Jay's POV
We are literally packing at ci.n's condo. But me, I am always done packing, actually over packing.
"Guys, this is serious." Felix said.
"You wrote 'extra snacks' five times."david replied taking the slip.
Felix: "Priorities."
Ci.n was sitting on the floor, surrounded by neatly folded clothes. "Pack properly. Mountains are cold."
Calix nodded. "Layering is important."
Drew: "I'm taking hoodies."
Mayo: "I'm taking food."
Eman: "I already planned food."
Denzel: "Basic essentials first."
Chaos.
Again.
Keifer sat on the couch with his bag open, staring at it.
"What are you thinking?" I came from behind.
He looked up. "What to take."
I leaned slightly over him, looking into the bag. "Take everything."
"Very helpful."
"I try."
I shook my head, smiling.
Time passed with arguments over clothes, jackets, shoes, and "who is carrying what."
Felix wanted matching outfits again.
David refused again.
Ci.n was organizing like a child who suddenly became responsible.
Calix was checking lists.
Drew didn't care.
Mayo kept eating.
Eman kept feeding.
Denzel kept control.
Finally—
"DONE," Felix shouted.
"Finally," David said.
"Now what?" Drew asked.
Keifer spoke, "Come to my place."
Everyone looked at him.
"For what?" Calix asked.
"Planning," he said. "Games. Activities. Trip stuff."
Felix: "YES."
Ci.n: "Okay."
Denzel nodded. "Good idea.".
Jay's house
This feels like I am going on a mission instead of a mansion.
" Tita I am going to ci.n's house" I said.
" Again, why?"
No questions, oh my god.
I can't answe that.
" We are doing a trip planning."
" Okayy."
" Be safe"
Yes, hopefully kuya should not know about this.
Time Skip – Late Night
The mansion was alive again.
Laughter.
Noise.
Energy.
Everyone spread out in the huge hall.
"Okay," Calix said, "games for the trip."
Felix: "Truth or dare."
David: "No."
Drew: "Cards."
Mayo: "Food challenges."
Eman: "Cooking competition?"
Ci.n: "Movie night also."
Denzel: "Keep it balanced."
I sat quietly, listening.
This felt… nice.
Normal.
Happy.
My phone rang. The fuck who is calling right now.
I stepped aside, dialing.
"Hello?"
"Jay?" my brother Angelo's voice came.
"Yeah."
"Where are you?"
"At Ci.n's condo," I said confidently.
Very confident.
"You're staying?"
"Yeah, group discussion and packing."
Silence.
"…Okay. Stay safe."
"I will."
I hung up.
For a second—
I felt a little guilty.
But also…
I didn't want to leave.
Keifer's POV
She came back.
Sat down.
Looked… quieter.
"You okay?" I asked.
"Yeah."
"Sure?"
She nodded.
I didn't push.
Soon, everyone started settling.
Blankets.
Pillows.
Lights dim.
Felix was already half asleep.
David was still on his phone.
Ci.n somehow managed to talk and sleep at the same time.
Calix was quiet.
Drew and Kit passed out.
Mayo still eating.
Eman cleaning up.
Denzel lying down, finally resting.
I looked at Jay.
She was sitting, unsure.
"Sleep," I said.
"Here?" she asked.
I shook my head slightly.
"…Come to my room."
She paused.
Looked at me.
Then at everyone.
"…Keifer."
"It's fine," I said calmly.
Silence.
She hesitated.
Then—
"…Okay."
Jay's POV
Why did I say yes?
I followed him upstairs.
Heart slightly racing.
His room.
Again.
But this time—
Night.
Quiet.
Different.
"Relax," he said.
"I am relaxed."
"Liar."
I sat on the edge of the bed.
He walked around casually, like this was normal.
Which for him—
It probably was.
"Sleep," he said.
"Yeah."
I lay down.
A little distance between us.
Safe.
Normal.
For a few seconds.
Keifer's POV
She's too far.
I moved closer.
Slowly.
She didn't move away.
Good.
"Jay," I said softly.
"Hm?"
"You trust me?"
She looked at me.
"Yes."
That word again.
And something in me—
Shifted.
Jay's POV
His arm moved around me.
Pulling me closer.
I didn't stop him.
Didn't want to.
"Keifer…"
"Hmm?"
"This is already dangerous."
"I know."
But he didn't stop.
And neither did I.
His hand brushed my arm.
Then my waist.
Holding me closer.
My breath got uneven.
"Keifer…" I whispered again.
But this time—
It didn't sound like a warning.
He leaned in.
Kissed me.
Not soft.
Not slow.
Something different.
Stronger.
Like he wasn't holding back anymore.
My fingers held onto him without thinking.
And everything started feeling—
Too much.
Too intense.
Too real.
Keifer's POV
I lost control.
Simple as that.
All the holding back.
All the control.
Gone.
My hand moved without thinking.
Pulling her closer.
I opened her buttons and threw her shirt away. I again started kissing her again. Then I sucked her cleavage and left a mark. I went more down almost removing her bra.
My mind stopped working.
Only her.
Only this moment.
Then—
I paused.
Midway.
Reality hit.
Hard.
What am I doing?
I pulled back instantly.
Breathing uneven.
"…Jay."
Silence.
I ran a hand through my hair.
"I'm sorry."
She looked at me.
Confused.
Soft.
Not scared.
"I shouldn't have—"
"It's okay," she said quietly.
"No," I said. "I lost control."
" But I liked it. It's okay"
Silence again.
I hated that.
I never lose control.
Jay's POV
He looked… different.
Not confident.
Not teasing.
Just… real.
"It's okay," I said again.
"I'm serious."
"So am I."
He looked at me carefully.
"…You're not uncomfortable?"
I shook my head.
"No."
That was the truth.
He exhaled slowly.
Tension leaving his shoulders.
"Still," he said, "I'll be careful."
I smiled slightly.
"Good."
Keifer's POV
I went to take her shirt.
"Give me yours, I don't want to wear that." She said.
I handed her my shirt but she told me to make her wear it.
I could feel my ears were already red
I lay down beside her.
Keeping it simple this time.
No overthinking.
No crossing lines.
Just—
Her.
I pulled her gently into my arms.
Holding her close.
Safe.
Jay's POV
His arms around me.
Warm.
Steady.
Different from before.
Not intense.
Not overwhelming.
Just… calm.
I rested my head near his shoulder.
And for the first time tonight—
Everything felt balanced again.
"Goodnight," he whispered.
"Goodnight."
I closed my eyes.
Still aware of him.
Still feeling his presence.
Still smiling a little.
Because maybe—
We went a little too far.
But we also stopped.
And that mattered.
End of Chapter 12
Thanks for reading my book.
Actually, I thought in previous book I did everything very quickly that's why I am writing slowly and gradually. I have already written seventeen chapters so after that you will get the more spicier and one more thing you are also gonna cry soon.
Okayy.
I love you. 🎀
Byeee.