🖤 Jay's POV — Thursday Evening
I dropped my file on the desk and leaned back.
—
Exhausted didn't even begin to cover it.
—
Monday to Thursday felt like a whole lifetime.
Meetings. Decisions. People. Pressure.
And somehow—I survived all of it.
—
Percy still wasn't back.
London.
Handling deals like his life depended on it.
—
Which meant—
Everything here?
Me.
And Jass.
—
I closed my eyes for a second.
Let out a slow breath.
—
Okay… maybe not everything.
But still—
Enough to drain my entire existence.
—
I stretched slightly, rolling my shoulders.
"…I'm actually doing this," I muttered.
—
Because I was.
—
I understood things now.
Not everything.
But enough.
Enough to speak.
Enough to not look lost.
Enough to… belong.
—
A small smile formed.
"…successful business woman," I whispered to myself.
Then immediately—
"Hehe."
—
Okay maybe a slightly dramatic one.
—
Still.
I did good.
—
And tomorrow—
Prom.
—
My smile dropped.
—
"…I need a dress."
—
A proper one.
Not something random.
Not something basic.
—
Something that fits this version of me.
—
And then—
Jason.
—
I scoffed lightly.
"He definitely needs help."
—
Because if he shows up in something boring—
I will personally disown him.
—
Even if this whole thing is fake.
—
…especially because it's fake.
—
The door suddenly opened.
—
Speak of the devil.
—
"Hey, darling," Jass walked in casually.
—
I didn't even look up.
"Go away."
—
"Let's go."
—
That made me look up.
"…Where?"
—
He smirked.
"Prom shopping."
—
I blinked.
—
Oh.
—
"You should look human standing next to me," he added. "You know… I have public value."
—
I stared at him.
—
"…Oh please shut up, Jass."
—
He placed a hand on his chest like I hurt him.
"You wound me."
—
"You? Public value?" I scoffed. "I'm more concerned about the fact that you're my partner."
—
I stood up, grabbing my bag.
"Like really… looks like my downfall."
—
He grinned.
"Your biggest upgrade."
—
"In your dreams."
—
He stepped closer slightly.
"Already living it."
—
I rolled my eyes so hard I almost saw my brain.
"God, you're insufferable."
—
"And yet," he said smoothly, "you're going dress shopping with me."
—
I pointed a finger at him.
"Because I don't trust your fashion sense."
—
"Excuse me?"
"You heard me."
—
He shook his head, amused.
"Come on. I'll handle the rest of the work."
—
I paused.
"…Really?"
—
He nodded.
"Already did most of it."
—
I narrowed my eyes.
"Show off."
—
"Efficient."
—
I grabbed my phone.
"Fine. Let's go before I change my mind."
—
And just like that—
We walked out.
—
🏢 Office → Corridor Chaos
The moment we stepped out—
Employees everywhere.
—
"Good evening, ma'am."
"Good evening, Miss Mariano."
"Good evening, sir."
—
I nodded slightly.
Still not fully used to it.
—
Jass?
Unbothered.
Of course.
—
We walked side by side.
—
Then—
He suddenly leaned slightly toward me.
"Walk properly."
—
I frowned. "I am walking properly."
—
"You're dragging your feet."
"I'm tired."
"Fix it."
—
I stopped walking.
Turned to him.
"Fix yourself."
—
He smirked.
"Attitude."
—
"Always."
—
People around us tried very hard not to stare.
—
Failed.
—
I continued walking.
—
He matched my pace again.
Close.
Too close.
—
"Also," he added casually, "don't embarrass me tomorrow."
—
I gasped.
"ME??"
—
"Yes."
—
"I am the highlight, excuse you."
—
"You're a risk."
—
"I'm your risk."
—
He paused for half a second.
—
Then smiled.
"…Fair."
—
Why did that feel like a win?
—
🚶♀️ Elevator
We stepped in.
—
I leaned back against the wall immediately.
—
He pressed the button.
—
Silence for two seconds.
—
Then—
"You're actually excited," he said.
—
"I'm not."
—
"You are."
—
"I'm not."
—
"Your face says otherwise."
—
I immediately fixed my expression.
"It does not."
—
He chuckled.
—
And I hated that he was right.
—
Because maybe—
Just a little—
—
I was.
—
🚗 Parking Area Chaos
We reached the parking.
—
I walked straight to the car.
Opened the passenger seat.
Sat.
—
Jass stood there.
Not moving.
—
I looked up.
"…What?"
—
He crossed his arms.
"Say it."
—
"…Say what?"
—
"You know what."
—
I stared at him.
Then realized.
—
"…Oh my god."
—
"Say it."
—
I groaned.
"Drive, Jass."
—
He didn't move.
—
I clenched my jaw.
"Please."
—
A pause.
—
Then—
That smirk.
—
"Good enough."
—
He got in.
—
I rolled my eyes.
"Drama king."
—
"Respect."
—
"Overconfidence."
—
"Accurate."
—
He started the car.
—
And as we drove out—
—
I looked out the window.
—
Tired.
Yes.
—
Exhausted.
Definitely.
—
But also—
—
Something else.
—
Tomorrow.
Prom.
Dress.
Him.
—
Chaos.
—
And somehow—
—
I wasn't dreading it.
—
That alone was suspicious.
🖤 Jay's POV — Evening
It was evening.
The kind that felt… calm.
—
Cold breeze brushing against my skin.
Grey clouds stretching across the sky.
The air soft.
Quiet.
—
For once—
My mind wasn't racing.
—
We stopped.
—
In front of a place that didn't even look like a shop.
—
It was… huge.
Glass walls. Golden lights. Tall doors.
More like a luxury showroom than anything else.
—
People outside immediately stepped forward.
"Good evening, sir."
"Good evening, ma'am."
—
Jass handed over the car keys casually.
"Take care of it."
—
Of course.
—
I stepped out.
Looked up at the building.
—
"…This is a shop?"
—
He smirked.
"Try to keep up, darling."
—
I rolled my eyes.
But still—
I walked in.
—
And froze.
—
The ground floor was massive.
Filled with mannequins.
—
Rows and rows of them.
—
Each one dressed perfectly.
—
Elegant gowns.
Short party dresses.
Flowy silhouettes.
Structured designs.
—
Some shimmered under the lights.
Some were soft and minimal.
Some bold. Dramatic.
—
Colors everywhere.
Red. Black. Silver. Gold.
Pastels. Neutrals.
Everything.
—
And then—
Wedding dresses.
—
White.
Ivory.
Detailed.
Heavy.
—
Lace.
Beads.
Long trails flowing behind.
—
For a second—
I just stood there.
—
This wasn't normal.
—
This was… something else.
—
Then—
Male mannequins.
—
Sharp suits.
Perfectly tailored.
Clean lines.
—
Black tuxedos.
Navy suits.
Grey three-pieces.
—
Everything looked… expensive.
—
And perfect.
—
I folded my arms slightly.
"…Okay."
—
Jass leaned closer.
"Impressed?"
—
"Don't get used to it."
—
He chuckled.
—
We moved toward the lift.
—
Entered.
—
He pressed 12.
—
Of course.
—
The elevator moved smoothly.
—
My reflection stared back at me in the mirror.
—
Work. Exhaustion. And now this.
—
Life really doesn't slow down.
—
Ding.
—
Doors opened.
—
And—
—
This floor?
Even crazier.
—
All female.
All dresses.
—
Prom dresses everywhere.
—
Mannequins standing like models.
—
Long gowns.
Short fitted dresses.
Sparkles. Satin. Silk.
—
Two mannequins stood apart—
Wearing wedding dresses.
Even more detailed than downstairs.
—
The lighting softer here.
Warmer.
—
"Good evening, ma'am," staff greeted instantly.
—
We were guided.
—
Straight to a VIP area.
—
Of course.
—
They brought dresses.
One after another.
—
And I tried them.
—
First one.
No.
—
Second.
No.
—
Third.
Absolutely not.
—
Jass?
Sitting there.
Judging.
—
"No."
"Next."
"Too loud."
"Too simple."
—
I glared at him.
"Are you ever satisfied?"
—
"No."
—
"Of course."
—
But honestly—
—
I didn't like them either.
—
Something was off in all of them.
—
Too much.
Too less.
Too… not me.
—
After what felt like forever—
—
They brought another one.
—
Dark blue.
Satin.
—
Long.
Flowing.
—
I looked at it for a second.
—
"…Okay."
—
I went in.
Changed.
—
And when I stepped out—
—
Silence.
—
The dress hugged perfectly.
—
The satin fabric smooth against my skin.
Falling naturally.
—
It fit my waist.
Defined it.
—
The length long—
Touching the floor softly.
—
Elegant.
Not too loud.
—
Just right.
—
I looked up.
—
Jass—
—
Was staring.
—
Actually staring.
—
His mouth slightly open.
—
I raised an eyebrow.
"…Close your mouth."
—
He didn't.
—
Then—
"Wow."
—
I blinked.
—
"That's new."
—
He stood up slowly.
Walked closer.
—
"Now this," he said, looking at me properly, "is what I was waiting for."
—
I crossed my arms slightly.
"…Really?"
—
"Yeah," he said, voice lower now. "You look—"
—
A pause.
—
"Dangerous."
—
My heart skipped.
—
Annoying.
—
"And beautiful," he added casually.
—
I looked away immediately.
"Don't start."
—
"I'm serious."
—
I rolled my eyes.
"…We're taking this one."
—
"Obviously."
—
I went back to change.
—
When I came out—
We finalized it.
—
Done.
—
But then—
—
The door opened.
—
And I saw them.
—
Keifer.
And Luna.
—
My expression stilled.
—
Luna immediately moved closer to him.
Almost clinging.
—
Her hand on his arm.
Her voice soft.
Too soft.
—
Something twisted in my chest.
—
I looked away.
—
Didn't react.
—
Didn't care.
—
At least—
That's what I told myself.
—
But my fingers curled slightly.
—
Luna started picking dresses.
Showing him.
—
And he—
Stayed with her.
—
Close.
—
Watching.
—
Helping.
—
I hated that.
—
More than I should.
—
I turned away.
—
My dress was being fitted.
—
So I waited.
—
Minutes passed.
—
Then finally—
They handed it to me.
Packed.
—
"Thank you, ma'am."
—
I nodded.
—
We turned to leave.
—
Walking out—
—
And suddenly—
My foot slipped.
—
"—"
—
Before I could fall—
—
A hand caught me.
—
Strong.
Firm.
—
I froze.
—
Keifer.
—
My breath caught for a second.
—
Too close.
—
The bag shifted slightly—
The dress inside slipping out just a little.
—
Dark blue.
—
His eyes flicked to it.
—
Noticed.
—
Of course he did.
—
For a second—
Neither of us moved.
—
Then—
I pulled away.
Quickly.
—
"Thanks," I said flatly.
—
And walked.
—
Didn't look back.
—
Didn't stop.
—
Jass followed.
—
And we left.
—
But my heart—
Wasn't steady anymore.
—
We reached another floor.
—
Now—
His turn.
—
Men's section.
—
Sharp.
Clean.
Luxury suits displayed perfectly.
—
Jass walked in like he owned it.
—
Of course.
—
Staff immediately surrounded him.
—
"Sir, this way."
—
They brought options.
—
Black tux.
Navy.
Charcoal grey.
—
He tried one.
—
Perfect fit.
—
Of course.
—
I leaned against the wall.
Watching.
—
"Not bad," I said.
—
He adjusted his sleeve.
"Not bad?"
—
"Okay… good."
—
"Better."
—
He stepped closer.
"Match me properly tomorrow."
—
I rolled my eyes.
"Don't worry. I'll outshine you."
—
He smirked.
"Impossible."
—
We finalized his suit.
—
And walked out.
—
Together.
—
But this time—
—
The air felt different.
—
Because somewhere—
Between dresses…
Between glances…
Between that moment—
—
Something shifted.
—
And I wasn't sure I liked it.
🖤 Keifer's POV
Okay… I don't like Luna.
Not even a little.
—
And it's not just because she's irritating.
—
It's because she's always—
Trying.
—
Trying to match Jay.
Trying to outdo her.
Trying to be something she's not.
—
And that?
—
Annoys me more than anything.
—
Because there is no comparison.
—
There never was.
—
Jay doesn't try.
She just is.
—
And Luna?
—
She tries too hard.
—
But still—
I needed a partner for tomorrow.
Prom.
—
And Luna was…
Convenient.
—
Always free.
Always available.
—
So I picked her.
—
Of course—
She had a condition.
—
"I want my dress from the most expensive store in the city."
—
And not just that—
"You're coming with me."
—
I should've said no.
—
But I didn't.
—
So here we are.
—
The moment we stepped into the women's section—
—
I saw her.
—
Jay.
—
Standing there.
—
And him.
—
Jason.
—
My jaw clenched instantly.
—
Of course she's with him.
—
Of course.
—
But then—
Something didn't make sense.
—
This place?
—
It's not normal.
—
It's expensive.
Too expensive.
—
Jay never liked things like this.
Never accepted expensive gifts.
—
Not even from me.
—
Not even when things were…
—
Different.
—
So why now?
—
Why is she here?
—
With him?
—
My eyes darkened slightly.
—
Did she change?
—
No.
—
Jay doesn't change like that.
—
Something's off.
—
But I'll figure that out later.
—
Because right now—
—
All I could see—
Was him standing next to her.
—
Too close.
—
Like he belonged there.
—
I clenched my jaw.
—
Don't worry.
—
When the time comes—
—
I'll take her back.
—
"She'll be mine again."
—
"Keifer, look at this one!" Luna's voice cut through.
—
I glanced at her.
—
She was already holding a dress.
—
Then another.
—
Then another.
—
"Which one do you like?"
—
"I don't care," I said flatly.
—
She frowned.
"What do you mean you don't care?"
—
"I said it's fine."
—
Because I wasn't looking at her.
—
I was watching Jay.
—
She wasn't trying dresses anymore.
—
She was sitting.
Waiting.
—
Staff around her.
Handling something.
—
Fitting.
—
So she already chose one.
—
My eyes narrowed slightly.
—
What did she pick?
—
What does she look like in it?
—
I didn't see.
—
And that annoyed me more than it should.
—
Because I wanted to.
—
"Keifer, focus," Luna said again, slightly irritated now.
—
I exhaled slowly.
Forced my attention back.
—
"Pick anything," I said.
—
She huffed.
"Wow. So helpful."
—
I ignored her.
—
Because every few seconds—
My eyes went back to Jay.
—
She looked tired.
—
Even from here.
—
Slightly leaning back.
Quiet.
—
Not like before.
—
Something about that—
Didn't sit right.
—
Then—
Movement.
—
She stood up.
—
The staff handed her a bag.
—
Her dress.
—
Packed.
—
So that's it.
—
She's leaving.
—
I watched her walk.
—
Calm.
Controlled.
—
Like she always does now.
—
And then—
—
Her foot slipped.
—
It happened fast.
—
Too fast.
—
Before she could fall—
—
I moved.
—
Instinct.
—
I caught her.
—
My hand around her waist.
—
Pulling her steady.
—
She froze.
—
So did I.
—
For a second—
—
Everything stopped.
—
She was right there.
—
Close.
—
Familiar.
—
My grip tightened slightly.
—
Then—
—
The bag shifted.
—
The dress slipped out just a little.
—
Dark blue.
—
That's all I saw.
—
But that was enough.
—
I registered it instantly.
—
She pulled away quickly.
—
"Thanks."
—
Flat.
Cold.
—
No eye contact.
—
Nothing.
—
And then—
She walked away.
—
With him.
—
Again.
—
I stood there.
—
Still.
—
Jaw clenched.
—
Not even a second.
Not even a proper look.
Like that moment didn't matter.
Like I didn't matter.
…Good. Keep pretending.
—
"Keifer?" Luna called.
—
I blinked.
—
Right.
—
This.
—
She finally picked her dress.
—
I paid.
Didn't check.
Didn't care.
—
My mind was somewhere else.
—
Dark blue.
—
That's what she's wearing tomorrow.
—
Fine.
—
Then I'll match.
—
Obviously.
—
Because no one else will.
—
We moved to the men's section.
—
Luna followed.
Still talking.
—
"I'll help you choose," she said.
—
She picked a suit.
—
Bright.
Too loud.
Too much.
—
I looked at it once.
—
"No."
—
She frowned. "What? It looks good."
—
"It doesn't."
—
"I have great taste—"
—
"No," I cut her off.
—
Because I already knew.
—
What I wanted.
—
Something sharp.
Clean.
Controlled.
—
Something that matches—
—
Her.
—
Not Luna.
—
Never Luna.
—
Because tomorrow—
—
I'm not showing up for the prom.
—
I'm showing up—
—
For Jay.
"I'm done."
—
Luna blinked. "What?"
—
"I said I'm done," I repeated, already turning away. "You got your dress. Go home."
—
Her brows furrowed. "Wait—what? You're not even done yet."
—
"I will be."
—
"With me," she added quickly, stepping closer. "I'm supposed to help you—"
—
"No."
—
Flat.
Final.
—
She stared at me, clearly not liking that.
"Keifer, seriously—"
—
"I don't need help," I cut her off. "Driver will drop you."
—
A pause.
—
Then a small huff.
Annoyed.
—
"Fine," she muttered. "Do whatever you want."
—
I didn't respond.
—
Didn't even look at her as she walked off.
—
The moment she was gone—
—
Silence.
—
Better.
—
Much better.
—
I turned to the staff.
—
"Show me your navy suits."
—
They straightened immediately.
"Of course, sir."
—
Navy.
—
Dark blue.
—
The same shade I saw.
—
The same one she's wearing tomorrow.
—
They brought options.
—
One after another.
—
Sharp cuts.
Different fabrics.
Different fits.
—
I took the first one.
—
Changed.
—
Stepped out.
—
"Too loose," I said.
—
Next.
—
Second one.
—
Better.
But not perfect.
—
"No."
—
Third.
—
The fabric felt right.
—
The fit—
Close.
—
I looked at myself in the mirror.
—
Adjusted the collar.
The sleeves.
—
Still—
Something missing.
—
"Next."
—
They brought another.
—
This one—
The moment I wore it—
—
I knew.
—
Perfect fit.
—
Tailored exactly.
—
The jacket sitting clean on my shoulders.
The waist fitted just right.
—
Sharp.
Controlled.
—
The navy shade—
Deep.
Rich.
—
I stepped out.
—
The staff immediately reacted.
"Sir, that looks excellent."
—
I didn't answer.
—
I looked at the mirror.
—
Took a step closer.
—
Studied it.
—
This—
—
This works.
—
Because I already know how it's going to look.
—
Her.
In dark blue.
—
Me.
Matching.
—
Standing next to her.
—
Like it's supposed to be.
—
A slow smirk formed.
—
"Pack this."
—
"Yes, sir."
—
I adjusted my cuff one last time.
—
Then turned.
—
Walking out.
—
Because tomorrow—
—
I'm not just showing up.
—
I'm making sure—
—
She notices.
A/N : Next chapter is gonna be a 💣 💥
Be ready guyss😉😋
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