Chapter 11 – Dinner at JJ's House
The late afternoon sun filtered through the grand windows of the Mariano mansion, painting the living room in shades of gold. The house smelled of roasted vegetables, spices, and fresh bread—the kind of aroma that made anyone forget their daily troubles. JJ's brothers, Percy and Aries, were bustling around the dining table, directing servants, checking on the dishes, and grinning like they'd personally curated the menu.
"Make sure Keifer doesn't sit next to JJ," Percy shouted suddenly, almost knocking over a serving tray in his excitement. He clapped his hands together. "I mean, she's my baby sistah, and he needs proper supervision. Got it, Aries?"
Aries rolled his eyes, smoothing his shirt. "Percy, calm down. He's not going to eat her or anything."
"Yeah, but he might—" Percy waved his hands dramatically—"accidentally make her laugh too much or steal her dessert. And I will not allow my baby sistah to be emotionally traumatized."
JJ, sitting elegantly at the table, tried to hide her laughter behind a napkin. "You're insane," she muttered.
"No, baby sistah," Percy corrected, leaning in and giving her a mock-serious look. "I am protecting you. It is my sacred duty."
Aries just sighed, smiling faintly. "You know, sometimes I wonder who's older, you or him."
"Excuse me, I am perfectly mature," Percy said, puffing his chest, though his eyes twitched with amusement.
---
Keifer arrived precisely on time, his polished shoes clicking on the marble floor. Serina Watson, his mother, was already waiting, dressed elegantly but with a warmth in her smile that put everyone at ease.
"Keifer, welcome," she said, extending a hand. "And you must be Jasper Jean, right? It's lovely to meet you again."
JJ's cheeks colored slightly. The first time she'd met Serina was at the Watson mansion, and she remembered thinking how charming, witty, and respectful she was. Now, seeing her again in her own home, she felt… comfortable, almost like family.
"Thank you, ma'am. It's an honor," JJ said, bowing slightly, though her tone had that unmistakable JJ flair. Polite, but with just a hint of sass.
Serina smiled, clearly approving. "I like your humor."
Keigan and Keiren, Keifer's younger brothers, appeared suddenly from behind a column, eyes wide and curious.
"So… you're JJ?" Keigan asked, holding a plate of cookies like he might defend them if needed.
"Yes, and I'm hoping you'll save some for me," JJ teased, grabbing a cookie before he could react.
Keiren crossed his arms, mock-scowling. "Stealing my cookie, huh? Bold."
JJ leaned closer to them, winking. "Boldness is my middle name, obviously."
Percy, noticing the interaction, leaned back in his chair, smirking. "That's my baby sistah making friends. And Keifer… make sure you don't steal her cookie, got it?"
Keifer, holding his tray, glanced at her and smirked. "Don't worry. I only steal hearts, not cookies."
JJ laughed, nearly choking on a sip of water. "You're ridiculous."
---
Dinner Dynamics
The dinner was lively. Percy was narrating some chaotic story from JJ's childhood, exaggerating every detail. "And then baby sistah—" he pointed at her dramatically—"tripped over the dog, slipped into the pond, and came out looking like a drenched little tornado!"
JJ groaned, hiding her face in her hands. "Percy, I told you not to tell them that story!"
Aries chuckled, shaking his head. "Some things never change."
Keifer, meanwhile, sat closer to JJ than socially acceptable, passing her dishes, offering to cut vegetables, and teasing her quietly. Their elbows brushed, hands occasionally touching while passing plates, and neither of them could ignore the small sparks flying between them.
"You're too formal at home," JJ whispered as he handed her the gravy boat.
"Only around you, I get informal," Keifer replied, his lips twitching into a smirk.
JJ laughed softly, shaking her head. "You're impossible."
"You say that like it's a bad thing," he muttered under his breath.
Every glance, every touch was subtle, yet electric. Percy noticed, grinning wickedly. "Oho! The President and my baby sistah are already having their private banter. This is going to be fun."
---
Angelo Fernandez Appears
Dinner was winding down, laughter echoing through the dining hall, when the door opened. A cold gust of air swept in, and the room instantly felt ten degrees colder. JJ stiffened. Everyone turned toward the entrance.
Angelo Fernandez. Older, taller, and radiating authority, stepped in. His eyes were sharp, calculating. Protective. Unyielding.
Keifer straightened immediately, every instinct on alert. Percy froze mid-bite, eyes wide. JJ crossed her arms, trying to act unbothered but secretly impressed by her cousin's aura.
Angelo's gaze landed on Keifer, piercing. "Watson," he said, voice low and even. "Stay away from her. Don't test me."
Keifer, maintaining composure, nodded slowly. "Noted… sir."
JJ rolled her eyes, muttering under her breath, "He's dramatic as always…"
Percy whispered frantically, "Don't say a word, baby sistah. He'll literally eat him alive."
Aries chuckled quietly. "Angelo doesn't play. He's the reason we all turned out strong, by the way."
JJ's lips twitched in a mix of annoyance and amusement. Her cousin might be terrifying, but she understood him perfectly. Angelo's warning didn't scare her—it fascinated her.
Keifer, meanwhile, remained standing, every muscle tense yet unflinching. JJ caught the way his jaw tightened, his hands flexing slightly. The protective instinct she'd seen in him at school and at the amusement park seemed magnified tenfold in front of Angelo.
---
Aftermath of the Warning
Angelo didn't linger. He gave a final piercing glance at Keifer before exiting the room, leaving behind a heavy sense of authority. Percy exhaled dramatically. "See? I told you baby sistah's safety is sacred."
JJ shook her head, laughing quietly. "I think I'm surrounded by lunatics."
Aries smirked, teasingly. "You love it."
JJ huffed but couldn't stop the small smile tugging at her lips. Keifer, still sitting beside her, leaned closer. "Everything okay?"
"Yes, fine," she said, brushing off the tension. "Just… your friend is scary."
Keifer chuckled softly, his thumb brushing hers ever so lightly. "I'll protect you from him too, if needed."
Percy gasped dramatically. "Oh-ho! I approve of this statement."
JJ groaned. "Percy, stop calling me baby sistah in front of everyone."
"Never!" he yelled gleefully, knocking over his napkin in excitement. "It's my duty. And also… you look cute when you're annoyed."
JJ buried her face in her hands, muttering something incomprehensible while Keifer smirked beside her.
---
By the end of the dinner, Keifer had successfully passed dishes, teased JJ relentlessly, survived Percy's chaos, and received Angelo's icy warning. JJ, in turn, had laughed, rolled her eyes, and shared a few stolen glances that neither would admit were meaningful.
As he walked out of the mansion that evening, Keifer's thoughts were chaotic. JJ wasn't perfect, wasn't easy, and certainly wasn't predictable—but she was unforgettable. And Angelo Fernandez? He could try all he wanted to intimidate him, but there was no way Keifer was letting JJ slip away.
JJ, watching him leave, felt something stir in her chest—a mix of irritation, amusement, and… anticipation. Life was chaotic, yes, but with Keifer around, it was impossibly exciting.
And Percy? Percy was already planning the next round of chaos for his baby sistah.