(Jay's POV)
The moment the last guest left, the palace stopped pretending.
The doors closed with a heavy thud, sealing away the underworld, the politics, the fear, the respect. The chandeliers dimmed. The guards relaxed. The silence didn't last more than three seconds.
Percy slammed both palms on the table.
"I AM STARVING."
Section E cheered like we hadn't just survived two life-altering revelations and one illegal power transfer.
I dropped into a chair, kicking off my heels without shame.
"If anyone touches my food, I will commit a felony."
Adam glanced at the spread. "Technically, everything you do is already illegal."
"SEE?" Percy pointed at me. "She's our role model."
Angelo sat at the head of the table, jacket still perfectly in place, posture sharp, eyes alert. Even when the chaos started, his presence stayed heavy—like a loaded gun resting quietly on the table.
Kuya Angelo didn't shout.
He never needed to.
"Percy," he said calmly, lifting his glass. "Sit."
Percy sat.
Immediately.
I smirked. "Kuya, you enjoy terrifying people way too much."
Angelo didn't look at me. "I enjoy keeping you alive."
Keifer slid into the chair beside me, close enough that our elbows brushed. "You were incredible tonight."
I grabbed a fork. "Don't start."
"You owned an entire room full of criminals," he continued softly. "And you didn't even blink."
My cheeks burned. "Eat your food."
He smiled. The kind that meant he'd already won.
Section E attacked the food like wild animals.
Aries grabbed chicken. "So let me get this straight—Jay is a CEO, a mafia queen, and still eats like she's late to class."
I flicked rice at him. "Say that again."
Adam added, "Her dress alone could buy this building."
I glanced down at the satin fabric pooling around my legs, backless, cool against my skin. "Don't remind me. I feel naked."
Keifer leaned closer. "You look lethal."
"STOP," I hissed, face on fire.
Percy fake-gagged. "Romance at the dinner table. Disgusting."
Angelo cleared his throat.
Everyone shut up.
For exactly five seconds
Then Section E started roasting again.
"So," someone said, "how does it feel dating a walking red flag?"
Keifer raised a brow. "Which one of us?"
I laughed despite myself.
Angelo finally looked at Keifer. "Be serious with her."
Keifer didn't joke this time. "I am."
Something warm settled in my chest.
After dinner, the sugar hit.
Bad idea
Someone dimmed the lights. Someone stole dessert. Percy climbed onto a chair.
"I DECLARE—TRUTH AND DARE."
"No," Adam said flatly.
"Yes," Section E yelled.
I leaned back. "This is how people die."
Angelo looked directly at me. "Jay."
I smiled sweetly. "Relax, Kuya. I won't break anything."
He didn't look convinced.
We sat in a messy circle on the floor. Jackets off. Guards confused. Chaos inevitable.
"I'll start," Percy said. "Jay. Truth."
I groaned. "Why is it always me?"
"Because you're hiding things," he replied smugly.
Keifer glanced at me, amused.
I narrowed my eyes. "Ask."
"Who made you blush the most tonight?"
Laughter exploded.
I looked at keifer he was smirking and i was burning from blushing
I pointed at percy. "Next."
Then it was keifers turn
Keifer raised a hand. "Dare."
The room went still.
Too still.
Percy's grin widened slowly. "Oh. Oh this is delicious."
Angelo's eyes sharpened.
"Keifer," Percy said sweetly, "did you tell Jay about your engagement in London?"
The world tilted.
"Engagement?" I repeated, very softly.
Keifer froze.
And just like that—
the chaos died.
For a moment, no one spoke.
Not Section E.
Not Percy.
Not even the walls that usually felt like they had ears.
"Engagement?" I repeated again, slower this time, like maybe if I said it carefully, it would stop feeling like a punch.
Keifer didn't look away.
He didn't look guilty either.
That somehow hurt more.
The silence stretched too long, heavy and uncomfortable, like the calm before a storm everyone knew was coming.
I stood up.
No dramatics. No yelling. My hands didn't shake—but my chest felt tight, like I'd forgotten how to breathe properly.
"I need air," I said quietly.
Angelo's chair moved immediately.
"Jay—"
"I'll be back," I told him, already walking away.
I didn't run. I didn't slam doors.
That would've meant I was breaking.
I wasn't.
At least, not yet.
Behind me, I heard Percy whisper, "We're all going to die."
The balcony was cold.
The city lights looked fake from up here, like someone had spilled glitter across the dark. I rested my hands on the railing, inhaling slowly, grounding myself.
Footsteps approached.
I didn't turn.
"I won't shout," Angelo said calmly.
I nodded. "I know, Kuya."
He stood beside me, solid, steady—like he always was. The dangerous kind of calm. The one that didn't need to raise its voice to be felt.
"Ion was my past," he said after a pause.
I swallowed. "She agreed to the engagement so she could come back."
"Yes."
"And you still love her."
He didn't lie. "Yes."
That stung—but it wasn't about me.
Another set of footsteps stopped a few feet away.
Keifer.
"I broke the engagement," he said immediately. "Before it could become real."
I turned slowly. "You didn't think that was something I deserved to know?"
"I did," he said. "I was afraid."
I scoffed softly. "You faced assassins, lawyers, and elders—but honesty scared you?"
He winced. "Yes."
I crossed my arms. "Explain. Everything."
So he did.
London.
Inheritance pressure.
Elders pushing alliances disguised as marriages.
Ion agreeing for her own reasons.
Him realizing that no matter what he inherited, none of it mattered if he lost me.
"I never loved her," he said. "I loved you before I knew how to say it out loud."
I looked away, blinking fast.
"You hurt me," I said quietly.
"I know."
"But," I continued, "you chose me in the end."
He nodded. "Every time."
Silence again.
Then I exhaled.
"I forgive you."
His shoulders sagged like he'd been holding the weight of the world alone.
"You forgive fast," he said softly.
"I don't," I replied. "I forgive honestly."
Behind us—
"IS IT SAFE TO EXIST AGAIN?" Percy yelled from inside.
I laughed despite myself.
When we returned, Section E pretended not to stare.
They failed.
"So?" Aries asked. "Did someone die?"
"Unfortunately not," I replied.
Keifer sat beside me again. This time, he didn't tease. He didn't flirt.
He just stayed.
For exactly three minutes.
Then Percy ruined it.
"So technically," he said, grinning, "Keifer survived truth and dare."
Adam nodded. "Barely."
Angelo crossed his arms. "We're going home."
The universe clearly hated peace.
Because just when Angelo finally said, "We're going home," the main doors opened again.
Late.
Very late.
Footsteps echoed—slow, unbothered, confident.
"Still loud as ever," a familiar calm voice said. "Good. I didn't miss anything important."
I froze
No.
No way.
I turned so fast my neck almost snapped.
He stood there like he owned the night—dark suit, relaxed shoulders, eyes sharp but amused. The kind of calm that didn't need to prove itself.
Rafael.
My heart leaped before my brain caught up.
"You came too early," I said instantly.
His lips curved. "You say that every time, little lion.
I gasped so loud I swear a guard flinched.
Angelo stiffened.
The temperature dropped.
"Rafael," Angelo said, voice flat. Dangerous.
Rafael smiled. "Miss me?"
Angelo took one step forward.
I stepped between them immediately. "NO FIGHTING. NOT HERE."
Percy whispered, "Oh this is better than TV.
Aries nodded. "Way better."
Angelo's jaw clenched. "You have nerve showing up."
Rafael didn't raise his voice. "I came to clear things."
"About Ion?" Angelo snapped.
"Yes."
The room went quiet.
"She's my past," Rafael said calmly. "Completely. We were young. Stupid. Competitive. It's over."
Angelo stared at him like he was calculating seventeen ways to end him.
I tugged Angelo's sleeve. "Kuya."
He exhaled sharply. "I'm listening."
When Section E finally noticed me smiling like an idiot, they turned.
"Why do you look happy?" Percy asked.
I pointed proudly. "That's my chosen kuya."
Angelo turned slowly. "Out of eight billion people… you chose him?"
"Yes," I said sweetly.
Percy and Aries exchanged looks.
Competition mode: activated.
"So he's the rival now," Aries muttered.
Rafael glanced at them. "Relax. I don't fight kids."
"I WILL END YOU," Percy yelled.
Instead of going home, I did what I always do when Angelo scolds me.
"I'm hungry," I announced. "We're going to my place."
Angelo sighed. "Jay—"
"You'll love my house," I cut in.
We pulled up to my home—less mansion, more private country club.
Statues of lions and tigers guarded the entrance. Marble floors. Open space. Power without screaming it.
Rafael chuckled. "Still dramatic."
"Designed it myself," I said proudly.
Then—
The gates hadn't even fully closed when—
"JAAAY!"
I barely had time to turn before someone tackled me from the side.
"Hey—!" I laughed as a pair of familiar arms wrapped around me.
I looked down.
"Ate Lily," I said, grinning. "You're going to knock me over one day."
She smiled, warm and effortless, brushing my hair back like she always did.
"You disappeared again."
"I was busy being responsible," I replied.
She raised an eyebrow. "You?"
Percy coughed.
Before I could defend myself—
Small footsteps.
Fast. Determined.
Lara.
She didn't run to her parents.
She didn't run to me.
She looked straight at the guard.
And moved.
A flip.
My flip.
Clean. Sharp. Perfect landing.
The guard hit the ground with a loud groan.
The room went dead silent.
No laughter.
No teasing.
Just shock.
Lara stood there proudly, fists on her hips.
She turned to me, eyes bright.
"Ate Jay… I did the Jay flip perfectly, right?"
I smirked. "Perfect."
That's when Rafael finally snapped out of it.
He turned slowly.
Very slowly.
"…You taught my four-year-old daughter what."
I tilted my head. Innocent. "Discipline?"
"Jay," he said carefully, dangerously calm now, "you taught my daughter how to fight."
I shrugged. "Self-defense."
He stared at me.
Then grabbed a pillow.
And threw it.
"YOU TAUGHT MY DAUGHTER HOW TO FIGHT?"
I yelped, ducking instantly behind Lily.
"ATE LILY, HELP."
Lily crossed her arms like a shield. "You said no one should hit her."
"I DID NOT SAY TEACH HER COMBAT," Rafael snapped.
Lara grinned. "Ate Jay said Papa would panic."
I peeked out, smirking. "And I was right."
Rafael threw another pillow.
I caught it.
And threw it straight back.
Hit.
Face
The room exploded.
Percy collapsed onto a couch. "THIS IS MY FAVORITE NIGHT EVER."
Angelo pinched the bridge of his nose. "Jay."
I smiled sweetly. "Yes, Kuya?"
"You're banned from teaching children."
Lara raised her hand. "She also taught me how to kick."
Angelo closed his eyes.
Rafael sighed deeply, rubbing his face before finally laughing. "Little lion," he said, shaking his head, "you never change."
I grinned wider. "You love me.
He pointed at me. "Barely."
I walked over and ruffled Lara's hair. "You did perfect."
She beamed.
And in that moment—
Surrounded by chaos, laughter, lions, and chosen family—
If anyone ever asked me what family looked like—
I'd show them this room.
Percy was lying half-dead on the couch, laughing too hard to breathe.
Aries was trying to teach Lara how to whisper, which was ironic because neither of them knew how.
Adam had somehow ended up holding a juice box like it was a serious responsibility.
Angelo stood near the window, arms crossed, expression unreadable—but he hadn't left.
That alone meant something.
Ate Lily sat beside me on the couch, calm in the middle of chaos, sipping tea like this was a normal Tuesday night.
"You always bring trouble with you," she said fondly.
"I am the trouble," I replied.
Keifer stood near the doorway, quiet.
Observing.
Processing.
Lara climbed onto the coffee table.
"I can do it again!" she announced.
"No," Rafael said instantly.
"Yes," Lara argued.
"No," Ate Lily said, firmer.
Lara crossed her arms. "Ate Jay said—"
I raised both hands. "I said nothing."
Rafael pointed at me. "Liar."
I smirked. "Selective memory."
Angelo finally spoke. "Jay."
"Yes, Kuya?"
"You are banned," he said flatly, "from influencing children."
Lara gasped dramatically. "But Ate Jay is cool!"
Mayo sat up. "She taught me how to skip class."
Angelo stared at him.
Mayo lay back down. "I regret speaking."
Rafael watched all of it with amusement, shaking his head. "You really built a kingdom of chaos."
I shrugged. "They followed me."
Keifer walked over slowly and sat beside me.
Close.
Not touching—but close enough that I could feel his presence.
He leaned in. "You grew up like this?"
I nodded. "This is the calm version."
His lips twitched. "Terrifying."
"Yet you're still here."
"Unfortunately," he said softly, "I think I'm staying."
That made my heart do something stupid.
Lara suddenly appeared in front of him, staring.
"You're Ate Jay's boyfriend?"
Keifer blinked. "I—uh—"
"Yes," I said quickly. "He is."
She nodded seriously. "Good. Don't make her sad."
The entire room went quiet.
Keifer swallowed. "I won't."
Rafael's gaze sharpened.
Angelo glanced at him.
A silent exchange passed between them—the kind men like them had perfected over years.
Rafael spoke first. "If you ever hurt her—"
Keifer didn't hesitate. "You won't have to finish that sentence."
Angelo exhaled slowly. "Good."
Then Percy ruined it.
"So is this where we all swear loyalty or—"
"OUT," Angelo snapped.
Laughter burst out again.
Later, when the chaos slowed and Lara finally fell asleep on Ate Lily's shoulder, Rafael draped a blanket over them.
He looked at me then.
Really looked.
"You're still my little lion," he said quietly. "No matter how big your world gets."
I smiled. "You're still my chosen kuya."
Angelo scoffed. "Unbelievable."
I grinned. "Jealous?"
"Annoyed," he corrected.
Same thing.
As the night settled, I leaned back, surrounded by noise, warmth, and people who knew exactly who I was—and stayed anyway.
(Next day )
Morning arrived the way it always did in my life.
Uninvited. Too bright. And completely disrespectful of the chaos that came before it.
Sunlight crept in through the tall glass windows, cutting across marble floors and lion statues like it had every right to be here. The house was quieter now—but not peaceful.
Just… recovering.
Percy was asleep on the couch, one leg hanging off dramatically like he'd fought in a war.
Aries had stolen a blanket and wrapped himself like a burrito.
Adam was awake, of course, sitting at the dining table with a cup of coffee, looking irritatingly functional.
Angelo stood near the entrance, already dressed, already alert.
Of course he was.
"We're leaving," he said calmly.
Groans echoed instantly.
"It's morning?" Percy croaked. "That's illegal."
Ate Lily came out of the hallway, hair tied loosely, carrying a still-sleeping Lara in her arms.
Lara's head rested on her shoulder, fingers curled tightly around Ate Lily's sleeve like she'd claimed it in her sleep.
Rafael followed, jacket slung over one shoulder, looking tired but relaxed. The kind of tired that came from family, not danger.
I stretched, arms over my head. "You're all welcome to stay."
Angelo shot me a look. "No."
Keifer walked over, standing beside me. His voice was low, soft—morning-gentle. "Did you sleep at all?"
I smirked. "Sleep is optional."
He smiled. "So is sanity, apparently."
Outside, cars waited.
Guards moved quietly now, respectful of the hour. The night had stripped away the formality—what remained was something closer to real.
Rafael adjusted Lara carefully before handing her to Ate Lily. "We'll visit again," he said.
"When?" I asked.
He smiled. "Whenever you get into trouble."
"So… tomorrow?
He laughed.
Angelo paused before stepping into his car. He looked back at me. "Text me when you reach home."
"I am home," I replied.
He raised an eyebrow. "Your other home."
I nodded. "Okay, Kuya."
Keifer squeezed my hand once before letting go.
Percy yawned loudly. "Love survives mafia nights but not mornings."
As engines started and cars slowly pulled away, the sky finally settled into a soft blue.
I stood at the gate for a moment longer, watching them leave.
The chaos was gone for now.
But it would be back.
It always was.
And somehow—I was already smiling.
_______
A/N
Hey readers 😊
How is this one.
And what are your thoughts about 7 episode.
That barakuda thing was crazy.
I tripped over open air and was rolling on my bed like a cat who is wearing a blanket.
And what about our jayfer first french kiss 💋 aww i was grinning like an absolute idiot like awww i waited for eternal time for this.