The dance floor was magical.
Jay floated in Keifer's arms, her head on his chest, the emerald gown swirling around them. The cameras had mostly stopped flashing—even paparazzi got bored eventually—but a few phones still captured the moment.
"You're thinking too much," Keifer murmured against her hair.
"I'm always thinking."
"About what?"
"About how I'm going to be CEO. About surgeries I have tomorrow. About whether Percy remembered to feed my plant."
"Percy doesn't even remember to feed himself."
"Exactly. My plant is doomed."
Keifer chuckled, pulling her closer. "Stop thinking. Just... be here. With me."
She tilted her head up. "I am here. With you."
"Then dance with me. Really dance."
They moved together, perfectly in sync, like they'd been doing this for years instead of months.
From the edge of the dance floor, Percy was filming. "This is going on the family archive," he announced to no one in particular.
Aries grabbed his phone. "Stop being creepy."
"I'm being HISTORICAL. There's a difference."
"There really isn't."
The song ended.
Jay smiled up at Keifer. "That was—"
"Dr. Mariano!"
The voice was female. Bright. Confident.
Jay turned.
A woman approached—tall, blonde, gorgeous in a red dress that cost more than most people's cars. She moved like she owned the room, which meant she probably did.
"Dr. Mariano, I'm Sophia Reyes-Tan. I've been dying to meet you." The woman extended a perfectly manicured hand. "Your speech was incredible."
Jay shook it automatically. "Thank you."
"I'm with Reyes Pharmaceutical. We've been trying to partner with Mariano Healthcare for years." Sophia's smile was dazzling. "Your father's been impossible to pin down. But you—" She looked Jay up and down. "You look more approachable."
Jay's eyebrow arched. "I'm really not."
Sophia laughed like Jay had made a joke. "Oh, I like you. You're direct." Her eyes slid to Keifer. "And you must be the famous Keifer Watson. I've read so much about you."
Keifer nodded politely. "Sophia."
"You know each other?" Jay asked.
"We've met at events." Keifer's voice was careful. Neutral.
"Several events," Sophia added, stepping closer to him. "You never stay long. Always working. I respect that in a man."
Jay felt something twist in her stomach.
Sophia's hand touched Keifer's arm. "You should come to our next pharmaceutical gala. I could give you a personal tour. Show you things the public never sees."
Keifer stepped back slightly. "I'm busy."
"Everyone's busy. You make time for important things." Sophia's smile sharpened. "And I could be very... important."
Jay's jaw tightened.
Sophia finally glanced at her. "Oh, don't worry, Dr. Mariano. I'm just networking. You understand. You're a businesswoman now."
"I'm a surgeon," Jay said flatly. "And I understand exactly what you're doing."
Sophia's eyebrows rose. "And what's that?"
"Flirting with my boyfriend. In front of me. At my family's gala."
The air changed.
People nearby stopped talking. Phones lifted.
Sophia laughed—a tinkling, practiced sound. "Dr. Mariano, I'm just being friendly. Is that not allowed anymore?"
"Friendly is fine. Touching his arm and talking about 'personal tours' isn't friendly."
"Jealous?" Sophia's smile turned mocking. "I wouldn't have expected that from the new CEO. So... insecure."
Jay's eyes flashed.
Keifer moved closer to her. "Sophia, I think you should—"
"I think Dr. Mariano can speak for herself." Sophia's gaze stayed on Jay. "Or can she? All that crying on stage. Very emotional. Very... weak."
The room went dead silent.
Jay smiled.
It was not a nice smile.
"Weak?" She stepped forward, her emerald gown catching the light. "Let me tell you about weak, Sophia."
"Jay—" Keifer started.
"No." Jay held up a hand. "She wants to play. Let's play."
Sophia's confidence flickered. Just slightly.
"I held a two-year-old's heart in my hands last week. Literally held it. While she stopped breathing and I had three minutes to save her." Jay's voice was calm. Deadly calm. "I saved her. Because I'm not weak. I'm a surgeon. I'm a Mariano. And I'm the woman he goes home to every night."
Sophia's smile wavered.
"You?" Jay continued, stepping closer. "You sell pills. I save lives. You network at galas. I work until 3am because a child needs me. You think touching my boyfriend's arm impresses me?" She laughed—a sharp, cold sound. "I've seen him cry. I've seen him vulnerable. I've seen him at his worst. And he's still mine."
Sophia's face reddened. "I was just—"
"You were just trying to take what's mine. In front of me. At my event." Jay's eyes narrowed. "Bad strategy."
Keifer's hand found her lower back. "Jay."
She glanced at him.
He was smiling.
Proud. Amused. Completely, utterly hers.
"Finished?" he asked quietly.
"Almost." Jay turned back to Sophia. "One more thing. Reyes Pharmaceutical? My father told me about your merger attempts. The answer is no. Forever. Because I don't do business with people who disrespect me in public."
Sophia's mouth opened. Closed.
"You can't—" she started.
"I'm the CEO now." Jay's smile was razor-sharp. "Watch me."
She turned, took Keifer's hand, and walked away.
The crowd parted. Cameras captured everything.
Sophia stood alone, red-faced and humiliated.
The moment they were out of sight, Jay's composure cracked.
"Oh my God." She pressed her hands to her face. "Oh my God, I just—in front of everyone—I was so—"
"Incredible." Keifer pulled her hands away. "You were incredible."
"I was crazy."
"You were magnificent."
"I basically threatened her."
"You established dominance. There's a difference."
Jay stared at him. "You're not mad?"
"Mad?" He laughed—that real laugh. "Jay, I've never been more attracted to you in my life."
"But I was—she was—"
"She was flirting with me. And you handled it. Perfectly." He cupped her face. "Do you know how that felt? Watching you defend what's ours? Watching you not back down?" He kissed her forehead. "I've never been prouder."
Jay blinked. "Really?"
"Really." He smiled. "Also, I'm never letting you near another woman who flirts with me. You're terrifying."
"Good."
"Very good."
They walked back toward the main room, hand in hand.
Percy met them at the entrance, phone already out. "THAT WAS ICONIC. I HAVE IT ALL ON VIDEO. EVERY WORD. EVERY ANGLE."
"Percy—"
"YOU SAID 'I'M THE WOMAN HE GOES HOME TO EVERY NIGHT.' I CRIED. ACTUAL TEARS."
Aries appeared behind him. "That was... impressive."
"High praise from you."
"She deserved it." Aries almost smiled. "Good job, Jay."
Reycee swept in, pulling Jay into a hug. "Anak, that was—I've never been so proud. You stood your ground."
"She was mean," Jasfer added, leaning on his cane. "You were perfect. Also, Reyes Pharmaceutical is now blacklisted. I'll make the calls tomorrow."
"Dad—"
"She disrespected my daughter. In my house. At my event." Jasfer's eyes were cold. "She's done."
Keizer Watson appeared, clapping Keifer on the shoulder. "Son. Your woman just destroyed a pharmaceutical heiress in public. Marry her faster."
"Working on it."
Serina hugged Jay. "Darling, that was magnificent. Truly."
Keigan gave a thumbs up. "My friends are already sending me clips. You're trending."
Keiren tugged Jay's gown. "Jay, was that lady bad?"
"Yes, Keiren. She was bad."
"Bato says you're a hero." He held up the dinosaur. "Bato knows."
Jay's heart melted. "Tell Bato thank you."
The rest of the night was a blur.
People approached. Congratulated. Laughed about Sophia's exit (she'd left immediately, face like thunder).
Jay accepted it all with grace, Keifer's hand never leaving hers.
Finally, near midnight, they escaped to a quiet balcony.
Alone.
Staring at the city.
"You okay?" Keifer asked.
"I don't know." Jay leaned against the railing. "I've never done that before. Lost control like that. In public."
"You didn't lose control. You took control. There's a difference."
"Is there?"
"With you? Always." He moved behind her, wrapped his arms around her waist. "You defended us. Defended what we have. That's not jealousy. That's love."
She leaned back against him. "I love you."
"I know."
"I love you so much it's stupid."
"Stupid love. My favorite."
She laughed softly. "Your family thinks I'm crazy."
"My family thinks you're perfect." He kissed her neck. "Because you are."
"Keifer—"
"Jay." He turned her in his arms. "You're going to be CEO. You're going to save lives. You're going to run an empire. And you're going to do it all while being mine." He smiled. "That Sophia woman? She's nothing. A gnat. You're a force of nature."
Jay's eyes burned.
"I love you," she whispered.
"I love you too." He kissed her softly. "Now let's go back inside before Percy live-streams our balcony moment."
"He would."
"Absolutely."
They walked back in together.
Hand in hand.
Ready for whatever came next.
The Internet Reaction:
"Jay Mariano destroys pharmaceutical heiress" trends worldwide
Video of confrontation hits 10 million views in two hours
Sophia Reyes-Tan issues statement: "I was just networking"
Comments: "She was NOT just networking"
"Jay Mariano is our new favorite CEO"
"The way she said 'I'm the woman he goes home to' — ICONIC"
Fan accounts explode with new content
The Family Group Chat That Night:
Percy: I'VE WATCHED THE VIDEO 47 TIMES
Percy: EACH TIME GETS BETTER
Aries: That's unhealthy.
Percy: THAT'S APPRECIATION
Mom (Reycee): My daughter. Standing up for herself. I'm so proud.
Dad (Jasfer): Reyes Pharmaceuticals is done. I called their CEO. Told him exactly why.
Keizer: Jasfer, you're a legend.
Dad: I protect my own.
Serina: Jay, you were wonderful. Truly.
Keigan: My friends keep asking if you're single. I tell them no and send Keifer's photo. They get scared.
Keiren: Bato says Jay is the best.
Jay: Tell Bato thank you.
Keifer: Tell Bato I agree.
Percy: OKAY BUT CAN WE TALK ABOUT THE LINE "I'M THE WOMAN HE GOES HOME TO"??
Percy: CHILLS. ACTUAL CHILLS.
Aries: Percy, go to sleep.
Percy: I CAN'T. I'M TOO PROUD.
Jay set her phone aside.
Curled into Keifer's side.
"Today was insane."
"Your life is insane now."
"I know." She looked up at him. "Worth it?"
"For you? Always."
She smiled.
Closed her eyes.
And slept, safe in his arms.