Jay's POV
A soft, lingering kiss that sent chills down my spine.
"K-Keifer…" I whispered, gripping his shirt.
"You run too much," he murmured. "So I had to catch you."
My fingers tightened.
"Keifer…" I said again, softer this time.
His hand slid to my waist, slower now—like he was giving me time to pull away.
I didn't.
Instead, I looked up.
And—
Big mistake.
Because he was already looking at me.
Not teasing.
Not joking.
Just… him.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" I whispered.
"Like what?"
"Like I'm gonna disappear."
His expression softened.
"Then don't."
I swallowed.
"I'm not planning to…"
He leaned in again.
This time, I didn't close my eyes.
I watched him.
The hesitation.
The question.
And for once—
I didn't run.
I leaned in first.
Just a little.
But enough.
His lips met mine softly.
Warm.
Careful.
Real.
Everything in my head went quiet.
His hand moved to my cheek, pulling me closer as the kiss deepened just slightly—slow, unhurried, like we had all the time in the world.
When we pulled away, I could barely breathe.
"Wow…" I whispered.
He chuckled. "Wow?"
"Gago…" I muttered, still dazed. "Do you think air is an option? Because wow—ang hirap huminga."
He laughed softly. "Good."
"Ang kapal mo."
"Stay like that."
I rolled my eyes, but I didn't move away.
There was a pause.
Then he reached into his pocket.
"For you."
I frowned. "Ano 'to?"
"Just… open your hand."
I did.
And he placed it there gently.
A necklace.
Simple.
Beautiful.
An infinity symbol.
"KJ ♾️"
My chest tightened.
"I wanted you to have something that stays," he said quietly. "Even when I'm not around."
"Ang corny mo…" I muttered—but my voice shook.
"Yeah. But you like it."
"…I do."
"Help me put it on?" I asked.
He stepped behind me, carefully clasping it around my neck. His fingers brushed my skin, sending chills down my spine.
When he turned me back around—
He kissed me again.
Softer.
But surer.
Like a promise.
—
"DINNER!!"
We both froze.
Then—
Reality.
—
Keifer grabbed my hand before I could panic and pulled me into the dining room.
Big mistake.
Everyone was there.
Tita Serina. Tito Kaizer. Mum. Dad.
And—
Keifer's younger brothers.
Keigan.
Keiren.
All of them staring.
At us.
At our hands.
Still holding.
"…Finally," Tita Serina smiled.
"Took you long enough, Kuya," Keigan said.
"Tagal mo naman," Keiren added.
"HOY—" Keifer snapped.
"WAIT—" I panicked. "Bakit parang may announcement??"
"We've been waiting," Mum said calmly.
"Months," Dad added.
I wanted to disappear.
"Sit down," Tita Serina said sweetly.
I obeyed.
Because I had no choice.
Keifer sat beside me.
Still holding my hand.
Traitor.
Dinner started.
The teasing?
Immediate.
"Jay, what's that?" Keigan pointed at my necklace.
"No—don't—"
Too late.
"KJ ♾️," Keiren read out loud.
Chaos.
"AYYYYY—"
"GRABE SI KUYA—"
"INFINITY PA—"
I covered my face. "Please…"
"Forever agad, Kuya?" Keigan teased.
Keifer didn't even hesitate.
"Of course."
Silence.
Then louder chaos.
I turned to him. "You're enjoying this."
"A little."
"Gago."
"Do you need air again?" he whispered.
I kicked him.
Hard.
Across the table—
"Welcome to the family, ate Jay," Keigan grinned.
I choked. "ATE???"
"Respect your ate," Keiren nodded.
"YOU WERE JUST TEASING ME—"
"Multitasking," Keigan shrugged.
I groaned.
But I was smiling.
Because under the table—
Keifer intertwined our fingers again.
Warm.
Steady.
Certain.
I leaned slightly toward him.
He noticed.
Of course he did.
"Eat," he murmured.
"Yes, kuya," I teased.
He raised a brow.
I leaned closer, whispering—
"Okay… mine."
That finally got him.
He laughed quietly, shaking his head.
"Dangerous."
"Too late," I said.
And for once…
In the middle of all the teasing, the chaos, the noise—
I didn't feel like running.
I just held his hand tighter.
And stayed.