Chapter 23 - Dinner

🖤 Jay's POV — Sunday

The office felt endless today.

—

Files.

Meetings.

Voices.

Numbers.

—

Everything blending into one long, exhausting line.

—

I leaned back slightly in the chair, closing my eyes for just a second.

—

God… I'm tired.

—

But not the same kind of tired.

—

This week—

I learned things.

Handled things.

Decided things.

—

And somehow—

I didn't break.

—

A small smile touched my lips.

"…Look at me," I murmured softly.

—

Because somewhere between all this chaos—

I was becoming someone else.

—

Stronger.

—

And then—

My thoughts shifted.

—

To him.

—

Keifer.

—

My fingers paused over the file.

—

What I felt…

—

Wasn't fake.

—

That much I know now.

—

What I saw in his eyes—

—

Was real.

—

And that?

—

That made everything worse.

—

Because if it was real—

—

Then why did he hurt me like that?

—

My jaw tightened.

—

I'm still angry.

—

Still hurt.

—

But at least—

I'm not confused anymore.

—

A knock on the door pulled me back.

—

"Come in."

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Percy walked in.

—

Finally.

—

"Done being a corporate queen?" he smirked.

—

I rolled my eyes. "Barely."

—

He stretched slightly. "I'm back from London and you didn't even welcome me properly. Disrespect."

—

"Welcome back, annoying human."

—

"Much better."

—

I stood up, grabbing my bag.

—

"Mia?" I asked.

—

"Back to NYC. Exams."

—

I nodded.

—

"So it's just us."

—

He smirked. "The superior siblings."

—

I snorted. "Speak for yourself."

—

A pause.

—

Then—

"Let's go out," I said suddenly.

—

He blinked. "What?"

—

"Dinner. Outside. Fun. Normal people things."

—

He stared at me for a second—

Then grinned.

—

"Finally. My influence."

—

"Don't push it."

—

🚗 Drive

Percy got in the passenger seat.

—

"Of course I'm not driving," he said. "My face is too valuable."

—

I scoffed. "Your face is average at best."

—

"Excuse me? I'm incredibly handsome."

—

"Delusion is a disease."

—

He gasped dramatically. "Mia would never say that."

—

I smirked. "You miss her already?"

—

"Shut up."

—

"It's been like one day."

—

"Focus on driving."

—

"Aw, Percy misses Miaaa—"

—

"JAY."

—

I laughed.

—

God.

—

This felt normal.

—

Finally.

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🍽️ Restaurant

The place was luxurious.

Calm lighting.

Soft music.

—

We got seated.

—

Menus in hand.

—

I was just about to order—

—

And then—

—

They walked in.

—

Keifer.

—

And Luna.

—

Of course.

—

My expression didn't change.

—

But inside—

—

Something twisted.

—

Again.

—

Luna clung to him.

Smiling.

Too close.

—

I looked away.

—

Don't react.

—

Don't care.

—

But my fingers tightened slightly.

—

"Interesting," Percy muttered.

—

"Shut up."

—

They walked closer.

—

Luna smiled sweetly.

Too sweet.

—

"Why don't we share the table?" she suggested.

—

I looked at her.

Cold.

—

"No."

—

Simple.

—

Clear.

—

She tilted her head. "Oh? Or are you uncomfortable?"

—

My eyes narrowed slightly.

—

Percy leaned back, enjoying this.

—

I sighed softly.

—

"Fine," I said. "Sit."

—

Because I'm not running.

—

Not from her.

—

Or him.

—

They sat.

—

Me beside Percy.

—

Keifer in front of me.

—

Luna beside him.

—

Perfect.

—

🍴 Ordering — Unexpected Moment

Menus opened.

—

Silence.

—

Then—

—

"What are you getting?" Keifer asked casually.

—

I looked up.

—

"…Why?"

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"You still can't decide," he said lightly.

—

I frowned.

—

Excuse me?

—

Then he added—

"Seafood pasta. No mushrooms."

—

I froze.

—

He remembered.

—

I looked away quickly.

—

"I can decide myself."

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"Of course you can," he said softly.

—

But there was something in his tone.

—

Something familiar.

—

I hated it.

—

And liked it.

—

At the same time.

—

Annoying.

—

Food came.

—

We started eating.

—

Then—

Percy's phone rang.

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He frowned slightly.

—

"Work," he muttered.

—

He stood up.

—

"I'll handle it and come back."

—

I nodded.

—

But he didn't come back.

—

Because—

—

"I have to go," he said after a minute. "You book a cab."

—

"Wow. Great brother."

—

"Love you too."

—

And just like that—

—

He left.

—

Traitor.

—

Now it was—

—

Me.

Keifer.

Luna.

—

Great.

—

Luna leaned closer to Keifer.

—

"So Keifer, remember when—"

—

I cut in smoothly.

—

"Try not to suffocate him."

—

She froze slightly.

—

Excuse me?

—

I smiled sweetly.

—

"Clinging that much isn't attractive."

—

Percy would be proud.

—

Her expression tightened.

—

"Some people need attention," she said lightly.

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"And some people beg for it," I replied calmly.

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Silence.

—

She didn't speak again.

—

Good.

_

A few minutes later—

—

Keifer frowned.

—

"Luna, can you go check something outside? I think there's an issue with your driver."

—

She blinked. "What? No—"

—

"Go," he said firmly.

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She hesitated—

Then left.

—

I watched her go.

—

Then looked at him.

—

"…You lied."

—

He didn't deny it.

—

Instead—

He got up.

—

Walked around—

—

And sat beside me.

—

Too close.

—

"What are you doing?" I asked.

—

"Talking," he said simply.

—

Silence.

—

Then—

"I'm giving you space," he said quietly.

—

I blinked.

—

"…What?"

—

"I know I hurt you," he continued. "I'll do anything to make it right. But for now—I'm giving you space."

—

I stared at him.

—

Space?

—

Seriously?

—

Even now—

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He's not telling me the truth.

—

My thoughts ran—

—

Is he mad? Space? Seriously?

Even now he's not telling the real reason?

Maybe I should just pack him in a spaceship and send him to the moon instead of London.

—

Idiot.

—

Before I could say anything—

—

His hand moved.

—

Gently.

—

Tilting my chin.

—

And then—

—

He kissed me.

—

This time—

—

Slow.

Deep.

—

Not rushed.

Not desperate.

—

Intentional.

—

His hand held my face softly.

—

Like I was something fragile.

—

Something important.

—

My breath caught.

—

My fingers curled slightly into his shirt.

—

For a second—

—

I let it happen.

—

Because this—

—

This felt real.

—

Too real.

—

Too dangerous.

—

I pulled back.

—

Breathing uneven.

—

Eyes locked with his.

I didn't move.

—

Didn't speak.

—

Just looked at him.

—

My eyes—

Burning.

Wet.

—

Because no matter how strong I act—

—

This still hurts.

—

Him.

Us.

Everything.

—

He saw it.

—

Of course he did.

—

His hand lifted slowly—

Fingers brushing my cheek—

—

Soft.

Careful.

—

Like I might break.

—

And then—

—

He kissed me again.

—

Not rushed.

Not aggressive.

—

But intense.

Deep.

—

Like he was trying to fix something that was already broken.

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Like he was trying to make up for all those days.

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Like he didn't want this moment to end.

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His hand held me closer—

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And I…

—

I didn't stop him.

—

Because I missed this.

—

God…

I missed this.

—

His touch.

His warmth.

—

The way everything else disappears when he's this close.

—

My fingers gripped his shirt—

—

Pulling him closer without even realizing.

—

And slowly—

—

I melted.

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Into him.

—

Into this.

—

Into something I shouldn't be feeling again.

—

Time blurred.

—

Breath mixed.

—

Nothing else existed.

—

Until—

—

We finally pulled apart.

—

Both of us breathing heavy.

—

My chest rising fast.

—

His forehead almost touching mine.

—

And then—

—

I realized.

—

I wasn't sitting on my chair anymore.

—

I froze.

—

Looked down.

—

Then back at him.

—

I was—

—

On his lap.

—

My eyes widened.

—

His lips curved into that faint, dangerous smirk.

—

"Oh my—"

—

I stood up so fast—

—

I almost lost balance.

—

"Careful," he said, amused.

—

I quickly moved back to my seat—

—

Face burning.

—

Heat rushing everywhere.

—

God.

—

I was literally red.

—

Like a tomato.

—

He leaned back slightly—

Watching me—

—

That faint smile still there.

—

"I know you're angry with me, my queen," he said softly.

—

My heart skipped.

—

"But I'll make it up to you."

—

A pause.

—

"I'll make sure of it."

—

I looked away.

—

Because if I keep looking at him—

—

I might forget everything again.

—

And I can't.

—

I won't.

—

🚪 Then—

The door opened.

—

Luna walked in.

—

And stopped.

—

Completely.

—

Her eyes scanned the scene—

—

Me.

—

My lips—

Smudged.

—

My hair—

Slightly messy.

—

Him—

—

His shirt.

—

Wrinkled.

—

Lipstick marks faintly visible.

—

Not perfectly in place.

—

Her expression—

—

Shock.

—

Pure shock.

—

"What the—"

—

She looked between us.

—

Trying to process.

—

Trying to understand.

—

And I saw it.

—

That moment.

—

The perfect moment.

—

So I took it.

—

A slow smirk formed on my lips.

—

I leaned back slightly.

Calm.

Collected.

—

Then looked straight at her.

—

"Something wrong?" I asked casually.

—

Her jaw tightened.

—

"You—what happened here?"

—

I tilted my head slightly.

—

"Oh?" I said lightly. "Didn't he tell you?"

—

Her expression hardened.

—

"Tell me what?"

—

I glanced at Keifer for a second—

—

Then back at her.

—

"That you were just… filling time?"

—

Silence.

—

Her face fell slightly.

—

I smiled.

Sweet.

Deadly.

—

"Because last I checked," I added softly, "he doesn't forget what actually matters."

—

Keifer chuckled under his breath.

—

Low.

Amused.

—

I stood up slowly.

—

Fixing my dress.

—

Then walked past her—

—

Pausing just slightly beside her.

—

"Next time," I murmured, just enough for her to hear, "try not to hold onto something that was never yours."

—

And then—

—

I walked out.

—

Without looking back.

—

But I could still hear it—

—

Keifer's quiet laugh behind me.

🖤 Jay's POV — Outside the Restaurant

The cold night air hit me the moment I stepped out.

—

But it didn't calm anything.

—

My heartbeat was still uneven.

Breath still unsteady.

—

My fingers lifted unconsciously—

touching my lips.

—

Still warm.

—

Still… him.

—

I clenched my hand into a fist immediately.

—

No.

—

Not again.

—

I started walking fast.

Heels clicking against the pavement.

—

Away.

—

From him.

From that moment.

—

From myself.

—

"Jay."

—

I froze.

—

That voice.

—

I turned.

—

Jass.

—

Standing near the car.

—

Hands in his pockets.

Eyes on me.

—

Sharp.

Observing.

—

My heart dropped.

—

Why now?

—

He walked closer.

Slow.

Measured.

—

And then—

he stopped right in front of me.

—

His gaze didn't leave my face.

—

Not my eyes.

—

My lips.

My hair.

—

Everything.

—

His jaw tightened.

—

"…What happened?" he asked quietly.

—

I looked away immediately.

—

"Nothing."

—

Lie.

—

"Jay."

—

That tone.

—

I hate that tone.

—

"I said nothing."

—

He stepped closer.

—

Too close.

—

His fingers caught my wrist.

Firm.

—

"Don't lie to me."

—

I pulled slightly.

"Leave it, Jass."

—

"Did he touch you?"

—

Silence.

—

Wrong question.

—

Very wrong question.

—

I looked up at him.

Eyes sharp.

—

"Don't do this."

—

But it was too late.

—

Because—

—

Footsteps behind us.

—

Slow.

Steady.

—

I didn't have to turn to know.

—

Keifer.

—

Of course.

—

Jass's grip tightened slightly.

—

"Perfect," he muttered under his breath.

—

I closed my eyes for a second.

—

Not this.

—

Not here.

—

Not again.

—

Keifer stopped a few steps away.

—

His gaze moved from Jass's hand on my wrist—

—

To my face.

—

Then—

—

Lower.

—

To my lips.

—

A flicker of something passed through his eyes.

—

Possessiveness.

—

Dangerous.

—

"Let go of her," Keifer said calmly.

—

Jass let out a short laugh.

—

"Or what?"

—

The air shifted instantly.

—

Cold.

Sharp.

—

I pulled my hand free.

Hard.

—

"Enough."

—

Both of them looked at me.

—

Good.

—

Because I'm done.

—

"I'm not doing this again," I said, voice steady.

—

Silence.

—

"I'm not some prize you fight over."

—

My gaze moved from one to the other.

—

Sharp.

Clear.

—

"You don't get to decide anything for me."

—

Jass's expression changed slightly.

—

Keifer went still.

—

Good.

—

Because they needed to hear this.

—

"Whatever problem you both have," I continued, "keep me out of it."

—

My voice didn't shake.

—

Not this time.

—

Because I meant every word.

—

I stepped back.

—

Creating distance.

—

From both of them.

—

"I'll go home myself."

—

No waiting.

No asking.

—

No depending.

—

I turned.

—

And started walking.

—

Heels hitting the ground harder this time.

—

Stronger.

—

I didn't look back.

—

Even though I could feel it—

—

Both their eyes on me.

—

Burning.

—

Conflicting.

—

Possessive in their own ways.

—

But this time—

—

I didn't stop.

—

Because for once—

—

I chose myself.

🖤 Keifer's POV

She walked away.

—

Didn't look back.

—

Didn't hesitate.

—

And that—

—

That hit harder than anything.

—

My eyes stayed on her retreating figure until she disappeared into the night.

—

My jaw clenched.

—

Because for the first time—

—

I wasn't the one in control.

—

I wasn't the one she chose.

—

And I hated that.

—

"She's changed."

—

Jason's voice.

—

Calm.

But laced with something sharp.

—

I looked at him slowly.

—

Cold.

—

"She had to," I said. "After what you did."

—

A smirk touched his lips.

—

"What I did?"

—

A pause.

—

"That's funny. Because from what I just saw—" his eyes flickered toward the door she left from, "—you're not exactly innocent either."

—

My fist clenched.

—

"You don't get to talk about innocence," I said quietly.

—

He stepped closer.

—

"And you don't get to act like you care."

—

That did it.

—

My fist moved before I could think—

—

Straight into his jaw.

—

The impact echoed.

—

He staggered slightly—

—

Then laughed.

—

Actually laughed.

—

"Finally," he muttered, wiping the corner of his lip.

—

And then—

—

He punched back.

—

Hard.

—

I took it.

—

Barely moved.

—

Then grabbed his collar—

—

Pulled him forward.

—

"She's not yours," I said through clenched teeth.

—

His grip tightened on mine.

—

"She never was yours to break."

—

Silence.

—

Heavy.

—

Dangerous.

—

"She kissed me back," I said lowly.

—

Wrong move.

—

His expression darkened instantly.

—

"And yet," he said, voice dropping, "she walked away from you."

—

That hit.

—

But I didn't show it.

—

I don't.

—

I won't.

—

"You think staying away makes you noble?" I shot back. "You left her. Disappeared. And now you're back acting like you can fix everything?"

—

His eyes hardened.

—

"I left for a reason."

—

"Then explain it."

—

"I don't owe you anything."

—

A humorless laugh escaped me.

—

"No," I said. "You owe her everything."

—

That shut him up for a second.

—

Good.

—

Because I wasn't done.

—

"You think you're protecting her?" I continued. "By staying close? By playing this perfect role?"

—

I stepped closer.

—

"People like us don't protect. We destroy."

—

His jaw tightened.

—

"Speak for yourself."

—

"I am," I said. "And you."

—

Silence again.

—

The tension between us—

—

Unresolved.

—

Burning.

—

"She's still looking at me," I added quietly.

—

His eyes snapped to mine.

—

"She still feels it."

—

A beat.

—

"And that scares you."

—

His fist tightened—

—

But he didn't swing this time.

—

Smart.

—

"Careful," he said slowly. "Don't confuse what she feels… with what she'll choose."

—

I smirked slightly.

—

"We'll see."

—

A pause.

—

Then he stepped back.

—

Adjusting his jacket like nothing happened.

—

"Stay away from her," he said finally.

—

Not a threat.

—

A warning.

—

I tilted my head slightly.

—

"Make me."

—

Our eyes locked one last time.

—

War.

—

Not loud.

—

Not obvious.

—

But real.

—

And just beginning.

—

Because this was never about ego.

—

Or rivalry.

—

It was about her.

—

And neither of us—

—

Was ready to lose.

A/N: guys can anyone help me with the book cover..if any then pls comment

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