✨️ CHAPTER 1 — "THE PROPOSAL DINNER" ✨️
💗 Jay's POV 💗
The clinking of cutlery and the low murmur of polite conversation filled the Watson mansion's grand dining hall. Gold chandeliers shimmered above the long mahogany table, reflecting against crystal glasses and perfectly folded napkins.
I sat there in my pastel pink dress, pretending to listen, pretending to smile, pretending that my heart wasn't suffocating under all this "perfect."
My parents sat across from me, looking way too happy — like this dinner was the final scene of some fairytale ending they'd been planning for years.
And beside me?
Keifer Watson. The man I'd met twice. Once at a business gala. Once at a board meeting. That's it. Two handshakes, one spilled coffee, and now… a wedding proposal.
(Oh great, life. You're doing that plot twist thing again 🙃💔)
"Both families have known each other for so long," Mr. Watson said with a proud smile. "It only feels natural that our partnership extends to the next generation."
My dad chuckled. "Exactly! What's better than joining business and family? A perfect alliance."
And there it was — the word I hated. Alliance.
I wasn't a company. I wasn't an investment. I was just… me.
I sipped my water to hide my sigh. Keifer sat composed beside me, wearing a black suit that probably cost more than my car, his watch glinting under the light. His jawline was sharp, his posture perfect. He looked like he belonged here — confident, calm, unreadable.
And me? I just wanted to vanish into the marble floor.
Mrs. Watson leaned forward with that warm, motherly smile. "Jay dear, you and Keifer will get along beautifully. You'll see. Love comes after marriage sometimes — and that kind lasts forever."
I froze.
Love.
That word again.
I felt something twist inside me — not butterflies, not warmth, but the ache of old memories.
Not after him.
Not after James Style.
My fingers tightened around my glass. I forced a polite smile, but my chest felt heavy.
(They don't know what love did to me. They don't know how hard I tried, how much I gave, how much it hurt.)
"I—uh, excuse me," I muttered quickly, pushing my chair back. "I just need some air."
My mom's eyebrows lifted, a small frown forming. "Jay?"
"I'm fine, Mom," I lied softly. "Just a little dizzy."
I stood, straightened my dress, and walked toward the terrace doors before anyone could stop me.
The night air was cool, brushing against my cheeks like comfort. The stars were scattered across the sky — too bright for how heavy I felt.
I leaned on the railing, arms folded, staring out into the Watsons' garden lit with fairy lights. It was beautiful, like something out of a movie… but my heart wasn't in it.
Marriage. Love. Promises.
All words that used to make me smile once — until James happened.
He'd promised forever too. And forever had turned into a nightmare I couldn't wake from.
So no. I didn't believe in love. Not anymore.
---
🖤 Keifer's POV 🖤
From my seat at the dinner table, I watched her walk out.
Jay Mariano. The same girl who once spilled coffee all over my Armani suit and then muttered, "Maybe you deserved it" under her breath.
Yeah. That girl.
Now, apparently… my fiancée.
I tried not to laugh at the irony.
Mr. Mariano and my dad were still talking — about mergers, exports, strategies — but my eyes stayed fixed on the terrace door she'd just disappeared through.
(She's not like the others, is she?)
Jay didn't giggle, didn't flirt, didn't try to impress anyone. She looked… tired. Guarded. Like she'd built walls so high even her own smile couldn't climb over them anymore.
And when Mrs. Watson mentioned love, the way she flinched — I noticed.
Every bit of it.
"Keifer," my mom said softly, drawing my attention back. "Go check on her, dear. She must be nervous."
I blinked. "Me?"
"Of course. You'll have to get used to comforting your fiancée, hmm?" she teased with a wink.
I sighed, but my chest warmed a little. "Alright."
I got up, buttoning my blazer, and headed toward the terrace.
The cool air hit me, and there she was — standing under the faint moonlight, her hair moving with the breeze, her eyes lost somewhere far away.
"Running away from your own engagement dinner?" I asked lightly, leaning against the railing beside her.
She turned, startled, then sighed. "More like escaping the word 'love' before it suffocates me."
I raised a brow. "You don't believe in love?"
She looked at me, eyes deep and unreadable. "Not anymore. It's… overrated."
I smiled faintly. "Strong words from someone wearing pink."
She glared. "Don't stereotype me, Mr. Watson."
"Keifer," I corrected softly. "If we're supposed to get married, you might as well call me by my name."
She looked away. "If we're supposed to," she repeated under her breath, her voice low.
Silence. Only the sound of wind and the faint music from inside.
"You really don't want this, do you?" I asked finally.
Her lips parted, then closed again. "It's not that. It's just… I don't want to be someone's responsibility. Or business deal. I've been hurt before. And I'm not ready to pretend it never happened."
Her voice cracked just a little — enough for me to notice.
(Who hurt you, Jay?)
(And why do I suddenly want to be the one who makes it right?)
I turned toward her, softer now. "You know… I didn't want this either."
That made her look up, surprised.
"I came here thinking it was another boring business dinner," I said with a faint chuckle. "Then they dropped the 'marriage alliance' bomb, and well… here we are."
Her lips twitched — almost a smile. "At least you're honest."
"I try."
We stood there for a while, neither of us speaking. Just silence, stars, and the weight of a decision neither of us made.
But when she finally turned to go back inside, her eyes met mine for a moment — soft, curious, uncertain.
And maybe… just maybe…
that's where it began.
---
💗 Jay's POV 💗
When I walked back in, everyone smiled like nothing had happened. The announcement came soon after — my parents and the Watsons raising their glasses, sealing the deal, talking about engagement dates and wedding planners.
I smiled, nodded, played the part.
But inside?
My heart whispered, You can't fall again.
And yet, when Keifer's eyes met mine across the room — calm, steady, and somehow understanding — something deep inside me whispered back…
What if this time, it's different? 💞
---
✨ Keifer's POV ✨
Everyone clapped, laughed, and celebrated. The "alliance" was official now. But as I watched Jay fake her smile, I knew she wasn't fine.
And for reasons I couldn't explain, I wanted to be the one to change that.
To show her that maybe love doesn't always break — sometimes it rebuilds.
(Yeah, Keifer Watson, you're already falling for the girl who doesn't believe in love. Great start 😅💘)