The Love Story of Jare and Mia
Third-Person POV
Jare Mariano was born into a name that carried power in New York.
But never peace.
He grew up in a house that had everything—money, influence, expectations.
Except time.
His parents were always busy. Meetings. Deals. Power plays.
So Jare grew up alone.
…Almost.
There was one person who stayed in his world.
Cole.
His older brother.
Or at least—
That's what Jare believed.
As a child, Jare followed him everywhere. Quietly. Carefully. Like someone afraid of being pushed away.
And sometimes—
He was.
Cole would avoid him. Not always. Not openly. But enough for Jare to notice.
Enough for it to hurt.
Jare didn't understand.
Was it because Cole didn't like him?
Because he talked too much?
Because he smiled too easily?
Because he existed?
So Jare did what children do when they don't understand rejection.
He blamed himself.
—
At ten years old—
Everything changed.
Not slowly.
Not gently.
But all at once.
Jare learned the truth.
He wasn't just a Mariano.
He was Jasher Mariano's illegitimate child.
And Cole?
Cole was his half-brother.
The world didn't break.
But something inside him did.
Because suddenly—
Everything made sense.
The distance.
The hesitation.
The silence.
Jare thought—
Of course.
Why would Cole treat him like a real brother?
He wasn't one.
Not completely.
Not legally.
Not… properly.
So Jare pulled back.
Quietly.
Like he always did.
But Cole didn't.
Despite everything—
Cole still stayed.
Still protected him.
Still treated him like family.
Not out of obligation.
But choice.
And that confused Jare more than anything else.
As he grew older, Jare learned one thing very clearly:
The Mariano name came with expectations.
And expectations came with competition.
Especially inside Mariano Industries.
People didn't look at him like a younger brother.
They looked at him like a possibility.
A backup.
Another candidate for CEO.
Another threat.
Another problem.
Jare hated that.
Not because he was afraid of responsibility—
But because he was afraid of losing the only thing that mattered.
Cole.
So he made a decision.
A quiet one.
A firm one.
He would never take what could hurt his brother.
Not the position.
Not the power.
Not the throne that didn't even belong to him.
Instead—
He chose something else.
Something simple.
Something his.
Baking.
Because sweetness was the only thinghe could create…When life gave him none.
Heat from the oven instead of pressure from the boardroom.
It was the first thing in his life that didn't feel complicated.
So he followed it.
He built something from nothing over the years—The number one bakery in New York: Noir Oven.
Not inherited.Not given.Entirely his.
Not gifted.
Not fought over.
Just… his.
And for the first time—
Jare Mariano existed without the weight of his last name.
Then—
At seventeen—
His life changed again.
He met her.
Jay-Jay.
His stepsister.
Unexpected.
Unplanned.
But somehow—
Important.
—And then—
He lost her.
Not once.
But twice.
Both times—
He couldn't protect her.
Both times—
He wasn't enough.
That was the moment something shifted inside him.
Not loudly.
Not visibly.
But permanently.
Jare Mariano—
The boy who once stayed quiet,
Who avoided conflict,
Who walked away from power—
Became someone else.
Someone sharper.
Someone more aware.
Someone who would never let the people he loved slip through his hands again.
Especially her.
From that day forward—
Jare didn't just care.
He watched.
He guarded.
He stayed.
Because losing someone once is painful.
But losing them twice?
That becomes fear.
It had been a year since Jay came to New York.
One year.
One long, quiet year.
Law school kept her busy—
But not happy.
She didn't make friends.
Didn't try to.
Didn't trust easily.
Most days, she came home tired.
Silent.
Carrying things she didn't say out loud.
So when I saw her that day—
Smiling like that—
I knew something had changed.
"What happened, Jay?" I asked.
She turned to me immediately.
Eyes bright.
Too bright.
"I finally made a friend," she said.
I paused.
A friend?
After a year?
"…Boy or girl?" I asked calmly. "Law student?"
"No," she said quickly, shaking her head. "I don't even know her background properly."
That made my brows pull together slightly.
She didn't notice.
Of course, she didn't.
"I met her at a bakery," she continued, already walking past me. "I just went to eat… we talked… and then—"
She smiled again.
Wide.
Careless.
"…we became friends."
A pause.
Then she added, almost proudly—
"Finally, Kuya… after one year, I got a girlfriend, Mia."
I blinked.
"…You mean a girl friend."
She waved it off.
"Same thing."
Then she disappeared upstairs before I could ask anything else.
—
I stood there for a moment.
Quiet.
Thinking.
Jay wasn't the type to open up easily.
Not after everything.
Not after everything she lost.
So someone—
A stranger—
Walking into her life that fast?
That easily?
I didn't like it.
So I followed.
Not obviously.
Not enough for her to notice.
Just enough to see.
To understand.
To make sure.
That's when I saw her.
Mia.
She wasn't what I expected.
Not soft.
Not overly friendly.
Not the type to force closeness.
She moved like she didn't depend on anyone.
Worked without complaining.
Talked without trying to impress.
And most importantly—
She didn't cling to Jay.
She stayed.
But she didn't take.
I watched longer than I planned to.
Days turned into routine.
Routine turned into something… familiar.
I started dropping Jay off in the mornings.
Earlier than usual.
On purpose.
Mia worked there.
One of my branches.
That made things easier.
Too easy.
Getting her information wasn't difficult.
No family.
No backing.
An orphan.
Built everything on her own.
Still—
I didn't trust easily.
So I kept watching.
Jay spent time with her almost every day.
If she were free—
She went to Mia.
They ate together.
Laughed together.
Tried random restaurants like it was a mission.
Sometimes they stayed up late.
Sometimes Jay came home smiling for no reason.
That alone was enough to make me hesitate.
Because Jay—
Didn't smile like that anymore.
Not before.
Mia never crossed any lines.
Never asked for anything.
Never used Jay's name.
Never tried to get close to me either.
Whenever she saw me—
She nodded.
"Good morning."
Short.
Simple.
Respectful.
No curiosity.
No hidden intention.
That was new.
Most people reacted when they found out who I was.
She didn't.
One day—
Jay brought home food.
"Try this," she said, placing it in front of me.
"Mia made it."
I didn't expect much.
Just another dish.
Just another attempt.
I took a bite.
And paused.
"…This is good."
No—
Better than good.
Clean flavors.
Balanced.
Carefully made.
Not showy.
Just… right.
I looked at the plate again.
Then at Jay.
She was already smiling.
Proud.
Like she made it herself.
"…She cooked this?" I asked.
Jay nodded immediately.
"Mia made it. She's really good, right?"
I didn't answer right away.
Because my attention wasn't on the food anymore.
It was on her.
Somewhere between watching her from a distance…
And tasting something she created…
Something shifted.
Not fast.
Not obvious.
But enough.
For the first time—
My interest wasn't just about protecting Jay.
It was about Mia.
And the problem?
I didn't know when that started.
Or when it would stop.
And I went to Mia, not with Jay. I went alone to watch her... The bakery was quieter than usual.
Late afternoon.
The rush had passed.
Only the soft hum of the oven remained—
And her.
Mia stood behind the counter, sleeves rolled up, focused on frosting a cake like the world outside didn't exist.
Clean movements.
Precise.
No wasted motion.
Late evening.
The bakery was quieter now.
Soft lights.
Fewer customers.
The kind of calm Mia liked.
She was at the counter, packing a box neatly.
Focused.
Unbothered.
"Damn… so the rumors were true."
A voice leaned in too close.
Too familiar.
Too confident.
Mia didn't look up immediately.
"Depends," she said calmly. "Which rumor?"
"That the number one bakery also comes with a number one view."
She sighed internally.
…One of those.
My blood boiled.My grip tightened around the steering wheel until my knuckles went white.
She looked up.
The guy was already smiling like he'd said something impressive.
He hadn't.
"What do you want?" she asked flatly.
"You," he said easily.
No hesitation.
No shame.
Silence.
Mia blinked once.
"…We don't sell that here."
He laughed.
"Come on, don't be like that. I've been coming here all week."
"I noticed," she said. "You order nothing and talk too much."
"Ouch."
He leaned closer.
"Then let me fix that. Dinner. Tonight."
"No."
Immediate.
Clean.
He didn't back off.
Of course, he didn't.
"Coffee then."
"No."
"Walk?"
"No."
"Your number?"
"No."
A pause.
Then he smirked.
"Boyfriend?"
Mia tilted her head slightly, completely unfazed.
"Why?" she asked calmly. "Planning to compete?"
That was enough.
I stepped in.
Right beside her.
Close enough to make it clear.
"Not necessary," I said, my voice steady. "She already has me, right… baby?"
For a split second—
Silence.
Then Mia turned her head toward me.
And smiled.
"Yeah, baby."
Something in my chest shifted.
Not planned.
Not controlled.
Just… there.
The guy blinked.
"You didn't say you had a boyfriend."
Mia shrugged lightly. "You didn't ask."
I didn't wait.
I grabbed his collar—just enough to make a point.
"If you know now," I said quietly, "back up."
That did it.
He raised his hands and stepped away immediately, dragging his friends with him.
Smart.
Very smart.
The moment they were gone—
Mia stepped away from me.
Distance.
Instant.
"Thanks," she said simply. "But I could've handled it."
I frowned slightly.
"Why?" I asked. "I can help you."
She looked at me then.
Really looked this time.
Not polite.
Not casual.
Measuring.
"Today I got lucky," she said. "That doesn't mean I need someone 24/7."
A pause.
"I can protect myself."
That… hit.
But I didn't step back.
"Then let me protect you," I said.
The words came out before I could filter them.
"I mean it."
Her brows pulled together slightly.
"What?"
I exhaled slowly.
No backing out now.
"Use me," I said. "As your boyfriend."
Silence.
A long one.
Then—
She shook her head.
"Sorry," she said calmly. "Not interested."
And then the final blow—
"You're Jay-Jay's brother."
She turned.
Walked away.
Just like that.
No hesitation.
No second look.
That night—
I stood in front of the mirror.
Studying myself, like something was missing.
I looked fine.
More than fine.
I knew that.
So why—
"…Not boyfriend material?" I muttered.
It didn't make sense.
I ran a hand through my hair, annoyed.
I then grabbed my keys.
If my head wasn't working—
Food might help. After I came home
I pushed open the door to Amy's sister-in-law's room.
"Amy ate—"
I stopped.
Jay was there.
On the floor.
Playing with little Kai, who was giggling like the world was perfect.
"…What?" Amy asked, looking up at me. "Wow… look who finally remembers this place exists."
I leaned against the doorframe.
"I'm not enough to be a good boyfriend," I said flatly.
Silence.
Both of them froze.
Then slowly—
They looked at me like I had just confessed to a crime.
A serious one.
Jay blinked.
"…Who rejected you?"
Amy crossed her arms.
"Wait—who dared?"
I exhaled, annoyed.
"That's not the point."
"It is the point," Jay said instantly.
Amy nodded. "Exactly. Tell us."
I hesitated.
Then muttered—
"…Mia."
Silence.
Then—
Jay's eyes widened.
Amy straightened.
And together—
"Oh."
Not shocked.
Not confused.
Just—
Understanding.
Which somehow made it worse.
Jay tilted her head slightly.
"You look grumpy all the time," she said.
Amy added immediately, "And intimidating."
Jay continued, "You don't smile."
Amy finished, "You sound like you're warning people, not talking to them."
I stared at them.
"…I do not."
They both looked at me.
Unimpressed.
Jay pointed at my face.
"Make a 'boyfriend face.'"
"…What?"
"Do it."
I clenched my jaw.
Tried.
Failed.
Amy sighed dramatically.
"Yeah… no. That's not it."
Jay patted Kai's head like she was thinking deeply.
"You approached her like a business deal, didn't you?"
I didn't answer.
That was answer enough.
Amy groaned.
"Of course you did."
Jay leaned back slightly, smirking.
"You didn't ask her."
"You offered yourself."
Amy nodded. "Like a service."
Jay added, "With terms and conditions."
I rubbed my forehead.
"…I hate both of you."
They ignored that.
Completely.
Amy leaned forward.
"Do you like her?"
I paused.
Then—
"…Yes."
Jay smiled slightly.
"Then stop acting like you're negotiating."
Amy pointed at me.
"Talk to her like a person."
Jay added softly—
"Not like someone you're trying to control."
That…
Landed.
Harder than I expected.
I stayed quiet.
Thinking.
For once—
Not about winning.
Not about getting what I wanted.
But about her.
And why did she walk away so easily?
Jay glanced at Amy.
Then back at me.
"…You're not lacking," she said casually.
"You're just doing it wrong."
Amy grinned.
"Very wrong."
I exhaled slowly.
"…Then I'll fix it."
Jay smirked.
"Good."
Amy leaned back.
"Because trust me—"
Jay finished it with a knowing look—
"She's not someone you can just take."
Silence.
Then I nodded once.
Yeah.
I already figured that out.
The hard way.
Mia — Third POV
Mia didn't remember her parents.
Not their faces.
Not their voices.
Not even the warmth people always talked about.
But she remembered hunger.
She remembered learning how to survive quietly—without asking, without expecting.
And somehow…
She stayed kind anyway.
Mia loved baking.
Not just because it fed her—
But because it made other people smile.
And that… felt like something she could keep.
Something no one could take from her.
She worked hard.
Too hard.
Saving every coin, learning every technique she could, watching, practicing, failing, trying again—
Until finally—
She earned a full scholarship to a college in New York.
For the first time in her life—
Something good happened.
And then—
It was gone.
Scammed.
Every last bit of money she had.
Vanished.
Just like that.
She didn't scream.
Didn't fight.
She just sat outside a bakery…
And cried.
Quietly.
Like she always did.
Because no one ever stayed long enough to hear it anyway.
Until that day.
Someone stopped.
Helped her.
Didn't ask for anything.
Got her money back.
Gave her enough to stand again.
And then left…
Like it wasn't a big deal.
But to Mia—
It was everything.
That bakery became her place.
Her second start.
She worked there.
Learned there.
Lived there, in a way.
Day by day—
Slowly building herself again.
And then—
Jay walked in.
At first, Mia didn't think much of her.
Just another customer.
Quiet.
Observant.
Always sitting in the same spot.
Always trying something new.
Always alone.
But different.
There was something… soft about her.
Something honest.
One day—
Jay ordered a pastry.
But everything was sold out.
Mia saw it.
The small drop in her expression.
Not dramatic.
Not loud.
Just… gone.
That small happiness.
So Mia did something she normally wouldn't.
She gave her a cake.
One she made from leftover ingredients.
Not perfect.
Not planned.
Just… something.
Jay looked surprised.
But took it.
Sat down.
Took a bite.
And smiled.
It was small.
But real.
And Mia felt it.
Deep.
Like something warm finally reached her.
Jay left quietly after that.
No long conversation.
No big reaction.
Just a small note on the table—
"It was good."
Mia read it three times.
Then folded it carefully.
And kept it.
After that—
She started trying more.
New recipes.
New ideas.
Small improvements.
And every time—
She would give it to Jay.
And Jay would eat it.
Every time.
With that same quiet smile.
Then—
Something new.
Jay started writing back.
Small notes.
Simple.
Honest.
"Too sweet."
"Soft texture. I like it."
"Needs balance."
Not compliments.
Not harsh.
Just… real.
And Mia loved it.
Because for the first time—
Someone wasn't just eating her food.
They were seeing it.
Understanding it.
A week later—
They finally talked.
Properly.
Awkward at first.
Then it's easier.
Then natural.
And just like that—
Mia had a friend.
Her first real one.
They started spending time together.
After work.
Between classes.
Late nights.
Trying new food.
Failing recipes.
Laughing over burnt edges and too much sugar.
Mia smiled more.
Slept better.
Laughed louder.
For the first time—
She wasn't alone.
And she didn't notice—
That someone else had started watching.
Jare.
At first—
He was just there.
Distant.
Quiet.
Observing.
Then—
Closer.
More present.
And slowly—
Without asking—
Without warning—
He stepped in.
Right between them.
And everything changed.
Mia (POV)
He came again.
And again.
And again.
But he never crossed a line.
Not really.
Not until that day.
"Boyfriend."
The word still felt strange in my head.
Heavy.
Unexpected.
Because he didn't say it like a joke.
He offered it.
Like something real.
Like something I could take.
I didn't.
The next day, Jay came as if nothing had happened.
Smiling.
Calm.
Normal.
Like she always was.
"Tell me if my brother bothers you," she said casually, sitting in her usual spot. "He looks grumpy, but he's actually good."
I didn't say anything.
She continued anyway.
"After my accident, he became overprotective… so if he disturbs you, just tell me."
A pause.
Then she added—
"Oh, and… he said the sample you gave me tasted good."
She smiled.
Then left.
I stood there for a while after that.
Holding nothing.
Thinking too much.
That night—
I closed the shop late.
The streets were quieter than usual.
Colder.
Heavier.
And then—
I felt it.
Footsteps.
Behind me.
Slow.
Matching mine.
I didn't turn.
I just walked faster.
Heart beating harder.
Louder.
Closer.
I reached home.
Unlocked the door quickly.
Stepped inside.
Locked it.
Twice.
Silence.
But the feeling didn't leave.
It stayed.
For three days.
Every step.
Every shadow.
Every sound.
I couldn't speak properly.
Couldn't focus.
Couldn't sleep.
I told Jay.
She listened.
Didn't interrupt.
Didn't panic.
Just… stayed.
But today—
I was tired.
Of being scared.
"I'll fix it," I told myself.
"I'll fight it."
So when I walked out—
I was ready.
Footsteps?
I turned into the alley.
Shadow?
I raised my bag.
Breathe steadily.
Heart loud but controlled.
Then—
I swung.
Hard.
"Stop."
I froze.
That voice—
I looked up.
"…Jare?"
He was standing there.
One hand slightly raised.
Like, he didn't even try to block it.
"What are you doing here??" I asked, still breathing hard.
"I heard from Jay," he said, rubbing the back of his neck, avoiding my eyes, "that someone's been following you."
A pause.
"I caught him."
My mind blanked.
"…What?"
"I handed him to the police," he said simply. "I just came to tell you… You don't have to worry anymore."
Silence.
Then my brows pulled together.
"…Then why were you walking behind me like that?"
He hesitated.
Actually hesitated.
"I…" he exhaled softly. "I don't know how to talk to you."
That…
I didn't expect that.
I looked at him for a second longer.
Then sighed.
"…Come inside."
My room was small.
Simple.
Nothing special.
But he stepped in as it mattered.
Like he noticed everything.
I handed him a glass of water.
"Next time," I said, leaning against the table, "don't do that."
He nodded immediately.
"Okay."
And that should've been it.
But it wasn't.
We talked.
At first—
Short.
Awkward.
Careful.
Then longer.
Easier.
Real.
And somehow—
That night didn't end quickly.
And neither did he.
Days turned into weeks.
Weeks into months.
Months into years.
Two years.
We didn't rush it.
Didn't force it.
Didn't pretend.
We just… stayed.
And somewhere in between—
I fell.
Not loudly.
Not suddenly.
Quietly.
Deeply.
For the way he listened.
For the way he showed up.
For the way he protected—
Without making me feel weak.
And his smile—
Rare.
But real.
And when it came—
It felt like something I earned.
Something only a few people got to see.
And I loved it.
I loved him.
Then one day—
He looked different.
Nervous.
Restless.
Thinking too much.
"Mia," he said.
I looked up.
"…Yeah?"
He hesitated.
Then finally—
"I want you to meet my family."
My heart stopped for a second.
Because somehow—
That felt bigger than everything else.
"…Okay," I said softly.
And just like that—
Everything was about to change again.
Jare (POV)
I never thought I was capable of this.
Love.
Not the temporary kind.
Not the convenient kind.
Something… real.
Something that stayed.
Then I met Mia.
Today was supposed to be simple.
Just an introduction.
That's all.
But standing there—
With her beside me…
With my family in front of me…
Something shifted.
"I want to marry her."
Silence.
Then—
"I thought this was important," Percy said casually. "We all already knew that."
"What??" everyone said at once.
Mia included.
I turned slightly.
"…You didn't?"
She blinked at me.
"No."
Amy let out a sharp breath.
"You didn't even tell her? your brother is better atlest he told me " she asked, looking at me like I'd lost my mind.
I didn't answer.
Because I didn't.
"I don't agree."
Jay's voice cut in.
I frowned.
"Why?"
She crossed her arms, completely serious—
"If you make her your wife… I'll lose my only friend."
A beat.
Then she smirked.
"…I don't like that."
I stared at her.
Then sighed.
"…You're impossible."
Just like that—
Everyone agreed.
Like it wasn't even a question.
I turned back to Mia.
She was still frozen.
Processing.
Trying to catch up to something I hadn't even planned myself.
Because I didn't.
I really didn't.
"I…" I paused.
For once—
I didn't have the right words.
Didn't have control.
Didn't have a plan.
"I didn't plan to say it like that," I admitted.
Honest.
Raw.
"But I meant it."
Silence.
Just her.
Looking at me.
Searching.
"I don't need time," I continued quietly.
"I've already spent enough of it… knowing I don't want anyone else."
A step closer.
Not forcing.
Not cornering.
Just… there.
"I want you," I said.
"Not later. Not eventually."
A breath.
"Now."
Her eyes softened.
Just a little.
"…You're not normal," she said quietly.
I almost smiled.
"I know."
A pause.
Then—
"…Okay."
That was it.
No dramatic speech.
No long hesitation.
Just one word.
And somehow—
It felt bigger than everything.
The room exploded after that.
Noise.
Teasing.
Shouting.
Celebration.
But I didn't hear any of it.
Because she was looking at me.
And she didn't look unsure.
Didn't look scared.
Just… certain.
And just like that—
We got married.
No long engagement.
No delay.
No second-guessing.
Because for once—
I didn't want to wait.
And neither did she.
And for the first time in my life—
I didn't feel like I was taking something.
I felt like I was finally… keeping it.