THE MISUNDERSTANDING
The trouble started small.
It always did.
Jay was reviewing financial projections late in the strategy room, headphones in, fully focused. Numbers made sense. People didn't. That's why she liked spreadsheets.
She didn't notice the door open.
Keifer stepped in with the director of the program and one of the senior executives from Watson Enterprises. Jay glanced up only when she heard her name.
"…Jay Mariano is extremely capable," the executive was saying. "But for the final leadership track, we believe Keifer Watson would be a safer face for the partnership."
Jay's fingers froze on the keyboard.
Keifer didn't say anything.
Not immediately.
The director nodded. "Of course. The Watson name carries weight."
Jay felt something cold settle in her chest.
She closed her laptop quietly and slipped out before either of them noticed. She told herself she was being professional. Calm. Rational.
But the words echoed anyway.
Safer face.
The Watson name.
⸻
THE DISTANCE
By dinner, Keifer noticed.
Jay was quieter. Short answers. No teasing. No eye contact.
"You okay?" he asked gently as they walked back to the dorm.
"I'm fine," she said immediately.
That was how he knew she wasn't.
Later that night, he knocked on her door.
No answer.
He tried again. "Jay. Open up."
She finally did — arms crossed, expression unreadable.
"What?" she asked.
Keifer frowned. "Did I do something?"
She laughed once. Sharp. "Did you? No. Why would you."
"Jay—"
"I heard them," she interrupted. "Today. The executives."
Keifer went still. "…You heard that?"
"So it's true," she said quietly. "They're already deciding. You're the face. I'm just— what? The add-on?"
"That's not what I think," he said quickly.
"But you didn't say anything," she shot back. "You just stood there."
Keifer ran a hand through his hair, frustrated. "Because I didn't want to cause a scene."
"So you chose silence."
"I chose strategy!"
Jay shook her head. "You always get to choose strategy. I don't. I have to prove myself twice as hard just to stand next to you."
"That's not fair," he said. "You know how good you are."
"Then why does everyone act like I'm just Mariano support staff?" Her voice cracked despite herself. "I don't want to be someone's shadow, Keifer. Not even yours."
That hit him harder than anything she'd said before.
"I never wanted you to feel like that," he said softly.
"Well, I do."
Silence stretched between them.
Finally, Jay stepped back. "I need space."
Keifer swallowed. "…Okay."
The door closed.
And for the first time since they'd admitted their feelings, they went to sleep apart — both staring at the ceiling, both hurting, both missing the other more than they wanted to admit.
⸻
THE NEXT DAY
The internship floor buzzed with tension.
Jay was sharp. Professional. Untouchable.
Keifer noticed how she stopped waiting for him before meetings. How she answered questions without looking his way. How she smiled at everyone except him.
Ryan leaned over. "You messed up, didn't you?"
Keifer sighed. "Badly."
"Fix it," Ryan said. "Before you lose her."
⸻
KEIFER'S CHOICE
That afternoon, during a senior review meeting, the director spoke again.
"We'll be finalizing leadership representation. Keifer Watson will—"
"No."
Every head turned.
Keifer stood.
"With respect," he continued, voice steady, "this partnership only works if Jay Mariano is recognized equally. If that's not possible, I'll step back from the track."
Jay's head snapped up.
The room went silent.
The director frowned. "You'd give up your position?"
Keifer didn't hesitate. "Yes."
Jay stared at him, heart pounding.
⸻
Later, outside, she stopped him.
"You didn't have to do that," she said.
"I did," he replied. "Because I don't want success if it costs you."
She looked at him for a long moment.
Then quietly said, "I don't want to fight with you."
He stepped closer. "Then don't walk away next time. Talk to me."
She nodded. "…Okay keifer ily ."
The suddenly keifer kissed her
Not perfect.
Not fixed.
But together again.