Two weeks later. Watson Enterprises. Big meeting.
Both families. Lawyers. Accountants. Everyone.
The merger was almost done. One last meeting to finalize everything.
Jay sat next to Keifer at the head of the table. Their hands close but not touching. Professional.
Keizer was already loud. "Today's the day! Watson-Mariano! Together forever!"
Jasfer grinned. "Like our kids!"
The room laughed.
Jay rolled her eyes. Keifer's ears went pink.
Then the door opened.
A man walked in. Tall. Blonde. Expensive suit. Smile too perfect.
Jay froze.
Keifer felt her tense. Looked at her. Then at the man.
"I'm not late, am I?" The man's voice was smooth. Annoying. "Traffic was a nightmare."
Jasfer stood. "Xander? What are you doing here?"
Xander smiled. "Dad sent me. Since the merger affects our family's investments too." He looked around. Found Jay. "Jay-Jay. Long time."
Jay's face was stone. "Xander."
Keifer's eyes narrowed. "Who is this?"
Xander answered before Jay could. "Xander Reyes. My family owns Reyes Holdings. Jay and I go way back." He winked at Jay. "Way back."
The room went quiet.
Percy whispered to Honey. "Oh no."
Honey whispered back. "Who is he?"
"Jay's ex. From like two years ago. It ended BAD."
"How bad?"
"Cheating bad."
Honey's eyes went wide.
Keifer's jaw tightened. Just slightly. No one noticed.
Except Jay.
She put her hand on his knee under the table. Squeezed once.
He didn't relax.
Xander took a seat. Across from Jay. Of course.
"So," Xander said, smiling at Jay. "You're a CEO now. Impressive. Little Jay-Jay all grown up."
Jay's voice was ice. "Don't call me that."
"Still feisty." He laughed. "I missed that."
Keifer spoke. Flat. Cold. "We're in a meeting. Not a reunion."
Xander looked at him. Sized him up. "You must be Keifer Watson. The boyfriend." He said boyfriend like it was a joke. "Heard a lot about you."
"None of it good, I hope."
Xander laughed. "I like him. Jay, you finally found someone with a spine."
Jay stood up. "Xander. Outside. Now."
"What? We're just catching up."
"We're NOT catching up. We're NOT friends. You lost the right to talk to me when you cheated. Remember?"
The room went silent.
Keifer's eyes flickered. Cheated.
Xander held up his hands. "That was years ago. I've changed."
"People like you don't change."
"Ouch." But he was still smiling. "You always were dramatic."
Keifer stood. Slow. Dangerous.
"Leave."
Xander looked at him. "Excuse me?"
"You heard me. Get out."
"I'm here for the meeting. My family has—"
"I don't care." Keifer walked around the table. Toward him. "You're not welcome. Leave. Now."
Xander stood too. They were face to face. He is shorter though (no offence Xander).
"You can't kick me out. I have every right—"
Keifer's voice dropped. Low. Deadly. "I don't care about your rights. I care about her. And you're making her uncomfortable. So you're leaving. Or security will remove you. Your choice."
Xander stared at him.
Then laughed. "Wow. You really are whipped."
Keifer didn't react. Just stared.
Xander looked at Jay. "This is who you chose?"
Jay walked over. Stood next to Keifer. Took his hand.
"Yeah," she said. "I chose him. He's cold. He's annoying. He's terrible with feelings. But he'd never cheat. He'd never hurt me. He'd never make me feel small." She squeezed Keifer's hand. "He's twice the man you'll ever be."
Xander's smile finally faded.
"You're making a mistake."
"No." Jay shook her head. "You were the mistake. And I fixed it."
Xander looked around the room. All eyes on him. No one on his side.
He laughed bitterly. "Fine. But when this merger fails and you come crawling back—"
Keifer stepped forward. Chest to chest with Xander.
"Say one more word," Keifer whispered, "and I'll make sure your family's company doesn't survive the week."
Xander's eyes widened.
"You wouldn't."
"Try me."
They stared at each other.
Xander backed down. Grabbed his bag. Walked out.
The door slammed.
Silence.
Jay let out a breath. "I'm sorry. I didn't know he'd be here."
Keifer didn't move. Didn't look at her.
"Keifer?"
He turned. Walked back to his seat. Sat down.
"Let's continue," he said flatly.
Everyone exchanged looks.
The meeting continued. But Keifer didn't speak again. Didn't look at Jay.
When it ended, he stood and left without a word.
Jay stared after him.
Percy appeared. "Go after him."
"What? No. He's being weird."
"He's jealous. Obviously. Go."
Jay hesitated. Then followed.
She found him in his office. Standing at the window. Back to her.
"Keifer."
Nothing.
"Keifer, look at me."
He didn't move.
She walked closer. "You're being ridiculous."
"Am I."
"Yes. He's my ex. From years ago. I hate him."
"He called you little Jay-Jay."
"Because he's an idiot."
"He knew you. Before." Keifer's voice was rough. "He knew parts of you I'll never know."
Jay stopped.
"Keifer. Look at me."
He turned. His eyes weren't cold. They were... hurt.
"You were with him," Keifer said quietly. "You loved him. And he cheated. He hurt you. And I wasn't there. I couldn't protect you."
Jay's heart cracked.
"You don't need to protect me."
"I know." He looked away. "But I want to. And seeing him... knowing he touched you. Held you. Made you laugh. And then threw it away..." His jaw tightened. "I wanted to kill him."
Jay walked to him. Put her hands on his face. Made him look at her.
"Listen to me." Her voice was firm. "Xander is nothing. A mistake I made when I was stupid and young. You? You're everything. You're the one I chose. You're the one I want. You're the one who makes me crazy and happy and insane all at once."
Keifer searched her eyes. "You mean that?"
"I'm still deciding."
Almost-smile. Just barely.
"I hate seeing you upset," he murmured.
"Then stop being upset."
"I can't help it."
"Why?"
"Because I love you."
Jay froze.
Keifer's eyes widened. Like he hadn't meant to say it.
Silence.
"You... what?" Jay whispered.
He swallowed. "I... I didn't mean to—"
"Yes you did."
"I—"
"Say it again."
Keifer looked at her. Scared. Hopeful. Raw.
"I love you, Jay."
Jay's eyes burned.
"You're so stupid," she whispered.
"I know."
"Such an idiot."
"Okay."
"The worst."
"Jay—"
She kissed him. Hard. Fierce. Pouring everything into it.
When they broke apart, she was crying. Just a little.
"I love you too," she said. "Even though you're cold and annoying and your family is insane."
"Our family."
She laughed. Wet. "Our family."
He pulled her close. Held her tight.
"I'm sorry I got jealous," he murmured into her hair.
"You're allowed. Just don't shut me out."
"Deal."
"Good."
They stood there. Holding each other.
Downstairs, both families waited.
"Any news?" Keizer asked for the tenth time.
Percy checked his phone. "Honey says they're in his office. Hugging."
"HUGGING IS GOOD."
"Kissing now apparently."
"KISSING IS BETTER."
Jasfer paced. "I can't believe Xander showed up. That kid was always trouble."
Aries cracked his knuckles. "If I ever see him again—"
Ella patted his arm. "Calm down, tough guy."
Mama Reycee fanned herself. "Our baby is in love. Real love."
Serina smiled. "Keifer too. He's never looked at anyone like he looks at her."
Keiren raised his hand. "Does this mean Kuya will stop being grumpy?"
Everyone laughed.
"Probably not," Keigan said. "But maybe less grumpy."
"Good enough."
Percy's phone buzzed. He read it. Grinned.
"They're coming down. Holding hands."
The room erupted.
When Jay and Keifer walked in, hand in hand, everyone cheered.
Jay's face went red. "Okay, okay, calm down."
Keifer just stood there. Letting them be loud. Letting them be happy.
For once, he didn't mind the noise.
Keizer grabbed them both in a hug. "MY BABIES! IN LOVE!"
Jasfer joined. Then Mama Reycee. Then Serina.
Soon, everyone was hugging.
Jay looked at Keifer through the chaos. Raised an eyebrow.
He shrugged. Almost-smiled.
Our family, he mouthed.
She laughed.
Our family, she mouthed back.
And in the middle of the loudest, craziest, most embarrassing group hug ever, Jay realized:
She'd never been happier.
Later that night, Jay posted a photo on Instagram.
Her and Keifer. On his office couch. Her head on his shoulder. Him looking at her like she was the sun.
Caption: Chose him. Would choose him again. 💙 #Jayfer
Within minutes:
Keizer: MY FUTURE DAUGHTER IN LAW
Jasfer: That's my girl!!!
Mama Reycee: The wedding colors are still white and gold right?
Aries: If he hurts you—
Ella: Babe stop
Percy: Honey and I are taking credit for this
Keigan: Still have the first kiss video
Keiren (via Serina): Ate Jay posted!!!
And from Keifer's account, which never posted anything:
Keifer: Mine.
Jay laughed. Saved it. Screenshotted it.
Her phone buzzed.
Keifer: I love you.
Jay: I love you too. Even though you're annoying.
Keifer: You're annoying.
Jay: You're cold.
Keifer: You're loud.
Jay: Perfect match.
Keifer: Perfect match.
She smiled in the dark.
Hate to love.
Who knew it would end here?