Chapter 15: Office Romance
Monday Morning
Jay woke excited.
Not just normal excited.
Bouncing-off-the-walls excited.
Today was special.
Today was the first day she and Keifer would go to work together.
As a couple.
Not hiding.
Not pretending.
Just... them.
Keifer watched her bounce.
Amused.
"You're very perky this morning."
She grinned.
"I'm excited!
We get to go to work together!
Like a real couple!"
He raised an eyebrow.
"We've gone to work together before."
"Not like THIS.
This is different.
This is official.
Everyone knows now."
He pulled her close.
Kissed her nose.
"Everyone knew before, Jay.
Percy told the whole office weeks ago."
She gasped.
"He WHAT?"
Keifer laughed.
"I'm kidding.
Probably.
Maybe."
She hit his chest.
"Not funny!"
"A little funny."
She glared.
But she was smiling.
Couldn't help it.
---
Breakfast Chaos
Downstairs, the usual chaos waited.
Keiran was already eating.
Or wearing.
Hard to tell.
Keigan was reading, as always.
Percy was stealing bacon.
Aries was defending his plate.
Mamma was refereeing.
Pappa was hiding behind his newspaper.
Everyone looked up when they entered.
Keiran waved his syrup-covered spoon.
"KUYA JAY!
KUYA KAI!
Going to work?
In the big building?
With the elevators?"
Jay nodded.
"That's right, little monster.
Big building.
Many elevators."
Keiran nodded seriously.
"Be careful.
Elevators are tricky.
I got stuck once.
Mamma had to rescue me."
Mamma smiled.
"He pushed every button.
We were stuck for twenty minutes.
Worst day of my life."
Keiran beamed.
"Best day of MINE!"
Everyone laughed.
Chaos resumed.
---
The Drive
Keifer drove.
Jay in the passenger seat.
Their hands intertwined.
She looked out the window.
At the city passing by.
At the life they were building.
"Keifer?"
"Yeah?"
"I'm really happy.
You know that, right?
Like, really really happy."
He squeezed her hand.
"I know.
Me too.
Happier than I've ever been."
She smiled.
"Good.
Just checking."
He lifted her hand.
Kissed her knuckles.
"Always checking.
I love that about you."
She laughed.
"Obsessive?
You love that I'm obsessive?"
"Thorough.
I love that you're thorough."
"Same thing."
"Not the same thing."
She grinned.
"Whatever helps you sleep at night."
He laughed.
Pulled her hand to his lips again.
Kissed it once more.
"I love you, Jasper Jean Mariano."
"I love you too, Mark Keifer Watson."
---
Arrival
Watson Enterprises loomed before them.
Glass and steel.
Touching the sky.
Jay looked up at it.
Remembered her first day.
How terrified she'd been.
How small she'd felt.
Now?
Now she walked in with the owner.
Hand in hand.
Head high.
Heart full.
The lobby was busy.
Employees everywhere.
Coffee in hand.
Phones in hand.
Rushing to start the day.
They saw Keifer and Jay.
Saw their hands intertwined.
Saw the way they looked at each other.
Whispers started immediately.
Eyes widened.
Phones were pointed.
Jay squeezed Keifer's hand.
"Everyone's staring."
He squeezed back.
"Let them stare.
You're worth staring at."
She laughed.
"Cheesy."
"Honest."
---
The Elevator
They stepped into the private elevator.
Just the two of them.
Doors closing.
Privacy descending.
Jay leaned against him.
"Made it.
First hurdle cleared."
He kissed her hair.
"Many more to go.
You ready?"
She looked up at him.
Those storm-gray eyes so full of love.
"With you?
Always."
He kissed her.
Soft.
Sweet.
Just because he could.
The elevator chimed.
Floor 99.
Work awaited.
They stepped out together.
Hand in hand.
Ready for anything.
---
The Office
Celeste met them at the door.
Sharp suit.
Sharp eyes.
Small smile.
"Good morning, Mr. Watson.
Good morning, Jay.
Congratulations on your... relationship."
Jay blinked.
"Word travels fast."
Celeste nodded.
"This is Watson Enterprises.
We have a very efficient gossip network.
HR is already preparing the paperwork."
Keifer frowned.
"Paperwork?
What paperwork?"
Celeste smiled.
"Relationship disclosure forms.
Conflict of interest waivers.
The usual."
Jay looked at Keifer.
He shrugged.
"Welcome to corporate romance."
She laughed.
"Romance.
I like that word."
He kissed her forehead.
"Me too."
Celeste watched.
Unmoved.
"Break room has new coffee.
Meeting in thirty minutes.
I'll leave you two to... whatever this is."
She walked away.
Perfectly professional.
Slightly amused.
Jay grinned.
"I like her."
Keifer nodded.
"She's terrifying.
But useful."
"Best combination."
---
The Desk
Jay's desk was exactly as she left it.
Neat.
Organized.
Ready.
But now there were flowers.
A huge bouquet.
Beautiful.
Colorful.
Fragrant.
She stared.
"Keifer?
Did you—
He shrugged.
Casual.
Not casual at all.
"You deserve flowers.
Every day.
But I thought I'd start with today."
Her eyes filled with tears.
"Keifer...
They're beautiful."
He kissed her cheek.
"You're beautiful.
Flowers are just... flowers."
She laughed.
Wet.
Happy.
"You're impossible."
"Romantically impossible?
Or annoyingly impossible?"
"Both.
Definitely both."
He grinned.
"Good.
That's the goal."
---
The Morning
Work was... different.
Every time Jay looked up, someone was watching.
Whispering.
Smiling.
Nodding approvingly.
She caught fragments of conversations.
"—always knew something was going on—"
"—they look so happy together—"
"—did you see the flowers? So romantic—"
"—he never looks at anyone like that—"
Jay smiled to herself.
Let them talk.
Let them whisper.
She had nothing to hide.
Nothing to be ashamed of.
She loved him.
He loved her.
That was all that mattered.
---
Lunch
Keifer appeared at her desk.
"Lunch.
Now.
Come on."
She looked up.
"Busy.
Meeting in an hour.
Need to finish—
He took her hand.
Pulled her up.
"Lunch.
Now.
Non-negotiable."
She laughed.
"Bossy."
"Hungry.
There's a difference."
He led her to the elevator.
Private again.
Just them.
She leaned against him.
"Where are we going?"
"Secret place.
My spot.
No one else knows about it."
She raised an eyebrow.
"Secret spot?
Sounds mysterious."
He kissed her nose.
"It is.
You'll love it."
---
The Rooftop
The elevator went up.
Past floor 99.
To the roof.
The door opened onto a small garden.
Plants.
Flowers.
Benches.
A view of the entire city.
Jay gasped.
"Keifer...
This is beautiful.
How did I not know this existed?"
He shrugged.
"I told you.
Secret spot.
Only I know about it."
She looked around.
At the garden.
At the view.
At him.
"And you're sharing it with me?"
He pulled her close.
"You're the only one I want to share it with.
Ever."
She kissed him.
Deep.
Slow.
Grateful.
"I love you.
You know that?"
He smiled against her lips.
"I know.
You tell me every day."
"Good.
Keep believing it."
"Always."
---
Lunch on the Roof
They ate sandwiches.
Brought from home.
Mamma's cooking.
Perfect as always.
Jay looked out at the city.
At the tiny people below.
At the cars like toys.
"This is amazing.
I can't believe you kept this secret."
He shrugged.
"I needed somewhere quiet.
Somewhere just mine.
Somewhere to think."
She looked at him.
"Think about what?"
He met her eyes.
Those storm-gray eyes so open.
So vulnerable.
"About you.
Before I even knew you.
I'd come up here and wonder if someone like you existed.
Someone who would see me.
Really see me.
Not the money.
Not the power.
Just... me."
Her heart clenched.
"Oh, Keifer."
He smiled.
Small.
Shy.
"Then you walked into my office.
And I knew.
You were the one I'd been waiting for."
She kissed him.
Soft.
Sweet.
Full of everything.
"I'm here now.
I see you.
All of you.
And I'm not going anywhere."
He held her close.
"Promise?"
"Promise."
---
Afternoon
Back to work.
But different now.
Lighter.
Happier.
Jay floated through her tasks.
Smiling at everyone.
Humming under her breath.
People noticed.
Whispered more.
Smiled back.
At one point, Celeste appeared.
Raised an eyebrow.
"You're glowing.
It's annoying.
Tone it down."
Jay laughed.
"Sorry.
Can't help it.
I'm in love."
Celeste sighed.
"Drama.
So much drama."
But she was smiling.
Small.
Genuine.
Jay grinned.
"You're happy for me.
Admit it."
Celeste walked away.
But over her shoulder:
"Maybe.
Don't let it go to your head."
Jay laughed.
Happy.
So happy.
---
Meeting
The afternoon meeting was intense.
Important clients.
Big deals.
High stakes.
Jay took notes.
Passed documents.
Did her job perfectly.
But every time she looked up, Keifer was watching her.
Those storm-gray eyes warm.
Focused.
Loving.
The clients noticed.
Exchanged glances.
Smiled knowingly.
After the meeting, one of them pulled Jay aside.
Older woman.
Kind eyes.
"You're the one, aren't you?
The one who finally caught Mark Watson?"
Jay blinked.
"I'm sorry?"
The woman smiled.
"I've known Keifer for years.
Worked with him since he started.
Never seen him look at anyone the way he looks at you."
Jay's heart swelled.
"Oh.
I...
Thank you."
The woman patted her hand.
"Take care of him.
He deserves someone like you."
Jay nodded.
Eyes stinging.
"I will.
I promise."
---
End of Day
The office emptied.
Slowly.
People heading home.
To families.
To lives.
Jay finished her tasks.
Organized her desk.
Prepared for tomorrow.
Keifer appeared in her doorway.
Leaning against the frame.
Watching her.
"Ready to go home?"
She smiled.
"So ready."
He walked over.
Took her hand.
Helped her up.
"How was your first official day?
As my girlfriend at work?"
She thought.
Considered.
"Chaotic.
Whispery.
Flower-filled.
Perfect."
He laughed.
"Whispery isn't a word."
"It is now.
I invented it."
He kissed her forehead.
"You're ridiculous."
"Ridiculously in love with you."
He smiled.
That real smile.
The one just for her.
"Good.
Because I'm ridiculously in love with you too."
---
The Drive Home
Hand in hand again.
City lights passing.
Music playing softly.
Jay leaned her head on his shoulder.
Tired.
Happy.
Content.
"Keifer?"
"Yeah?"
"I loved today.
Every part of it.
Even the whispers.
Even the staring.
Even Celeste being terrifying."
He laughed.
"She's not terrifying.
She's... efficient."
"Same thing."
"Not the same thing."
She grinned.
"Whatever helps you sleep at night."
He kissed her hair.
"I sleep fine.
You're next to me.
That's all I need."
She smiled.
Eyes closing.
"So cheesy."
"Honest cheesy."
"Best kind."
---
Home
The mansion welcomed them.
Lights on.
Warmth pouring out.
Chaos waiting inside.
Keiran met them at the door.
"KUYA JAY!
KUYA KAI!
You're home!
How was work?
Did you miss me?
I missed you!
I made you a picture!
Look!"
He shoved a drawing at them.
Crayon scribbles.
Vaguely people-shaped.
Beautiful.
Jay knelt down.
Studied it seriously.
"Is this us?
All of us?"
Keiran nodded.
"That's you.
That's Kuya Kai.
That's me.
That's Mamma.
That's everyone."
Jay hugged him.
"It's perfect, Keiran.
I'm putting it on my wall.
Forever."
He beamed.
"GOOD!
I'll make more!
Every day!"
Jay laughed.
"Can't wait."
---
Dinner
Dinner was loud.
As always.
Full of stories.
Full of laughter.
Percy told terrible jokes.
Aries rolled his eyes.
Keigan corrected his grammar.
Keiran laughed at everything.
Mamma served seconds.
Pappa read his newspaper.
Jay and Keifer held hands under the table.
Perfect.
Normal.
Them.
After dinner, Mamma pulled Jay aside.
"How was the first day?
As an official couple at work?"
Jay smiled.
"Perfect, Mamma.
Really perfect.
He took me to the roof garden.
We had lunch there.
Just us."
Mamma's eyes softened.
"He took you to his spot?
He's never taken anyone there.
Ever."
Jay's heart flipped.
"I know.
He told me.
I'm the only one."
Mamma hugged her.
"That's love, darling.
Real love.
Hold onto it."
Jay hugged her back.
"I will, Mamma.
Forever."
---
Bedtime
Later, in their room.
City lights outside.
Keiran's dinosaur on the nightstand.
Jay's guitar in the corner.
Them.
Jay lay in Keifer's arms.
Tracing patterns on his chest.
Thinking.
"Today was perfect," she whispered.
"Every part of it."
He kissed her hair.
"Yeah.
Perfect."
She looked up at him.
Those storm-gray eyes soft.
Loving.
"I love you, Mark Keifer Watson.
More every day."
He smiled.
Kissed her nose.
"I love you too, Jasper Jean Mariano.
More every hour."
She laughed.
"Hour?
That's specific."
"Every minute, then.
Every second.
Every moment."
She kissed him.
Soft.
Sweet.
Full of forever.
"Keep counting.
I'll keep loving."
He held her close.
"Deal."
---
The Next Morning
New day.
New adventures.
New chaos.
Keiran burst in at 7am.
Exactly.
Like clockwork.
"KUYA JAY!
KUYA KAI!
WAKE UP!
MAMMA SAYS BREAKFAST!
PEH IS STEALING BACON AGAIN!
HURRY!"
Jay laughed.
Keifer groaned.
Another day in paradise.
Jay kissed his cheek.
"Ready for more office romance?"
He pulled her closer.
"Ready for anything.
As long as you're with me."
She smiled.
"Always.
Forever."
Keiran bounced impatiently.
"COME ON!
LOVE LATER!
BACON NOW!"
They laughed.
Got up.
Faced the day.
Together.
Always together.
---
End of the chapter
Soerry guys for uploading late. As u all know my exams. I was studying maths only maths haters can know about my condition. Thank you soo much afor ur love and patience ❤️❤️