Chapter: Rehearsal Disaster & The Problem Called Keifer
(Jay's POV)
Rehearsal was supposed to be simple.
Simple.
We were just practicing a FAMILY PLAY.
A wholesome. Respectable. Educational. Family. Play.
Then why is my "husband" staring at me like I owe him three lifetimes of romance?
"Okay positions!" Rory shouted like he was directing a million-dollar film instead of our chaotic section.
I stood center stage — arms crossed — trying to look like a responsible mother of three grown children.
Keifer stood beside me.
Too close.
Way too close.
"Papa, stand properly," Felix said, already in character. "You look like you're about to propose again."
The entire section laughed.
Keif leaned down slightly and whispered, "Maybe I am."
I elbowed him immediately.
"Control yourself, Mark Keifer Watson. This is rehearsal. Not your personal love documentary."
He smirked.
That smirk.
That illegal, confidence-loaded, stupidly attractive smirk.
Ci N walked between us dramatically. "Mom, Dad, stop fighting. The neighbors are watching."
Mayo yelled from the back, "They always fight before romantic scenes!"
"I will throw this script at your face," I warned.
Freya — our dramatic daughter — clutched her fake pearls. "Mama, why are you blushing?"
"I am not blushing."
"You are glowing red like tomato sauce," Rakki added.
I turned to Keif. "This is your fault."
He leaned closer again. "What did I do this time, jealousy Jay?"
"Breathe," I snapped. "You're breathing too close."
He grinned.
Oh. My. God.
The Romantic Scene Practice
Rory clapped loudly. "Okay! Scene 5! Parents have emotional moment while children fight over inheritance!"
Blaster immediately shouted, "I WANT THE HOUSE!"
Kit screamed, "I WANT THE CAR!"
Denzel, playing Grandpa, smacked the air. "None of you deserve anything!"
Grace dramatically fanned herself. "This family is falling apart!"
Meanwhile…
It was me and Keif center stage.
Script says:
Papa holds Mama's hands and comforts her.
I looked at the script.
Then at him.
Then back at the script.
Then back at him.
"Don't even think about adding extra," I warned.
"Me?" He looked offended. "I am a professional actor."
"Professional flirt."
He ignored that and gently reached for my hands.
My stupid heart.
Why does it beat louder during rehearsal than exams?
He lowered his voice — only for me.
"Jay."
I swallowed. "What."
"You're trembling."
"I'm not."
"You are."
"That's because your hands are cold."
"Liar."
Behind us, Erdix whispered loudly, "They forgot we exist."
Felix clapped slowly. "Oscar performance."
I glared. "Focus on your fake wife, Felix."
Aya from Section A waved dramatically. "My husband is loyal, unlike some fathers."
Everyone: "OHHHHHHH."
Keif leaned closer, whispering, "See? Even the kids are attacking me."
"You deserve it."
"For what?"
"For being… you."
He smiled softly this time. Not teasing. Not arrogant.
Soft.
Dangerous soft.
Script said:
Papa gently wipes Mama's tears.
I didn't even realize I looked emotional until his thumb brushed lightly near my cheek — barely touching.
The entire section went silent.
Mayo whispered, "Bro…"
Ci N: "Dad is winning."
Aries from the side: "If he makes her cry for real, I'm ending rehearsal."
Ella giggled. "He won't. Look at his face."
I looked up.
And he was looking at me like—
Nope.
Nope.
Abort feelings.
I stepped back immediately.
"Enough. Scene over."
Rory shouted, "IT WAS NOT OVER."
"It is now."
Keif grabbed my wrist gently — not forceful — just enough to stop me from walking.
"Jay. Stay in character."
"I am in character."
"No. You're running."
"I don't run."
"You do. From me."
The section went:
"OHHHHHHHHHH."
Josh: "Papa exposing Mama."
I turned around slowly. "If you don't release my hand, I will rewrite this script and make you the dead husband."
He laughed quietly. "Scary."
"Very."
But he didn't let go immediately.
And that tiny moment felt too real.
Chaos Mode Activated
Freya suddenly jumped between us. "Okay! Romantic tension achieved! Moving on!"
Rakki pushed Ci N toward her. "Husband, defend me!"
Ci N puffed his chest. "I protect my wife!"
Felix yelled, "I demand respect from this family!"
Blaster fell dramatically on the floor for no reason.
Mayo started playing sad background music from his phone.
Eren: "Why is this rehearsal better than Netflix?"
Erdix walked past us whispering, "Freya's boyfriend is emotionally stable. Unlike some fathers."
I gasped dramatically. "How dare you."
Keif leaned toward Erdix. "Say that again."
I quickly stepped between them. "No fighting. You are fictional characters."
Denzel clapped loudly. "GRANDPARENTS ARE DISAPPOINTED."
Grace added, "But Mama and Papa chemistry is strong."
I choked. "Grandma, please."
The Almost Moment
We had one final scene to rehearse.
The ending.
Where the family reunites.
Script says:
Papa pulls Mama close as the family cheers.
I looked at Keif.
He looked at me.
"You behave," I warned quietly.
He whispered back, "I always behave."
"You absolutely do not."
He stepped closer anyway.
Arm around my waist — but respectful. Firm. Supportive.
My brain short-circuited.
The section started clapping and cheering dramatically.
"Familyyyyy!" Rory yelled.
Felix: "My parents are in love!"
Ci N: "Group hug!"
Suddenly everyone rushed toward us.
Rakki. Freya. Felix. Ci N. Erdix. Calix. Mayo. Kit. Blaster. Josh. Drew. Eren. Emman. Denzel. Grace.
We collapsed into one chaotic group hug.
Someone stepped on my shoe.
Someone pulled my hair.
Someone screamed.
In the middle of all that chaos—
Keif leaned slightly toward my ear and whispered softly so only I could hear:
"You know this is fake, right?"
"Obviously."
"But what I feel isn't."
My heart stopped.
I pulled away slightly, staring at him.
"Don't start," I warned.
"I'm not starting. I'm reminding."
"Of what?"
"That even in chaos… I'm still on your side."
Why is he like this.
Why can't he just be annoying.
Why does he have to be sweet at the wrong time.
Before I could reply—
Freya shouted, "Mama and Papa, stop staring romantically!"
Mayo yelled, "They're having private moment!"
Ci N dramatically covered his eyes. "Children are present!"
I pushed Keif lightly. "See what you did."
He smirked. "Worth it."
I rolled my eyes.
But my hand didn't move away from his arm.
And unfortunately—
He noticed.
And smiled.
And I pretended I didn't care.
Even though I did.
Very much.