🚗 Jay's POV
The drive back home was… quiet.
Just me and Jass.
No chaos. No distractions.
Just the low sound of the engine and thoughts I didn't want to think.
I rested my head lightly against the window, watching the lights blur past—but I wasn't really seeing them.
I was seeing him.
—
And Keifer…
The way he looked at me.
Not worried.
Not sorry.
Just… cold.
Like I was never me to him.
Just a move.
Just revenge.
For Aries.
My fingers curled slightly in my lap.
It still hurt.
Not loudly.
Just… there.
Quiet. Heavy.
"You're thinking again."
Jass's voice broke through.
I didn't look at him. "You always notice too much."
"I notice you," he said simply.
I exhaled softly. "…Don't."
He didn't reply.
But I knew—
He didn't stop.
—
We reached home.
I opened the door first.
"Goodnight, Jass."
"Jay."
I paused.
"…Hmm?"
"Sleep."
I frowned slightly. "I will."
Lie.
I walked inside anyway.
—
🌙 Night
I lay on my bed, staring at the ceiling.
Everything felt still.
Too still.
A small smile formed on my lips.
Jass is back.
After everything… he's actually here.
Same annoying tone.
Same confidence.
Same… him.
That thought felt warm.
Safe.
But then—
Keifer.
My smile faded.
My chest tightened.
Pretend.
That's what it was.
Everything.
Every moment that felt real…
Wasn't.
"…For Aries?" I whispered.
Was I really just that easy to use?
A tear slipped down my temple.
I turned to my side, hugging my pillow tighter.
But then—
A random memory.
Pancakes.
Flour everywhere.
CI N offering me pancakes when I messed mine up.
And Jass laughing like it was the funniest thing ever.
A small, unwilling smile came back.
"Idiot…" I murmured.
Him.
Or me.
I didn't know.
—
I fell asleep with mixed thoughts.
Good ones.
And ones that still hurt.
—
☀️ Morning
I woke up with sunlight on my face.
For a second, everything felt normal.
Then—
Jass is here.
I sat up immediately.
"Okay, no looking like a homeless girl today."
I went straight to the bathroom—brushed my teeth properly, washed my face, and actually combed my hair.
Because obviously—
Jass is in the house.
I am not giving him material.
I looked at myself.
"…Decent."
—
I stepped out of my room—
—and paused.
Why is it so quiet?
Too quiet.
No Percy.
No Mia.
No noise.
Suspicious.
I walked downstairs slowly—
—and froze.
Jass.
In the kitchen.
Making pancakes.
I blinked.
"…You're cooking?"
He turned slightly, smirking. "Good morning, darling."
I rolled my eyes, walking closer. "Answer the question."
"I am making breakfast."
"I can see that. I'm asking why."
"Because I felt like being a good future husband."
I choked. "JASS—"
He grinned.
I looked at the plate.
Pancakes.
My pancakes.
And instantly—
I narrowed my eyes.
"You better not burn them."
"That was one time."
"Three."
"Exaggeration."
"Evidence."
He laughed.
—
We sat down.
I took a bite.
Paused.
"…Okay, not bad."
He placed a hand on his chest. "Not bad? Darling, that hurts."
"Be grateful I didn't spit it out."
"Violence. Early morning. I see."
"Deserved."
He smirked.
—
I looked around.
"Where's Percy and Mia?"
Jass leaned back casually. "Mia went to her aunt's province. She wasn't well—she'll be back by evening."
I nodded.
Then he leaned forward slightly, grin returning.
"So… we're alone till then."
I froze.
Slowly looked up.
"…Don't."
"What? I didn't say anything."
"You implied."
"I implied nothing. You assumed."
I kicked him under the table.
"Ow—abuse."
"Deserved."
He laughed.
—
"And Percy?" I asked.
His smile faded.
"He's at Mariano Group of Industries."
I frowned. "Why? I thought Uncle Jules was enough to manage everything."
Silence.
Something shifted.
Jass straightened.
Serious now.
My stomach dropped.
"…What?"
"I need to tell you something important."
I put my fork down.
"Okay… tell me."
A pause.
Then—
"Uncle Jules is no more."
Everything stopped.
"No…" I whispered.
He nodded.
My eyes filled instantly.
I looked away, shaking my head.
"No, he was fine—he—"
"Jay…"
I didn't stop him when he pulled me into a hug.
Didn't push him away.
Just held on for a second.
"…How?" I asked softly.
His voice hardened.
"Your aunt. Victoria."
I pulled back, eyes widening.
"…What?"
"She did it," he said. "So you and Percy wouldn't have any help here."
I let out a quiet breath.
"Victoria is very evil…" I said softly.
Then he spoke again—
"There's more."
I closed my eyes briefly. "Of course there is."
"Our families… your grandparents and my parents… they've decided something."
I looked at him.
"What?"
"As your 18th birthday is coming…"
A pause.
Then—
"They're planning our engagement."
---
The words hung in the air like something heavy… something unreal.
I blinked.
Once.
Twice.
"What?" I let out a small, breathless laugh. "What are you even saying, Jass?"
He didn't look away.
"They're planning it on your birthday."
My heart started beating faster.
"Why?" I asked, sharper this time. "Why is that even necessary?"
There was a pause.
Then he exhaled slowly, his tone softer—but serious.
"They're not forcing anything, darling."
I frowned. "…Then?"
"It's not… real in that way," he continued. "It's more like a cover. A show."
I stared at him.
"A show?" I repeated.
"Yes," he said. "Something strong enough to protect you publicly… and privately."
I didn't speak.
So he continued—
"Right now, your aunt is already preparing things," he said quietly. "And when you receive your inheritance… she won't stop."
My fingers curled slightly.
A bad feeling settled in my chest.
"She'll try to get rid of you," he said, voice colder now. "And make it look like you were never worthy of it in the first place."
A chill ran down my spine.
I didn't interrupt.
"That's how she wins," he added.
Silence.
Then—
"If you're engaged to me," he went on, "you won't just be a Mariano anymore."
I looked at him.
"You'll be the future daughter-in-law of my family."
My breath slowed.
"And your family…" I whispered.
"…has power she can't easily touch," he finished.
My chest felt tight.
"So this is just…" I searched for the word, "…protection?"
"Yes."
"And nothing else?" I asked, eyes narrowing slightly.
A small pause.
Then he smirked faintly.
"Depends."
I glared at him. "Jass."
He chuckled softly. "Relax, darling. I'm serious."
I crossed my arms.
"This is insane."
"Maybe," he said calmly. "But it works."
I turned away slightly, pacing a step.
"So I just… pretend to be engaged to you for real?"
"For now."
"And everyone believes it?"
"That's the point."
I let out a slow breath.
This was too much.
Too fast.
My life turning into some… arrangement.
Some plan.
Some deal.
"And after?" I asked quietly.
He looked at me.
"When you get your inheritance… when you're strong enough…"
A pause.
"We decide what happens next."
---
"…When is this happening?" I asked, trying to keep my tone steady.
Jason didn't hesitate.
"On your birthday."
I frowned. "My birthday?"
He nodded.
"Yes, your 18th birthday—where everyone would know that you are the real secret mariano Princess"
I blinked.
"…You're joking."
"I'm not."
A short, disbelieving laugh escaped me. "Jass, that's—are you serious?"
"Completely."
—
Everything else remains exactly as it was.
The tension didn't ease.
If anything—
It settled deeper.
I exhaled slowly, trying to process it.
"So basically," I said, looking at him, "I walk into a room full of powerful people… and suddenly I'm engaged to you?"
"Pretty much."
I stared at him.
"…You're enjoying this a little too much."
A smirk tugged at his lips. "Can you blame me, darling?"
I rolled my eyes immediately. "Don't."
"What? I get to officially call you mine in public—"
"JASON."
He laughed.
Actually laughed.
Like this was all normal.
Like my life wasn't turning upside down.
I crossed my arms. "This is not funny."
"I know," he said—but there was still amusement in his eyes.
That annoyed me more.
"Do Percy and Mia know?" I asked.
"Percy does," he said. "He agreed."
Of course he did.
"Traitor," I muttered.
Jason chuckled. "He's trying to keep you alive."
I went quiet.
Right.
That.
Always that.
I looked down at my hands for a second.
Then back at him.
"And what exactly happens at this gala?" I asked.
Jason leaned forward slightly, his tone shifting again—serious.
"My parents will be there. Your grandparents too."
My stomach tightened.
"After the announcement," he continued, "it becomes official in the public eye. Which means your aunt can't act openly anymore."
"And privately?" I asked.
His gaze didn't waver.
"She'll still try."
A chill ran down my spine.
"But this time," he added, "you won't be alone."
Silence filled the room again.
Heavy.
Real.
I swallowed.
"So I just… show up, smile, and pretend I'm okay with this?"
He tilted his head slightly.
"Can you?"
I scoffed softly. "You really think I have a choice?"
He didn't answer.
Because we both knew—
I didn't.
I exhaled slowly, running a hand through my hair again.
"Great," I muttered. "First fake love, now fake engagement. My life is amazing."
Jason's expression changed slightly at that.
Less amused.
More… something else.
"Not fake," he said quietly.
I looked at him.
"What?"
He held my gaze.
"At least not from my side, darling."
My breath hitched—
Just for a second.
And I hated it.
I looked away immediately.
"Don't complicate this, Jass."
"I'm not," he said calmly.
"You are."
Silence.
Then he leaned back again, like he hadn't just dropped something that could mess with my head completely.
"Anyway," he added casually, "you'll need a dress."
I blinked.
"…Excuse me?"
"A gala," he said. "You can't show up like this."
I looked down at myself.
Then back at him.
"You're really worried about my outfit right now?"
"Very," he said seriously. "Image matters."
I narrowed my eyes.
"You're unbelievable."
"And you're underdressed," he shot back.
I grabbed the nearest cushion and threw it at him.
He caught it easily, laughing.
"Violent again."
"Shut up."
But despite everything—
The tension.
The fear.
The chaos—
A small part of me felt something else.
Something I didn't want to name.
Because this time…
If I got it wrong again—
It wouldn't just hurt.
It would break me.
—
It would break me.
That thought didn't leave.
It stayed there… sitting quietly in my chest.
I looked away from Jass, but my mind had already drifted somewhere else.
To him.
Keifer.
Of course he'd be there.
A Waston. A business gala like that? It's practically his territory.
My fingers curled slightly.
And suddenly—
Everything felt more complicated.
Does he really love me?
The question came out of nowhere.
Or maybe it had always been there… just buried under anger.
I swallowed.
Because I didn't have an answer.
What I did have—
Was that moment.
That haunted house.
The darkness.
The way he looked at me.
Not fake.
Not calculated.
There was something there.
I know there was.
My chest tightened.
What if I didn't imagine it?
I exhaled slowly, staring at nothing.
How would he react…?
If he sees me there.
Standing beside Jass.
Engaged.
Would he care?
Would he be angry?
Would he just… not react at all?
That last thought hurt more than I expected.
I frowned slightly.
What if he finds out before my birthday?
Even worse.
Because he doesn't know.
He doesn't know who I actually am.
He doesn't know I'm—
The Mariano princess.
To him…
I'm just—
Me.
And if he hears about my engagement like this…
He'll think—
I moved on.
Just like that.
Like nothing mattered.
Like he didn't matter.
My throat felt tight.
Because a part of me—
A very stupid, very stubborn part—
Didn't want him to think that.
I closed my eyes for a second.
Why?
After everything…
Why do I still care?
Why does a part of my heart still—
Believe him?
Believe that what I saw in his eyes…
Was real?
"Jay."
Jass's voice pulled me back.
I blinked, quickly masking everything.
"Hmm?"
He was watching me.
Closely.
"You went somewhere."
I shrugged lightly. "Just thinking."
"Dangerous habit."
"Yours too."
A small smirk touched his lips.
But I didn't fully come back.
Not really.
Because my mind was still stuck there—
Between two versions of the same person.
The Keifer who used me.
And the Keifer who looked at me like I mattered.
And I didn't know which one was real.
I crossed my arms, trying to steady myself.
"He'll be there," I said quietly.
Jass didn't ask who.
"I know."
I nodded slightly.
Of course he does.
Everyone knows everything except me.
I let out a slow breath.
"Whatever," I said, more to myself than him.
Jass stepped a little closer.
"And this changes nothing," he said.
I glanced at him.
"Doesn't it?"
His gaze held mine.
"Not for what matters."
I didn't reply.
Because I didn't even know what that meant anymore.
I looked away again.
But this time—
Not because of him.
Because of myself.
Because no matter how much I try to deny it…
A part of me is still waiting.
Still wondering.
Still hoping—
That what I saw in Keifer's eyes…
Wasn't a lie.
—
That's exactly what makes this whole thing so dangerous.
I exhaled slowly and pushed the thought away.
No.
Not now.
Not when my life is literally turning into a public announcement.
I turned back to Jass, who was still watching me like he could read everything I just thought.
"Stop staring," I said.
"I'm not staring," he replied calmly.
"You are."
"I'm observing."
"That's worse."
He smirked. "You're interesting to observe, darling."
I narrowed my eyes. "Say darling one more time and I will throw something at you."
"Violence again," he sighed dramatically. "Such a toxic future wife."
"FAKE future wife," I corrected immediately.
"Details," he waved it off.
I grabbed a cushion and threw it at him.
He caught it mid-air.
Of course he did.
"See?" he said. "Perfect aim. You'll fit right into my family."
"Oh my god, shut up."
He laughed, walking around the table like he had all the time in the world.
I crossed my arms. "You're enjoying this way too much."
"Can you blame me?" he said, leaning slightly closer. "I get to announce you as mine in front of half the world."
I blinked.
"…You're insufferable."
"And you're nervous."
"I am NOT nervous."
"Your left eyebrow just twitched."
I immediately touched it. "It did not!"
He grinned. "Now it did."
"JASON—"
He laughed.
Loud.
Annoying.
And somehow—
I was trying not to smile.
I turned away quickly. "You're impossible."
"And yet," he said, stepping closer again, voice dropping just a little, "you're stuck with me."
I rolled my eyes. "Temporary."
"Hmm."
"Temporary," I repeated.
"Sure, darling."
I glared at him. "You're doing that on purpose."
"Doing what?"
"Calling me that."
He leaned slightly closer, just enough to be irritating.
"You don't like it?"
I opened my mouth—
Then stopped.
Because the answer wasn't simple.
So I did the only logical thing—
I shoved him back lightly.
"Stand properly. Personal space."
He chuckled, stepping back like he won anyway.
"Noted."
I grabbed my plate and moved to the sink, pretending to be busy.
"Also," I added, "don't get any ideas at the gala."
"What kind of ideas?"
"You know exactly what kind."
He walked behind me again.
Too close.
Way too close.
"I don't," he said innocently.
I turned quickly—and almost bumped into him.
"Jass."
"Jay."
"Behave."
"Always."
"Liar."
"Only with you."
I blinked.
Why does he say things like that so casually?
I turned back to the sink immediately. "Go away."
"Make me."
I grabbed another cushion from the counter and hit him with it.
This time he didn't catch it—just took the hit and laughed.
"Assault again."
"Self-defense."
"From what?"
"You."
He placed a hand on his chest. "That hurts."
"Good."
He leaned against the counter, still smiling.
"You know," he said, "you're going to have to hold my hand at the gala."
I froze.
"…Excuse me?"
"For the act," he said casually. "Engaged couple. Remember?"
I turned slowly. "Absolutely not."
"Absolutely yes."
"No."
"Yes."
"No."
"Yes, darling."
I grabbed the spoon this time and pointed it at him.
"Don't test me."
He raised both hands in surrender—still smiling.
"Okay, okay. No hand holding."
I relaxed slightly.
"Maybe just a little," he added.
"JASON."
He laughed again.
And for a moment—
Everything felt light.
Chaotic.
Normal.
Like we weren't talking about fake engagements, dangerous aunts, and gala announcements.
Like this was just…
Us.
I shook my head, trying to hide the small smile that was definitely forming.
"You're unbelievable."
"And you're smiling."
I froze.
"I'm not."
"You are."
"I'm not."
"Left side," he pointed.
I immediately wiped my face.
He laughed again.
"Got you."
"GET OUT."
"I live here."
"Not anymore."
"Too late. I already made pancakes."
I threw the towel at him this time.
He caught it.
Of course.
And as he stood there—
Laughing.
Looking completely at ease like none of this scared him—
I realized something.
Dangerous.
Again.
With him…
Things felt easier.
Lighter.
Safer.
And that scared me almost as much as everything.
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