Jay's confession that night had seemed like another of her jealous outbursts.
Keifer chuckled quietly to himself later.
"She'll calm down," he thought.
"Always does."
He didn't take it seriously at first.
To him, Jay was dramatic sometimes—clingy, chaotic, emotional.
A little jealousy, a little heartbreak—it always passed.
But then… he started noticing things.
The way his chest tightened when Jay smiled at him a little too brightly.
The way he looked forward to her being near.
The way he felt a little hollow when she stayed quiet or distant.
It started with small moments.
Her hand brushing his.
Her head leaning against his shoulder.
Her laughter ringing in his ears when she teased him.
And then one evening, while she was asleep beside him, he realized something he hadn't before.
He didn't just like it when she was close.
He didn't just enjoy it.
He wanted it.
Every little chaos.
Every clingy, possessive gesture.
He wanted her.
Keifer's chest tightened.
A warmth spread through him he hadn't expected.
A little panic. A little thrill.
He looked at her sleeping face and realized—he cared more than he should have.
And worse… he was jealous.
He felt it every time Ivy came around.
Every time her attention wandered, even slightly.
Every time she laughed at something he didn't notice.
It wasn't just about friendship anymore.
He had started… feeling.
His mind wandered back to her confession.
The way she had cried in his mom's arms.
The way her chest had heaved, her voice breaking.
He hadn't believed it then.
But now he couldn't stop thinking about it.
Her heart was his.
He wanted it.
Keifer leaned back slightly, sighing, running a hand through his hair.
"I guess… I can't ignore it anymore," he murmured to himself.
"I like her. A lot. More than I thought I would."
And just like that, the game changed.
From playful teasing and possessiveness,
To something deeper.
Something he hadn't admitted—yet.
Something real.
Keifer was helping himself to a glass of water in the kitchen when Jay's mom walked in.
She leaned casually against the counter, watching him.
"Keifer," she said softly.
He turned, surprised.
"Yes, aunty?"
She smiled knowingly, tilting her head.
"You've been acting… different lately."
Keifer frowned, confused.
"Different how?"
Her eyes twinkled.
"You're more attentive to Jay. More protective. More… possessive."
He blinked.
"Possessive?"
"Yes," she said lightly, a teasing smile playing on her lips.
"You think you can hide it, but I see everything."
Keifer rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly.
"I… I don't know what you mean."
"Oh, come on, beta," she said warmly.
"The way you look at her. The way you hover when Ivy's around. The way you can't help but… care too much. It's obvious."
Keifer's face heated slightly.
"I… I'm just—"
"You're just realizing what you've always felt, right?" she interrupted gently.
"And I couldn't be happier about it."
He looked at her, confused.
"Happier… why?"
Her smile softened.
"Because I've wanted you as my son-in-law from the very start," she said proudly.
"Ever since I saw the way you and Jay are… I knew you belonged together."
Keifer froze.
"You… wanted me… as your son-in-law?"
Her eyes glimmered with mischief and warmth.
"Yes. From the beginning. And now… seeing you actually notice her, protect her, care for her—it makes me so happy."
Keifer swallowed hard, a mix of pride and embarrassment washing over him.
"I… I didn't know…"
"You didn't need to," she said, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"I just wanted you to realize it now… before you lose sight of what's in front of you."
Keifer looked down, heart racing.
"I… I care about her," he admitted softly, almost to himself.
"And… I think I've been realizing it more and more."
Her mom smiled warmly, squeezing his shoulder.
"Good. Because she's yours, beta. And you finally know it too."
Keifer's lips twitched into a small, nervous smile.
"Yes, aunty."
And in that quiet kitchen, the truth settled.
Someone had believed in them all along—even if he had just started believing in himself.