The storm had finally stopped.
Morning sunlight shone through the windows of the Supreme Court of the Philippines as lawyers and staff slowly returned to their normal routines.
But something in the building had changed.
Everyone knew about the garage incident.
Not the panic attack.
But the part where Jay and Keifer were alone together.
Rumors spread fast in courthouses.
Very fast.
Jay walked into the courtroom with her usual confident energy.
Smile.
Files ready.
Heels clicking.
Like nothing happened.
But the moment she stepped inside—
People started whispering.
Jay froze.
"…why are they staring?"
Jane leaned toward her and whispered,
"Because apparently you and Watson had a moment in the garage."
Jay slowly turned.
"Percy."
Percy raised both hands.
"I DID NOT LEAK IT."
Jane squinted.
"…Percy."
Percy pointed dramatically at the Watson brothers.
"It was probably them."
Across the room, Mir Keigan Watson and Mike Keiren Watson were already laughing.
Keiren waved.
"Good morning, Ate Jay!"
Jay sighed.
"I'm going home."
Keigan shook his head.
"Nope. Court first."
At the front of the courtroom, Luke Reyes entered with his usual bright energy.
He looked around the room.
Then at Jay.
Then at Keifer.
Then he slowly smiled.
"Oh this is beautiful."
Jay groaned.
"What now, Your Honor?"
Luke sat down dramatically.
"Well."
He opened a folder.
"Apparently my courtroom has become a romance novel."
The room laughed.
Keifer rubbed his temple.
Jay pointed at Percy.
"This is your fault."
Percy whispered proudly to Jane,
"I regret nothing."
Jane nodded.
"Of course you don't, Percy."
Court began.
Jay stood to present her argument.
Confident.
Sharp.
Focused.
But this time something was different.
Every few seconds—
She caught Keifer looking at her.
Not annoyed.
Not competitive.
Just… watching.
It made her nervous.
She hated that.
"Your Honor," Jay said, finishing her argument.
Luke nodded.
"Excellent as always."
Then he looked at Keifer.
"Counselor Watson?"
Keifer stood.
Calm as usual.
But today he seemed quieter.
More thoughtful.
Jay noticed.
Which annoyed her even more.
As he spoke, he walked closer to the center of the room.
Their eyes met again.
Jay immediately looked away.
Keifer noticed.
Of course he did.
Luke noticed too.
He leaned forward.
"Oh the tension today is fantastic."
Jay sighed.
"Your Honor please."
Luke chuckled.
"Proceed."
Later, during a short break—
Jay walked toward the hallway to get coffee.
Keifer followed.
Jay noticed.
And stopped walking.
"Are you following me?"
Keifer shrugged.
"I also want coffee."
"Get your own hallway."
"That's not how hallways work."
Jay rolled her eyes and kept walking.
They reached the coffee machine.
Silence for a moment.
Then Keifer spoke.
"You didn't panic today."
Jay blinked.
"…what?"
"The thunder earlier."
She looked away.
"Oh."
He leaned against the counter.
"You're better today."
Jay shrugged.
"I had practice."
Keifer studied her face for a second.
Then he said quietly,
"You don't have to handle everything alone."
Jay turned back slowly.
"That sounds suspiciously nice for my rival."
Keifer smirked slightly.
"You're still annoying."
Jay smirked back.
"You're still arrogant."
For a moment…
They both almost laughed.
But neither admitted it.
From the hallway corner—
Percy, Jane, Keigan, and Keiren were secretly watching.
Percy whispered excitedly,
"THEY ARE TALKING CIVILLY."
Jane gasped.
"Character development."
Keigan grinned.
"Kuya is doomed."
Keiren nodded seriously.
"Very doomed."
Behind them, Aries crossed his arms.
Still watching carefully.
Still protective.
But even he noticed something different.
Jay looked calmer near Keifer.
And that was… unexpected.
As Jay walked back to the courtroom, she felt something strange.
For the first time in years…
Her rivalry with Keifer didn't feel like pure hatred.
It felt… complicated.
And that was far more dangerous.