(Jay's POV)
The sun hadn't even fully cleared the horizon of Keifer's secret estate before the peace of the previous night was shattered.
I woke up to the sound of a vase breaking downstairs, followed by Ion's high-pitched laughter and Aries yelling about someone touching his hair gel.
Welcome to the morning of the most "secret" engagement in history. I groaned, burying my face in the silk pillows. Beside me, Keifer was a sprawling mess of limbs, still dead to the world.
Very sorry because Keigan and keiren hadn't made up to event because they were having a very exciting adventure park trip which they considered more important than the engagement. Priorities Fr..
I kicked him lightly. "Wake up, CEO. Our family is officially losing it." He just grumbled something about merging companies and pulled the duvet over his head. Typical.
I dragged myself out of bed and headed to the vanity. I'm not a makeup person and you all clearly know . My idea of a 'skincare routine' is splashing water on my face and hoping for the best.
But today was special. I remembered the frantic lessons Freya had given me back during prom—the "negligible" makeup look, she called it.
I applied a tiny bit of tinted moisturiser, a swipe of mascara, and a lip tint that was barely darker than my natural colour. When I pulled my hair back into a soft, loose style, I looked in the mirror and blinked.
I didn't look like a Syndicate-crushing fighter; I looked... soft. Effortlessly beautiful, if I was being vain.
A sharp intake of breath behind me made me spin around. Keifer was propped up on his elbows, staring at me like I'd just descended from the heavens.
"Jay," he rasped, his voice thick with sleep. "You're trying to kill me before the ceremony even starts."
I flushed, adjusting my silk robe. "Stop staring and get up. Why aren't you getting ready? The house is in complete chaos."
Keifer let out a low, cocky chuckle, falling back onto the pillows with his hands behind his head. "Relax, baby. It'll only take me five minutes to step into my CEO persona. I'm naturally this intimidating."
I rolled my eyes, grabbing a brush. "Five minutes? It takes you longer than that just to pick a watch."
He smirked, his eyes darkening with a playful glint. "Maybe. But I'd spend five hours watching you put on lipstick and still think it was time well spent."
He leaned forward, his voice dropping to a flirty whisper. "In fact, if you keep looking at me like that, we might be 'late' for the engagement entirely."
"Shut up!" I laughed, tossing a cotton pad at him.
Bang!
Bang!
Bang!
The door practically rattled off its hinges. "JAY! Open up! I'm dying out here!" Aries' voice roared from the hallway.I groaned loudly.
"What do you want, Aries?"
The door swung open, and my brother marched in looking like a panicked penguin. His tuxedo jacket was on, but his silk tie was draped miserably around his neck like a dead snake.
"I can't do it. The knot is wonky. Fix it. Now."
"I have ten minutes to get into a gown, Aries!" I snapped, gesturing to my half-ready state. "Ask Angelo!"
Aries looked at me, squinting. He leaned in close, inspecting my face. "Wait... is that makeup? Jay, you look like a polished witch. Seriously, did you use a cauldron for that eyeliner?"
My heart sank a little, and I made a sad, annoyed face. Even when I tried, my brother knew exactly how to poke the bruise.
Suddenly, the bed sheets rustled. Keifer was up in a flash, stepping between me and Aries like a human shield. "My dear brother-in-law," Keifer said, his voice dripping with mock politeness as he snatched the tie out of Aries' hand. "Since you're clearly incompetent, let me help you."
With lightning speed and terrifying precision, Keifer tied a perfect Windsor knot. As he tightened it—perhaps a bit too much, judging by Aries' gagging sound—Keifer leaned into Aries' face.
"And for the record," Keifer snapped, his tone turning icy and protective, "Jay is gorgeous to me in every single look. Whether she's covered in dirt from a fight or wearing this makeup, she is stunning. Not even her brother gets to call her a witch in front of me. Understood?"
I felt a massive grin spread across my face. Keifer was usually the one teasing me, but seeing him go full 'Knight in Shining Armor' against Aries was a highlight of my life.Aries rolled his eyes, adjusting his now-perfect tie.
"Eww. Cringe. You guys are literally nauseating."
I stuck my tongue out at him. "Keep talking, Aries. You're about to enter the 'Cringe Zone' yourself in about two hours. I've seen the way you look at Ella. You're one step away from writing her a poem."
Aries turned bright red, muttered something about "traitors," and bolted out of the room.
As soon as the door clicked shut, I turned and hugged Keifer tightly, burying my face in his chest. "Thank you," I whispered. I pulled back just enough to plant a quick, firm kiss on his cheek.
"Makeup and hair are done. I'm going to the washroom to put the dress on. Don't go anywhere!" I rushed into the bathroom before he could respond. Behind me, I could practically feel the stunned silence. Keifer remained standing there, a slow, mischievous smirk forming on his face as he touched the spot where I'd kissed him.
Ten minutes later, I emerged. The dress was a deep, midnight emerald silk that hugged my curves and flowed down to the floor. It was a struggle to get into, but I felt like a million dollars.
I stopped short. Keifer was already standing by the window. He was in a bespoke charcoal suit, but what caught my eye was his tie and pocket square—they were the exact shade of emerald green as my dress.
He turned, winking at me. "Told you. Five minutes."
"You cheated," I sighed, though I couldn't stop smiling. "You look... okay, you look incredible. But I have a problem." I turned my back to him, holding the back of the dress together. "Zip me up?"
I felt him step closer. The air in the room suddenly felt heavy and warm. His hands, usually so firm and commanding, were incredibly gentle as he moved my hair to one side, pinning it against my shoulder. His fingers brushed against the bare skin of my neck, sending a violent shiver down my spine.
He didn't just zip it. He took his time. I heard his breath hitch behind my ear as the zipper slowly slid upward. His hands lingered, moving along the curves of my waist, smoothing the silk over my hips.
It wasn't just a zip-up; it was a claim."Keifer..." I breathed, a small moan escaping my lips as his touch became more deliberate, his palms grazing places that made my knees weak.
"You are so beautiful, Jay," he whispered against my skin. "It's almost unfair."
He gave me one last squeeze before stepping back, clearing his throat as if to regain his "CEO" composure. "We should go down. Before Aries breaks another vase."
We walked down the grand staircase together. The scene in the foyer was pure chaos, but a beautiful kind. Angelo was trying to keep a straight face while Ion, looking absolutely radiant with her growing baby bump, was trying to pin a flower on him.
Tita Gemma and Lola were huddled together, whispering and pointing at us the moment we appeared."Look at them!" Tita Gemma squealed. "The emerald duo!"
Lola nodded approvingly, her eyes sharp. "Look at how he holds her dress. A true gentleman."
I realized then that Keifer had reached down, effortlessly gathering the heavy train of my dress so I wouldn't trip on the stairs. He did it so naturally, without even looking, making sure I was comfortable.
Then, the room went silent.Ella appeared at the top of the stairs. She was a vision in a massive, shimmering golden gown that looked like it was woven from sunlight. As the bride-to-be, she owned every inch of that floor.
I looked over at Aries. My tough, teasing brother looked like he'd been hit by a literal bus. His jaw was on the floor, his eyes wide and glazed.
He looked completely and utterly smitten.Keifer and I shared a look. At the exact same time, we both let out a loud, dramatic, synchronized cough.
Aries jumped, snapping out of his trance and glaring at us, his face turning a shade of purple that almost matched the decor.
"What?" he hissed."Nothing," I chirped, leaning into Keifer. "Just enjoying the cringe."
The house was filled with laughter, the smell of expensive catering, and the sheer, chaotic energy of a family that had survived an ambush and come out stronger. It was perfect.
The secret estate was a whirlwind of flying hairspray and Tita Gemma's frantic screaming about lost cufflinks, but eventually, we were all shoved into a fleet of tinted SUVs.
The destination was a "private hotel," which in Keifer-speak meant a literal fortress of luxury hidden on a cliffside, overlooking the ocean. It was so exclusive that I'm pretty sure even the seagulls needed a security clearance to fly over it.
As we walked through the lobby—which smelled like expensive jasmine and "old money"—I felt a sudden, sharp pang in my chest.
I looked at the grand ballroom, the gold-leafed ceilings, and the waiters in white gloves. It was stunning, but it was missing something loud. Something chaotic. Something... Section E.
I could almost imagine them here. David would have been lecturing the bartender on the proper way to mix a drink; Ci-n would have been trying to see if the marble floors were slick enough for a sliding tackle; and the rest of them would be causing enough of a scene to get us all kicked out within five minutes.
A small, sad smile tugged at my lips. I missed my band of idiots.
"Thinking about the boys?" Keifer whispered, leaning down so his breath tickled my ear. "Is it that obvious?" I asked, smoothing my emerald dress. "You have your 'I want to punch someone but in a nostalgic way' face on," he teased, squeezing my hand. "Don't worry. They're celebrating in spirit. Probably by getting arrested or breaking a chair in your honour."
"Probably," I chuckled, feeling a bit better.
The ceremony was held on a glass balcony jutting out over the crashing waves. It was supposed to be "small and intimate," but with our family, "intimate" was just another word for "high-decibel interrogation."
Aries stood at the front, looking like he was about to faint. He kept adjusting his tie—the one Keifer had perfectly tied for him—and wiping sweat from his forehead. When Ella finally started walking through the hall towards him , Aries didn't just look "smitten"—he looked like his brain had completely short-circuited. He looked like a Windows computer trying to run a heavy game; he was just... frozen.
I leaned toward Keifer. "Look at him. He's glitching."
"System error," Keifer whispered back, stifling a laugh. "Reboot required."
The priest cleared his throat, looking slightly terrified of Lola, and raised his voice to a near-shout. "WE ARE GATHERED HERE TO WITNESS THE FORMAL ENGAGEMENT OF ARIES AND ELLA!"
"ABOUT TIME!" Lola yelled from the front row. "I've seen glaciers move faster than this boy's romantic life!"
Aries looked like he wanted the ground to swallow him whole. He was sweating so much his "perfect" tie was starting to wilt. When it was time for the engagement promises, he stepped forward, took Ella's hands, and opened his mouth.Nothing came out. He just stared at her like a fish gasping for air.
"System fully crashed ," Keifer whispered next to me, vibrating with suppressed laughter. "Aries has stopped working."
"Do you, Aries, promise to love and honor Ella as your fiancée?" the priest prompted, sweating a little himself.
"I... I..." Aries stammered. He looked at Ella, who was looking like a golden goddess, and then he looked at the ring. "I promise to let her win at Mario Kart! Even if she uses the blue shell!"
The room went dead silent for a second before Ion let out a snort that sounded like a tea kettle. Soon, we were all howling. Even the priest had to hide his face behind his book.
"That's the most romantic thing he's ever said," I wheezed, clutching Keifer's arm for support.
Then came the ring part. Ion stepped forward with the velvet box, her baby bump glowing under the hotel lights. She leaned in and whispered—loud enough for everyone to hear—"If you drop this in the ocean, Aries, the Syndicate won't be your biggest problem. I will."
Aries took the ring with trembling fingers. It was a massive diamond that probably cost more than a small island. As he slid it onto Ella's finger, his hands were shaking so badly it looked like he was vibrating.
"With this ring," Aries squeaked, his voice cracking like a teenager's, "I officially claim you... I mean, I engage you! We are engaged! Ha!"
He looked at the crowd with a triumphant grin, like he'd just won a marathon instead of putting a piece of jewelry on a finger. Ella laughed, her eyes misty, and pulled him into a hug that nearly knocked him off the balcony.
"I PRONOUNCE YOU ENGAGED!" the priest yelled, practically running away before Lola could heckle him again.
The "reception" followed in a private dining room that looked way too fancy for our level of maturity. I spent ten minutes trying to eat a piece of "deconstructed" appetizer that just looked like a very expensive grape sitting on a rock.
Suddenly, Ion stood up, clinking her glass. "A toast! To the man who finally realized Ella is way out of his league! To Aries and Ella—may your engagement be long enough for Aries to learn how to tie his own shoes, and may your future children have Ella's grace and Jay's fighting skills so they can protect their father from himself!"
"HEY!" Aries shouted, his mouth full of wagyu beef.
As the night progressed, the "sophisticated" vibe died a quick death. Angelo was caught trying to smuggle extra desserts to Ion, and Tita Gemma was busy showing the five-star chef photos of her garden while Lola told the waiter he was "too skinny" and tried to feed him her steak.
I was sitting there, soaking it all in, when I felt a sharp pang of loneliness. I missed the noise of Section E. I missed Ci-n's stupid jokes and Freya's bossy energy."Miss them?" Keifer asked, his voice low and warm. He was leaning back, his emerald tie loosened just enough to make him look like a rogue CEO.
"Yeah," I sighed. "It feels too quiet without someone breaking a window."Keifer smirked and pulled out his phone. "Well, I couldn't bring them to the hotel, but I brought the hotel to them."
Suddenly, the massive TV screen on the wall flickered to life. A giant, pixelated face appeared—it was Ci-n, and he was wearing a tinfoil hat for some reason."JAY! IS THAT A DRESS? ARE YOU A LADY TODAY?"
he screamed.
Behind him, the rest of Section E was crowded into a tiny room, waving banners that said 'CONGRATS ARIES (WHOEVER YOU ARE)'
"You idiots!" I shouted, running to the screen, laughing so hard my eyes watered. "Why are you wearing tinfoil, Ci-n?"
"To block the Syndicate's brain waves, obviously!" he yelled. "Also, we heard there was free food? Can you hold a shrimp up to the camera? I want to see if I can taste it through the screen."
For the next hour, the "private" party became a digital circus. Section E insisted on singing a "Congratulatory Engagement Anthem" which was just them screaming the lyrics to 'Dancing Queen' at the top of their lungs.
Lola loved it; she was waving her cane at the screen and yelling, "THAT ONE WITH THE FOIL HAT IS STUPID, I LIKE HIM!"
When the call finally ended, the room felt warmer. I turned to Keifer, who was watching me with a look of pure adoration."You did that?" I asked softly.
"I knew you were moping," he said, pulling me toward the balcony. "And I can't have my girl moping on a night like this."
We stepped out into the cool night air. The ocean was roaring below us, and the stars were out in full force. Keifer stood behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist and resting his chin on my shoulder. His hands moved gently, smoothing the emerald silk of my dress.
"Seeing them today..." Keifer whispered, his breath warm against my neck. "It makes me think about our turn. When we finally announce our wedding to the world. It's going to be a disaster, isn't it?"
"A total train wreck," I agreed, leaning back into him. "Section E will probably try to skydive into the venue, and Lola will definitely fight the florist."
Keifer laughed, a deep, rich sound that made my heart skip. "I wouldn't have it any other way."
He turned me around, his eyes locking onto mine. In the moonlight, he looked like a dream—powerful, protective, and completely mine. "I love you, Jay. Whether you're the tomboy crushing skulls or the woman in this dress making me forget how to breathe."
"Cringe," I whispered, though I was beaming. "Absolute cringe," he murmured, before leaning down to kiss me so deeply I forgot we were standing on a balcony and not floating in the clouds.
As we walked back inside, we saw Aries trying to show Ella a "cool magic trick" with a dinner napkin, only to set a small candle on fire.
Tita Gemma was screaming, and Ion was filming the whole thing for TikTok.
I laughed, tucking my arm into Keifer's. It was the perfect engagement party. Pure, unadulterated chaos..