Jay-Jay POV
I laughed under my breath the moment I stepped into class.
Not because something was funny—
but because I had almost ruined everything.
SDR, I'd said out loud.
My heart still hadn't forgiven my mouth.
I slid into my seat, resting my chin on my palm, staring at the board like I cared about anything the lecturer was saying. I didn't. My mind was racing ahead—candles, lights, timing, him.
Get it together, Jay-Jay, I told myself. One more day. Just one.
After class, I didn't even hesitate. Bag over my shoulder, steps quick, head down. Thursday. The last day of preparation. My chest felt tight in the good way—the way it does right before something important happens.
As usual, I left school straight for the SDR.
The restaurant door creaked softly as I entered. The smell of dust, paint, and faint vanilla candles wrapped around me like a secret. Andrew was already there, sleeves rolled up, hair a mess.
"You're late," he said.
"I almost exposed the surprise," I replied dramatically. "My soul left my body."
He laughed. "Follow me."
That's when things went wrong.
We ducked behind the counter, and just as I opened my mouth to speak, Andrew raised a finger and pulled out his phone.
"Look."
The screen showed the front CCTV footage.
Two very familiar figures stood outside the restaurant.
Ciel.
Ci-N.
My stomach dropped.
"…Why are they there?" I whispered.
Andrew's voice lowered. "For the past few days now, they've been coming. Same time. Same pretending-to-be-lost energy."
My brain screamed.
No. No no no no no.
Keifer can't find out. Not yet. Please. Just—please.
I immediately called Chantelle.
"Chan," I whispered the second she picked up, "Ciel and Ci-N are outside the restaurant. Right now."
She didn't even sound surprised. "Yeah. I'm already here."
I blinked. "You—what?"
"I'll handle it."
"Don't hang up," I said quickly. "I want to hear everything."
Two minutes later, I watched through the crack as Chantelle walked up to them like she owned the street.
"What are you two doing here?" she asked sweetly.
Ci-N smiled way too confidently. "We're here to buy a pen."
I nearly choked.
"A pen," Chantelle repeated. "In a restaurant?"
There was a pause.
Then—
smack.
I swear I heard skin meet reality.
Ciel cleared her throat. "Have you seen Jay-Jay?"
"Oh," Chantelle said casually, "I was just with her. You should've said so earlier. She's not here now."
Ci-N turned to Ciel. "See? You're too slow."
They started bickering immediately.
I covered my mouth, shoulders shaking.
These idiots, I thought affectionately. I love them. I will also never forgive them.
Eventually, Chantelle came back inside, phone still connected.
"That," she said proudly, "was the worst excuse I've heard all year."
We laughed—quietly, because my heart was still racing.
Back in the SDR, everything felt lighter again. We worked nonstop—adjusting lights, fixing curtains, placing candles, moving furniture an inch left, then an inch right.
Time flew.
Finally, I stepped back and looked around.
Done.
My chest filled so fast it almost hurt.
"It's ready," Andrew said softly.
I checked the time.
8:00 PM.
Less than 24 hours.
Tomorrow—
by 7 PM—
Keifer will be here.
My fingers curled into my sleeves, heart pounding.
Please let everything be perfect, I prayed silently.
Please don't let him find out early.
Please… let this surprise be worth it.
I smiled to myself in the dim glow of the SDR.
Just one more sleep, I thought.
Then everything changes.