(Jay's POV)
The grand ballroom of the Watson Enterprises headquarters was completely packed. There were glittering lights everywhere. Golden balloons floated up to the ceiling. Music was blasting from huge speakers. It was the biggest night of the year because Watson Enterprises had just skyrocketed its sales. We were officially the number one company in all of London. Every single person in the city was talking about it, and it was all because of my handsome fiancé, Keifer. Yeah yeah same thing that he was the young, brilliant, and incredibly smart CEO who made it all happen. But before everything, I am His and he is Mine!
But before the party even started, I was sitting on our bed at home, staring at the wall. I was not thinking about success. I was not thinking about money or number one rankings.
I was thinking about a giant, warm, gooey chocolate brownie topped with melting vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of hot fudge. My stomach made a loud growling sound that echoed in the quiet bedroom.The door clicked open. Keifer walked in, looking absolutely perfect.
He was already wearing his crisp white shirt, but his tie was still loose around his neck. He had that sharp, intelligent CEO look on his face, but the moment he saw me, his eyes softened. He walked over to the bed with a playful smirk.
"It would look really bad if this poor CEO's beautiful wifey does not come to his big party," Keifer said, leaning down to look into my eyes.
I rolled over on the bed and sighed loudly. "But Keifer, those types of parties are so boring. People just stand around in tight clothes, holding tiny glasses of water, and talking about stocks and numbers. Numbers do not taste good. You cannot eat a percentage."
Keifer let out a soft chuckle. He knelt down next to the bed so we were at eye level. "Oh, really? What if I told you that since this party is hosted by me, I personally arranged the entire menu? And what if I told you that absolutely everything on that menu is your exact favourite food?"
My ears practically perked up like a puppy. My eyes went wide. "Wait. Everything? Even the mini sliders? Even the cheesy fries? Even the chocolate fountains?"
"Everything, my little panda," Keifer smiled.
In a split second, all my laziness vanished. I jumped straight off the bed and threw my arms around his neck, hugging him with all my strength. I was so happy I could have cried tears of pure joy. Keifer laughed loudly, his strong arms wrapping around my waist. He easily lifted me right off the floor, holding me in his arms like a baby just like he always did. I giggled, kicking my feet in the air, already tasting the cheesy fries in my mind.
"Okay, okay, go get ready wifey," Keifer said gently, setting me back down on my feet and kissing the top of my head. "The drivers will be here soon."
A few minutes later, the bedroom door flew open. My future mother-in-law, Serina, and my future sister-in-law, Kiara, burst into the room like a tiny whirlwind. (I know I doing show off by adding future) They had makeup bags, hair sprays, and a massive garment bag. They were on a strict mission to transform me.
"Team Cobra is back in action!" Kiara shouted, throwing her hands in the air. "We are going to make you look so stunning that London will not be able to handle it."
They zipped open the bag, and I gasped. It was a black, glimmering, shiny gown. It looked like the night sky filled with a million tiny, blinking stars. The fabric was smooth and heavy. They said that Keifer had arranged ut specially for me.
As I slipped the dress on, Kiara began to brush out my long hair. She styled it so it cascaded down my shoulders in perfect, soft waves. While Kiara worked on my hair, Mom Serina sat in front of me with a makeup brush, carefully applying a touch of shimmer to my eyelids and a beautiful colour to my lips.
Kiara stepped back, holding a hairspray bottle like a weapon, and smirked at me through the mirror. "Wow, Jay. Keifer is in serious trouble tonight. I swear, after he sees you in this dress, he is going to decide not to go to the party at all. He will probably just lock the doors and worship you right here in this room."
Naughty Kiara! 🌚
My cheeks instantly burned bright red. I blushed so hard I felt hot. "Kiara, stop it! Shut up!" I yelled, covering my face with my hands while Serina laughed, telling kiara to stop moving so she could finish my eyeliner.
When they finally let me stand up, I looked in the mirror. I looked like a princess , no queen to Keifer. The shiny black gown hugged me perfectly. My hair looked flawless, and my makeup was just right. I took a deep breath, held the sides of my gown, and stepped out of the dressing room into the hallway.
Jay's dress and whole look in comments!
Keifer was standing by the stairs, waiting. He was now fully dressed in a tailored black suit that fit his broad shoulders perfectly. He looked so incredibly handsome, so sharp, and so intelligent that my brain completely stopped working. I literally lost it. My breath caught in my throat, and I felt like a foolish teenager crushing on a superstar.
But then, Keifer turned around and looked at me.
He froze. His jaw dropped slightly. The confident, powerful CEO completely vanished, replaced by a man who had just lost his entire mind. He stared at me from head to toe, his eyes wide with absolute adoration. He did not say a word for a whole minute. He just walked slowly toward me, as if he were walking in a dream, completely mesmerized.
"Wow," Keifer finally whispered, his voice deep and full of emotion. "You are... absolutely breathtaking, wifey."
I smiled, my heart doing a happy dance. "You don't look too bad yourself, Mr. CEO hubby."
(You look hot!) Shh!!! Don't think so loudly Jay he might listen!
We walked downstairs together, hand in hand. A sleek black car was waiting for us. The drive to the venue was quick, but the moment the car pulled up to the red carpet, the noise hit us. It sounded like a thunderstorm.
The moment Keifer opened his door and then reached back to help me out, the paps went completely wild. Flashes of light blinded us.
"Mr. Watson! Sir! Look over here!"
"Mam! Mrs. Watson! Give us a smile!"
"The number one CEO of London and his beautiful fiancée!"
The cameras clicked so fast it sounded like a machine gun. Keifer kept his arm tightly around my waist, guiding me through the crowd of photographers. I tried my best to smile and look elegant, but inside my head, a completely different conversation was happening. Every time a camera flashed, I did not see a light.
I saw a glowing, round, crispy piece of pepperoni pizza. Click. A slice of pizza. Click. Another slice of pizza.
I was so hungry that the red carpet felt like a long line of red velvet cake leading me to freedom.
We finally broke through the crowd and entered the main ballroom. The atmosphere inside was electric. Hundreds of Watson Enterprises employees were dressed in expensive suits and beautiful dresses. They were drinking, laughing, and celebrating their massive success.
As we walked through the room, I could hear the employees talking loudly to a group of news reporters who were filming live inside the venue.
"Our CEO is an absolute genius," a top manager was telling a reporter with a microphone. "It was all Sir Keifer's mind. His strategy, his vision, his late-night hard work. He figured out exactly what the market needed, and he pushed us all to be the best. He is the smartest leader in the country."
Another employee nodded eagerly. "Yes! We became number one purely because of Sir Keifer's guidance. We would follow that man anywhere."
I looked up at Keifer, feeling incredibly proud. He was holding my hand firmly, nodding politely to his staff, looking every bit the powerful leader everyone claimed he was. But then he looked down at me and whispered, "I know that look. Your stomach is about to make a scene, isn't it?".
"I am starving, Keifer," I whispered back honestly. "The pizza paps outside made it worse."
Keifer smiled and led me through the crowd to a beautifully decorated, private VIP table near the front of the room. The table was already loaded with plates. My eyes lit up. There were mini burgers with melting cheese, golden crispy chicken wings, bowls of hot fries, and little baskets of warm bread.
Keifer pulled out a chair for me and made me sit down. "Okay, wifey. Sit here and start eating. I need to go speak with the board members over there about something very important regarding the new global launch. I will be back in exactly two minutes."
"Take your time," I said, already reaching for a spicy burger. "The food and I are having a romantic moment."
Keifer chuckled, shook his head, and walked away toward a group of serious-looking men in grey suits.
I was finally alone with my true loves: the appetizers. I grabbed a mini burger and took a big bite. It was pure heaven. The cheese was perfect, the meat was juicy, and the bread was soft. I closed my eyes, chewing happily, completely lost in my own food world. The loud music, the chatter of the crowd, and the flashing lights all faded away. In my mind, I was running through a meadow made of french fries.
"Well, well, well. Look what we have here. A beautiful lady sitting all by herself," a voice suddenly said.
The voice broke my beautiful food daydream. I opened my eyes, annoyed. A man was standing right next to my table. He was wearing a suit that looked a little too tight, his hair was slicked back with way too much gel, and he had a very confident, annoying smirk on his face. He leaned one hand on my table, bending down to look at me.
I looked at him, then I looked down at my chicken wing. I really wanted to finish my chicken wing.
"Can I help you?" I asked, my voice flat.
The man smiled, thinking he was being incredibly charming. He leaned in closer. "I noticed you sitting here all alone, and I just could not let such a gorgeous girl spend her night without some proper company. You know, a girl like you deserves a real man. Someone with power. Someone with a big name."
I blinked. "I have company. And I have food."
The man chuckled, waving his hand in the air as if my words did not matter. He puffed out his chest, straightened his tie, and looked at me with an incredibly proud expression. "Let me introduce myself, gorgeous. I am Mark. Mark Keifer Watson."
My jaw dropped. I almost choked on my breath. Did this guy just say his name is Mark Keifer Watson?
I looked across the room. The real Keifer Watson, my fiancé and the actual CEO, the man whose name was literally on the front of the building, was standing just twenty feet away, talking to his executives.
This random guy had absolutely no idea who I was. He had no idea that I was engaged to the man he was currently trying to pretend to be. It was the most hilarious, ridiculous thing I had ever heard in my life.
Keifer saw my shocked expression and thought he had successfully impressed me. He smirked even wider, leaning in so close I could smell his strong cologne. "Yeah, that is right. I see you recognize the name. I basically run this whole place. I am the big boss. The brilliant mind behind the number one company in London. So, what do you say, beautiful? Why don't you drop these cheap appetizers, leave this boring table, and come with me to a private room where we can get to know each other much better?"
I stared at him for a second. The urge to laugh was bubbling up in my throat, but I forced it down. I needed to destroy this man's whole career with words first.
I stood up slowly, smoothing down my beautiful black gown. I looked him dead in the eye and let out a sharp, mocking laugh.
"Wow, Mark Keifer Watson," I said loudly, making sure my voice carried. "That is amazing. But let me ask you a quick question. Did you buy that cheap suit with the money you made from your imaginary company, or did your mother give you an allowance for acting like a clown tonight?"
The man's smirk froze. His face turned a slight shade of pink. "Excuse me?"
"You heard me," I said, leaning forward, mimicking his posture. "You say you are the brilliant mind behind this company? That is funny, because with that much gel in your hair, I am surprised your brain cells haven't completely slid out of your ears yet. If you are the big boss, then I must be the Queen of England. Go find a mirror, check your reality, and run along before you embarrass yourself any further."
The man gasped, his chest deflating instantly. He looked completely shocked that a girl sitting alone at a food table had just completely roasted him in front of nearby guests.
Right at that exact moment, I caught Keifer's eye across the room. He saw the man leaning over my table and immediately excused himself from the board members. He walked over with long, powerful strides, his face serious and sharp.
I grinned widely. I signaled Keifer to come over quickly with a wave of my hand.
The moment Keifer reached the table, he placed a firm, protective hand on my waist and glared at the man. The air around the table instantly felt freezing cold. Keifer looked like a predator ready to strike.
I could not contain my laughter anymore. I burst out giggling, pointed at the terrified guest, and looked up at my fiancé. "Keifer! Meet him! He says he is Mark Keifer Watson!"
Keifer froze. He looked at the man. Then he looked at me. Then he looked back at the man. A dark, dangerous smile slowly spread across Keifer's face. He stepped forward, towering over the poor guy, his eyes locked onto the man's trembling face.
"Oh," Keifer said, his voice dripping with terrifying sarcasm. "So, sir... what are your orders for the company tonight?"
The man looked at Keifer. Then he looked at the massive Watson Enterprises logo on the wall behind us. Then he looked at me again, finally realizing who I was. His face went completely white, losing every single ounce of color. He looked like he had just seen a ghost. His knees actually started to shake.
"I... I... uh... error... mistaken... sorry!" the man stuttered, backing away so fast he almost tripped over a chair. He turned around and literally ran away through the crowd, terrified for his absolute life.
I fell back into my chair, laughing so hard my stomach hurt. Keifer shook his head, a soft chuckle escaping his lips as he sat down next to me.
"Are you okay, wifey?" he asked, his eyes full of amusement.
"I am perfect," I gasped, wiping a tear of laughter from my eye. I grabbed another chicken wing and took a bite, looking at Keifer playfully. "But wow, hubby. You almost lost me. The double role Keifer was about to take me away from you. He had a very shiny suit, you know."
Keifer rolled his eyes, but he was smiling broadly. He reached out and gently pinched my cheek. "Wifey, if you want, I can find out what department he works in and fire him right now. Nobody flirts with my future wife, especially not someone using my own name badly."
I shook my head, chewing happily. "No need, real Mark Keifer Watson. His face when he realized who you were was better than any punishment. Plus, his hair gel might actually melt from the stress if you talk to him again."
Keifer laughed loudly at that, his eyes crinkling at the corners. He leaned in and kissed my cheek warmly.
Because we were sitting at the front VIP table and laughing so genuinely together, a whole group of media photographers suddenly noticed us.
Click! Click! Click! Click!
A dozen cameras started flashing all at once, capturing our laughing faces, the food on the table, and the way Keifer was looking at me with pure love. The bright lights filled my eyes again. And just like before, my brain did a weird flip.
Click. A glazed donut. Click. A stack of pancakes. Click. A chocolate chip cookie.
I snapped out of it, shaking my head, and looked at the crowd of paps who were still clicking away. I let out a loud, frustrated groan.
"Ugh, Keifer," I complained, covering my face with a napkin for a second. "When I was a little kid, I always dreamed of becoming so famous that paps would take my photo everywhere I went. I thought it would be so cool and glamorous. But now that it is actually happening, this feels like pure frustration! I just want to eat my cheesy fries without being turned into a blinking light show!"
Keifer let out a giant, hearty laugh that echoed over the sound of the music. He reached over, took my hand away from my face, and held it tightly in his own."Well, you better make it a habit, wifey," Keifer said with a huge, loving smirk. "Because as long as you are engaged to this CEO, you are stuck with me, the cameras, and all the food you can ever dream of."
I looked at him, then looked at the massive plate of hot fries that had just been delivered to our table. I smiled, taking a huge bite. "Fine. But the cameras better not get a photo of me with sauce on my chin."
Keifer laughed again, wiping a bit of sauce from my cheek with his thumb, and we spent the rest of the night eating, laughing, and celebrating being number one....