Chapter 35: The Green-Eyed Monster
One Month Later
Life after the honeymoon had settled into a beautiful rhythm.
Jay woke each morning in Keifer's arms. They had breakfast with the family. Chaos and laughter. Keiran's dinosaur updates. Keigan's scientific facts. Percy stealing bacon. Aries pretending to be annoyed. Mamma orchestrating everything. Pappa behind his newspaper.
Then they went to work together. Walked into Watson Enterprises hand in hand. Jay at her desk outside his office. Keifer at his desk inside. Glances across the hallway. Stolen moments in the elevator. Lunch on the rooftop garden.
It was perfect. It was theirs.
Until today.
---
The New Hire
Jay was at her desk, reviewing the afternoon schedule, when Celeste appeared with a young man in a sharp suit.
"This is Ethan Chen. New junior analyst. He'll be working on the Henderson account. Jay, can you show him around?"
Jay stood. Smiled. Extended her hand. "Welcome to Watson Enterprises, Ethan."
Ethan shook her hand. Held it a moment too long. "Jay. That's a beautiful name."
She pulled her hand back. Slightly uncomfortable. But polite. "Thank you. Let me show you the floor."
---
The Tour
Jay walked Ethan through the office. Introduced him to the team. Explained the systems. Showed him the break room, the supply closet, the conference rooms.
Ethan was friendly. Too friendly. He stood too close. Laughed too loud. Made comments that hovered somewhere between professional and personal.
"You're married to the boss, right? Mark Watson?"
Jay nodded. "Yes. Keifer."
Ethan whistled. "Lucky guy. You're the most beautiful woman in this building."
Jay stepped back. Forced a smile. "Thank you. Let's continue the tour."
---
Keifer Watches
Keifer was in his office. Going over quarterly reports. But his eyes kept drifting to the glass wall. To Jay. To the new employee standing too close. Laughing too loud. Touching her arm.
His jaw tightened.
He watched Ethan lean in. Watched Jay step back. Watched Ethan step closer. Watched his wife smile politely while this man invaded her space.
His pen snapped in his hand.
Celeste appeared in his doorway. Raised an eyebrow. "Something wrong, Mr. Watson?"
He didn't look at her. Kept his eyes on Jay. "Who is that?"
Celeste followed his gaze. Smiled slightly. "Ethan Chen. New junior analyst. Jay is giving him the tour."
He stood. "I need to meet him."
Celeste stepped aside. "Of course, sir."
---
The Introduction
Keifer walked down the hallway. Casual. Controlled. But his eyes were anything but.
Jay saw him coming. Something flickered in her expression. Recognition. Awareness. A hint of a smile.
"Keifer. I was just showing Ethan around."
Ethan turned. Extended his hand. "Mr. Watson. Honored to meet you. Your wife was just telling me about the company."
Keifer shook his hand. Held it a moment longer than necessary. Squeezed a little tighter than professional. "Ethan. Welcome to Watson Enterprises."
Ethan's smile faltered slightly. "Thank you, sir."
Keifer moved to Jay's side. Hand on the small of her back. Proprietary. Protective. "Did you finish the tour?"
Jay nodded. "Almost. Just the analytics floor left."
Keifer looked at Ethan. "I'll take it from here. Jay has work to do."
Ethan blinked. "Of course. Thank you, Mrs. Watson. It was a pleasure."
Jay smiled. "Welcome to the team, Ethan."
Keifer's hand tightened on her back. Barely perceptible. But she felt it.
---
The Aftermath
Jay returned to her desk. Confused. Amused. Something flickering in her chest.
Keifer was jealous.
She'd never seen it before. Not really. He'd always been so confident. So secure. So sure of them.
But today? Today he was jealous.
She hid her smile behind her computer screen. Typed him a message.
Jay: Ethan seems nice. Very friendly.
She watched his office. Saw him read the message. Saw his jaw tighten.
Keifer: Friendly. Is that what we're calling it?
She bit her lip. Typed back.
Jay: What would you call it?
Keifer: Too friendly. Way too friendly.
Jay: Keifer. Are you jealous?
His response took longer. She watched him type. Delete. Type. Delete.
Keifer: I'm not jealous. I'm protective. There's a difference.
She laughed out loud. Caught herself. Covered her mouth.
Jay: You're jealous. It's okay. It's cute.
Keifer: I'm not cute. I'm a billionaire CEO.
Jay: You're a cute billionaire CEO who's jealous of the new analyst.
Keifer: I'm not jealous. I'm going to the gym.
Jay: It's 2pm.
Keifer: I'm stress-lifting.
---
The Rest of the Day
Keifer avoided the office for the rest of the afternoon. Meetings. Calls. Anything that kept him away from the glass wall. Away from watching Ethan.
But Jay knew. She saw him pass by her desk twice. Saw him glance toward the analytics floor. Saw the way his jaw tightened when Ethan walked past.
She let him stew. Just a little. It was amusing. And sweet. And maybe a tiny bit thrilling. Her husband. Jealous. Because of her.
At 5pm, she packed her bag. Walked to his office. Leaned against the doorframe.
"Ready to go home, Mr. Watson?"
He looked up. Those storm-gray eyes. A storm brewing. "Almost."
She walked in. Sat on the edge of his desk. "You've been avoiding me."
He leaned back in his chair. "I haven't been avoiding you."
"You passed my desk four times this afternoon. Didn't stop once."
He crossed his arms. "I was busy."
She smiled. "You were jealous."
He uncrossed his arms. "I wasn't."
"Keifer. It's okay. I'm your wife. I'm not going anywhere."
He stood. Moved around the desk. Stood in front of her. Close. Too close for the office. Perfect for them.
"I know," he said. "I know you're not going anywhere. I know you're mine. I know all of it." He paused. Ran a hand through his hair. "But watching him stand so close. Watching him touch your arm. Watching him look at you like..."
She reached up. Touched his face. "Like what?"
He caught her hand. Held it against his cheek. "Like he wanted you. Like he didn't care that you're married. Like he thought he had a chance."
She pulled him closer. "Does he have a chance?"
He stared at her. "Jay."
"Does he, Keifer? Does any man have a chance? Am I yours or not?"
He kissed her. Deep. Hard. Claiming. "You're mine. You're so mine."
She kissed him back. "Then stop worrying. I'm not going anywhere. I'm not interested in anyone else. I'm yours. Only yours. Forever."
He pulled back. Forehead against hers. Breathing hard. "I know. I know. I just..." He laughed. Shook his head. "I've never been jealous before. Not like this. Not about anyone."
She smiled. "Good. I like being the one who makes you jealous."
He groaned. "You're enjoying this."
"Maybe a little."
He kissed her again. Quick. Possessive. "Let's go home."
She slid off the desk. Took his hand. "Let's go home, Mr. Watson."
---
The Car
Keifer drove. Jay in the passenger seat. Her hand on his thigh. His hand covering hers.
"You know," she said casually, "Ethan is very friendly. But he's not you."
His hand tightened on hers. "I know."
"He's younger. Maybe more energetic. But he doesn't know me. He doesn't know what I've been through. He wasn't there when I was sick."
Keifer pulled over. Stopped the car. Turned to her.
"Jay."
She looked at him. "He wasn't there when I was dying. He didn't sit by my hospital bed. He didn't hold my hand through chemo. He didn't love me when I had no hair. When I was weak. When I was nothing."
Keifer's eyes were wet. "You were never nothing."
She reached up. Wiped a tear before it fell. "He doesn't know that. But you do. You know everything. And I'm yours. Because of all of it. Because you loved me through the worst. Because you never left. Because you're my home."
He kissed her. Soft. Sweet. Full of everything. "I love you, Jay Watson."
She kissed him back. "I love you too, Keifer Watson. Now stop being jealous of the new analyst. He's not worth it."
He laughed. Pulled back. Started the car. "Fine. But I'm reassigning him to the satellite office."
"Keifer!"
"I'm kidding." He paused. "Maybe."
---
Home
They walked into the mansion. Hand in hand. Normal. Easy. Home.
Keiran attacked immediately. "KUYA JAY! KUYA KAI! You're home! I missed you! I drew a picture! Of our family! But with dinosaurs! Rex is the biggest!"
Jay knelt down. Examined the drawing. "Rex is perfect, Keiran. You're getting so good at drawing."
He beamed. "I know! Kuya Koya helped! He taught me about proportions!"
Keigan appeared in the doorway. Book in hand. "I taught him basic geometry. He turned it into dinosaurs."
Percy appeared behind him. "Dinosaurs ARE geometry. Triangles. Circles. Perfect shapes."
Aries sighed. "Dinosaurs are extinct. You're just making excuses."
Percy gasped. "EXTINCT DOESN'T MEAN FORGOTTEN!"
Mamma came from the kitchen. Wiping her hands on her apron. "What's this about forgetting dinosaurs?"
Percy pointed at Aries. "HE says dinosaurs are forgotten!"
Aries rubbed his temples. "I said they're extinct. Not forgotten. There's a difference."
Keiran clutched Rex protectively. "I'll never forget dinosaurs. Never."
Pappa lowered his newspaper. "Good. Because we're having dinosaur chicken nuggets for dinner."
Keiran screamed with joy. Ran to the kitchen. The chaos followed.
Jay leaned against Keifer. Watched her family. "This. This is what I missed on our honeymoon."
He kissed her hair. "The chaos?"
She smiled. "The love. The family. The being home."
He held her closer. "Home, Mrs. Watson. Where you belong."
She looked up at him. Those storm-gray eyes. Soft now. The storm gone. "With you, Mr. Watson. Always."
---
The Night
Later, they lay in bed. The shells from the Maldives on Jay's nightstand. The messages in bottles beside them. Keiran's latest drawing on the wall. Rex watching over them.
Jay traced patterns on Keifer's chest. "You know. I liked jealous Keifer."
He raised an eyebrow. "You did?"
She grinned. "It was hot. You were all possessive. Protective. Like you'd fight anyone who looked at me."
He rolled them over. Hovered above her. "I would. I'd fight anyone. I'd fight everyone. You're mine."
She wrapped her arms around his neck. "Yours. Only yours."
He kissed her. Deep. Slow. Thorough. "Mine. Forever."
She kissed him back. "Forever, Mr. Watson."
He settled beside her. Pulled her close. "No more jealousy. I trust you. I trust us. I just... I don't trust him."
She laughed. "Ethan is harmless, Keifer. He's just friendly."
"He's too friendly."
"Maybe. But I'm married to you. That's not changing."
He kissed her forehead. "Good. Because I'm not letting you go."
She snuggled closer. "Good. Because I'm not leaving."
They lay there. The shells glinting in the moonlight. The messages in bottles waiting. Rex watching.
Mr. and Mrs. Watson. One month back from paradise. A lifetime ahead.
And no junior analyst was going to change that.
---
The Next Morning
Jay walked into the office. Keifer beside her. Hand in hand. Normal. Easy.
Ethan was at the coffee machine. He smiled. "Morning, Mrs. Watson."
Keifer's hand tightened on hers. Barely perceptible. But she felt it.
She squeezed back. "Morning, Ethan. Welcome to day two."
Ethan nodded. "Looking forward to it. Great team you have here."
Keifer stepped forward. Extended his hand. "Ethan. Good to see you again."
Ethan shook it. "Mr. Watson. I appreciate the warm welcome."
Keifer smiled. Professional. Controlled. "Any friend of my wife's is a friend of the company. But." He paused. "She's my wife. That's important."
Ethan blinked. "Of course, sir."
Jay tugged Keifer's hand. "We have a meeting. Ethan, see you around."
They walked to the elevator. Private. Just them.
Jay pressed the button. "Keifer Watson. Did you just mark your territory?"
He stepped into the elevator. Pulled her with him. "I don't know what you're talking about."
The doors closed. She pushed him against the wall. Kissed him. "You're impossible."
He kissed her back. "You love it."
She grinned. "I love you. Now behave. We have work to do."
He pulled her close. "I always behave."
She raised an eyebrow. "You snapped a pen yesterday. Watching him talk to me."
He shrugged. "It was a cheap pen."
She laughed. The elevator opened. They stepped out. Hand in hand.
Mr. and Mrs. Watson. Starting their day. Together. Unshakeable.
And somewhere on the analytics floor, Ethan Chen was already looking for a transfer.
---
End of Chapter 35