Devoted: Chapter Three

Gloria hummed a little tune as she skipped down the steps to the kitchen. Junior was following her closely, already used to the house after living inside of it for a week. He sat weightlessly on her shoulder when she took a seat in front of her breakfast. The television was tuned in on the news and her father was checking the waffles.

Gloria looked at the plate of eggs and bacon before her and picked up a slice of bacon. She held it up to Junior, who casually glanced at it and sniffed.

"I see you two are close now," he father said, bringing over the maple syrup.

"Did you know he can sing," Gloria said with a smile.

"I know they can screech," her father replied. "I don't know about hawks singing…"

"Well, this one can sing," she mumbled and bit into her bacon.

Her father went back to checking the waffles and Gloria turned her attention to the television set. Traffic was going to be bad that day and there was a fifteen percent chance of rain. The newscaster droned on and Gloria felt herself slipping back into sleep. She instantly perked back up when the newscaster transferred to the celebrity chat.

"We are standing outside the room of what may be the most inspirational conference of the decade," exaggerated the newswoman. "As we all know, the twenty two year old pop idol, June, has met a terrible tragedy two weeks ago when he returned from his month long tour to find his sister dead in her bed. There still has been no news as to how his sister died. He went into recluse for the past two weeks, only to come out with a new album just this morning. And, you won't believe who his inspiration was."

The scene changed to a video of June sitting at a conference table with many different microphones in front of him. He wore sunglasses and a cap, but his blonde hair was unmistakably peeking out from under the rims. Gloria almost fell back when she noticed a beautiful woman had her arms wrapped around his shoulders, looking around the room.

"Th-That's Jay," she almost screamed, pointing at the television. "She's supposed to be dead! What's up with those wings?

"My," her father said, placing the plate of waffles on the table. "That is a beautiful blue jay… What do you mean she's dead?" Her father then made a "hmph" sound. "This blue jay has a red collar around its neck. I think I was shown this same exact bird by the petshop owner last week. I wanted to buy the bird, but the owner said it was sick… Good thing it's looking better."

Gloria was frozen in place, unable to process her thoughts and words. Her father was beginning to eat his breakfast and Junior was mesmerized by the television set. His eyes dilated and he flew closer to the screen, tapping a long black claw against the glass. Gloria's father chuckled.

"Look, he's fascinated by the set."

"What were you doing all this time while you were away from the public, June," asked a news reporter on the screen.

"Isn't it customary for someone to mourn when a loved one passes away," June asked into the microphones.

"What about this new album? What was it called again?"

"A New Beginning," June breathed into the microphones.

On the screen, the unknown woman was nuzzling against June and held him tighter.

"Why do you have that bird on your shoulder," asked another reporter.

"Oh, her? She's my new inspiration." June smiled brightly and leaned his head against the woman, who smiled with her eyes closed. "Her name's Jay, in remembrance of my sister."

Gloria felt her knees shake when she saw the woman stand on the table and pressed a face close to the camera. June was chuckling in his seat. Junior was still mesmerized by the TV. He was peering closer at the screen, as well.

"Well, what a cute little bird," her father said. "Look how photogenic she is." He faced his daughter. "I guess you knew all about her since you're June's number one fan, eh?" He turned back to the TV and laughed. "Look at Junior. I think he wants to question why there's another bird stuck in a box."

"Junior, get away from the television," Gloria said, shakily sitting back down and turning off the TV set. "That wasn't a bird… That was Jay. That was June's sister."

She was about to finish her breakfast when Junior surprised her by shoving his face closely to hers. His hazel eyes were staring with an intense anger.

"What," she asked.

He made no reply and continued staring at her. Her father chuckled and turned back on the TV.

"I think he was interested in the television," he said.

Junior made no move. Eventually, he rolled his eyes, turned away from her, and focused back on the TV. Gloria scoffed in disbelief and grabbed a waffle from the plate in front of her.

"Well, June... That could've been better," said a not-quite balding man, getting into a car and closing the door.

Jun was sitting in the middle, away from the windows. Jay was pressed against the glass, smiling for the cameras. The man took out a handkerchief and wiped his head with it. Despite the dark tint of the windows, the cameramen were attempting to take shots of the people inside.

"But, I guess the front pages tomorrow will involve mostly your bird. Maybe you should leave it home at the next meeting?"

"I have to keep an eye on Jay. I can't leave her for more than a day, Ross."

Jay turned back around to smile at Jun before going back to the windows.

"I'm getting worried about your attachment to it… But, I have to say," said Ross. "That's one smart bird you have."

Jun smiled. The driver saw a clear break when the paparazzi began to disperse. The car drove off, leaving the remaining people behind. Jay flittered to look behind the car through the window. She didn't know what the people were doing, she just knew they had blinking lights. They reminded her of the chandelier at home.

The remaining drive was unusually silent. Jay was lying down with her legs bended against the door. Her head was on Jun's legs and she was looking up at him. Jun kept glancing towards his manager, who was fidgeting with his fingers. Normally, this was a sign he had something important to say. In the four years they've worked together, Jun learned to wait patiently because Ross manages to break at the end of the day.

"If this is about my pet," Jun started to say.

"No, it's not about the bird," Ross interrupted.

Jun closed his mouth. He had a feeling something troubling would happen soon. Jay tilted her head to the side and wondered why he looked so worried. Despite learning a few words in his language, she couldn't think of anything to say to him. She sat up and brought her face close to his cheek.

"Jun," she finally called out.

He smiled and kissed her forehead. The silence resumed until they reached his house. Jun stepped out, followed by his manager. Jay was flying over the front gardens, picking a berry off a newly planted tree. Before Jun reached the door, the manager cleared is throat and loosened his tie.

"Jun, there's something I want to tell you before you go inside. Would it be okay if I talked to you indoors?"

He paused, holding his keys a few centimeters from the lock. This was a personal matter when the manager calls out his real name. It was worse since talking indoors means something they're keeping from the public. He didn't like this situation.

"Can it wait," he asked, unlocking the locks. "I haven't eaten anything, since I rushed out of the house first thing—

"I'll tell you while you're getting lunch… Or breakfast," mumbled his manager. "Or brunch, if you prefer. What's important is the fact I need to talk to you."

Jun stayed silent as he opened his door. He stood aside and tried his best to smile, holding the door for Ross to step in.

"I apologize for intruding," Ross said, entering the house and taking off his shoes.

Jay munched on a few more berries before flying into the house, nuzzling against Jun and sitting on her favorite spot on top of the chandelier. She started to hum a little tune while looking at the sparkles of the jewels.

Jun closed the door and went into the kitchen. Ross was already comfortable, standing behind the bar and getting himself a glass of scotch.

"What is it you wanted to say," Jun asked, leaning against the table.

"I just need some um… way to steel my nerves," Ross said, pouring out the scotch with a trembling hand.

Jun sighed and scratched his head. "I'm getting some breakfast. Do you want anything?"

Ross shook his head while gulping down the amber liquor. Jun turned around and rummaged through his fridge. It took him a while to find something that was appealing to him. He eventually sighed and took out a hamburger patty to grill. He muttered a small curse towards his pickiness and closed the door, jumping at the sight of Ross standing there.

"You scared the hell out of me, don't do that."

"I'm sorry," Ross said, sticking a hand into his jacket. "But, I have to hand you this before I lose the nerves again."

Jun took the manila packet Ross handed him. He walked to the table to put his plate down.

"What is it," Jun asked.

"It's something we want to keep away from the public for as long as possible. It's also something you've been wanting to see…"

Suspicion settled inside of Jun's stomach and he opened up the packet to see it confirmed. There were details of an autopsy report, but his eyes fell on the words "Result pending" in the field for "Cause of Death."

"What do they mean by 'result pending'?"

Ross sighed and took a seat. "You may want to take a seat, too…"

Jun immediately fumbled into a seat and held the packet tightly in his hands.

"You see," his manager started, "the main reason we want to keep this away from the public is because we're going to be sending out a message saying it was an accidental death."

"Accidental," Jun asked.

Ross hesitated before continuing. "Yes. The autopsy found some um… semi precious stones… inside her stomach. So, they're deciding whether or not they should label the death as a suicide or—

"Suicide," Jun exclaimed, letting go of the packet. "We were about to be married. There was no way she would—

"It could be suicide. But, it also could be murder. You remember how there was a faint line of red around her neck? She had rope burns around her neck, Jun."

Jun was stunned for a moment. "Rope burns? Murder?"

"It's possible. Was there anything you noticed that was strange in the room?"

He thought for a while before his eyes widened. "The bay windows. They were opened. But, I only assumed she was hot. I mean, the police combed through the room already and they found no trace of another person in the room."

"The killer must've taken the rope with him."

"But, that's… Who would want to hurt her?"

"Maybe she was seeing another person behind your back?"

"What are you saying?"

"You grew up in the same house together. I know you both were adopted, but maybe she still viewed you as just a brother."

"No, she didn't."

"Maybe she had a change of heart."

"She didn't!"

"We need to look at all possibilities—

"She didn't, she didn't, she didn't!" Jun stared angrily at his manager. "She wouldn't!" He leaned back and rubbed his temples with a hand. "We were… engaged. I also told her… She could've easily broken it off before it was too late."

They sat in silence, waiting for the tension to subside. Ross then stood up and sighed, patting Jun on the shoulder.

"I won't force anything on you... I figured I might as well tell you, since you had the right to know. When I get any more information, I'll let you know."

"How come they couldn't tell me themselves?"

"It wasn't something for strangers to say. At least, this way, we were able to sympathize with each other."

He barely walked out the room before Jun mumbled after him.

"Thank you, Ross… For letting me know."

Ross smiled at Jun's back.

"Anytime, Jun."

He petted Jay, who was hiding behind the doorway during the conversation, and saw himself out the house.

When the door closed, Jun sighed loudly and fell against the back of his seat. He stared at the manila packet and then at the burger patty. He didn't feel hungry anymore. He stood up to put it away and saw Jay at the door. She slid further into the room, but her wings and the top of her head was still peeking.

"Jun… okay," she asked innocently.

He put down his plate and held out his arms. "Come here, Jay."

Jay stepped out and skipped towards him. He held her tightly and she patted his back.

"No cry, Jun. No cry."

"I'm… not crying," he replied back. "I won't, as long as you're here. You're never leaving my sight, ever."

She smiled and rested her head on his shoulder. "No cry, Jun. I love you, Jun."

"I love you, Jay."

Comment: Thank you for following the story so far. I'm having a bit of problem getting used to the changed layout of fanfiction... Um... Yeah.

KittyCat, Thank you for your review. I'm adding Leon to the next chapter and he'll be sporadically used throughout, but he won't be a main character. I'm revolving around the customers, mostly. He will be considered semi-main in story two. I'll forgive you if you skip reading story one *winks* He'll also appear only in the end of story three.