The mansion was quiet that night, the soft glow of lamps casting warm shadows across Jay's room.
Jay sat on the bed, still sulking from the day's little arguments, her arms crossed, lips pouted. Keifer lounged beside her, watching with a mischievous glint in his eyes.
"You know," she muttered, voice soft but sharp, "if you didn't care about me, I bet you'd be taking care of someone else right now. Someone else would get all your teasing, all your attention…"
Keifer chuckled low, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "Someone else?" he repeated, voice teasing but tender. "Impossible. I don't do this for anyone else, Jay. Only you."
Jay's lips twitched into a half-smile, but she didn't relent. "You better! Or else I'll sulk the whole night!"
"Oh, I love your sulks," he whispered, leaning closer. His fingers traced light circles on her arm. "They're adorable."
Jay flopped dramatically onto the bed, glaring up at him. "Adorable, huh? Then I guess I'll sulk harder!"
Keifer laughed, brushing his lips against hers softly. "You don't need to try so hard. I already notice."
Jay's blush deepened, and she sat up slightly, tugging at his collar. "Notice what?"
"That little pout," he murmured, brushing his nose against hers. "The way you scrunch your lips when you're sulking… the tiny flare of jealousy when you think I'd look at someone else. I see it all. And it makes me want to kiss it away."
Jay's breath hitched. She tried to push him lightly, but he leaned in again, pressing a soft, teasing kiss to the tip of her nose, then her forehead.
"You're impossible," she whispered, finally letting a small laugh escape.
"And you love it," he teased back, letting his hands rest gently on her waist. "I'll never do anything for anyone else, Jay. Only you. Always you."
Her fingers tangled in his hair instinctively, and she whispered, "You promise?"
"I promise," he said softly, pressing a tender kiss to her temple. "Through every sulk, every pout… I'm yours. Only yours."
Jay finally relaxed against him, letting her head rest on his chest. His arms wrapped around her naturally, his fingers brushing lightly over her hair.
"Fine," she whispered, a teasing glint still in her eyes. "But don't think this means I forgive you yet."
Keifer chuckled, tightening his embrace just slightly. "I wouldn't dream of it. Sulk away… I'll just be here, teasing, kissing, and keeping you all to myself."
Jay let out a small, contented sigh, her sulks melting into warmth. Her heart felt safe and cherished, wrapped in the protective and playful presence of the one person who would never let her go.
And that night, in the quiet of the mansion, their teasing and care blended perfectly—playful, intimate, and entirely their own.
After a long morning of teasing and sulks with Keifer, Jay's mood shifted. Her little bursts of jealousy and insecurity now led her to Serina and Keizer, seeking a different kind of reassurance.
She flopped dramatically onto the sofa in the living room, arms crossed and pouting.
"Mama… Papa," she began, voice small but full of emotion, "what if… what if you find someone else as your daughter someday? What if I'm not… enough?"
Serina and Keizer exchanged a quiet glance, sensing the worry behind her sulking.
"Oh, Jay," Serina said gently, moving closer. She placed a soft hand on Jay's shoulder. "Sweetheart… that will never happen. You are our daughter. Nothing will ever change that."
Jay's eyes welled up slightly. "But… what if I mess up? What if I'm not the perfect daughter—or daughter-in-law?"
Keizer knelt beside her, his eyes calm and reassuring. "Jay," he said softly, "perfection isn't what matters. Love, care, respect… that's what counts. And you've already given us more of that than anyone could ask for."
Serina nodded, brushing a loose strand of hair from Jay's face. "You've been part of our family in ways that no one else could. You care for everyone… you've even healed hearts you didn't break. That matters far more than any idea of 'perfect.'"
Jay sniffled, her sulk softening just slightly. "Really?"
Keizer smiled, placing a hand over hers. "Yes, really. You are already our daughter. Our family wouldn't be the same without you."
Jay's eyes softened, and the weight of her worries began to lift. She leaned a little against them, feeling their care and patience wrap around her like a warm blanket.
Finally, Keizer said gently but firmly, "I promise you this, Jay… you will always be the best daughter to us—and the best daughter-in-law for our family. No one else could ever replace you."
Tears glistened in Jay's eyes, but this time they were tears of relief. She sniffled and managed a small, shy smile.
"Thank you," she whispered softly, her sulking finally fading. "I… I just needed to hear that."
Serina hugged her gently, and Keizer rested a protective hand on her shoulder. Jay realized in that moment—her place in this family was secure. Her worries had been soothed, her heart lifted.
And for the first time that day, Jay felt truly at peace, knowing she was loved, cherished, and irreplaceable.