Jay's POV
By the time we got to Kuya Angelo and Tita Gemma's house again because we'll be leaving for uni soon, I was already smiling to myself. It was supposed to be a celebration — and it was — plates of adobo, lumpia, and sinigang already steaming on the table, laughter filling the air. But the second Keifer parked and opened my door for me, I could feel the tension waiting before we even stepped inside.
He offered me his hand, and I took it, trying not to blush at how soft he'd been with me all morning. "Ready?" he murmured.
"Always," I whispered back, squeezing his fingers.
We walked in together, and Tita Gemma spotted us first. "Jay! Anak!" She pulled me into a tight hug. "Oxford! I'm so proud of you!"
"Thanks, Tita." I hugged her back, breathing in the familiar smell of her perfume and home-cooked food.
Aries grinned from the couch, ruffling my hair as I passed. "Big time na, little sis. Oxford, ha?"
"Don't start," I laughed.
Kuya Angelo stood up from the table, smiling at me warmly... until his eyes landed on Keifer. His expression shifted — not hostile, but guarded. Wary. Like he'd seen this story before.
"Congrats," he said to me, then gave Keifer a short nod. "You too."
"Oxford," Keifer replied simply, calm as ever.
Aries and Angelo looked at each other I knew what this was about
Keifer's family name hung in the air like smoke. Everyone knew the Watsons — old money, big reputation, and a father who'd made headlines for all the wrong reasons. Scandals. Shady deals. The kind of man who left a trail of broken trust behind him.
Kuya Angelo didn't say it outright, but I could see it in his eyes. A Watson. That's why he didn't like Keifer from the start. Not personal — yet — but generational. Angelo's own family had crossed paths with Mr. Watson years ago, and it hadn't ended well.
Dinner went smoothly enough, with Tita Gemma steering conversation to safe topics — college plans, food, dreams. Keifer was charming, even helped clear plates, but I caught Angelo watching him. Calculating.
Then, as Tita Gemma started stacking dishes, Angelo stood and nodded toward the back porch. "Keifer. Talk?"
Keifer didn't flinch. "Sure."
My stomach knotted as they stepped outside. Aries leaned over, whispering, "Here we go."
Tita Gemma patted my hand. "Boys, anak. Don't worry."
Keifer's POV (briefly)
Angelo closed the door, leaning against the railing with arms crossed. The night air was cool, but his stare burned.
"Listen," he said, voice low and firm. "Jay's family to me. Like a little sister. I've watched her grow up, seen her through everything."
Keifer nodded. "I know."
Angelo's jaw tightened. "You're a Watson. Your dad... he's not a good man. Hurt people. Including some close to us. I don't trust that bloodline easy."
Keifer held his gaze. "I'm not my father."
Angelo studied him, long and hard. "Prove it. Because if you hurt her — Oxford or no, Watson money or no — I'll come for you. Intindihan mo? We protect our own. She deserves someone who won't break her."
"Noted," Keifer said evenly. "I won't hurt her. Ever."
Angelo exhaled, tension easing just a fraction. "Good. Don't make me regret accepting you here tonight."
Back to Jay's POV
They came back in after a few minutes. Keifer slid beside me, giving my hand a quick squeeze under the table — his way of saying I'm good. Angelo's expression was still cautious, but softer. Accepting, for now.
Aries pulled me aside later while Keifer helped Tita Gemma in the kitchen. "You sure about him? Watson blood, Jay..."
"I know his dad's messed up," I said quietly. "But he's not him. He's good to me."
Aries sighed, ruffling my hair again. "We're watching. Always got your back, lil sis."
Kuya Angelo passed by with drinks, pausing to rest a hand on my shoulder. "Damn right. Anyone hurts you, they answer to us."
I smiled, warmth flooding me. Family — blood or chosen — meant protection. Angelo might never fully trust a Watson, but for me? He'd give Keifer a chance.
Keifer caught my eye from across the room, winking like he'd won a quiet battle. I rolled my eyes, but my heart fluttered anyway.
Maybe this was growing up — navigating love, loyalty, and all the messy lines between.