Chapter 98
Third Person P.O.V.
Neil was with Jess to watch the pageant being held today at the Women’s heart Academy. The pageant has already started. They always greeted Pershey to encourage her.
They include Leighden and Draek. Iries and Fricks are just coming. They didn't know if Caleb was coming. Since February 14, they haven't seen each other much. They still haven’t been able to talk to Pershey again until now.
Iries and Fricks have arrived. They sat next to them so they could watch and support Pershey together.
Pershey was even more courageous when she saw her family. Gong and Yuna also came to watch and support her as well.
"Go, Miss Pretty!" that was Jess's loud and lively cheer so other people's attention was turned to him.
"Is he your brother?" Leighden asked.
Draek replied, saying, "Sansa is his only sister."
She remembered Sansa when there was a pageant.
“Sansa? That frog girl is Neil's sister? ”
Neil suddenly looked at her because of what she said. He frowned at what she said, as did Draek.
Iries responded to the conversation, "Sansa is her sister, the crazy girl."
They both laughed at what she said but Draek and Neil didn't. They were both just staring at them.
“My sister is Sansa. What’s wrong with her?” Neil asked.
"She's crazy," Leighden laughed. "She always hits Pershey during the Pageant before," she said and stopped laughing.
“What about him? Who's that kid? Is he your son?” Iries asked while looking at Jess. Jess just stared at them.
“Hi, I am Jess, Reighn Jess Villamore,” said Jess and smiled on her.
"Oh, so cute kid," she commented and rubbed his cheek slightly. "How old are you, Jess?"
He smiled before saying, "I am five years old."
"What is your relationship with Neil?" Leighden asked gently to Jess.
He looked at Neil and smiled on him before answering her question. "He's not my relatives, but a very concern and good man."
They are all amazed at what he said. They smiled broadly.
“Where are your parents? Why are you with Neil? With him? With Pershey?” Iries asked in succession. She asked calmly and softly.
Jess smiled bitterly and averted his gaze into something else. So did Neil.
Jess answered, “I’m an orphan. I live in an orphanage. ”
They were speechless at what Jess had said. They both fell silent. Jess's reaction suddenly changed. They knew Jess was sad when he answered her question.
"I'm sorry for asking," Iries said softly as he caressed his back.
He suddenly hugged Neil and slammed into his chest. Jess was crying, so Neil tried to calm him down.
"Don't ask too much," Neil told them. They stopped talking. They just watched silently. They kept their eyes on Jess. Jess still hugged Neil.
"Look at your beautiful sister, she's on stage again," he said, so Jess looked at the stage. Pershey was already there. Coronation night.
Slowly, a smile drew to Jess's lips as he watched Pershey.
"She's so pretty, right, Neil?"
He looked at him and smiled in response then looked back at Pershey who was on stage.
They are all waiting who will be presented as Miss University Queen 2021. Everyone is excited and waiting.
"I know Miss pretty will win," he said. "Ate Pershey is the most prettiest among the candidates, right, Neil?"
He smile again in response. Yuna heard what he said, so she turned her gaze to Jess.
"Excuse me," she said while looking at Jess. They all looked at her. Jess looked barely at her. "Are you Jess?" she asked and Jess nodded in response while smiling widely. She smiled as well. She looked at Gong who was beside her. "He's the kid that Pershey is telling us," she weakly said that's why Gong looked at Jess.
"Jess is a very handsome child," he said softly while looking at Jess. Jess smiled. "But he can't adopt Jess," he said. Jess heard what he said, so the smile disappeared from his lips. Neil noticed that.
"Are you okay?" Neil asked. He nodded and forced a smile.
Gong said softly, "She's single and she's too young to adopt a child."
"Shhh ... lower your voice, Jess might head you."
The music grew louder while waiting for the winner to be announced. Jess didn't even hear what they were talking about but what Gong said stuck in his mind.
"I want to go home," he said lazily.
“I’ll take you home later, Jess. Let's just wait for the pageant to end. Let's wait for your Miss Pretty, okay? ”
“Okay,” he replied. He leaned over him and fell asleep. It was 8:00 PM, so he fell asleep.
They were almost deaf to the screams when Pershey was presented as Miss University Queen 2021. They were all screaming and the shouts and applause grew louder when the crown was put on her.
She waves and smiles at the audience.
When the Pageant ended, they immediately greeted Pershey.
“Thank you for coming. I thought you weren't going. I thought you didn't know and you forgot,” she said to mother.
Her mother replied, "We can't forget, Shey — S-señor—"
“We all know that you are Pershey's real mother. We accept you, so don't call her Señorita anymore,” Iries insisted. "That's why you look alike and she didn't inherit anything from Auntie Shirane because she came from your womb."
She smiled broadly because of what she said. She thought that Pershey's other friends did not know the truth yet. She was happy and relieved.
"Thanks for coming, Mommy Yuna."
She hugged the Pershey and kissed her forehead.
"Did you know ..." said Gong and paused for a moment to wait for her respond or reaction. "You are the most beautiful of all the candidates," he continued. Pershey almost laughed at what he said.
She looked at her companions. Her eyes seemed to be searching for something. They noticed that.
“Are you looking for Neil?” Draek asked.
She just looked at him and didn't utter a word. “Turn around,” he softly commanded.
Surprised, he slowly turned around. Neil was already in front of her holding a bouquet of flowers. He was next to her and he was holding Jess's hand. Jess woke up because of the noise earlier. They just left for a while to get something.
They were all smiling sweetly.
"Congrats, My Lady," he greeted before handing the flower to her. Her forehead furrowed but she smiled as she picked up the bouquet.
"Congrats, beautiful sister," Jess said.
She smiled at Jess before looking back at Neil. She turned her gaze to the bouquet and frowned slightly then looked at Neil.
He stopped laughing, he said, "I asked for the first runner up to give me her flowers." They laughed because of what he said. He is already holding two bouquets.
"Let's go?" he caressed. They have all left. They boarded the van driven by Gong. They first take Jess to the orphanage before they take Pershey's friends one by one. Last, they take Neil home
"Shey," Yuna called softly to Pershey.
"Yes?"
"Is he your boyfriend?" she asked, so she and Neil looked at each other. She laughed a little and said Neil was not her boyfriend. "Is your house still far away, Neil?" she asked.
“Just stop the van at the waiting shed. I'll just take a taxi because it's still a bit far,” he explained. Yuna laughed a little.
"Would you like to come home first for dinner together?"
He looked at Pershey and shook his head. He said, "No need."
Pershey looked up and motioned to him. "All right, A-a-auntie."
They have reached the mansion. They went downstairs and immediately went straight to the dining room. Pershey left first to change because she was wearing a gown. She went straight to the room and took a shower. She also went down after 20 minutes.
They are already preparing the meals.
"I'll help you, aunt," Neil said and was about to approach.
“No need. Just sit, you are our guest. ”
He didn't insist anymore. He sat down. Yuna helps Pershey and Gong prepare the meals. A variety of dishes are on the table. There are also desserts and appetizers.
They sat down and put the food on the plates.
"Let's eat," Yuna offered. They were eating quietly when she asked. "Are you courting our Señorita?"
Pershey looked at Neil. Their reaction showed that they were shocked by her question.
He looked at Pershey. He said, "I would like to ask if I can court your Señorita."
Pershey could barely look at her mother and struggled to focus on her food.
"If I'm the one to be asked, it's up to my daughter to decide if she will agree," Yuna replied before eating again.
"You look good, Neil," Gong said, so he smiled before looking at Pershey. Pershey still couldn't look at him.
Yuna looked at her daughter. She knew she was embarrassed by what Neil had said.
"Do you agree, Shey?" she asked.
Pershey looked up at her. Traces of disdain in her reaction.
"Can Neil court you?" Gong also asked.
"Ahh-amm ... W-w-why I'm the one you're asking?" she asked stuttering with nervousness and doubt.
They both laughed because of what she said.
"Y-you're the one I'm waiting for if you let me," he insisted.
They almost laughed at what he said. Neil just smiled that almost reached his ear.
“It's okay with us. We agree, I just don't know to her,” Yuna replied.
"Just don't make her cry," Gong said before turning to look at Neil. “Just don't hurt her,” he added.