Families were allowed to have private conversations.
And my mother was allowed to say something without it becoming a mystery for me to solve.
Still, there was something about the way they'd reacted.
Not to the branch itself.
To the details surrounding it.
My mother's smile had appeared a little too quickly. Tita Gemma had looked at Kuya Angelo as though she were waiting for him to say something. And when Keifer mentioned that he would be travelling between London and the Philippines, Aries had gone unusually quiet.
Perhaps I was simply noticing too much.
Perhaps I was tired.
Perhaps—
"Jay-Jay?"
I looked up.
Everyone was looking at me.
"Sorry?" I asked.
Keifer's eyebrows lifted. "I asked whether you'd like another drink."
"Oh. No, thank you."
He studied me for a moment before turning back to the others.
I tried to concentrate on the conversation, but my thoughts kept circling the same question.
Why had that one sentence made the room feel different?
"So, Keifer," Aries said after a while, "when the branch opens, are you going to throw some huge event?"
"We're considering an opening ceremony followed by a celebration."
"A party?" Aries asked immediately.
"That's one way to describe it."
"Will there be food?"
"I'm sure there will be."
"Then I support this business expansion."
Keifer nodded seriously. "Excellent. I'll inform the board that we have secured your endorsement."
"Make sure they know my decision was based on snacks."
"Of course. I'll list you as our Chief Snack Consultant."
Aries pointed at him. "Promotion already! I like this company."
"Don't get too excited," I said. "You'll have to submit a résumé."
"I have qualifications."
"Name one."
"I can eat without complaining."
"That's not a qualification."
"It is in this family."
"Fair point," Keifer admitted.
My mother laughed again, and for a moment, the uneasiness faded.
Then Kuya Angelo asked, "And when are you expecting everything to be ready?"
"Soon, if the remaining arrangements go as planned. There are contracts to finalize, teams to organize, and a number of details that need attention before we can make the opening official."
My mother's smile softened.
"Soon," she repeated.
Just one word.
But her eyes moved towards Tita Gemma again.
Tita Gemma looked down at the table.
I felt it then—that little twist in my stomach, the same uncomfortable sensation I'd been trying to dismiss.
They weren't surprised in the same way everyone else was.
They were reacting to something beneath the announcement.
Or maybe I was inventing a pattern where none existed.
I hated that I couldn't tell the difference anymore.
"Jay?"
Keifer's voice pulled me back.
I blinked. "Hmm?"
"Your hand."
I looked down.
My fingers had tightened around the edge of the cushion.
Keifer gently touched the back of my hand, his thumb moving once across my knuckles.
"You're going to destroy the furniture before my company even opens its doors," he whispered.
I gave him a faint smile.
"Maybe the furniture deserves it."
"Should I add furniture replacement to the business budget?"
"Only if you include compensation for your annoying girlfriend."
"Impossible."
I frowned. "Why?"
"Because the annoying girlfriend is the main reason I want to stay here. Replacing her would defeat the entire purpose."
My heart did an embarrassing little flip.
I looked away before he could see the effect his words had on me.
Too late.
His smile told me he had noticed everything.
A little later, my mother excused herself to check on something in the kitchen, and Tita Gemma followed her.
I watched them leave.
"Jay-Jay," Kuya Angelo called, "could you bring the extra plates from the kitchen?"
"Sure."
I stood, but Keifer caught my fingers before I could walk away.
"Wait."
I looked at him.
He leaned towards me and whispered, "Bring me something too."
"What?"
"A little attention."
I stared at him.
"You've had my attention all evening!"
"Not the kind I'm requesting."
"Keifer!"
He smiled innocently. "What? I was going to ask for another glass of water."
"Liar."
"Your imagination is dangerous, sweetheart."
"You're the dangerous one!"
"Then we're a perfect match."
I shook my head and escaped before he could invent another line that would make me forget how to walk.
In the kitchen, I found my mother standing beside the counter, while Tita Gemma was arranging the plates.
They were speaking quietly.
The moment I entered, their conversation stopped.
Again.
My footsteps slowed.
My mother turned towards me with a smile that looked entirely ordinary.
"Did you need something, anak?"
"Kuya asked me to get the extra plates."
"Of course. They're in the cabinet."
I opened it and reached for the plates.
Neither of them said anything.
I glanced at Tita Gemma.
She was concentrating very hard on a stack of napkins.
Too hard, perhaps.
Or maybe I was simply looking for something to be wrong.
"Is everything okay?" I asked.
My mother's gaze returned to mine.
"Of course, Jay-Jay."
The answer came so quickly that I almost asked again.
Instead, I nodded.
"Okay."
She came closer and gently tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear.
"Don't worry about anything, anak. Enjoy your time with Keifer. You have enough things to think about already."
Her affection was genuine. I could feel it in the warmth of her hand against my cheek.
That made my doubts even more uncomfortable.
I wanted to believe her.
I wanted to accept the reassurance and return to the living room, where Keifer was probably telling Aries some ridiculous story about corporate management.
So I smiled.
"Okay, Mom."
I picked up the plates and walked out.
Behind me, I heard the faintest rustle of movement.
I didn't turn around.
I didn't ask what they had been discussing.
I told myself I was being sensible.
But somewhere deep inside, a small, stubborn voice refused to be quiet.
Why did they stop talking the moment I walked in?
By the time we were ready to leave, my family had congratulated Keifer at least five more times.
Aries had officially accepted his imaginary promotion as Chief Snack Consultant, Kuya Angelo had offered a few practical suggestions, and my mother had insisted that Keifer visit again soon.
"Anytime, Tita," Keifer promised. "I'll make sure Jay doesn't forget to bring me."
I turned to him.
"Why would I have to bring you? You have a car."
"Yes, but I enjoy being escorted by beautiful women."
"Then hire a chauffeur."
"I already have my favourite one."
"Keifer, I swear—"
My mother laughed. "You two are always arguing."
"He starts it," I protested.
"That's true," Keifer said.
I blinked.
He continued, "But she finishes it. Usually with threats."
"Because you deserve them!"
"See, Tita? She's already making plans for our future."
I covered my face with one hand.
"Please stop talking."
He leaned towards me. "You know, sweetheart, if you keep telling me to stop, I'll start thinking you enjoy giving me instructions."
I lowered my hand and stared at him.
"Get in the car."
He grinned. "Yes, ma'am."
I was going to push him into a bush one day.
Affectionately, of course.
After saying our goodbyes, Keifer held the car door open for me. Before I got in, he gently caught my hand and pressed a kiss to my forehead.
"Thank you for letting me tell them myself," he said quietly.
I looked at him, surprised by the sudden sincerity.
"Of course. This is important to you."
"It is." His fingers tightened around mine for a moment. "And they're important to you."
Something in my chest softened.
"You did well," I told him.
His expression brightened. "So I get a reward?"
I narrowed my eyes.
"What kind of reward?"
"A kiss would be a reasonable starting point."
"Starting point?"
"I'm an ambitious man."
I laughed despite myself.
Then, before he could tease me again, I rose onto my toes and kissed his cheek.
"There. Happy?"
He remained still for a moment.
Then he turned towards me with a look of exaggerated disappointment.
"Your Honour, I'd like to appeal the decision."
"Rejected."
"Cruel woman."
"Dramatic man."
"Your dramatic man."
My smile softened.
"Yes," I whispered. "Mine."
For once, he didn't have a clever reply.
He simply looked at me, his teasing expression giving way to something warm and impossibly sincere.
Then he brushed his thumb over my knuckles.
"Always worth staying for," he murmured.
My heart melted so completely that I was almost annoyed with it.
Almost.
The drive home was quiet at first.
Keifer kept one hand on the steering wheel and rested the other near mine on the centre console. After a few minutes, I slipped my fingers into his.
He glanced at me.
"Better?"
"Hmm?"
"You've been quiet since we left."
I looked out of the window.
"I'm fine."
"Jay."
There was no teasing in his voice this time.
I sighed.
"Did you notice anything strange back there?"
He considered the question.
"Strange how?"
"I don't know. The way everyone reacted to certain things. Some of their expressions. They seemed happy about the branch, but sometimes it felt like they were thinking about something else."
Keifer listened without interrupting.
I appreciated that about him. He could be an absolute menace when he wanted to be, but when something mattered to me, he gave me room to speak.
"Maybe I'm reading too much into it," I added. "I just couldn't shake the feeling."
He was quiet for a moment before answering.
"Your family seemed happy for me, sweetheart. Your brother asked sensible questions, your mother congratulated me, and Aries tried to secure a job based entirely on his ability to eat."
A reluctant laugh escaped me.
"He would."
"Exactly. It all seemed normal to me."
I nodded slowly.
"Maybe."
Keifer squeezed my hand.
"You've had a lot on your mind lately. Sometimes, when we're worried about something, we start looking for meaning in every little detail. It doesn't necessarily mean there's something wrong."
I knew he wasn't dismissing me.
He was trying to help me breathe, to remind me that not every uncomfortable feeling needed to become a disaster.
And perhaps he was right.
Perhaps I was overthinking.
He glanced at me again.
"Besides, if your family had a problem with me, I think Aries would have asked me to leave before he lost his imaginary promotion."
I laughed.
"That's your evidence?"
"It's compelling evidence."
"You're ridiculous."
"And yet, I'm the one driving you home safely."
"Would you like a medal?"
"No. I'd like another kiss."
I rolled my eyes.
"Absolutely not."
"Fine. I'll accept payment in instalments."
"There's no payment plan!"
"Then I'll have to negotiate with management."
I laughed again, and he looked far too pleased with himself.
"See?" he said. "There's my girl."
I rested my head against the seat, our fingers still intertwined.
Outwardly, I let the conversation end there.
I let myself believe that perhaps my family had simply been tired. That their expressions meant nothing. That I had spent too much time worrying about things I couldn't control.
I let Keifer's warmth settle around me like a promise that everything would be all right.
But as the streetlights passed across the window, I remembered my mother's words.
Things should finally settle down.
And the way Tita Gemma had stopped moving.
The way Kuya Angelo had looked at her.
The way the room had changed for one tiny moment, as if everyone had heard something I hadn't.
I closed my eyes and leaned into the quiet comfort of Keifer's hand.
Maybe I was overthinking.
Maybe there was nothing more to understand.
Maybe, tomorrow, I would wake up and laugh at myself for turning an ordinary family evening into another unanswered question.
I wanted that to be true.
More than anything, I wanted to be wrong.
Because my family had smiled at me tonight. They had welcomed Keifer, celebrated his achievement, and treated us as though our future was something they could be happy about.
Nothing had happened that I could point to.
Nothing I could explain.
Nothing I could prove.
And yet, beneath all that warmth, the uneasiness remained.
Quiet.
Persistent.
Waiting.
I squeezed Keifer's hand, and he squeezed mine in return.
"Everything okay?" he asked softly.
I turned towards him and offered the smile he expected.
"Everything's fine."
He smiled back and returned his attention to the road.
But the moment I looked away, my smile faded.
Because I could accept his explanation.
I could tell myself I was overthinking.
I could choose not to ask another question.
But I couldn't silence the feeling that something was still terribly, terribly wrong.
If there was one thing I learned about dating Mark Keifer Watson, it was that the man had two personalities.
The first was my boyfriend—the annoyingly charming, shamelessly flirtatious man who could turn a normal conversation into a reason for me to hide my face.
The second was the businessman.
And honestly?
The businessman was terrifying.
Not in the way people usually meant it. Keifer didn't need to raise his voice or act arrogant to command attention. He simply walked into a room, listened carefully, asked the right questions, and somehow made everyone else sit a little straighter.
I'd seen glimpses of that side of him before.
But watching him prepare for the Philippine branch of Watson Corp was an entirely different experience.
It started on a Monday morning.
7:12 AM — KEIFER'S MESSAGES
Keifer: Good morning, beautiful.
Me: Good morning.
Keifer: Did you sleep well?
Me: Yes. You?
Keifer: No.
Me: Why?
Keifer: Couldn't stop thinking about you.
I stared at my phone.
Me: You are so predictable.
Keifer: Actually, I was thinking about the branch opening.
Me: EXCUSE ME???
Keifer: And you. Mostly you. The branch was a minor interruption.
Me: You need professional help.
Keifer: I have professionals. They're called employees.
Me: I'm blocking you.
Keifer: Don't. Who else will remind you to eat breakfast?
A second message appeared.
Keifer: Eat something before school. Please.
I smiled despite myself.
Me: Fine. But stop flirting with me during business hours.
Keifer: Technically, I'm flirting before business hours.
Me: Your business hours start at nine.
Keifer: Then I'll schedule you for 8:59 tomorrow.
Me: KEIFER.
Keifer: Yes, sweetheart? Put me on speaker. I'd like to hear you say my name again.
I locked my phone.
Somewhere in London, a company was trusting this man with important decisions.
God help them.
By Wednesday, my boyfriend had apparently decided that sleep was an optional activity.
His calendar was terrifying.
Meetings with the management team. Discussions about office space. Financial projections. Staffing plans. Calls with London. Negotiations with potential business partners. Reviews of legal documents.
And somehow, between all of that, he still found time to send me messages.
Keifer: Have you eaten?
Me: Yes.
Keifer: What?
Me: Food.
Keifer: Fascinating. Very detailed. I'll have my team analyse this report.
Me: Rice and chicken.
Keifer: Better. Proud of you.
Me: Are you seriously praising me for eating?
Keifer: Yes. My girlfriend is brilliant, beautiful, and occasionally forgets she's a human being who needs food.
Me: I DO NOT.
Keifer: You once told me you were too busy to eat and then complained about being hungry.
Me: That happened one time.
Keifer: One time that I know of.
Me: Go to your meeting.
Keifer: Going. Miss me responsibly.
Me: What does that even mean?
Keifer: Don't get distracted. I need you to maintain your excellent academic performance while I maintain my excellent boyfriend performance.
Me: Your boyfriend performance is questionable.
Keifer: Then I request a private evaluation.
Me: BLOCKED.
Keifer: You keep threatening to block me. Starting to think you enjoy our relationship.
I couldn't stop smiling at my screen.
Even when he was busy, Keifer never made me feel like I had to compete with his work for a little attention.
He might take an hour to reply during a meeting, but he'd tell me beforehand. If he knew he would be busy all afternoon, he'd send a quick message so I wouldn't wonder where he had disappeared.
And if he promised to call me at eight?
He called at eight.
Sometimes at 7:59, just to announce that he was early.
The man was unbearable.
Unfortunately, he was also thoughtful enough to make it difficult to complain.
On Thursday afternoon, I found myself standing outside a conference room at the temporary office Watson Corp was using for the Philippine expansion.
Keifer had mentioned that he would be working late. When I heard how exhausted he sounded during our afternoon call, I decided to visit him.
I hadn't told him I was coming.
Mostly because I wanted to surprise him.
Partly because I wanted to see whether the terrifying businessman would be as intimidating in person as he sounded over the phone.
The receptionist informed me that he was still in a meeting.
I thanked her and waited.
Through the glass wall, I could see Keifer seated at the head of a long table, dressed in a dark suit with his sleeves neatly buttoned and his expression serious.
A document lay open in front of him.
One of the men across the table was explaining something about the projected costs. Keifer listened without interrupting, occasionally making notes before asking a question.
"That figure assumes the current operating costs remain stable," Keifer said. "What happens if the initial staffing requirements exceed our estimate?"
The man consulted his papers.
"We've included a contingency allowance."
"How much?"
He answered.
Keifer studied the figures.
"Increase the reserve. I don't want us cutting corners three months after opening because we underestimated the initial expenses."
Another person nodded and made a note.
"And the recruitment timeline?" Keifer continued. "I want qualified people, not rushed appointments. We're building a long-term operation here."
There was no trace of the boy who had sent me a message that morning asking whether I had dreamed about him.
This Keifer was composed, analytical, and entirely focused.
He wasn't trying to look powerful.
He was trying to get things right.
And suddenly, I understood why people took him so seriously.
He knew what he was responsible for.
And he intended to honour it.
The meeting continued for another twenty minutes before the participants began gathering their documents.
I stepped away from the glass wall just as Keifer came out.
He was speaking to one of his colleagues when he noticed me.
He stopped.
Blinking once.
Then twice.
"Jay-Jay?"
I lifted a hand.
"Surprise?"
His expression changed so quickly that I nearly laughed.
The serious businessman disappeared.
My ridiculously handsome boyfriend took his place.
"What are you doing here?"
"Visiting my boyfriend."
He glanced at his watch.
"At work?"
"No, Keifer. I came to inspect the ceiling."
He laughed, shaking his head.
"You have a terrible attitude."
"And you have terrible working hours."
His smile softened.
He turned to the colleague beside him. "We'll continue reviewing the remaining documents tomorrow morning. Send me the updated figures before the end of the day."
"Certainly, sir."
Once the colleague left, Keifer looked at me again.
"You should have told me you were coming."
"Then it wouldn't have been a surprise."
"What if I'd been in a meeting?"
"You were in a meeting."
"Exactly. You're proving my point."
I folded my arms.
"Would you rather I left?"
His expression immediately changed.
"No."
The answer came so quickly that I couldn't help smiling.
He stepped closer.
"Absolutely not."
"Then stop complaining."
"I'm not complaining. I'm expressing professional concern about the unexpected arrival of a very distracting woman."
"Professional concern?"
"Severe, actually. I may need to submit a report."
I laughed.
He reached for my hand.
"Come here."
I barely had time to take a step before he drew me into a warm embrace.
His arms settled around me, and I rested my cheek against his chest.
For a few seconds, neither of us said anything.
Then he murmured, "You have no idea how happy I am to see you."
I tilted my face upwards.
"Even though I'm distracting you from your important business?"
"Especially because you're distracting me from my important business."
"That makes absolutely no sense."
"Love rarely respects office hours."
I laughed against his chest.
He kissed the top of my head.
Then he whispered, "Besides, the office was getting unbearably boring without you."
"Keifer, you were literally negotiating million-peso business arrangements."
"Yes. And not one person there called me handsome."
I pulled away just enough to look at him.
"That's your biggest problem?"
"One of them."
I rolled my eyes.
He smiled and brushed a loose strand of hair away from my face.
"Come on. I'll show you my office."
His temporary office was more impressive than I expected.
A wide desk stood near the window, covered with neatly arranged documents. There were two monitors, a laptop, a few folders bearing the Watson Corp logo, and a whiteboard filled with notes and timelines.
Everything had its place.
Except, apparently, Keifer's sleep schedule.
He set my bag on a chair and offered me a bottle of water.
"Make yourself comfortable."
I looked around.
"How long have you been here today?"
"Since early morning."
"How early?"
He hesitated.
I narrowed my eyes.
"Keifer."
"Six."
"Six in the morning?"
"No, six in the afternoon. I travelled back in time."
I stared at him.
He grinned.
"Yes, sweetheart. Six in the morning."
"And what time did you wake up?"
"Five."
I slowly put the water bottle down.
"YOU SLEPT HOW MUCH?"
"Before you begin shouting, I'd like to clarify that I am alive, well, and perfectly capable of—"
"Sit down."
He blinked.
"Excuse me?"
"Sit. Down."
A smile began tugging at his lips.
"Oh, I like this."
"Keifer."
"You're using your serious voice."
"Sit down before I make you regret being born."
He obediently sat in his chair.
Then he looked up at me with an expression of exaggerated admiration.
"Beautiful, intelligent, and terrifying. The complete package."
I pointed towards the chair.
"Stay."
He looked offended.
"I'm your boyfriend, not a dog."
"Then stop behaving like one when I tell you to rest."
He laughed so hard that he had to lean back.
I couldn't help smiling, but I wasn't letting him distract me.
"Have you eaten properly today?"
"Yes."
"What did you eat?"
He paused.
I crossed my arms.
"Keifer."
"Breakfast."
"What did you eat for breakfast?"
"Food."
I closed my eyes.
I was going to lose my mind.
"You cannot keep doing this."
His smile faded a little when he noticed how serious I was.
"Jay, I'm okay."
"You say that every time you're exhausted."
"I'm not exhausted."
I simply looked at him.
He lasted approximately three seconds.
"Fine. I'm a little tired."
"A little?"
"Moderately tired."
"Keifer."
"All right! I'm tired."
I pulled another chair closer and sat opposite him.
"Then take a break. Just twenty minutes. No emails, no calls, no looking at documents."
He glanced at the papers on his desk.
"But—"
"No."
"I have a deadline."
"And you have a body that needs rest."
He opened his mouth.
I raised one finger.
"Don't."
He closed it again.
Then, very quietly, he said, "Yes, ma'am."
I nodded approvingly.
"Good boy."
The moment the words left my mouth, I froze.
Keifer froze too.
Then his eyes slowly lifted to mine.
A dangerous smile spread across his face.
"Oh?"
"Don't."
"I didn't say anything."
"Your face did."
"My face is innocent."
"Your face is a criminal."
He leaned back in his chair, looking entirely too pleased with himself.
"Careful, sweetheart. If you keep praising me, I might become obedient."
"That would be a miracle."
"Although," he added thoughtfully, "I could probably be persuaded to follow more instructions."
I grabbed a cushion from the nearby sofa and threw it at him.
He caught it, laughing.
"Violence in the workplace! I'll have to report this to human resources."
"I AM human resources."
"Then I demand a meeting with the department head."
"Denied."
"Can I at least appeal?"
"No."
"Can I appeal with flowers?"
I paused.
He noticed.
"Interesting."
"Don't you dare."
"Flowers and food?"
"Keifer!"
"And perhaps a kiss?"
I stood.
"I'm leaving."
He immediately reached for my hand.
"Wait! I'll rest. I promise."
I sat down again.
He smiled.
"See? Excellent negotiation skills. You should work in business."
"I'd rather work anywhere else."
"Unfortunate. I was planning to make you my favourite business partner."
"Your girlfriend, you mean?"
"That too."
His fingers slipped between mine.
"Especially that."
Twenty minutes turned into thirty.
Not because Keifer tried to negotiate for more time.
Because, for once, he actually listened.
He closed his laptop, put his phone on silent, and leaned back in his chair while I told him about my day.
He asked questions, laughed at the parts I found funny, and listened when I complained about a particularly frustrating assignment.
Every now and then, he would glance at me with that quiet expression I loved—the one that made me feel as though, no matter how busy the world became, he would always find a moment to hear me.
Eventually, his shoulders relaxed.
The tension in his face softened.
I reached across the small space between us and brushed my fingers over his hand.
"Better?"
"Much."
"See? Resting doesn't kill you."
"Neither does being lectured by my girlfriend, apparently."
"Give it time."
He laughed, then stood and came around the desk.
Before I could ask what he was doing, he held out his hand.
"Come here."
I took it.
He drew me gently towards him until I was standing between him and the desk.
His hands settled at my waist, careful and warm, and he looked down at me with an expression that made my teasing words disappear.
"What?" I whispered.
"Nothing."
"You're staring."
"I'm allowed."
"Since when?"
"Since I fell in love with you."
My heart stumbled.
He smiled faintly.
"That was a while ago, sweetheart. You should have read the terms and conditions."
I laughed softly.
"You never gave me any."
"I did. First term: tolerate my flirting."
"Impossible."
"Second term: accept my terrible jokes."
"Unacceptable."
"Third term—"
"Keifer."
"Fine." He drew me a little closer. "Third term: let me love you."
My smile faded into something softer.
For once, I had no comeback.
He seemed to notice.
His expression became gentler, and he lowered his forehead to mine.
The office was quiet around us.
No ringing phones.
No impatient voices.
No deadlines demanding his attention.
Just him.
And me.
His thumbs moved lightly against my hands as he spoke.
"Sometimes, I look at everything that needs to be done, and it feels like there are a hundred things waiting for me to get them right."
I listened without interrupting.
"The London operations, the new branch, the people depending on me. Every decision affects someone. I can't simply make a choice because it sounds good in a meeting."
"I know."
"And I want this expansion to succeed. Not just because it's a good opportunity for the company. I want to build something that lasts."
His forehead remained against mine.
"Something I'm proud of."
I squeezed his hands.
"You will."
He exhaled softly.
"You're very confident in me."
"Of course I am."
"Even when I'm being unreasonable?"
"Especially then. Someone needs to balance your ego."
He laughed under his breath.
Then his smile softened again.
"Having you near makes all the pressure feel worthwhile."
My chest tightened.
"Keifer..."
"I'm serious." His voice was quiet. "I know the branch is a business decision. I know there are practical reasons for opening it here. But being able to come home to the Philippines more often, to see you without counting the days until I have to leave again..."
He paused.
"That matters to me more than I can explain."
I lifted one hand to his cheek.
"You don't have to explain everything."
His eyes met mine.
"I want to."
"Then tell me."
He leaned into my palm for the briefest moment.
"I want to build my future without feeling like I'm always missing part of it."
My heart ached in the sweetest way.
I moved closer and wrapped my arms around him.
He held me carefully, resting his cheek against my hair.
"I believe in you," I whispered. "Not because of your company, your money, or the things you can achieve. I believe in you because I know how hard you work, how seriously you take your responsibilities, and how much you care about doing things right."
He was silent.
"And you don't have to prove that you're capable every second of every day," I continued. "You can be tired. You can have a difficult day. You can ask for help. None of that makes you less capable."
His arms tightened around me.
For a moment, I thought he might tease me.
He didn't.
Instead, he whispered, "You have no idea what hearing that from you does to me."
I pulled back enough to see his face.
"Then tell me."
He gave me a small smile.
"It means more than you realize."
My fingers brushed over his cheek.
"Good. Because I mean every word."
He looked at me for a long moment before gently kissing my forehead.
Then my cheek.
Then he paused, his gaze returning to mine.
"Can I kiss you properly now?"
I laughed softly.
"You need permission every time?"
"I like hearing you say yes."
The butterflies in my stomach were becoming a public health concern.
I rose slightly onto my toes.
"Yes, Keifer."
His smile was so tender that I nearly forgot what I had said.
He kissed me gently.
No rush. No teasing for once. Just a quiet, affectionate kiss that made the entire exhausting week feel a little less heavy.
When we parted, he kept his forehead against mine.
"Well," he murmured, "that's definitely better than my last meeting."
I laughed.
"Your last meeting involved financial projections."
"And yet, somehow, you were more convincing."
"You're impossible."
"You've mentioned that."
"And I will keep mentioning it."
"Good. I like hearing your voice."
I stared at him.
He smiled.
"Especially when you're saying my name."
I pushed lightly against his chest.
"You're ruining the moment."
"I'm improving it."
"You're ruining it."
"Then kiss me again and we'll see who wins."
I tried to look stern.
I failed.
And, naturally, he noticed.
When I finally left the office, Keifer walked me to the car.
He had returned to his laptop long enough to send a few messages to his team, but he'd kept his promise not to bury himself in work for the rest of the evening.
Before I got into the car, he caught my hand.
"Thank you for coming."
I smiled.
"Thank you for actually resting."
"Would you consider making this a regular appointment?"
"Only if you promise not to work yourself into exhaustion."
He pretended to think about it.
"Can I negotiate the terms?"
"No."
"Not even with dinner?"
I narrowed my eyes.
"What kind of dinner?"
"Whatever you want."
"And dessert?"
"Of course."
"And you won't answer work calls?"
He hesitated.
I raised an eyebrow.
He sighed dramatically.
"Fine. No work calls during dinner unless something genuinely urgent happens."
"Deal."
He lifted my hand and kissed it.
"You're a very demanding woman."
"And you're a very difficult man."
"Good thing we're compatible."
I smiled.
He opened the car door for me, then leaned down slightly.
"Text me when you get home."
"I will."
"And eat something."
"Keifer!"
"I'm serious."
"I KNOW."
He grinned.
"Good. I love you."
The words were simple.
They still made my heart feel too big for my chest.
"I love you too."
His expression softened.
"Drive safely," he said, before correcting himself with a laugh. "Wait. I'm driving you."
"Exactly. Please don't crash while admiring me."
"Impossible. I have excellent reflexes."
"Your ego needs its own seat belt."
He laughed and closed the door.
I watched him through the window as he walked back towards the office, already looking at his phone.
The businessman was returning.
But now I knew what sat beneath all that focus and determination.
A young man trying to build something meaningful.
A boyfriend trying to make time for the person he loved.
And someone who carried more responsibility than he ever admitted aloud.
I wanted him to succeed.
I wanted the branch to open, the company to grow, and all his hard work to lead somewhere wonderful.
And I wanted him to remember that he didn't have to carry everything alone.
That night, after I got home, I waited until the house was quiet before opening my laptop.
I had another set of documents to review.
Not Keifer's.
Mine.
The scholarship portal glowed on the screen, its list of requirements neatly organized into sections.
Academic records.
Application forms.
Personal statement.
Supporting documents.
I opened my notebook and checked the list I'd made earlier.
One by one, I marked the things I had already gathered and wrote down what I still needed to prepare.
It would take time.
There were details I needed to verify, documents I needed to organize, and a personal statement I wanted to write carefully. I couldn't afford to rush it simply because the opportunity excited me.
I wanted to give myself a real chance.
And I wanted to do it quietly.
No announcements.
No expectations.
No one asking whether I was certain I could manage it.
Not my family.
Not my friends.
Not even Keifer.
Especially not Keifer.
He had enough on his plate with the Philippine branch, and I didn't want to turn my own dream into another discussion before I had something concrete to show for it.
I wanted to prepare properly.
I wanted to work for it.
And if everything went well, I wanted to surprise the people I loved with news that would make them proud.
My phone buzzed beside the laptop.
Keifer: Home?
I smiled and typed back.
Me: Yes. Are you still working?
Keifer: Unfortunately.
Me: I thought you promised to rest.
Keifer: I did rest.
Me: For thirty minutes.
Keifer: Thirty wonderful minutes. My girlfriend was there.
I shook my head.
Me: Go home, Watson.
Keifer: Giving me orders again?
Me: Yes.
Keifer: I should be concerned about how much I enjoy that.
Me: GOOD NIGHT.
Keifer: Good night, sweetheart. I'm proud of you.
I paused.
Me: For what?
Keifer: For being you.
I stared at the message for a moment, my smile turning gentle.
Me: That's not a proper answer.
Keifer: It's the only one you're getting tonight. Sleep well. I love you.
Me: I love you too.
I placed the phone beside my notebook and returned to the application.
For a little while, I worked in silence, organizing my thoughts and making a plan for the days ahead.
Two people.
Two dreams.
Two futures being built in different ways.
Keifer was preparing to expand his company, taking meetings and signing agreements that would bring Watson Corp closer to becoming what he envisioned.
And I was quietly preparing for a chance that could change my own future.
He didn't know about it.
Nobody did.
For now, that was exactly how I wanted it.
I closed the notebook, saved my work, and looked once more at the list of requirements.
There was still so much to do.
But for the first time, the dream didn't feel impossibly far away.
It felt like something I could reach for, one careful step at a time.
And somewhere across the city, Keifer was probably still arguing with a spreadsheet, completely unaware that his girlfriend had a secret ambition of her own.
I smiled to myself.
Keep building your dream, Keifer Watson.
I'll keep building mine.
And when the time came, I hoped we'd have something wonderful to celebrate together.
If someone had told me a few weeks ago that my boyfriend would be preparing to open a branch of his company in the Philippines, I probably would have laughed.
If they had added that he was doing it partly because he wanted to spend more time with me, I would have laughed harder.
And if they had told me that the same man would send me seventeen messages in one afternoon, I would have asked them to call a doctor.
Unfortunately, all three things were true.
Especially the third one.
KEIFER WATSON — 4:08 PM
Keifer: What are you doing?
Me: Breathing.
Keifer: Without me? Cruel.
Me: Should I stop breathing until you arrive?
Keifer: Absolutely not. I have plans for our future.
Me: Your future plans should include a therapist.
Keifer: They include you. Close enough.
I shook my head, smiling at my phone.
Another message arrived.
Keifer: Important question.
Me: What now?
Keifer: If I take you out for dinner tonight, will you look pretty?
I stared at the screen.
Me: I beg your pardon?
Keifer: I meant, will you be free? Obviously, you'll look pretty regardless.
I pressed my lips together, fighting a smile.
Me: You are unbelievable.
Keifer: And yet, you keep replying. Interesting.
Me: I should stop.
Keifer: You could. But then who would appreciate my excellent personality?
Me: Nobody.
Keifer: That's why I chose you. You're the only person brave enough to tolerate me.
Me: Fine. Dinner. What time?
Keifer: Seven.
Me: Okay.
Keifer: Wear something comfortable.
Me: Why?
Keifer: Because I intend to keep you with me for a while.
I stopped smiling.
Then I smiled harder.
Me: You could have said we're going to dinner like a normal person.
Keifer: Where's the fun in that?
I locked my phone before he could send another message capable of ruining my ability to think normally.
Honestly, the man should have come with a warning label.
May cause excessive blushing, unnecessary smiling, and severe irritation.
And I would still have chosen him.
By the time seven o'clock approached, Keifer had sent me another message informing me that he was outside.
I found him waiting beside his car, dressed in a dark shirt with his sleeves folded neatly to his forearms.
I stopped walking.
He noticed.
His mouth curved into a smile.
"Something wrong, sweetheart?"
"No."
"Then why are you looking at me like that?"
"Like what?"
"Like you just discovered that your boyfriend is incredibly handsome."
I rolled my eyes.
"Your imagination is impressive."
"Thank you. I exercise it regularly."
"Please don't explain."
He laughed and opened the passenger door for me.
"After you, beautiful."
I climbed inside, trying very hard not to smile.
He leaned down before closing the door.
"By the way, you look lovely."
My teasing reply disappeared.
"Oh."
He raised an eyebrow.
"Just 'oh'?"
"Thank you."
"You're welcome."
He paused.
Then he added, "You know, I was expecting a more dramatic reaction. Perhaps a gasp. Maybe a compliment in return."
I pointed towards the driver's seat.
"Drive, Watson."
He laughed.
"Yes, ma'am."
As he walked around the car, I caught myself smiling at the window.
It was ridiculous how easily he could make an ordinary evening feel special.
And the worst part?
He knew it.
We ended up at a small restaurant where we could sit near the window, away from the busiest tables.
Keifer ordered his food, then looked at me.
"Now, before you ask, yes, I've eaten today."
I blinked.
"I wasn't going to ask."
"You were thinking about it."
"Are you reading my mind now?"
"No. Your face is very expressive."
"My face is perfectly normal."
"Of course. And I'm a humble man."
I laughed.
"That might be the biggest lie you've ever told."
He placed a hand over his heart.
"My girlfriend has no faith in me."
"I have faith in your ability to annoy me."
"Good. At least one of my talents is recognized."
Our food arrived, and for a little while, we talked about ordinary things—my day, his meetings, Aries's continuing campaign to become Chief Snack Consultant at Watson Corp.
Then Keifer placed his fork down.
"I have something to tell you."
I straightened.
"What happened?"
"Nothing bad."
"Then why are you using that voice?"
"What voice?"
"Your serious businessman voice."
He smiled.
"Maybe I'm trying to impress you."
"You don't need to."
His expression softened, but he still looked pleased.
"I know. That's why this is working so well."
I gave him a look.
"Keifer."
"All right." He reached for his phone and showed me a document on the screen. "The major agreements are signed. We're moving into the final preparations for the Philippine branch."
I stared at the screen.
"Wait. Already?"
"We've been working towards this for a while. There are still details to finalize, but the main agreements are in place."
My eyes widened as I scrolled through the information he showed me.
The plans were no longer just conversations about a possible expansion. There were schedules, arrangements, responsibilities, and people preparing to turn the idea into an actual office.
Watson Corp was coming to the Philippines.
Keifer was really doing it.
"You're serious," I whispered.
He looked amused.
"Usually, when I sign important business agreements, yes."
I lightly hit his arm.
"I'm being serious!"
"So am I, sweetheart."
I looked at him again, and my smile grew.
"Keifer, this is amazing!"
His expression changed at the sound of my excitement.
"Yeah?"
"Yes! You've worked so hard for this. You should be proud of yourself."
He watched me for a moment.
Then he leaned back, looking far too satisfied.
"Well, I was hoping for congratulations from my favourite girl."
"You've already received them!"
"I was thinking of a more personal celebration."
I narrowed my eyes.
"What does that mean?"
He tilted his head.
"Perhaps dinner with my beautiful girlfriend?"
"We're already having dinner!"
"Exactly. I'm a man who plans ahead."
I laughed.
He reached across the table and took my hand.
"The opening ceremony is approaching," he continued. "The team is working on the final arrangements. Once the branch is officially opened, there'll be a celebration afterwards."
I squeezed his fingers.
"I'm so happy for you."
"I know."
"You're supposed to say thank you!"
"Thank you, sweetheart."
He lifted my hand and kissed my knuckles.
"And for the record, seeing you this happy about it makes me even more excited."
I looked down at our joined hands.
"What are you going to do when everything is finally ready?"
"Attend the opening, give a speech, make sure the event runs smoothly, and probably get dragged into a hundred conversations."
"Sounds exhausting."
"It might be."
"Then I'll make sure you have someone to talk to when you're tired."
His smile became softer.
"I was hoping you'd say that."
I looked up.
He was watching me with the same expression he'd worn in his office—the one that made me feel like I mattered just as much when he wasn't talking about his company.
"Will you come to the opening?" he asked.
I stared at him.
"Keifer. Obviously!"
"Good."
"Why wouldn't I?"
"Just checking."
"You're the one opening a whole branch!"
"And you're the person I want to see there."
My heart did that ridiculous thing again.
I lowered my eyes, pretending to be fascinated by the table.
He laughed quietly.
"You're blushing."
"No, I'm not."
"Jay-Jay."
"Eat your food."
"Yes, sweetheart."
A pause.
Then, in a much quieter voice, he added, "I can't wait to see you there."
And just like that, all my teasing disappeared.
Because I couldn't wait either.
SECTION E GROUP CHAT
Ci-N: EMERGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT.
Yuri: If this is about snacks again, I'm leaving.
Ci-N: WATSON CORP PHILIPPINES IS ALMOST HAPPENING.
Felix: We know, genius. Keifer told us.
Yuri: He told us approximately six hundred times.
Keifer: Exaggeration.
Edrix: You sent us a company update.
Keifer: That's called professionalism.
Mayo: You also sent a picture of Jay.
Keifer: That's called excellent taste.
Jay: WHY WAS MY PICTURE IN A BUSINESS UPDATE???
Keifer: Wrong attachment.
Blaster: AHAHAHAHAHAHA.
Kit: WHAT KIND OF BUSINESS DOCUMENT WAS THAT???
Keifer: A confidential one.
Eman: CONFIDENTIAL GIRLFRIEND PHOTOS???
Keifer: Some assets are more valuable than others.
Jay: I AM LEAVING THIS GROUP.
Josh: Don't leave. We need you here to control your man.
Jay: I HAVE TRIED.
David: He opened an entire branch just to be closer to you. How exactly do you intend to control him?
Keifer: Thank you, Yuri. Finally, someone understands my strategic planning.
Calix: Strategic planning = missing Jay.
Denzel: Business expansion powered by love.
Ci-N: Watson Corp: making money and making Jay blush since forever.
Keifer: Accurate branding. Put it on the official website.
Jay: I hate all of you.
Keifer: You love me.
Jay: Unfortunately.
Keifer: I'll take it.
Yuri: Can we discuss the opening party now? I need to know what to wear.
Drew: SAME.
Ci-N: I'm attending for the food.
Kit: Finally, someone with the right priorities.
Keifer: Invitations and details will be shared once everything is finalized. And yes, there will be food.
Rory: I SUPPORT THIS COMPANY.
Jay: You're not getting hired.
Rory: I'll appeal to the CEO.
Keifer: The CEO is currently accepting applications for the position of Chief Snack Consultant.
Eren: MY DREAM HAS COME TRUE.
I laughed so hard that I had to put my phone down.
Keifer, sitting beside me, glanced over.
"What?"
I showed him the conversation.
He read it and nodded thoughtfully.
"Rory and Eren have potential."
"You're not actually hiring him."
"I never said I was."
"Keifer!"
He shrugged.
"Every company needs a little chaos."
"You have enough chaos in your life already."
He turned towards me with a smile.
"True. Most of it is sitting beside me."
I gasped.
"Excuse me?"
He caught my hand before I could smack his arm.
"My favourite chaos," he corrected quickly.
"Better."
"Beautiful chaos."
I narrowed my eyes.
"Keep going."
"My intelligent, wonderful, slightly threatening chaos."
I burst out laughing.
He looked extremely pleased with himself.
"See? Excellent employee relations."
"You're impossible."
"And you love me."
I sighed dramatically.
"Unfortunately."
He brought my hand to his lips.
"Fortunately for me."
The next few days passed in a blur of preparations.
Keifer's schedule became more demanding as the opening approached. There were final documents to review, staff arrangements to confirm, and meetings that seemed to multiply every time he crossed something off his list.
Yet he still found ways to include me in his days.
Sometimes it was a quick call between meetings.
Sometimes it was a message asking whether I'd reached home.
Sometimes it was a photograph of his desk accompanied by a dramatic complaint about the number of documents he had to sign.
Keifer: If I sign one more document today, my hand is filing for divorce.
Me: From you?
Keifer: From my body.
Me: Please stop being dramatic.
Keifer: I'm a businessman. We specialize in dramatic decisions.
Me: You specialize in annoying your girlfriend.
Keifer: And I intend to expand that department.
I smiled at the message before returning to my own work.
Because while Keifer was preparing to build something new for Watson Corp, I was quietly working towards something I hadn't shared with anyone.
My scholarship application.
Whenever I found a spare moment, I opened my notebook or laptop and worked through another requirement. I reviewed the information carefully, organized the documents I needed, and began shaping my personal statement.
There were days when I made excellent progress.
There were days when one paragraph took far longer than I expected.
But I kept going.
I didn't tell my family.
I didn't tell Section E.
And I didn't tell Keifer.
It wasn't because I didn't trust him.
I simply wanted to give myself the chance to prepare without turning the dream into an announcement before I knew where it would lead.
If I succeeded, I wanted the news to be something I could share with confidence.
I imagined my mother's face when she heard.
Tita Gemma's smile.
Kuya Angelo's proud expression.
Aries probably shouting loud enough for the entire neighbourhood to hear.
And Keifer—
I wondered what he would say.
Would he smile first? Would he ask me a thousand questions? Would he tell me he had always known I could do it?
The thought made me smile.
Then I returned to my work.
One step at a time.
That was all I could do.
Still, there were moments when my thoughts wandered somewhere I didn't want them to go.
A pause in a conversation.
A look exchanged between my mother and Tita Gemma.
A sentence that ended too quickly when I entered the room.
Nothing substantial.
Nothing I could point to and say, There. That's what I mean.
And yet, I couldn't entirely forget the feeling I'd had that evening when Keifer told my family about the branch.
He believed I was overthinking.
Maybe I was.
He had been there. He had seen the same smiles, heard the same congratulations, and watched my family welcome him warmly.
He hadn't noticed anything worth worrying about.
I wanted to trust his judgment.
But whenever I reminded myself that everything was fine, I remembered how quickly my mother's expression had changed when she'd said things should finally settle down.
Why that sentence?
Why that look?
Why did the memory keep returning when I had so many other things to think about?
I closed my notebook and leaned back in my chair.
Perhaps I needed to stop searching for answers to questions I couldn't even properly explain.
Perhaps I needed to let things be.
For now, I had a scholarship application to prepare and a boyfriend about to achieve something extraordinary.
I could be happy about both.
I could be proud of Keifer without worrying about tomorrow.
And I could continue working towards my own dream without telling anyone until I was ready.
That was what I decided.
At least for tonight.
On the evening before the final opening preparations were due to be completed, Keifer called me.
I answered on the second ring.
"Hello, Mr. Busy."
"Hello, Miss. I-Think-I'm-Funny."
"I am funny."
"You are. Occasionally."
"KEIFER."
He laughed.
"How was your day?"
"Good. Yours?"
"Productive."
"That sounds suspiciously like businessman language."
"It means the remaining arrangements are progressing well."
I sat up straighter.
"Really?"
"Really. The team is finalizing the details for the opening ceremony. We're getting close, Jay."
I could hear the excitement beneath his calm voice.
It made me smile.
"You must be so happy."
"I am."
"You've worked so hard."
"I know."
I laughed.
"You're supposed to be modest!"
"Why? I have a girlfriend who keeps me humble."
"Clearly, I'm not doing a good enough job."
"Perhaps you should spend more time with me."
"Perhaps you should stop giving me reasons to scold you."
"Never."
I shook my head.
Then he said, "I'm looking forward to the opening."
"Me too."
"And the celebration afterwards."
"Especially the food, right?"
"Naturally. I'm a man of refined tastes."
"You're a man who steals food from my plate."
"That's because yours tastes better."
"You order the exact same thing!"
"Everything tastes better when it belongs to you."
I paused.
He chuckled.
"Did I get you?"
"No."
"Jay-Jay."
"Maybe a little."
"Excellent. I'll consider that a successful evening."
I laughed, and he laughed with me.
For a few moments, the world felt simple.
There was a company growing.
A celebration approaching.
A boy who loved me enough to build a future that would let him stay closer.
And a girl who was quietly learning to believe that her own dreams might come true, too.
"Keifer?" I said.
"Hmm?"
"I'm really proud of you."
His voice softened.
"Thank you, sweetheart."
"I mean it. I hope you know how much this matters."
"I do."
He paused.
"And I hope you know how much you matter to me."
My smile grew.
"I think you've made that pretty clear."
"Good. Because I plan to keep reminding you."
"How often?"
"Every day."
"That's excessive."
"I'm expanding my operations."
I burst out laughing.
"YOU DID NOT JUST—"
"Watson Corp is committed to growth, sweetheart."
"Go to sleep."
"Only if you wish me good night properly."
I rolled my eyes, smiling.
"Good night, Keifer. I love you."
His answer came without hesitation.
"Good night, Jay-Jay. I love you more than you know."
I stayed on the call a little longer, listening to him talk about the final preparations and the people working to make the opening a success.
When we finally hung up, I opened my notebook again.
The scholarship requirements were still waiting.
So was the future I hoped to build for myself.
I picked up my pen and continued where I'd left off.
Outside my window, the night was quiet.
Inside my room, two dreams occupied the same small space.
One was becoming real in meeting rooms and signed agreements, carried forward by a young businessman determined to build something that would last.
The other existed in careful notes, unfinished paragraphs, and a hope I kept close to my heart.
Neither future was guaranteed.
But both were worth working for.
I looked at the list of requirements, then at the message Keifer had sent me before ending our call.
Keifer: One day at a time, sweetheart. We'll get there.
I smiled.
Yes, I thought. One day at a time.
I would cheer for him as Watson Corp took its next big step.
I would stand beside him at the opening ceremony and watch him achieve something he had worked so hard to build.
I would laugh with our friends, endure their teasing, and let Keifer embarrass me with his ridiculous lines.
And when I had a spare moment, I would return to my own quiet work.
I would keep preparing.
Keep hoping.
Keep trying.
But even as I imagined the happiness waiting for us, a small part of me remained caught on a question I couldn't answer.
My family's smiles.
Their pauses.
That lingering sense that something had been left unsaid.
I couldn't prove that my instincts were right.
I couldn't explain why the feeling remained.
So I tucked the doubt away beside the dream I hadn't shared with anyone, and closed my notebook for the night.
Tomorrow, Keifer would take another step towards his future.
And I would take another step towards mine.
For now, that was enough.
Watson Corp was almost ready to open its doors.
My own dream was only beginning to take shape.
And somewhere between the future I could see and the truth I couldn't quite grasp, I was learning that sometimes a heart could be full of hope and still hold a question it wasn't ready to let go of.
Author - Sorry for uploading the chapter this late, I was caught up by a few things, I promise to upload more often from now on, I had to upload this chapter in two parts due to the word limit. I hope you will like this chapter.