Chapter 10: Better Hated Than Dead
Mariano Enterprises Boardroom
New York City
(Jay-jay's POV)
The boardroom looked calm.
But the atmosphere felt like a battlefield.
Executives from Mariano Enterprises sat on one side of the long glass table.
Across from them sat the representatives of Watson Enterprises.
Between them were contracts, tablets, and financial reports.
And tension thick enough to cut with a knife.
At the head of the table sat Jaspfher Mariano.
To his right—
Me.
Across the table—
Keifer Watson.
He hadn't looked away from me since the meeting started.
Not once.
It was subtle.
Controlled.
But I could feel it.
Watching.
Analyzing.
Judging.
Good.
Let him.
I stood and tapped the screen behind me.
A large map appeared showing international shipping routes.
"Mariano Enterprises currently controls forty percent of Pacific logistics," I began calmly.
"Our expansion strategy focuses on high-efficiency ports rather than high-volume ports."
Several Watson executives nodded slightly.
Keifer didn't.
He just leaned back in his chair.
Studying me.
I continued.
"If Watson Enterprises partners with us, we can increase global trade flow by eighteen percent within three years."
One of their advisors spoke.
"Your projections assume market stability."
"They assume controlled risk," I corrected.
He nodded.
But then another voice interrupted.
Cool.
Calm.
Sharp.
"Your numbers are optimistic."
The room turned toward the speaker.
Of course.
It was Keifer.
I met his gaze without hesitation.
"Optimistic isn't inaccurate."
His expression didn't change.
"Your Manila hub proposal increases vulnerability to regional instability."
There it was.
A challenge.
I folded my arms slightly.
"Only if you assume outdated trade patterns."
Some executives glanced between us.
The argument was becoming… noticeable.
Keifer leaned forward slightly.
"You're relying on emerging markets."
"Yes."
"They're unpredictable."
"Everything in business is unpredictable."
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"But good leaders reduce uncertainty."
My patience thinned.
"And great leaders know when risk creates opportunity."
For a moment the room was completely silent.
Percy, sitting near the end of the table, slowly leaned toward one of the assistants.
"This feels personal," Percy Mariano whispered.
The assistant looked confused.
Back at the table, Keifer spoke again.
"If the Manila port fails, your company loses billions."
"If it succeeds," I replied evenly, "we dominate the Pacific market."
His voice lowered slightly.
"Or you gamble your entire logistics sector."
I stepped closer to the screen.
"Mr. Watson."
I kept my tone professional.
Cold.
"You requested this meeting because your company wants access to our network."
A few executives shifted in their seats.
I continued.
"If you already believe our strategies are reckless…"
I looked directly into his eyes.
"…then Watson Enterprises is free to leave."
Silence exploded across the room.
Percy almost choked on his coffee.
Even my father raised an eyebrow.
But Keifer didn't move.
For several seconds he just watched me.
Then—
Slowly—
A small smile appeared on his face.
Not mocking.
Not arrogant.
Almost impressed.
"Interesting."
One of his executives looked nervous.
"Mr. Watson—"
He raised a hand slightly.
Then looked back at me.
"Miss Mariano."
His tone was calm again.
"But partnerships require confidence."
"And?"
"And I want proof your strategy works."
I tilted my head slightly.
"What kind of proof?"
His answer came instantly.
"A joint pilot project."
The room murmured.
That was a huge proposal.
He continued.
"Watson Enterprises will fund the Manila expansion."
Now everyone looked shocked.
But then he added—
"If it succeeds…"
He paused.
"…our companies form a permanent global alliance."
Even Percy sat upright now.
"But if it fails," Keifer finished calmly,
"Mariano Enterprises takes full responsibility for the losses."
The room went silent again.
All eyes turned to me.
Percy whispered dramatically from the corner—
"Oh this is dangerous."
I studied Keifer carefully.
This wasn't just business.
It was a test.
A challenge.
Maybe even revenge.
But I didn't hesitate.
"Deal."
Several executives gasped.
My father watched quietly.
Keifer's eyes sharpened slightly.
"You're confident."
"Yes."
He leaned back again.
"Good."
Because if I'm right…
You'll win.
But if you're wrong…
You'll fall.
For a moment we just stared at each other across the table.
Neither of us looking away.
Like two generals planning a war.
And nobody in that room realized something important.
This wasn't the first battle between us.
It was just the first one fought in suits instead of a classroom.
Mariano Enterprises Boardroom
New York City
The meeting ended with polite applause.
Contracts would be reviewed.
Lawyers would negotiate the details.
Executives stood and shook hands.
Business smiles everywhere.
But under the table…
The tension between me and Keifer still burned.
I closed my laptop and stood.
"Thank you for your time," I said calmly to the Watson team.
Professional.
Controlled.
Untouchable.
Across the table Keifer Watson nodded once.
"Likewise."
Nothing in his voice hinted that we had once stood in the same classroom.
That we had once fought.
Laughed.
Broken each other.
To everyone else…
We were strangers.
Percy stretched dramatically behind me.
"Wow," Percy Mariano whispered.
"That was the most romantic corporate argument I've ever seen."
I elbowed him.
"Stop talking."
Executives began leaving the room.
My father, Jaspfher Mariano, walked out with the Watson advisors.
Within minutes the boardroom was empty.
Almost empty.
I picked up my folder and turned toward the door.
That's when a hand grabbed my wrist.
Firm.
Sudden.
Warm.
My heart jumped.
Keifer.
"Come with me," he said quietly.
Before I could react he was already pulling me down the hallway.
"Keifer—"
"Not here."
He moved quickly through the corridor until he opened a nearby office.
Empty.
Quiet.
He pulled me inside and shut the door.
The city lights of New York glowed through the tall windows.
I yanked my hand away immediately.
"What are you doing?!"
My voice was sharp.
Angry.
"You can't just drag me into—"
Before I finished speaking—
Keifer stepped forward.
And wrapped his arms around me.
Tightly.
For a second my brain completely stopped working.
I froze.
His grip was strong.
Desperate.
Like someone holding onto something they almost lost forever.
"Keifer—"
But he didn't let go.
He just held me.
His forehead rested lightly against my hair.
The room stayed silent.
Seconds passed.
Then a minute.
Then another.
Finally he whispered softly—
"I missed you."
My anger exploded instantly.
I pushed him away hard.
"Don't."
My voice shook.
"You don't get to do that."
Keifer stepped back slightly but didn't leave.
His eyes were searching mine carefully.
"You told everyone you used me."
"Yes."
"You humiliated me in front of the whole Section E."
"I know."
"You made me look like a fool."
His jaw tightened.
"I know."
"Then explain."
Silence filled the office.
Finally he spoke quietly.
"The plan was real."
That sentence hit harder than I expected.
"But," he continued quickly, "we stopped it."
I laughed bitterly.
"Stopped it?"
"Yes."
"When?"
"When I realized something."
"What?"
His voice dropped slightly.
"…that I started falling in love with you."
The words hung in the air.
I didn't react.
He kept talking.
"Section E started treating you like family."
I crossed my arms.
"And?"
"And if I didn't end it…"
His expression hardened.
"…you would probably be dead right now."
The room fell silent.
"What?" I whispered.
"My family," he said quietly.
"The Watson family."
"They were watching you."
My stomach twisted.
"They planned to use you against me."
"Why?"
"Because of my inheritance."
His voice became colder.
"The inheritance my mother died protecting."
I knew part of that story.
Everyone knew his father—
Keizer Watson—
had been responsible for his mother's death.
"They wanted leverage," Keifer continued.
"And you were the easiest target."
My anger didn't disappear.
It only changed.
"So you destroyed me first."
"Yes."
I stared at him.
"You're selfish, Keifer."
"I know."
He didn't even argue.
"I'm extremely selfish."
He stepped closer again but didn't touch me this time.
"But it's better for you to hate me while living…"
His voice became quiet.
"…than die while loving me."
The words hit deeper than anything else he said.
My throat tightened.
But I refused to show it.
He looked straight into my eyes.
"But believe me when I say this."
His voice softened.
"I love you."
Silence filled the room again.
Then he added something that made my heart stop.
"They know."
"Who?"
"The whole Section E."
My breath caught.
"They know the truth now."
The office suddenly felt smaller.
Too small.
Too full of memories.
Too full of emotions I didn't want to face.
I stepped back toward the door.
"Don't."
My voice was quiet but firm.
"Don't say things like that like nothing happened."
Keifer didn't move.
"I'm not pretending nothing happened."
"Good."
"Because I'm not asking you to forgive me."
"Then what do you want?"
His answer came slowly.
"Time."
The city lights flickered outside the window.
Two people who once stood on the same side of a classroom now stood on opposite sides of a world.
But neither of us had truly let go.
And that might have been the most dangerous part.
************************************************************
Hello everyone!!
Do you guys want yuris POV in the next chapter or keifer and Jay jays POV please answer quickly cause I am going to start writing the next chapter and if you have any ideas feel free to drop them in the comments (don't be shy😆😜😳)
Bye bye🌷🫶🏻