Jay-Jay (POV)
I didn't look back as I walked far from the elders.
Because if I looked at them one more time—
I might actually throw something.
The moment we reached the drinks table, I grabbed a glass of water immediately and drank half of it in one go.
More like trying to cool down my anger than actually being thirsty.
Kiefer stayed beside me quietly.
Watching me carefully.
"Jay," he asked softly, "are you okay?"
I slowly turned toward him.
"Do I look okay to you?"
That man dared to smile.
Actually smile.
"You were badass back there," he admitted.
I stared at him in disbelief.
"You're unbelievable."
Kiefer chuckled.
Meanwhile, I placed the glass down carefully because my hands were finally betraying me slightly.
"I was literally trying to stop my legs from shaking," I confessed under my breath. "Those elders looked like poisonous snakes."
Kiefer's eyes softened slightly.
"And I genuinely hope," I continued dramatically, "I never have to see those old men again in my life."
That finally made him laugh properly.
Low.
Warm.
Dangerously attractive.
I narrowed my eyes immediately.
"Don't laugh at my trauma."
"You threatened to bury them."
"I was emotional."
"You called them retirement-age murder planners."
"I stand by that statement."
Kiefer shook his head slowly while still smiling.
Then he stepped closer and brushed his thumb lightly against my wrist.
"But you still stood there," he said quietly. "Even while you were scared."
His voice changed slightly on the last word.
Softer.
More serious.
I looked away awkwardly.
"Well…" I muttered. "They made me angry."
Kiefer stared at me for a second like he understood something deeper than I said aloud.
Then suddenly—
His expression changed.
Instantly.
The warmth disappeared from his face so fast it made my stomach tighten.
"Kiefer?" I frowned.
His eyes moved somewhere behind me.
Sharp.
Dangerous.
And that's when I realized—
Someone was walking toward us.
"What are you looking at?" I asked quietly.
Kiefer's eyes immediately returned to me.
"Nothing. I just felt like I saw someone," he said smoothly.
But before I could question him further—
The music changed.
Soft.
Slow.
The ballroom gradually filled with couples moving toward the dance floor.
Kiefer looked down at me slightly.
"Do you want to dance with me?"
I blinked.
"I don't know how to dance."
"I know."
The corner of his lips lifted slowly.
"Remember the Halloween party five years ago?"
My face immediately changed.
I narrowed my eyes at him.
Then suddenly—
The memory hit me properly.
That night.
That dance.
The exact moment I realized I had started falling for him.
My heartbeat stumbled slightly.
Because somehow—
after everything—
I still remember it perfectly.
Kiefer noticed my expression instantly.
"How could I forget…" I started quietly.
Then I stopped myself too late.
Because Kiefer's eyes immediately darkened with amusement.
"…Then when I realized I fell for—"
I cut myself off instantly.
Big mistake.
A very big mistake.
Because he was now smirking as he had already won something.
"What are you looking at?" I asked suspiciously.
Kiefer slowly stepped closer.
"Waiting for you to finish that sentence."
"No."
"Hm."
"Yes."
"You're annoying."
"And you were about to confess something."
I pointed at him accusingly.
"You already know."
"I still want to hear it."
Absolutely not.
Before I could escape the conversation, Kiefer gently took my hand.
Then—
to my complete shock—
He bent down and removed my heels carefully.
"Kiefer!"
"You said you can't dance."
"That doesn't mean remove my shoes in public!"
"I'm solving the problem."
This man had too much confidence for someone causing me daily emotional damage.
He placed my heels aside casually before pulling me closer again.
Then—
without warning—
He guided me onto his feet.
I gasped softly and grabbed his shoulders immediately for balance.
"There," he murmured calmly.
One arm wrapped securely around my waist while the other held my hand gently.
"You won't step on me now."
"Kiefer Watson," I whispered in disbelief.
"Hm?"
"You're ridiculously smooth."
A smug smile appeared on his face.
"I know."
Then slowly—
He started moving with the music.
Carefully.
Patiently.
Guiding both of us together across the floor while I stood on his feet.
The ballroom lights reflected softly around us while the music faded into the background, little by little.
And somehow—
With his arms around me like this—
The rest of the world disappeared again.
I tried hiding my face against his shoulder immediately.
Coward behavior.
But necessary for survival.
"Jay," Kiefer murmured while moving slowly with the music. "Look at me."
"What?" I asked, trying very hard to sound irritated while secretly fighting for my life internally.
Kiefer leaned slightly closer.
"Jay…" his voice dropped lower near my ear. "No need to be shy."
My heartbeat instantly betrayed me.
"Remember," he whispered, "I'm your hubby."
My entire face heated up immediately.
Why did that word sound so dangerous when HE said it?
"Kie—"
I tried to speak.
Tried.
But Kiefer suddenly tilted my chin upward gently and kissed me before I could finish the sentence.
And just like that—
Every thought disappeared.
I melted into the kiss instantly.
Warm.
Slow.
Completely unfair.
One of his hands tightened slightly around my waist while the other moved into my hair carefully, like he already knew exactly how to ruin me.
The music around us faded further into nothing.
People.
Lights.
The ballroom.
Everything blurred.
There was only him.
Only Kiefer.
And the terrifying part?
He kissed me like he forgot the entire world existed, too.
When he finally pulled back slightly—
Both of us were breathing unevenly again.
His forehead rested against mine while his thumb brushed softly against my cheek.
Then—
completely shamelessly—
He smiled.
"There," he murmured. "Now you stopped overthinking."
I stared at him in disbelief.
"You kissed me to stop my overthinking?"
"Hm."
"That's not how therapy works."
"For you, it does."
I narrowed my eyes immediately.
"This is manipulation."
Kiefer looked completely unbothered.
"And yet it worked."
I tried glaring at him.
Really.
But it completely failed because we were both already smiling.
Slowly, I wrapped my arms around his neck while still standing on top of his shoes.
Then I rested my forehead gently against his and whispered,
"My idiot husband…"
Kiefer's arms tightened around my waist instantly.
Like, even those simple words affected him more than they should.
His eyes stayed on mine quietly while we continued swaying slowly with the music.
And for once—
The dangerous man everyone feared looked completely at peace.
Only with me.
And maybe that was the most dangerous thing about us—
We loved each other enough to burn the world quietly.
We broke the kiss when a loud growling sound came from my stomach.
The silence lasted exactly one second.
Then Kiefer burst out laughing.
I smacked his chest immediately. "Seriously?"
"You never fail to surprise me," he said between laughs. "Wait here. I'll get you something to eat."
He walked away while I leaned against the wall, searching for a quieter corner away from the noise of the party.
But before Kiefer could even come back—
Percy, Jare, and Aries appeared at the same time.
Each holding food.
Each staring at the others like this was some kind of competition.
I blinked.
Then all three shoved plates toward me at once.
I couldn't help smiling.
So we ended up standing there together near the wall, eating like criminals hiding from society.
"You're enjoying this party too much," Jare said.
"Hm? Is this even a party to enjoy?" Percy muttered, looking around suspiciously.
"Hm. Percy Kuya is right," I agreed while stealing fries from his plate.
Aries looked at me carefully. "Do you want anything else?"
"Kiefer said he'll bring something."
Right then, Angelo kuya walked toward us—
And stopped.
His eyes slowly dropped to the amount of food in my hands.
"Jay…" he said carefully. "Are you eating a lot?"
"What? I'm eating for two people."
The three traitors beside me instantly looked away to avoid laughing.
Angelo narrowed his eyes. "No. You're eating like you're preparing for war. And you idiots keep feeding her."
"What if I eat a lot?" I challenged.
"Did you even check your weight recently?"
"I did," I said proudly. "Maybe I was around fifty kilos."
"Check again. You probably crossed sixty already." He started sounding like a doctor giving a lecture. "It's not healthy to suddenly overeat during pregnancy, Jay—"
I immediately looked at my brothers for help.
Jare coughed and stared at the ceiling.
Percy suddenly became deeply interested in his drink.
Aries betrayed me instantly.
"She asked for extra dessert earlier," Aries exposed calmly.
My jaw dropped.
"ARIES."
"Jay."
I turned at the sound of my name and saw Clyden and Cole Kuya walking toward us—
Both are carrying food.
And of course, Kiefer appeared beside them like he'd joined the mission halfway through.
"Jay, I found chicken," Clyden announced proudly. "Eat it. It's your favorite."
"I brought pizza," Cole said, lifting the box slightly.
"What are you feeding her? She's pregnant." Kiefer frowned immediately before holding out another plate. "Jay, here. I brought fruits and lighter food."
I cursed quietly under my breath.
This was getting out of control.
Slowly, I looked toward Angelo—
Who was glaring at every single one of them like he was seconds away from banning food itself.
Meanwhile, Jare, Percy, and Aries were laughing beside me instead of helping.
Traitors.
"What happened?" Kiefer asked, noticing the tension.
"You're all trying to feed her everything in this building," Angelo snapped. "She literally ate three plates already."
"No!" I defended myself instantly. "I shared food. Jare, Percy, and Aries ate too… right?"
Silence.
I looked at them hopefully.
The idiots avoided eye contact at the same time.
Percy suddenly drank from an empty glass.
Jare examined the ceiling like ancient secrets were written there.
Aries nodded once. "We supported emotionally."
My mouth fell open.
"Kuyas!"
Cole burst out laughing first.
Even Clyden turned away to hide his grin.
Kiefer looked at my offended face for three seconds before completely losing it, laughing against his hand.
I pointed at all of them dramatically. "I'm being bullied. Nobody here respects me."
"You ate half the party menu," Angelo replied instantly.
"What? " I shot back. "I didn't even eat half. My stomach is still empty." I gasped dramatically. "I should've stayed home. Don't follow me."
I turned and started walking away—
Then suddenly turned back, snatched Kiefer's plate and Clyden kuya's plate right out of their hands—
And ran.
"JAY—" Angelo kuya shouted after me.
But I ignored him completely and escaped before anyone could stop me.
Behind me, I could hear laughing, yelling, and someone saying, "Catch her before she steals more food!"
But I already disappeared into a quieter corner of the venue.
Finally.
Peace.
I dropped into a bench near the dim balcony area where the music sounded distant instead of deafening.
Then I started eating peacefully for the first time tonight.
No lectures.
No judgment.
No one is counting my plates.
Just me, stolen food, and silence.
"This is happiness," I muttered dramatically while eating chicken.
Then I looked down at myself quietly.
"Am I really getting fat…" I mumbled under my breath. "I mean… there's literally a baby inside me. My stomach grew because of that. Not because of food."
I sighed.
"No. We are not thinking about this tonight."
So I forced myself to stop overthinking and leaned back in the bench again, enjoying my stolen food while watching fireworks burst across the dark sky.
Gold.
Silver.
Blue.
For a moment, everything felt peaceful.
I wish Kiefer were here watching this with me…
I heard footsteps behind me.
I couldn't see properly because the balcony was dim, but from the height, the broad shoulders, the way he stood—
It looked like Kiefer.
How did this asshole find me so fast?
"Babyyy…" I said sweetly, grinning as I stuffed another piece of chicken into my mouth. "And this is the last plate, okay? I won't eat anymore, so don't steal my chicken."
A chuckle reached my ears.
"Good. Come sit with me," I said, sliding the bench slightly to make space for him.
He walked over and sat beside me.
But something felt… off.
I ignored it at first, too distracted by the fireworks bursting across the sky. Colors reflected in my eyes as I smiled to myself, enjoying the rare peaceful moment while eating like my life depended on it.
Then I felt movement beside me.
His hand slowly lifted toward my face.
And suddenly—
Every nerve in my body went cold.
That wasn't Kiefer.
I jerked back instantly
"Who are you?" I asked sharply, my voice no longer soft.
I froze
At first, I couldn't see his face clearly.
Then the light finally hit him.
A man around Kiefer's age—maybe a little older.
Sharp features. Expensive suit. Calm eyes that looked far too observant.
And I knew immediately—
I had never seen him before.
"Didn't you call me baby just now?" he asked smoothly.
I blinked once.
Then realization hit me.
Oh.
I stood up slowly, my expression flattening. "I think you have the wrong person," I said politely, trying to step around him.
But the man moved slightly, blocking my path without making it obvious.
His eyes swept over my face with quiet amusement.
"No," he said calmly. "I'm pretty sure you were talking to me."
Something about him felt wrong.
Not loud.
Not obvious.
Just…
Wrong.
The kind of person who smiled without warmth.
"No," I said coldly. "I'm referring to my husband."
I tried to move past him.
His hand suddenly reached for my wrist.
I stopped instantly and glared at him.
He smiled.
Why the fuck is he smiling?
For one second, silence stretched between us while fireworks exploded somewhere above the building.
Then he tilted his head slightly.
"People here call you Jay, right?"
I looked at him carefully. "So you already know who I am?"
I adjusted the plate against my chest, studying him with open suspicion.
"I'm also a Watson," he said.
"Okay," I replied flatly.
"Why are you running away? I'm talking to you," he said.
"Because I don't talk to strangers," I shot back.
Then I tried to walk past him again.
But he stepped in front of me once more.
Now he was officially getting on my nerves.
"Excuse me," I said, my tone noticeably sharper.
Instead of moving, his eyes slowly traveled over me before returning to my face.
"You're beautiful," he said quietly.
Disgust instantly crawled up my spine.
Not because of the compliment.
Because of the way he said it.
Like he wasn't admiring me.
Like he was evaluating something he wanted to own.
My expression went completely blank.
"What the fuck did you just say?" I snapped. "Didn't you hear the part where I'm Mark Kiefer Watson wife?"
If he wanted to flirt with me—
Then he could deal with the consequences.
"Why? I was just complimenting you." He smirked slightly. "I heard you have a short temper."
"If you already know that," I said coldly, "then move before my husband kills you."
Instead of backing away, his smile widened.
"why??You're really my type. If something ever happens to Kiefer, i will be the one—"
Before he could finish—
I punched him.
Hard.
He crashed onto the ground so suddenly that even I felt the sting in my knuckles afterward.
"What the fuck, asshole?" I exploded. "Who do you think you are? I was being nice because I didn't want trouble, and you're standing here talking trash to me?"
Slowly—
He touched the corner of his mouth.
Blood.
And then—
To my absolute disbelief—
He laughed.
Quiet at first.
Then fuller.
Like getting punched amused him.
"What the fuck is wrong with you?" I hissed.
He looked up at me from the ground, eyes darker now.
Not angry.
Interested.
Which was somehow worse.
"I was wondering," he said calmly, wiping the blood from his lip with his thumb, "if the stories about you were exaggerated."
His eyes stayed locked on mine.
"But seeing you now…" a slow grin pulled at his mouth, "I heard right. You punch like a man."
My face twisted in disgust.
Slowly, he straightened to his full height and brushed invisible dust from his suit like getting punched in the mouth was a normal conversation starter.
"I like you even more now," he said calmly.
Every instinct inside me screamed.
"I don't like things that come easy."
My stomach twisted in disgust.
He stepped closer.
I immediately stepped back.
Then he reached toward me like he was about to touch my arm—
But before his hand could even get close—
Someone grabbed his wrist so violently that the sound echoed.
The man's expression changed instantly.
Kiefer.
He stood beside me now, fingers locked around the stranger's wrist with terrifying calm.
Not angry.
Not yelling.
Just cold.
Dangerously cold.
"What," Kiefer asked calmly, "is happening here?"
The man straightened slightly. "Nothing. I was only talking."
"To my wife," Kiefer corrected softly.
The stranger tried to pull free, but Kiefer's grip only tightened.
Behind him, Angelo was already moving forward while Clyden muttered under his breath, "Oh, he's dead."
"Kiefer," I whispered.
His eyes moved to me immediately.
And my stomach dropped.
Possessive.
Pure, dangerous jealousy already burned in his eyes.
Yeah.
He was absolutely dead.
I walked closer and slowly held Kiefer's hand.
The second my fingers touched him, his grip loosened.
Then he let the stranger go completely.
The man rubbed his wrist once before fixing his suit again, like he hadn't almost lost his hand.
"Okay," he said smoothly. "I'll leave."
He started walking toward the exit—
Then stopped near the doorway.
And looked back at me.
"I'm Cassian Watson," he said with a small smile. "Remember my name, beautiful lady."
Then he walked away.
I stared after him for a second before slowly turning back.
"Who is he?"
The mood changed instantly.
Clyden sighed first. "He's our cousin."
That already sounded bad.
Then he added—
"And technically if he didnt leave watsons…he will be next in line after Kiefer and me."
I blinked.
"What?"
"He's from the main Watson bloodline," Angelo said coldly. "Different branch. Mostly stays overseas."
"That explains why I've never seen him," I muttered.
Kiefer still hadn't said a word.
Which, honestly, scared me more.
I looked up at him carefully. "Why does everyone sound so dramatic about this?"
Clyden exchanged a look with Angelo before answering carefully.
"Because Cassian doesn't approach people without a reason," Clyden said quietly. "He rarely even enters Watson territory. He built his own empire far away from the family and cut most connections with us years ago."
That made me look toward the hallway again.
"He came all the way here… for this party?"
"No," Angelo replied immediately. "Cassian never attends parties unless something interests him."
I frowned slightly.
"And when he wants something," Angelo continued coldly, "he becomes obsessed."
The way he said obsessed made my stomach twist a little.
"Oh." I paused. "That sounds unhealthy."
"For other people," Percy's voice came from behind as he finally arrived with Jare and Aries. "Very unhealthy."
Jare looked toward the hallway Cassian disappeared into. "Did he seriously flirt with Jay in front of Kiefer?"
"Yes," Angelo answered flatly.
Aries looked impressed. "Bold."
"Suicidal," Clyden corrected.
I looked between all of them. "Wait… are you all overreacting, or is he actually dangerous?"
No one answered immediately.
And that silence alone gave me my answer.
Kiefer finally looked down at me.
Then suddenly—
He grabbed my hand and pulled me with him.
"Kiefer—"
He didn't answer.
He just kept walking, leading me away from the balcony, away from everyone, through the hallway and into one of the private rooms upstairs.
The moment the door shut behind us, the silence became heavy.
"Kiefer—"
Before I could say anything else—
He kissed me.
Hard.
The force of it stole the breath from my lungs instantly.
It wasn't soft or patient.
It was jealousy.
Possession.
Fear disguised as anger.
His hand gripped my waist carefully but firmly, pulling me closer like he needed proof that I was still here.
Still his.
I melted into him despite myself, fingers clutching his shirt as the kiss deepened until my head spun.
By the time he finally pulled away, both of us were breathless.
His forehead rested against mine while he tried to steady his breathing.
Then, in a low whisper filled with something dangerously raw—
"Did he touch you?"
I swallowed softly, still trying to catch my breath.
"No," I whispered back. "I punched him before he could."
Kiefer closed his eyes briefly, as if he was holding himself together by force.
"And when he stepped closer…" I continued quietly, brushing my fingers against his wrist, "You came."
"Are you jealous?" I asked softly.
He let out a short breath like the answer was obvious.
"Of course I'm jealous." His hand tightened slightly around my waist. "How dare he try to lay a finger on you?"
His eyes were restless.
Dark.
Dangerously angry.
Not at me.
At him.
Because he wasn't there when someone approached me.
I looked at him for a second and felt my chest soften immediately.
Poor Kiefer.
He looked like he was seconds away from killing someone.
So I smiled softly and cupped his face with both hands.
He blinked in surprise.
Then I rose onto my toes and kissed his cheek.
Once.
Twice.
Then the corner of his lips.
Again.
And again.
Little kisses scattered across his face until some of the tension slowly melted from his expression.
His eyes closed briefly as he leaned into my touch without even realizing it.
There it is.
My Kiefer.
I kept kissing him everywhere I could reach while wrapping my arms around his neck, but after a moment I struggled to stay balanced on my toes.
A small smile finally appeared on his lips.
Without a word, he slid his hands around my waist and lifted me effortlessly to make it easier for me.
I laughed softly against his skin, still kissing all over his face while he held me close.
And finally—
That cocky little smile returned.
Like I had just pulled him back from the edge.
I stared at him quietly for a moment, my fingers tracing the sharp line of his jaw, the small crease between his brows that only appeared when he was angry or worried about me.
"Kiefer…" I whispered softly.
His eyes lifted to mine instantly.
"There's one thing you need to realize." I smiled slowly, tilting my head while holding his face carefully in my hands. "No matter how many times life messes us up…"
My smile widened, teeth showing slightly.
"I fall for you all over again every single time."
Something in his expression softened immediately.
"Sorry," I teased quietly, brushing my nose against his. "I just love you too much."
His grip around my waist tightened slightly like he physically couldn't help it.
Then I pressed one last kiss near the corner of his lips and smiled.
"Remember," I whispered against him, "I'm yours."
For a moment, he didn't move.
Like my words had physically cut through the tension still hanging in the air.
"Jay…" he said quietly, resting his head on my shoulder.
"Hmm?" I hummed softly.
"You always have a way that makes me give in easily," he said.
A small smile touched my lips.My fingers moved gently through his hair
I leaned down and pressed a soft kiss into his hair, holding him closer as my hand stayed tangled there.
Just stayed there.
Breathing a little slower now.
Like the noise in his head was finally fading.
The tension from earlier—Cassian, the crowd, the stares—didn't disappear completely.
But in this moment, it didn't matter.
Because Kiefer was here.
And for once, he wasn't fighting anything.
Just resting.
With me.
We stayed like that in our own world… while everything else slowly drifted away into silence.