JAY'S POV
Stepping down from the stage doesn't feel like walking—it feels like being carried by the energy of the room itself.
The applause still lingers in the air, blending into music and laughter as people begin moving again, conversations restarting around me like nothing monumental just happened… except it did.
I can feel it in the way eyes still follow me, in the way people approach with a little more intention now.
My parents don't leave my side. My father introduces me to a group of investors, his hand resting lightly at my back, his voice steady as he says my name like it carries weight. My mother follows with effortless grace, adding warmth to every interaction, making every conversation feel personal even when it isn't.
"Jay, you remember the Hawthorne family?" my father asks.
I smile politely, nodding as I greet them, my voice calm, measured, exactly what is expected of me. Compliments follow—about Milan, about my designs, about how much I've "grown"—and I respond the way I've been taught to, poised and graceful, even when my mind drifts somewhere softer.
Because despite all of this—I'm searching.
And then I see them.
The Watsons.
My Second Family.
Something in my chest loosens instantly, like a quiet breath I didn't realize I was holding finally escapes.
I move toward them without hesitation, my heels clicking softly against the marble, my pace just a little quicker than it should be.
"Aunty—"
I don't even get to finish.
Serina Watson pulls me into her arms almost immediately, her embrace warm, tight, familiar in a way that makes everything else fade for a second. Her hand slides up to my hair, pressing a soft kiss to my head before she pulls back just enough to look at me, really look at me.
"Oh, My Jay Jay…" she murmurs, her eyes soft but searching, like she's trying to make up for three years in a single moment. "Look at you. You've become so beautiful… so elegant,I don't recognise you anymore..it feels like just yesterday you in that mud pile with the boys playing and now....uhh come here...". Then she hugged him even tighter..
I smile, softer than I have all evening. "I missed you so much, Aunty."
"And I missed you more," she says instantly, pulling me into another brief hug as if she doesn't quite want to let go.
"Welcome back, Jay Jay...Wow you have grown so beautiful Jay Jay...and I missed the Jay energy for so many years...."
I turn as Uncle Kade steps forward, his presence calm yet commanding as always. He pulls me into a firm hug, brief but grounding, the kind that feels steady, safe.
"Thank you, Uncle," I reply warmly.
For a moment, it feels like nothing has changed.
Until Serina reaches into her bag.
A velvet box appears in her hand, placed gently into mine with a knowing look that immediately makes me suspicious.
"Aunty…" I glance between her and Uncle Kade. "What is this?"
"Happy Birthday Jay...Just open it..."
I hesitated
Then I did
And the moment I see what'sinside..
Everything stills.
The bracelet catches the light like it was made to command attention—diamonds set so precisely they almost look unreal, each one reflecting a sharp, icy brilliance. My breath catches slightly as recognition settles in.
I recognised these..We had a special seminar on this particular design because it's creator was one of the biggest names in the industry and it's design took almost 3 years of his life to create this and that is why there were only two of these in this entire world...
In the world.
"Aunty… no," I say almost immediately, my fingers tightening around the box as I start to close it. "This is too much. I can't accept something like this—it's way too expensive—"
"Jay," Uncle Kade interrupts gently, but firmly enough to stop me. "No one is more worthy of this than you and it is a present for your birthday..."
I shake my head, still overwhelmed. "No, I mean it, I can't—"
And then I heard a girl's voice...
"And you don't get to say no."
I blink.
And then—Arms wrap around me from the side.
"Because I picked it."
I turn instantly, already smiling.
"Sam—!"
Samantha pulls me into a full hug, tight and chaotic in the best way possible, and I laugh softly as I hug her back, my arms wrapping around her like no time has passed at all.
"I missed you,kiddo" she mumbles.
"I missed you more," I whisper back.
She pulls back, her eyes sparkling as she lifts her wrist.
And there it is.
The second bracelet.
I stare at it, then at the one in my hand, then back at her, my expression breaking into disbelief.
"You're kidding…"
She grins. "We're twinning now. So you literally cannot say no."
A breathless laugh escapes me as I shake my head, finally giving in. "You're insane."
"And you love me."
"I really do."
Behind us, I hear my parents and Jace laughing softly, watching the whole scene unfold like it was expected, like it was inevitable.
"Jay!" voices call out from across the room.
I turn to see my friends waving me over, excitement written all over their faces.
"I'll be back," I tell Sam, squeezing her hand.
"You better," she narrows her eyes playfully.
I smile and move toward them, slipping back into laughter, into conversation, into the rhythm of the night—
Not noticing—That he has just walked in.
---
KEIFER'S POV
I didn't want to come here but I had no choice.It was either this or I would have had a lecture form the three Watson tyrants in the house...
The gates of the Mariano Estate open like they always do—smooth, silent, controlled—but tonight, it feels different. Louder. Brighter. Like the entire place is trying too hard to be perfect.
I step out of the car, adjusting my black suit, my expression already set into something neutral. Detached. The kind of mask I wear without thinking.
I had to take 'care' of something is what I had told my parents but the real reason was I didn't want to see her....
And yet—I'm here.
Because I have to be.Because my family expects it.Because Jace would never let me hear the end of it if I didn't show up.
The moment I step inside, the noise hits me—music, laughter, conversation layered over conversation—but it fades almost instantly.
Because I see her.
Jay.
And for a second—Everything else disappears.
She's standing across the room, surrounded by people, laughing—head tilted slightly, eyes bright, completely unaware of the way the entire room seems to revolve around her.
And she looks…Different.Not just older..Not just more polished.
But… changed.
Like Milan didn't just teach her—it refined her.
My gaze lingers longer than it should, taking in details I shouldn't care about—the way her dress catches the light, the way she moves, the way people look at her.
It's distracting.
And suddenly—All those years of irritation, of arguments, of sharp words thrown back and forth—They feel distant.Muted.Like they don't belong here.
I took a step forward without thinking.I heard someone call out my name..
"Keifer."
Jace.
Of course.
I look away instantly.He reaches me quickly, pulling me into a firm hug, the familiarity of it grounding in a way I don't acknowledge out loud.
"Finally decided to show up?" he smirks.
"I was busy," I reply simply.
"You're always busy," he mutters, shaking his head. "What took you so long?"
"Work stuff something boring...."
He studies me for a second, then nods. "Good to see you."
"You too."
And I mean it.Because with him—It's easy.
We move toward our parents, conversations slipping into place naturally. I greet Uncle Jashfer and Aunty Reycee, polite, composed, everything exactly as expected.
"Keifer," Reycee smiles warmly. "It's good to see you."
"You too, Aunty," I reply smoothly.
Uncle Jashfer nods approvingly. "Your father tells me you've been handling things exceptionally well."
"I do what's needed," I answer simply.
Normal conversation.
And yet—My eyes drift again.
Back to her.
"Excuse me," I mutter as my phone buzzes.
No one questions it.
I step away, moving into a quieter corridor, the dim lighting a relief from the overwhelming brightness of the ballroom. The call is short, efficient, my voice colder, sharper—business mode.
It ends quickly.I lowered the phone,and as I turned around something hits me.Fast.A flash of red.A soft gasp.
My reflexes take over instantly.
My hand moves to her waist, pulling her forward before she can fall, the other steadying her instinctively.
"Caref—"
I stop.
Because it's her.
Jay.
For a second—Everything freezes.
Her hands are pressed lightly against my chest.My grip still firm at her waist.The distance between us—Gone.
And then—She looks up..Our eyes meet.And something shifts.Not slowly.Not subtly.But all at once.
My grip tightens—just slightly.Her breath catches her off guard I could see it and neither of us moves.
Seven years of irritation.Of silence.Of unfinished tension—Gone.
Replaced by something else.Something heavier.My heartbeat stutters.Just once.
But it's enough.Because in that moment—
The noise faded.The world disappeard.And all that exists—Was her.And the way she was looking at me— I could feel that she felt it too...