🖤 Jay's POV — Mariano Group of Industries
I walked in—
—and everything shifted.
—
People noticed.
Immediately.
—
Heads turned.
Steps paused.
Voices lowered.
—
Then—
"Good afternoon, Miss Mariano."
"Good afternoon, ma'am."
"Good afternoon, Miss Mariano."
—
One after another.
Respect.
Clear. Undeniable.
—
And then—
"Good afternoon, Mr. Jason Reyes, sir."
—
I blinked slightly.
—
Jass didn't react much.
Just a small nod.
Like he was used to it.
—
I wasn't.
—
My steps slowed for a second—
Then I straightened.
Matched his pace.
—
We walked forward together.
—
Marble floors.
Glass walls.
Everything polished.
Controlled.
—
Power.
—
We reached the elevator.
Private.
—
Jass stepped forward first.
Pressed the button.
—
The doors opened smoothly.
—
He gestured slightly.
"After you, darling."
—
I rolled my eyes—but stepped in.
—
He followed.
—
The doors closed.
—
Silence.
—
Then—
He reached forward.
Pressed 47.
—
His fingers moved slowly.
Deliberate.
—
Like everything he did had intention.
—
The elevator started moving.
—
I crossed my arms.
Trying to stay normal.
—
Then—
His voice.
Low.
Calm.
—
"Remember something?"
—
I frowned slightly.
"…What?"
—
He turned his head slightly toward me.
—
That look.
That smirk.
Mischievous.
Dangerous.
—
"You gave me a wish."
—
My heart skipped.
—
Oh no.
—
"I—yeah… I remember…"
—
My voice betrayed me a little.
—
"…but now? W-what do you want?"
—
He didn't answer immediately.
—
Instead—
He took a step forward.
—
I froze.
—
Then instinctively—
Took a step back.
—
He stepped forward again.
—
I stepped back again.
—
Once more.
—
Step.
Step.
Step.
—
Until—
My back hit the wall of the elevator.
—
No space left.
—
My breath hitched slightly.
—
He was close now.
Too close.
—
I raised my hand slightly.
"W-what are you doing?"
—
He tilted his head slightly.
Still calm.
Still that smirk.
—
"Relax."
—
"Stay away," I said quickly. "I'm telling you—don't get any weird ideas."
—
He leaned just a little closer.
—
"Or what?" he murmured.
—
"I'll punch you."
—
A pause.
—
Then—
A soft chuckle.
—
He tilted his head slightly.
"Okay."
—
That was it.
—
Just—
okay.
—
Before I could even react—
—
Ding.
—
The elevator doors opened.
—
Space.
Air.
Escape.
—
He stepped back first.
Like nothing happened.
—
Straightened.
—
Then glanced at me once.
—
"Not now," he said casually.
—
A pause.
—
"But I'll use my wish very soon… darling."
—
And then—
He walked out.
—
Like he didn't just mess with my entire brain.
—
I stood there for a second.
—
Annoying.
—
Then I stepped out too.
—
We walked toward Percy's office.
—
Before I could reach—
An employee approached me.
—
"Ma'am, this way please."
—
I blinked.
"Oh—okay."
—
She guided me to a changing room.
—
Inside—
Clean.
Organized.
Everything already prepared.
—
A formal outfit.
—
Of course.
—
I changed.
—
Black fitted blazer.
Crisp shirt.
Structured trousers.
—
Professional.
Sharp.
—
I looked at myself in the mirror.
—
Different.
—
Not just Jay.
—
Miss Mariano.
—
I combed my hair properly.
Tied it neatly.
—
Took a breath.
—
Then stepped out.
—
Walked back.
—
Each step steadier now.
—
I reached Percy's office.
—
Knocked once.
—
"Come in."
—
I walked in.
—
Percy was already there.
—
And Jass.
Of course.
—
Sitting like he owned the place.
—
Percy looked up.
Noted everything in a second.
—
"Sit."
—
I sat.
—
Jass's gaze lingered for half a second—
Then shifted away.
—
Percy leaned forward slightly.
—
"No time to waste," he said.
—
Straight to business.
—
"Your aunt is already trying to influence board members," he continued. "She's pushing the narrative that you're inexperienced. Unfit."
—
My jaw tightened.
—
"She wants control before your birthday," he added. "If she proves you're incapable, she gets leverage."
—
I crossed my arms slightly.
"She won't."
—
Percy nodded once.
"Good. Because you won't let her."
—
A pause.
—
Then—
"You remember what grandfather taught you in New York?"
—
I blinked.
—
Flash of memories.
—
Meetings.
Discussions.
Basic strategies.
—
"…Yeah."
—
"You don't need to learn from zero," Percy said. "You just need to recall."
—
Jass spoke calmly—
"You already know more than you think."
—
I glanced at him.
—
Percy continued—
"You'll start attending important meetings. Observing. Speaking when needed."
—
My shoulders straightened slightly.
—
"You don't have to be here all the time," he added. "But you'll come regularly."
—
I nodded slowly.
—
"Until your birthday," he said.
—
A pause.
—
"After that—you join full-time."
—
Silence.
—
That felt real.
—
Final.
—
I exhaled slowly.
"…Okay."
—
Percy nodded.
—
"Good."
—
And just like that—
There was no going back.
—
From this point—
I wasn't just watching.
—
I was stepping in.
—
For real.
🖤 Jay's POV — Evening
I dropped back into the chair.
Hard.
—
My entire body felt like it had officially given up.
—
First day.
And I was already done with life.
—
Meetings.
More meetings.
People talking in circles.
Numbers. Files. Decisions.
And somehow… I was expected to understand everything.
—
I didn't even realize how exhausting "being important" is.
Every word matters. Every reaction matters.
You can't just sit—you have to perform.
And somehow look like you know what you're doing.
I think my brain stopped working three meetings ago.
—
I leaned my head back.
Closed my eyes for a second.
—
Percy had already left.
London.
Business.
Of course.
—
Which meant—
It was just me.
And Jass.
Handling everything.
—
No pressure.
—
This isn't school anymore.
No second chances. No "I'll try tomorrow."
If I mess up here—it actually matters.
People are watching. Judging. Deciding.
And I don't even know half of what I'm doing.
—
My stomach growled.
Loudly.
—
I groaned.
"I haven't even eaten since morning…"
—
And right on cue—
The door opened.
—
Jass.
—
"Okay," he said casually, walking in, "work's done for today."
—
I didn't move.
"I'm dead."
—
He raised an eyebrow. "Dramatic."
"I'm serious. I think I lost five years of my life today."
—
He walked closer.
Studied me.
—
Then—
"No, wait," he said. "You're hungry."
—
I immediately sat up.
"Yes."
—
He smirked.
"Let's go."
—
"Where?"
—
"Food," he said like it was obvious. "Before you start biting people in meetings tomorrow."
—
I stood up instantly.
"Say less."
—
Food. Finally.
I don't even care what it is.
I just need something before I collapse.
Also… why does he notice everything?
Annoying. Very annoying.
—
🚗 Car Scene
This time—
He was driving.
—
I didn't argue.
I respected my own chaos.
—
I got in, immediately leaning back.
"Tired?"
"No," I said flatly. "I'm thriving."
"Liar."
"Shut up."
—
He chuckled.
Started the car.
—
"You survived," he added.
"Barely."
"Impressive."
"I hate you."
"Noted, darling."
—
I rolled my eyes.
—
A pause.
—
Then—
"You actually did well today."
—
I glanced at him.
"…Don't lie."
"I'm not."
—
Silence.
—
"That meeting with the investors?" he continued. "You didn't panic."
"I was internally dying."
"Didn't show."
—
I looked out the window.
—
"…Thanks."
—
He smirked slightly.
"Say it again."
"Don't push it."
—
Why does that feel nice?
It shouldn't.
It's just a comment.
Just words.
…still nice though.
—
We reached the restaurant.
—
Warm lights.
Crowded.
Lively.
—
Way better than corporate silence.
—
🍽️ Restaurant
We got a table.
I immediately grabbed the menu.
—
"I'm ordering everything."
"No, you're not."
"Yes, I am."
"No, you'll eat half and complain."
"Excuse me?"
"I know you."
—
I narrowed my eyes.
"Jass."
"Jay."
—
He took the menu from my hand.
"Let me."
"Control freak."
"Smart."
—
He ordered—
Chicken adobo
Sinigang
Garlic rice
Lumpia
And drinks
—
I blinked.
"…You remember all that?"
—
He looked at me.
"Obviously."
—
I crossed my arms.
"Stalker."
"Observant."
—
I smirked slightly.
—
"And you?" I said. "Still hate vegetables?"
"I don't hate them."
"You avoid them like they're poison."
"They're unnecessary."
"Child."
"Alive."
—
I laughed.
Actually laughed.
—
This feels… normal.
Too normal.
Like none of the chaos exists.
Like it's just us—talking, eating, arguing.
And I don't hate that.
—
Food arrived.
—
I didn't wait.
Started eating immediately.
—
"Wow," he said. "No patience."
"I'm starving."
"I can see that."
—
I pointed my fork at him.
"Don't judge me."
"I'm judging."
"Eat your food."
—
He smirked but listened.
—
We ate.
Talked.
Argued.
—
At some point—
I realized—
—
I wasn't thinking about work.
Not about Keifer.
Not about anything heavy.
—
Just—
This.
—
I needed this more than I thought.
Just a break.
Just something easy.
No pressure. No expectations.
…just him being annoying.
—
I leaned back after eating.
Satisfied.
—
"Okay," I said. "I feel alive again."
"Good. I didn't want you passing out in the car."
"Very caring."
"I try."
—
I looked at him.
—
Still annoying.
Still impossible.
—
But right now—
—
Easy.
—
And that?
Still dangerous.
🖤 Keifer's POV — Thursday
It's been a week.
A whole week of watching the same thing happen again and again.
—
She walks into class.
Cold.
Silent.
Doesn't look at anyone.
Not me.
Not them.
—
And then—
She sits like none of us exist.
—
She doesn't even hesitate anymore.
Not a glance. Not a reaction.
Like whatever we had… never existed.
Like I was just another mistake she erased.
And I deserve that—but it still burns.
—
CI tries to talk to her.
Calix too.
Felix.
Yuri.
David.
—
All of them.
—
She ignores every single one.
—
No anger.
No drama.
—
Just—
Nothing.
—
And somehow—
That's worse.
—
At least when she was angry, she felt something.
Now… it's like I don't exist to her at all.
Like I'm not even worth the hate anymore.
And I can't even blame her for that.
Because this is exactly what I made her feel.
—
Then—
Lunch.
—
That's when it happens.
Every single day.
—
He shows up.
—
Jason Reyes
—
Like he owns the place.
Like he has every right to be there.
—
And she—
She doesn't argue.
—
Doesn't refuse.
—
She just—
Gets up.
And goes with him.
—
Like it's normal.
—
Like he's normal.
—
She never walked away from me like that.
Never chose distance this easily.
Never gave up without a fight.
But with him… she just goes.
Like there's nothing left here for her.
—
Every time—
My jaw tightens.
—
Every time—
My hands curl into fists.
—
And I stay where I am.
—
Because I don't get to stop her.
—
Not after everything.
—
I was the one who started this.
I was the one who made it a game.
A plan. A move. A strategy.
And now I have to stand here and watch it fall apart.
Without saying a word.
—
But that doesn't make it easier.
—
It makes it worse.
—
Because I see it.
—
The way he stands close to her.
The way he talks to her.
—
Like she matters.
—
And she—
—
She lets him.
That should've been me.
Not in the beginning… maybe not then.
But now?
Now when I actually—
…damn it.
—
And tomorrow—
—
Prom.
—
The stupid announcement.
The stupid "bring your partner" theme.
—
And she already said it.
—
She has someone.
—
Him.
—
Of course.
—
She didn't even hesitate.
Didn't even think about it.
Like the answer was already decided.
Like there was never another option.
Like I was never even in the running.
—
I leaned back in my chair.
Trying to ignore it.
—
Didn't work.
—
Because all I could see—
—
Was her.
Walking out with him.
Again.
—
Tomorrow she'll walk in with him.
Stand next to him.
Dance with him.
Look at him—
…like she used to look at me.
—
My jaw clenched.
—
No.
—
That's not happening.
—
I pushed my chair back.
Stood up.
—
"Where are you going?" Yuri asked.
—
I didn't look at him.
—
"Prom."
—
His brows furrowed. "You weren't even planning to go."
—
I stopped for a second.
—
Then said it.
Low.
Controlled.
—
"I will now."
I don't care about the prom.
I don't care about the people.
I don't care about anything there.
I just need to see her.
Even if it ruins me.
—
Because watching her walk away all week—
—
Was already doing that.
A/n guyss I'm running out of ideas 😭 pls helpp and suggest some