Chapter: Honey Bee Ryder and the Boob Apology
(AUTHOR'S POV)
The day started like any other.
Sun shining.
Birds singing.
Jay waking up in Keifer's arms.
Perfect.
Until it wasn't.
---
Watson Corporation – Keifer's Office
Jay sat on the couch in Keifer's office, scrolling through her phone while waiting for her husband to finish a meeting.
She loved visiting him here.
Loved watching him work.
Loved being Mrs. Watson.
The door opened.
But it wasn't Keifer.
A woman walked in.
Blonde.
Perfect hair.
Perfect makeup.
Perfect suit.
And a smile that made Jay's eye twitch instantly.
"Hello," the woman said smoothly. "Is Mr. Watson available?"
Jay sat up straighter.
"He's in a meeting."
The woman nodded.
"I'll wait."
She sat on the opposite couch.
Crossed her legs.
Pulled out a file.
Started reading.
Jay watched her.
Something about this woman—
Familiar.
Too familiar.
Then it hit her.
Honey Bee Ryder.
The personal lawyer.
The one from that dinner six years ago.
The one who had—
Jay's blood boiled.
She remembered everything.
That dinner.
Keifer's business meeting.
Honey Bee sitting too close.
Laughing too loud.
Touching his arm too much.
And then—
The punch.
Jay had punched her right in her perfect nose.
Honey Bee had screamed.
Blood everywhere.
Chaos.
And now—
She was here.
In Keifer's office.
Waiting for him.
Jay's hands clenched.
Honey Bee looked up.
Noticed Jay staring.
Smiled sweetly.
"Do I know you?"
Jay stood.
Walked toward her.
Stopped right in front.
"Look closely."
Honey Bee studied her face.
Then—
Recognition.
Eyes widening.
"You—"
"YOU'RE THE ONE WHO—"
Jay smiled.
Cold.
Dangerous.
"Remember now?"
Honey Bee stood quickly.
Backed away.
"Your nose healed nicely," Jay said.
"Too bad."
Honey Bee touched her nose instinctively.
"What are you doing here?"
Jay crossed her arms.
"I'm his wife."
Honey Bee blinked.
"His— wife?"
"Yes."
"Mrs. Watson."
"Jay Watson."
The color drained from Honey Bee's face.
"I didn't— I mean— I'm just here for work—"
Jay stepped closer.
"Good."
"Because if I see you touching my husband—"
"Laughing at his jokes—"
"Sitting too close—"
She smiled sweetly.
"Your nose won't be the only thing broken."
Honey Bee grabbed her files.
Backed toward the door.
"I'll— I'll reschedule—"
"Good idea."
Honey Bee fled.
The door slammed behind her.
Jay stood there.
Breathing hard.
Hands shaking.
Not from fear.
From anger.
From jealousy.
From—
The door opened again.
Keifer walked in.
Smiling.
"Hey wifey, meeting's do—"
He stopped.
Looked at her face.
Looked at the empty couch.
Looked back at her.
"What happened?"
Jay crossed her arms.
"Honey Bee Ryder."
Keifer blinked.
"What?"
"Your personal lawyer."
"Honey Bee?"
"She was here."
"Waiting for you."
Keifer's eyes widened.
"Is that— is that blood on the floor?"
"There's no blood."
"Yet."
Keifer stepped closer.
"Jay—"
"Don't 'Jay' me."
"She sat on your couch."
"Like she owned it."
"Like she owned you."
Keifer reached for her.
She stepped back.
"I need space."
"Jay—"
"I'm going to Kuya Angelo's."
She grabbed her bag.
Walked out.
Leaving Keifer standing there.
Stunned.
Alone.
---
Angelo's House – The Living Room
The house was full.
Aries and Percy were arguing about something stupid on the couch.
Tita Gemma was in the kitchen helping with food.
Tito Rachel was reading the newspaper, ignoring the chaos.
Kuya Angelo was at the dining table, reviewing documents.
Normal afternoon.
Until—
The front door slammed open.
Everyone turned.
Jay walked in.
Didn't look at anyone.
Didn't say hello.
Didn't acknowledge them at all.
Walked straight to the stairs.
Up to her room.
Door slammed.
Silence.
Aries blinked.
"What just happened?"
Percy stared at the stairs.
"Was that Jay?"
Tita Gemma peeked out from the kitchen.
"Did she just ignore us?"
Tito Rachel lowered his newspaper.
"Something's wrong."
Angelo stood up.
Frowned.
"I'll check—"
Before he could move—
Another door slammed.
The front door.
Keifer walked in.
Looking panicked.
Looking desperate.
Looking like a man who had just lost everything.
Aries immediately stood up.
Grinned.
"HEY IDIOT! WHAT DID YOU DO THIS TIME?"
Percy joined.
"Yeah! Spill!"
Keifer stopped.
Looked at them.
Eyes dark.
Voice cold.
"Shut up, you asholes."
The room went silent.
Aries blinked.
Percy's jaw dropped.
Tita Gemma gasped.
Tito Rachel raised an eyebrow.
Angelo crossed his arms.
Keifer ignored them all.
Walked straight to the stairs.
Up to their room.
---
Upstairs – Jay and Keifer's Room
Keifer opened the door.
Jay was sitting on the bed.
Back to him.
Arms crossed.
Not looking.
He walked in.
Closed the door behind him.
"Jay."
Silence.
"Wifey."
Nothing.
He walked closer.
Sat on the bed beside her.
Reached for her hand.
She pulled away.
"Jay, please."
"Look at me."
She didn't move.
He took a breath.
"About Honey Bee—"
"She's just a lawyer."
"I don't even like her."
"I barely remember her."
Still silence.
"I didn't know she was coming."
"Sarah must have scheduled it."
"I would never—"
"She means nothing to me."
"Nothing."
Jay finally spoke.
Voice cold.
"She was sitting on your couch."
"Like she belonged there."
"Like she belonged with you."
Keifer's heart broke.
"She doesn't belong anywhere near me."
"The only person who belongs with me—"
"Is you."
"Only you."
Jay's shoulders softened slightly.
But she didn't turn.
Keifer tried again.
"Jay, I'm sorry."
"I'm so sorry."
"I didn't know she'd be there."
"I didn't invite her."
"If I had known—"
"I would have stopped it."
"Would have sent her away."
"Would have—"
His voice cracked.
Tears formed.
He tried to hold them back.
Failed.
"I can't lose you," he whispered.
"Not again."
"Not over someone who means nothing."
"Please."
"Please look at me."
Jay heard it.
The crack in his voice.
The tears.
She turned slowly.
And saw him.
Crying.
Her strong husband.
Crying.
Her heart shattered.
"Keifer—"
He wiped his eyes quickly.
"I'm sorry."
"I'm so sorry."
"I'll fire her."
"I'll never see her again."
"Whatever you want."
"Just—"
"Please don't be angry."
"Please don't leave."
Jay stared at him.
At his tears.
At his desperation.
At his love.
Something shifted inside her.
The jealousy faded.
The anger softened.
And something else—
Took over.
She reached out.
Pulled him closer.
He fell into her arms.
Buried his face in her neck.
Crying.
Holding her like she might disappear.
"Shh," she whispered.
"I'm here."
"I'm not leaving."
He looked up.
Eyes red.
"You're not?"
She shook her head.
"No."
"But—"
She pulled her sleeve down.
Just enough.
Just one shoulder.
Just enough for what she wanted.
His eyes widened.
"Jay—"
She took his hand.
Guided him.
Pulled him closer.
Then—
She put one breast into his mouth.
Keifer froze.
Jay looked at him.
"Sorry accepted."
His eyes widened more.
"What—"
She smiled.
"Now stop crying."
"And make me feel better."
He didn't need to be told twice.
---
Later – Jay Comes Downstairs Alone
An hour later.
Jay walked down the stairs.
Hair slightly messy.
Smile slightly satisfied.
Walking slightly differently.
Everyone was still in the living room.
Waiting.
Watching.
The moment she appeared—
Aries jumped up.
"JAY!"
Percy ran over.
"WHAT HAPPENED?!"
Tita Gemma rushed from the kitchen.
"Are you okay, anak?!"
Tito Rachel lowered his newspaper.
Finally interested.
Angelo walked toward her.
Concerned.
"What happened, Jay?"
Jay waved her hand.
"Nothing."
Aries blinked.
"NOTHING?!"
"You stormed in here like a hurricane!"
"Didn't even say hello!"
Percy nodded.
"IGNORED US COMPLETELY!"
Jay shrugged.
"I was mad."
Tita Gemma grabbed her hands.
"At Keifer?"
"What did he do?"
Jay sighed.
"His personal lawyer showed up."
"The one I hate."
"The one I punched six years ago."
Aries gasped.
"HONEY BEE?!"
Percy's eyes widened.
"THE NOSE PUNCH WOMAN?!"
Tita Gemma covered her mouth.
"Oh dear."
Tito Rachel nodded slowly.
"That woman was trouble."
Angelo frowned.
"What was she doing there?"
Jay waved her hand.
"Work stuff."
"Apparently."
"But I wasn't happy."
Aries pointed.
"OBVIOUSLY!"
"You looked ready to kill someone!"
Percy added.
"More than usual!"
Tita Gemma hugged her.
"But you're okay now?"
Jay smiled.
"I'm okay now."
Tito Rachel raised an eyebrow.
"And Keifer?"
Jay's smile widened.
"He's... resting."
Aries choked.
"RESTING?!"
Percy grabbed his chest.
"WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?!"
Angelo coughed.
"Maybe we don't need details."
Tita Gemma covered her ears.
"I don't want to know!"
Tito Rachel laughed.
"I do."
---
Keifer Comes Downstairs
Twenty minutes later.
Keifer walked down the stairs.
Slowly.
Hair messy.
Shirt slightly untucked.
Looking exhausted.
But satisfied.
Very satisfied.
The moment he appeared—
Aries jumped him.
"KEIFER!"
"WHAT DID YOU DO?!"
Percy joined.
"HOW DID YOU FIX IT?!"
Keifer pushed them away.
"None of your business."
Aries gasped.
"IT IS OUR BUSINESS!"
"We're your brothers!"
Percy nodded.
"Family!"
"We need to know!"
Keifer walked past them.
Toward the kitchen.
Toward Jay.
Aries followed.
"TELL US!"
Percy followed.
"DETAILS!"
Keifer ignored them.
Reached Jay.
Kissed her forehead.
"Okay, wifey?"
She smiled.
"Okay, hubby."
Aries gagged.
"WIFEY AND HUBBY?!"
Percy grabbed his chest.
"THAT'S DISGUSTINGLY CUTE!"
Angelo laughed.
Tita Gemma smiled.
Tito Rachel raised his glass.
"To young love."
Aries pointed at Keifer.
"BUT SERIOUSLY!"
"What did you do?!"
"How did you fix it?!"
Keifer looked at him.
Calm.
Deadpan.
"I apologized."
Aries blinked.
"That's it?!"
Percy shook his head.
"NO WAY!"
"Apologizing doesn't fix that level of mad!"
Keifer shrugged.
"She accepted."
Aries stared.
Percy stared.
"How?!"
Keifer looked at Jay.
She looked at him.
Same thought.
Same memory.
Same satisfied smile.
"Private," they said together.
Aries screamed.
"THIS IS SO UNFAIR!"
Percy grabbed a pillow.
Threw it at them.
They dodged.
Laughed.
Aries pointed at Angelo.
"KUYA! MAKE THEM TELL US!"
Angelo shook his head.
"I'm not getting involved."
Percy turned to Tita Gemma.
"TITA!"
She waved her hand.
"I don't want details about my nephew's—"
She stopped.
Shuddered.
"Just no."
Tito Rachel laughed harder.
Keifer pulled Jay closer.
Kissed her head.
"Love you, wifey."
She smiled.
"Love you too, hubby."
Aries fake gagged.
Percy fake vomited.
Angelo just laughed.
Because this—
This chaos.
This family.
This love.
Was exactly how it should be.
---
The Argument – Brothers vs Keifer
Later that evening.
Everyone was in the living room.
Eating.
Laughing.
Normal.
Until Aries couldn't help himself.
"SO, KEIFER."
Keifer looked up.
"What?"
Aries grinned.
"Explain yourself."
"Properly."
"How did you mess up so badly?"
Percy nodded.
"Details, please."
Keifer sighed.
"I already explained."
Aries shook his head.
"No."
"You said 'lawyer showed up.'"
"That's not an explanation."
Percy agreed.
"We need the FULL story."
Keifer looked at Jay.
She shrugged.
"Go ahead."
"Entertain them."
Keifer turned back to them.
Took a breath.
"Honey Bee Ryder."
"My personal lawyer."
"She showed up unannounced."
"Sat in my office."
"Waiting for me."
Aries gasped.
"THE NOSE PUNCH WOMAN?!"
Percy's eyes widened.
"THE ONE JAY DESTROYED?!"
Keifer nodded.
"The same."
Tito Rachel leaned forward.
"That woman is trouble."
Tita Gemma nodded.
"I never liked her."
Angelo frowned.
"Why was she there?"
Keifer shrugged.
"Work stuff."
"Apparently."
"Sarah must have scheduled it."
Aries pointed.
"And Jay saw her?!"
Keifer nodded.
"And Jay saw her."
Percy grabbed his chest.
"OH NO."
Aries shook his head.
"OH NO NO NO."
Tita Gemma covered her mouth.
"What happened?"
Keifer looked at Jay.
She smiled sweetly.
"I may have threatened her."
Aries gasped.
"WHAT DID YOU SAY?!"
Jay's smile widened.
"That if she touched my husband—"
"Laughed at his jokes—"
"Sat too close—"
"Her nose wouldn't be the only thing broken."
Tita Gemma gasped.
Tito Rachel laughed.
Angelo choked on his drink.
Aries screamed.
"THAT'S MY SISTER!"
Percy cheered.
"THAT'S SO COLD!"
Keifer looked at Jay.
Proud.
"So scary."
She shrugged.
"She deserved it."
Aries pointed at Keifer.
"AND YOU?!"
"What did YOU do?!"
Keifer blinked.
"Me?"
"YES YOU!"
"This is YOUR fault!"
Percy nodded.
"YOUR lawyer!"
"YOUR office!"
"YOUR mess!"
Keifer crossed his arms.
"I didn't invite her."
"Doesn't matter!"
"She works for YOU!"
Keifer opened his mouth.
Closed it.
Opened it again.
"That's— actually fair."
Aries gasped.
"DID HE JUST ADMIT DEFEAT?!"
Percy grabbed his chest.
"HISTORIC MOMENT!"
Angelo laughed.
Tita Gemma smiled.
Tito Rachel raised his glass.
"To character growth."
Keifer glared at them.
"Shut up."
Aries grinned.
"NO!"
"THIS IS TOO GOOD!"
Percy nodded.
"KEIFER WATSON ADMITTED HE WAS WRONG!"
"MARK THIS DAY!"
Keifer stood.
Walked toward them.
They backed away.
Laughing.
Running.
Chaos.
Jay watched.
Smiling.
Because this—
This was family.
---
The End of the Night
Everyone finally settled.
Tita Gemma and Tito Rachel went home.
Angelo retired to his room.
Aries and Percy passed out on the couches.
And Keifer and Jay—
They sat on the back porch.
Looking at the stars.
Hand in hand.
"Today was wild," Jay said.
Keifer laughed.
"Very wild."
She leaned against him.
"I'm sorry I stormed off."
He kissed her head.
"Don't apologize."
"You had every right."
She looked up.
"Still."
"I should have let you explain."
He touched her face.
"You did."
"Eventually."
She smiled.
"After you cried."
He groaned.
"Don't remind me."
She laughed.
"Never."
"Best memory."
He pulled her closer.
"Love you, wifey."
She kissed his cheek.
"Love you too, hubby."
"Forever?"
"Forever."
And the stars watched over them.
As always.
The end.
(For now.)