Monday morning. 8am. Watson Enterprises.
Jay walked into the building like she owned it. Because technically, with the merger moving forward, she kinda did.
Heels clicking. Hair perfect. Coffee in hand.
Employees stopped and stared.
"That's her," someone whispered. "The CEO. Keifer's girlfriend."
"She's even prettier in person."
"I heard she threatened an employee who flirted with him."
"ICONIC."
Jay ignored them. Hit the elevator button.
The doors opened. She stepped in.
Just as they were closing, a hand stopped them.
Keifer walked in.
In a suit. Hair messy like he'd been running his hands through it. Dark circles under his eyes.
Jay raised an eyebrow. "Rough night?"
"You have no idea."
The doors closed. Just them.
"So," Jay said. "Big meeting today. Final merger details. You ready?"
"Always."
"Good. Because I brought changes."
Keifer looked at her. "Changes?"
"To the marketing plan. Your team's version was boring."
"Our team's version was professional."
"Same thing."
Keifer's jaw tightened. "Jay. Don't start."
"Start what? Improving things?"
"Changing things last minute."
"Last minute? The meeting's in two hours. That's plenty of time."
He turned to face her. "You're impossible."
"You knew that when you kissed me."
"That was a mistake."
Jay's eyes flashed. "Excuse me?"
The elevator stopped.
Doors opened.
They walked out into the conference room floor, still glaring.
Employees scattered.
Keifer lowered his voice. "I didn't mean the kiss was a mistake. I meant—"
"What did you mean?"
"I meant getting involved with someone who can't work as a team."
"I can work as a team. When the team isn't wrong."
"We're not wrong."
"You're boring."
"I'm efficient."
"You're a robot."
"You're chaotic."
They were face to face now. Inches apart. In the middle of the hallway.
Everyone watched. Phones out. Whispering.
Honey peeked out from her desk. "Oh no. Not again."
Percy, who'd come with Jay, appeared beside her. "Oh yes. Again."
"Should we stop them?"
"Never. This is content."
Jay poked Keifer's chest. "I'm trying to HELP your company."
"My company doesn't need help."
"Your marketing numbers say otherwise."
"That was ONE bad quarter."
"One bad quarter is a pattern."
"It's NOT a pattern."
"It IS."
Keifer grabbed her hand. Not hard. Just held it.
"You're doing this on purpose," he said low.
"Doing what?"
"Picking a fight. Because you're nervous about the merger."
Jay's mouth opened. Closed.
"I'm not nervous."
"You're always nervous before big meetings. Honey told me. Percy told Honey. You pace. You snap at people. You pick fights."
Jay glared at Percy, who waved cheerfully.
"Traitor," she muttered.
"Focus." Keifer stepped closer. "We're on the same side. Remember?"
Jay looked at him. His eyes weren't cold. They were soft. Worried.
For her.
She deflated. Just a little.
"I just... want it to be perfect," she admitted quietly. "The merger. Us. Everything."
Keifer's thumb rubbed her hand. "It will be."
"You don't know that."
"I know you." He pulled her closer. "And I know me. Together? We're unstoppable."
Jay hated how warm that made her feel.
"You're cheesy today," she said.
"You're difficult today."
"Same thing."
He almost-smiled. "Same thing."
They stood there. Holding hands. Forgotten that fifty people were watching.
Honey whispered to Percy. "Are they... making up?"
Percy wiped a fake tear. "They're so beautiful."
Someone coughed.
They broke apart.
Jay straightened her blazer. Keifer fixed his tie.
"Meeting. Now," Keifer said.
"Fine," Jay agreed.
They walked into the conference room together.
Employees exhaled.
The meeting was intense. But productive.
Jay presented her changes. Keifer's team argued. Jay argued back. Keifer listened. Then spoke.
"She's right."
Everyone stared.
Keifer looked at his team. "Her changes improve the numbers. We'll use them."
Jay blinked. "Wait. Really?"
"You were right." He said it like it hurt. "Don't get used to it."
She smiled. Sweet. Dangerous. "Too late."
Under the table, his hand found hers.
Squeezed once.
She squeezed back.
After the meeting, they stood by the window. Alone.
"You were good in there," Keifer said.
"I'm always good."
"You're always something."
She laughed. "Is that your way of saying you're proud of me?"
"It's my way of saying you're annoying but effective."
"So... yes?"
He looked at her. "Yes."
She bumped his shoulder. "See? Teamwork."
"Don't push it."
"Too late."
He grabbed her waist. Pulled her close.
"The next time you poke my chest in front of my employees," he murmured, "I'm kissing you in front of them too."
Jay's heart raced. "Threat or promise?"
"Bpth."
She grinned. "Good."
He kissed her. Quick. Firm. Left her wanting more.
Pulled away.
"Meeting at 3. Don't be late."
He walked off.
Jay stood there. Dizzy.
Percy appeared. "You good?"
"No."
"Good."
That night, both families gathered at the Watson house for dinner.
Keizer couldn't stop talking. "I heard you two fought this morning! And then held hands! And then kissed after the meeting!"
Keifer rubbed his temples. "Who told you?"
"Everyone. There are videos."
"There are WHAT?"
Keigan pulled out his phone. "Want to see? The hallway fight went viral. #JayferWar"
Jay grabbed the phone.
Sure enough. A video of her poking Keifer's chest. Him grabbing her hand. Them staring at each other.
Caption: They fight like they love 👀 #Jayfer
Comments:
THE CHEMISTRY
He grabbed her hand so gently omg
Enemies to lovers IS REAL
Why is this the hottest thing I've ever seen
Their families are SCREAMING somewhere
Jay looked at Keifer.
He looked at her.
"Our relationship is public," he said flatly.
"Very public," she agreed.
Keiren tugged Jay's sleeve. "Can I be in the next video?"
Jay laughed. "Sure, kid."
"Yes!" He ran to his mom. "Mommy! I'm gonna be famous!"
Serina smiled. "You already are, baby."
Keizer raised his glass. "To Jayfer! May they fight forever and kiss after!"
Everyone cheered.
Except Keifer and Jay, who just looked at each other.
"Your family," Jay muttered.
"OUR family," Keifer corrected.
She paused. Looked around.
Loud Keizer. Calm Serina. Annoying Keigan. Adorable Keiren.
Her own family mixed in. Loud Jasfer. Sweet Mama Reycee. Protective Aries. Goofy Percy.
Chaos. Love. Everywhere.
"Our family," she repeated softly.
Keifer took her hand.
"Yeah."
She leaned into him.
"I still hate you," she whispered.
"I know." He kissed her hair. "Me too."
"Good."
"Good."
They watched their families argue about wedding colors.
And for the first time, Jay thought:
Maybe this hate thing isn't so bad after all.