Jay Jay's palms were sweaty.
Not because she was nervous.Obviously.
This was just... a big production. A church full of people. Her family, his family, friends, and even the nosy extended relatives who had mysteriously appeared when they heard the words wedding and free food.
She exhaled, adjusting the lace of her wedding dress. Mel, her best friend, stood beside her, smirking.
"You look like you're contemplating an escape route."
Jay Jay scowled. "Shut up."
Mel grinned. "You sure you don't want me to start a 'speak now or forever hold your peace' situation?"
Jay Jay narrowed her eyes. "If you ruin this, I will personally haunt you in the afterlife."
Mel raised her hands in surrender.
"Fine. But someone should mess with Keifer. He looks way too smug up there."
Jay Jay peeked through the church doors.
Keifer stood at the altar in his crisp black suit, looking far too relaxed, hands in his pockets, smirking like this was all a joke.
Because to him, it was.
The music started.
Jay Jay took a deep breath and stepped forward.
As she walked down the aisle, she could feel everyone's eyes on her. Her parents looked suspiciously emotional, while Keifer's mom was beaming like she'd won the lottery.
And then, there was Keifer.
He leaned slightly toward the priest and whispered, just loud enough for Jay Jay to hear-
"Think she'll trip?"
Jay Jay stepped on his foot the second she reached him.
Keifer barely flinched, lips twitching. "That's a yes, then."
She smiled sweetly. "Oops."
The priest cleared his throat, attempting to restore order. "Shall we begin?"
Keifer grinned. "Oh, please."
Jay fought the urge to elbow him, fingers twitching at her side.But the weight of expectation-the eyes watching, the cameras flashing-held her in place.
The priest looked between them. "The couple has chosen to exchange their own vows."
Jay Jay blinked. They did?
She turned to Keifer, but this time, his usual smirk was absent.
Instead, he reached for her hands, interlocking their fingers, and for the first time that day-maybe ever-looked completely serious.
And then, he spoke.
"Jay, from the moment we met, I knew you were special. Not because you were kind, or funny, or intelligent-though you are all those things." He smirked. "But because you insulted me within five minutes of knowing me.
And I knew, instantly, that you weregoing to make my life very difficult."
Jay Jay squinted at him. Was this a real vow?
Keifer's expression softened. "You challenge me, frustrate me, and keep me on my toes. But you also make me laugh when I need it the most. You make the world a little less exhausting. And if I have to be married, I'm glad it's with you."
Keifer's eyes held hers, unwavering.
"So, for as long as we have this-whatever this is-I promise to keep annoying you, to make you roll your eyes at least twice a day, and to never let you forget that you're stuck with me now."
The entire church awed.
Jay Jay?
Jay Jay was malfunctioning.
Keifer squeezed her hands. "Your turn, Jaybird."
Jay Jay's mind was blank.
She hadn't prepared anything. Because this wasn't real. Because this was a contract.
Right?
She cleared her throat, grasping for words. "Uh. Keifer."
Keifer bit back a grin.
Jay Jay glared. "I-uh-" She inhaled. "You are... tolerable."
A chuckle ran through the crowd.
Keifer looked way too entertained.
Jay Jay clenched her jaw. "You are also... annoying. Very annoying."
Keifer's eyes gleamed. "Go on."
Jay Jay shot him a look before exhaling. "But... I guess if I have to do this whole marriage thing, I'm glad it's with someone who-" She hesitated. "-who makes it easy to be myself."
Silence.
For the first time, Keifer wasn't smirking.
Jay Jay shifted, uncomfortable. "Okay, I'm done."
Before she could take another breath, a small velvet box was placed in her hands. Her fingers curled around it instinctively. Oh. The rings.
Jay held the ring between her fingers, its cool weight an anchor against the chaos in her mind. A meaningless formality. That's all this was.Keifer, standing across from her, turned the matching band between his fingers, his smirk ever-present.
"Second thoughts, Jaybird?"
She exhaled sharply. "No. Just savoring my last moment of peace."
A chuckle. Deep, knowing. "How dramatic."
The priest cleared his throat, signaling for them to begin. Jay lifted Keifer's hand, his skin warm beneath her touch.
Her fingers tightened around the ring as she hesitated for the briefest moment. Then, with a quiet breath, she pushed it onto his finger, her gaze locking onto his.
Keifer's lips twitched in the ghost of a smirk, but he said nothing.
Then, it was his turn.Keifer's grip on her hand shifted, his thumb tracing her knuckles in a way that sent an unexpected chill down her spine.
"Jay," he said, voice quieter now, more measured. "With this ring, I promise..." He paused, watching her too intently.
She frowned slightly. "Promise what?"
His smirk softened, something unreadable flickering beneath the surface. "To stand beside you, whether you want me there or not."
The breath caught in Jay's throat.
For the first time, he wasn't teasing.
He slid the ring onto her finger, his touch lingering. The weight of his words pressed against her more than the band itself.
The priest cleared his throat. "Thank you, both. Now, Mark Keifer Watson, do you take Jasper Jean Mariano to be your lawfully wedded wife? To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for as long as you both shall live?"
Keifer exhaled slowly, his grip on Jay Jay's hands tightening. His voice, steady and deep, carried the weight of every unspoken promise.
"I do," he said, unwavering. "With every breath, with every moment, I choose her."
A murmur passed through the guests. Jay Jay's throat tightened. She blinked rapidly, caught off guard by the gravity in his words.
The priest turned to her. "Jasper Jean Mariano, do you take Mark Keifer Watson to be your lawfully wedded husband-"
"I... guess?" Jay Jay blurted.
A few gasps echoed. The priest faltered.
Keifer arched a brow. "Guess?"
Jay Jay cleared her throat. "I mean... yeah, okay. Fine. I do."
The priest gave her a dubious look but continued. "By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride."
Jay Jay's stomach dropped.
Keifer's gaze darkened with mischief as he stepped closer. "No more guessing now, Jaybird."
Jay Jay hissed under her breath. "Don't you dare."
Keifer whispered back, "Oh, I dare."
Before she could react, Keifer dippedher slightly-for the drama-and kissed her cheek.
The church exploded in cheers.
Jay Jay?Jay Jay was going to commit murder.
Keifer pulled back, whispering, "Relax, wife. Didn't want to shock you with a real kiss."
Jay Jay stepped on his foot again.
Keifer winced. "You really need a new coping mechanism."
Jay Jay clenched her teeth. "You are my coping mechanism."
Keifer grinned. "Flattered."
Mel rolled her eyes. "Can you two flirt after the reception?"
Keifer smirked. "Oh, I intend to flirtforever."
Jay Jay groaned.
From the front row, Keifer's grandmother leaned over to Jay Jay's mother and whispered, "They are in love, aren't they?"
Jay Jay's mother sighed. "Unfortunately... I think so."
The reception was in full swing.
Laughter, clinking glasses, and the distant hum of a love song filled the grand hall.
The grand, three-tiered cake stood in front of them, adorned with delicate sugar flowers and intricate gold detailing. Jay eyed it warily.
She could feel the weight of the crowd's anticipation. Cameras flashed, guests whispered, but the only sound she focused on was Keifer's deliberatelyslow exhale beside her.
"Careful, Jaybird" he murmured, just low enough for her ears. "Wouldn't want to make a mess on our special day."
Jay picked up the silver cake knife, her grip firm. "Oh, I'm counting on it."
Keifer's chuckle was rich with amusement. He covered her hand with his, guiding the blade down through the soft layers of cake. The slice fell neatly onto the plate, the crowd bursting into applause.
Jay inhaled, steeling herself. Just get through this. Feed him a bite, smile for the cameras, and move on.
Keifer turned to her, eyes alight with mischief. "Tradition, Jaybird. You first."
She scooped a small bite onto the silver fork, holding it up. "Open."
His lips parted, but at the last second, his hand wrapped around her wrist, tilting the fork toward her instead.
Jay's breath hitched. "Keifer."
"Fair's fair," he murmured, voice teasing. "You wouldn't want to be selfish, would you?"
Heat bloomed across her skin, but the eyes on them left her no choice. Jaw tightening, she took the bite herself. Sweetness melted on her tongue, but Keifer's victorious smirk tasted far stronger.
Setting down the fork, she met his gaze with challenge. "Your turn."
Keifer took his time, cutting another piece, lifting the fork with agonizing slowness. "Say 'ah,' Jaybird."
Jay didn't flinch. She leaned in, lipsbrushing the fork's edge-but just as she took the bite, Keifer's thumb traced the corner of her lips.
"There," he murmured, wiping away a crumb. "Wouldn't want to waste any."
A ripple of laughter ran through the crowd. Jay barely heard it over the pounding in her ears.
She pulled back, exhaling through her nose. "You are insufferable."
Keifer smirked. "And yet, you're stuck with me."
"Not forever."
"Mm," he mused, tilting his head. "We'll see."
As the last crumbs of cake disappeared and laughter echoed through the room, the music shifted.
The chatter in the reception hall dimmed slightly as the band's lead singer leaned into the mic with a knowing smile. "For our next song, we have a special request from the groom himself."
Jay Jay barely had time to process that before the familiar melody of Ikaw Ang Miss Universe Ng Buhay Ko (Translation: You are the Miss Universe of my life) filled the room. She blinked, the title registering slowly in her mind.
She turned to Keifer, who-of course-was smirking.
"Seriously?" she muttered under her breath. "You requested this?"
Keifer extended a hand, his usual smirk in place. "Ready to dazzle the crowd, wifey?"
Jay Jay stared at his outstretched hand like it was a trap. "Do I have a choice?"
"Nope." He grabbed her hand before she could protest and led her to the center of the dance floor. The guests cheered, forming a circle around them.
Jay Jay took a steadying breath as Keifer pulled her close, one hand resting lightly on her waist, the other clasping hers.
Then, he leaned in and whispered, "Try not to step on my feet."
Jay Jay immediately stomped on his foot. "Oops."
Keifer barely winced, grinning. "You are so predictable."
Jay Jay huffed. "Shut up and dance."
The music swelled, soft and romantic. She tilted her head back slightly to meet his gaze. "Do you even know what this song means?"
His eyes glinted with mischief. "Of course I do."
Jay Jay frowned. She studied him carefully, searching for the joke hidden beneath the words, for the inevitable teasing remark that would follow.
But it didn't come.
Instead, Keifer tightened his hold on her, his thumb brushing against the back of her hand in a way that sent an unfamiliar warmth creeping up her spine.
Jay Jay swallowed. "You don't mean it."
Keifer's smirk softened. "Don't I?"
She opened her mouth, but the words caught in her throat. She was supposed to scoff. Roll her eyes. Dismiss it like every other time he'd teased her.But something about the way he was looking at her-the way his grip lingered, the way he had chosen this song-made her hesitate.
For a moment, Jay Jay focused on the rhythm, the steps, the fact that-despite his ridiculousness-Keifer was an annoyingly good dancer.
Then, curiosity gnawed at her. "About the vows..."
Keifer raised a brow. "What about them?"
Jay Jay frowned. "Did you mean them?"
Keifer's smirk deepened. "Which part?"
Jay Jay narrowed her eyes. "You know which part."
Keifer spun her suddenly, catching her off guard. She stumbled slightly, but he steadied her, his grip firm.
Jay Jay glared. "Stop distracting me."
Keifer chuckled. "You're adorable when you're flustered."
Jay Jay's face heated. "I am not flustered."
Keifer tilted his head. "So, you weren't expecting my vows to be that sincere?"
Jay Jay hesitated. "I just... didn't think you'd say things like that. Not seriously."
Keifer twirled her again, pulling her closer this time. "Maybe I was serious."
Jay Jay blinked up at him. "Were you?"
Keifer smirked. "Wouldn't you like to know?"
Jay Jay groaned. "Keifer."
Keifer shrugged, utterly unbothered. "Come on, you loved it. The crowd ate it up. I should be nominated for Best Performance in a Wedding."
Jay Jay scowled. "It wasn't a performance. At least, not all of it."
Keifer hummed, looking way too pleased with himself. "You really want to know, huh?"
Jay Jay clenched her jaw. "Forget it."
Keifer leaned closer, his breath warm against her ear. "You looked a little... affected back there."
Jay Jay's heart stuttered. "I was not affected."
Keifer grinned. "Right. Just like you're not flustered."
Jay Jay tried to step on his foot again, but he anticipated it, swiftly movingthem across the floor.
She huffed. "I hate you."
Keifer twirled her dramatically. "No, you married me."
Jay Jay groaned. "This is my nightmare."
Keifer laughed. "Nah, this is fun."
Jay Jay sighed, watching their guests watching them. "They think this is real, you know."
Keifer shrugged. "Maybe it is."
Jay Jay's eyes snapped to his, searching for a hint of a joke.
Keifer simply smiled.
Jay Jay's stomach flipped.
She blamed the dancing.
The song came to a slow end, and Keifer dipped her, grinning. "Admit it," he murmured. "You liked my vows."
Jay Jay scowled. "I liked them better when I thought they were fake."
Keifer smirked. "Interesting."
Jay Jay glared. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Keifer straightened, pulling her upright. "Guess you'll just have to stick around and find out."
The crowd erupted in cheers as they took a bow.
Jay Jay?
Jay Jay was doomed.