Chapter 76: The Snack Emergency
(Keifer's POV)
The moment Jay said "Keiren is opening the snack cabinet"…
My brain woke up faster than a fire alarm.
Keifer:
"…absolutely not."
I rushed out of Keiren's bedroom.
Jay laughing behind me like she had just started a war.
Jay:
"You run fast when snacks are involved!"
Keifer:
"Because snacks in this house equal chaos!"
We hurried downstairs.
And the moment we reached the kitchen…
I froze.
Too late.
Keiren was standing on a chair.
The snack cabinet wide open.
And he was holding a family-size chocolate bar.
Keiren:
"Breakfast!"
Jay immediately burst out laughing.
Jay:
"That's not breakfast."
Keiren looked confused.
Keiren:
"It's chocolate."
Jay:
"That's exactly why it's not breakfast."
Keiren looked at me like I might support him.
Keiren:
"Kuya Keifer…?"
I crossed my arms.
Keifer:
"Put the chocolate back."
He slowly lowered it.
But then…
He tried to hide it behind his back.
Keifer:
"I can still see it."
Keiren sighed dramatically.
Then placed it back inside the cabinet.
Jay leaned against the counter smiling.
Jay:
"Good boy."
Keiren grinned proudly.
Then immediately grabbed a bag of chips.
Keifer:
"…no."
Keiren froze.
Keiren:
"But—"
Keifer:
"Breakfast."
Jay nodded seriously.
Jay:
"Healthy breakfast."
Keiren looked betrayed.
Keiren:
"You changed."
Jay laughed again.
Jay:
"You'll survive."
Just then…
More footsteps echoed down the stairs.
Felix appeared first.
Hair messy.
Looking half asleep.
Felix:
"Why are you two already arguing in the morning."
Blaster followed behind him.
Blaster:
"…is that chocolate."
Keiren pointed dramatically.
Keiren:
"They won't let me eat it."
Blaster gasped.
Blaster:
"Cruel."
Keifer:
"You're not helping."
Felix opened the fridge and stared inside.
Felix:
"There's actual food here."
Jay walked over and started pulling ingredients out.
Jay:
"Everyone sit."
Blaster blinked.
Blaster:
"…are you cooking?"
Jay:
"Yes."
Felix immediately sat at the table.
Felix:
"I support this decision."
Keiren ran to the chair beside him.
Keiren:
"Me too."
Denzel walked in rubbing his eyes.
Denzel:
"Why does the house smell like war."
Ci N entered behind him dramatically.
Ci N:
"I sense breakfast."
Eman appeared with his phone again.
Eman:
"Day two of Watson Mansion chaos."
David walked in calmly.
David:
"You people are loud."
Within minutes…
The kitchen table was full.
Everyone waiting.
Jay stood at the stove cooking like she owned the place.
Hair slightly messy.
Wearing one of my hoodies.
Completely comfortable.
And once again…
I found myself just watching her.
Keigen quietly sat beside me.
Noticing my expression.
Keigen:
"You stare a lot."
Keifer:
"I don't."
Keigen raised an eyebrow.
Keigen:
"You do."
Keiren suddenly whispered loudly across the table.
Keiren:
"Kuya Keifer loves Ate Jay."
The entire table burst into laughter.
Jay turned around from the stove.
Jay:
"Keiren!"
Keiren grinned proudly.
Keiren:
"What? It's true."
Felix pointed at me.
Felix:
"He was jealous last night."
Jay blinked.
Jay:
"What?"
Blaster nodded dramatically.
Blaster:
"He went upstairs like a jealous husband."
Jay looked at me.
Smiling slowly.
Jay:
"You were jealous."
Keifer:
"I was not."
Felix slammed the table.
Felix:
"LIAR."
Jay laughed.
Then turned back to the stove.
Jay:
"Someone's possessive."
I leaned back in my chair.
Sighing.
Keifer:
"I live with children."
Keiren raised his hand proudly.
Keiren:
"I am a child."
The whole table laughed again.
And somehow…
Between the teasing.
The noise.
The chaos.
The smell of breakfast cooking.
The Watson Mansion felt more alive than ever.
And watching Jay laugh while flipping pancakes…
I realized something again.
This chaos…
This ridiculous, loud, messy life…
I wouldn't trade it for anything.