Chapter 16 - Chapter 15: Sick Day

Friday morning. 9am. Watson Enterprises.

Keifer sat in his office, staring at his phone.

No messages from Jay since last night. Unusual.

He checked their chat. Her last text was 10pm: Goodnight baby. See you tomorrow. 💕

He'd replied: Goodnight love. Sweet dreams.

Nothing since.

He called. No answer.

Called again. Straight to voicemail.

His stomach dropped.

Honey walked in with coffee. Saw his face. "What's wrong?"

"Jay isn't answering."

"She's probably in a meeting."

"She always replies within an hour."

Honey paused. "Maybe her phone died?"

"Her phone never dies. She charges it obsessively."

"Okay. That's... actually a good point."

Keifer stood. Grabbed his jacket.

"Where are you going?"

"Mariano house."

"Sir, you have meetings—"

"Cancel them."

He was already out the door.

Honey sighed. Then smiled. "Love," she muttered. "Makes everyone crazy."

She texted Percy: Your boss is coming to your house. Jay isn't answering.

Percy replied instantly: Wait what. Is she okay?

Honey: Idk. Keifer's panicking.

Percy: KEIFER? Panicking?

Honey: Love makes everyone crazy. Including ice kings.

Percy: BRB gonna check on her.

Twenty minutes later. Mariano house.

Keifer parked badly. Ran to the door. Knocked hard.

No answer.

Knocked again.

The door opened. Percy stood there, looking worried.

"She's upstairs. She's... not good."

Keifer pushed past him. "Where?"

"Second door on the left. But Keifer—"

He was already gone.

Up the stairs. Down the hall. Door open.

Jay in bed. Curled up. Pale. Sweating. Shivering.

"Jay."

She opened her eyes. Blinked. "Keifer?"

"I'm here, baby." He was at her side in seconds. Hand on her forehead. Warm. Too warm.

"You're burning up."

"M'fine," she mumbled.

"You're not fine. You have a fever."

"Just tired."

"When did this start?"

"Last night. Thought it'd go away."

Keifer's jaw tightened. "You didn't tell me."

"Didn't wanna worry you."

"Jay." His voice soft but firm. "You're my girlfriend. You worrying me is part of the deal."

She almost-smiled. Weak. "Deal?"

"Deal." He kissed her hot forehead. "I'm getting you medicine. Water. Food. You're not moving."

"Bossy."

"Shut up."

"Make me."

He almost-smiled. "When you're better. Promise."

Downstairs, chaos was forming.

Jasfer walked in from work. Saw Percy pacing. "What's wrong?"

"Jay's sick. Keifer's here."

"Keifer? Now?"

"He panicked when she didn't reply. Drove straight over."

Jasfer paused. Then smiled. "He came running?"

"Literally. Parked like a maniac."

Mama Reycee appeared. "Who came running?"

"Keifer. For Jay. She's sick."

Reycee's eyes went wide. "Our baby is sick? Why didn't anyone tell me?"

She ran upstairs.

Jasfer followed. Percy too.

They reached Jay's room. Stopped at the door.

Keifer sat on the edge of her bed. Jay propped against pillows. He was feeding her soup. Spoon by spoon. Gentle. Patient.

Jay protested weakly. "I can feed myself."

"You can barely hold the spoon."

"I'm fine."

"You're stubborn."

"Same thing."

"Same thing." He wiped her chin with a napkin. "Eat."

She ate.

The family watched from the doorway. Silent.

Mama Reycee grabbed Jasfer's arm. "Look at him."

Jasfer nodded. "Taking care of her."

Percy pulled out his phone. Texted Honey: He's feeding her soup. LIKE A HUSBAND.

Honey: STOP I'M GONNA CRY.

Percy: I'M ALREADY CRYING.

Keifer didn't notice them. Didn't notice anything except Jay.

"You need to rest," he said. "No work. No phone. Just sleep."

"My phone died anyway."

"I know. That's how I knew something was wrong."

She blinked. "You came because my phone died?"

"You didn't reply for hours. You always reply."

"Keifer..."

"I was worried." He said it simply. Like it was obvious. "So I came."

Jay's eyes went soft. Even with fever.

"You're ridiculous," she whispered.

"Your ridiculous."

She smiled. Took his hand.

"Stay?"

"Always."

He helped her lie down. Pulled blankets up. Sat beside her.

She was asleep in minutes.

Keifer stayed. Holding her hand. Watching her breathe.

The family finally moved. Crept away from the door.

Downstairs, they gathered in the living room.

"He's not leaving," Percy said.

"He's not," Jasfer agreed.

Mama Reycee wiped her eyes. "He came running. No hesitation. Just came."

Aries walked in with Ella. "Why is everyone crying?"

"Keifer's upstairs. Taking care of Jay. She's sick."

Aries blinked. "He came here? During work hours?"

"Yes."

"For her?"

"Yes."

Aries was quiet. Then: "Okay. He's official. He passes."

Ella laughed. "Took you long enough."

"He had to prove it. This proves it."

Jasfer nodded. "The boy loves her."

Mama Reycee grabbed her phone. "I'm calling Serina. She needs to know her son is a hero."

"Mom," Percy said, "he's feeding her soup, not fighting a war."

"Same thing. Love is war."

Percy couldn't argue.

An hour later, the Watson family arrived.

Keizer burst in first. "WHERE'S MY SON? WHERE'S MY FUTURE DAUGHTER?"

Jasfer pointed upstairs. "Quiet. She's sleeping."

Keizer lowered his voice. "Right. Right. Sorry. Is she okay?"

"Fever. Keifer's with her."

Serina smiled. "Of course he is."

Keigan had his phone out. "Can I get a picture?"

"No," everyone said.

Keiren tugged Serina's sleeve. "Can I see Kuya's girlfriend?"

"She's sleeping, baby. Later."

"But I wanna give her my teddy. It helps when I'm sick."

Everyone melted.

Mama Reycee knelt down. "That's so sweet, baby. Give it to me. I'll make sure she gets it."

Keiren handed over a small, worn teddy bear. "Tell her it's magic."

"I will."

The adults looked at each other.

This family. This chaos. This love.

Upstairs, Keifer hadn't moved.

Jay stirred. Opened her eyes. Saw him.

"You're still here."

"I said always."

"How long?"

"Three hours."

"You missed work."

"Don't care."

"Keifer."

"Jay." He squeezed her hand. "Work doesn't matter. You matter."

Her eyes got wet. "Stupid fever making me emotional."

"Sure. Blame the fever."

"Shut up."

"Make me."

She laughed. Weak. But real.

He leaned down. Kissed her forehead.

"Rest," he murmured. "I'll be here."

"What about your family? I heard noise downstairs."

"They're here. All of them."

"Both families?"

"Both families."

Jay groaned. "They're gonna be so annoying."

"The worst."

"Taking bets on when we'll get married."

"Probably."

She looked at him. "What would you say? If someone asked?"

Keifer met her eyes. "I'd say not yet."

Jay's heart dropped. Just a little.

He continued: "Because I want to propose right. Ring. Sunset. Something romantic. And you deserve perfect."

Jay stared.

"Also," he added, "I already bought the ring. So it's happening eventually."

"YOU WHAT?"

"Shh. Rest."

"KEIFER WATSON."

"Jay. Sick. Rest."

"I'M NOT SICK ANYMORE."

"Yes you are." He almost-smiled. "Sleep. We'll talk later."

"You can't just drop that and expect me to SLEEP."

"Watch me." He kissed her hand. "Sleep, love. Future wife."

Jay's brain short-circuited.

She stared at him. He stared back. Calm. Loving. Sure.

"You're insane," she whispered.

"Your insane."

"My insane."

She closed her eyes. Smiling.

Asleep in minutes.

Keifer watched her. Held her hand.

Downstairs, both families waited.

And somewhere in his pocket, a small velvet box waited too.

Not yet. But soon.

Later that night, Jay woke up feeling better.

Fever down. Energy back.

She walked downstairs to find both families crammed into the living room. Eating. Laughing. Arguing.

They saw her. Cheered.

"SHES AWAKE!"

"FEEL BETTER BABY?"

"KUYA'S GIRLFRIEND!"

"JAY! COME EAT!"

She laughed. Let them fuss over her.

Then Keifer appeared beside her. Arm around her waist.

"Better?" he murmured.

"Much."

"Good."

They stood together. Watching their families.

"Hey," Jay said quietly.

"Mm?"

"I love you. Even though you're secretly soft."

"I'm not soft."

"You bought a ring."

"That's different."

"Sure."

He kissed her temple. "Love you too. Even though you're loud and stubborn and gave me a heart attack today."

"Worth it."

"Always."

They kissed. Quick. Sweet.

Keizer yelled, "GET A ROOM!"

Jasfer added, "BUT ALSO NEVER STOP!"

Everyone laughed.

Jay leaned into Keifer.

Home. Chaos. Love.

Perfect.