(Jay's POV)
We both stood up from the table.
Keifer picked up his phone first—
then reached for the car keys kept near the bowl by the wall.
The dining area opened into the hallway, and from there the front door was just a few steps away.
I followed him.
Then stopped.
"Keif…" I said softly.
He turned halfway.
"Hm?"
I looked toward the glass door.
"Can we go by walking?" I asked, tilting my head a little.
"It's nearby."
For a second he just looked at me.
Then his expression changed.
Firm.
"No."
I frowned.
"Why? It's literally close."
He turned fully toward me now, keys still in his hand.
"Jay, baby, please," he said in a calm but serious tone,
"I will never let you walk in this condition, okay?"
His voice wasn't harsh.
Just certain.
Like there was no room for discussion.
I made a face.
A very obvious one.
"This is unfair."
But—
that one word.
Baby.
Ugh.
Why did that melt me every single time?
I looked away for a second, trying not to smile.
"…fine."
A small smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
"Good."
He moved ahead and opened the front door.
The evening air was cooler outside.
The driveway lights had already turned on, casting a soft glow over the parked car.
We walked toward it.
Slowly.
He stayed close beside me—
closer than usual.
Like he was still making sure I was okay.
He unlocked the car.
The soft click echoed in the quiet.
I got in first.
He came around to the driver's side and sat down.
The car filled with a calm silence.
Not awkward.
Just quiet.
Comfortable.
And then—
we headed toward the store.
Soon—
we reached the store.
It wasn't far.
Just a small place.
Bright lights.
Glass doors.
Keifer parked the car properly.
Turned off the engine.
Came out first.
Then—
walked to my side.
Opened the door.
And held out his hand.
I looked at it.
Then at him.
"…extra."
"Get down," he said calmly.
I placed my hand in his.
He helped me out.
Carefully.
Slow.
We walked inside.
The store was cold.
AC too strong.
Shelves lined properly.
Snacks on one side.
Drinks on the other.
I looked around.
Then at him.
"What are we taking?"
"Food."
I stared.
"Very helpful."
"Take what they said."
I grabbed a chips packet.
Then another.
Then another.
"Why three?" he asked.
"Backup."
"For what?"
"For me."
"No."
He took one packet and put it back.
I frowned.
"Rude."
"Necessary."
I picked up a chocolate bar.
"This is mine."
"No."
"This is definitely mine."
"No."
I turned to him.
"Do I get anything?"
"Yes."
"What?"
"Food."
"That is not specific."
He picked something else and handed it to me.
"Take this."
I looked at it.
"…this is healthy."
"Yes."
"I don't want healthy."
"You're getting healthy."
I sighed.
"This is a sad life."
He moved ahead to another shelf.
Checking something.
Not looking at me.
Perfect.
I quickly grabbed the chocolate again—
and dropped it into the basket.
Quietly.
Like nothing happened.
I looked up.
Normal face.
Innocent.
He turned back.
Looked at the basket once.
Then at me.
Suspicious.
"…what did you take?"
"Nothing."
A pause.
"…Jay."
"I said nothing."
He stared.
I didn't move.
Didn't blink.
Then—
he exhaled softly.
"…we'll see."
I smiled slightly.
Victory.
We moved forward again—
still arguing.
still shopping.
and me—
very satisfied with my secret.
We reached the counter.
The basket was full.
Mostly snacks.
Mostly mine.
Keifer placed it on the counter.
The cashier looked up.
A lady.
Mid-20s maybe.
Neat uniform.
But—
her smile changed a little when she saw him.
Not normal.
A little too warm.
"Hey…" she said, scanning the items slowly, "you come here often, right?"
Keifer didn't react much.
"Sometimes."
Flat.
She nodded.
"I remember you."
Her eyes stayed on him.
Not moving.
Not even once.
I stood beside him.
Quiet.
Watching.
She scanned another item.
"You always come alone though…"
I blinked.
Oh.
That.
I looked at Keifer.
He didn't reply.
Just stood there.
Calm.
The scanner beeped again.
Slow.
Too slow.
She leaned slightly forward.
"You didn't tell me you had company today."
Still—
not looking at me properly.
Like I wasn't even there.
I pressed my lips together.
Picked one more item from the basket—
placed it on the counter.
A little harder than needed.
The sound was small.
But noticeable.
For a second—
Keifer's eyes shifted.
To me.
Then back.
The cashier finally glanced at me.
Quick.
Then back to him.
"…total is this much," she said softly.
Keifer took out his card.
No expression.
No reaction.
But something about the air—
changed.
And I didn't like it.
(Keifer's POV)
I stood at the counter.
Waiting.
The scanning finally stopped.
"…total is this much."
I paid.
No extra words.
No reaction.
I picked up the bag.
Then—
"Your girlfriend is cute."
Her voice.
Lower this time.
Almost like a whisper.
I didn't react immediately.
Just looked at her once.
Calm.
Neutral.
"I know," I said.
Flat.
Nothing more.
Then I turned.
Walked out.
The door opened.
Cool air gone.
Evening again.
My eyes moved automatically.
Searching.
And then—
I saw her.
Sitting on the bench.
Not moving.
Still.
Too still.
Something felt wrong.
I stepped closer.
That's when I saw it.
A tear.
Rolling down her cheek.
My expression changed.
Slightly.
This—
wasn't jealousy.
I knew that.
This was different.
Something happened.
While I was inside.
My eyes shifted.
Around.
Then—
I saw them.
A group of boys.
Standing a little away.
Same uniform.
Laughing.
Talking.
Too loud.
Too careless.
I looked back at her.
Then at them again.
And I already knew—
this wasn't random.