The storm outside the Supreme Court of the Philippines had gotten worse.
Rain poured like a waterfall.
Thunder shook the sky.
Most people had already left the building.
But a few remained.
Jay stood under the courthouse entrance, staring at the rain. Her ankle still hurt slightly, but she ignored it.
Behind her, Jane was talking on the phone with Percy.
"Where are you?" Jane asked.
Percy's voice came through the speaker. "Parking garage. Why?"
Jane rolled her eyes. "Just stay there, Percy."
Jay sighed. "Why does he always sound like he's planning something?"
Jane smirked. "Because he is."
Nearby, Keigan and Keiren were whispering excitedly.
"Ate Jay looks stressed," Keiren said.
Keigan nodded. "Storm's getting louder."
Another thunder boom echoed.
Jay's shoulders stiffened.
Keifer noticed.
Of course he did.
He walked over quietly.
"You still waiting?"
Jay didn't look at him.
"Yes."
"Your brother is in the garage."
"I know."
Thunder cracked again.
Jay flinched.
Keifer saw it again.
Every time.
He frowned slightly.
"Come on," he said calmly.
Jay blinked. "What?"
"Garage is inside. Less thunder."
Jay hesitated.
Another lightning flash lit the sky.
She exhaled. "…fine."
They walked inside the building toward the underground garage.
Parking Garage
The lights flickered slightly as they entered.
Cars were scattered everywhere.
Rain echoed faintly from above.
Jay looked around.
"Where is Percy?"
Keifer glanced around too.
"Probably lost."
Jay snorted slightly.
"That sounds like him."
Another thunder crash echoed through the concrete structure.
Jay's breath caught.
Her chest tightened.
Keifer noticed immediately.
"You okay?"
Jay nodded quickly.
"I'm fine."
Another thunder strike.
Louder.
The sound echoed through the garage like an explosion.
Jay's breathing suddenly became uneven.
Her hands started shaking.
Keifer's expression changed.
"Jay."
She shook her head.
"I'm fine."
Her voice was small.
Too small.
Thunder cracked again.
Jay's body reacted instantly.
Her breathing became fast.
Her hands gripped the edge of a car.
Keifer stepped closer.
"Jay."
She looked up at him.
Her eyes looked different.
Panicked.
"I can't—"
Her voice broke.
"I can't breathe."
Keifer immediately understood.
Panic attack.
He stepped closer but kept his voice calm.
"Hey. Look at me."
Jay shook her head.
"I hate storms," she whispered.
"I know."
Thunder rumbled again.
Jay covered her ears.
Memories flashed through her mind.
Old sounds.
Old fear.
Old nights.
She crouched down slightly, breathing fast.
Keifer knelt in front of her.
"Jay."
She looked at him again.
He spoke slowly.
"Focus on me."
Her breathing was still shaky.
"Listen to my voice."
Another thunder boom echoed.
Jay immediately grabbed his jacket.
Instinct.
Just like earlier.
Keifer gently held her shoulders.
"You're okay," he said quietly.
"Nothing here will hurt you."
Jay's breathing slowly began to slow.
She leaned forward slightly.
Not a full hug this time.
But close.
Keifer didn't move away.
He just stayed there.
Steady.
Calm.
Meanwhile — Entrance Hall
Jane was still on the phone.
"Percy where are you?"
"In the garage."
Jane blinked.
"…Jay just went there."
Percy froze.
"What?"
Keigan overheard.
"Ate Jay went to the garage?"
Jane nodded slowly.
"With Keifer."
Keiren's eyes widened.
"Oh."
Aries immediately stood up.
"We're going."
Jane grabbed Percy's arm as he arrived.
"Relax, Percy."
Percy pointed dramatically.
"STORMS SCARE HER."
Aries was already walking toward the garage.
The Watson parents and Mariano parents followed.
Even Luke Reyes wandered behind them curiously.
"I feel like I'm about to witness a very important scene."
Back in the Garage
Jay's breathing was finally slowing.
Keifer was still kneeling in front of her.
"You okay now?"
Jay nodded slowly.
"…yeah."
She realized how close they were.
And quickly moved back.
"Don't tell anyone."
Keifer tilted his head.
"About?"
"That."
He shrugged slightly.
"Depends."
Jay narrowed her eyes.
"Watson."
He smirked slightly.
"Relax."
At that exact moment—
Footsteps echoed.
Everyone arrived.
Percy ran forward.
"Sunshine!"
Jay stood up quickly.
"I'm fine!"
Jane crossed her arms.
"Sugar."
Keigan and Keiren looked relieved.
"Ate Jay okay?"
Aries walked up last.
His eyes immediately went to Keifer.
Then to Jay.
"Did something happen?"
Jay shook her head.
"No."
Keifer simply said,
"Storm got loud."
Luke Reyes appeared behind everyone.
He looked between Jay and Keifer.
Then grinned slowly.
"Oh."
"Interesting."
Jay groaned.
"Your Honor please go away."
Luke laughed.
"Impossible."
He looked at Keifer.
"Counselor Watson."
Keifer sighed.
"Yes."
Luke pointed between them.
"You two are becoming my favorite legal drama."
Jay covered her face again.
Percy whispered proudly to Jane,
"Mission progressing."
Jane nodded.
"Very much, Percy."
And for the first time since the storm started—
Jay looked at Keifer again.
But this time…
Her expression wasn't just annoyed.
It was confused.
Because somehow…
The one person who calmed her down during the storm
was the person she was supposed to hate the most.