JAY JAY POV
"Let's go," Keifer said, his voice leaving no room for argument.
"Where?" I asked him, blinking through my exhaustion.
"Home. Your brother Angelo already punched me twice because he said I let you go. Keiran and Keigan have been silent for months, and that's even worse than them talking," he explained, his eyes softening as they swept over me again. "I'm not letting you spend another night in this tiny apartment alone."
I leaned my back against the wall, feeling the weight of the day and the eight-month-old passenger in my belly. My feet were throbbing. "Can we go tomorrow? I'm so tired, Keifer. I don't think I can survive a three-state car ride right now."
He sighed, but nodded immediately. "Fine. But I'm not leaving your side."
I went to my room to grab a fresh pair of oversized pajamas to change into. When I stepped back out into the small hallway a few minutes later, I nearly tripped over my own feet.
Keifer was standing there in nothing but his black boxers, searching for something in his travel bag.
"KEIFER!" I yelled, my face exploding into a deep shade of crimson.
He looked up, completely unbothered, his muscles rippling as he straightened his back. "What?" he asked, looking at me with total innocence.
"Wear something! Gago! Why are you walking around like that?" I said, quickly slamming my hands over my eyes to block out the view. Even after all this time, seeing him like that still made my heart do a frantic gymnastics routine in my chest.
I felt the air shift as he stepped closer. I didn't have to see him to know he was right in front of me; I could feel the heat radiating from his skin.
"One, I didn't bring a suitcase, Jay. I literally drove like a maniac the second we got the lead. I don't have any clothes," he said, his voice dropping into that low, silky tone that always made me weak in the knees.
I felt his hand gently grip my wrist, pulling my hand away from my face. I squinted one eye open. He was inches away, a mischievous glint in his dark eyes.
"Two," he whispered, leaning down so his breath fanned over my lips. "It's not like you haven't seen me without clothes before. In case you forgot, that's exactly how we ended up with a surprise guest in your stomach."
I felt the heat rush to my ears as I shoved his bare chest with my palms. He didn't even budge; it was like trying to push a brick wall.
"Keifer! You're shameless!" I hissed, though I couldn't stop the small smile from pulling at my lips.
He laughed, a rich, genuine sound that I had missed so much it ached. He wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling my bump flush against him. "I'm just a man who missed his wife. Now, go to sleep. I'll stay right here."
I let out a huff, but I didn't pull away. Being back in his arms felt like the first time I'd truly breathed in eight months.
"Fine," I murmured, leaning my head against his shoulder. "But if the delivery guy actually shows up with my cake, you are putting a shirt on before you answer the door."
"Deal," he whispered, kissing the top of my head. "But only if you share the cake."
Finally, the doorbell rang again. My cake! I practically waddled to the door, my stomach leading the way.
"Here you go, ma'am," the delivery woman said. She was smiling as she held out the box, but as soon as I reached for it, her smile faltered. Her eyes went wide, drifting toward the space behind me.
I realized then that she wasn't looking at the money in my hand anymore. She was staring—mouth slightly open—at the semi-naked, muscular billionaire who was currently haunting my hallway.
"Hello? Sis, can I have my cake?" I asked, waving the bills in front of her face. She didn't even blink.
"Jay-Jay," Keifer called out from right behind me.
"What?" I asked, turning my head to look at him.
Gago. He was leaning against the doorframe, still in just his boxers, arms crossed over his chest so his biceps were practically screaming for attention. He looked like he'd stepped straight off a billboard for luxury underwear, except he had that grumpy "don't-touch-my-wife" look on his face.
"You're letting the cold air in," he said, his voice dropping into that deep, possessive register. He didn't even acknowledge the poor woman who looked like she was about to faint.
"I'm trying to get the cake! But you're distracting the delivery service!" I hissed at him.
Keifer stepped forward, reaching over my head to take the cake box from the woman's frozen hands. His bare chest was inches from my face as he leaned out.
"Keep the change," he told her, his voice cold and dismissing.
The woman stumbled back, nodded furiously, and practically ran toward the elevator without saying another word.
"Keifer! You probably just gave that woman a heart attack!" I yelled, turning around as he closed the door with his foot.
"She was staring at what's mine," he muttered, settting the cake box on the small dining table. He looked at me, his gaze softening as it landed on my bump again. "And I don't like sharing, especially when I've already lost eight months of time."
He walked back over to me, wrapping his arms around me from behind, his large palms resting comfortably on the top of my stomach.
"Now," he whispered into my hair. "Where are the forks? If I'm going to be a father to a boy who takes after my 'intensity,' I need to make sure he's well-fed."
"It's a girl, Keifer! And you're still shameless!" I laughed, leaning my head back against his shoulder.
The apartment was small, and my life was currently a mess of hidden passports and unfinished plans, but with the weight of him against my back and the scent of chocolate cake in the air, for the first time in a long time, everything felt right. No more running. No more Finland. Just us.
After finishing almost half the cake—mostly me, while Keifer watched with that amused "how-can-you-eat-that-much" look—we finally crawled into my small bed.
He wrapped his arms tightly around my waist from behind, his chest pressed flush against my back. Because of my huge bump, I had to sleep on my side, so I hiked one of my legs over his. It was the only way I could get comfortable without feeling like an overturned turtle.
"Your feet are like ice, Jay," Keifer whispered, his voice vibrating through my spine. He didn't pull away, though. Instead, he rubbed his shins against my calves to warm me up.
"Blame the baby. All my blood is busy in there," I mumbled, snuggling deeper into the pillow.
I felt his hand slide over my stomach, resting right where the baby was moving. The little one gave a sharp kick, hitting Keifer's palm directly. I felt Keifer stiffen for a second, his breath hitching.
"He's strong," Keifer murmured, his voice thick with an emotion he usually tried to hide. "Must be restless because he's in such a small room. Don't worry, kid. Tomorrow we're going back to the mansion. You'll have a whole wing to yourself."
"She," I corrected sleepily. "And she's restless because her dad is a loud-talking billionaire who won't let us sleep."
Keifer let out a soft huff of a laugh and kissed my shoulder. "Go to sleep, Jay. I'm right here. I'm not going anywhere. If that coward Jason even thinks about showing up, he'll have to get through the entire Watson security detail I called while you were eating cake."
I froze for a second. "You called security already?"
"They're sitting in three black SUVs outside your apartment complex right now. No one enters this floor without my permission," he said, his tone turning cold and business-like for a moment. But then he softened, pulling me even closer. "Rest, Jay-Jay. You've been running for eight months. The race is over."
I closed my eyes, the familiar warmth of his body finally silencing the fear that had been my constant companion. I didn't think about the three states we had to cross tomorrow, or the scolding I'd get from Kuya Angelo. I just listened to the steady, rhythmic beat of Keifer's heart.
Gago. I really missed this. Even the bossy parts. Especially the bossy parts.
"Keifer?" I whispered into the dark.
"Hmm?"
"Don't let go. Even if I kick you in my sleep."
He tightened his grip, his hand splayed protectively over our child. "I'm never letting go again, Jay."
I smiled to myself, drifting off to the best sleep I'd had in a very, very long time.
NEXT DAY
The next morning, the sun was barely up and Keifer was already in full "Commander" mode. I watched him on his phone, pacing the small living room as his security team started loading my one and only suitcase into a black SUV.
"You called Kuya Angelo, didn't you?" I asked, leaning against the doorframe of the kitchen, clutching a piece of toast.
Keifer stopped pacing and looked at me, tucking his phone into his pocket. He didn't even look guilty. He just nodded firmly. "He's been out of his mind, Jay. I had to let him know you were safe. And that I found you."
I felt my heart sink, imagining the lecture waiting for me. "You know I would kill you right now for that, but I don't want the baby to grow up fatherless," I said, giving him my best glare.
Keifer actually smirked, walking over to me and taking the half-eaten toast out of my hand so he could pull me into his arms. "I'll take the risk. Angelo's punch is nothing compared to another night without you."
"Gago," I muttered, but I didn't pull away. "He's going to shout so loud the neighbors in the next province will hear him. And Aries and Percy? I'm going to be grounded until I'm eighty."
"Not if you're with me," Keifer murmured, his hands resting on my bump. "I've already told them you're coming back to the mansion. My house, my rules. Even your brothers have to pass through my security now."
"You're so bossy," I complained
"I'm protective," he corrected. He leaned down, his eyes softening as he looked at my stomach. "And since my son is clearly a fighter, I have to make sure the environment is secure."
"It's a girl! Stop calling her a 'he'!" I argued, poking his chest.
Keifer just laughed and kissed my forehead. "We'll see, Jay. But for now, let's get you home. I have a nursery to build and a rival to handle. And since you're eating for two now, I've already ordered a five-course meal to be waiting for us when we cross the state line."
I perked up at the mention of food. "Five courses?"
"Everything you've missed," he promised. "Including the expensive chocolate cake that isn't from a local delivery app."
I sighed, finally letting go of my annoyance. Being a billionaire's wife had its perks, especially when I was this hungry. "Fine. But if Kuya Angelo tries to shave your head for taking me away, I am not stopping him."
"Deal," Keifer said, leading me out of the apartment. He held my hand so tightly it was like he was afraid I'd turn into smoke if he let go for even a second.
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Okay guys… I quit being an Ashdres fan because Andres liked Kai's pics but not Ash 😭💀
Yup, you heard me loud and clear 😌✨
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And if that alone makes you switch sides, then sorry‑not‑sorry… you were never a real Ashdres fan 😭🔥
Andres is an actor AND a human. He doesn't deserve all the hate he's getting from "keepers" and solo fans 😒
Yeah, we're tired of waiting for Ashdres crumbs, but losing hope over one Instagram like? Be serious 💀✨
People are mad he didn't post a birthday greeting — meanwhile he could've wished her privately. Not everything needs to be public 💬💙
And about Kai's post… it wasn't even on her birthday. It was from the 17th. I checked. Math exists 😭🧮✨
Frost and Sarah unfollowing each other? Sad, yes. But they're humans. Things happen. Don't lose hope 😔💔
This year has been rough for Ashdres and Frosa fans, but hating Andres or Ash won't fix anything. They both deserve peace 💙🤍
Ashdres is real — but if it isn't, we can't force it.
And if it is real (which it is), we're the ones ruining it with stupid assumptions 💔✨