Jay POV
Soon it was basketball time, and Kyle already looked fully locked in for the game. He adjusted his jersey, rolled his shoulders once, and walked confidently toward his team. That was his world—the court, the noise, the pressure. And he loved it.
We all moved toward the seating area. Section E followed behind, talking quietly among themselves, while I stayed a little apart, scanning the court instead.
Then I saw them.
Section E was already there, seated.
And my gaze stopped completely when I noticed something… familiar.
My sonolorex.
The one I had once left for my goddaughter.
She was sitting there like she belonged completely, holding it carefully in her hands while sitting between Grace and Denzel.
My breath slowed.
So… she was their daughter.
A small smile formed on my lips before I even realized it. I didn't even know why it came so naturally, but it did.
I stood up and walked toward them.
Grace noticed me first. Her expression softened immediately and she smiled. Denzel also saw me and gave a small smile too.
I ignored him and focused on Grace and the girl beside her.
I sat down near Grace, leaning slightly forward toward the girl.
"Hi," I said calmly.
She looked up at me without hesitation."Hi."
Her voice was steady. Confident.
I tilted my head slightly. "What is your name?"
She blinked once, then answered, "Grazel Jay."
That name hit me harder than I expected.
I blinked.
Once.
Twice.
Slowly, I turned my head toward Grace.
"Grace…" my voice was quieter now. "You really named her by me?"
Grace opened her mouth to respond—but Grazel spoke first.
"Wait." She looked between us, confused but curious. "How do you know my name? And my mom said my name was taken from my godmother who helped her and dad get together."
My chest tightened slightly at her words.
I studied her carefully now.
"Was your godmother's name…" I paused, already knowing the answer, "Jasper Jean Fernandez Mariano… or Jay?"
Her eyes widened a little.
"How do you know that?" she asked quickly. Then suspicion crept into her tone. "Do you know her? Is she your friend or something?"
I let out a small breath.
"The second option," I said simply.
Silence dropped between us.
Grazel stared at me for a long moment, trying to process everything. Then she looked at Grace, then back at me again—like she was connecting invisible dots only she could see.
And suddenly—
She leaned forward and hugged me tightly.
I froze for a second.
Not because I wanted to pull away…
But because I didn't expect it.
Slowly, I placed a hand on her back, returning the hug lightly.
After a moment, I spoke again, softer now.
"Now tell me… why are you sitting here? This is boys' game."
She pulled back slightly, looking at me like I had asked the most obvious question in the world.
"It is my favourite sport," she said proudly. "And I am the captain of my team."
My eyebrows shot up.
"You… what?"
"Captain," she repeated, like it was nothing.
I stared at her for a second, then shook my head slightly.
"Okay," I muttered. "One more question."
She raised an eyebrow, waiting.
"Do you like this?" I asked, pointing at the sonolorex in her hands.
Her face changed instantly—like I had just asked something ridiculous.
"Like it?" she said. Then she hugged it closer. "No. I love it."
Before I could respond, the atmosphere shifted.
The game was about to begin.
I stood up and walked back toward the main group, my mind still stuck on her words.
Captain.
Grazel Jay.
And that hug.
Kiefer POV
I had seen everything.
The way Jay walked over.The way she spoke to Grazel.The way Grazel hugged her without fear, without hesitation.
And Jay… she didn't push her away.
That alone was strange.
Then the game started.
Kyle was on fire from the beginning.
Every shot he took felt controlled. Precise. Like he had been born on that court. Whenever he scored, Jay reacted immediately—standing up slightly, cheering louder than anyone else.
It wasn't just pride.
It was something deeper.
Like every point he made was personal to her.
The crowd grew louder with every minute. The energy shifted, and by the final quarter, everyone knew who was winning.
The match ended.
And the announcement came.
"AND THE CHAMPIONS OF TODAY'S MATCH ARE… THE YOUNG CHAMPIONS!"
Applause exploded everywhere.
I barely paid attention to the celebration at first—until the announcer continued.
"And the highest scorer of the match is…"
A pause.
The entire hall went silent.
"…Maverick Kyle Mariano!"
My body went still.
That name.
That surname.
Mariano.
My eyes slowly moved toward Kyle.
He was smiling brightly, sweat on his forehead, breathing heavily from the game.
Then he turned.
And waved.
"Mom!"
The entire place seemed to freeze for a second.
All heads turned.
Kyle was waving directly at Jay.
And Jay…
She waved back without hesitation.
"Yes, Kyle," she called out softly, and then—
She blew him a kiss.
The crowd erupted into whispers instantly.
My heart dropped.
Questions started forming everywhere at once.
Who is she to him?
Why did he call her mom?
And louder than everything else…
Whose child is he?
Because if Kyle is hers…
Then the question everyone is now thinking is simple.
Who is the father?
++++++END++++++
one more chapter
take care
bye