Chapter: Home, But Different
Jayjay's POV
Mama's voice sounds softer than usual.
"Come home for dinner, Jay… bring Keifer too."
Home.
The word alone makes my chest ache.
---
We arrive just before sunset.
The house looks the same.
Warm. Familiar.
Safe.
---
Mama hugs me the second I step in.
Jare grins.
Aries nods.
And for a moment…
I forget everything.
---
Keifer stands beside me.
Calm. Observing.
Like he doesn't belong here.
---
Later—
I slip into my old room.
The door creaks slightly.
Nothing has changed.
My books.
My photos.
My little things.
---
I walk slowly.
Run my fingers across the table.
Smile faintly.
"I used to hide here when I was mad," I murmur.
---
A presence behind me.
Before I turn—
Arms wrap around my waist.
---
I freeze.
Keifer.
---
His hold is firm… but not tight.
Careful.
---
His chin rests lightly on my shoulder.
My breath catches.
---
"You still do?" he murmurs.
His voice low.
Close.
---
I swallow softly.
"No… not anymore."
---
A pause.
---
"You should."
My brows knit slightly.
---
"When things get too much… you shouldn't just stay quiet."
---
My heart tightens.
Because he's not just talking about the room.
---
I turn slightly.
He doesn't let go immediately.
---
"You're saying this?" I whisper.
---
A faint breath leaves him.
"Don't get used to it."
---
But his hold lingers for a second longer…
Before he steps back.
---
Later—
The pool area is full of laughter.
Lights glowing.
Everyone relaxed.
---
I sit beside Mama.
Jare watching me with that mischievous look.
---
I narrow my eyes.
"What?"
---
He smirks.
"Nothing."
---
Splash.
---
Cold water hits my arm.
I gasp.
"JARE!"
---
He laughs loudly, already running.
---
I grab a water balloon.
"Come back here!"
---
I chase him.
Throwing one.
Miss.
Another.
Hits his shoulder.
---
Everyone's laughing now.
Even Mama.
---
Keifer stands near the side.
Watching.
Trying to stay out of it.
---
"Stop running!" I shout.
---
"Catch me first!" Jare grins.
---
I throw another—
But it slips.
And—
Splash.
---
It hits Keifer.
---
I freeze.
Oh no.
---
He looks down at his shirt.
Wet.
Then at me.
---
Everyone goes quiet.
---
"…you threw that at me?"
His voice low.
Dangerously calm.
---
I blink.
"It slipped—"
---
Jare laughs loudly.
"She did it on purpose!"
---
"JARE!"
---
I grab another balloon.
Throw it at him again.
This time on purpose.
---
Splash.
---
A few seconds of silence.
Then—
Jare bursts out laughing.
I start laughing too.
---
I chase him again.
We run around the pool.
Careless. Loud.
---
He trips slightly—
And I push him.
---
He falls into the pool.
Splash.
---
I grin.
Victory.
---
"Serves you ri—"
---
A hand grabs my wrist.
Pulls me forward.
---
I scream.
And suddenly—
I'm in the water too.
---
Cold.
Shocking.
---
I come up, gasping.
Jare laughing beside me.
---
"You're dead!" I splash him.
---
We both laugh.
Careless.
Free.
---
Until—
"Enough."
---
The voice cuts through everything.
Sharp.
Loud.
---
Silence falls instantly.
---
I turn slowly.
Keifer stands there.
Jaw tight.
Eyes dark.
---
"Get out."
---
The laughter dies.
---
Jare looks at him.
Then at me.
---
I push wet hair from my face.
Heart still racing.
But now…
Something feels off.
---
I climb out slowly.
Water dripping.
Silence heavy around us.
---
I glance at Keifer.
He's already looking away.
---
Like he regrets shouting.
But won't say it.
---
And just like that—
The moment ends.
Chapter: In Front of Everyone
Jayjay's POV
The laughter doesn't come back.
Not after that.
---
I sit quietly, wrapped in a towel Mama gave me.
Hair still damp.
Heart… a little heavier than before.
---
Jare nudges me.
"Hey… you okay?"
I nod.
"Yeah."
But my voice is softer now.
---
I don't look at him.
At Keifer.
---
I feel his presence though.
Standing there.
Silent.
Watching.
---
Then—
Footsteps.
Closer.
---
I look up.
And he's right there.
---
Keifer.
---
Everyone goes quiet again.
Not tense this time.
Just… watching.
---
He doesn't look at anyone else.
Only me.
---
"Jay."
My name.
Soft.
---
I blink slightly.
Because he doesn't say it like that in front of people.
---
"I'm sorry."
---
The words hit harder than his shout did.
---
My breath catches.
---
He steps closer.
Not caring who's watching.
---
"I shouldn't have shouted."
His voice is low.
But clear.
---
Silence all around us.
---
"I just…"
He pauses.
Like he's choosing his words carefully.
---
"I didn't like seeing you like that."
---
I frown slightly.
"What do you mean?"
---
His jaw tightens.
Then—
"Out of control."
---
Jare snorts quietly.
I shoot him a look.
---
Keifer doesn't even glance at him.
---
"You could've gotten hurt," he adds.
---
My heart softens a little.
---
"I was just playing," I whisper.
---
"I know."
---
A pause.
---
"That's the problem."
---
I look at him properly now.
And I see it.
Not anger.
Not control.
Fear.
---
My chest tightens.
---
"I didn't mean to ruin it," he says quietly.
---
Another silence.
---
Then Mama smiles softly.
"Go change, both of you. You'll catch a cold."
---
Jare leans back, grinning.
"Mafia boss apologizing publicly… I've seen everything now."
---
"Shut up," Keifer mutters.
But there's no real anger in it.
---
I stand slowly.
Still holding the towel.
---
He steps aside slightly.
Letting me pass.
---
But as I do—
His hand brushes mine.
Light.
Intentional.
---
I pause.
Just for a second.
---
Then keep walking.
---
But this time…
My heart feels lighter.
---
Because I know now.
---
He doesn't just care.
---
He's afraid…
Of losing me.