JAY JAY POV
Lunchtime is the only time the cafeteria actually feels like a battleground. Usually, I'm the queen of the center table, surrounded by people who laugh at my jokes because they're afraid of my dad or they want an invite to my next party.
But today, I headed straight for the corner. The quiet spot. The Keifer spot.
He was already there, hunched over a sandwich and his phone scrolling throwing something. I slid my tray down right across from him, the plastic clattering loudly enough to make him wince.
"Jay, go eat with your friends," Keifer said without looking up. He didn't sound mean, just… exhausted
"But I wanna eat here," I said, propping my chin on my hand and staring at him.
"Why?" He finally looked up, his dark eyes searching mine for a reason that wasn't "I'm obsessed with you."
"Because I like this spot," I told him simply.
He sighed, the corner of his mouth twitching in that way that told me he was about to bail. He started to gather his things, preparing to move to a different table to keep that "safe distance" he's so proud of.
I reached out, my hand darting across the table to press down on his other hand , stopping him in his tracks. Our eyes locked, and for a second, the lunchroom noise faded out.
"I like the spot you sit on," I told him, my voice dropping. "And I'm not letting you move just because you're scared of how loud my life is. Deal with it, Watson. You're my view for the next thirty minutes."
He looked at my hand , then back at me. He didn't pull away. He didn't give me a "Tss." He just sat back slowly, a look of defeat—or maybe acceptance—crossing his face.
"You're the most stubborn person I've ever met," he muttered, picking his sandwich back up.
I grinned, finally picking up my fork, feeling like I was finally winning a round. The tension was just starting to melt into something that felt almost like a date, but then the air soured.
"Hey, Jay," a voice interrupted. I didn't even have to look up to know it was the human headache, Yuri.
I didn't acknowledge him. Instead, I leaned closer to Keifer, tilting my head. "For fuck's sake, Keifer, do you hear any roosters saying 'Hi'?"
Keifer usually stays neutral. He usually plays the "I'm not involved in your drama" card. But he looked at Yuri, then back at me, and a dry, sharp glint appeared in his eyes.
"Yeah," Keifer said, his voice perfectly calm. "I do think I heard something say 'Hi'."
I nearly choked on my salad. My jaw practically hit the table. Damn, he didn't just ignore Yuri—he actually joined in. Calling Yuri a rooster right to his face? That was the most attractive thing Keifer had ever done.
Yuri's face turned a shade of purple that matched his expensive tie. "You think you're funny, Watson? You're just the help she follows around for a thrill."
I was ready to jump over the table and claw Yuri's eyes out, but Keifer didn't even flinch. He just took a slow bite of his sandwich, acting like Yuri was a fly he couldn't be bothered to swat.
"You're still standing here," Keifer remarked, looking at Yuri with bored indifference. "The 'rooster' noise is getting a bit loud, don't you think?"
I burst out laughing, loud and genuine. "You heard the man, Yuri. Go find a different coop. We're busy."
The way Yuri stomped off was worth more than the 50 million in my bank account. I turned back to Keifer, my eyes wide with a new kind of heat.
"Keifer Watson," I breathed, "I didn't know you had a mean streak. I think I love you even more now."
"Eat your lunch, Jay," he muttered, but his ears were turning pink again. He was definitely starting to crack.
He went quiet for a few seconds, picking at his food before he finally looked up, his expression more serious than I'd seen it all day.
"Jay, out of all the people you could like, why me?" Keifer asked softly. He sounded genuinely confused, like I was some unsolvable equation. "I mean, come on. There are other guys who are way richer than me. Maybe even more handsome."
I stopped mid-bite, my fork hovering in the air. I let out a soft laugh, shaking my head.
"Okay, first of all, I love you," I said, laying it out flat because I'm tired of dancing around it. "And second, yes Keifer, there are richer guys. But I don't really care about the money. I've had money my whole life, and look at me—I'm a disaster. I care about a person's heart and how genuine they are with me. You're the only person who doesn't look at me like a bank account or a business merger."
Keifer looked at me for a long beat, his gaze hovering on mine just a second too long for someone who "doesn't care." Then, he looked down at his phone, tapping away as if he'd tuned me out completely.
But we both knew better. I could see the way his thumb was barely moving; he was hanging on every word.
"And as for handsome?" I tilted my head, admiring the way the cafeteria light hit the angle of his jaw. "I don't think so. You're still the hottest guy I've seen so far. By a landslide."
"Tss." He let out his signature sound, but he didn't move an inch.
"Tell me more about you," I prompted with a smile.
"What do you want to know? There isn't much to talk about."
"Anything you're willing to share."
He sighed. "My mom passed away years ago. My grandparents were the ones who actually raised me, but they passed last year."
I nodded slowly. I knew all about Aunt Serina and how his father, Keizar, had basically vanished because he was too weak to be a dad. I'd always loathed that man for leaving Keifer to fend for himself.
"So, what are your plans for after we leave this place?" I asked.
"Well, we're graduating soon," Keifer said. "I'm heading to college, and after that, I'm starting a business. I'm still working on the idea, but I'm going to make it happen."
I smiled at him, leaning my chin on my palm with a dreamy look. "Then I'll be a good wife and take care of you and our future business. I'm great at delegating, you know."
Keifer didn't even look up from his sandwich, but I saw his hand pause for a fraction of a second. "Get yourself checked, Jay," he said, his voice dry as bone. "I actually know a really good doctor. I can give you his number."
I rolled my eyes, not letting his "ice king" act deter me. "Yeah, well, it's too late for that. I already went, and the doctor said my condition is terminal."
He finally looked at me, one eyebrow raised in skepticism. "Terminal?"
"Yeah," I said, leaning in closer until I could see the flecks of gold in his eyes. "He said the only cure is to get one hundred kisses from a boy named Keifer. Preferably Mark Keifer Watson. It's a very rare prescription."
Keifer's ears didn't just turn pink this time—they went full-blown scarlet. He let out a long, hardware-store sigh and buried his face in his hand, shaking his head.
"You are actually insane," he muttered against his palm.
"Insane for you," I corrected him cheerfully, popping a grape into my mouth. "So, when do we start the treatment? I'd hate to get sicker."
He didn't answer, but he didn't leave either. He just sat there, hiding his face while I laughed. For a guy who says he wants to be alone, he's remarkably good at staying right where I am
The bell rang, cutting our moment short. Lunch was over. Yay, more "fun" sitting through lectures when I'd much rather be annoying Keifer into a confession.
We walked to our next class together, and I waved a quick goodbye to Mia and the guys as we hit the hallway. Even though I see them every single day, it feels like a ritual. But as soon as the final bell of the day rang, the reality of my home life started to settle back in.
When I stepped through the front door, the atmosphere was thick. My parents were already home—a miracle in itself, considering they usually prioritize boardroom meetings over their own daughter. I didn't feel like playing the "happy family" game, so I tried to bolt straight for the stairs.
"Jay Jay," Mama called out, her voice stopping me mid-step.
I sighed, pivoting on my heel and walking back down. "What?" I asked, leaning against the banister.
"Nothing, sweetie," she said, though her face had that polished, 'business-as-usual' look. "It's just... the Hanamatchis are staying here with us for a while. It's part of the collaboration. So, please, be respectful."
The irritation I'd felt all day flared up again. It wasn't enough that Yuri was invading my school; now he was invading my house. My safe space.
"I'll be respectful," I said, my voice dripping with honeyed sarcasm, "but only if they—and especially their so-called heir, Yuri—learn the actual meaning of personal space. If he follows me around here like he does at school, respect is going to be the last thing on my mind."
"Jay Jay!" Papa warned, his eyes narrowing.
"Just stating facts," I shrugged, already turning back to the stairs. "I have tennis practice later. Tell the 'roosters' not to wake me up when they arrive."
I slammed my bedroom door shut and threw my bag on the floor, the frustration of the day finally bubbling over. But then, my phone buzzed in my pocket. I pulled it out, and for the first time since that morning, a genuine smile lit up my face.
Aries.
My brother. The only person in this family who actually gets it. He's currently away at university, escaping the suffocating atmosphere of this house.
"Kuya! I missed you so much," I answered, flopping onto my bed. "How's it going over there?"
"It's good enough. The professors are okay. I miss you too, kid," Aries' voice came through, sounding tired but warm.
"So, any girls? Or anything exciting like that?" I asked, teasing him.
"Nothing," Aries laughed softly. "I'm just focused on graduating so I can finally leave this whole system behind."
I sighed, staring at my ceiling. "You know Papa still thinks you're going to take over his business, right? He talks about it like it's a done deal."
"Yeah, right. That man is crazy if he thinks that's actually going to happen," Aries said, his voice turning firm. "After college, I'm starting my own business. No ties to the Mariano name, no board of directors. Just me."
I smiled. It was so similar to what Keifer had said earlier at lunch. Both of them—the two most important men in my life—wanted to build something from nothing. It was brave. It was real.
"You know what I was thinking?" I said, my voice dropping to a whisper even though I was alone in my room. "Maybe after high school, I'll just elope with Keifer."
The line went silent for a second before Aries chuckled. "Elope? You're eighteen, Jay. At least let the guy take you on a real date before you drag him to a courthouse. Does the 'Ice King' even know about this plan?"
"He's getting there," I said, rolling onto my side. "He pretends he doesn't like me, but I saw him smile today. Plus, I think it's the only way to get away from these Hanamatchis. They're staying at the house now, Kuya. It's a nightmare."
"Hang in there," Aries said seriously. "Don't let them push you into anything. And if you do elope, at least send me an invite so I can see the look on Dad's face."
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