The morning sunlight barely touched the city streets when Jay stepped out of her car, exhausted but determined, ready for another long day at Mariano Hospital. She adjusted her white coat, her mind already on her patients, when her phone buzzed.
"Outside."
Jay frowned. That was all. No explanation, no greeting. Just outside.
She groaned. Of course. She knew who it was without looking—Keifer. And true enough, as she rounded the corner, there he was, leaning casually against a sleek black car, arms crossed, eyes scanning the street like a predator spotting his prey.
"Keifer!" she exclaimed, half frustrated, half amused. "You didn't even tell me you were coming."
"Didn't need to," he replied smoothly, his lips curling into that familiar smirk. "And don't try to sound annoyed. You'll just fail."
Jay rolled her eyes, but before she could protest further, he strode toward her. "Get in," he commanded, opening the car door.
"I can drive myself—"
"Nope," he interrupted, cutting her off with that sharp tone she already knew too well. "You're coming with me. Today, we travel together. And yes, that means you're letting me be in charge."
Jay huffed, but she knew arguing was pointless. With a resigned sigh, she slid into the passenger seat.
The ride to the hospital was mostly silent, punctuated by Keifer's occasional teasing glance. But when they arrived, the real fun began.
"Wait here," he said abruptly as she stepped out of the car. Jay was about to protest when, in a move that made her gasp, he swept her off her feet like she weighed nothing, spinning her around once before setting her firmly on the pavement.
"Keifer! What—why—?" she sputtered, cheeks flaming.
"You were about to step into traffic," he said calmly, as if that justified lifting her like a feather. "Somehow, I have to keep my fiancée alive."
Jay groaned, half laughing, half annoyed. "Fiancée?! You sound ridiculous!"
"Ridiculous, yes," he replied, voice low and teasing, "but undeniably effective."
Inside the hospital, the teasing didn't stop. Keifer followed her into the lobby, eyes scanning the crowd like he was guarding a precious artifact. Every time she tried to reach for a clipboard or step toward her patients, he appeared beside her in a blur, either blocking her or scooping her up in his arms.
"Keifer!" she exclaimed for the fifth time that morning. "I am not a child! Put me down!"
"You could walk," he said, arching an eyebrow, "but then I wouldn't get to enjoy carrying you."
Jay rolled her eyes, but a small laugh escaped her lips despite herself. "You're insane. I swear, every day with you is like—"
"—like an adventure?" he finished for her, smirking. "Exactly. And don't pretend you don't enjoy it."
Her cheeks flushed. "I… I don't—"
"Sure you do," he interrupted smoothly, eyes locking onto hers. "And don't forget, I'm still waiting for those answers. About that little… disappearance of yours."
Jay froze, remembering the words from the night before. She still hadn't told him, and the tension between them flickered once more.
"Later," she muttered, trying to regain her composure.
Keifer grinned, clearly enjoying her flustered state. "Later," he echoed, letting her go just long enough to step into the hospital. But as soon as she finished her rounds, he was there again—car keys in hand, a smug smile tugging at his lips.
"You're coming with me," he said simply, lifting her effortlessly into his arms before she could even blink. Jay squealed, kicking lightly, but he didn't loosen his grip.
"I can walk, you know!" she protested, but there was a hint of laughter in her tone.
"Yes, you could," he replied, "but where's the fun in that?"
The day passed in a blur of teasing, dramatic pick-ups, and subtle moments where the tension between them was impossible to ignore. Every time he held her, even just for a second, Jay could feel the simmering heat behind his usual cold exterior—the bossy, teasing mask that barely contained the storm of his emotions.
By the time the sun dipped below the horizon, Jay realized two things:
Living with Keifer Watson was exhausting, overwhelming, and infuriating.
And yet… she couldn't deny that part of her loved every second of it.
Because Keifer wasn't just bossy or cold anymore. He was playful, teasing, and dangerously close to letting her see the side of him he tried so hard to hide—the side that had been simmering since the first night they were forced under the same roof.
And Jay? She knew one thing with absolute certainty: resisting him wasn't going to be possible. Not now, not ever.