JAY-JAY POV
Shawn's voice lit up the line the moment I answered.
"My beautiful sister, you know how good you looked on TV with that trophy," he said, pride dripping from every word.
"Really?" I asked, a small smile tugging at my lips.
"Yes," he replied quickly. "Aion is asking for you."
"I will come soon na," I promised, my tone soft but certain.
"Come fast. Love you," he said, his warmth wrapping around me even through the phone.
"Love you too. Bye," I whispered before ending the call.
I slid into my car, the city lights blurring past as I drove back to my apartment.
The chaos of the night faded as I changed, washed away the makeup, and slipped into bed.
But sleep didn't come easy.
My mind was already racing ahead.
Tomorrow night, I'll be on a flight to the Philippines.
Tomorrow night, everything will change again.
My alarm clock rang, the shrill sound cutting through the quiet of my room.
I groaned, reached out, and hit snooze, letting the silence settle back for just a moment.
Then I sat up, the weight of the day pressing against me, but instead of dread, a smile tugged at my lips.
"Come on, Jay," I whispered to myself, brushing the hair from my face. "Today is the day you get to go home."
The words lingered in the air, soft but powerful.
Home.
I smiled wider, forcing the nervous energy into determination.
Today wasn't just another day.
Today was the start of something new.
I drove to the airport, the city lights fading behind me as anticipation hummed in my chest.
My private plane waited, sleek and ready, the pilot greeting me with a polite nod.
"Miss Reyes, we will land in 8 hours," he said, his voice calm, professional.
I nodded, slipping into my seat, the hum of the engines already lulling me.
My eyes closed, exhaustion pulling me under.
Honestly, my life feels too easy sometimes.
Eat. Work. Sleep. Repeat.
The cycle never ends.
The trophies, the applause, the endless meetings—they all blur together.
But tonight, as the plane cut through the sky, I couldn't shake the feeling that this trip wasn't just another repetition.
This time, something was different.
This time, the routine was about to break.
Someone shook me gently. "Miss Reyes, we landed," the pilot said, his voice calm but firm.
"Already?" I asked, stretching, my body still heavy with sleep.
He nodded, and I gathered my things, a small smile tugging at my lips.
I hadn't told Shawn I was coming.
I wanted it to be a surprise.
I could already picture it—his face lighting up, eyes wide with shock, then breaking into that familiar grin.
He'd probably run straight to me, arms open, pulling me into one of those hugs that made everything else fade away.
Shocked. Happy. That's how he'd be.
And the thought of it made my smile grow wider as I stepped off the plane, ready to see my brother again.
I booked a taxi because I can't drive without anything, my body still heavy from too much sleep.
"Where do you want to go to, Miss?" the driver asked, his tone polite but curious.
"Uhh… the Reyes mansion," I said, my voice steady though my chest fluttered at the thought.
He nodded, eyes on the road, and the car pulled forward.
I leaned back against the seat, scrolling through my phone mindlessly, the glow of the screen distracting me from the storm inside. .
Notifications, emails, messages—all blurred together.
Outside, the city passed in streaks of light and shadow, but my mind was already at the mansion.
Already imagining the moment
Already bracing for it.
I smiled faintly, though my heart raced.
Because tonight, I wasn't just going to the Reyes mansion.
I was going home.
"Ma'am, we're here," the driver said.
I nodded, paid him quickly, and stepped out, my heart pounding as the mansion loomed before me.
Inside, I could already hear it—Shawn's laughter echoing from the living room.
That sound alone made my chest tighten with warmth.
I walked in quietly. He was sitting on the couch, relaxed, unaware.
I crept closer, leaned down, and covered his eyes with my hands.
"Who are you?" he asked, chuckling, but I stayed silent.
If I spoke, he'd know instantly.
"Jay-Jay," he whispered, his voice trembling with disbelief.
I pulled my hands away, and the moment his eyes met mine, he turned and wrapped me in his arms.
"KUYA, I MISSED YOU SO MUCH!" I cried, hugging him back with everything I had.
His embrace tightened, bone-crushing, grounding me in a way nothing else could.
"Where is Mia?" I asked still hugging him
"Upstaris getting ready" He said
Shawn's hug was still crushing me when I noticed it—voices.
Footsteps that didn't belong to just Shawn.
I pulled back slightly, blinking as I glanced around the living room.
My breath caught in my throat.
There they were—Keifer, Keiran, Keigan, Yuri, Aries, Kuya Angelo, Tita Gemma, Mama, and Percy.
All of them.
Their eyes locked on me, wide and unblinking, every face frozen in shock.
The room felt heavier, the air thick with disbelief.
No one spoke at first.
It was as if time itself had stopped, holding us all in that moment.
I could feel their stares pressing against me, each one carrying something different—pain, confusion, hope and
Love?
And for a heartbeat, I wanted to run.
But I stayed.
"Shawn, I'll go meet Mia. She's upstairs, right?" I asked, already turning toward the staircase.
He nodded, then called out after me, his voice echoing through the hall. "Yeah… don't scare her?"
I was halfway up the stairs when I smirked, tossing the words back over my shoulder.
"No promises!" I yelled, though I softened my tone, careful she wouldn't catch the edge of mischief in it.
I went upstairs and there she was—Mia, standing in front of the mirror, tying her hair into a ponytail. Perfect timing.
"Boo!" I yelled, grinning.
"Ahhh!" she screamed, so loud I had to slap my hands over my ears.
Shawn came running instantly, panic in his voice. "What happened?!"
But Mia was already laughing through her shock, her eyes wide as she turned to me. "Jay!" she shouted, throwing her arms around me.
Her hug was tight, warm, overflowing with relief.
"You didn't even tell me you were coming!" she scolded, her voice trembling with joy.
I laughed, hugging her back just as fiercely. "I wanted to surprise you," I said, my smile pressed against her shoulder.
For a moment, it felt like nothing had changed—like we were just two sisters again, teasing, yelling, hugging.
"Why the hell were you guys yelling?" Shawn asked, his brows furrowed but his tone more amused than angry.
"She scared me!" Mia said immediately, pointing at me like I was the culprit in a crime scene.
"Jay, I told you not to scare her," Shawn scolded, though the grin tugging at his lips betrayed him.
"But Kuya, what's the fun in that?" I teased, looping my hands around his arm as we headed downstairs together.
He shook his head, laughing. "Oh my god, it hasn't even been thirty minutes since you arrived and you're already creating chaos."
I smirked, tossing my hair back dramatically. "You know what? They should give me a degree in creating chaos."
"Just wait till Aion gets here, they won't sleep tonight," Mia said, trailing behind me with a grin.
We went downstairs, the buzz of voices filling the mansion, and I dropped onto the couch, stretching out like I owned the place again.
"Wait… where is he?" I asked Shawn, scanning the room.
"I haven't seen that little hurricane yet," I muttered, half to myself, half to him.
Mia's words still lingered when Shawn's voice cut in, steady but warm. "Jay, I want you to meet some people," he said.
Only then did I remember—the living room wasn't empty. Eyes were already on me, watching, waiting.
Shawn gestured proudly. "Okay everyone, this is Jasper Jean Reyes Mariano. My sister."
The words hung in the air, heavy with disbelief. Confusion rippled across their faces—shock, hesitation, questions they didn't dare voice.
Mama shifted forward, her lips parting as if to speak, but I raised my hand gently, stopping her before the silence could break.
"Hello, everyone," I said with a smile, my voice calm, deliberate, carrying just enough warmth to mask the storm inside.
The room was heavy, sadness etched into every face.
"As you know, she is the Co-CEO of the Reyes," Shawn continued, his voice steady but proud.
Then he gestured toward the group. "Jay, these are our partners."
I blinked, my brows furrowing. "Partners?" The word tasted strange on my tongue.
Memories surged—old betrayals, broken promises, wounds that hadn't healed. I shook my head slowly, disbelief cutting through me. "From what I remembered… the Hanamitchis, Watsons, Fernandezes, and Marianos weren't our partners."
"Well, true, we had a meeting last week," Shawn explained, his tone calm but firm. "You were in London at that time."
Keifer's voice cut through the room, steady but carrying something deeper. "Hello, Miss Reyes. I think we already met."
Shawn raised an eyebrow, curious. "Where?"
"At the awards show yesterday," I answered, my words clipped, my gaze sharp.
Shawn nodded, satisfied. "Okay, good. Jay, you're going to have to work with Keifer right here."
I froze, my eyes narrowing. "Why?" I asked, my voice low, laced with suspicion.
Shawn sighed, his tone shifting into business mode. "Because the board insisted on this partnership. Watson Industries controls key supply chains we can't afford to lose. If we don't cooperate, the Reyes company risks falling behind. It's not about trust—it's about survival in the market."
"Fine," I muttered, though the word tasted bitter.
Keifer's smirk spread like wildfire, smug and victorious, while Yuri's glare burned holes through him. Seriously? I wasn't about to get dragged into another triangle of chaos.
"Is it just the Watsons?" I asked, my voice sharp.
Shawn nodded. "Now they're also part of the family. They'll be living here for quite some time."
My jaw dropped. Living here? Under the same roof? The shock hit me like a punch.
Keifer's smirk widened, deliberate, taunting. He did this on purpose. That asshole.
"You want to say something, Miss Reyes?" Keifer asked, his tone dripping with mock politeness.
"Keifer, stop with the 'Miss.' You can call her Jay," Shawn interjected, trying to ease the tension.
I didn't bother with words. Instead, I stomped hard on Shawn's foot.
"Oww!" Shawn yelped, hopping slightly. "What—what happened to you? Did a ghost possess you or something?"
I crossed my arms, glaring at Keifer, my silence louder than any answer. This idiot.
But then— "Tita Jay!" a voice rang out, bright and full of excitement.
My heart leapt instantly, the tension melting away. I turned, and there he was.
"My dear nephew!" I exclaimed, my smile breaking wide as I ran toward him.
He barreled into me, arms wrapping tight, laughter spilling between us.
The weight of the room, the smirks, the glares—all of it vanished in that moment.
Because nothing could compete with the joy of family.
"I missed you so much, Tita," Aion said, his little arms wrapping tightly around me.
I laughed softly, holding him close. "No, Aion, I missed you more," I replied, pressing kisses to his forehead and cheeks, unable to stop smiling.
His laughter bubbled out, pure and contagious, filling the room with warmth.
For a moment, all the tension, the smirks, the glares, the business talk—it all faded into the background.
He suddenly pulled away from me, his little arms dropping.
My smile faltered, confusion tightening in my chest.
"What happened?" I asked softly, searching his face.
Aion crossed his arms, his lips jutting out in a pout. "I won't talk to you. You didn't talk to me for a week."
"Aion," I said softly, "if I talked to you, then I would've come home immediately."
"Still," he muttered, sulking, his little lips pressed tight.
I almost burst out laughing at how serious he looked, but I held it back. Shawn and Mia, of course, couldn't resist—they were already laughing at the scene.
"Jay, your nephew won't talk to you now," Shawn teased, grinning.
I shot him a glare sharp enough to cut glass before turning away. "Where's my suitcase?" I asked, scanning the room.
"Right here," Aries said, handing it over.
"Thanks," I replied quickly, flipping it open. My fingers dug through the neatly packed clothes until I pulled out the one thing I knew would break Aion's pout—the car he'd been dreaming about.
I set it down right in front of him.
His eyes widened, disbelief flashing across his face. "Is this for me?" he asked, his voice trembling with excitement.
I nodded
Then, without warning, he threw his arms around me again, squeezing so tightly I almost lost my balance. "Thank you, Tita!" he shouted, his voice bursting with joy.
I laughed, ruffling his hair as he pulled back just enough to show off the car to everyone in the room. H
He held it high like a trophy, spinning it in his hands, the grin on his face brighter than anything I'd seen all day.
Shawn chuckled, shaking his head. "See? One gift and you're forgiven."
Mia smiled warmly, her eyes soft as she watched the bond between us.
And Keifer—smirk gone—just leaned back, silent, as if even he couldn't break the spell of the moment.
"Tita, let's go and play!" Aion said, tugging at my hand with all the energy in the world.
Mia stepped in, her voice gentle but firm. "Aion, your tita just came from a long journey. Let her rest."
Aion tilted his head, eyes sparkling with mischief. "I'm pretty sure she just slept through the whole thing."
I gasped dramatically, clutching my chest as if he'd just betrayed me. "Excuse me?!"
The room erupted—Shawn doubled over, Mia covered her mouth trying not to laugh
"You little brat!" I shouted, lunging after Aion as he darted across the living room, laughter spilling out of him like music.
He clutched his new car tightly, weaving between the couches like it was a shield.
I chased him, but he was too quick, zigzagging around everyone.
"Tita's too slow!" Aion teased, sticking his tongue out before hiding behind Keifer's legs
"Aion!" I called, half laughing, half exasperated. "Come back here before I catch you!"
+++++++++++++++++++++++
KEIFER POV
We pulled up to the Reyes Mansion, and honestly, the place looked insane.
Huge gates, shiny floors, chandeliers that probably cost more than my car. It felt like walking into a movie set.
Shawn Reyes was there, the guy everyone calls one of the top businessmen.
You could tell he was important without him even saying anything.
Just the way people moved around him—like he owned the air in the room.
I wasn't alone.
My brothers were with me, Aries and his family too.
Percy and Yuri came along as well.
It felt like we were this whole group showing up together, not just me.
We'd be staying at the Reyes Mansion for some time.
"Hey, how are you, Keifer?" Aries asked as we stepped out.
"I'm good," I replied with a small smile. "Come on, let's head inside."
He nodded, and the rest of us followed.
The doors opened, and Shawn greeted us warmly. "Hello, everyone. Welcome."
"Hi, Mr. Reyes," I said politely.
He chuckled, waving a hand. "Oh, please—skip the 'Mr.' Just call me Shawn."
I nodded, a little more relaxed now
We started talking, the conversation easy but layered with formality.
Aries asked about business, Percy cracked a small joke, Yuri stayed quiet, just observing.
And me?
I kept my smirk tucked away, watching, listening
We started talking, the conversation easy but layered with formality.
Aries asked about business, Percy cracked a small joke, Yuri stayed quiet, just observing.
And me?
I kept my smirk tucked away, just watching, listening to the easy chatter around me.
And then—Jay walked in.
For a second, everything else blurred.
The sound of voices, the polished shine of the mansion, even Shawn's commanding presence—it all faded.
My body went rigid, like my brain hadn't caught up with what my eyes were seeing.
I froze.
Just for a heartbeat.
Her presence shifted the room instantly.
The way she carried herself, the warmth in her smile—it was like the air itself bent toward her.
My smirk almost slipped, but I held it, masking the sudden rush inside me.
She was laughing, her smile lighting up the room like she belonged here more than anyone.
Aries's family froze.
Shock written all over their faces. I don't think he told them—about her
Shawn stepped in smoothly, his voice carrying that calm authority.
"Everyone, this is Jay, my sister" he said, introducing her like it was the most natural thing in the world.
What surprised me the most is Jay is his sister
When did that happen?
She turned to us, her expression polite, almost distant.
"Welcome," she said, her tone formal, like we were strangers.
Like she didn't know us at all.
I felt my chest tighten.
She was playing it safe.
Keeping walls up.
Pretending.
And I just stood there, watching her, wondering how long she could keep that mask on.
She went upstairs, and suddenly we heard screams.
My first instinct I was about to run after her, but Yuri grabbed my arm.
"Not yet," he said firmly, and I stopped, even though my chest tightened with unease.
Shawn didn't hesitate—he bolted upstairs, his voice sharp with worry.
I stayed in the hall, restless, wondering what the hell was happening.
Angelo's voice cut through the tension. "What the hell? Jay is alive."
Aries stepped in quickly. "Kuya, I will explain everything later."
Angelo's eyes narrowed. "You guys fucking knew about this."
"He said he will explain," I muttered, trying to keep things calm.
Jay's mom spoke up, her voice trembling. "Why didn't you guys tell me about her?"
Aries repeated himself, firmer this time. "Not now. I said I will explain later."
I didn't really get why he talked to her like that. From what I knew, she was Aries's biological mom before Tita Gemma adopted him.
Before I could think more, laughter spilled down from upstairs, breaking the tension.
She came back down, sat on the couch like she'd forgotten we were even there.
My eyes locked on her without meaning to.
I was just… admiring her. She looked even more beautiful than before.
Shawn started explaining, his tone steady. "They're our partners. They'll be staying here."
Her gaze snapped to me, sharp, glaring.
What?
Did she think I had something to do with this?
No.
She was wrong.
But I was enjoying it giving smirks to her
God I missed this so much
Then a tiny voice broke the silence—it was Shawn's son.
He ran to her, and Jay's whole face softened.
They were laughing together, getting along like they'd known each other forever.
I watched him kiss her cheek, her smile glowing with warmth.
And for the first time, I felt something ugly twist inside me.
Jealousy.
Because she should be kissing me.
I know, it sounds insane.
He's just a kid.
But the way she looked at him—like he was the most important person in the world—made me feel invisible.
She should be kissing me.
Not him.
I clenched my jaw, trying to play it cool, but inside I was fuming.
He was six. Six.
And somehow he had more game than me.
The worst part?
She didn't even notice me glaring at him like he was my rival.
She just kept smiling, hugging him, laughing at every word he said.
They were running around the living room, laughter bouncing off the walls. Somehow, Aion darted behind me, clutching my leg like I was his shield.
"Tito, save me from Tita!" he squealed, peeking out with a grin.
"Aion, get here!" Jay called, chasing after him, her voice half stern, half playful.
He bolted again, but in the rush, Jay slipped.
I moved fast—instinct, reflex—and caught her by the waist before she could hit the floor.
For a moment, everything froze. We looked at each other, her eyes wide, mine locked on hers. My gaze dropped to her lips, and the thought hit me hard: I wanted them. Right now.
I leaned in, ready to close the distance, ready to taste what I'd been craving—
"Jay, are you okay?" the rooster
Jay pushed me away instantly, and I stumbled back, my hands still tingling from holding her.
This rooster.
This damn rooster.
He didn't just ruin the moment—he stole it.
One second I was about to finally taste her lips, the next I was shoved aside because Red‑Head Hero decided to play knight in shining feathers.
I glared at him, half expecting him to flap his arms and start clucking.
He just smirked, like he knew exactly what he'd done.
And Jay? She didn't even notice the war brewing between me and Yuri.
She just brushed herself off, laughing like nothing happened.
Meanwhile, I was stuck thinking:
Forget business rivalries.
My real enemy is a rooster with red hair.
"Come on, let's eat," Shawn said, leading us toward the dining table.
I didn't waste time—I slid into the seat right next to Jay.
Of course, Aion claimed the other side like it was his throne.
Jay turned her head, her eyes narrowing at me in a glare sharp enough to cut glass.
I just smiled back, calm, steady, like I hadn't done anything wrong.
Like sitting beside her was the most natural thing in the world.
Inside though?
I was enjoying every second of it.
Her glare was proof she noticed me.
And that was enough.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
💙🔥 Author's Note 🔥💙
Sooo how was the chapter, guys?? 😭💭
I know I was a bit late uploading—went out yesterday with my family🚗✨
—but to make it up to you, I dropped a longer chapter this time… 3644 words 💥📚.
Target:
🎯 35+ comments 🐧💬
Future vibes:
👉 Comment what YOU want to see happen next 👀✨.
Funny Question to motivate you guys:
👉 When should Section E show up?