Tuesday morning. Mariano Enterprises.
Jay walked into her office feeling good. Great, actually. Last night with Keifer was perfect. Dinner. Laughs. Families being crazy.
Life was good.
Then she saw the email.
Subject: Urgent - Partnership Concern
She opened it. Read it. Read it again.
Her blood went cold.
*Dear Ms. Mariano,
We've been reviewing the merger terms with Watson Enterprises. There seems to be a discrepancy in the profit-sharing agreement. Our legal team noticed that Watson's latest proposal gives them a 60-40 split in their favor. This was not discussed in previous meetings.
Please advise.
Best,
Legal Team*
Jay stared at the screen.
60-40? In their favor?
That wasn't the deal. The deal was 50-50. Equal. Fair.
She grabbed her phone. Called Keifer.
Straight to voicemail.
Called again. Voicemail.
Texted: Call me. Now. Important.
Nothing.
Jay's jaw tightened.
An hour later. No reply.
Jay was pacing her office. Percy stood in the doorway, watching.
"Maybe his phone died," Percy offered.
"Again? He just got a new phone."
"Maybe he's in meetings."
"For an hour? Without checking his phone?"
"Jay. Breathe."
She stopped. Looked at him. "What if he knew? What if he hid this from me?"
Percy's eyes widened. "Keifer? Hide something? The guy who drove over because your phone died?"
"He's also a businessman. A CEO. Deals change."
"Jay—"
"I'm going to Watson Enterprises."
She grabbed her bag. Stormed out.
Percy texted Honey: Incoming. She's mad.
Honey: About what?
Percy: No idea. But she's on a mission.
Honey: Oh no.
Thirty minutes later. Watson Enterprises.
Jay walked in like a storm. Employees scattered.
Honey stood as Jay approached. "Jay, he's in a meeting—"
"I don't care."
She pushed open Keifer's door.
Keifer sat at his desk. Three lawyers around him. All looked up.
Keifer's eyes found hers. Concern flickered.
"Jay? What's wrong?"
She walked to his desk. Slammed her phone down. Email open.
"What's THIS?"
He picked up her phone. Read.
His face didn't change. But his jaw tightened.
"Everyone out," he said quietly.
The lawyers scrambled out.
Keifer stood. "Jay. This isn't what you think."
"Really? Because it looks like you're screwing me over. 60-40? In YOUR favor? That's not the deal, Keifer."
"I know."
"Then WHAT IS THIS?"
He walked around the desk. Toward her.
She stepped back. "Don't. Explain first."
He stopped. Hands up.
"My legal team sent that proposal without my approval. I found out this morning. I've been in meetings all day fixing it."
Jay stared at him. "You expect me to believe that?"
"Yes. Because it's true."
"Convenient excuse."
"It's not an excuse. It's fact." His voice stayed calm. But his eyes were intense. "Jay. I would never do that to you. Never."
She wanted to believe him. She did.
But the email sat there. Proof on paper.
"Then why didn't you tell me?" she asked. "Why didn't you call?"
"My phone died. Again. I know, I'm an idiot." He stepped closer. Slower this time. "I was going to come to you the second the meeting ended. I was literally about to leave when you burst in."
Jay's anger wavered.
"You were?"
"Yes." He pulled out his dead phone. Showed her. Black screen.
She looked at it. Then at him.
"You swear you didn't know?"
"I swear. On my family. On our relationship. I would never cheat you. Never."
Jay searched his eyes.
No lies. Just honesty. And worry. Worry that she didn't believe him.
She deflated.
"Okay," she whispered.
He blinked. "Okay?"
"I believe you."
Relief flooded his face. He pulled her close. Held tight.
"You scared me," he murmured into her hair. "Walking in like that. Looking at me like I hurt you."
"You scared ME. That email—"
"I know. I'm sorry. I should've called sooner. Let you know."
"Yes. You should have."
He pulled back. Looked at her. "I'll fix it. The deal will be 50-50. Equal. Fair. I'll fire whoever sent that without checking."
"You don't have to fire anyone."
"I do. They made you doubt me. That's unforgivable."
Jay's heart melted.
"Keifer..."
"No one makes you doubt us. No one."
She kissed him. Soft. Grateful.
"Thank you," she whispered.
"For what?"
"For being you. For being honest. For coming to me."
He kissed her forehead. "Always. Forever."
Outside, Honey and Percy pressed against the door.
"Are they fighting?" Honey whispered.
"Sounded like it. Now it's quiet."
"That's worse."
"Or better."
The door opened.
Jay and Keifer walked out. Holding hands.
Jay smiled at them. "We're fine. False alarm."
Honey exhaled. "Thank god."
Percy grinned. "Told you. Love wins."
Keifer looked at him. "You're still here?"
"I'm always here. I'm the comic relief."
Jay laughed. "Come on, comic relief. Let's go fix this mess."
Percy saluted. "Yes, boss."
An hour later, the deal was fixed. 50-50. Signed. Done.
Jay and Keifer sat in his office. Alone.
"Today was intense," Jay said.
"It's over now."
"I'm sorry I came in hot."
He looked at her. "Don't apologize. You stood up for yourself. For us. I respect that."
"You do?"
"I love that about you. You don't back down. You fight."
She smiled. "Even when I'm wrong?"
"Especially then." He almost-smiled. "Keeps things interesting."
She punched his arm lightly. "Jerk."
"Your jerk."
"Yeah." She leaned into him. "My jerk."
He kissed her hair.
"I love you, Jasper Jean."
"I love you too, Keifer Watson."
They sat in silence. Peaceful.
Then Jay's stomach growled.
Keifer raised an eyebrow. "Hungry?"
"Starving. Fighting takes energy."
"Let's get food. Your place or mine?"
"Yours. Your chef is better."
"Agreed."
They stood. Headed out.
Hand in hand.
That night, both families heard the story.
Keizer was furious. "Someone tried to ruin my son's relationship? WHO?"
Already fired," Keifer said.
"GOOD."
Jasfer nodded. "Jay said you handled it well."
Keifer looked at Jay. "She handled it. I just fixed the paperwork."
Jay squeezed his hand. "Teamwork."
Mama Reycee wiped her eyes. "They're so mature."
Serina smiled. "They're perfect together."
Keiren tugged Jay's sleeve. "Ate? Did you yell at Kuya?"
Jay laughed. "A little."
"Was he scared?"
She looked at Keifer. "A little."
Keifer didn't deny it.
Keiren nodded seriously. "Good. Girls should be scary."
Everyone laughed.
Percy raised his glass. "To Jayfer. Surviving their first real fight."
Aries added, "And to Keifer. For not dying."
Ella elbowed him. "Be nice."
"I AM nice."
They drank. Laughed. Loved.
Jay leaned into Keifer.
"Today sucked," she murmured.
"But it ended well."
"Yeah." She looked at him. "Because of you."
"Because of us."
She kissed his cheek.
"Us," she agreed.
He pulled her closer.
Forever.