JAY’S POV
The weight of Liam’s words still clung to me like second skin—”Before they separate us… Convince them…”—each syllable a barbed wire wrapped around my ribs.
I had spent the entire drive home staring out the window, my fingers trembling against the car seat, my mind racing in circles.
How do I tell my family?
By the time I stepped into the Mariano estate, my chest was so tight I could barely breathe.
The grand foyer, usually a sanctuary, felt like a cage.
I needed air.
I needed laughter.
I needed—
“ATE JAY!”
A three-foot gremlin launched itself at me with the force of a hurricane.
Keiren.
His arms locked around my waist, his face buried in my chest as he mumbled against me, “I missed you sooooo much!”
I laughed—really laughed—for the first time all day, the sound bursting out of me like a dam breaking.
I wrapped my arms around him, squeezing tight.
“Hey, Keiren! Easy, I’m not going anywhere! Mini Watson.”
He pulled back, glaring up at me with mock offense.
“Hey! I’m not a mini Watson! I’m 14! I’m a big Watson now!”
I grinned, ruffling his hair.
“Okay, okay, Big Watson. What brings you here?”
Before he could answer, a sweet, familiar voice floated from behind him.
“Not only him, babydoll. The whole Watson family came to see you.”
My heart leapt.
I looked up—and there she was.
“TITA SERINA!”
I practically flew at her, crashing into her arms like a child.
She laughed, squeezing me so tight I could barely breathe.
“Oh, Jay! I missed you so much!”
I buried my face in her shoulder, inhaling the familiar scent of her perfume—jasmine and vanilla, the smell of home.
” I missed you too Tita .” For a moment, I forgot about Liam.
Forgot about the weight in my chest.
Forgot about—
“Yeah, yeah, you only missed Tita… No one even asked how I was.”
I froze.
Then groaned.
Tito Keizer.
I pulled back from Tita, grinning as I spotted him standing behind her, arms crossed, pretending to pout like a scorned lover.
“Oh no… TITO KEIZER!” I launched myself at him, wrapping my arms around his waist and nuzzling into his chest.
“How could I forget my first handsome boyfriend?”
He barked out a laugh, patting my head like I was still five years old.
“Oh yes… Finally, my little girlfriend remembers me!” He pulled back, grinning, but then suddenly sulked, crossing his arms again.
“But I am still angry at you. How dare you get married to someone else when you promised yourself to me?”
I burst out laughing, wiping imaginary tears.
“Oh, Tito!
Stop teasing me!” I shot back, “You betrayed me first by marrying Tita Serina!
This is my revenge!”
His lips twitched, fighting a smile, before he finally cracked, grinning ear to ear.
“Because I got my super hot and beautiful wife to get married!” He pulled Tita against him, kissing her cheek—which turned bright red.
“Keizer!” Tita swatted his chest, though she didn’t pull away, her blush deepening.
“Stop it! The kids are watching!”
The room erupted in laughter.
I looked around, my heart swelling.
Mom and Dad were there, smiling at me from the couch.
Percy was leaning against the wall, grinning like an idiot.
Aries was beside Percy.
Keiren was watching the drama unfold.
And Keigen was away from the group.
Thank God Keifer isn’t here, I thought.
Because if he were, he’d definitely ruin my peace.
And I wasn’t ready for that.
I walked to Keigen, grinning.
“Hey, handsome, won’t you greet me? Silly boy.”
He narrowed his eyes, sarcasm dripping from his voice.
“You were so busy with everyone. I didn’t want to disturb you.”
I gasped, clutching my chest.
“Oh my! Since when did this idiot become so generous?” I narrowed my eyes.
“Because last time we met, you were the one acting like a famous brat and ignoring me!”
His cheeks flushed.
“That’s different.”
I raised a brow.
“Oh really? Enlighten me, mister.”
He didn’t answer.
Instead, he suddenly wrapped his arms around me, mumbling into my shoulder, “I missed you, Ate.”
My heart squeezed.
I hugged him back, ruffling his hair.
“Silly. I missed you too.”
After the chaos of greetings, everyone moved to the living room, settling into their usual chit-chat.
I excused myself, slipping away like a ghost.
My bedroom was a sanctuary.
I face-planted onto the bed, groaning into the sheets.
One day.
Just one day of peace.
That’s all I wanted.
But my mind wouldn’t shut up.
“Convince them, Jay.”
“Before they separate us.”
“I’m not waiting forever.”
I rolled over, staring at the ceiling, my chest tight.
How do I tell them?
How do I make them understand?
I closed my eyes, willing the anxiety away—
Creak.
My eyes snapped open.
The sound of my bathroom door opening.
I frowned, pushing up on my elbows.
Who the hell—?
And then I saw him.
A towel.
Slung low on lean hips, the fabric clinging to muscles that shifted as he moved.
Water glistened on his chest, tracing the lines of his abs, the dips of his collarbones.
His skin was golden in the late afternoon light, scars—old, faded—peeking from his shoulder.
My gaze snapped up.
Broad shoulders.
Sharp jawline.
Lips—too red, too smug—curved into a smirk.
Keifer.
My brain short-circuited.
“Enjoying the view, darling?”
His voice was smooth, amused, like he knew exactly where my eyes had been.
I sat up so fast on my knees,I nearly fell off the bed, my face burning, .
“WHAT THE HELL, KEIFER?!…”WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN MY ROOM?!” I hissed, narrowing my eyes into dangerous slits.
He chuckled, his smirk widening.
“Why? Didn’t you expect me here?”
“Just answer me, Watson!” I snapped.
“Why are you in my room? In my bathroom?!”
He leaned in, his dark eyes locking onto mine.
“I came directly from the office. My parents told me we were invited for dinner, so I brought my things here.”
I glared.
“And why in my room? Were all the guest rooms locked?”
“Exactly.” He shrugged, unapologetic.
“Guest rooms were locked. So your parents told me to change in here since yours was the only empty one.”
I opened my mouth to argue but my gaze landed directly on his chest—
“Ugh…Okay, but at least WEAR SOMETHING!” I covered my eyes, groaning.
I waited.
And waited.
Nothing.
No rustling of clothes.
No zipper.
No sound at all.
Then—
A warm hand clasped around my wrist.
Firm.
Gentle.
Unavoidable.
Keifer pulled my hand away from my face, his fingers lacing with mine before I could react.
Before I could protest, he pulled me closer, his free hand sliding to my waist, yanking me against him.
My breath hitched.
Our chests pressed together.
His skin was burning.
His scent—leather and spice and something dangerously him—filled my lungs.
His face was inches from mine.
I should’ve pushed him away.
I should’ve screamed.
But I didn’t.
I just… stared.
His dark eyes burned into mine, searching, demanding.
Then—
His gaze dropped to my mouth.
One second.
Two.
Before snapping back to my eyes.
“Jay”
Here’s your new chapter
Guyssssss…..
WHAT DO YOU THINK….?
Will they kiss or …..uhm–uhm….?
Will Keifer be able to control his feeling ?
Comment below what your thoughts are….let me know them
And tell me how was this chapter….
Btw something big is going to happen…..very soon
So stay tuned with me….my lazy readers….
And comment down your ideas so I can add on…
Soooo this is me , your lazy writer, signing off
And meet you soon with another chapter to satisfy your Jayfer mind.
Leave your precious comments and if you are loving this book pls add it in your library….
bye bye see yaaaaaaaa ʘ‿ʘ