JAY'S POV
The taxi rolled to a stop in front of the towering iron gates of the Watson mansion. For a moment, I simply sat there, staring through the window.
I forced myself to breathe. With trembling hands, I paid the driver before stumbling out onto the driveway. Every step felt heavier than the last. The world swayed beneath my feet, my vision blurring with every breath I took.
Still...I kept walking.
One step.
Then another.
Until I finally stood before the massive wooden doors. I lifted my head, staring at them through unfocused eyes. A small, exhausted smile found its way onto my lips.
"I'm... safe now."
I pressed the doorbell.
Once.
Silence.
Twice.
Still nothing.
A third time.
The door finally swung open. My vision was fading fast. My legs threatened to give out. Then I heard a voice.
"Jay..."
That was enough. I didn't need to keep my eyes open anymore. I knew. I was safe.
KEIFER'S POV
"JAY JAY!"
She swayed forward. Before her knees could touch the ground, I caught her. My heart nearly stopped. Without another thought, I lifted her into my arms and hurried inside.
She was lighter than usual.
Too light.
Too quiet.
A thousand questions crashed through my mind.
Why is she drunk?
What happened?*
Why didn't she call me?
What if something happened while she was alone?
But this wasn't the time.
Right now...She needed someone.
I carried her upstairs and gently laid her on the bed. Only then did I notice what she was wearing. My oversized T-shirt. A quiet laugh escaped me despite everything.
"So..." I brushed a few strands of hair away from her face. "You've been stealing my clothes?"
Without opening her eyes, she gave the tiniest shake of her head.
"No.. she murmured. They're mine."
A smile tugged at my lips.
"Really? Since when?"
She frowned slightly, as if my question didn't make sense.
"Because...You're mine... so they're mine too."
For a moment...My brain completely stopped working. Despite the fear twisting inside me...Despite the questions I couldn't answer...Her words somehow managed to reach the part of me that had been waiting to hear them.
I let out a quiet breath, unable to stop smiling. She trusted me enough to come here. To come to me. That meant more than she would ever know.
After a long silence, I spoke again. My voice was softer this time. Careful.
"Jay..."
"Hmm?"
"Why did you drink so much?"
She didn't answer immediately. The room fell silent. When she finally spoke, her voice sounded small.
Fragile.
She slowly opened her eyes. There was sadness in them that I couldn't understand.
"I couldn't remember..."
She paused.
"...and then I started wondering...What if one day I forget the things I still have left?"
My chest tightened.
Forget?
Remember what?
What had happened?
Before I could ask another question, she looked straight at me. For the first time that night...There was certainty in her eyes.
"Even if everything disappears..."
A faint smile appeared on her face.
"I still remember you."
Then, without another word, she rested her head against my shoulder, wrapping her arms around me.
I held her carefully. She was trembling. I didn't understand what she was carrying. But I understood one thing. After everything we'd been through...She had chosen to come here.
To me.
That trust wasn't something I would ever take lightly. I tightened my hold around her, resting my chin gently against her hair.
"I've got you," I whispered.
The silence between us was broken by the sudden ringing of my phone. I frowned. Who would call at this hour? Carefully making sure she was comfortable, I slipped away and picked up my phone.
Brother-in-law Calling...
Probably about Jay.
I answered.
Immediately, Aries' voice exploded through the speaker.
"Keifer! Jay isn't home! She left without her phone! I've looked everywhere—what if something happened? What if she—"
I pulled the phone away from my ear.
"She's here."
Silence.
Then a long, relieved breath.
"Thank God..." he muttered. She scared the hell out of me."
I looked toward the bedroom.
"She's drunk...What happened?"
Aries sighed heavily.
"She argued with Jeana. She stormed out before anyone could stop her. I thought she just needed some space...I never imagined she'd disappear."
I hesitated.
"Aries...She said something strange."
He didn't answer.
"She kept talking about forgetting... about remembering..."
Another long silence.
Then—
"No."
The word came out sharp. Almost panicked. I frowned.
"What do you mean, 'no'?"
Nothing.
Only heavy breathing.
Finally—
"Keifer..."
His voice was different now.
Serious.
Almost uneasy.
"Tomorrow. Kingsground. You, me, Percy, Kuya Angelo... and Kuya Cris. We'll tell you everything."
Everything. The way he said it sent a chill down my spine. Whatever this was...It was bigger than I had imagined.
"Okay."
The line went dead. I stood there for a moment, staring at my phone. Then I returned to the bedroom.
Jay was still asleep. Her face looked peaceful now. Nothing like the fear I'd seen only minutes ago. I quietly sat beside her.
There were so many questions. Questions I couldn't answer. Questions only tomorrow could. I pulled the blanket over her shoulders before switching off the bedside lamp.
In the darkness, I made a silent promise. No matter what tomorrow revealed...She wouldn't have to face it alone. Holding onto that thought, I finally closed my eyes.
Tomorrow would bring the truth.
Tonight...She was safe.