The deafening cheers finally began to settle down into a hungry buzz as Keifer smoothly slid the colorful, custom-designed ring onto Jay Jay's finger, pinning it perfectly against her skin.
"Time to recharge your energy, marshmallow," Keifer murmured deeply. He reached over to the central table, where a massive, rich chocolate cake sat under the glowing fairy lights. He scooped up a generous, oversized forkful of the decadent dessert.
Jay Jay's eyes instantly widened. The moment the fork neared her face, her dramatic tears vanished. She opened her mouth wide and took the entire bite, her cheeks puffing out like a happy hamster. She chewed with absolute satisfaction, leaning her entire weight against Keifer's expensive black suit jacket.
"Mmmph," Jay Jay hummed happily. A stray smudge of chocolate landed right on her button nose. She stood there, completely pantless under Keifer's yellow shirt, waiting for the next bite like a spoiled princess.
Keifer let out a low, breathless chuckle. He carefully wiped the corner of her lips with his thumb, immediately feeding her another huge piece. "Slow down, wifey. The cake isn't running away."
"Shu' up and keep feeding me," Jay Jay mumbled around her mouthful, sticking her tongue out cutely. "The emotional trauma of looking like a tragic biohazard requires high-calorie compensation!"
The moment the couple took their eyes off the rest of the cake, Section E descended upon the dessert table like a pack of hyperactive, starving wolves.
"Move out of the way, Drew! That corner piece with the extra fudge is mine!" Calix roared, elbowing his brother out of the way so hard he stumbled into a floral arch.
"In your dreams,Calix ! I survived a fake supernatural evacuation for this!" Drew yelled back, aggressively plunging a plastic fork straight into the center of the cake.
"Idiots! Use plates!" Freya hissed, though she was already busy swiping a whole plate of cupcakes for herself.(Freinds , section e effect)🤣
Cin was completely out of control. He was literally rolling on the floor, waving his chocolate-covered bucket hat in the air like a maniac while trying to protect a stolen bowl of frosting. "Back off, Percy! If you touch my chocolate, I will personally curse!"
"Do it, Cin!" Percy shouted, trying to tackle him for the bowl. The entire room erupted into a frenzy of flying frosting, clattering forks, and loud, scandalous whistles as Section E fiercely fought for every single crumb.
While the boys were actively tearing the food table apart, Jay Jay turned her attention back to Keifer, her short-tempered pout returning with full force. She crossed her arms over his loose yellow shirt, clutching her defensive bed pillow tightly.
"You are still a brute gorilla," she mumbled cutely, her voice raspy from crying. "Look at me! You let me look like a literal beggar on the biggest day of my life! Why didn't you give me a hint? Just a small hint so I could wear a designer gown!"
"Because you look perfect like this, marshmallow," Keifer replied smoothly, his large hands resting securely on her waist.
"No, I don't!" Jay Jay stomped her bare foot fiercely against the floor. "My hair is a bird's nest! If this goes on social media, the Mariano CEO's reputation is ruined! You did this on purpose so nobody else would look at me!"
"Exactly," Keifer growled softly, a smug, triumphant smirk breaking across his handsome face. He leaned down, pressing his forehead against hers. "You are completely mine. Chocolate smudges, wild hair, and all."
"Fine! But tomorrow, you are buying me a multi-million dollar wardrobe compensation package. Deal?"
"Deal, wifey," he murmured, kissing the crown of her head.
The teasing, playful atmosphere instantly evaporated. As Keifer approached, his posture straightened, his eyes turning laser-focused.
The soft fiancé vanished, replaced by the ruthless, devastatingly handsome tycoon of the Watson Empire.
"Sir Jasper. Angelo," Keifer spoke, his deep voice dropping into a low, heavy register—the commanding voice of a true executive.
Jasper Mariano looked at his future son-in-law, his expression strict but deeply proud.
"You pulled off a chaotic stunt, Keifer. But I see the security measures you put in place around the perimeter."
"Never when it comes to her, sir," Keifer replied formally, his tone dripping with absolute authority and unyielding devotion. "The paperwork for the asset merger between our family branches is already finalized. My shares are legally bound to her name as of tonight."
Angelo stepped forward, his sharp CEO voice cutting through the remaining noise. "We checked the security protocols you ran for the evacuation prank, Keifer. Clean execution. But remember, she is a Mariano. If your corporate empire ever causes her a single tear that isn't from happiness, the Mariano Group will pull every single contract we share."
"That won't be necessary," Keifer answered coldly, a dangerous but respectful fire in his dark eyes. "I would burn my own empire to the ground before I let anyone, including myself, hurt her. She is entirely protected under my jurisdiction."
Jasper nodded slowly, a small, approving smirk on his face. "Good. Then the alliance is official."
"Oh, look at you three!"
A sharp, cute, and highly irritated squeal cut right through their serious conversation. Jay Jay marched over, her bare feet stomping loudly as her yellow shirt fluttered. She pointed a trembling finger at the three powerful businessmen.
"Are you serious right now?!" Jay Jay pouted fiercely, her short-tempered aura flaring right back up. "This is my proposal night! Can you corporate robots stop doing business and discussing market mergers for five minutes? You are doing work here also! I am standing right here looking like a pantless biohazard, and you three are holding a board meeting!"
Jasper coughs into his hand, instantly looking guilty. Angelo clears his throat, shifting his gaze away from his fierce little sister.
Keifer's hard, executive expression completely melted the second he looked down at her. A soft, breathless chuckle escaped his lips as he tightly wrapped his large, protective arms securely around her waist, shielding her from the room once again. "We are done with business, marshmallow. No more corporate talk."
The high from the sugar hit and the intense emotional rollercoaster finally caught up to her. Jay Jay let out a massive, jaw-cracking yawn. Her eyelids grew incredibly heavy, and her fierce aura completely dissolved into pure, childlike exhaustion.
"Keifer..." Jay Jay whimpered cutely, her voice dropping into a raspy, sleepy whine. She dropped her defensive pillow and buried her face directly into the crook of his neck, her small hands clutching his suit jacket. "I'm sleepy. My brain is turning into chocolate mush."
"I've got you, marshmallow," Keifer murmured, his voice softening into a protective whisper.
Without a single care for the shouting Section E who were still throwing cake crumbs at each other, Keifer slid his large arms under her knees and back. He lifted her fragile, pantless frame effortlessly into a bridal carry. Jay Jay immediately curled into his chest, letting out a soft, satisfied sniffle.
He carried her out of the noisy, chaotic floral room, walking down the quiet hallway toward her bedroom. The moment he laid her down on the soft mattress, Jay Jay groaned lightly, turning to hug her blanket tightly.
Keifer knelt by the bedside, gently brushing the wild, messy strands of hair away from her face. He looked at the colorful, detailed ring shining on her small finger, a wave of pure peace washing over him. He leaned down, placing a soft, lingering kiss on her forehead.
"Goodnight, my beautiful little beggar," he whispered into the quiet room. "You're finally mine."