JAY-JAY POV
I know I look like a mess. My face is thumping, my foot feels like it was hit by a truck, and I probably smell like a mixture of sweat and iron.
But when Keifer looked at me with those eyes—the ones that weren't cold or scary, but filled with so much worry and something else I was too shy to name—I couldn't help it.
Gago. Why is he so handsome even when he's covered in soot?
When I pulled him down to kiss me, my heart did a triple backflip. My lips hurt like crazy, but I didn't care. I wanted to show him that I was still here. That I wasn't afraid of him, or his dad, or anything else as long as he was holding me.
He kissed me back like I was the most precious thing he had ever held. It wasn't like the hard, angry kiss from the foyer. This one was slow. It was deep. It made my toes curl—even the one that was currently bruised.
I pulled back just an inch, my breath hitching as I looked at him.
"Keifer?" I whispered, my face heating up despite the bruises.
"Yeah?"
"I think we're in trouble," I said, my voice barely a thread.
"Why?" he asked, his brow furrowing as he moved a stray hair away from my eyes. His touch was so gentle it made me want to cry all over again.
"Because I–" I started. I felt it. It was right there, on the tip of my tongue. It wasn't about the gravy, or the pancakes, or the scary mansion. It was about him.
"You what?" Keifer asked, leaning in closer, his dark eyes searching mine with an intensity that made my stomach flip.
I was about to say it. I was about to say I love you. After everything—the jealousy, the fire, the kidnapping—I was finally ready to admit that this gago billionaire had completely stolen my heart.
But of course, life isn't a K-drama.
"Ate, how–"
The door swung open, and Keiran came skidding into the room like he was sliding into home base. He stopped dead as he took in the scene: the first aid kit, the closeness, and the fact that we were basically breathing each other's air.
Keifer pulled back instantly, looking like he'd been caught middle of a heist. He straightened his posture and started hitting his jeans lightly with his hands, trying to look busy or productive, though he mostly just looked frustrated.
KEIFER POV
My brother has the worst timing in the history of the Watson bloodline.
I stood up, adjusting my shirt and trying to regain some semblance of my CEO composure, though it's hard to look intimidating when your heart is still hammering like a pneumatic drill. Jay-jay was staring at the ceiling, her face so red she looked like an overripe tomato.
"You what, Keiran?" I snapped, turning to face him. I let out a long, weary sigh. "I think you have a hobby called disturbing my life. Do you just wait behind the door for the most inconvenient moment?"
Keiran blinked, looking back and forth between us. He looked a little guilty, but mostly he just looked relieved to see us both alive.
"The doctor is here, Kuya! He's downstairs with Keigan," Keiran explained, pointing toward the hallway. Then his eyes drifted to Jay-jay's bruised face again, and his expression softened into a frown. "I just wanted to see if Ate Jay was still… you know. Mad at us."
Jay-jay let out a small, shaky laugh from the bed. "I'm not mad at you, Keiran. But if you keep bursting in like that, I might start giving you extra homework instead of snacks."
"See? She's fine," I grumbled, though I felt a pang of protectiveness as I looked back at her.
I looked at Jay-jay. Whatever she was about to say was gone now, replaced by the reality of doctors, police statements, and the mess downstairs. But the way she looked at me right before Keiran walked in? That was enough to keep me going for a lifetime.
"Go on, Keiran. Tell the doctor to come up," I said, my voice softening.
As Keiran hurried out, I turned back to Jay-jay for one last second. I leaned down and whispered in her ear, "We're finishing that conversation later. And you better not forget what you were going to say."
I saw her gulp. Mission accomplished.
Now, I just had to make sure the doctor fixed her up perfectly—or I'd have to buy the whole hospital next.
The doctor arrived and immediately started tending to Jay-jay. I stood there, pacing the room like a caged tiger. Every time the cotton swab touched the cut on her lip or the bruise on her cheek and she flinched, I felt my jaw tighten.
"Be careful," I warned for the fifth time, my voice low and dangerous. "Keep your hands steady."
"Sir, I am being as gentle as possible," the doctor replied, wiping sweat from his forehead.
Jay-jay looked like she was trying to be brave, but her eyes were watery and her small hands were clutching the bedsheets so hard her knuckles were white. I couldn't stand seeing her like that. I stepped closer and sat on the edge of the bed beside her.
Immediately, she reached out and grabbed my hand. Her grip was tight, her palm slightly damp, but she held on like I was her only lifeline in a storm. I squeezed back, letting her dig her nails into my skin if she needed to.
After what felt like an eternity, the doctor finally stepped back and began packing his bag.
"The facial wounds are superficial; they'll heal with the ointment I've provided. But her leg..." He paused, looking at the X-ray he'd brought up on his tablet. "The bone isn't broken, but the soft tissue and the ligaments took a heavy hit. It's better to take rest for a few weeks. No walking, no standing for long periods. Strictly bed rest."
My heart sank. A few weeks? Jay-jay can barely stay still for ten minutes without looking for a snack or without yelling at me or keiran
"Weeks?!" Jay-jay squeaked, her voice echoing my thoughts. "But my classes! The exams! Doctor"
"Your health comes first, Ma'am," the doctor said firmly.
I looked at her, my heart aching. I hate that this happened. I hate that she has to suffer because of my family's mess.
"She'll follow your instructions, Doctor," I said, not looking away from her. "I'll make sure of it."
JAY-JAY POV
Weeks? gago! How am I supposed to stay in this bed for weeks? I'll turn into a human potato!
The doctor left after giving Keifer a long list of instructions—probably things like don't let her move and keep her away from stress. As soon as the door closed, I looked at Keifer. He was still holding my hand, staring at my bandaged foot like he wanted to fight the air for hurting me.
"Keifer," I whispered.
"Don't even start, Jay," he said, his voice deep and serious. "You heard him. Bed rest. If I catch you trying to sneak to the kitchen or the school, I'm locking this door."
"But I'll get bored! And who's going to make sure Keiran doesn't accidentally set his room on fire while you're at work?"
Keifer leaned in, his face inches from mine. The soot from the factory was still smudged on his jaw, making him look rugged and tired, but his eyes were so soft it made my breath hitch.
"I'm not going to work," he said.
"What?"
"I'm staying here. With you." He reached up and gently tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear, his thumb grazing my cheek. "I'm going to be your personal assistant. Your nurse. Your delivery guy. Whatever you need, Jay, I'm doing it."
My face heated up.
Personal nurse? Mark Keifer Watson?
I looked at him, feeling that "I love you" from earlier trying to climb back up my throat. He's a billionaire, a CEO, and he just survived a literal fire and a standoff with his father—and all he cares about right now is making sure I have enough sauce for my chicken.
"Keifer?"
"Yeah?"
"You're still a gago," I mumbled, leaning my head against his chest. "But you're a really good one."
He wrapped his arms around me, holding me carefully so he wouldn't hurt my leg. "I know, Jay. I know."
Late that evening, the peace and quiet of the mansion officially died. My brothers—Kuya Angelo, Aries, and Percy—arrived. And when I say arrived, I mean the house felt like it was under a different kind of attack.
"We heard your father visited. Where is Jay?!" Kuya Angelo's voice boomed from the hallway. Even from inside the room, I could hear the protective brother vibe radiating off him like a heatwave.
"Resting," I heard Keifer answer. His voice was calm, but I knew he was probably bracing himself. After all, facing my cousins was almost as scary as facing a board of directors.
I was sitting on the bed with Keiran, trying to look as normal as possible. My face was still puffy, but the room was dim enough that maybe they wouldn't notice.
"Keiran, hand me the blanket," I whispered quickly.
Keiran, who was sitting next to me holding a controller, nodded and handed me the thick duvet. I quickly covered up my bandaged leg, tucking it in tight. I didn't want them to see the bandage.
If Kuya Angelo saw how bad it was, he wouldn't just be mad at Keifer—he'd probably try to enroll Keifer in a how to be an even more protective husband bootcamp, or worse, he'd start a war. I really, really didn't want any more fighting today.
"Don't tell them about the leg yet, okay?" I whispered to Keiran as we pretended to be focused on the video game screen.
"Copy that, Ate," Keiran whispered back, looking nervous.
The bedroom door opened, and the three of them filed in, looking like a squad about to perform an inspection.
KEIFER POV
I stood at the door, watching the three of them swarm into the room. Angelo looked like he was ready to punch someone, Aries looked like he was already planning a counter-strike, and Percy... well, Percy just looked worried.
"Jay-jay," Kuya Angelo said, marching to the side of the bed. He looked her up and down, his eyes narrowing when he saw the bruise on her cheek. "Look at your face. Gago ka ba, Watson? I thought you said you could handle your own family."
I didn't defend myself. I couldn't. "I know," I said, my voice low and heavy. "It happened while I was at the factory."
"Aries, check the security outside," Angelo commanded. "I want to know exactly how many people got in. And Watson? We need to talk. Downstairs. Now."
I looked at Jay-jay. She was huddled under the blanket, holding a controller, trying to give me a "don't worry" look, but her eyes were still a bit shaky.
"She needs to rest, Angelo," I said, staying firm.
"She is resting. You're coming with me," Angelo countered.
JAY-JAY POV
Why is my family so dramatic?
"Kuya, I'm okay! Look, I'm even winning against Keiran!" I lied, shaking the controller. My thumb was hovering over the buttons, but my leg was throbbing so hard I was seeing double.
Aries leaned over and squinted at me. "Jay-jay, why are you wrapped in a blanket like a shawarma? It's not even cold."
"I... I like feeling like a shawarma! It's comforting!" I squeaked.
Keifer looked at me, his eyes filled with that guilt again. He knew I was hiding the injury from them. He looked like he wanted to spill the beans just so my cousins would help him protect me even more, but he also knew I'd be mad if he made the situation even bigger.
"Go, Keifer," I said, trying to sound brave. "Talk to them. I'm just gonna finish this level with Keiran."
As they walked out, Kuya Angelo gave Keifer a look that said 'If she's more hurt than she looks, you're dead meat.'
Once the door closed, I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding.
"Ate," Keiran whispered, looking at the door. "I think Kuya's gonna get scolded. Big time."
"I know," I sighed, pulling the blanket down to look at my leg. "But at least they didn't see the bandage... yet. Keiran, go get me some fries. I need stress-food before the real shouting starts."
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