Jay–Jay (POV)
I was waiting for Kiefer.
It was already 2 a.m.
Even wrapped in his clothes, surrounded by his scent, I couldn't sleep. It wasn't enough. Not when he wasn't here.
Then—
Footsteps.
Kiefer.
I heard the faint click of his phone… and a soft breath, almost like he was smiling.
Seriously?
I'm lying here missing him, and he's taking pictures?
Idiot.
I kept my eyes closed.
Let him think I was asleep.
I felt him come closer. The mattress dipped slightly as he leaned in. His fingers brushed through my hair, slow and familiar… like he'd done it a hundred times before.
This idiot…
He has done this before.
While I was asleep.
While I was waiting just to see his face.
I felt his hand reach for me—
That was enough.
I moved instantly.
Grabbing his collar, I pulled him down and flipped him onto the bed, pinning him before he could react.
"Jay—" he said, completely caught off guard.
Good.
Now he knows.
"Finally caught you, asshole," I said, glaring down at him.
"You were pretending to sleep?" he asked, amusement slipping into his voice like he wasn't just pinned to the bed.
Of course I was.
Did he really think I hadn't learned anything all this time?
Kuya didn't raise me to be that easy.
"Wow…" I exhaled, my grip still tight on his collar. "I finally get to see my husband after a whole week."
"Jay—" he started.
"What?" I snapped immediately.
He didn't answer right away.
Just looked at me.
That stupid, quiet look he does—like he's checking if I'm real.
Then his hand moved.
Not to push me away.
Not to fight back.
Just… gently holding my wrist.
"You shouldn't stay up this late," he said, softer now. "You're pregnant."
I froze for a second.
Then my eyes narrowed.
This idiot.
I was here, waiting for him, missing him for a whole week—
And he's worried about the baby first?
"What, Kiefer?" I asked, my voice breaking before I could stop it."I can't even see my husband… I only hear your voice on the phone."
"Jay, it's not like you think—" he started.
I didn't let him finish.
I wrapped my arms around him tightly, pressing myself against him as if I let go, he'd disappear again.
"Jay…" he murmured, trying to ease my grip. "I'm sweating… let me take a bath."
I shook my head against him, refusing.
"I like it," I said stubbornly. "You smell like you… more like you. It's fine."
I pulled back just enough to look at his face—
Tears.
They were falling quietly on his face, and I didn't even realize it.
My chest tightened.
"Why, Kiefer…?" I whispered, my own tears slipping out now. "You got what you wanted, didn't you? You stopped treating me like your queen."
His brows pulled together. "What do you mean by that?"
He reached to wipe my tears, but I pushed his hand away.
Not yet.
I wasn't ready to give in that easily.
"Now you have a kid you don't even want—"
I didn't finish.
He kissed me.
Not gentle.
Not slow.
It was desperate. Raw. Like he was trying to stop the words themselves.
I pushed him back, breath uneven.
"Don't say that," he said, his voice rough now. "I like children… because I'm having them with you."
I stared at him.
"Then what?" I shot back. "Are you having an affair?"
He smiled.
That made something in me snap.
"Why are you smiling?" I demanded.
He didn't answer right away.
Instead, he lifted his hand again, slower this time, giving me the chance to stop him.
I didn't.
His fingers brushed my tears away gently.
"Jay…" he said softly, his eyes steady on mine. "My mind is already full of you."
A pause.
"How do you expect me to look at another woman… when my wife is this beautiful?"
My breath hitched slightly.
Damn him.
Even now—
He knew exactly how to calm me down.
I grabbed his collar again, pulling him closer until there was no space left between us.
"Then why, Kiefer…?" my voice broke, softer now but far more dangerous. "Why can't I feel you anymore?"
His expression shifted—but I didn't stop.
"I feel the distance," I whispered. "I want your touch. I want to talk to you. I want to sleep next to you… hold you… fall asleep on your chest."
My grip tightened.
"I miss you," I said, breath uneven. "I miss the man who couldn't stay away from me… who went crazy just to touch me… to kiss me…"
My eyes burned.
"But now I don't see him."
A pause.
"Now all I see are those stupid notes you leave every morning."
My voice dropped further.
"I wake up, and I want to see your face… but it's cold. I reach for you… and it's empty."
That hurt more than anything.
"I miss you, Kiefer," I said, the words finally breaking out fully. "I really...really miss you."
I didn't wait for him to respond.
I pulled myself closer, wrapping my legs around his waist, holding him like I wasn't willing to let him go again. My face buried into his neck, breathing him in like I needed it to stay steady.
Then I pressed a kiss there—soft at first, then deeper, like I was trying to remind both of us what we used to be.
Or maybe what we still were… if he would just stop pulling away.
Then I felt it.
He was smiling.
"I finally caught you pouting… you're so cute," he said, brushing a kiss against my cheek.
I punched his chest.
"Are you serious right now?" I snapped. "I'm literally losing my mind here, and you're teasing me?"
But he didn't argue. Don't joke again.
His hand came up, steady, grounding—his voice dropping to something softer, something real.
"I'm here," he murmured against my lips. I'm right here."
For a second… I almost believed him.
"Sorry," he added, catching my wrist gently. "I was busy with work—"
"Don't fucking lie to me, Kiefer."
That stopped him.
My eyes locked onto his.
"I know you're lying," I said, quieter now, but sharper because I know you… And I know Section E is involved. I was waiting for you to tell me.
Silence filled the space between us.
"I just want my Kiefer back," I whispered.
Not the one who leaves notes.
Not the one who disappears into silence.
"I'm not asking you to stop working," I continued, voice trembling now. "But you can't make me feel like I'm losing you while you're still here."
My fingers tightened against his shirt.
"I want to smile in your arms again. I miss the way you tease me… the way you look at me like you can't get enough of me."
My breath hitched.
"I don't even know how to explain it properly… I just—"
I looked at him, completely open now.
"I just want you. That's all, Kiefer."
That was it.
No anger left.
No pride.
Just truth.
And that's when he kissed me.
Not playful.
Not teasing.
Starving.
Like he had been holding himself back this entire time.
I didn't hesitate.
I kissed him back just as deeply—like I had been waiting a week just to breathe him in again.
Because in that moment…
I didn't care about anything else.
Not the distance.
Not the lies.
Not whatever he was hiding.
Just him.
Finally… him.
"I'm here," he whispered against my lips. "And I'm not going anywhere."
"You really drive me insane."
I wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him closer—like I still wasn't convinced he'd stay.
"Do you even know how much I fucking missed you?" I whispered. "I thought I'd make you pay for it later…"
He let out a quiet breath, resting his forehead against mine.
"But right now…" he murmured, voice softer, heavier, "you're making it really hard to wait."
He smiled.
"Wait here," he said gently. "I'll take a quick bath… then we'll sleep together."
He started to move—
And I followed him immediately.
I knew it was childish.
I didn't care.
"Jay…" he said again, softer this time, turning slightly toward me. "I'm not going anywhere."
"I know," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper.
A small pause.
Then the truth slipped out—
"But I don't want to be away from you."
He smiled faintly."What… do you want to come with me?"
Normally, I would've rolled my eyes and refused.
But this wasn't normal.
So instead, I stepped closer—and kissed him.
That was my answer.
After the bath, I slipped into his shirt, the fabric still carrying his warmth. I leaned against the door, watching him quietly as he changed.
He didn't say anything.
Just walked to the bed… sat down… and opened his arms.
"Come here."
That was enough.
I crawled onto the bed without hesitation, settling onto his lap as I belonged there—because I did. My head rested against his chest, my ear pressed right over his heart.
It was beating fast.
Faster than usual.
For me.
A small smile tugged at my lips.
That sound… steady, alive… it felt like a lullaby meant only for me.
His skin was warm. His arms wrapped around me, holding me close without effort.
This.
This is what I missed.
Not the notes. Not the calls.
This.
Only he could make me feel like this.
"I like it here," I murmured, my voice already drifting. "It's warm…"
I didn't even realize when sleep took me.
—
Morning.
Cold.
Empty.
My hand moved instinctively across the bed.
Nothing.
My eyes snapped open.
Gone.
Again.
My chest tightened as I pushed myself up—and that's when I saw it.
A note.
Of course.
Always a note.
I grabbed it, already annoyed before even reading it.
"Damn you, Kiefer…"
After everything I said.
After everything last night—
You still ran.
I clenched the paper in my hand, frustration rising fast.
"The second I find you, Kiefer…" I muttered, glaring at the space beside me.
"You're dead meat."
I punched the pillow hard.
It didn't help.
Nothing did.
Because no matter how angry I was—
the only thing I really wanted…
All I wanted…
It was for him to be there when I woke up.
Instead—
a note.
Of course.
I picked it up, already knowing what it would say… and still hoping it wouldn't.
I'm leaving for London… when I come back, let's go on a vacation.
That's it.
Just like the others.
I stared at it for a second… then walked to the side table where I'd been keeping every single one he left behind.
I placed it there.
Carefully.
With the rest.
One.
Two.
Three…
Too many.
My fingers brushed over them, flipping through the notes like they could explain him better than he ever did.
My jaw tightened.
"This is so frustrating…"
If you're running—
I'll follow.
Who do you think you're dealing with?
A slow breath left me as I straightened, eyes hardening just a little.
"I'm Jay."
Not someone who waits quietly.
Not someone who gets left behind.
If he thought distance would keep me away from him—
He clearly forgot who he married.That's his mistake.