THE RUTHLESS BILLIONAIRE BABYSITS ME (R18+)

Bonus Chapter Three

BONUS CHAPTER THREE

ADAM MEADOWS

I thought I'd finally have Jazz all to myself for an entire week once her parents left for Hawaii. But then her annoying oldest brother showed up. Sa isang araw pa raw uli ang flight nito kaya hindi ko maiuuwi agad si Jazz sa penthouse ko. 'Yon pa naman sana ang balak ko; na doon muna kami habang wala ang parents niya.

Now, I'm at their house, sitting in the dining room. Jazz is preparing dinner for us, while Zane and I are seated across from each other at the counter. His arms are crossed as he engages in a silent staring contest with me, occasionally shaking his head and letting out a slight chuckle, na parang nang-iinis.

"Something funny?" I glared at him. Daig pa namin ang magkaaway. We weren't like this before Jazz and I started dating. Pero naiintindihan ko naman siya kung bakit hanggang ngayon ay parang hindi niya pa rin ako matanggap. 

Naalala ko ang seryosong pag-uusap namin last month matapos naming magtulakan sa swimming pool nila sa likod.

Zane was leaning against the porch railing, his eyes narrowing as he looked at me. I could tell he wasn't thrilled about this conversation.

"I really care about her," I said, forcing the words out. "Why don't you want me to court Jazz? Is there a specific reason?"

Zane crossed his arms over his chest, his jaw tightening. "Gunggong ka ba? We've been best friends for a long time. High school pa lang tayo, alam ko na ang likaw ng bituka mo. I know the kind of guy you are, Adam. Kung hindi tayo magkaibigan at hindi kita kilala, baka mapayagan pa kitang ligawan si Jazz."

I swallowed hard. Hindi ako takot kay Zane noon. Siya ang dating umuurong pagdating sa 'kin. Pero ngayong si Jazz ang usapan namin, pakiramdam ko, kailangan ko pang lumuhod sa harap niya.

"People change. I've changed."

He shook his head, a bitter smile playing on his lips. "Have you? I remember the parties, the girls, the trouble we used to get into. You were, we were, never one for serious relationships. And now you expect me to believe you're different?"

He's referring to the trouble we used to get into, and that's already enough for him to disapprove of me. How much more if he found out about the darker things I've done for the sake of business? Siguradong kahit dulo ng hibla ng buhok ni Jazz ay hindi niya papayagang mahawakan ko.

"I get it," I said. "I know I don't have the best track record. But Jazz is different. She makes me want to be better. I don't want to mess this up."

"She's my sister. She's not just another girl you can charm, and f*ck, and then leave when you get bored. I won't let you hurt her. Kilala mo rin s'ya. Tatanga-tanga pa naman 'yon. Baka mamaya utu-utuin mo lang porque alam mong madali s'yang bumigay."

"I know," I replied, meeting his gaze. "I understand your concerns. But I'm asking you to trust me. Give me a chance to prove that I'm serious about her. I would never intentionally hurt your stupid sis—" Hindi ko naituloy ang sasabihin ko dahil pinukol niya ako nang masamang tingin. "I would never intentionally hurt your baby sister," I corrected.

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. He looked away for a moment, staring at the horizon as if searching for answers. Finally, he turned back to me. "I'll be watching you, Adam. Kahit magkaibigan tayo, oras na saktan mo si Jazz at may mangyari uli na masama sa kaniya, maghahalo ang balat sa tinalupan. Understand?"

I nodded, relief washing over me. "I understand. And thank you, Zane. I won't let you down. All of you."

He nodded curtly, pushing off the railing. "Just remember, Adam. This isn't just about our friendship anymore. It's about my stupid little sister. Don't forget that."

As Zane walked back into the house, I stood there for a moment, the weight of his words sinking in. I knew I had a lot to prove, not just to Hart brothers, but to myself and, most importantly, to Jazz.

"Sandali." Hindi pa man ako nakakaalis sa puwesto ko nang bumalik siya. Tumayo siya sa harap ko habang nakatingin nang diretso sa mga mata ko. "Kailan pa?"

"What?"

"Kailan mo pa nagustuhan si Jazz? 'Di ba ang sabi mo noon hindi mo siya type?"

I fell silent and stared at my feet. If I were to answer honestly, my feelings for Jazz started a long time ago. I've only recently come to terms with the fact that I've been lying to myself all these years. The truth is, I've liked Jazz since that day Zane invited me over to their house to play video games.

I remember it clearly. Jazz came home that day, tears streaming down her face, and went straight to her mom to complain. She had been elected class president, but she had wanted to be the class muse instead. She must have been in the fourth grade at the time. Despite her tears, I couldn't help but notice how beautiful she was. That was the moment I realized I had a crush on her. But I buried those feelings deep down, knowing she was too young and that she was my best friends' little sister.

I pushed those feelings aside, convincing myself that it was just a fleeting crush. After all, kaibigan ko ang mga kapatid niya, and I didn't want to complicate things. So, I ignored how I felt and focused on our friendship. But those feelings surged back stronger than ever on the day I rescued her from the swimming pool because of Cassandra's antics.

When Jazz finally coughed and her eyes fluttered open, relief flooded through me in torrents. In that instant, as I held her close, I realized the depth of my feelings for her. It wasn't just concern or friendship—it was a profound love that had been quietly growing inside me.

The fear of almost losing her shook me to the core. It was then that I understood how much she meant to me, how I couldn't bear the thought of a world without her laughter, her kindness, her presence.

From that day forward, I couldn't deny my feelings any longer. Jazz was not just my best friends' little sister anymore; she was the person who had captured my heart completely.

Hindi ko napaghandaan ang suntok na pinakawalan ni Zane sa mukha ko matapos kong sabihin sa kaniya kung kailan ako nagkagusto sa kapatid niya.

"Napakagago mo, Adam," he growled, his breath hot with anger. Gusto niya yatang maihagis uli sa pool. Pasalamat siya nasa loob na sila Gerald, David at ang dalawa pa niyang kapatid na lalaki kaya wala na akong makakatulong na itapon siya sa tubig. "So, what you're saying is, when Jazzlene was in fourth grade, you already had eyes for her? May pagnanasa ka na sa kaniya?"

"Pagnanasa?" Hinawakan ko ang gilid ng labi ko dahil may naramdaman akong mahapdi roon. There was a slight trickle of blood. I met his gaze defiantly. "Are you insane? I didn't say I lusted after her. I said that's when I realized I had a crush on her." I struggled to stand up straight.

"Sounds the same for me," matigas niyang sagot. Kasunod ang paglabas ni Gerald, tinatawag kami dahil nakahanda na ang dinner. Pero bago pa makahakbang palayo sa 'kin si Zane, tinawag ko uli siya.

He turned to me, looking puzzled. "Bakit?"

"Nasugatan mo mukha ko. Magagalit sa 'yo si Jazz kapag nalaman niyang kagagawan mo 'to." Hindi ako nagdalawang-isip na paliparin din ang kamao ko, tumama 'yon sa gilid ng labi niya.

"Aray! Gago ka, Adam! T*ngina."

"Mas mabuting makita ni Jazz na may sugat ka rin kaysa isipin niyang kinawawa mo 'ko. Pagagalitan ka pa no'n."

"T*ngina ka, e, mas masakit 'yong suntok mo sa 'kin!"

"You'll thank me later. I promise you." With that, I turned and headed inside, leaving Zane to nurse his swelling lip.