjoy her meal.

I suddenly felt better when I saw that Cesha was smiling and becoming energetic again. She is my only family, so I really love her. God is truly merciful because He heard my prayer.

'You are the one I want! Don't push me, Princebeybe!'

Rhea's words from when we were on the ground floor suddenly echoed in my mind. I didn't even realize that I was slowly smiling.

I? He wants? Bullshit...

She only said that to make me feel better because she knew I was going through something.

"Uuyyy... His smile is beautiful," Almira teased when she caught me smiling.

This girl. She's really good at this.

"Huh?" I was confused.

"Your smile is so beautiful that even a typhoon would be afraid to make landfall in the Philippines," she continued her teasing.

"Don't be malicious. I'm just happy because Cesha is fine. I almost died because of what happened to her," I reasoned defensively.

"Really?" She obviously didn't believe my lie. "Maybe you're thinking about Rhea?"

I was about to answer when Cesha suddenly interrupted our conversation.

"Sister Almira, who is Rhea?" my sister asked innocently.

"Your brother's new love," Almira answered teasingly.

I knew it. She only gave her a bullshit answer.

"Hey, Almira Antopina! Don't talk nonsense to Cesha," I said, almost raising my voice.

Cesha looked at me with a frown. "You don't love Sister Crista anymore? She will really sulk with you."

I took a deep breath, stood up, and approached her. "Just eat. Sister Almira will take care of you. I'll just settle our discharge bill so we can go home," I said while gently stroking her hair.

She bowed her head and nodded, continuing to eat without asking any more questions.

"And you," I said while walking towards my crazy cousin, "Take care of Cesha first. I'll just take care of her discharge bill."

"Ah... I thought you would take care of Rhea," she teased with a crooked smile. She won't drop it.

If only she wasn't really my cousin...

"Drop it," I warned her in a calm tone, then turned my back and walked towards the door.

"You're still in denial even though you've fallen for her," she replied before I could even leave the door. "You used to be like that with Crista."

I was suddenly stunned and briefly stood in front of the door when I heard Crista's name.

I took a deep breath to calm myself down, then completely left the ICU before Almira noticed that I was still affected by hearing her name.

Am I really in love with Rhea? It seems like it's not yet... Not yet??? Crazy...

It's like I'm infected with Almira's nonsense.

That girl is so weird. I don't even understand why I feel better when she sings. I feel the same way about Crista when I talk to her. It was like an angel was holding me.

I shook my head a few times while closing my eyes to clear whatever nonsense was in my mind.

Tsskk... What are you, Jc? Fix your thinking. Enough with the bullshit.

I'm only sure of one thing now...

Rhea Castino is my friend

and

I have loved Crista Segovia for a long time.

** Rhea's POV **

"And where are you from?" I immediately heard the voice of my sister, Mayor, when I entered the house.

I turned to the living room where the voice came from, and Sister Cyrel was sitting on the sofa facing Ceejay. They seemed to be talking.

Ceejay?? What is this fool doing here???

"I came from the hospital. Almira was with me," I was forced to tell the truth because Almira confessed to her.

I had a chance to look at Ceejay and kill him with a look. While he was just smiling, denying my deadly glare at him. If only I could cut you...

"What's with that deadly look? Can't I visit you anymore?" His smile could almost tear his face.

"I'm not sick, so you can leave," I said rudely.

I was about to walk to my room when my sister stopped me. It's not allowed to walk out when she lectures.

"Rhea Castino! Fix your attitude. She came here fine, so talk to her properly," Sister's sermon began.

Her face didn't even frown, but it was obvious from the tone of her speech that she was annoyed. My sister is scary when she has a poker face. So I had no choice but to come to them and sit next to my sister. Even though I wanted to go to my room and play Dota, her sermon would not stop if I continued to walk out.

"What do you want?" I asked, annoyed.

"Wait, I'll get you something to drink first," Sister said before Ceejay could answer. She got up and went to the kitchen.

Ceejay took a deep breath when my sister left and then began to speak. "Is it okay for you to date me?"

My mouth slightly fell open, and my eyes widened.

Ceejay Gonzaga, are you okay? We just met; are you going to be a lover right away?? I didn't know what to say or how to react. Not in the plan.

"I don't know if you're pissed off, but I'm serious about dating you. Is that okay with you?" he continued without me answering.

I sighed and blinked a few times, then leaned back on the sofa while looking in another direction, thinking of a sensible answer. Is my brain not working anymore? It's been loading for a while.

"I know you're grumpy, stubborn, and sarcastic. But from the very moment I met you, I'm sure you're the one I really like," Ceejay added.

That's far enough, handsome. I don't know how to respond to your flattery. It's dizzying to think about.

I just looked him in the eyes and tried to read if he was sincere in what he was saying.

But I didn't see anything unusual in his eyes. He was serious about what he said, and I didn't see any trace of the slightest lie. His eyes were very sincere, and he was obviously hoping that my answer would be 'yes.' It seemed that he also needed a serious answer from me.

I swallowed first to prepare the answer that was in my mind. "You know, Ceejay..." I was stunned when my sister suddenly surprised us and put a pitcher of juice and two glasses on the small table between us.

I observed my sister's movements to see if she heard what Ceejay said. She just smiled at us and left without a word. She didn't seem to have heard anything.

Unless she already knows the reason for this guy's coming here.

"Because you know, Ceejay," I started again when I was sure that my sister was no longer around. "Because I can't have a boyfriend yet. My sister will be angry."

"Your sister already knows. I asked permission from her first," he said, his tone serious even though he had a huge smile on his face. I'm still ashamed of him.

And he asked permission from my sister? That's why my sister reacted like that earlier. She seems to know about it.

"Really? And she agreed?" I wondered.

"Yes." The smile on his face disappeared and was replaced by a serious look. "I'm serious about you, Rhea. I promise I will never hurt you."

My lips spontaneously smiled. Not because I was thrilled, but because of his sincerity.

"In one condition," I said, my tone becoming serious because of his attentiveness. "Stay away from Anonymous."

Suddenly, his smile widened to the point where all of his teeth were almost showing. "Tell me you agree when I date you?"

"Yes. Just--"

"Yes!" I wasn't even able to finish what I was going to say when he immediately stood up and answered so loudly that it echoed throughout the house.

Both of my eyebrows were raised as I watched him smile.

"Don't worry, Rhea. I will make you feel how much I love you every day," he said happily.

I smiled and stood up to hug him. He was like this when we were together. I suddenly missed how he treated me like a great queen. And I feel that he truly loves me by the tightness of his hug.

"Thank you for the trust, Rhea. I will never break your trust in me," he whispered in the middle of our hug.

I was unable to answer. I just hugged him tighter. Am I speechless at the speed of what is happening around me? I don't know where all this is going. Almost everything has changed. I'm blind to what's happening, and I'm just going with the flow.

"I love you, Rhea," he whispered again, which caused my whole body to go cold.

Instead of being thrilled by what he said, I was even horrified. Why am I feeling this way? I do not understand.

I love you too, Ceejay??

Madness...

My brain is already confused, and he is adding another one.

Is there any sanity left to happen in my life??