Keifers pov
The house exploded the second the doors opened.
Luggage wheels screeched across marble, voices overlapped, and for the first time in days, the mansion felt… alive.
"Kuya!"
I barely had time to turn before Keiren barreled into me, arms wrapping around my waist like he was still ten and not already taller than my shoulder. I steadied him automatically—muscle memory from years of catching him before he fell.
"You're back early," I said, ruffling his hair.
Keigan stepped in right after him, quieter, older than his age had ever allowed him to be. His eyes swept the room first—checking, assessing—before they landed on me.
"So it's true," he said. "The wedding's soon."
I nodded. "Soon."
Something flickered across his face. Not doubt. Not fear. Just the weight of history—three brothers who learned too early what it meant to lose parents.
Our mother's face passed through my mind before I could stop it.
Then the night everything broke.
I pushed it down.
I lifted my phone. "There's someone you should talk to."
The screen lit up.
Jay.
Keiren's face transformed instantly. "MAMA!"
"Keiren," I warned, already smiling despite myself.
Jay laughed on the screen, soft and real. "Hey."
Keigan leaned closer, respectful, a little shy. "Hi… ate."
Jay's eyes softened in a way that made my chest tighten. She belonged here. She already did.
Behind me, Aries leaned into frame. "About time you two showed up."
Percy followed, waving. "School trip survivors."
Keiren gasped. "Uncle Percy!"
Percy sighed. "I regret everything."
The boys laughed, and for a moment—just a moment—the past loosened its grip.
Keigan's gaze returned to me. "You handled everything," he said quietly. "All these years."
I shrugged. "That's what brothers do."
Keiren hugged me again, tighter this time. "You did good, Kuya."
I swallowed.
Jay watched us from the screen, eyes a little glossy. I turned the camera back to her.
"They want to help," I said. "Against my better judgment."
Aries clapped his hands. "Congratulations, you're all hired."
Keiren groaned. "Flowers?"
"You love flowers," Percy teased.
"I love Mama more."
Jay laughed, and that sound settled something deep inside me.
When the call ended, the screen went dark—but the house stayed warm.
I looked around at my brothers—grown too fast, scarred too early—and felt the familiar pull of responsibility. Then I thought of Jay, coming back soon, stepping into this family without hesitation.
For the first time since everything fell apart years ago, I felt something close to peace.
Not because the past was gone.
But because none of us were alone anymore.
The video call ended, but the noise didn't stop.
Keiren was already arguing with Keigan about who would help carry boxes, who would handle the invitations, and who had to "stay away from the flowers because they'd mess it up."
I watched them—two boys who had grown into young men too fast, trying to act normal like the weight of everything didn't still sit in their bones.
I felt a hand on my shoulder.
Percy.
"Don't worry," he said quietly. "They're going to help."
I nodded, but my voice came out rough. "I know."
Because I did know. I'd been doing this for years.
Taking care of them. Holding everything together.
And now… the wedding was coming. Jay was coming back. My life was about to change in ways I couldn't predict.
I walked into the hallway where Keiren was stacking boxes of decorations.
"You good?" I asked him.
He looked up, eyes bright. "Yeah. I'm happy."
"You always sound happy," I said, trying to make it sound like a joke.
Keiren smiled. "I am. Because Mama's coming back."
Something in me cracked a little.
I turned away before he could see it.
Later, in the study
The house was quieter now. The chaos had shifted into organized chaos—boxes labeled, tasks assigned, the mansion slowly filling with wedding energy.
Aries sat at the table, scrolling through the wedding guest list again. Percy was helping him.
Keigan walked in, hands in his pockets. He looked at me, then at the table.
"Kuya," he said softly. "Do you ever… feel like you're the only one carrying everything?"
I didn't answer right away.
Because the truth was… yes.
I felt like I was the only one who remembered our mother's voice. The only one who remembered the way our father used to be before everything changed. The only one who kept the family from falling apart.
But I didn't want to say that out loud.
"I'm not alone," I said instead, because I believed it. I wanted to believe it.
Keigan nodded slowly. "I know. But sometimes it feels like you are."
He was right.
The wedding was approaching. Jay was coming back. And I was scared—not of the future, but of how much I wanted it.
Keiren ran in then, breathless. "Kuya! We're ready to help. Where do we start?"
I looked at him, and then at Keigan.
"Alright," I said, forcing a smile. "Let's start with the invitations. And then—"
I stopped, because the word then made my heart beat too fast.
Then Jay comes home.
And I realized I wasn't scared of the future anymore.
I was scared of how much I wanted it to be perfect.
The night was too quiet.
The mansion felt empty without Jay's laugh echoing in the halls. Even with everyone around, the silence of her absence still clung to me.
I was sitting in the study, staring at the wedding plans again, when I realized something that made my chest tighten.
She's here. In another house. And I can't just… go see her.
I stood up.
I didn't tell anyone.
I didn't ask permission.
I just moved.
I drove to Fernandes house in the dark, the road blurring under the streetlights. My heart was pounding like I was doing something reckless—like I was a kid sneaking out.
But I wasn't a kid.
I was a man who had missed his life.
When I arrived, the house was quiet. The lights were low.
I parked far away and walked to the back, careful not to make noise.
found the window I remembered from before—Jay's room.
It was slightly open.
My hands shook for a second, then I pushed the window gently.
The cool air brushed my face, and for a moment I just stood there—looking inside.
Jay was asleep.
Her hair spread on the pillow like a dark cloud. Her breathing was steady.
I leaned in, as if I could memorize her even in sleep.
Then, softly, I climbed in.
The floor creaked slightly under my weight.
Jay stirred.
I went beside her wrapping my arms around her, resting my head at her neck, placing a soft kiss ,
Her eyes opened slowly, still half asleep.
"Keifer?" she whispered, surprised and tired.
"I couldn't sleep," I said, voice low. "I had to see you."
Her eyes softened. "You shouldn't be here."
"I know," I said, sitting on the bed. "But I am."
She looked at me for a moment—then she smiled, a little shaky, like she was trying not to cry.
"You're not supposed to climb through windows," she murmured.
"I'm supposed to do whatever it takes to see you," I replied.
She scoffed lightly, but her eyes were shining. "You're ridiculous."
"Yeah," I said, leaning closer. "But I'm yours."
She reached out and touched my cheek gently. "You're also crazy."
smiled.
"I missed you," I said, quietly.
"I missed you too," she whispered.
I took her hand in mine, holding it like it was the only thing in the world that mattered.
"Don't ever leave again," I said.
Jay's voice was soft. "I won't."
We stayed like that for a while—just holding hands, quiet, safe.
I kissed her for a long moment
Eventually, I stood up.
"I should go," I said.
She looked at me, eyes half-closed. "Promise me you'll come back."
"I promise," I said.
I climbed back out through the window and stood outside for a second, watching her through the glass.
Then I left.
The night felt less empty after that.
Because even if it was secret, even if it was wrong in a way, it was still ours.
I slipped into the mansion like a thief.
Quiet. Careful. Smooth.
Because I was the king of being stealthy.
And I'd just seen Jay.
So obviously, I was not going to get caught.
I was wrong.
As soon as I closed the door behind me, I heard it.
A voice.
A very familiar voice.
"So, you're back."
I froze.
turned slowly.
And there they were.
Keigan, Keiren, Percy, and Aries—standing like they were in some sort of secret society meeting.
Keigan had his arms crossed, looking like he was about to judge me in a courtroom.
Keiren was leaning against the wall, eyes wide, like he was about to cry from laughter.
Percy was smirking, clearly enjoying this.
And Aries… Aries was staring at me like he was trying not to laugh, but failing.
I swallowed.
Uh…" I started.
Keigan stepped forward. "Where were you?"
"Out," I said, like a normal person.
Keiren blinked. "Out… for four hours?"
I opened my mouth.
Then closed it again.
Because I knew what they were doing.
They weren't asking.
They were interrogating.
Percy cleared his throat. "So… you were visiting Jay."
blinked. "How—"
Aries cut in, smug. "We saw your car on the street. The one you always use. The one you NEVER use unless you're going to see her."
Keifer's eyes widened. "How long have you been watching me?"
Keigan raised a hand. "Long enough."
Keiren giggled. "Like, way long enough."
Percy leaned in. "We saw you sneak in through the window."
I froze again.
"Excuse me," I said, offended. "That's not sneaking."
Keiren laughed. "Yes it is!"
Keigan narrowed his eyes. "You climbed through a window like a teenager."
I huffed. "I was just… being romantic."
Aries burst out laughing. "Romantic? Keifer, you looked like you were trying to break into a house!"
I felt my cheeks heat up.
Keigan walked closer, pointing at me like a teacher. "You're not allowed to do that again."
I blinked. "What if I'm in love?"
Keiren gasped dramatically. "You're in love!"
Percy clapped slowly. "Wow, this is new."
Aries leaned back, grinning. "Keifer, we thought you were just emotionally unavailable."
Keifer's face went serious. "I'm not emotionally unavailable."
Keiren waved a hand. "You are though."
I sighed. "Fine. I'll stop."
Keigan raised an eyebrow. "You better."
I looked at them all. "You know what? I'm sorry. I just—"
Percy interrupted. "No, no, we're not mad. We're just entertained."
Aries nodded. "Yeah. Like, we're gonna use this in the wedding speech.".
Keifer's eyes widened. "You better not."
Keiren laughed again. "We will!"
Keigan sighed. "Just go to your room. And no more window entrances."
I glared at him. "Fine."
Then Keiren whispered, "But if you go again, at least bring snacks."
I blinked. "Snacks?"
Percy grinned. "Yeah. For the effort."
I shook my head, trying not to laugh.
Because even though they'd caught me—
They were still my family.
And even though I wanted to be angry—
I couldn't help but laugh too.