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💞 Chapter 5 — Champagne Confessions and Jealous Hearts
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💗 Jay's POV 💗
Five days before the wedding.
Watson Mansion was glowing like a diamond.
The grand hall had been divided — literally — into two sides.
One side was blasting music and filled with tuxedoed chaos: the boys' bachelor party. 🍾
The other? A sparkling pink paradise with fairy lights, champagne towers, and my girls yelling "to the bride!" every five minutes. 🎀
Zia,Krystal and the rest of the people had made sure my night would be unforgettable.
I stood in the middle of the decorated room, holding a glass of champagne, surrounded by laughter and perfume and the faint sound of Bruno Mars leaking in from the boys' side.
"Okay, Jay," Zia said, dragging a chair dramatically to the center. "Since the boys are not here, we can talk freely. Truth circle time!"
I groaned. "Oh no, not again."
"Oh yes," Kristin grinned. "You're the bride-to-be! You have to spill. So… tell us—" she leaned closer with that mischievous look— "how many crushes you've had after James?"
The name made my smile falter for a second, but I quickly shrugged it off. "Maybe one… or two."
"Two?!" they screamed in unison.
I giggled, covering my face. "Okay fine—three if we count that barista who made amazing lattes." ☕😳
"Pftt! You mean the one you stared at for ten minutes straight?" Sofia teased.
"HEY! He had nice eyes!"
Everyone burst out laughing.
I didn't notice the door behind us quietly opening.
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🖤 Keifer's POV 🖤
The guys' party was wild — Rory had set up games, music was shaking the walls, and Dad had to step in twice because "someone tried to turn the wine cellar into a karaoke stage."
But me? I couldn't focus.
All I could think about was Jay — on the other side of the mansion, laughing, glowing, free.
Edrix noticed me zoning out. "You're thinking about her, aren't you?"
I gave him a look. "No."
He smirked. "Then you wouldn't mind if we… you know, crash the girls' party?"
I narrowed my eyes. "Don't you dare—"
"Too late!" David yelled, already heading toward the corridor.
And because I'm me, I followed. 🙃
When we reached the grand doors separating both parties, I heard her laugh. It was light, genuine, and… it hit something in me.
We stepped inside quietly, just as she said—
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💗 Jay's POV 💗
"Fine! I'll admit it!" I said dramatically, lifting my champagne glass. "My current crush—"
The girls leaned in, gasping in excitement.
I smirked, pretending to think. "He's tall… kinda annoyingly handsome… bossy, irritating, drives me crazy, but somehow—"
"JAY MARIANO!" Krystal squealed. "Who is it?!"
I grinned wickedly. "You'll see."
And then—
A familiar voice from behind said, "Oh, we'd love to know too."
I froze.
The boys.
Were.
Here. 😭💀
The girls screamed, trying to hide champagne glasses, but it was too late. Keifer, David, Rory, and half the male population of our friend group were already standing at the doorway.
My heart stopped.
Keifer's eyes locked on me instantly — sharp, unreadable, but there was that flicker of something darker… possessive.
"Well?" he said slowly, stepping closer. "Don't stop now, Mariano. Who's the lucky guy?"
The whole room fell silent.
I looked at Zia, who mouthed, say it.
And then I smiled sweetly — maybe a little too sweetly.
If he could tease, I could play too.
"My current crush," I said, tilting my head, "is David." 😏
The room gasped. David literally choked on his drink.
"WHAT—" he coughed. "Wait—Jay, what—?"
Keifer's jaw clenched so hard I thought the champagne glass in his hand might shatter.
"Interesting choice," he said quietly. "Didn't know my best man had such… charm."
"Maybe you should notice more things," I replied, sipping my drink calmly.
Kristin was trying so hard not to laugh.
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🖤 Keifer's POV 🖤
David?!
I knew she was teasing — I knew it. But that didn't stop the spark of jealousy that burned straight through my chest.
Every laugh she shared with him, every playful glance — it all hit wrong.
I downed my drink, setting the glass down harder than necessary.
Emma turned the music louder to ease the tension, and soon enough, everyone started dancing.
The girls pulled Jay to the center, spinning her around, cheering, "Bride energy!"
She looked stunning — her pastel dress glittering under the lights, her hair loose, her eyes glowing.
And all I could think was: she's mine.
Even if she doesn't know it yet.
Before I realized it, I was walking toward her.
"Dance with me," I said, voice low enough for only her to hear.
She hesitated, eyebrow raised. "And if I say no?"
"Then I'll make you."
Her lips parted — half shock, half smile — before she finally took my hand.
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💗 Jay's POV 💗
The world blurred.
All I could feel was his hand — firm, warm, pulling me close.
The music slowed. Everyone else faded into laughter and chatter.
For that moment, it was just us.
"Still crushing on David?" he murmured near my ear.
I smirked. "Maybe. He's sweet."
Keifer leaned in closer, his breath tickling my neck. "You like sweet?"
"I like mysterious," I said boldly. "And unpredictable."
He smiled — slow, dangerous, breathtaking. "Then maybe you're crushing on the wrong man."
The tension between us was ridiculous. The kind that made your heartbeat echo in your ears.
And just as the song hit its softest part, he twirled me — then caught me by the waist when I stumbled, just like before.
For a second, we froze — faces inches apart.
Eyes locked.
Air thick.
The music, the lights, everything disappeared.
"Keifer…" I whispered.
"Yeah?" he said softly.
"Don't look at me like that."
"Like what?"
"Like you actually mean it."
He smiled, almost sadly. "Maybe I do."
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🖤 Keifer's POV 🖤
Her scent. Her laugh. The way she looked at me like she didn't want to, but couldn't stop herself — it was driving me insane.
When the song ended, she pulled back quickly, pretending to join Zia and Kristin again.
But her cheeks were flushed.
David walked over, teasing, "So… still her crush?"
I glared at him. "Not funny."
He smirked. "You're jealous."
"Of course I'm jealous." The words left before I could stop them. "She's mine. Even if she doesn't see it yet."
Ci-n blinked. "Well… good luck convincing her."
I looked at her across the room — laughing, hiding her blush, pretending none of that dance happened.
But I saw the truth in her eyes.
She felt it too.
And maybe this wedding wasn't just a deal anymore.
Maybe it was fate setting the stage for something real.
Something worth fighting for.
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💗 Jay's POV 💗
Later that night, when everyone had gone to their rooms, I stood by the balcony, heart still racing.
Keifer's words replayed in my head like an echo — Maybe you're crushing on the wrong man.
I touched my lips unconsciously, smiling to myself.
Maybe.
Just maybe.
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✨🌸 End of Chapter 5🌸✨
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