Jay POV
Dinner was going well.
Suspiciously well.
Which should have been my first warning.
😭
The dining table was full.
Dad.
Mom.
Aunt Gemma.
Angelo.
Aries.
Me.
And unfortunately...
Keifer.
The worst part?
Everyone was getting along.
Dad was discussing business.
Angelo was talking about work.
Aries was talking about school.
Aunt Gemma was laughing.
And Keifer?
The traitor had somehow blended into my family.
Like he'd always been there.
😭
"You know..."
Mom suddenly said.
Immediately, I felt danger.
That tone.
Every child knows that tone.
That tone never leads anywhere good.
"What?"
I asked carefully.
Mom smiled.
A very suspicious smile.
"I really like Keifer."
Keifer politely smiled.
"Thank you, Mrs. Fernandez."
"Such a respectful boy."
I narrowed my eyes.
Boy?
Respectful?
Were we talking about the same Keifer?
😭
Then Mom dropped a nuclear bomb.
"Honestly, I wish he'd become my son-in-law someday."
Silence.
Complete.
Utter.
Silence.
👀
I froze.
Dad froze.
Even Aries blinked.
Angelo nearly dropped his fork.
Then—
COUGH!
I choked on my food.
😭🔥
"JAY!"
"Water!"
"Somebody help her!"
"She's turning red!"
Aunt Gemma handed me a glass.
I grabbed it immediately.
After several very embarrassing seconds...
I finally survived.
Barely.
Meanwhile...
Keifer looked far too amused.
"You okay?"
"No."
"Understandable."
😭
Mom looked genuinely confused.
"Why is everyone reacting like that?"
"MOM."
"What?"
"YOU CAN'T JUST SAY THINGS LIKE THAT."
"Why not?"
"BECAUSE."
"Excellent explanation."
Angelo commented.
😭
Even Aries was trying not to laugh.
The traitor.
Then Keifer calmly placed his fork down.
Oh no.
OH NO.
That look.
That was his "I'm about to be annoying" look.
"Well..."
No.
"I suppose it's possible."
I nearly choked again.
😭🔥
Mom gasped.
"See?"
"MOM."
Keifer continued.
Completely serious.
"If Jay stops bullying me."
The table exploded.
😭
Dad laughed.
Aunt Gemma laughed.
Angelo laughed.
Even Aries laughed.
EVERYONE.
Meanwhile I sat there in shock.
"I do NOT bully you."
Keifer raised an eyebrow.
"Really?"
"Really."
"You threw two pillows at me today."
"Those were warning shots."
The laughter somehow got worse.
😭🔥
"See?"
Keifer said.
"This is exactly what I'm talking about."
"You're alive, aren't you?"
"Barely."
"Then you're welcome."
Angelo almost fell out of his chair laughing.
"She's got a point."
"THANK YOU."
"I didn't say it was a good point."
😭
The betrayal.
The absolute betrayal.
Then Mom pointed at me.
"See? This is why."
"Why what?"
"Keifer is patient."
"Mom."
"Very patient."
"Mom."
"Extremely patient."
"MOM."
😭
The entire table was smiling now.
Even Keifer.
Especially Keifer.
And somehow...
Despite how embarrassing this was...
Despite wanting to disappear into another dimension...
Despite everyone ganging up on me...
It felt nice.
Warm.
Comfortable.
Like one of those rare moments where everything was okay.
No drama.
No fights.
No missing people.
No problems.
Just family.
Friends.
Food.
And people laughing.
Speaking of food...
I noticed something.
Everyone was busy talking.
Nobody was paying attention.
👀
Slowly...
I reached for the last piece of meat.
Success.
😌
Then another hand grabbed it.
I looked up.
Keifer.
Of course.
"Put it back."
"No."
"It's mine."
"I got here first."
"It's MY house."
"And yet I have the meat."
😭🔥
The battle had begun.
End Chapter 🍖😭💖✨🏠📖