I Joined this platform with a quiet wish to share a story close to my heart.I never imagined I'd find this little universe of kind, chaotic, and ridiculously sweet readers who would make me feel so at home.
Now, every message that says "take care," "focus on your studies," or "it's okay if the update is late" doesn't just make me smile - it makes me pause and feel deeply, genuinely grateful. You all treat me like I'm one of your own, and honestly, it's the kind of support that makes even writer's block a little less scary.
Jay says she's not crying (but she totally is), and Keifer? Well, he's pretending he doesn't care but secretly saving your comments in a folder labeled "evidence that I'm amazing."
So thank you. Thank you for being patient with me, for showing up for every chapter, and for making this space feel like something so much more than just words on a screen.
You're not just readers. You're family. And I'm lucky to have you.
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Jay stirred awake to the sound of rustling and the distinct zip of a bag being closed. She sat up groggily, squinting. "Keifer?"
He popped into view, grinning like a child up to no good. "Get up, sunshine. Wear sneakers. And no questions."
Jay blinked. "What? What's going on?"
"No time to explain." He tossed her jeans and a hoodie. "Ten minutes. I'll make coffee to go."
Still half-asleep, Jay stumbled through her morning routine. By the time she got to the kitchen, Keifer was waiting, keys in hand and thermos in the other.
"Where are we going?" she asked, already being ushered to the door.
"You'll see," he said with a wink.
The drive was filled with suspicious glances from Jay and pointed non-answers from Keifer. Finally, after an hour, the car pulled up in front of a bright, colorful entrance sign that read:
"Welcome to Whirlwind Bay!"
She turned to Keifer slowly. "Wait. Is this an amusement park?"
Keifer parked with a dramatic sigh, then leaned on the steering wheel.
"Yep."
"Why are we at an amusement park?" she asked, squinting at him.
He looked at her like it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"Adventure."
Jay blinked. "Adventure?"
He nodded, stepping out of the car like a man on a mission. "You've been looking far too serious lately. Frowning at your laptop, grumbling in your sleep. That's unacceptable."
She opened her door, laughing. "I do not grumble in my sleep."
"You do," he insisted, holding up a finger. "Last week you said, 'Where's the other sock?!' in your sleep with actual rage."
Jay covered her mouth with a laugh. "That does sound like me."
Keifer beamed. "Exactly. Which is why today is all about releasing your inner chaos gremlin."
"My what?"
He held up two fingers like horns. "You know. The part of you that screams for no reason on rollercoasters and eats three ice creams in a row."
Jay chuckled. "So this is spontaneous?"
"Completely," he said, tossing her a
mischievous grin. "We're here for thrills, junk food, and mild vertigo."
Jay snorted, but the excitement tugging at her lips was real.
As they passed through the colorful entrance, the noise and energy of Whirlwind Bay hit her like a gust of wind. Children squealed with joy, couples strolled hand in hand, and a giant person in a slightly lopsided bear costume waved cheerfully by the ticket booth, handing out stickers to anyone who slowed down. Her eyes widened, taking it all in the chaos, the colors, the sheer ridiculousness of it all.
They reached the turnstiles, and Keifer pulled out two pre-booked tickets from his jacket.
"Wait-these are dated for today. You planned this," she said, narrowing her eyes.
Keifer blinked innocently. "Planned? Nah. The universe clearly wanted us here. The stars aligned, tickets printed themselves, and boom. Magic."
Jay smiled softly. "You're ridiculous."
"And yet, oddly charming," he said, handing her a ticket.
A few minutes later, she found herself alone in the queue for the spinning ride, arms folded as she scanned the crowd. Keifer had vanished in search of snacks.
The sun hung high over the amusement park, casting long shadows on the buzzing crowd.
Keifer had gone off to get snacks ten minutes ago.
"Figures," she muttered. "Says he'll be two minutes, disappears like a magician."
"Waiting on someone?" a voice said beside her.
Jay turned. A guy around their age, tall and grinning too easily, stood just behind her. His eyes swept over her with a confidence she immediately didn't like.
She straightened. "Yeah. I'm with someone."
"Oh?" He tilted his head. "Doesn't look like it." He gestured to the empty space beside her.
"He went to get food."
"Food, huh?" The stranger stepped
closer. "Well, while he's on his quest for fries, how about some company? You don't seem the type who enjoys rides alone."
Jay gave a polite but firm smile. "I'm good, thanks."
"You sure? I've got an extra ticket and
"She's not alone."
The voice was sudden and low.
Jay's eyes widened. Keifer stood behind the guy, holding two drinks and a box of churros in one hand. His brows were drawn, his jaw set-not in his usual teasing way. This was different.
The stranger turned. "Whoa, man, I didn't-"
"Touch her," Keifer said flatly, "and you'll pull back a hand with fewer fingers."
Jay blinked. "Keifer..."
The guy laughed awkwardly, raising his hands. "Alright, alright. Chill, man. I didn't know she was your-"
"Wife," Keifer finished smoothly, sliding into place next to Jay and placing a protective hand on her lower back. "She's my wife."
Jay choked. "Wife?"
The guy took a few steps back, glancing uneasily between the two. "Didn't mean any harm."
Keifer's smile stayed sharp, almost too pleasant. "Great."
Muttering something under his breath, the stranger quickly backed away and disappeared from the line altogether.
Jay turned toward Keifer, folding her arms. "Wife?"
He shrugged. "Well, I couldn't say 'best friend with confusing eye contact and occasional emotional crises.' Doesn't sound as threatening."
Jay raised a brow, biting back a grin. "Oh, so now you're threatening?"
Keifer handed her a drink. "I was protecting your honor. Like a medieval knight. But with snacks."
"Uh-huh." She took the drink, still amused. "And calling me your wife was...?"
"An improv performance," he said,
taking a bite of the churro. "Ten out of ten. Deserves applause."
Jay smirked, stepping forward as the ride operator motioned them in. "Well, your 'fake wife' is sitting on the outside. If I throw up, you're catching it."
Keifer grimaced but followed her into the spinning pod. "So much for romance."
Jay buckled in beside him, the ride starting to jerk forward. She glanced at him, eyes twinkling. "You call this romance?"
He looked around at the peeling paint, the creaky bars, and the kid in front of them already looking green. "Well, I did bring churros."
Jay burst out laughing. "Keifer!"
"What? You want a churro divorce?"
"I want a refund."
"Too late. Vows sealed with lemon slushie and panic."
They shrieked together as the pod spun faster. Jay, breathless from the mix of adrenaline and amusement, looked at him fondly.
And Keifer-dramatic, overprotective, Keifer-just grinned like the world had finally spun into place.
The fairgrounds buzzed with color and chaos-bright banners flapping in the breeze, the scent of caramel popcorn in the air, and children running around with balloon animals bigger than their heads.
Keifer beelined for the ring toss stall like a man on a mission.
Jay trailed behind, munching cotton candy. "You're really going to try that scam of a game?"
He turned dramatically. "Excuse me. I'm about to make history."
"At a rigged stand where physics goes to die?"
"Yes. And I'll emerge victorious, clutching a two-foot-tall purple gorilla in triumph."
Jay raised a brow. "You'll be lucky if you hit the bottle."
Keifer narrowed his eyes at the pyramid of glass bottles behind the counter. He handed the vendor a crumpled note and accepted a plastic ring with far too much confidence.
like a man on a mission.
Jay trailed behind, munching cotton candy. "You're really going to try that scam of a game?"
He turned dramatically. "Excuse me. I'm about to make history."
"At a rigged stand where physics goes to die?"
"Yes. And I'll emerge victorious, clutching a two-foot-tall purple gorilla in triumph."
Jay raised a brow. "You'll be lucky if you hit the bottle."
Keifer narrowed his eyes at the pyramid of glass bottles behind the counter. He handed the vendor a crumpled note and accepted a plastic ring with far too much confidence.
"Watch and learn, Mrs. Keifer," he said, squinting like a man preparing for battle.
Jay took a leisurely bite of her candy. "This should be good."
He tossed. The ring bounced off the bottle and skidded pathetically across the counter.
Jay clapped once, mock-solemn. "A powerful beginning."
"That was my warm-up."
"Uh-huh."
Keifer rolled his shoulders like a professional athlete, grabbed the next ring, and hurled it.
Miss.
Next one. Miss.
Another. Closer. Still a miss.
Jay leaned against the post, trying very hard not to laugh. "So when do we get to the part where you win an oversized stuffed animal?"
Keifer tossed again, a little more forcefully. It missed by a wide arc and hit the floor.
He stared at the ring as though it had personally betrayed him. "I think that one was cursed."
Jay giggled. "Sure. Maybe try whispering sweet nothings to the next one."
Keifer held up the last ring like it was Excalibur. "This is it. My redemption arc."
She mock-crossed her fingers. "Please, oh gods of carnival fraud, bless this idiot."
He aimed. Threw.
It hit the edge, wobbled-and toppled off again.
Jay burst into laughter. "Oh no! The hero has fallen!"
Keifer put both hands on his head and sank to a squat. "I have dishonored myself and the noble house of Keifer."
She stepped closer, still laughing. "Want to borrow my cotton candy as a consolation prize?"
He stood up, brushing off his knees, chuckling. "No need." But then his smile faltered-just slightly-and something shifted in his eyes.
"Yeah, I lost," he said, his voice quieter now, more thoughtful. "Spectacularly. Repeatedly."
Jay smirked. "I was there. Front-row seat."
Keifer looked at her then, really looked -like he was trying to memorize the moment. "Still kind of feels like I came out ahead, though."
She tilted her head. "How do you figure?"
He hesitated, then shrugged, a soft grin tugging at one corner of his mouth.
"Let's just say... some gifts don't come from winning a ring toss."
He gave her a look that lingered a second too long to be casual.
Jay blinked, her smile faltering for the first time. "You're being weird."
"Am I?" he said, glancing at her with a sideways look that was half challenge, half confession.
Her heart did something strange in her chest, but she masked it with a scoff. "You're such a dork."
Keifer just grinned again, gentler this time. "Yeah. But I'm your dork for today, right?"
Jay didn't answer-at least not out loud. But her silence lingered like the space between a question and a yes.
By late afternoon, Jay had screamed on three rollercoasters, eaten way too many nachos, and laughed more than she had in weeks. Whirlwind Bay, in all its chaotic glory, had somehow become the perfect escape.
They kept walking, the noise of the fair shifting behind them, replaced by eerie music and flickering lights up ahead.
The dark archway of the horror house loomed over them like the open jaws of some gothic beast. "I can't believe you dragged me here," Jay muttered, clutching Keifer's arm with a death grip.
Keifer grinned. "Come on, it's just cheap animatronics and fake blood. You'll survive." He nudged her playfully. "Unless you faint in the first five seconds, in which case-I get your phone and your coffee privileges for a week."
Jay narrowed her eyes. "You are insufferable."
"That's the charm, Jaybird," Keifer winked.
They stepped into the musty darkness, the heavy curtain falling behind them with a soft thud. The world outside vanished. Inside, it was pitch black, save for red flickering lights and occasional strobes. A low groan echoed through the hallway. Jay froze.
Keifer chuckled. "Oh no. The spooky sound effects. Whatever will we do?"
She gritted her teeth and nodded.
"Okay. Deep breaths. Totally fine. Just...
jump scares and latex."
"Exactly. Easy." He gave her a mock salute. "Lead the way, if you dare."
Jay hesitated for a moment-then squared her shoulders and took a step forward.
A mannequin with a rotting face lurched out from the wall. Jay flinched... but kept walking.
Behind her, Keifer said casually, "You didn't scream. I'm impressed."
Another hallway. This one pulsed with fog and red light. A clown jumped from the corner, face grotesquely painted, emitting a piercing shriek.
Keifer shrieked louder.
"AHH-JAY! OH MY GOD-" he nearly tripped backward into a skeleton prop.
Jay turned around slowly, mouth twitching. "You okay, big guy?"
Keifer straightened, pretending to cough. "Just... testing the acoustics.
Carry on."
Jay burst out laughing.
They entered a mirrored hallway next.
Distorted reflections of themselves stretched and wobbled on every wall.
Jay walked ahead, giggling as Keifer cautiously tapped each panel.
"What if one of these mirrors is a two-way glass and a demon reaches through?" he asked, only half-joking.
"Then I hope it grabs you, Mr. Too Cool For Haunted Houses," Jay said.
Just then, a sensor triggered and a mannequin burst from the ceiling.
"OH DEAR-" Keifer yelped, practically jumping into Jay's arms.
Jay lost it. "You screamed louder than the dummy!"
Keifer hissed, gripping her tightly. "This place is cursed, Jay. I feel judged by every zombie in here."
They reached a hallway with hanging chains and flickering lights. A werewolf burst from the side with a guttural roar.
Jay blinked. "Nice costume. Fake fur. Grade C effort."
Keifer whimpered. "He almost bit my soul."
Jay turned around, hands on her hips. "Okay, so far, I've faced zombies, killer clowns, and possessed dolls. And you're the one screaming?"
Keifer pointed dramatically at the next hallway. "There was a baby doll in there with glowing red eyes. I'm not okay. Children are terrifying."
Jay leaned in, amused. "You mean you're scared of dolls?"
He crossed his arms. "I am an adult man with adult fears. Tiny evil dolls rank higher than taxes on that list."
Jay stifled her laughter as a creepy lullaby played in the background and a cradle began rocking on its own.
Keifer's entire body stiffened. "I swear if something pops out-"
A small ghost girl on a track zoomed out of the cradle.
"OH MY GOD!" Keifer screamed again, practically climbing the wall.
Jay collapsed into giggles, bracing herself against the side. "I can't breathe!"
"I CAN'T LIVE!" he replied dramatically, pressing himself into the corner. "This is a psychological attack."
They finally reached the last section -a corridor with flickering lights and a tall figure dressed like Death slowly approaching them.
Jay gave him a wave. "Hey, buddy."
The figure raised its scythe.
Keifer froze. "This is it. Tell my plants I love them."
The door to the exit opened with a hiss, letting in the hazy gold of evening.
Jay walked out cool as a cucumber.
Jay turned to him with a smug grin. "So... who's the fearless one now?"
Keifer straightened his shirt. "I let you shine. It was strategic."
"Oh, totally. Your 'battle cry' when the clown jumped out? Very convincing," she teased.
He gave her a look. "Okay, you win. You're the Horror House Queen. Do I get a crown? Or just eternal humiliation?"
Jay chuckled, slipping her hand into his. "Just eternal teasing."
Keifer exhaled. "I'll take it."
They continued walking.Jay was still laughing at the absurdity of their horror house experience, but in the midst of her laughter, she didn't notice the uneven patch of pavement beneath her feet.
One moment, she was teasing Keifer, and the next, her foot caught awkwardly on the uneven path. Her ankle twisted sharply beneath her, and a jolt of pain shot up her leg.
"Ouch!" she gasped, instinctively grabbing his arm for balance.
Before she could fully process what happened-or protest-Keifer's arms were already around her. In one smooth, determined motion, he lifted her off the ground.
"Wait-Keifer!" she yelped, eyes wide.
"Just hang on," he said, voice calm but a little breathless as he carried her bridal-style toward the nearest bench.
Jay squirmed, but he only tightened his hold. She huffed, cheeks pink. "I could've walked."
"You couldn't even stand," he said, gently lowering her onto the bench like she was made of glass. "Besides, I wasn't about to let you argue your way into more pain."
Jay stared at him, her pride bruised but her heart unexpectedly full. "You're ridiculous."
Keifer met her gaze and smiled.
"Maybe. But I've got good reflexes.Let me see."
He knelt in front of her, carefully lifting her foot into his lap.
Jay winced as she propped her foot on his knee. "It's not terrible, but... yeah. It throbs."
He gently poked around her ankle,
frowning. "Might be a mild sprain. You should rest it. Ice it."
She gave him a look. "Yes, Dr. Dramatic."
"Please. I'm Dr. Snacks," he said solemnly, then abruptly stood. "Wait here."
Jay blinked. "Where are you-"
But he was already jogging toward a nearby concession stand.
Two minutes later, Keifer returned triumphantly with a small, beat-up plastic bag filled with crushed ice, wrapped in a napkin and held like a sacred relic.
"Ta-da. Emergency field medicine."
He knelt in front of her, lifted her foot carefully into his lap, and applied the ice pack.
Jay flinched. "Cold!"
"That's the point." He smirked. "Pain first. Healing later."
He adjusted the makeshift wrap, fingers surprisingly gentle. "That should help. Just sit here for a bit."
Jay leaned back. "Okay, well, I'll just wait here until my foot unbreaks itself and the sun explodes."
"Or," Keifer said, standing and turning his back to her, "you accept my noble offer of a piggyback ride."
Jay blinked. "What?"
"You heard me. Hop on. Your carriage awaits."
Jay crossed her arms. "No way."
"You can't walk."
"I can hobble."
"You'll trip on a popcorn kernel and fall into a churro cart."
She sighed. "I'm not letting you carry me like I'm a toddler."
He glanced back at her. "Okay, then. I'll just pick you up bridal style instead."
"What-no!"
Keifer shrugged. "You choose. Piggyback or princess mode."
Jay narrowed her eyes. "You wouldn't."
"I would. With confidence and flair."
She groaned. "Ugh. Piggyback. Fine."
He grinned, triumphant. "That's what I thought. You do realize this makes us officially hilarious now, right?"
"Just turn around before I change my mind."
He turned, crouched slightly, and she hesitantly climbed onto his back, "Don't drop me."
"I'd rather die," he said, voice low but sure.
"You will if I fall," she shot back, narrowing her eyes as she cautiously climbed onto his back, her arms wrapping around his shoulders and her legs curling against his sides.
He chuckled as he adjusted his grip beneath her thighs, lifting her as "You're lighter than all that attitude lets on."
"And you talk more than you walk," she muttered near his ear.
Jay's chin settled lightly on his shoulder, her arms draped loosely around his neck. The rhythm of his steps rocked her gently, like some oddly comforting amusement ride.
She could feel the steady rise and fall of his breath, the solid warmth of his back through the fabric of his shirt. It was... grounding. Calmer than she'd expected.
To be continued...
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I am so grateful for all of you✨
My second book "The Brutality of Tenderness" will be coming out tomorrow with the same concept of my other second book which for some issue cannot be restore. ... so please be tune..
Thank you for your support ✨
Love you guys ❤
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