Chapter 12: Ceo Armor
Mariano Tower — Executive Floor
New York City
(Jay-jay's POV)
Three days.
That's how long it took for the entire city to realize something had changed inside Mariano Enterprises.
The executives were different around me now.
More careful.
More respectful.
Because the girl who arrived from the Philippines a week ago…
Was gone.
In her place stood someone else.
I walked into the main conference room wearing a black suit Percy had called "CEO armor."
Around the table sat board members, lawyers, and financial analysts.
At the head of the table sat my father, Jaspfher Mariano.
But today…
He wasn't leading the meeting.
I was.
I placed the tablet on the table.
"Let's begin."
The screen behind me lit up with financial projections.
"Mariano Enterprises will proceed with the Manila expansion," I said calmly.
"We're accelerating the project timeline to eighteen months."
One executive blinked.
"That's extremely aggressive."
"Yes."
"It's also extremely profitable."
Another executive asked carefully,
"And Watson Enterprises?"
I didn't hesitate.
"They'll keep up."
The room fell silent.
Then Percy leaned toward one of the assistants and whispered loudly—
"Oh wow."
Percy Mariano shook his head dramatically.
"She's terrifying now."
I ignored him.
Because another meeting was about to start.
With someone I still hadn't forgiven.
Later — Joint Strategy Meeting
Executives from Watson Enterprises entered the boardroom again.
Their leader walked in last.
Keifer Watson.
His eyes immediately found mine.
But my expression didn't change.
Professional.
Cold.
Distant.
He noticed.
Of course he did.
Everyone took their seats.
I began the presentation immediately.
"Mariano Enterprises will control port operations in Manila," I said.
"Watson Enterprises will provide infrastructure investment."
One of Keifer's advisors nodded.
"That aligns with our proposal."
But Keifer suddenly spoke.
"No."
The room froze.
I slowly turned toward him.
"No?" I repeated.
"No."
His voice was calm but firm.
"That structure gives Mariano Enterprises too much operational control."
My patience immediately dropped.
"That's because it's our port."
"And our money."
Executives began exchanging nervous looks.
The argument was starting again.
I crossed my arms slightly.
"You approached us for this partnership."
"Yes."
"And partnerships require balance."
"And results require leadership."
Keifer leaned forward.
"You're making decisions too quickly."
"I'm making decisions efficiently."
"You're rushing."
"You're hesitating."
His jaw tightened.
"This isn't a classroom debate."
"No," I said coldly.
"It's business."
The tension in the room skyrocketed.
Percy slowly leaned toward the assistant beside him again.
"Oh no."
"This is about to get violent."
Back at the table Keifer spoke again.
"You're taking unnecessary risks."
"And you're trying to control decisions that aren't yours."
"I'm protecting my investment."
"And I'm protecting my company."
The room had completely forgotten about the presentation now.
All attention was on us.
Keifer's voice lowered slightly.
"You're letting your emotions drive strategy."
I laughed once.
"Funny."
"What?"
"Coming from someone who built an entire plan around manipulating people."
Silence.
The insult landed exactly where I wanted.
Keifer's eyes hardened.
"That was to protect you."
"I didn't ask for protection."
"You needed it."
"I needed honesty."
For the first time his calm cracked slightly.
"I was trying to keep you alive."
"And you almost destroyed me doing it!"
The words echoed across the boardroom.
Everyone was staring now.
But neither of us cared anymore.
Keifer stood up.
"You think I enjoyed what happened?"
"I think you made the choice."
"Yes."
His voice sharpened.
"I did."
"Then live with it."
Silence fell like a heavy curtain.
Then Keifer spoke again.
Quiet.
But intense.
"You're acting like you don't care."
"I don't."
"Liar."
The word slipped out before he could stop it.
The room froze.
I stared at him.
"Excuse me?"
"You heard me."
His eyes locked onto mine.
"You still care."
I stepped closer to the table.
"Mr. Watson."
My voice was ice.
"If you continue this conversation on a personal level…"
I paused.
"…this meeting ends immediately."
His gaze didn't move.
Then slowly—
Very slowly—
He leaned back in his chair again.
The professional mask returned.
"Understood."
The room finally breathed again.
I continued the presentation like nothing happened.
But the tension between us remained like a storm waiting to break.
Outside the Boardroom
After the meeting ended the executives quickly escaped the room.
Percy watched them leave.
Then looked at Keifer.
Then at me.
He sighed dramatically.
"Wow."
"That was worse than a divorce hearing."
No one responded.
Percy shook his head.
"You two are unbelievable."
He stood up and stretched.
"Anyway."
He pointed between us.
"You clearly still love each other."
Then he walked toward the door.
"But until you stop arguing like supervillains…"
He opened it.
"…I'm staying out of this."
The door closed behind him.
Leaving only two people in the room again.
Keifer looked at me quietly.
"You've changed."
"Yes."
"Into someone dangerous."
I picked up my files.
"Good."
Then I walked past him toward the door.
But just before leaving…
I said one last thing.
Without looking back.
"You wanted me to survive your world, Keifer."
My voice stayed calm.
"Well."
"Now I'm strong enough to fight it."
And this time…
I didn't wait for his answer.
Parking Garage — Mariano Tower
New York City
(Jay-jay's POV)
The argument was still echoing in my head as I walked into the underground parking garage.
The air smelled faintly of oil and concrete.
My heels clicked sharply against the floor.
CEO armor, Percy had called it.
Funny.
Because right now it felt more like emotional armor.
I reached my car and pressed the unlock button.
The lights flashed.
But something felt wrong.
I stopped.
The front tire was completely flat.
Not just flat.
Destroyed.
"What—"
I crouched down slightly.
The rubber was torn like something sharp had punctured it.
Great.
Just perfect.
A slow voice spoke behind me.
"Looks like you're not driving tonight."
I didn't even need to turn around.
"Did you follow me?"
Footsteps approached calmly.
"Yes."
I stood up and faced him.
Keifer Watson looked almost amused.
"You punctured my tire."
"I did."
"You admitted that way too easily."
He shrugged slightly.
"You were about to drive away angry."
"And?"
"And I wanted an excuse to talk to you."
I stared at him.
"You destroyed my car."
"Technically just the tire."
"You're unbelievable."
He gestured toward the exit of the garage.
"I'll drive you home."
"No."
"Yes."
"I can call a driver."
"You could."
He opened the passenger door of his car casually.
"But you won't."
I hesitated.
Because unfortunately…
He was right.
I sighed and walked over.
"This doesn't mean anything."
"Of course not."
I got into the car.
Inside the Car
The city lights of New York slid past the windows as we drove through the streets.
For a while neither of us spoke.
The silence wasn't awkward.
Just… heavy.
Finally Keifer broke it.
"When will you forgive me?"
Straight to the point.
Of course.
I looked out the window.
"I don't know."
"That's honest."
"I need time."
His hands stayed steady on the steering wheel.
"Take all the time you need."
I looked at him slightly.
"Really?"
"Yes."
"And if it takes months?"
"I'll wait."
"Years?"
"I'll still wait."
His voice was calm.
Certain.
Then he added quietly—
"I'll always wait for you."
Something inside my chest tightened slightly.
I didn't want it to.
But it did.
The car stopped at a red light.
For a moment the city noise faded into the background.
Keifer looked at me.
Not the cold Watson heir.
Just… Keifer.
The boy from Section E.
"You know something?" he said softly.
"What?"
"You're terrifying in meetings now."
I rolled my eyes slightly.
"Good."
"But…"
A small smile appeared on his face.
"…I like it."
The light turned green.
The car moved again.
But the tension between us had changed.
Softer.
Warmer.
When we reached the Mariano penthouse building, he parked near the entrance.
I opened the door.
But before stepping out, I paused.
Then turned back slightly.
"You shouldn't have punctured my tire."
"I know."
"It was childish."
"I know."
"But…"
I hesitated.
"…thanks for the ride."
He smiled slightly.
"You're welcome."
I stepped out of the car.
But just before the door closed—
Keifer reached out and gently caught my hand.
Not pulling.
Just holding it for a second.
Warm.
Careful.
His thumb brushed lightly across my fingers.
A quiet moment in the middle of the loud city.
Then he released it.
"Goodnight, Jay."
For the first time that day…
I smiled a little.
"Goodnight, Keifer."
And for the first time since everything broke between us…
The distance didn't feel quite as impossible anymore. ✨