Jay didn't mean to become visible.
It just… happened.
It started small.
Someone outside his cabin hesitated near the printer, whispering under their breath.
"It keeps jamming…"
Jay heard it through the glass.
Before she could overthink it, she stood up.
"I can help," she said softly, opening the door.
The girl looked relieved instantly.
"Oh—thank you."
Keifer watched from inside his office.
Jay crouched beside the machine, slid the tray out properly, and cleared the stuck sheet with gentle fingers.
"There," she smiled. "Try now."
The printer hummed back to life.
"Oh my god… you're a lifesaver."
Jay laughed shyly. "It was just paper."
But it didn't stop there.
A few minutes later—
"Um… sorry—do you know how to open this file? It keeps showing an error."
Jay leaned over a desk.
Clicked twice.
Adjusted one small setting.
"It should work now."
It did.
Another smile.
Another soft thank you.
Someone offered her coffee.
Another person pulled a chair for her.
Without realizing it, Jay drifted into the space between desks.
Quiet.
Warm.
Unassuming.
And suddenly…
Everyone knew her.
"She's really sweet."
"She explains things so calmly."
"I thought she worked here already."
Keifer heard every word.
He also saw something else.
Every time a male employee leaned just a little too close.
Every time someone laughed a little too loudly at something Jay said.
Every time a chair slid nearer to her.
His jaw tightened.
The first death glare landed on a poor analyst who had only asked,
"So… how long have you known Keifer, by the way?"
Jay answered gently, "A long time."
That was all.
But Keifer's eyes lifted from behind the glass.
Cold.
Direct.
The analyst froze mid-smile.
He cleared his throat.
"Uh—thanks for the help," and practically escaped.
The second one didn't even speak to Jay.
He was just standing near her desk.
Too near.
Keifer stepped out of his office.
No hurry.
No sound.
Just presence.
The man turned.
Met Keifer's eyes.
And immediately straightened like he'd been summoned by gravity itself.
"Sir."
Keifer didn't raise his voice.
Didn't smile.
"Do you need something?"
"No, sir. I was just—"
"Then go back to your workstation."
A pause.
"Yes, sir."
Gone.
Jay turned slowly.
Keifer was already looking at her.
Not angry.
Not loud.
Just… unreadable.
She walked toward him.
"You're scaring your entire floor."
His gaze dropped to her face.
Softened.
Only for her.
"They're supposed to be scared of me."
She bit her lip to hide a smile.
"They're praising me."
"I heard."
A quiet beat.
"…too much."
She tilted her head.
"You don't like people being nice to me?"
He stepped closer.
Lowered his voice so only she could hear.
"I don't like people thinking they get to be close to you."
Her breath stuttered.
"Keifer…"
She reached for his sleeve.
Lightly.
Just two fingers.
"I'm helping them. Not replacing you."
His eyes flicked to her hand.
Then back to her face.
"I know."
A pause.
But his voice stayed low.
"Still."
She smiled gently.
Dangerously.
"You look very handsome when you're jealous."
That—
was a mistake.
His expression darkened.
Slow.
Controlled.
"I am not jealous."
She leaned in.
"Your death glares say otherwise."
For a moment, the entire busy office faded from him.
He bent just enough to whisper.
"Go back to my office, Jay."
Not sharp.
Protective.
She blinked.
"You're grounding me?"
He brushed his thumb once over her knuckles.
Barely there.
"I'm reclaiming you."
Her heart flipped.
But she obeyed.
As she walked back inside his cabin, she heard it.
Behind her.
Whispers.
"She's… with him, right?"
"Yes."
Very clearly.
With him.