Chapter 20: Jealousy
Mariano Tower – Executive Floor
New York City
(Jay-jay's POV)
The next morning felt lighter.
Not peaceful.
But lighter.
Maybe because the fight with Keifer yesterday had finally pushed everything out into the open.
Maybe because of the ride home.
Or maybe because for the first time in a long time…
I didn't feel like running from him.
I stepped into the office floor of Mariano Enterprises.
Employees greeted me respectfully.
"Good morning, Miss Mariano."
"Morning."
I walked toward my office when someone called out.
"Hey boss!"
I turned.
It was Daniel, one of the younger project managers on the Manila expansion team.
He walked over holding a tablet.
"Good news," he said. "The port permit just cleared."
I smiled.
"That fast?"
"Apparently your presentation scared the regulators into cooperating."
I laughed.
"Wow, my reputation is terrifying already?"
"Absolutely."
We started walking toward the conference table together while looking over the project files.
Daniel joked, "You know the entire finance team calls you 'The Queen of the Boardroom' now."
I raised an eyebrow.
"That's dramatic."
"Percy started it."
Of course he did.
We both laughed.
Across the Office
Near the glass wall overlooking the executive floor stood Keifer Watson.
He had come early for another meeting with Mariano Enterprises.
But now he wasn't paying attention to anything on his tablet.
Because across the office—
Jay-jay was laughing.
Laughing with another man.
Close.
Comfortable.
Too comfortable.
His jaw tightened.
The feeling rising in his chest was immediate.
Sharp.
Possessive.
Jealous.
Very jealous.
He watched Daniel lean slightly closer to show Jay-jay something on the tablet.
Jay-jay laughed again.
That was enough.
Keifer walked across the office.
Fast.
Jay-jay's POV
I was still looking at the project notes when suddenly—
A hand wrapped around my wrist.
Firm.
Warm.
Startling.
"Keifer—"
He didn't say a word.
He just gently but decisively pulled me away from the table.
"Excuse us," he said briefly to Daniel.
Daniel blinked in confusion.
"Uh… okay?"
Before I could protest, Keifer was already leading me down the hallway.
"Keifer!" I whispered sharply.
"What are you doing?"
He opened the door to an empty office and pulled me inside.
The door shut behind us.
I turned toward him immediately.
"Are you—"
Before I finished—
He pulled me closer.
Then gently sat down on the chair behind him.
And pulled me onto his lap.
My breath caught.
"Keifer!"
But he didn't let go.
His arms wrapped tightly around my waist.
Like he needed to hold me there.
Then he kissed me.
Suddenly.
Hungrily.
All the frustration, jealousy, and longing from the past weeks poured into that kiss.
For a moment I was too surprised to react.
Then my hands pushed against his shoulders.
But not very strongly.
When he finally pulled back slightly, his forehead rested against mine.
His voice came out low.
"Do you have any idea how that looked?"
I frowned slightly.
"How what looked?"
"You laughing with him."
"He's an employee."
"You were standing very close to him."
I crossed my arms.
"Oh."
Realization hit.
"You're jealous."
Keifer didn't even deny it.
"Yes."
I blinked.
"You're serious?"
"Yes."
His arms tightened around me slightly.
"I didn't like it."
I shook my head in disbelief.
"You dragged me into an office because I talked to a coworker?"
"You were laughing."
"I laugh with people!"
"You were laughing with him."
The difference in his tone made me stare at him.
He was actually upset.
Genuinely jealous.
I sighed.
"Keifer…"
But before I finished—
He hugged me tighter.
His face pressed lightly into my shoulder.
"Don't do that."
"Do what?"
"Make me feel like I'm losing you again."
The words were quieter now.
Honest.
I looked down at him.
The powerful heir of Watson Enterprises.
The man who could dominate any boardroom.
Now sitting there looking completely vulnerable.
All because I laughed with another guy.
My voice softened slightly.
"You're impossible."
"Probably."
"You don't get to scold me."
"I know."
"You don't own me."
"I know."
He looked up at me again.
"But I still hate seeing you that close to someone else."
I tried to stay annoyed.
But the sincerity in his voice made it difficult.
So instead I poked his shoulder.
"You're ridiculous."
"Maybe."
Then he smiled faintly.
"But you're still sitting on my lap."
I froze.
Then quickly stood up.
"That was temporary!"
Keifer laughed quietly.
And for the first time since everything broke between them…
The tension between them felt almost playful again. ✨