🖤 Jay's POV — Friday Night, Prom
I stood in front of the mirror—
again.
—
The room was silent.
Just me.
And this version of me I'm still getting used to.
—
The dark blue satin dress hugged perfectly.
Soft shine under the light.
Flowing down like it belonged to me.
—
I turned slightly.
Watched it move.
—
Elegant.
Controlled.
Strong.
—
Not the girl from before.
—
"…You'll survive this," I whispered.
—
Because that's the goal tonight.
—
Survive.
—
But my chest didn't agree.
Because I knew—
Tonight isn't simple.
—
It's him.
And him.
And everything in between.
—
I picked my clutch.
Walked out.
—
đźš— Outside
The cold breeze hit my face.
Calm.
But not enough.
—
And then—
Jass.
—
Leaning against the car.
Black suit.
Sharp.
Clean.
—
My steps slowed for half a second.
—
He looked… unfairly good.
—
His eyes lifted to me.
Paused.
—
Then—
A smirk.
—
"Wow," he said softly. "You're trying to outshine everyone tonight?"
—
I rolled my eyes.
"Relax. I'm just doing the bare minimum."
—
He walked closer.
Slowly.
Eyes still on me.
—
"Bare minimum?" he repeated. "Darling, this is illegal."
—
I blinked.
—
"Stop talking."
—
"Can't. You look too good."
—
I looked away quickly.
"…Shut up and drive."
—
But my heartbeat?
—
Not normal.
—
Because a part of me liked that.
—
The car moved.
Lights passing by.
—
Silence.
But not empty.
—
He glanced at me.
"You're nervous."
—
"I'm not."
—
"You are."
—
I crossed my arms.
"I'm not nervous."
—
"You adjusted your dress three times in two minutes."
—
I froze.
—
"…Shut up."
—
He chuckled.
—
Annoying.
—
Why does he notice everything?
—
🎉 Prom Entrance
The venue glowed.
Lights everywhere.
Music soft but present.
—
The moment we stepped out—
—
Eyes.
—
On us.
—
Whispers.
—
I straightened.
—
Jass stepped beside me.
Close.
—
His hand brushed mine.
—
"For the act," he murmured.
—
I hesitated—
Then let him.
—
Our fingers intertwined.
—
Warm.
Firm.
—
We walked in.
—
Together.
—
And then—
—
I saw him.
—
Keifer.
—
Standing across the hall.
—
Navy blue suit.
—
Matching.
—
My breath caught.
—
He looked—
—
Incredible.
—
Sharp.
Controlled.
Dangerous.
—
And for a second—
—
I forgot everything.
—
The room.
The people.
Jass.
—
Just him.
—
That version of him—
The one I used to look at like—
—
No.
—
I looked away quickly.
—
Don't.
—
Don't go there.
—
But my heart didn't listen.
—
Because damn—
—
He looked good.
—
Too good.
—
Jass's voice cut in.
"Careful."
—
I blinked.
"…What?"
—
"You're staring."
—
"I wasn't."
—
He smirked.
"Sure."
—
I looked away again.
—
Why does he always catch everything?
—
CI N rushed forward.
"Jay, please—just listen—"
—
Felix stepped in.
"We're sorry—"
—
Yuri.
"Can we just talk for a minute—"
—
David, Edrix, Calix—
—
All of them.
—
Trying.
—
I walked past them.
—
Didn't stop.
Didn't respond.
—
Didn't even slow down.
—
Because if I do—
I'll remember everything.
—
And I don't want to.
—
Not tonight.
—
Jass didn't interfere.
—
Just walked with me.
—
And somehow—
That silence from him—
—
Felt like support.
—
A girl host stepped up.
"Tonight is all about partners!"
—
Cheers.
—
"Let's play a couple game!"
—
I sighed.
—
Of course.
—
We were called.
—
Of course.
—
I looked at Jass.
"…Don't mess this up."
—
He smirked.
"No promises."
—
We stepped forward.
—
🎯 Game 1 — Close Challenge
We had to stand close.
Balance.
Move together.
—
His hand on my waist.
—
My hand on his shoulder.
—
Too close.
—
"You okay?" he murmured.
—
"I will push you."
—
"Romantic."
—
We moved.
—
Almost slipped—
Then laughed.
—
Actually laughed.
—
And for a second—
—
It felt easy.
—
Too easy.
—
And that scared me.
—
I glanced sideways.
—
Keifer.
—
Watching.
—
Eyes dark.
—
And beside him—
—
Luna.
—
Holding his arm.
—
Too close.
—
My chest tightened.
—
I looked away instantly.
—
Why does that bother me?
—
It shouldn't.
—
But it does.
—
And I hate that.
—
The host smiled.
"Now, let's see how well you know your partner!"
—
Great.
—
Questions started.
—
"What's their favorite memory?"
—
I froze.
—
Favorite memory?
—
My mind didn't go to Jass.
—
It went—
—
To Keifer.
—
Terrace.
—
Late evening.
—
Laughing over nothing.
—
Wind in my hair.
—
Him looking at me like—
—
Like I mattered.
—
I blinked.
—
"…Jay?" Jass nudged softly.
—
I snapped back.
—
"Uh—" I forced a smile, "he likes annoying people."
—
Laughter.
—
Jass smirked.
"Correct."
—
But inside—
—
I wasn't there.
—
Because my mind—
—
Was somewhere else.
—
Another question.
—
"What moment made you trust them?"
—
Again—
—
Not Jass.
—
Keifer.
—
Haunted house.
—
Dark.
—
His hand finding mine.
—
Holding tight.
—
Not letting go.
—
That look in his eyes—
—
Real.
—
Or at least—
I thought it was.
—
"…Jay?"
—
I blinked again.
—
"Uh—he didn't burn pancakes today."
—
More laughter.
—
Jass chuckled.
—
But I wasn't laughing.
—
Because my chest felt heavy.
—
Why am I remembering him now?
—
Why does it still feel real?
—
We stepped down.
—
People clapping.
Laughing.
—
Jass leaned closer.
"You disappeared there."
—
"I didn't."
—
"You did."
—
I looked away.
"…Doesn't matter."
—
He didn't push.
—
Just stayed beside me.
—
But across the room—
—
I could still feel it.
—
Keifer's gaze.
—
Burning.
—
Intense.
—
Unavoidable.
—
And somewhere inside me—
—
Something dangerous shifted.
—
Because no matter how much I try—
—
A part of me still reacts to him.
—
Still remembers him.
—
Still—
—
Feels him.
—
And that?
—
That's exactly what will ruin everything.
The host kept going.
More couples.
More laughter.
More noise.
—
I stood beside Jass, but my mind wasn't steady anymore.
—
Then—
—
"Next couple—Keifer and Luna!"
—
My body reacted before my mind did.
—
I looked.
—
Keifer walked up.
Calm.
Composed.
—
Navy blue suit.
Matching.
—
My breath hitched for a second.
—
He looked—
—
Incredible.
—
Sharp jaw.
Perfect fit.
That quiet confidence—
—
The same one that always got to me.
—
I hated that I noticed.
—
I hated that it still affected me.
—
And beside him—
—
Luna.
—
Clinging.
Smiling.
Too close.
—
Something inside me tightened.
—
I crossed my arms.
Looked away.
—
Why does this bother me?
—
It shouldn't.
—
It doesn't.
—
…liar.
—
Same game.
—
Close.
Too close.
—
His hand on her waist.
—
I looked back—
—
And instantly regretted it.
—
They stood there.
Balanced.
—
The host laughed.
"You two look good together!"
—
Good together?
—
My jaw tightened.
—
He didn't react.
Didn't deny.
—
That annoyed me more.
—
Why isn't he moving away?
—
Why is he letting her stand like that?
—
Why do I care?
—
I don't.
—
But my fingers tightened around my clutch.
—
Jass leaned closer.
"Easy."
—
"I'm fine."
—
"You're not."
—
"…Shut up."
—
He chuckled softly.
—
I hate that he can read me.
—
Then—
Questions.
—
"What's your partner's favorite thing?"
—
Luna answered instantly.
Too confidently.
—
Like she knew him.
—
I almost laughed.
—
She doesn't.
—
Not like—
—
Stop.
—
He didn't correct her.
—
That hurt.
—
More than I expected.
—
I looked away completely this time.
—
I'm done watching.
—
Because this?
—
Isn't something I should feel anything about.
—
Applause.
—
They stepped down.
—
I didn't look.
—
Didn't care.
—
At least—
That's what I forced myself to believe.
—
"I'm getting a drink," I said.
—
Jass nodded.
"Go."
—
Quieter here.
—
Less noise.
Less pressure.
—
I picked up a glass.
Didn't even check what it was.
—
Just needed something to hold.
—
Something to steady myself.
—
"Jay."
—
I froze.
—
CI N.
—
Of course.
—
"…What?" I said without turning.
—
"Can we talk?"
—
I closed my eyes for a second.
—
I don't want this.
—
But I didn't walk away.
—
So I turned.
—
He looked nervous.
Guilty.
—
Good.
—
"You have one minute."
—
"I'm sorry," he said immediately.
—
Silence.
—
"That's not enough."
—
"I know," he nodded quickly. "I should've told you everything."
—
My grip tightened on the glass.
—
"Told me what?"
—
"That Keifer had a plan… to use you… to take revenge for Aries."
—
There it is.
—
Out loud.
—
Again.
—
"And you didn't tell me."
—
"I couldn't," he said. "I wasn't confident enough… and I owed him."
—
I let out a dry laugh.
—
"Owed him?" I repeated. "So that mattered more than me?"
—
"No—Jay, it's not like that—"
—
"Then what is it like?"
—
He struggled.
—
"I was scared," he admitted. "You know how he is… I couldn't go against him."
—
I looked at him.
—
"You couldn't go against him… but you could stand there and watch me fall for a lie?"
—
"I hated it!" he said quickly. "Every second of it—I hated it."
—
"Then why didn't you stop it?"
—
"I tried… just not enough."
—
Silence.
—
The music felt distant.
—
Everything felt distant.
—
"I trusted you," I said quietly.
—
"I know."
—
"And you broke that."
—
"I know."
—
No defense now.
—
Just truth.
—
I exhaled slowly.
—
This still hurts.
—
More than I want it to.
—
Then he said something that made me pause.
—
"…I don't even know why Keifer told you like that."
—
I frowned slightly.
"What?"
—
"The plan was stopped a long time ago," he said. "We all knew it wasn't… that anymore."
—
My chest tightened.
—
"He didn't have to say it like that," CI N continued softly. "We could all see it…"
—
"See what?" I asked, quieter now.
—
He hesitated.
—
Then said it.
—
"…that he really loves you."
—
Silence.
—
My breath stopped for a second.
—
"…Don't," I said immediately.
—
"I'm serious," he said. "I don't know what was wrong with him that day, but that wasn't the truth anymore."
—
I looked away.
—
No.
—
I'm not doing this.
—
Not now.
—
Not again.
—
Because if I believe that—
—
I'll fall right back.
—
And I can't afford that.
—
"Enough," I said.
—
He nodded quickly.
—
"I'm just saying… I'm sorry, Jay. For everything."
—
I looked at him.
—
Really looked.
—
He meant it.
—
I can see that.
—
And CI N—
—
He was never like the others.
—
More like…
—
A younger brother.
—
Annoying.
Stupid sometimes.
—
But not cruel.
—
I sighed softly.
—
"I'm not forgiving everyone."
—
"I know."
—
"But you…"
—
I paused.
—
"…you get one chance."
—
His eyes widened slightly.
—
"I won't mess it up," he said immediately.
—
"Don't."
—
He nodded.
—
That's it.
—
That's all I can give.
—
Because I can't carry this forever.
"Alright everyone!" the host called out. "Time for the couple dance!"
—
Music shifted.
—
Slow.
Soft.
—
Lights dimmed.
—
Couples moved to the floor.
—
I looked at CI N.
"…Go."
—
"Thank you, Jay."
—
I didn't respond.
—
Just turned.
—
And walked back.
—
To Jass.
—
Because no matter what I just heard—
—
No matter what part of me reacted—
—
Tonight isn't over.
—
And neither is this story.
Prom Night (Continue)
The music softened.
Lights dimmed just enough to blur everything else.
—
"Partner dance," the host repeated.
—
I stood in front of Jass.
—
He extended his hand.
"Shall we, darling?"
—
I rolled my eyes… but placed my hand in his anyway.
—
Because that's what we're doing tonight.
—
Playing the part.
—
🎶 Dance Floor
His hand settled on my waist.
Firm.
Steady.
—
Mine rested on his shoulder.
—
We started moving slowly.
In rhythm.
—
Close.
—
Too close.
—
Across the floor—
I saw them.
—
Keifer.
And Luna.
—
Her arms wrapped around him.
Closer than necessary.
—
Her head slightly tilted toward him.
—
And he—
—
Was letting her.
—
Something sharp twisted in my chest.
—
I looked away instantly.
—
Fine.
—
If that's how he wants to play—
—
Then fine.
—
I stepped closer to Jass.
—
He noticed immediately.
A faint smirk.
—
"Careful," he murmured. "You're getting bold."
—
"Just doing the act," I replied.
—
But I moved closer again.
—
My hand slid slightly higher on his shoulder.
—
His grip on my waist tightened just a little.
—
We were closer now.
—
Closer than before.
—
And I knew—
—
Keifer could see.
—
Good.
—
Let him.
—
"Jay," Jass said softly.
—
"Hm?"
—
"You're not just acting."
—
I stilled for half a second.
—
"…I am."
—
"No," he said quietly. "You're trying to prove something."
—
I looked at him.
—
"…Maybe I am."
—
A pause.
—
Then I exhaled slowly.
—
"I think I should move on."
—
The words felt heavy.
—
Real.
—
"I can't stay like this forever," I continued. "Stuck on something that wasn't even real."
—
Jass didn't interrupt.
—
Just listened.
—
"I need to stop… whatever this is," I whispered.
—
Silence.
—
But I didn't know—
—
That someone else heard it too.
—
đź‘€ Nearby
Keifer.
—
Close enough.
—
Every word.
—
Every single one.
—
🎶 Back to Us
Jass's hand lifted slightly, tilting my chin up.
—
Our faces were inches apart.
—
"Are you sure?" he asked quietly.
—
I hesitated.
—
Because for a second—
—
I wasn't.
—
But then—
—
"I have to be."
—
His gaze softened.
—
And for a moment—
—
Everything else faded.
—
Just us.
—
Close.
—
Too close.
—
My breath hitched.
—
His gaze dropped to my lips.
—
And I knew—
—
What was about to happen.
—
And I didn't stop it.
—
Didn't move away.
—
Because maybe—
—
This is how I end it.
—
How I move on.
—
Our faces inched closer—
—
And then—
—
Everything shattered.
—
A strong force—
—
Yanked Jass back.
—
"WHAT THE—"
—
Before I could react—
—
Keifer.
—
His fist connected.
Hard.
—
Jass stumbled back.
—
"Keifer—STOP—"
—
But he didn't listen.
—
His eyes—
—
Wild.
Furious.
—
And then—
—
He turned to me.
—
Before I could step back—
—
He lifted me.
—
Over his shoulder.
—
"What the hell—KEIFER PUT ME DOWN—"
—
I hit his back lightly.
Struggled.
—
"LET ME GO!"
—
He didn't stop.
Didn't slow down.
—
People stared.
Whispers.
Shock.
—
But he walked straight through—
—
Like nothing else existed.
—
Like nothing else mattered.
—
🚪 Changing Room
Door opened.
—
Then slammed shut.
—
Lock clicked.
—
He put me down—
—
Not gently.
—
But not enough to hurt.
—
I stumbled slightly—
—
And before I could react—
—
He stepped forward.
—
Close.
Too close.
—
"Keifer—what are you—"
—
He didn't let me finish.
—
His hands cupped my face—
—
And then—
—
He kissed me.
—
Not soft.
Not careful.
—
It was intense.
Desperate.
—
Like he was trying to prove something.
—
Like he was trying to hold onto something slipping away.
—
My breath caught—
—
For a second—
—
I froze.
—
Because this—
—
This felt real.
—
Too real.
—
But then—
—
Reality hit.
—
I pushed him back.
Hard.
—
"STOP—"
—
He stepped back slightly—
—
And I saw it.
—
Tears.
—
In his eyes.
—
Actually there.
—
"You can't move on," he said, voice breaking. "You can't move on from me—I won't let you."
—
My chest tightened.
—
"You're mine," he continued. "I love you—I can't watch you with someone else."
—
Silence.
—
And then—
—
I slapped him.
—
The sound echoed.
—
He didn't stop me.
—
"I deserve it," he said quietly. "Do it again if you want."
—
I hit his chest instead.
—
Again.
And again.
—
"STOP IT!" I shouted, tears in my own eyes now. "Just stop!"
—
My hands trembled.
—
"You don't get to do this," I continued. "You don't get to say it was all fake—use me—and then suddenly say you love me when I'm trying to move on!"
—
My voice broke.
—
"What is wrong with you?"
—
Silence.
—
"I'm sorry," he said.
—
I laughed bitterly.
—
"Stop lying."
—
"I'm not."
—
"Then tell me," I demanded. "Tell me why you did all of this. Why you acted like I didn't matter."
—
He stepped closer.
Hands gently holding my face again—
—
"I'm sorry," he whispered. "I can't tell you. Not yet."
—
My expression hardened.
—
"Of course you can't."
—
"I'm going to London," he said. "For my inheritance. When I come back—I'll tell you everything."
—
I didn't react.
—
"I'll spend my whole life making it up to you," he continued. "If that's what it takes."
—
Silence.
—
I pushed his hands away.
—
"No."
—
He froze.
—
"I'm done waiting," I said quietly.
—
Then I turned.
—
Walked to the door.
—
Unlocked it.
—
And left.
—
TERRACE
The cold air hit harder this time.
Sharper.
Like it was trying to wake me up.
—
My hands rested on the railing.
Tight.
—
I could still feel it.
His touch.
His voice.
—
I closed my eyes for a second.
Then opened them.
—
"Okay…" I whispered to myself.
—
A breath in.
Slow.
Controlled.
—
"Okay, so you can't tell me, right?"
—
My voice wasn't shaking anymore.
—
Not like before.
—
"Fine."
—
I straightened slightly.
—
"Then I'll find out everything myself."
—
The words felt different.
Stronger.
—
Because this time—
I wasn't waiting for answers.
—
I was taking them.
—
"It's okay," I continued quietly. "You don't know a lot of things about me either."
—
A pause.
—
My fingers curled slightly over the railing.
—
"But what I saw…"
—
My chest tightened just a little.
—
"In your eyes… in your actions…"
—
I exhaled slowly.
—
"And your biggest weakness—"
—
A small, almost bitter smile formed.
—
"Jealousy."
—
Silence.
—
"I know that what you said… wasn't fake."
—
That part hurt to admit.
—
"But that doesn't change anything."
—
My voice hardened again.
—
"You still planned to use me first."
—
"You still hurt me."
—
A pause.
—
"And even if I want to know your reason…"
—
My jaw tightened.
—
"That doesn't mean I forgive you."
—
Not now.
Maybe not ever.
—
I stepped back from the railing.
—
Eyes steady.
Colder now.
—
"I will find out everything."
—
"Very soon."
—
Then—
A faint smirk.
—
"Get ready, Mark Keifer Waston."
—
The name didn't feel the same anymore.
—
Because now—
—
"I'm not just Jay."
—
A pause.
—
"I'm Jasper Jean Mariano."
—
The truth settled in my chest like something powerful.
—
"The secret Mariano Princess."
—
"The heiress of Mariano Group."
—
"And I want to know…"
—
My gaze lifted slightly.
Sharper.
Focused.
—
"Who is the reason."
—
"Who has the power…"
—
"To force a Waston to do something."
—
A slow breath.
—
"What kind of helplessness… can exist for someone like you?"
—
Because that didn't make sense.
—
Not for him.
—
"Because as far as I know…"
—
My lips curved slightly.
—
"Only a Mariano holds that kind of power."
—
A pause.
—
"Or is it a Waston?"
—
Another pause.
—
"Or something else entirely…"
—
Silence.
—
Then—
A soft, dangerous smile.
—
"I'll know very soon."
—
My eyes shifted toward the dark sky.
—
"London, huh…"
—
A smirk.
—
"Interesting."
----------------------------------------------------
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