Chapter 53: how did I get here
Jay's POV
I was warm.
Not "sunlight-through-the-window" warm.
Not "extra blanket" warm.
This was human warmth.
I blinked once.
Twice.
And then my brain rebooted.
Oh.
Oh no.
I was in Keifer Watson's bed.
Again.
I stared at the ceiling, completely still, letting the memories line up like dominos.
The date.
The stupidly fancy restaurant.
The way he looked at me like I was the only person in the room.
The way I said yes without even thinking about it.
Yes to dating him again.
Yes to trying.
Yes to trusting him.
And then—
I groaned and rolled onto my side.
How did I go from New York CEO with a five-year plan to lying in my ex's bed in the Philippines wondering where my phone is?
Keifer shifted beside me, half-asleep, hair messy, arm automatically wrapping around my waist like muscle memory never forgot me.
Dangerous behavior.
Very dangerous.
I closed my eyes for exactly one secon
—
—and shot upright.
"Shit."
Keifer flinched awake immediately.
"What—what happened? Are you okay?"
I scrambled out of the bed, grabbing the sheet around me like my dignity depended on it. "I'm late. I'm so late."
"Late for what?" he asked, sitting up, very calm for someone whose girlfriend was spiraling.
"I'm supposed to meet my friends today," I said, running a hand through my hair. "Today-today. Like, scheduled, planned, group-chat-agreed today."
He blinked. "Your friends?"
"Yes, Keifer. The humans I love and have not abandoned."
He smiled. "That's cute."
"Do not call this cute."
I rushed toward the bathroom, already mentally listing names like a roll call.
"Cin's flying in. Felix had to reschedule practice. Kit rearranged meetings. Calix literally moved a board call. Rakki hates crowds but agreed. Densel and Grace are coming and she's pregnant—"
"Okay," he said, standing now. "Pause."
I turned. "What?"
"First of all, breathe."
I inhaled sharply.
"Second," he continued, completely serious, "you already told me about them."
I froze. "I did?"
"Yes," he said. "The night you said yes."
My chest softened despite myself.
I remembered it now. Sitting close. Talking slower. Telling him why I missed the Philippines. My people. My roots.
"And you told me Mariano Corp is already opening a branch here," he added gently.
"…Yeah," I said quietly. "Because I wanted to stop choosing between my life and the people I love."
He stepped closer. "That's not running away."
"I know."
Silence settled — warm, steady.
Then he ruined it.
"So," Keifer said, casually, "why don't we meet them now?"
I stared at him. "What."
"Now," he repeated. "You're already late. Let's just commit."
"You want to meet all of them?" I asked.
"Yes."
"Cin is a pilot."
"Cool."
"Felix is internationally famous."
"Cool."
"Kit owns three companies."
"Love ambition."
"Calix is terrifying."
Keifer grinned. "I am not afraid of CEOs."
I narrowed my eyes. "Rakki will judge you silently."
"Already happens with my board."
"And Grace will cry if she likes you."
He softened. "I hope she does."
I stared at him for a long moment.
"…I hate that this is working."
He leaned in. "You love that it is."
Thirty minutes later, the apartment was pure chaos.
I was throwing on clothes, tying my hair, checking my phone, mentally apologizing to every friend in advance.
Keifer came out of the bedroom adjusting his watch.
"I invited my friends too," he said.
I stopped. "You did what."
"Relax," he said quickly. "Just a few. Mutual ground. Balance."
"Keifer."
"Alex is driving," he added.
"…Fine."
Honey texted me a single message:
good luck. survive.
Traitor.
We finally made it to the car.
I slid into the passenger seat, heart racing, brain loud.
Keifer got in beside me, calm as ever.
Alex started the engine. "Everyone ready?"
"No," I said immediately.
"Yes," Keifer said at the same time.
The car pulled away.
I looked out the window, adrenaline buzzing through my veins.
This was happening.
All of it.
And for once…
I wasn't running.