JAY'S POV
The silence he leaves behind doesn't feel empty—it lingers. It clings to the walls, to my skin, to the space between my fingers still curled slightly around that velvet box.
For a moment, I just stand there, staring at the door like if I look long enough, he might walk back in and undo whatever just happened between us. But he doesn't. Of course he doesn't. Because nothing about Keifer has ever been simple—and tonight just proved that even more.
I don't realize how long I've been standing there until Sam's voice cuts through everything like a burst of chaos I didn't know I needed.
"I GOT IT—oh my God why do you look like you just saw a ghost?"
I blink, quickly slipping the box behind me like it burned. "Nothing. You're dramatic."
She narrows her eyes at me immediately, suspicious, but before she can push further, I grab her wrist and drag her toward the stairs.
"Come on, let's go the room. You talk too much."
"Oh?? Deflecting?? Interesting…" she grins, but follows anyway.
And just like that—whatever that moment was, gets tucked away. Not gone. Just… hidden.
—
The night melts into something softer after that.
We're sprawled across my bed, heels kicked off somewhere forgotten, makeup slightly smudged, hair undone, the version of us that doesn't belong to ballrooms or expectations finally breathing.
Sam doesn't hold back—she never does.
"Oh my God WAIT—LOOK AT THIS," she shoves her phone in my face, already laughing.
It's a picture of Jace.
Except—he's maybe two years ago at one of the brunch party, hair horribly styled, mid-sneeze.
I choke. "NO WAY."
"YES WAY," she wheezes. "And wait—there's more."
Next is Keifer.
I don't know why I expect something intimidating—but it's him, probably last year, caught mid-yawn, eyes half closed, looking absolutely unbothered… and yet ridiculous.
And I laugh.
Actually laugh.Hysterically and boy I was never letting this go...
"That's illegal," I shake my head. "You can't just have these."
"Oh I have EVERYTHING," she grins wickedly. "Blackmail material for life."
Something about seeing him like that—unguarded, normal—it does something strange in my chest. Softens an edge I didn't even know was there.
I ignore it.
Instead, I show her my world.
Milan. My designs. My sketches.
The moment I pull out my hidden folder—her entire demeanor changes.
"Jay…" her voice drops. "You made these?"
I nod, suddenly feeling… weirdly nervous.
She flips through them slowly. Gowns. Concepts...
Each page more detailed than the last.
"Are you kidding me?" she whispers. "These aren't designs… these are insane."
I laugh softly. "Good insane or bad insane?"
She looks up at me like I've offended her. "Jay. This is runway headline insane."
And something in me settles.Because for the first time tonight—it's not about being seen.
It's about being understood.We talk until words blur.Stories, memories, chaos, laughter that comes too easily and stays too long.
And somewhere between "just five more minutes" and "wait I forgot to tell you this"—we fall asleep.
—
The alarm is violent.
7:00 AM.
I groan, my body heavy, my mind foggy—and then it hits me.
"Sam. Sam wake up—"
She groans into the pillow. "No."
"Yes. NOW. You have school."
"No I don't. I'm dropping out."
I sit up instantly, dragging her blanket away. "Get up or your mom is going to personally end both of us."
That works.
She shoots up. "NOO WAIT!!! OH MY GOD."
"Exactly."
Everything after that is chaos.
We get ready in record time, half awake, half functioning, bumping into each other, laughing for no reason.
The house is silent when we step out.
Too quiet.
Everyone's still asleep.
I quickly send a text to the family group chat—dropping Sam home, don't panic—and grab the nearest car key without thinking twice.
Which turns out to be a mistake.
Because the moment I see the car parked outside—
I grin.
Jace's limited edition Lamborghini.
The.Car.which he didn't stop talking and serenading my phone with it's pictures...
"Oh no," Sam immediately notices. "No. Absolutely not."
"Oh yes," I smirk, unlocking it.
"Jay, he will KILL you."
"He loves me."
"He will STILL kill you."
"I'll handle him."
I slide into the driver's seat like I belong there.
And maybe—I do.
—
The engine roars to life.
And suddenly—we're flying.
The streets of London stretch ahead of us, the early morning air crisp, almost biting, but in the best way possible. My hair moves with the wind, the city blurring past, lights fading into morning.
It feels like freedom.
Like I'm 21.
Like I'm finally home.
Sam is half screaming, half laughing. "SLOW DOWN—"
"I am slow," I grin, clearly not.
The speed climbs anyway.
100.
101.
112.
And for the first time in a long time—I feel completely, recklessly alive.
—
We reach the Watson estate faster than we should.
7:45.
"See? Alive," I smirk.
"Barely," she glares, but she's smiling.
Inside, everything smells like home again.
Warm.
Familiar.
Aunty Serina and Uncle Kade are already at the breakfast table.
"Good morning aunt Serina..," I smile, stepping in.
"Jay," Serina stands immediately, pulling me into a hug. "You're up early."
"I had to deliver your daughter safely like I promised.." I grin.
"Safely?with you driving Jay?" Kade raises a brow. "I'm concerned."
"She drove like a maniac," Sam mutters.
"I drove perfectly."
They laugh.
And just like that—I'm sitting at the table, plate in front of me, completely at ease.
"Come here Jay,there are pancakes your favourite chocolate chip one's...," Serina insists.
I didn't need to be told twice.I ran towards the table settled with a thump and started with taking the pancake...
"Of course you'd say yes," Kade chuckles. "Still the same foodie."
"Always uncle, food's life you know.." I smile, already halfway through.
The conversation flows easily.
"So Jay Jay, what's next for you?" Kade asks, leaning back slightly.
I wipe my hands, thinking. "I'm joining the Mariano design company… as head."
Silence.
Then—
"Head?" he repeats, impressed.
"Yes uncle,I finished my internship online last year alongside everything else… so Dad suggested I take over."
Kade nods slowly, clearly approving. "That's… impressive, Jay."
Before I can respond, he adds—almost casually—
"Jay,I wanted to ask something of you...What would you say about leading a collaboration?"
I blink. "What?"
"Watson and Mariano Design Collaboration. We're.. Jashfer and I are launching something new. Big brands involved. It will be announced next week..."
My heart stops.
"A collaboration… between both companies?"
He nods.
"And I'd like you to be heading it.This Collab will produce designs to set new trends for all age groups...it will be varied from a child to elderly fashion pieces....And we want someone capable and trustworthy....like you because we both secretly saw your design sketches and we and the team were in an awe....So would you want to??"
I stare at him.
Because this—this is everything.
"Uncle…" my voice softens. "I—yes. Absolutely yes."
He smiles.
And I swear—I've never felt prouder.
Before I could speak something....
—
I heard Footsteps.
Heavy. Slow. Unbothered.
I don't look up immediately.
But I feel it.That shift in the air.And then—
I do.
And everything—Stops.
KEIFER
He's walking down the stairs like it's nothing.
Shirtless.
Skin slightly damp, sweat still clinging, a towel thrown around his neck, black shorts sitting low on his hips, every muscle defined like it was carved deliberately.
Eight. Very real. Very visible abs.
My brain?
Gone.
I choke.
Actually choke.
"Jay?" Sam pats my back, barely holding in laughter.
I don't respond.
Because he's walking closer.
Closer.And then—
He stops right beside me.Reaches over.Takes an apple.Like I don't exist.
Except—
He turns.Just slightly.Enough.That smirk?Infuriating.
"Good morning, Jaybird."
His voice is low. Casual.
Like last night didn't happen.Like that didn't happen.He takes a bite.His adams apple all developed and WOW so freaking hot.....
And then he walks away.
Just like that.
And I—Sit there.Frozen.Fork mid-air.Heart doing something it absolutely should not be doing.Because what the hell was that.
And why—
Why did it feel like the beginning of something I'm not ready for… at all.....