By the next morning, Jay had accepted one simple truth:
Secrets did not survive in the Mariano–Watson empire.
She and Keifer walked into headquarters side by side, very clearly not holding hands, very clearly not standing too close… and very clearly failing.
The moment they stepped into the lobby, conversations dipped.
Then whispers started.
Jay felt it immediately.
"Why is everyone looking at us?" she muttered.
Keifer glanced around, far too calm. "Because we're hot?"
She elbowed him. "Be serious."
Before he could reply, Ryan appeared out of nowhere, coffee in hand, wearing the most evil grin Jay had ever seen.
"So," he said cheerfully, "should I call you Jay Mariano or Mrs. Watson now?"
Jay choked. "RYAN!"
Keifer nearly dropped his phone laughing. "I like him."
"I will end you," Jay warned Ryan.
Ryan leaned in dramatically. "Four parents. One dorm. A closed door. You didn't even make it twenty-four hours."
Jay covered her face. "I hate this place."
⸻
THE MEETING FROM HELL
In the conference room, interns sat around the long glass table. Jay opened her laptop, determined to focus.
Keifer leaned over. "Relax. Pretend I'm just your annoying coworker."
"You are my annoying coworker."
"Progress."
Across the table, Alexa cleared her throat. "So… should we congratulate you two?"
Jay froze.
Keifer blinked. "On?"
"On finally dating," Alexa said sweetly. "Your parents were very… loud last night."
Jay slowly turned her head toward Keifer.
"You said your family wouldn't talk."
Keifer shrugged. "They talk. Loudly. With enthusiasm."
Ryan coughed. "There was cake."
Jay stared. "There was CAKE?"
"Heart-shaped," Ryan added helpfully.
Jay closed her laptop. "I'm resigning."
⸻
PROFESSIONAL… MOSTLY
Despite the chaos, once the presentation began, Jay snapped into focus.
She spoke confidently.
She explained strategies clearly.
She owned the room.
Keifer watched her with quiet pride, stepping in smoothly when it was his turn. They worked perfectly together — no interruptions, no teasing, just sharp coordination.
When they finished, the director nodded.
"Excellent teamwork. You two clearly know how to communicate."
Jay smiled politely.
Keifer, however, smirked.
"Yeah. We've had a lot of practice."
Jay stepped on his foot.
⸻
THE HALLWAY MOMENT
After the meeting, Jay pulled Keifer into a quiet hallway.
"You enjoyed this way too much," she accused.
He shrugged. "Maybe a little."
She sighed, rubbing her temples. "I wanted to keep things simple."
Keifer softened. "Hey. We can still be professional. Nothing changes unless you want it to."
Jay looked at him — really looked. No teasing. No smirk. Just sincerity.
"…You're surprisingly mature right now," she said.
"Don't get used to it."
She laughed despite herself.
Then, quieter, she added, "I'm just scared, Keifer. About expectations. About families. About messing this up."
He stepped closer, voice low and steady.
"We'll mess up some things. But not us."
Her chest tightened.
Before she could reply, Ryan popped his head around the corner.
"Hey lovebirds! Lunch! Also, you're trending internally."
Jay groaned. "I hate you."
Ryan grinned. "Love you too."
Keifer leaned toward Jay and whispered, "See? Worst-case scenario—we're famous."
She shook her head, smiling. "You're impossible."
"But," he said softly, "I'm yours."
Jay paused… then nodded.
"Yeah. You are."
Mine