Chapter 22 - Prom

🖤 Jay's POV — Friday Night, Prom

I stood in front of the mirror—

again.

—

The room was silent.

Just me.

And this version of me I'm still getting used to.

—

The dark blue satin dress hugged perfectly.

Soft shine under the light.

Flowing down like it belonged to me.

—

I turned slightly.

Watched it move.

—

Elegant.

Controlled.

Strong.

—

Not the girl from before.

—

"…You'll survive this," I whispered.

—

Because that's the goal tonight.

—

Survive.

—

But my chest didn't agree.

Because I knew—

Tonight isn't simple.

—

It's him.

And him.

And everything in between.

—

I picked my clutch.

Walked out.

—

🚗 Outside

The cold breeze hit my face.

Calm.

But not enough.

—

And then—

Jass.

—

Leaning against the car.

Black suit.

Sharp.

Clean.

—

My steps slowed for half a second.

—

He looked… unfairly good.

—

His eyes lifted to me.

Paused.

—

Then—

A smirk.

—

"Wow," he said softly. "You're trying to outshine everyone tonight?"

—

I rolled my eyes.

"Relax. I'm just doing the bare minimum."

—

He walked closer.

Slowly.

Eyes still on me.

—

"Bare minimum?" he repeated. "Darling, this is illegal."

—

I blinked.

—

"Stop talking."

—

"Can't. You look too good."

—

I looked away quickly.

"…Shut up and drive."

—

But my heartbeat?

—

Not normal.

—

Because a part of me liked that.

—

The car moved.

Lights passing by.

—

Silence.

But not empty.

—

He glanced at me.

"You're nervous."

—

"I'm not."

—

"You are."

—

I crossed my arms.

"I'm not nervous."

—

"You adjusted your dress three times in two minutes."

—

I froze.

—

"…Shut up."

—

He chuckled.

—

Annoying.

—

Why does he notice everything?

—

🎉 Prom Entrance

The venue glowed.

Lights everywhere.

Music soft but present.

—

The moment we stepped out—

—

Eyes.

—

On us.

—

Whispers.

—

I straightened.

—

Jass stepped beside me.

Close.

—

His hand brushed mine.

—

"For the act," he murmured.

—

I hesitated—

Then let him.

—

Our fingers intertwined.

—

Warm.

Firm.

—

We walked in.

—

Together.

—

And then—

—

I saw him.

—

Keifer.

—

Standing across the hall.

—

Navy blue suit.

—

Matching.

—

My breath caught.

—

He looked—

—

Incredible.

—

Sharp.

Controlled.

Dangerous.

—

And for a second—

—

I forgot everything.

—

The room.

The people.

Jass.

—

Just him.

—

That version of him—

The one I used to look at like—

—

No.

—

I looked away quickly.

—

Don't.

—

Don't go there.

—

But my heart didn't listen.

—

Because damn—

—

He looked good.

—

Too good.

—

Jass's voice cut in.

"Careful."

—

I blinked.

"…What?"

—

"You're staring."

—

"I wasn't."

—

He smirked.

"Sure."

—

I looked away again.

—

Why does he always catch everything?

—

CI N rushed forward.

"Jay, please—just listen—"

—

Felix stepped in.

"We're sorry—"

—

Yuri.

"Can we just talk for a minute—"

—

David, Edrix, Calix—

—

All of them.

—

Trying.

—

I walked past them.

—

Didn't stop.

Didn't respond.

—

Didn't even slow down.

—

Because if I do—

I'll remember everything.

—

And I don't want to.

—

Not tonight.

—

Jass didn't interfere.

—

Just walked with me.

—

And somehow—

That silence from him—

—

Felt like support.

—

A girl host stepped up.

"Tonight is all about partners!"

—

Cheers.

—

"Let's play a couple game!"

—

I sighed.

—

Of course.

—

We were called.

—

Of course.

—

I looked at Jass.

"…Don't mess this up."

—

He smirked.

"No promises."

—

We stepped forward.

—

🎯 Game 1 — Close Challenge

We had to stand close.

Balance.

Move together.

—

His hand on my waist.

—

My hand on his shoulder.

—

Too close.

—

"You okay?" he murmured.

—

"I will push you."

—

"Romantic."

—

We moved.

—

Almost slipped—

Then laughed.

—

Actually laughed.

—

And for a second—

—

It felt easy.

—

Too easy.

—

And that scared me.

—

I glanced sideways.

—

Keifer.

—

Watching.

—

Eyes dark.

—

And beside him—

—

Luna.

—

Holding his arm.

—

Too close.

—

My chest tightened.

—

I looked away instantly.

—

Why does that bother me?

—

It shouldn't.

—

But it does.

—

And I hate that.

—

The host smiled.

"Now, let's see how well you know your partner!"

—

Great.

—

Questions started.

—

"What's their favorite memory?"

—

I froze.

—

Favorite memory?

—

My mind didn't go to Jass.

—

It went—

—

To Keifer.

—

Terrace.

—

Late evening.

—

Laughing over nothing.

—

Wind in my hair.

—

Him looking at me like—

—

Like I mattered.

—

I blinked.

—

"…Jay?" Jass nudged softly.

—

I snapped back.

—

"Uh—" I forced a smile, "he likes annoying people."

—

Laughter.

—

Jass smirked.

"Correct."

—

But inside—

—

I wasn't there.

—

Because my mind—

—

Was somewhere else.

—

Another question.

—

"What moment made you trust them?"

—

Again—

—

Not Jass.

—

Keifer.

—

Haunted house.

—

Dark.

—

His hand finding mine.

—

Holding tight.

—

Not letting go.

—

That look in his eyes—

—

Real.

—

Or at least—

I thought it was.

—

"…Jay?"

—

I blinked again.

—

"Uh—he didn't burn pancakes today."

—

More laughter.

—

Jass chuckled.

—

But I wasn't laughing.

—

Because my chest felt heavy.

—

Why am I remembering him now?

—

Why does it still feel real?

—

We stepped down.

—

People clapping.

Laughing.

—

Jass leaned closer.

"You disappeared there."

—

"I didn't."

—

"You did."

—

I looked away.

"…Doesn't matter."

—

He didn't push.

—

Just stayed beside me.

—

But across the room—

—

I could still feel it.

—

Keifer's gaze.

—

Burning.

—

Intense.

—

Unavoidable.

—

And somewhere inside me—

—

Something dangerous shifted.

—

Because no matter how much I try—

—

A part of me still reacts to him.

—

Still remembers him.

—

Still—

—

Feels him.

—

And that?

—

That's exactly what will ruin everything.

The host kept going.

More couples.

More laughter.

More noise.

—

I stood beside Jass, but my mind wasn't steady anymore.

—

Then—

—

"Next couple—Keifer and Luna!"

—

My body reacted before my mind did.

—

I looked.

—

Keifer walked up.

Calm.

Composed.

—

Navy blue suit.

Matching.

—

My breath hitched for a second.

—

He looked—

—

Incredible.

—

Sharp jaw.

Perfect fit.

That quiet confidence—

—

The same one that always got to me.

—

I hated that I noticed.

—

I hated that it still affected me.

—

And beside him—

—

Luna.

—

Clinging.

Smiling.

Too close.

—

Something inside me tightened.

—

I crossed my arms.

Looked away.

—

Why does this bother me?

—

It shouldn't.

—

It doesn't.

—

…liar.

—

Same game.

—

Close.

Too close.

—

His hand on her waist.

—

I looked back—

—

And instantly regretted it.

—

They stood there.

Balanced.

—

The host laughed.

"You two look good together!"

—

Good together?

—

My jaw tightened.

—

He didn't react.

Didn't deny.

—

That annoyed me more.

—

Why isn't he moving away?

—

Why is he letting her stand like that?

—

Why do I care?

—

I don't.

—

But my fingers tightened around my clutch.

—

Jass leaned closer.

"Easy."

—

"I'm fine."

—

"You're not."

—

"…Shut up."

—

He chuckled softly.

—

I hate that he can read me.

—

Then—

Questions.

—

"What's your partner's favorite thing?"

—

Luna answered instantly.

Too confidently.

—

Like she knew him.

—

I almost laughed.

—

She doesn't.

—

Not like—

—

Stop.

—

He didn't correct her.

—

That hurt.

—

More than I expected.

—

I looked away completely this time.

—

I'm done watching.

—

Because this?

—

Isn't something I should feel anything about.

—

Applause.

—

They stepped down.

—

I didn't look.

—

Didn't care.

—

At least—

That's what I forced myself to believe.

—

"I'm getting a drink," I said.

—

Jass nodded.

"Go."

—

Quieter here.

—

Less noise.

Less pressure.

—

I picked up a glass.

Didn't even check what it was.

—

Just needed something to hold.

—

Something to steady myself.

—

"Jay."

—

I froze.

—

CI N.

—

Of course.

—

"…What?" I said without turning.

—

"Can we talk?"

—

I closed my eyes for a second.

—

I don't want this.

—

But I didn't walk away.

—

So I turned.

—

He looked nervous.

Guilty.

—

Good.

—

"You have one minute."

—

"I'm sorry," he said immediately.

—

Silence.

—

"That's not enough."

—

"I know," he nodded quickly. "I should've told you everything."

—

My grip tightened on the glass.

—

"Told me what?"

—

"That Keifer had a plan… to use you… to take revenge for Aries."

—

There it is.

—

Out loud.

—

Again.

—

"And you didn't tell me."

—

"I couldn't," he said. "I wasn't confident enough… and I owed him."

—

I let out a dry laugh.

—

"Owed him?" I repeated. "So that mattered more than me?"

—

"No—Jay, it's not like that—"

—

"Then what is it like?"

—

He struggled.

—

"I was scared," he admitted. "You know how he is… I couldn't go against him."

—

I looked at him.

—

"You couldn't go against him… but you could stand there and watch me fall for a lie?"

—

"I hated it!" he said quickly. "Every second of it—I hated it."

—

"Then why didn't you stop it?"

—

"I tried… just not enough."

—

Silence.

—

The music felt distant.

—

Everything felt distant.

—

"I trusted you," I said quietly.

—

"I know."

—

"And you broke that."

—

"I know."

—

No defense now.

—

Just truth.

—

I exhaled slowly.

—

This still hurts.

—

More than I want it to.

—

Then he said something that made me pause.

—

"…I don't even know why Keifer told you like that."

—

I frowned slightly.

"What?"

—

"The plan was stopped a long time ago," he said. "We all knew it wasn't… that anymore."

—

My chest tightened.

—

"He didn't have to say it like that," CI N continued softly. "We could all see it…"

—

"See what?" I asked, quieter now.

—

He hesitated.

—

Then said it.

—

"…that he really loves you."

—

Silence.

—

My breath stopped for a second.

—

"…Don't," I said immediately.

—

"I'm serious," he said. "I don't know what was wrong with him that day, but that wasn't the truth anymore."

—

I looked away.

—

No.

—

I'm not doing this.

—

Not now.

—

Not again.

—

Because if I believe that—

—

I'll fall right back.

—

And I can't afford that.

—

"Enough," I said.

—

He nodded quickly.

—

"I'm just saying… I'm sorry, Jay. For everything."

—

I looked at him.

—

Really looked.

—

He meant it.

—

I can see that.

—

And CI N—

—

He was never like the others.

—

More like…

—

A younger brother.

—

Annoying.

Stupid sometimes.

—

But not cruel.

—

I sighed softly.

—

"I'm not forgiving everyone."

—

"I know."

—

"But you…"

—

I paused.

—

"…you get one chance."

—

His eyes widened slightly.

—

"I won't mess it up," he said immediately.

—

"Don't."

—

He nodded.

—

That's it.

—

That's all I can give.

—

Because I can't carry this forever.

"Alright everyone!" the host called out. "Time for the couple dance!"

—

Music shifted.

—

Slow.

Soft.

—

Lights dimmed.

—

Couples moved to the floor.

—

I looked at CI N.

"…Go."

—

"Thank you, Jay."

—

I didn't respond.

—

Just turned.

—

And walked back.

—

To Jass.

—

Because no matter what I just heard—

—

No matter what part of me reacted—

—

Tonight isn't over.

—

And neither is this story.

Prom Night (Continue)

The music softened.

Lights dimmed just enough to blur everything else.

—

"Partner dance," the host repeated.

—

I stood in front of Jass.

—

He extended his hand.

"Shall we, darling?"

—

I rolled my eyes… but placed my hand in his anyway.

—

Because that's what we're doing tonight.

—

Playing the part.

—

🎶 Dance Floor

His hand settled on my waist.

Firm.

Steady.

—

Mine rested on his shoulder.

—

We started moving slowly.

In rhythm.

—

Close.

—

Too close.

—

Across the floor—

I saw them.

—

Keifer.

And Luna.

—

Her arms wrapped around him.

Closer than necessary.

—

Her head slightly tilted toward him.

—

And he—

—

Was letting her.

—

Something sharp twisted in my chest.

—

I looked away instantly.

—

Fine.

—

If that's how he wants to play—

—

Then fine.

—

I stepped closer to Jass.

—

He noticed immediately.

A faint smirk.

—

"Careful," he murmured. "You're getting bold."

—

"Just doing the act," I replied.

—

But I moved closer again.

—

My hand slid slightly higher on his shoulder.

—

His grip on my waist tightened just a little.

—

We were closer now.

—

Closer than before.

—

And I knew—

—

Keifer could see.

—

Good.

—

Let him.

—

"Jay," Jass said softly.

—

"Hm?"

—

"You're not just acting."

—

I stilled for half a second.

—

"…I am."

—

"No," he said quietly. "You're trying to prove something."

—

I looked at him.

—

"…Maybe I am."

—

A pause.

—

Then I exhaled slowly.

—

"I think I should move on."

—

The words felt heavy.

—

Real.

—

"I can't stay like this forever," I continued. "Stuck on something that wasn't even real."

—

Jass didn't interrupt.

—

Just listened.

—

"I need to stop… whatever this is," I whispered.

—

Silence.

—

But I didn't know—

—

That someone else heard it too.

—

👀 Nearby

Keifer.

—

Close enough.

—

Every word.

—

Every single one.

—

🎶 Back to Us

Jass's hand lifted slightly, tilting my chin up.

—

Our faces were inches apart.

—

"Are you sure?" he asked quietly.

—

I hesitated.

—

Because for a second—

—

I wasn't.

—

But then—

—

"I have to be."

—

His gaze softened.

—

And for a moment—

—

Everything else faded.

—

Just us.

—

Close.

—

Too close.

—

My breath hitched.

—

His gaze dropped to my lips.

—

And I knew—

—

What was about to happen.

—

And I didn't stop it.

—

Didn't move away.

—

Because maybe—

—

This is how I end it.

—

How I move on.

—

Our faces inched closer—

—

And then—

—

Everything shattered.

—

A strong force—

—

Yanked Jass back.

—

"WHAT THE—"

—

Before I could react—

—

Keifer.

—

His fist connected.

Hard.

—

Jass stumbled back.

—

"Keifer—STOP—"

—

But he didn't listen.

—

His eyes—

—

Wild.

Furious.

—

And then—

—

He turned to me.

—

Before I could step back—

—

He lifted me.

—

Over his shoulder.

—

"What the hell—KEIFER PUT ME DOWN—"

—

I hit his back lightly.

Struggled.

—

"LET ME GO!"

—

He didn't stop.

Didn't slow down.

—

People stared.

Whispers.

Shock.

—

But he walked straight through—

—

Like nothing else existed.

—

Like nothing else mattered.

—

🚪 Changing Room

Door opened.

—

Then slammed shut.

—

Lock clicked.

—

He put me down—

—

Not gently.

—

But not enough to hurt.

—

I stumbled slightly—

—

And before I could react—

—

He stepped forward.

—

Close.

Too close.

—

"Keifer—what are you—"

—

He didn't let me finish.

—

His hands cupped my face—

—

And then—

—

He kissed me.

—

Not soft.

Not careful.

—

It was intense.

Desperate.

—

Like he was trying to prove something.

—

Like he was trying to hold onto something slipping away.

—

My breath caught—

—

For a second—

—

I froze.

—

Because this—

—

This felt real.

—

Too real.

—

But then—

—

Reality hit.

—

I pushed him back.

Hard.

—

"STOP—"

—

He stepped back slightly—

—

And I saw it.

—

Tears.

—

In his eyes.

—

Actually there.

—

"You can't move on," he said, voice breaking. "You can't move on from me—I won't let you."

—

My chest tightened.

—

"You're mine," he continued. "I love you—I can't watch you with someone else."

—

Silence.

—

And then—

—

I slapped him.

—

The sound echoed.

—

He didn't stop me.

—

"I deserve it," he said quietly. "Do it again if you want."

—

I hit his chest instead.

—

Again.

And again.

—

"STOP IT!" I shouted, tears in my own eyes now. "Just stop!"

—

My hands trembled.

—

"You don't get to do this," I continued. "You don't get to say it was all fake—use me—and then suddenly say you love me when I'm trying to move on!"

—

My voice broke.

—

"What is wrong with you?"

—

Silence.

—

"I'm sorry," he said.

—

I laughed bitterly.

—

"Stop lying."

—

"I'm not."

—

"Then tell me," I demanded. "Tell me why you did all of this. Why you acted like I didn't matter."

—

He stepped closer.

Hands gently holding my face again—

—

"I'm sorry," he whispered. "I can't tell you. Not yet."

—

My expression hardened.

—

"Of course you can't."

—

"I'm going to London," he said. "For my inheritance. When I come back—I'll tell you everything."

—

I didn't react.

—

"I'll spend my whole life making it up to you," he continued. "If that's what it takes."

—

Silence.

—

I pushed his hands away.

—

"No."

—

He froze.

—

"I'm done waiting," I said quietly.

—

Then I turned.

—

Walked to the door.

—

Unlocked it.

—

And left.

—

TERRACE

The cold air hit harder this time.

Sharper.

Like it was trying to wake me up.

—

My hands rested on the railing.

Tight.

—

I could still feel it.

His touch.

His voice.

—

I closed my eyes for a second.

Then opened them.

—

"Okay…" I whispered to myself.

—

A breath in.

Slow.

Controlled.

—

"Okay, so you can't tell me, right?"

—

My voice wasn't shaking anymore.

—

Not like before.

—

"Fine."

—

I straightened slightly.

—

"Then I'll find out everything myself."

—

The words felt different.

Stronger.

—

Because this time—

I wasn't waiting for answers.

—

I was taking them.

—

"It's okay," I continued quietly. "You don't know a lot of things about me either."

—

A pause.

—

My fingers curled slightly over the railing.

—

"But what I saw…"

—

My chest tightened just a little.

—

"In your eyes… in your actions…"

—

I exhaled slowly.

—

"And your biggest weakness—"

—

A small, almost bitter smile formed.

—

"Jealousy."

—

Silence.

—

"I know that what you said… wasn't fake."

—

That part hurt to admit.

—

"But that doesn't change anything."

—

My voice hardened again.

—

"You still planned to use me first."

—

"You still hurt me."

—

A pause.

—

"And even if I want to know your reason…"

—

My jaw tightened.

—

"That doesn't mean I forgive you."

—

Not now.

Maybe not ever.

—

I stepped back from the railing.

—

Eyes steady.

Colder now.

—

"I will find out everything."

—

"Very soon."

—

Then—

A faint smirk.

—

"Get ready, Mark Keifer Waston."

—

The name didn't feel the same anymore.

—

Because now—

—

"I'm not just Jay."

—

A pause.

—

"I'm Jasper Jean Mariano."

—

The truth settled in my chest like something powerful.

—

"The secret Mariano Princess."

—

"The heiress of Mariano Group."

—

"And I want to know…"

—

My gaze lifted slightly.

Sharper.

Focused.

—

"Who is the reason."

—

"Who has the power…"

—

"To force a Waston to do something."

—

A slow breath.

—

"What kind of helplessness… can exist for someone like you?"

—

Because that didn't make sense.

—

Not for him.

—

"Because as far as I know…"

—

My lips curved slightly.

—

"Only a Mariano holds that kind of power."

—

A pause.

—

"Or is it a Waston?"

—

Another pause.

—

"Or something else entirely…"

—

Silence.

—

Then—

A soft, dangerous smile.

—

"I'll know very soon."

—

My eyes shifted toward the dark sky.

—

"London, huh…"

—

A smirk.

—

"Interesting."

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