Evening slowly settled inside the Watson Mansion.
The dining hall was glowing under soft golden lights, the long table perfectly set by the staff.
Everyone had already gathered.
Keiran was sitting impatiently, swinging his legs.
"I'm hungry," he announced for the third time.
Keigan calmly adjusted his napkin. "You said that five minutes ago."
"I'm still hungry."
Percy leaned back in his chair, amused. "This kid has priorities."
Jay laughed softly as she sat down.
Keifer entered last.
As always.
Calm. Composed. Quiet authority.
But the moment he walked past Jay, his hand lightly brushed her shoulder before he took his seat.
Subtle.
Natural.
Only she noticed.
And maybe Percy too.
Because Percy immediately smirked.
"Ohhh I see how it is."
Jay elbowed him under the table. "Behave."
Dinner began.
The staff served everything professionally, plates arriving in perfect sequence.
But the real chaos was the conversation.
Percy pointed at Keifer mid-meal.
"So you're always this serious or is it a CEO disease?"
"Yes," Keifer replied calmly.
Keiran gasped. "Kuya is serious always!"
Keigan nodded once. "At work."
Percy leaned closer. "And at home?"
Keifer's eyes briefly shifted to Jay.
"…Depends."
Jay nearly choked on her drink.
Percy saw it instantly. "OH—OKAY I GET IT."
Jay kicked his foot under the table again.
Keiran suddenly asked loudly, "Do you like her?"
Silence hit the table.
Jay froze.
Percy leaned forward instantly like he was watching a live show.
Keifer didn't react immediately.
He calmly set his glass down.
Then looked at Jay.
"I do," he said simply.
Jay's face turned red instantly.
Percy slapped the table lightly. "THIS IS BETTER THAN TV."
Keigan sighed. "This is unnecessary."
Keiran looked satisfied. "Good."
The rest of dinner passed with laughter, teasing, and Keiran occasionally feeding Jay food just because he could.
Keifer watched it all quietly.
But his hand was under the table.
Holding hers.
Firm.
Constant.
Chapter — The Goodbye
Later that night, things slowly quieted down.
Percy stood near the entrance, stretching.
"We should leave," he said casually. "It's late."
Jay nodded. "Yeah."
Keiran immediately stood up.
"You're leaving?"
Jay crouched slightly. "Just tonight."
Keiran looked disappointed but nodded seriously. "Okay."
Keigan stepped forward politely. "Good night."
Percy ruffled Keiran's hair. "I'll be back, small boss."
Keiran smiled again.
Jay turned toward Keifer.
And the air changed.
Again.
He walked closer.
No words at first.
Just that quiet pull between them.
Then he gently held her wrist.
"You're going?" he asked softly.
"Yes."
A pause.
His hand slid to her waist.
Slow.
Familiar.
"You could stay."
Her heart skipped.
"Percy is waiting."
"I know."
He leaned closer slightly.
"But still."
Before she could respond—
He kissed her.
Slow.
Deep.
Not rushed.
Not for show.
Just him.
Jay instinctively held onto his shirt.
Behind them—
Keiran gasped. "AGAIN?!"
Percy immediately shouted, "OH COME ON I JUST ATE!"
Jay pulled away quickly and buried her face into Keifer's chest in embarrassment.
Keifer didn't let her go.
In fact, his arm tightened protectively around her waist.
Keiran giggled.
Keifer calmly said, "Enough."
Percy smirked. "Relax, lover boy."
Keigan sighed. "This is getting repetitive."
Jay still didn't look up.
Keifer gently patted her back once.
Soft.
Reassuring.
Chapter — The Ride Home
Finally, Jay got into the car with Percy.
She was still slightly red.
Percy immediately leaned in.
"I am traumatized," he said dramatically.
"Shut up."
"He kisses you like that in front of children."
"They are not children," she muttered.
Percy laughed. "The small one literally screamed."
Jay looked out the window, still flustered.
"…I know."
Behind them, Keifer stood at the mansion entrance.
Watching the car leave.
Silent.
Still.
But his hand was in his pocket.
And his expression didn't change.
Except for one thing.
He didn't look away until the car disappeared.