Keifer POV
11:58 PM.
I shouldn't be waiting like this.
And yet… here I am.
Eyes fixed on my phone, like it owes me something. Like she owes me something.
Jay.
Two minutes.
Just two minutes and I'll know.
My jaw tightened as I leaned forward, elbows on my knees, phone in my hands. I didn't blink. Didn't move.
If she remembers… she'll wish me.
If she doesn't—
No. I wasn't even going to finish that thought.
11:59.
The silence in the room felt heavier now. My leg bounced impatiently, my thumb tapping against the side of the phone.
Why does this even matter so much?
Because it's her.
The clock turned 12:00.
I stared.
Nothing.
A hollow feeling crept into my chest, slow and irritating.
Of course.
I let out a quiet scoff, leaning back, running a hand through my hair. "Forget it," I muttered.
The phone buzzed.
I stilled.
For a second, I didn't move. Then I picked it up quickly.
Unknown number.
My brows furrowed.
Not her.
Then who?
A strange tension built in my chest as I stared at the screen. My thumb hovered for a moment before I finally answered.
"…Hello?"
Silence.
Then—
"Happy birthday, Keifer."
My breath hitched.
That voice.
I sat up instantly, something sharp and certain settling in my chest.
"Jay."
There was no hesitation. No doubt.
I knew her.
I always would.
A faint smile tugged at my lips, something darker underneath it.
Of course she remembered.
Of course she called.
"Nice," I said quietly, voice low, controlled. "Didn't think you would call."
A small pause.
I could almost picture her on the other side—thinking, hesitating, the way she always does.
My grip on the phone tightened slightly, and before I could stop myself, the words slipped out—
"Won't you give me a gift?"
Silence.
Then her voice, softer, cautious—
"What do you want?"
My smile deepened, slow and deliberate.
There was only one answer.
"You."
The word came out steady. Certain.
"I want you on my birthday."
A pause followed.
Long enough to make anyone unsure.
But not me.
Because I knew her.
I leaned back slightly, waiting.
Then she spoke.
"Maybe you can get…" she said slowly, like she was choosing every word, "you never know what's waiting for you in the future."
My brows furrowed slightly.
Future?
What was that supposed to mean?
A faint frown formed as I straightened.
"You're talking like—"
The line went dead.
I pulled the phone away, staring at the screen.
Call ended.
For a moment, I just sat there, processing.
Then it hit me.
London.
I'm in London.
And she's in the Philippines.
So what was that supposed to mean?
My jaw tightened, eyes darkening slightly as I leaned back, phone still in my hand.
A slow, dangerous smirk formed on my lips.
"Future, huh…"
You think distance changes anything?
You think I'll just sit here and let you slip away?
My grip on the phone tightened.
Not happening.
Not when you just told me there's something waiting.
Not when you are still on the other side of that line.
Whatever she meant—
I'll find out.
And when I do…
She won't be going anywhere.
Jay POV
11:57 PM.
I shouldn't call.
I repeated it again in my head, like saying it enough times would actually make me believe it.
Don't call him, Jay.
I stared at the phone in my hand. His number sat there, untouched. One tap away.
No.
I locked the screen.
Turned it over.
Sat still.
A whole minute passed.
Then I flipped it back again.
11:58.
My heart was beating faster than it should. This was stupid. It was just a wish.
Just a "happy birthday."
So why did it feel like so much more?
Because it's him.
I pressed my lips together, shaking my head slightly. "No," I whispered. "You're not doing this."
I couldn't call him.
Not from my number.
Not like everything was normal.
Not like we were normal.
My fingers moved before my mind could stop them—I picked up another phone.
Different number.
Unknown.
Safer.
At least that's what I told myself.
11:59.
I stared at the call button.
Don't.
Call.
Him.
The clock turned 12:00.
My breath caught.
Before I could overthink it—
I pressed call.
The ringing started.
Each second stretched painfully.
What if he doesn't pick up?
What if he does?
The line clicked.
"…Hello?"
My heart skipped.
I almost hung up.
Almost.
But then—
"Happy birthday, Keifer."
My voice came out softer than I expected. Careful. Controlled.
Silence.
Then—
"Jay."
My breath hitched.
He knew.
Of course he knew.
A small, invisible smile touched my lips, but it didn't reach my eyes.
I stayed quiet.
"Nice," he said, his voice low, familiar in a way that made something twist inside me. "Didn't think you would call."
I looked down, fingers tightening slightly around the phone.
I didn't want to call.
But I did.
Before I could say anything—
"Won't you give me a gift?"
I froze.
Of course he would say that.
Of course he'd make this harder.
I swallowed lightly.
"What do you want?"
Silence for a second.
Then—
"You."
My breath stopped.
"I want you on my birthday."
My grip on the phone tightened.
There it was.
Him.
The same.
Direct. Certain. Like nothing ever changed.
Like I never changed.
A hundred thoughts ran through my head at once. Distance. Reality. Everything that stood between us.
London.
Philippines.
Us.
I closed my eyes for a brief second.
Then opened them.
"Maybe you can get…" I said slowly, keeping my voice steady, "you never know what's waiting for you in the future."
I didn't explain.
I couldn't.
Not yet.
Not like this.
There was a pause on the other side, like he was about to question it, to push further—
I cut the call.
Silence filled the room instantly.
I lowered the phone slowly, staring at the blank screen.
My heart was still racing.
"You never know…" I whispered to myself.
A faint, unreadable smile crossed my lips.
London.
Philippines.
Distance doesn't mean impossibility.
And the future?
The future was closer than he thought.
Jay POV — Morning, London
Sunlight didn't just enter the room—it claimed it.
Golden light spilled through the floor-to-ceiling windows, stretching across the marble floor, climbing the walls, touching everything like it belonged to this place.
I stood there for a moment, still.
Barefoot. Quiet.
Looking at London.
It felt strange… being this close.
Same city.
Same air.
Same morning.
And somewhere out there—
Him.
My fingers tightened slightly at my sides.
"I want you on my birthday."
I shut my eyes for a second.
Then opened them.
Focus, Jay.
Today wasn't about getting lost in him.
Today was his birthday.
And not just any birthday—
His 18th.
A grand party. A royal-level gathering.
And I was walking straight into it.
A soft exhale left me.
"Perfect," I whispered.
Because chaos?
Was exactly what I was bringing.
—
The door suddenly swung open without warning.
"GOOD MORNING, LONDON'S MOST DANGEROUS WOMAN."
I didn't even turn.
"Get out, Jass."
"Nope," he said, walking in like this was his room, not mine. "Because something feels illegal."
I raised a brow, still facing the window. "Illegal?"
"Yes," he nodded seriously, coming to stand beside me. "You being quiet. Suspicious. Criminal behavior."
I turned to look at him slowly.
"You woke up and chose nonsense."
"I wake up and choose you," he corrected smoothly.
I rolled my eyes.
"Hopeless."
"Still here though," he grinned.
He walked around me, observing too closely.
"Hmm…" he hummed, narrowing his eyes. "You called him."
I froze.
Just for a second.
That was enough.
"I KNEW IT," he gasped dramatically. "Midnight call? Secret number? Wow. My ex is out here doing undercover romance."
"Jass."
"Yes, love?"
"Stop talking."
He placed a hand on his chest like I'd stabbed him. "You wound me."
I grabbed a pillow and threw it at him.
He caught it easily.
"Violent too?" he smirked. "This is getting interesting."
I turned away, hiding the small smile that slipped out.
He always did this.
Annoyed me into feeling… lighter.
Even when I didn't want to.
—
"Anyway," he clapped once, shifting gears instantly. "We have a birthday party to attend."
My expression stilled slightly.
He noticed.
"Ah," he tilted his head, watching me. "Right. That party."
I didn't respond.
He stepped closer.
"Relax," he said, softer now. "You're not going there for him."
I looked at him.
A faint smile curved my lips.
"No," I said calmly. "I'm going there because of him."
Something flickered in his eyes.
But he covered it quickly.
"Good," he said lightly. "Because I plan to steal all your attention anyway."
"Try."
"Oh, I will."
—
Getting Ready
The dresses were laid out on the bed.
Black.
Both of them.
But completely different stories.
I walked closer slowly.
The first one—
Structured. Bold. A halter neckline that framed the shoulders sharply. The fabric clung like control itself, defining every line, every curve. Minimal… but commanding.
The second—
Softer. Thinner straps. A sleek, flowing silhouette that moved with every step. Less rigid, more fluid. Effortless… but no less dangerous.
Jass leaned against the wall, watching me.
"Option one," he said, pointing, "you look like you'll ruin someone's life and not apologize."
I glanced at him.
"Option two," he continued, "you look like you'll ruin someone's life… and make them thank you for it."
A small smirk formed.
"Both accurate."
"Exactly," he nodded. "Proud of you."
I reached out.
Picked up the second dress.
The softer one.
Because tonight—
I didn't need to look aggressive.
I needed to look unforgettable.
—
I stepped into the dress slowly, pulling it up, adjusting it carefully.
The fabric settled against my skin like it belonged there.
Smooth.
Black.
Perfect.
It hugged where it needed to… flowed where it wanted.
I turned slightly in front of the mirror.
Elegant.
Dangerous.
Controlled.
"Wow," Jass said behind me.
I met his eyes through the reflection.
For once—
No jokes.
"You look…" he paused, searching, "…like trouble."
I tilted my head slightly.
"I am."
—
Accessories followed.
Gold.
Always gold.
A delicate bracelet around my wrist.
A thin necklace resting against my collarbone.
Simple.
Precise.
Every piece chosen with intention.
I slipped into the heels.
Black.
Sharp.
The moment I stood—
Everything changed.
Posture.
Presence.
Power.
—
Jass walked closer, slower this time.
No teasing.
No jokes.
Just watching.
"You know," he said quietly, "I've seen you a lot of times…"
I didn't respond.
"But not like this."
I turned slightly.
"How?"
"Like you already own the place you haven't even entered yet."
A faint smile touched my lips.
"Maybe I do."
—
I picked up the perfume.
Soft.
Expensive.
Familiar.
A single spray at my neck.
Another at my wrist.
The scent lingered in the air.
Final touch.
I looked at myself one last time.
And for a second—
Just a second—
I saw it.
Not just confidence.
Not just control.
But something else.
Something waiting.
"You never know what's waiting for you in the future…"
My fingers curled slightly.
Because tonight—
That future…
Wasn't far.
—
"Ready?" Jass asked.
I grabbed my clutch.
Turned toward the door.
"Let's go."
—
The Walk Out
The hallway outside was silent.
Luxury wrapped around everything.
Soft carpets under heels.
Golden lighting above.
Every step echoed softly.
Jass walked beside me.
Too close.
On purpose.
"Stay near me," he said casually.
I glanced at him.
"Why?"
He smirked.
"Because your ex is still trying to win you back."
I raised a brow.
"And?"
"And I don't like competition."
A soft laugh left me.
"You already lost once."
"Correction," he said smoothly, leaning closer, "I left."
"Sure."
"I'm serious," he added, voice dropping slightly. "I'm not losing again."
I didn't reply.
But I didn't move away either.
—
The Elevator
The doors closed.
Silence filled the space.
Jass leaned against the wall, watching me openly.
"You're thinking about him again."
I kept my eyes forward.
"…Maybe."
He exhaled through his nose.
"Of course you are."
I finally looked at him.
"And you're still here."
He smiled faintly.
"Yeah," he said. "Because I don't give up that easily."
—
The Drive
The car was waiting.
Black.
Sleek.
Expensive.
Jass opened the door for me.
I stepped in without a word.
He followed.
The city moved outside the window.
London in motion.
But my mind wasn't there.
It was somewhere else.
Midnight.
A voice.
"You."
My grip tightened slightly on my clutch.
"Still thinking?" Jass asked quietly.
I didn't answer.
He leaned back, sighing softly.
"This guy…"
I looked at him.
"…better be worth it."
A small pause.
Then—
"He is."
Jass looked at me for a second longer.
Then nodded once.
"Then I guess I'll just have to be better."
I almost smiled.
—
Arrival — Waston Mansion
The car slowed.
Then stopped.
I looked up.
And for a moment—
Even I stilled.
It wasn't just a mansion.
It was a statement.
Massive gates.
Stone walls rising high like they were built to intimidate.
Lights glowing across every surface.
It looked like something out of history—
A castle.
Old money.
Royal blood.
Power.
The Waston family didn't just host parties.
They ruled them.
Jass stepped out first.
Then turned, offering his hand.
I took it.
Stepped out.
And the moment my heels touched the ground—
Everything shifted.
Because tonight—
This wasn't just his 18th birthday.
This was the moment everything changes.
And I had just arrived.
📜 Which dress would you choose for jay? Option A
Or
Option B
(Picture in comment section)