Chapter 19: Control Issues
Mariano Tower — Conference Room
New York City
(Jay-jay's POV)
Weekend was over.
Which meant—
Back to reality.
Back to suits.
Back to meetings.
Back to pretending everything between me and Keifer Watson was strictly… professional.
Keyword: pretending.
I stood at the front of the conference room, presenting the Manila expansion updates.
"—with the revised timeline, we can secure full operational control within eighteen months," I said confidently.
Executives nodded.
Across the table, Keifer watched me.
Not the presentation.
Me.
Again.
I ignored it.
Mostly.
"Any concerns?" I asked.
A voice spoke up.
"Just one."
I turned.
It was Daniel—the same project manager from before.
Of course.
He stood, tablet in hand.
"If we adjust the logistics flow slightly, we can cut costs by another 5%."
I walked over to him.
"Show me."
He stepped closer, pointing at the screen.
Our shoulders almost brushed.
We both leaned slightly over the tablet.
"See here?" he said. "If we reroute this—"
"That's actually smart," I said, impressed.
He smiled.
"Learned from the best."
I laughed softly.
"Flattery won't get you promoted."
"It might."
"It won't."
A few executives chuckled lightly.
The atmosphere relaxed.
Professional.
Normal.
Keifer's POV
I wasn't listening anymore.
Not to the presentation.
Not to the executives.
Not to anything.
Because she was laughing.
With him.
Standing too close.
Leaning in.
Smiling like that.
That same smile from the weekend.
The one that wasn't fake.
The one that wasn't for business.
My jaw tightened.
I didn't like it.
Not even a little.
He said something again.
She laughed.
That was it.
End of Meeting
"Meeting adjourned," Jay-jay said calmly.
Chairs moved.
People stood.
Conversations started.
But I was already walking toward her.
Jay-jay's POV
I closed my laptop and turned—
Only to be met with Keifer standing way too close.
"Hi," I said cautiously.
"Hi," he replied.
His tone?
Not calm.
Not relaxed.
Uh oh.
"What?" I asked.
"Nothing."
"That's not a 'nothing' face."
He glanced past me.
At Daniel.
Who was still nearby.
Then back at me.
"You seemed… busy."
I blinked.
"…I was working."
"With him."
I stared at him.
Oh.
Oh no.
"You're jealous again."
"I'm not."
"You are."
"I'm not."
"You are."
His jaw tightened.
"I don't like it."
There it was.
Honest.
Blunt.
I crossed my arms.
"He's an employee."
"You were laughing."
"I laugh with people!"
"You don't laugh like that with everyone."
I paused.
"…what does that even mean?"
"It means—"
He stopped himself.
Then exhaled.
"Forget it."
I stepped closer.
"No, don't 'forget it.' Say it."
He looked at me.
Actually looked.
"I don't like seeing you like that with someone else."
The words landed softer than I expected.
But heavier.
I tilted my head slightly.
"You dragged me into an office last time for this."
"I remember."
"You kissed me."
"You cursed."
"That rule is ridiculous."
"You keep breaking it."
"That's because you keep being—"
I stopped.
He raised an eyebrow.
"Go on."
I narrowed my eyes.
"You're not getting a free kiss in the middle of the office."
"Smart."
"I learn."
"Sometimes."
I rolled my eyes.
Then sighed.
"Keifer… I'm not doing anything wrong."
"I know."
"Then what's the problem?"
He hesitated.
That was new.
Then quietly—
"I almost lost you once."
My expression softened.
"And now?" I asked.
"And now I don't like seeing anything that reminds me I could lose you again."
Silence.
That hit differently.
This wasn't just jealousy.
This was fear.
I stepped closer.
Not too close.
But enough.
"You're not losing me," I said softly.
He looked at me.
"Not that easily."
A small pause.
Then I added—
"But you're still not forgiven."
He almost smiled.
"Of course not."
"Don't get comfortable."
"I won't."
A beat.
Then—
I smirked slightly.
"…jealous idiot."
His eyes flickered.
Oh no.
I froze.
"…that was not a curse."
"Idiot counts."
"It does not!"
"It does today."
"Keifer—"
Too late.
His hand found my waist.
Pulled me slightly closer—
And he kissed me.
Quick.
But not light.
When he pulled back, I just stared at him.
"…we are at work."
"You started it."
"I did not—"
"You called me an idiot."
"That doesn't count!"
"It does for me."
"You're making up rules again!"
"I already told you."
He leaned slightly closer.
"I make the rules."
I shook my head, trying not to smile.
"You're impossible."
"And you're still talking to other guys."
I rolled my eyes.
"We're literally in a business building."
"Still don't like it."
I sighed.
"You're unbelievable."
"Still here."
"…annoying."
"Still here."
"…jealous."
He smirked slightly.
"Definitely that."
And somehow—
Even in the middle of work, arguments, and ridiculous rules—
The tension between us wasn't breaking.
It was building. ✨