5 Chapter Three

03 - Mine.

Since Jax and I entered into a relationship, he never failed to make me happy every day. He never changed, and everything he did even before I am his girlfriend, he still does now.

He always takes me out on a date, most especially when we aren't busy. He always fetches me at our house and drives me to school every day. He always walked me to our room before he goes to his.

Everything Jax did, I just realized now that I can still fall deeper and harder in love with him.

The end of this school year is fast approaching. I am very ecstatic that Jax and I will spend the summer together! My brothers, including their friends, our cousins, and Thalia, will go with us.

But before that, we are here in the school's gymnasium to watch Jax and Kuya Zach's basketball game.

Kuya Zach was invited to play since he went home for vacation since he's taking up his Masters abroad along with Kuya Ridge, our cousin. The game was about to end, and fortunately, Jax's team was ahead.

He's very dedicated to playing basketball. The way he handled the game and his team made me very proud of him. He's earnest in the game, and sometimes he looks in our direction.

"He's looking at you, Cali!" Thalia beamed when she noticed the small glances of Jax from our position. I just shook my head to stop her from teasing me again.

We heard the buzzer that signaled the game was over. Jax won!

I'm delighted to see him grinning widely about winning this competition. Thalia and I went down to approach them.

As I went down, I saw Jax walking towards me. He wrapped his arms around me, and I felt how my feet left the floor when he carried me a little. He's sweaty, but I don't care. I hugged him very tight, saying congratulations to them.

"Congrats, baby!" I smiled at him widely.

When his embrace loosened a little bit, I tiptoed and pressed a chaste kiss on his lips. He looked like he expected more which made my lips form a grin.

"There are too many people looking." I reminded him because he's still frowning from the light kiss I gave him. I gave him a teasing smile before I leaned over and whispered. "Later, baby…"

I noticed how his eyes darkened, and later on, he just smiled while staring at me and gave me a kiss on my forehead.

"You're so great a while ago, Jax! I'm so proud of you." I cheered. He hugged me again.

"Of course, baby, that was for you… Are you willing to wait? I'll just take a shower, then I'll take you on a date before we go to the welcome party for the alumni."

"Okay, Jax," I uttered.

"Thank you for supporting me, Cali. I love you so much, baby." He whispered before kissing my hair lightly and bid him goodbye to take a shower.

I looked for Thalia, but she's nowhere to be found. I waited for Jax at the entrance of the gym when someone went to my side.

I looked at him, and he's from the other team. He's the guy guarding Jax a while ago. I noticed that his eyes were on me.

"Hi. I'm Ian. You are?" He offered a handshake. It took me a while to accept his hand because I was too surprised by his sudden action.

But after noticing that, I shook his hand and immediately let go.

"Zoey."

"You're studying here?" He started.

"Yeah." There's a part of me that starting to get nervous. Maybe because I knew Jax will be here soon, and this guy looks like he has no plan to leave me here.

"Oh. Are you waiting for someone?" He asked.

"Yes. I'm waiting for my-" I was about to say that I am waiting for my boyfriend when I was interrupted when someone wrapped his arm around me.

I looked up and saw Jax. His brows furrowed, and his jaw tightened. His hold around my waist tightened also.

"She's waiting for me. Her boyfriend." He remarked. There was an emphasis in his words. He's still shooting daggers to the guy using his menacing that's why I called his attention.

"Hey," I called, but he didn't look at me. I tugged his shirt, and that's when he looked at me and kissed me on my forehead.

"Let's go, baby." He motioned me to walk away. I didn't also bother to look back at Ian because I can sense the irritation surrounding him.

He guided me inside his car, and he's still fuming with anger.

"Jax…" I called softly, but he didn't manage to look in my direction. His eye was fixed in front of him.

I turned to face him and reach for his face. When I reached it, he looked away to avoid my hand.

"Hey… what's wrong?" I asked gently. He sighed deeply before facing me. As I looked into his eyes, there's something in his eyes.

I'm not sure, but I think jealousy is very evident in there.

"What was that a while ago, Cali?" The coldness was undeniably present in his baritone voice.

"Jax, that was nothing. He just talked to me, and I don't want to be rude. That's why I talked to him also. That was very mean if I just left him there asking me about something, and I didn't answer." I stated. I looked into his eyes, but he's still trying to avoid my gaze.

"Jax… baby, look at me," I uttered delicately. I looked for his eyes while I am still holding his face. "Look at me, please…." I requested, and he let me.

"Jax… are you jealous?" I tried to be serious, but a grin slipped out of my mouth. I noticed how his eyes darken because of my question as well as my teasing smile.

He looked away again, but I chased his face while trying to stop myself from laughing. He's so adorable!

"Stop what you're doing, Cali. I am serious here." He said heatedly.

"Okay, okay… I'll stop but look at me, then," I demanded. I held Jax's face when he didn't do anything. He's trying to keep his eyes away from me, but I keep on finding it until he gave in.

"Baby, listen… You're the only one I love. You don't need to get jealous of other people. You're only one, Jax. My only one…." I murmured while looking straight into his eyes.

I wanted to make him feel that he's the only one, and I am very serious in this relationship. I want him to remember that I am in love with him and only him. No one else but him.

He pulled me for a hug. "I love you so much, Cali. I'm sorry for what I acted on a while ago. You're mine, Cali… mine." He said darkly.

"Yes, love… I am yours."

For a moment, we stayed like that. After that, I asked Jax to start the car to attend the welcome party for the alumni. My Kuya Zach and Kuya Ridge will surely be there.

The party was exclusive for the basketball team, and they also included the despida party for the seniors this year.

We reached a place with a wide-open space. Jax went down and opened my door.

We decided to stay here for a while before entering the venue of the party. We sat on the hood of his car. I leaned on him, and we watch the night sky full of stars.

"What are you planning to do in the future, Jax?" I asked.

"Take over our company and be married to the woman I love the most."

I looked up and saw him staring at me. His eyes were so serious while looking at me. It seems like he's trying to let me feel and see how he takes our relationship.

I watched how his eyes went down on my lips. "I love you so much, Cali." He whispered.

"I love you too, Jax," I answered.

I closed my eyes and waited for him. I felt how he held my nape closer to his face until I felt his soft lips. His hand held my face and tilted it to rasp out more kisses, he started moving his lips, and I responded.

My heart starts beating really fast, and I felt like I melted in his arms. I so love this guy! He pulled off the kiss, buried his forehead to mine, and smiled.

They decided to spend our summer here in Batangas. I quickly slid my feet into my sandals and took off into the warm summer air, running towards the sea.

Everyone was already there, splashing in the water. I saw my two brothers, their friends, Kuya Reizo and Kuya Ridge, and Thalia.

Before I could get to Thalia, someone wrapped his around my waist. I giggled gleefully when Jax picked me up and spun me around, much to my delight.

"Where are you off to, my Cali?" He whispered.

"I'll go to Thalia. I'll find you later, Jax. Go to your friends first. Talk to kuya Zach and Ridge." I flashed my sweetest smile at him and wiggled in his arms.

He put me down and kissed my cheeks, and I returned it. I placed a chaste kiss on his cheeks also.

"Okay, baby. Make sure to stay where I can see you," he demanded.

"Yes, baby. Bye for now. I love you." I blurted and kissed his cheek.

Thalia and I enjoyed the beach together. We talked about my brother, Zavi and Jax.

"We're happy, Zoey. Zavi never fails to make me happy." Thalia's eyes were gleaming with overflowing joy. I am so happy that she is, and I am also thankful to Kuya Zavi for making her happy and taking care of my best friend.

Soon enough, I was enjoying the wind hitting my face when I caught Jax watching me intently and coming closer to me now.

I wrapped my hands on his nape, and his arms swiftly moved around my waist.

"Let's, love. We'll be back after a while." He requested, and I nodded at him.

I asked the other, but they told us that they want to stay, so Jax and I went upstairs to our villa.

We walked hand in hand. Jax escorted me to my room first to change my clothes. I asked him to just wait for me in the lobby after he finishes changing his clothes.

I quickly changed and went downstairs. I saw Jax waiting in the reception area when I reached the lobby. Maybe he sensed that I'm coming closer to him, so he looked my way. I gave him a smile.

He looked at my attire before returning me his smile. He approached me, reached for my hand, and told me that we would go to the seaside restaurant.

"You up for a walk?"

"Yes, Jax," I answered.

He told me that he saw that restaurant a while ago and he really wanted to try their food with me.

After five minutes of walking, we reached the seafood grill and bar-restaurant. The whole place was very peaceful and relaxing.

The beachfront was covered with soft white sand, and from here, I can hear the splashing sound of waves coming from the sea. I was so mesmerized by the beauty of this restaurant and its magnificent view.

"Jax, it so beautiful," I said while looking at the view.

"Yes, baby. It's so beautiful." He uttered. I glanced at him and caught him staring at me. I blushed.

I averted my eyes at him and said, "Let's order?" To hide the redness of my face.

After finishing our meal, we decided to walk along the shore. I felt his hand on mine. He intertwined and locked it together.

I stared at him, but he is still focused on our way. I feel so happy. I squeezed his hand in response.

He faced me and brought his hand up to hold my face.

"Cali, don't ever forget that I am deeply in love with you. I promise that no one can tear us apart. I will take care of you 'til we're old. I will forever stay by your side. Don't ever leave me." I almost shed a tear with what he said.

"I love you, Jax. Very much." That was all I can say after what he told me. His eyes fixed on me. He kissed the back of my palm.

"I love you too, Cali. So damn much." He responded while looking at me in the eyes.

Going back to school was very tiring after enjoying my summer vacation. The rest of the ride to school filled with my rants about getting busy with all the requirements while Jax listened to that.

And I never thought that we'll be facing a big challenge. And one of those tested and hurt my family.

Right after we went home from vacation, that's when it started. That was the time when most of us were in pain and decided to leave.

"You lied, Zion!" I heard Mom crying... I was with Kuya Zavi and Kuya Zach, and I know that they heard it too.

"I'm sorry, Cass..." Dad uttered weakly. I stilled where I was and saw how Kuya Zavi halted from going down when we heard what my mom said…

"No! You have a child from someone!" What? Did daddy cheat on us? Why? My dad won't do that…

I can't bear to hear what he has to say. With tears streaming down my face, I hurriedly went back to my room.

I accepted it, but I think that we were really affected, most especially my brothers. They love Mom so much as well as I am.

Maybe they can't accept it and made a wrong decision that I know they really regretted their whole life.

Thalia left, and Astrea came…