The car ride home was calm, filled with quiet laughter and small talk.
Ci-N was making fun of Adrian's "royal mansion," while Yuri kept insisting that the kitchen alone looked like a five-star restaurant.
Jayjay leaned her head against the window, watching the streetlights blur by. "You know," she said softly, "Adrian's family is… something else. His grandfather looks strict, but I could feel he cares deeply."
Kiefer chuckled from beside her. "Yeah. You can tell he's been through a lot. But Adrian… he hides it well. Like he's carrying something he doesn't want anyone to notice."
Jayjay hummed. "Maybe that's why Ciel acts the way she does—trying to make things lighter for him."
Cien yawned from the back seat. "All I know is that house is haunted by luxury. If I ever lived there, I'd get lost before breakfast."
That made everyone laugh. The night's warmth settled in their voices until finally, Kiefer pulled over near Jayjay's house.
The gates were already closed, but the lights were still on. She sighed, clutching her bag. "Guess everyone's asleep already."
Kiefer smiled softly. "Text me when you're in, okay?"
She nodded, stepping out. But before she could shut the door, Kiefer leaned a little closer. "Hey…"
Jayjay turned back. Their eyes met — warm, soft, familiar.
"Goodnight," he said. "Don't dream of anyone else."
She smiled shyly. "I'll try."
Then she turned, walked through the gate, and disappeared into the house.
Inside, the hall was quiet. Only one light from the living room was still on — and sitting on the couch, arms crossed, was Angelo.
Jayjay froze. "Oh… hey, brother."
Angelo sighed, rubbing his temples. "You know what time it is? You should've texted. Aunt Gemma was worried sick, and I—"
"I know, I know," Jayjay said quickly. "I lost track of time. I'm sorry, okay?"
He eyed her for a moment, then sighed again. "Just don't make a habit of it. Go sleep."
"Thanks, big bro." She smiled, darting upstairs before he could say anything else.
Her room was dim, faintly glowing with the moonlight seeping through the curtains. She dropped her bag, took a deep breath, and sat on the bed. Her phone buzzed — Kiefer's name flashing on the screen.
She smiled instantly and answered.
"Hey."
Kiefer appeared on the screen, hair slightly messy, face relaxed. "Just checking if you made it home alive."
Jayjay laughed. "Barely survived Angelo's mini-lecture."
He chuckled. "You should've told me to drop by and face him with you."
"Yeah, right," she teased. "He'd give you the full lecture next."
They talked for a while — about the dinner, about Cien's jokes, about Ciel nearly tripping over the carpet. The kind of talk that felt like time was pausing for them.
At some point, Jayjay yawned. "You're still awake?"
Kiefer smiled softly. "Yeah. Just making sure you're okay."
Her eyes grew heavy. "I'm okay, Kiefer… goodnight."
"Goodnight, Jayjay."
The call stayed on. Neither of them hung up. The video still played softly as their breathing slowed — two faces resting under the glow of two different rooms, connected by one silent screen.
Kiefer's POV
Morning light slipped through the curtains, landing right across his face. Kiefer groaned softly, stretching. The first thing he saw wasn't his ceiling — it was her.
Jayjay's sleeping face, still on the screen, peaceful and soft.
He smiled faintly. "We really fell asleep like this, huh?"
The sound of a drama faintly playing in the background made him chuckle. He took a screenshot — not to post, just to remember.
Then he got up, washed up, and dressed for school.
By the time he went downstairs, the kitchen was alive. The smell of eggs and toast filled the air. Kieran and Keagan were already halfway through their plates.
"Morning, big bro!" Kieran waved, mouth full.
"Morning," Kiefer said, sitting down and ruffling his hair. "You guys ate without me again?"
Keagan smirked. "You snooze, you lose."
Kiefer rolled his eyes and started eating. But halfway through breakfast, Keagan spoke again — this time quieter.
"Hey, Kiefer… I'll be staying at my friend's house this weekend. Just letting you know."
Kiefer looked up, surprised. "You? Since when do you even have a friend you visit?"
Keagan laughed nervously. "Since now, maybe?"
Kiefer studied him — something about his tone felt off. But he didn't push. "Alright. Just send me the address. Don't make trouble."
Keagan nodded, almost too quickly.
After breakfast, Kiefer dropped both brothers off — first Kieran at his middle school, then Keagan at his academy. He watched him walk off, still feeling that strange tug in his chest. Something about it didn't sit right.
He brushed the thought aside and drove to his own school.
As he reached the gates, he spotted two familiar figures walking ahead — Adrian and Ciel. He parked and jogged up beside them.
Adrian turned, giving a lazy grin. "Morning, man."
"Morning," Kiefer replied. "You both early for once."
They laughed as they walked together, heading straight toward the Section E hallway — their usual meeting spot.
The hallway lights flickered softly as the three walked in — Ciel still joking about the late-night drama, Adrian half-listening, Kiefer lost in thought.
But when they reached the door to Section E, all three stopped at once.
Someone was standing there.
A woman — calm, tall, and elegant — with a dark folder in her hand. The morning light hit her hair just right, hiding her face for a moment.
None of them spoke.
Ciel tilted her head. "Who are you?"
Adrian's brow furrowed slightly, curiosity mixing with something else. "Who's she?"
And Kiefer… his heart skipped. Something about that posture, that stillness — it felt familiar.
His voice came out soft but sharp.
"What are you doing here?"
The woman slowly looked up — her lips curling into the faintest smile.
Fade out.