Keifer's Pov
I woke up this morning with Jay's head on my chest. Her hair everywhere. The purple dinosaur between us.
"Happy birthday," she mumbled without opening her eyes.
"You're supposed to say that while looking at me."
"I'm tired. Looking is effort."
"Same thing."
"Shut up."
I kissed the top of her head. "Best birthday ever."
"Don't get used to it."
"Too late."
The inheritance ceremony was at Watson Enterprises headquarters. Big building. Fancy suits. Important people.
I hated it already.
Jay was fixing my tie. "Stop frowning. You'll scare everyone."
"Good."
"Keifer."
"What? They SHOULD be scared. I'm about to inherit a company I didn't ask for from a father I don't want."
She stopped. Looked at me. "You're nervous."
"I'm not nervous."
"Your ears are pale."
"Because it's cold."
"The AC is on."
"Then I'm allergic."
"To what?"
"Today."
She almost smiled. "You're an idiot."
"Your idiot."
"My idiot."
The ballroom was PACKED.
Business people. Politicians. Socialites. Everyone who was anyone.
And all the women were looking at me.
Not in a friendly way. In a "he's the new CEO and he's hot" way.
One woman walked past. Her dress was... very low cut. Very.
I closed my eyes.
My eyes are for Jay only. My eyes are for Jay only. My eyes are for—
"Keifer, why are your eyes closed?" Yuri asked.
"I'm praying."
"For what?"
"Strength."
Another woman approached. Tall. Blonde. Chest like two watermelons fighting for space.
I turned around. Faced the wall.
"Keifer."
"THE WALL IS SAFE. THE WALL DOESN'T HAVE BOOBS."
Yuri choked. "What?"
"Jay will cut my d**k off if I look. Save me. Amen."
Yuri grabbed my shoulder. "You're actually praying to God about boobs?"
"God understands."
Jay was across the room. Talking to Mia. She looked up. Caught me facing the wall.
She walked over. "Keifer. Why are you facing the wall?"
"There are women."
"Yes. There are women. It's a party."
"Women with... features."
Her eyes narrowed. "What kind of features?"
"I didn't look! I faced the WALL!"
"Good boy." She patted my cheek. "Keep facing the wall."
"Yes, ma'am."
Yuri was laughing so hard he had to sit down.
The room went quiet.
I turned.
Mark Keizer Watson. My biological father.
He looked like me. Same height. Same eyes. Same cold expression.
But his eyes weren't cold. They were cruel.
"Keifer." He smiled. It didn't reach his eyes. "Happy birthday, son."
"I'm not your son."
"Blood says otherwise."
"Blood doesn't mean family."
He stepped closer. "You think you can just take what's mine? Watson Enterprises was supposed to be MINE."
"It was never yours. Grandfather left it to ME."
"Because your mother manipulated him."
"Because I earned it. And you didn't."
His jaw tightened. "You're just a child. Playing businessman. You don't know anything about running a company."
"I know more than you."
"You know nothing." He stepped closer. "You couldn't even keep a girlfriend. I heard she left you. Ran back to London like the coward she is."
My blood boiled.
"Don't talk about her."
"Why? It's true. She couldn't handle you. Couldn't handle the pressure. She's weak. Just like your mother."
"EXCUSE ME?"
Everyone turned.
Jay was walking toward us. Her heels clicking on the marble floor like gunshots.
She stopped in front of Keizer. Looked up at him. Unafraid.
"I'm sorry, I think I misheard. Did you just call me weak?"
Keizer blinked. "You're—"
"I'm the woman who destroyed your son's rival in tennis. I'm the woman who became Queen of HVIS. I'm the woman who runs Mariano Enterprises." She smiled. It was terrifying. "And I'm the woman who will cut your balls off if you ever talk about me or my boyfriend again."
The room gasped.
Keizer's face went red. "You can't—"
"My man doesn't need your approval. My man doesn't need your company. My man is worth a thousand of you." She stepped closer. "And if you ever, EVER, try to hurt him again, I will ruin you. Not Watson Enterprises. Not his money. ME. Personally. I have resources. I have connections. And I have a very creative imagination."
Keizer was speechless.
Jay turned to me. Grabbed my face. Kissed me. Right there. In front of everyone.
When she pulled back, she said loudly, "Anyone else want to insult my boyfriend?"
No one spoke.
"That's what I thought."
I pulled Jay into a side room.
"What the hell was that?!"
"That was me defending my man."
"You just threatened my father in front of everyone!"
"He deserved it."
"Jay—"
"Keifer." She grabbed my face. "I told you. We're in this together. Anyone who comes for you, comes for me. And I don't lose."
I stared at her.
"You're terrifying."
"Thank you."
"That wasn't a compliment."
"Yes it was."
I kissed her. Deep. Grateful. In love.
"I love you," I whispered.
"I love you too. Now let's go back out there before your father grows his balls back."
The Group Chat
SAME BRAIN CELLS (PLUS EVERYONE)
CI-N: JAY THREATENED KEIZER WATSON. IN FRONT OF EVERYONE.
FELIX: I'M CRYING. SHE'S MY HERO.
YURI: Keifer faced the wall for ten minutes because a woman had big boobs.
MIA: I'M SCREAMING.
SARAH: HE FACED THE WALL?!
KEIFER: My eyes are for Jay only.
ME: Damn right they are.
PERCY: THIS IS THE BEST BIRTHDAY EVER.
KEIREN: ATE JAY IS SO COOL.
KEIGAN: ...She's okay.
VICTOR: That's high praise from Keigan.
TITA SERINA: MY FUTURE DAUGHTER-IN-LAW.
MAMA REYCEE: MY BABY!
PAPA: We raised a warrior.
JEANA: I'm so proud.
ARIES: My sister just threatened a billionaire. Normal day.
ELLA: I love your family.
ARIES: They're your family too now.
CI-N: THE SHIP IS STRONGER THAN EVER.
FELIX: HUSBAND AND WIFE FOREVER.
KEIFER: ❤️
ME: ❤️
KEIFER: ❤️❤️❤️
ME: Stop.
KEIFER: Never.