The invitation came three days later.
Formal. Handwritten. From Jasfer and Mama Reycee.
The Mariano family requests the pleasure of the Watson family's company for dinner. Saturday. 7pm. Our home.
Keifer stared at the card like it might explode.
Keizer grabbed it from his hands. "WE'RE GOING."
"It's not a command, Dad. It's an invitation."
"IT'S A COMMAND." Keizer waved it around. "This is happening. We're going. You're going. You're going to sit next to Jay and be charming."
"I'm not charming."
"Then learn."
Serina took the card, reading it calmly. "It'll be nice. A chance for both families to bond."
Keigan snorted. "Bond? You mean watch Keifer and Jay try to kill each other with their eyes?"
Keiren looked up from his toys. "Kuya's ears are red again."
Keifer touched his ears. They were warm.
He hated his family.
At the Mariano house, Jay was losing her mind.
"YOU INVITED THEM HERE?"
Mama Reycee smiled sweetly. "Yes, baby. Dinner. Fun. Family."
"THEIR family. HERE. In OUR house."
Jasfer patted her shoulder. "Relax. It's just dinner."
"WITH KEIFER WATSON."
Percy walked by. "The guy you claimed in front of everyone?"
"I DIDN'T CLAIM HIM."
"You literally said he was yours."
"FIGURATIVELY."
"Same thing."
Aries added from the couch, "Also you saved his photo. Ella saw."
Jay glared at Ella. "Traitor."
Ella shrugged. "Love wins."
Jay grabbed a pillow and screamed into it.
Saturday came too fast.
The Watson family arrived at 7pm sharp.
Keizer loud and smiling. Serina calm and graceful. Keigan looking bored but secretly excited. Keiren holding his mom's hand, eyes wide.
And Keifer.
Suit. Perfect hair. Face like ice.
But his eyes searched the room the moment he entered.
Looking for her.
Jay stood by the stairs. Black dress. Hair down. Arms crossed.
Their eyes met.
The room temperature dropped.
Or maybe it rose. Hard to tell.
"Welcome!" Jasfer greeted, shaking Keizer's hand. "Come in, come in! Food's almost ready."
Mama Reycee hugged Serina like old friends. "So glad you came!"
"Wouldn't miss it," Serina smiled.
Percy appeared, heading straight for Honey. "You came!"
Honey blushed. "I was invited. By your mom."
"Same thing." He grinned. "You look pretty."
"You look... presentable."
"High praise."
They wandered off together.
Aries nodded at Keigan. "You the younger brother?"
"One of them. You're the protective one?"
"The most." Aries smirked. "Don't make me regret being nice."
Keigan laughed. "Wouldn't dream of it."
Keiren tugged Ella's dress. "You're pretty."
Ella melted. "Oh my god. Thank you, cutie."
Keiren nodded seriously. "You're welcome. My kuya likes your sister-in-law but he won't admit it."
Everyone nearby heard.
Silence.
Then Keizer howled with laughter. "OUT OF THE MOUTHS OF BABES!"
Jay's face went red.
Keifer's ears went red.
Mama Reycee grabbed Serina's arm. "DID YOU HEAR THAT?"
Serina nodded, eyes bright. "Adorable."
Jasfer clapped Keifer on the back. "So, son. You like my daughter?"
Keifer's voice was flat. "I'm here for dinner."
"That's not a no."
"It's not a yes either."
Jay walked past, muttering, "It'll never be a yes."
Keifer's jaw tightened. "Good thing I wasn't asking."
"Good thing I wasn't waiting."
They glared at each other.
The families watched. Grinning.
Dinner was... intense.
Long table. Candles. Fancy food.
Jay sat at one end. Keifer at the other.
Everyone else in between, heads turning like they were watching tennis.
"So," Keizer said loudly, breaking the silence, "Keifer, tell them about that deal you closed last week."
"It was fine."
"FINE? It was huge!"
Keifer cut his steak. "It was work."
Jay snorted. "Work. Right. Because that's all you care about."
Keifer looked up. "I care about results."
"Results. Numbers. Spreadsheets. Anything with a pulse?"
"My work has plenty of pulse."
"Your work. Not you."
Keifer's eyes narrowed. "You don't know me."
"I know enough." Jay leaned forward. "Cold. Distant. Thinks he's better than everyone. Hides behind his company so he doesn't have to feel anything."
The table went quiet.
Keifer's fork stopped moving.
"You think you know me?" His voice was low. Dangerous. "You think that little speech in the conference room gave you the right to psychoanalyze me?"
"That speech was about an employee flirting with you. Not about your personality."
"My personality isn't your concern."
"It is when I have to work with you."
"Then don't work with me. Walk away."
Jay stood up. "Maybe I WILL."
Keifer stood too. "GO AHEAD."
"FINE."
"FINE."
They were both standing now. Table between them. Eyes locked.
Everyone else held their breath.
Keiren whispered, "They're gonna kiss."
Keigan shushed him.
Jay pointed at Keifer. "You're impossible."
He stepped closer. "You're stubborn."
"You're cold."
"You're loud."
"You're—"
He kept walking. Around the table. Toward her.
Jay stopped talking.
Keifer stopped in front of her. Inches away.
"You were saying?" His voice was quiet now. Private.
Jay's heart raced. "I... you..."
"Yeah?"
"You're standing too close."
"I know."
"Back up."
"No."
"Keifer—"
"You talk a lot." His eyes dropped to her lips. Just for a second. "You always have something to say. Always fighting. Always pushing."
"That's who I am."
"I know." He looked back at her eyes. "I like it."
Jay's breath caught. "You... what?"
"I like it. I like you. I've liked you since the first meeting. When you walked in and looked at me like I was nothing."
"You ARE nothing."
"Exactly." Almost-smile. "No one looks at me like that. No one talks back. No one fights. Except you."
Jay couldn't move. Couldn't breathe.
Keifer's hand came up. Slow. Gentle. Touched her face.
"I'm supposed to hate you," he whispered.
"I hate you too," she whispered back.
"Good."
His eyes dropped to her lips again.
This time, he didn't look away.
"Is this okay?" he asked.
Jay nodded. Barely.
Keifer leaned in.
And kissed her.
The room exploded.
Keizer screamed. "YES! FINALLY!"
Jasfer grabbed Mama Reycee. "HE'S KISSING HER!"
Serina had tears in her eyes. "My baby..."
Aries covered Ella's eyes. She pushed his hand away. "I WANT TO SEE."
Keigan was recording. "I GOT IT I GOT IT I GOT IT."
Keiren clapped. "I TOLD YOU! I TOLD EVERYONE!"
Percy grabbed Honey's hand. "THIS IS THE BEST DAY OF MY LIFE."
Honey laughed. "You're crying."
"I'M NOT CRYING. IT'S ALLERGIES."
Percy was definitely crying.
The kiss lasted... a while.
When they finally pulled apart, Jay's face was red. Keifer's ears were red. They were both breathing hard.
Jay opened her mouth. Closed it. Opened it again.
"What," she managed, "was that?"
Keifer's voice was rough. "That was me not hating you."
"You just kissed me."
"I know."
"In front of everyone."
"I know."
Jay looked around. Twenty people staring. Grinning. Crying. Recording.
She looked back at Keifer.
"Do it again," she said.
He smiled. Real smile.
And kissed her again.
The room cheered louder.
Later, after dinner, after the chaos, Jay and Keifer sat on the back porch. Alone. Finally.
"So," Jay said. "We still hate each other?"
Keifer looked at her. "Absolutely."
"Good."
"The worst."
"The most annoying person I've ever met."
He took her hand. "Same."
She let him.
They sat in silence. Holding hands. Watching the stars.
Inside, both families pressed against the glass door, watching.
"They're holding hands," Keizer whispered.
"SHUT UP THEY'LL HEAR," Jasfer hissed.
"Get a room," Aries muttered.
Ella elbowed him. "Let them have this."
Keiren tugged Serina's sleeve. "Mommy, does this mean Kuya's girlfriend is coming to my birthday party?"
Serina smiled. "I think so, baby."
"Yes!" Keiren pumped his fist. "She's my favorite."
Keigan lowered his phone. "Battery died. I only got the first kiss."
Percy patted his back. "I'll send you Honey's video. She got everything."
They high-fived.
Mama Reycee wiped her eyes. "They're so beautiful together."
Jasfer put his arm around her. "Told you. Jayfer was meant to be."
Keizer nodded. "Best ship ever."
Serina smiled. "Now we just need to plan the wedding."
Inside, they started planning.
Outside, Jay leaned her head on Keifer's shoulder.
"I still hate you," she murmured.
"I know." He kissed her hair. "Me too."
"Good."
"Good."
They watched the stars.
And for the first time, neither one was cold.