JAY'S POV
For one suspended, breathless second—
I forget how to exist.
Not breathe, not think, not even blink… just feel. Because his hand is still on my waist, firm and unyielding, like letting go hasn't even crossed his mind yet.
And the worst part?I didn't move either.
My fingers are lightly pressed against his chest, feeling the steady rise and fall beneath my palm, and it hits me—harder than it should—that he's real, right here, this close after years of distance that suddenly feel meaningless.
My heart stutters.
Actually stutters.
And I hate it.
The realization snaps something inside me back into place, sharp and immediate, like a switch being flipped. I pull away quickly, stepping back, creating distance as if the air between us hadn't just burned a second ago.
I straighten my posture, lift my chin slightly, and there it is—the version of me he knows.
"Wow," I say, my voice light but edged just enough to cut. "Can't even see properly with your eyes now, dickhead? Or do you just enjoy crashing into people for attention?"
His expression shifts almost instantly, the softness—if there was any—gone like it never existed. His jaw tightens, eyes narrowing just slightly as that familiar cold composure slips back into place.
"Careful, Jaybird," he replies, voice low and dangerously calm. "Wouldn't want you tripping over your own heels on your big night."
Jaybird.
The nickname lands heavier than it should, stirring something old, something buried under years of irritation and distance. My eyes narrow immediately, my lips pressing into a thin line before I scoff.
"Oh please," I roll my eyes, crossing my arms. "What's it with you, dickhead? You show up late and then suddenly forget how to function like a normal person?"
"FYI Jaybird, YOU ran into me," he says flatly, like that's the only fact that matters.
"And yet somehow," I tilt my head, unimpressed, "it still feels like your fault."
"Of course it does, you are so insufferable," he mutters, almost under his breath.
"And you're still insufferable as well dickhead."
"And you're still dramatic...exactly the way you left...just with a touch of extra ugliness."
Ugly?
He called ME UGLY!!!????
Something sharp flickers between us, quick and electric, like a spark waiting to turn into something bigger. I open my mouth, ready to fire back—
"Okay, what the hell is going on here?"
Jace.
We both turn at the same time, and if looks could burn—we would've set the entire hallway on fire.
Jace's eyes move between us, instantly catching the tension, the way we're standing too stiff, too aware, like something happened and neither of us is willing to admit it.
"Seriously?" he exhales, running a hand through his hair. "You two couldn't have lasted atleast ten minutes standing next to eachother?"
"I wasn't the one who—"
"He walked into—"
We both stop.At the same time.
We looked at Jace ,and he looked ready to murder us both on the spot....
"Unbelievable," he mutters. "Actually unbelievable..you two are literally grown adults guys..Keifer you are two years older than my sister and you Jay ,you just turned 21 and the first thing you two do after seeing eachother after years is bicker like some toddlers...Really keifer, really Jay Jay..."
I look away first, because something about this feels too close, too real, and I don't like how easily it got under my skin.
"Anyways listen up both of you,dinner's starting," he adds, more firmly now. "Mom and Dad want us there. And I swear, if either of you start something—"
"I'm not the problem," I cut in instantly.
"She is," Keifer says at the exact same time.
Jace groans.
"I hate both of you."
"No you don't brother...now let's go aren't we getting late now?"
The walk back to the hall is quiet, but not peaceful—never peaceful with him. It's heavy, like something is sitting between us, something unspoken and unresolved.
Halfway there, I hear him mutter under his breath—"Try not to fall again Jaybird because I won't be there to save your sorry ass the next time..."
I don't even look at him.
"I won't even look in your direction even if I fall into hell dickhead,and you just try not to exist so irritatingly," I reply smoothly.
Jace makes a strangled sound. "I'm actually done."
The dining hall feels like a completely different world.
The long table stretches endlessly, draped in elegance, every detail perfect—from the crystal glasses to the intricate arrangements, to the food laid out like a masterpiece.-
My favorite food.
All of it.
For a moment, something soft settles in my chest.The feeling of finally being home amongst people who actually love me.....well almost everyone ..
I take my seat, smoothing my dress slightly, grounding myself again. Jace sits to my right, Sam to my left—And directly in front of me—
Him.
Of course.
I didn't look up,I refuse to.But I can feel it.That presence of being watched by the one person I hated the most sitting in front of me being a total nuisance to my soul..
"Okay, this is awkward," Sam whispers, leaning into me.
"Very," I murmur back.
Jace leans closer from the other side. "If you two start anything at this table, I'm disowning both of you and start revealing both of yours secrets to our parents...."
"I'm not doing anything—"
"She started it—"
We both stop again.
Sam snorts.
"You two are actually insane," she mutters, shaking her head.
The conversations around us flow easily—business, laughter, old stories—but between us, it's something entirely different. Every now and then, I feel his gaze, sharp and lingering, and it takes more effort than I'd like to admit not to react.
At one point—I look up.And he's already looking at me.
The eye contact hits harder than expected, something unspoken passing between us in that single moment. It's not anger. Not entirely.
Something else.Something dangerous.
I looked away first.Because I don't trust what happens if I don't.
Dinner passes in a blur after that. I laugh with Sam, respond to Jace's teasing, engage in conversations—but even then, a part of me stays aware.Of him..And I hate it.
By the time the guests start leaving, exhaustion finally settles into my bones.
My heels hurt, my head feels heavy, and the energy that carried me through the night begins to fade. The living room feels calmer now, quieter, as the last few goodbyes are exchanged.
"I don't want to go back to the house tonight..." Sam suddenly declares.
I blink at her. "What?"
"I'm staying with you," she says, like it's already decided.
A smile spreads across my face instantly. "Done..fine by me..."
"Wait—what?? You can't Samantha..Jay just returned today she needs rest.." Uncle Kade raises a brow.
"Please dad?" she pleads, turning to them. "I haven't seen her in three years."
Then I joined in "yes uncle please let her stay I literally slept through the entire flight and due to jet lag I probably won't be able to sleep right away .....and the fact that I miss her alot...I promise I'll personally bring her back home in the morning so she doesn't miss her school"
Serina sighs softly, but she's smiling. "Fine...One night...but you'll still be going to school tomorrow okay!?"
"Yes! Thank you mom and dad..." Sam beams.
I laugh, warmth spreading through me again.
One by one, everyone starts leaving.
Mom. Dad. Jace.
"Don't stay up too late," he points at me.
"No promises," I grin.
And then—it's just us.
Me.Keifer.Sam.
He hugs her briefly. "Goodnight little sissy...see you in the morning...."
"Goodnight bro," she says, then suddenly freezes. "WAIT!!!Oh my God—my bag!"
"What?" I frown.
"I brought a bag with my change of clothes because I already planned this entire thing and it's in my parent's car," she groans, already rushing toward the door. "Wait, I'll get it!"
And just like that—She was gone.
The door closes.And the silence that follows—Feels different.
He turns to leave.And for a second, I think that's it.
But then—He stops.Slowly, he turns back.And pulls something out of his pocket.
A black velvet box.
My breath catches.
He steps closer, not too much, just enough that I can feel that presence again—that same pull I don't want to acknowledge.
"Happy birthday, Jaybird."
His voice is quieter now.Lower.Different.
I blink, caught off guard. "Keifer, I—"
But he's already stepping back.And before I can say anything—
He's gone.
The door closes behind him.And I'm left standing there.
Alone.With the box.My fingers move slowly, almost hesitantly, as I open it.And the moment I see what's inside—Everything softens.
A Cartier necklace.
Ruby and gold, delicate yet powerful, the craftsmanship flawless, every detail intentional. The deep red stones catch the light in a way that feels… personal.
Like he didn't just buy it.
He chose it.Carefully.
My fingers brush over it, and something unfamiliar settles in my chest. Not overwhelming, not loud—just… there.
Because this?This doesn't match the boy I've spent years arguing with.Or maybe—It does.Just not the version I allowed myself to see.
I close the box slowly, holding it a second longer than necessary.And before I can stop myself—
A small, soft smile slips through.
"Thanks, Keifer…"
I whisper into the silence...Not knowing—That nothing between us will ever be simple again....
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Heyy Readerss...
So apparently there's an update from my side yesterday I added a poll in one of my books for you all to choose between JAYFER or JAVID story and with a very clear slide JAYFER has won...so now the book will be a JAYFER endgame.....
Now the bad news my book is not able to update any chapter I have been trying to upload since past few hours...so I'm reposting the book so go to that page I'll be uploading the same chapter for now and from tomorrow the story will continue as same.....
So go and search "Unexpectedly In Love (JAYFER)..." And you'll find updates from tomorrow.....
I hope you all understand and I'm really Sorry for this inconvenience....😓and I love you all so freaking much and thank you for your support....💗💗💗💗