The Tables Turn: The Hunt for Keigan's Secret
[Jay's POV]
The dining room atmosphere shifted instantly. Keifer was still holding me like I was made of glass and gold, but my "Empress" instincts had picked up on a new signal—a glitch in Keigan's usually perfect, robotic composure.
While the boys were busy teasing us about our "shameless" romance, I noticed a pink envelope tucked partially under Keigan's tablet. My eyes caught the name on the back in elegant, loopy cursive: Rina.
I caught Bridget's eye. She followed my gaze, and a lethal, mischievous smirk spread across her face. We didn't need words. The "Tease Team" had a new target.
"You know, Keifer," I said loudly, leaning back against his chest but keeping my eyes locked on Keigan. "I think we should talk about the security of the mailroom. It seems some... unauthorized romantic data has breached the perimeter."
The Ambush
Keigan froze. His fork stopped halfway to his mouth. "I don't know what you're talking about, Jay. The mailroom is 100% secure."
"Is it?" Bridget chimed in, leaning over the table with a predatory grin. "Because I saw a very specific delivery this morning. Hand-delivered. Scented with vanilla. And addressed to our resident 'Stone-Cold Analyst'."
Keigan's ears began to turn a shade of red that rivaled the strawberries on the table. "It's a business proposal. Nothing more."
"A business proposal?" I laughed, reaching out—much to Keigan's horror—and pointing at the pink corner. "Since when does the legal department use glitter-ink and heart-shaped stickers, Keigan? And since when is their CEO named Rina?"
"RINA?!" Keiran practically fell off his chair. "Wait—Rina from the Tech Gala? The one who told Keigan his 'algorithm was sexy'?"
The Teasing Protocol: 1,000% Intensity
"Oh, it's more than that," Bridget teased, ignoring Keigan's desperate attempt to hide the envelope under his napkin. "I intercepted the 'Subject Line' while I was doing my morning sweep. It wasn't a proposal for a merger; it was a proposal for a date. She used the word 'Compliance' in a way that had absolutely nothing to do with law."
"Keigan," I said, my voice dripping with mock-seriousness. "As the Empress of this house, I need to know: Is this Rina girl a 'Critical Threat' to your bachelor status? Because the data suggests you've been staring at that envelope for ten minutes without opening it. That's a 90% hesitation rate."
Keifer let out a deep, rumbling chuckle behind me, his arms tightening around my waist. He was enjoying the shift in focus. "He's right, Keigan. A Watson doesn't hesitate. Either delete the file or accept the invite. Which is it?"
"It's... it's complicated," Keigan stammered, his face now fully flushed. "She's persistent. Her 'Emotional Persistence' is off the charts. It's statistically impossible to ignore her."
"Aww!" Mamma Serina clapped her hands together. "She's persistent! I like her already. Keizer, look! Our 'Robot' is blushing!"
[Keigan's POV: System Overload]
I hate this. I hate everything about this moment.
I am the one who manages the data. I am the one who analyzes the risks. But looking at the four of them—Jay and Bridget looking like they've just hit the jackpot, and Keifer looking way too smug—I realize my 'Privacy Settings' have been completely bypassed.
"She just wants to discuss the new encryption software," I muttered, trying to regain my dignity.
"With a love poem at the bottom?" Bridget shot back, cackling. "I saw the word 'Eternal' in there, Keigan! You can't encrypt 'Eternal'!"
"She's coming to the office at noon, isn't she?" Jay asked, winking at me. "Don't worry, Keigan. Bridget and I will make sure the 'Perimeter' is clear so you can have your... 'Software Discussion' in peace."
"I hate you all," Keigan muttered, though a small, reluctant smile tugged at his lips as he finally tucked the pink envelope into his pocket.
"We love you too, Keigan!" Keiran shouted, throwing a napkin at him. "Can't wait to meet Sister-in-Law Rina!"