Jay POV — A Quiet Corner
I stepped away.
Far enough from the noise.
Far enough from the eyes.
A quiet corner near one of the tall windows, where London lights flickered outside like distant stars.
My fingers tightened slightly around my clutch.
He said no.
Not just no—
Immediate no.
To a Mariano alliance.
To power people would kill for.
To something that could make him untouchable.
For a moment, I just stood there, replaying it.
"I'm not doing this."
A slow breath left me.
"…He really rejected that."
Something warm—unexpected—settled in my chest.
Because that wasn't strategic.
That wasn't calculated.
That was real.
And it hit me harder than it should have.
"I'm actually… touched," I whispered under my breath, almost amused at myself.
Then—
I paused.
Wait.
My brows furrowed slightly.
"…He rejected a Mariano for me?"
A small, disbelieving laugh escaped me.
"Like… seriously?"
I shook my head slightly.
"That's insane."
Another beat.
And then it hit—
Wait.
I blinked.
"…He rejected me… for me?"
I stared ahead, processing that properly now.
Wow.
That was new.
Unexpected.
And annoyingly… impressive.
A faint smile formed.
Then faded just as quickly.
"No," I murmured, straightening slightly.
Don't get carried away.
"He doesn't deserve that reaction."
My expression hardened just a little.
"Not yet."
Because no matter what he did tonight—
It didn't erase everything.
It didn't fix everything.
"He'll have to earn it," I said quietly. "My trust. My forgiveness."
And until then—
Nothing changes.
---
Keifer POV — With the Marianos
"I didn't mean any disrespect."
My voice was steady.
Controlled.
Mr. Mariano watched me carefully.
Mrs. Mariano too.
They weren't people you lied to.
So I didn't.
"I understand what that proposal meant," I continued. "And what it offers."
Power.
Protection.
Control.
Everything my world runs on.
"But I can't accept it."
A pause.
Then—
"I love someone else."
Silence.
Not shocked.
Just… observant.
"And she's waiting for me," I added.
That felt right.
Even if she wasn't actually waiting.
Even if she was standing across the room pretending none of this affected her.
My jaw tightened slightly.
"Well," I exhaled lightly, a faint, almost amused edge to my voice, "looks like she's challenging me instead."
Mrs. Mariano's lips curved just slightly.
Like she understood more than I said.
Mr. Mariano nodded once.
No pressure.
No offense taken.
Just—
Noted.
"Then don't lose her," he said calmly.
I didn't reply.
Because I wasn't planning to.
---
Jay POV — Corner (with Jass)
"Okay," Jass said, walking up with two drinks, handing me one. "You disappeared. Suspicious."
"I needed a break."
"From me?"
"Yes."
"Rude."
I smiled slightly.
He watched me for a second.
"You look… different."
"How?"
"Like you're thinking too much."
I exhaled softly. "Maybe I am."
He leaned casually against the wall beside me.
"Want to share? Or should I just assume it's about him and be jealous in peace?"
I let out a small laugh.
"There it is," he pointed. "That laugh. I missed that."
"You're dramatic."
"And you like it."
"…Maybe."
We talked.
Nothing serious.
Random things.
Old memories.
Light teasing.
And for a moment—
I relaxed.
Actually relaxed.
And I laughed.
Freely.
---
Keifer POV
I saw it.
From across the room.
Her.
Laughing.
With him.
Something inside me tightened.
Sharp.
Uncomfortable.
Because that laugh—
I knew it.
And it wasn't mine right now.
My jaw clenched.
He leaned closer.
She didn't move away.
That was enough.
---
Jay POV
Jass got pulled away by someone.
"Don't go anywhere," he said.
"I wasn't planning to."
He left.
And for a second—
It was quiet again.
Then—
A hand caught my wrist.
Firm.
Sudden.
Before I could react—
I was pulled.
Fast.
Through a hallway.
Into a room.
The door shut behind us.
---
I turned—
And there he was.
Keifer.
Close.
Too close.
"What are you doing?" I snapped, pulling my hand slightly. "Are you—"
"What do you think you're doing?" he cut in.
His voice wasn't loud.
But it was intense.
Controlled anger.
I stilled.
"What?"
"With him," he said, jaw tight. "Laughing. Like nothing matters."
My brows furrowed.
"And?"
"And you think you can just—move on like that?"
Something in his tone made me step closer instead of back.
"Move on?" I repeated slowly.
"Yes."
A small, incredulous laugh left me.
"You really think this is about moving on?"
"Then what is it?" he shot back.
Silence.
A charged one.
Heavy.
"You don't get to question that," I said quietly. "Not after everything."
His expression shifted.
Not softer.
But deeper.
"Then give me something to understand," he said, lower now.
And for a second—
It wasn't anger.
It was something else.
Something real.
---
The distance between us?
Gone.
Completely.
I could feel his breath.
His presence.
Everything.
"You're not easy," he said.
"I'm not supposed to be."
"Good."
A pause.
Then—
his hand lifted, brushing lightly against my jaw—not rough, not forceful—just enough to make my breath catch.
"Because I'm not letting this go."
My heart skipped.
Not because of the words—
But because of how he said them.
---
I didn't step away.
Neither did he.
And the tension—
It snapped.
Not into chaos.
But into something intense.
Close.
Unavoidable.
His forehead nearly touched mine.
"Jay…" he murmured.
And that was it.
That was enough.
---
Because whatever this was—
It wasn't over.
Not even close.
Jay POV — Private Room
The air felt different here.
Closed.
Heavy.
Like the world outside didn't exist anymore.
He was still standing close.
Too close.
And I hadn't stepped away.
That said everything.
His eyes searched mine—like he was trying to find something… or confirm something he already knew.
"Jay…" his voice dropped, rougher now.
I didn't look away.
Not this time.
Not after everything.
Not after tonight.
"You don't get to act like I don't matter," he said quietly, intensity cutting through every word.
"I never said you didn't," I replied, just as steady.
"Then why does it feel like you're slipping away?"
A pause.
A real one.
Because this—
This wasn't a game anymore.
"I'm not slipping away," I said softly.
"Then what are you doing?" he asked.
I stepped closer.
Deliberately.
Closing whatever distance was left.
"Making you earn it."
His jaw tightened slightly.
But his eyes—
His eyes softened just enough.
"Good," he murmured. "Because I will."
Silence fell again.
But it wasn't empty.
It was charged.
Alive.
His hand lifted slowly, not forcing—just asking.
I didn't stop him.
His fingers brushed lightly against my cheek, warm, grounding.
My breath hitched.
And I didn't hide it.
His forehead lowered, almost touching mine.
"So stop pretending," he whispered. "You feel this too."
I closed my eyes for a second.
Then opened them.
"I never stopped," I said.
That was it.
That was all it took.
Something in him shifted completely.
His control—
Gone.
Not recklessly.
But finally.
Honestly.
"You're mine," he said, low, certain—not as a command, but as something he felt.
I held his gaze.
And instead of pulling away—
I stepped even closer.
"And you're mine," I replied.
No hesitation.
No doubt.
Just truth.
His hand moved from my jaw to the back of my neck, pulling me in—
Not forceful.
Not rushed.
But intense.
Certain.
And when our lips met—
It wasn't soft.
It wasn't hesitant.
It was everything we hadn't said.
Frustration.
Longing.
Tension that had been building for too long.
I kissed him back just as strongly, just as willingly.
No resistance.
No confusion.
Only choice.
His grip tightened slightly—not to control, but to hold, like he didn't want this moment to break.
Like he'd waited for it.
Like we both had.
Time blurred.
The world outside disappeared completely.
It was just us—
Finally not pretending.
Finally not holding back.
And for the first time tonight—
Nothing felt uncertain.
Because whatever this was—
It wasn't temporary.
And it definitely wasn't over.
Jay POV — Next Morning, Mariano Mansion
I woke up to silence.
Not the empty kind.
The peaceful kind.
Soft sunlight filtered through sheer curtains, painting the room in warm gold. The ceiling above me wasn't just high—it was grand, carved with delicate designs that spoke of history, power… home.
My home.
Well—
Their home.
My grandparents'.
A small smile touched my lips as I sat up slowly, letting the sheets fall around me.
They had insisted.
No—requested.
Actually… no.
They emotionally blackmailed me into staying.
And how was I supposed to say no?
…Well, I could have.
But—
"My grandpa really spoiled me," I murmured under my breath, a soft laugh escaping.
And my grandma?
I shook my head, smiling wider now.
"She's unbelievable."
She wasn't like those typical old grandmothers.
No.
She was elegance, fashion, grace—everything in perfect balance.
Her wardrobe alone?
Better than mine.
Way better.
Designer dresses, perfectly curated accessories, heels that looked like art, jewelry collections that could probably start wars.
And the way she carried them?
Effortless.
"I swear she has more fashion sense than me," I whispered, glancing at the wardrobe in this room—clearly arranged by her.
Everything was perfect.
Too perfect.
The smile on my lips slowly faded.
A tear slipped down my cheek before I even realized it.
"I wish…" my voice softened, breaking slightly, "…mom and dad were here."
My fingers tightened into the bedsheet.
"We would've been a perfect family…"
Silence filled the room again.
But this time—
It hurt.
"Victoria…"
The name left my lips like poison.
"My so-called aunt."
My jaw tightened.
"She killed them."
For power.
For money.
For the Mariano Empire.
I let out a bitter breath.
"How can someone be so cold…?"
My voice cracked slightly.
"To kill your own brother… and his wife…"
My nails pressed into my palm.
"She doesn't even deserve to be called my aunt."
Silence.
Heavy.
Dangerous.
But my eyes hardened.
"Once I receive my inheritance…"
A pause.
A promise.
"I'll make sure she pays."
---
The door opened softly.
I wiped my tears quickly, turning slightly.
"Jay, my princess—"
Grandpa.
I instantly straightened.
"Grandpa," I smiled lightly, as if nothing had happened.
But of course—
He noticed.
He always did.
He walked closer, eyes scanning my face, concern immediately replacing his usual warmth.
"My little princess… you look so thin," he said, gently holding my face. "Don't you eat properly there? Is Percy not taking care of you nicely?"
I shook my head quickly.
"No, Grandpa—it's nothing like that."
His expression didn't soften.
"Just tell me once," he continued, voice firm now, "I'll make sure he learns his responsibility. My granddaughter won't be neglected."
I smiled, placing my hand over his.
"Kuya Percy takes perfect care of me," I said softly. "He even took me away from all this… from the mansion… to his apartment."
Grandpa paused.
Listening.
"He's working really hard," I continued. "Managing the business… handling everything… he's being very responsible."
His expression finally eased.
"…Good," he nodded slowly.
Then sighed.
"I wish I could help more there," he murmured. "But you know your aunt… she keeps playing her tricks here. If I'm not here, she might try something."
My eyes softened.
"It's okay, Grandpa," I reassured him. "We're doing fine there."
He looked at me for a moment longer.
Then smiled.
"Alright."
His tone shifted instantly.
"Now," he clapped lightly, "lunch is ready."
I blinked.
"Lunch?"
"You didn't even eat breakfast!" he scolded gently. "Come downstairs. I made all your favorite dishes."
My eyes widened.
"You cooked?"
"Of course," he said proudly.
A genuine smile spread across my face.
"Oh my God, Grandpa, I'm so excited," I laughed softly. "I missed your food so much."
He chuckled.
"I know, anak."
Then pointed toward the door.
"Come fast."
"Okay, okay," I nodded. "I'll be there in a few minutes."
"Don't take too long," he warned playfully.
"I won't."
He left.
And the room fell silent again.
---
I stood there for a moment.
Then walked toward the mirror.
But before I could move further—
My phone rang.
I glanced at the screen.
And my expression shifted instantly.
A small smile formed.
"The best detective in london…Mr. Carlo" I murmured.
If there was one person who could find anything—
It was him.
And right now—
I needed answers.
I picked up the call.
Because last night—
Didn't make sense.
At all.
I leaned against the table slightly, my mind replaying everything.
"I asked him to look into Keifer…" I whispered to myself.
Because something was wrong.
Very wrong.
"He pulled me into a room…"
My fingers tightened around the phone.
"Kissed me like—"
I stopped.
Exhaled.
"And then suddenly… he just left when he heard his relatives outside."
Confusion flickered again.
"I don't understand him."
My voice dropped softer.
"Why is he behaving like this…?"
The call connected.
And I straightened slightly.
Because whatever this was—
I was about to find out.