JAY-JAY POV
Then I heard knocking on my window.
Soft at first.
Then a little louder.
I wiped my face with my sleeve, even though it didn't help. My eyes were still red and puffy, my cheeks still wet.
I walked to the window, heart pounding, and pushed it open.
It was Keifer.
He looked at me and smiled — that small, nervous smile he only does when he's scared I'm mad at him.
"Thanks for opening the door. I thought I would get caught by your brother," he said, slipping into my room like he'd done it a hundred times.
I didn't smile back.
My eyes were still puffy, my cheeks still wet, and the moment he stepped inside, his smile faded.
His eyes scanned my face, and the worry hit him instantly.
"Jay…" he whispered, closing the window behind him. "You've been crying."
I looked away, wiping my face even though it didn't help.
Keifer took a step closer, slow, careful — like I was something fragile he didn't want to break.
"Jay, what happened?" he asked softly.
Keifer's brows furrowed, panic creeping into his expression. "Did someone say something to you? Did someone hurt you?"
I swallowed hard.
He reached out, hesitated, then gently touched my arm.
"Jay… please look at me."
"Who made you cry?" he asked, voice low, trembling.
"Jay…" he whispered, stepping closer, "tell me what's wrong."
I didn't think.
I just reacted.
My fist connected with his jaw.
"Fuck—!" he hissed, stumbling back a step, hand flying to his face.
"Jay…" he said again, softer this time, like he was scared I'd hit him again. "What—why did you—?"
I wiped my eyes with the back of my hand, voice shaking. "Why didn't you tell me?"
Keifer froze.
His expression shifted — confusion, realization, then something like fear.
"Tell you… what?" he asked carefully.
I glared at him, chest tight, tears threatening again
"You were engaged," I whispered, voice cracking. "You were engaged, Keifer."
He opened his mouth, but nothing came out.
For the first time since I met him, Keifer looked genuinely speechless.
"Jay, listen—"
"No," I said, stepping back. "You lied to me."
"I didn't lie," he said quickly, taking a step forward. "I just—"
"Didn't tell me," I finished for him. "Which is the same thing."
Keifer ran a hand through his hair, frustrated, panicked. "Jay, please. It's not what you think."
I shook my head, tears falling again.
"Then explain," I whispered. "Because right now… I don't know what to believe."
Keifer swallowed hard. "Yes… I was engaged to Ion."
The words hit me like a punch to the chest.
I cried — not loud, not dramatic — just silent tears that wouldn't stop.
He stepped closer immediately, wiping my cheeks with his thumb, gentle like he was scared I'd break.
"But I broke the engagement," he said quickly. "Jay, listen to me. My fucking relatives arranged that engagement. I didn't want it. I didn't choose it."
I sniffed, still crying.
He kept going, desperate. "I only played along a bit because Ion was Angelo's ex and she wanted to get back with him. That's it. That's the whole thing."
I blinked.
The tears slowed.
My brain finally connected the dots.
"Ohh," I said softly.
"Jay," he whispered, stepping closer, "I wasn't in love with her. I never was. I didn't want her. I didn't choose her. I chose you."
My chest tightened again — but this time for a different reason.
"So please, next time hear my explanation before you start punching me," Keifer said, rubbing his jaw with a dramatic wince.
Despite everything, I let out a tiny laugh.
"Sorry na," I murmured, reaching up and gently rubbing the spot I hit.
He leaned into my touch immediately — like he'd been waiting for it.
"Jay," he said softly, eyes locked on mine, "you really punched me."
"You scared me," I whispered. "And you hurt me."
His expression softened, guilt flickering across his face. "I know. And I'm sorry. I should've told you. I just… didn't want you to think less of me."
I kept rubbing his jaw, my thumb brushing the faint redness.
"You're still stupid," I said quietly.
He smiled — that small, relieved smile that always makes my heart do something stupid.
"But you still like me," he whispered.
"Now pay compensation," Keifer said, that teasing smile spreading across his face.
"And that is?" I asked, narrowing my eyes.
"Kisses," he said, stepping forward like a predator who already knew his prey was cornered.
I backed away immediately. "I should cut your kisses for lying to me."
He kept coming closer.
I kept stepping back.
Until my legs hit the edge of the bed and—
I fell.
And of course, because he's Keifer and he has zero respect for personal space, he fell right on top of me.
He braced himself with his hands so he wouldn't crush me, his face inches from mine, breath warm against my cheek.
"Now where can you go?" Keifer murmured, his lips brushing mine
His knee brushed mine
I glared at him, even though my face was burning. "You're heavy."
He smirked. "You didn't complain last time."
"I'm complaining now."
"Liar," he whispered, eyes softening.
And suddenly the teasing faded, replaced by something quieter… something real.
He lifted a hand and gently tucked a strand of hair behind my ear.
"Jay," he said softly, "I'm really sorry."
"Fine… this is the last time," I muttered.
Because I understood.
Because I knew what it felt like to be forced into something you never wanted.
Because even when he was stupid, he was still my stupid.
"Can I kiss you now?" he asked.
"No."
"Jay, please, babe, don't make me beg."
"No."
He leaned in, his breath brushing my lips. "Jay, say yes… or I'll kiss you anyway. Your lips are making me go crazy."
My heart jumped.
My brain shut off.
And before he could finish whatever dramatic line he was about to say—
I kissed him.
Keifer froze for half a second, shocked.
Then he kissed me back, one hand sliding to the back of my neck, the other steadying himself so he wouldn't crush me on the bed.
He pulled back just enough to breathe, his forehead resting against mine.
"I knew you'd say yes," he whispered, smiling like an idiot.
I rolled my eyes, cheeks burning. "Shut up."
He laughed softly — that warm, relieved laugh that made my chest feel lighter than it had all night.
"Jay," he murmured, brushing his thumb along my cheek, "I'm not letting anyone take you away from me."
"I know," I said, smiling despite everything. "Now shut up and kiss me."
He didn't need to be told twice.
Keifer's smile widened — that stupid, boyish, relieved smile — and then he leaned in and kissed me.
"Jay, come to the door!" Aries called, knocking loudly like he owned the whole house.
Keifer groaned and immediately buried his face in my neck.
"Why do your brothers always have to ruin our best moments," he muttered against my skin, sounding personally offended.
I tried not to laugh. "Because they hate you."
"They should hate me less," he whispered dramatically. "I'm literally trying to be a good boyfriend."
"You're literally on top of me," I whispered back.
He lifted his head just enough to glare playfully. "And whose fault is that? You kissed me first."
I shoved his shoulder lightly. "Get off, idiot. Aries is going to break the door."
Keifer didn't move.
Instead, he leaned in closer, lips brushing my jaw. "Five more seconds."
"Keifer—"
"Four," he whispered, kissing the corner of my mouth.
"Keifer."
"Three," he said, kissing my cheek.
"KEIFER."
He grinned, finally rolling off me and sitting up. "Fine, fine. Go before your brother kills me."
I stood up, fixing my hair, my face still warm.
"Go and hide in my closet and don't make any noises," I hissed, pushing him toward it.
Keifer rolled his eyes so hard I thought they'd get stuck.
"I should build a house in your closet because of how often I go here," he muttered.
I glared. "Then build it quietly."
He smirked, stepping inside. "Should I put a kitchen too? Maybe a living room? A balcony?"
"Keifer, shut up."
He held up his hands in surrender but still whispered, "At this point, I'm basically paying rent."
I shoved him fully inside and closed the door right as Aries knocked again, louder this time.
"Jay! Why is the door locked? Open it!"
Keifer slipped into the closet and closed the door quietly, finally shutting up for once.
I wiped my face quickly, opened the door, and Aries walked in holding a plate of food.
"Here, eat this," he said, handing it to me.
I smiled a little and took it, sitting on my bed like nothing illegal was happening in my closet.
"Close the door and lock it," I told Aries.
He rolled his eyes but did it anyway. "You're so dramatic."
If only he knew.
"Are you gonna talk to Keifer or not?" Aries asked, crossing his arms.
I nodded.
Aries sighed in relief. "Good. Because if you don't, he's gonna camp outside our house again like a stray cat."
From inside the closet, something bumped softly.
I froze.
Aries froze.
My soul left my body.
"…What was that?" Aries asked slowly.
I forced a smile. "Probably… my shoes."
Aries raised an eyebrow. "Your shoes sound like a grown man?"
I shoved a spoonful of food into my mouth. "Eat first, ask questions never."
Aries stared at me suspiciously.
Then at the closet.
Then back at me.
"Jay," he said, narrowing his eyes, "is someone in your closet?"
My heart stopped.
"No," I said quickly, way too quickly.
Aries didn't listen.
He marched straight to my closet, grabbed the handle, and swung the door open.
Keifer was there.
Standing stiff.
Hands at his sides.
Looking like a kid caught stealing snacks.
Aries' eyes widened. Then narrowed. Then burned.
"What the fuck are you doing here, Watson?" Aries asked, glaring so hard I thought Keifer might spontaneously combust.
Keifer lifted a hand in a tiny wave. "Hi… brother‑in‑law."
I slapped my forehead.
Aries looked at me. Then at Keifer. Then back at me.
"You let him in your room?" Aries asked, voice dangerously calm.
"I—" I started.
Keifer cut in. "She didn't let me in. I climbed through the window."
I stared at him. "Why would you SAY that?"
Aries' jaw dropped. "YOU WHAT?"
"What? Your sister wasn't answering my calls so I came here," Keifer said, completely unbothered. "Anyways, thanks for your request, brother‑in‑law."
I closed my eyes. Lord, take me now.
"But my wife already talked to me," Keifer added proudly. "And we're fine."
Aries' eye twitched. "Keifer, I swear to god, if you call me your brother‑in‑law one more time, I will kill you. And my sister is no one's wife."
Keifer shrugged, walked over, and sat next to me like he owned the place. "I like Raffy better. He understands me."
Aries looked personally offended. "Raffy understands you because he's stupid like you."
Keifer gasped dramatically. "Wow. So rude. Jay, your brother is bullying me."
I elbowed him. "Stop talking."
Aries pointed at him. "Why are you even sitting next to her? Move."
Keifer leaned closer to me on purpose. "No."
Aries took a step forward, fists clenched. "Keifer—"
Keifer grabbed my arm like a shield. "Jay, protect me."
I groaned. "Both of you, stop."
Aries glared at him. "You're lucky she's here."
Keifer smirked. "I know."
I slapped his arm. "Don't make it worse."
He whispered, "I'm not scared of him."
Aries: "WHAT DID YOU SAY?"
"I'm not scared of a horoscope," Keifer said.
Aries' eyes widened. "I'm gonna tell Kuya."
He turned toward my door.
"Ari, please don't," I said in my most innocent voice — the one I only use when I need my big brother to calm down.
Aries froze mid‑step.
Slowly, he turned back to me, eyes narrowing. "Don't use that voice on me, Jay."
I blinked up at him. "Ari…"
"No," he said, pointing at me. "No puppy eyes. No soft voice. No 'Ari please'. I'm telling Kuya."
"Fine, but this is the last time," Aries said, pointing at Keifer like he was disciplining a toddler.
"Get out now."
"I want to stay with my wife," Keifer said, and then — for reasons only God knows — he hugged Aries.
Aries froze.
Then he looked down at Keifer's arms around him like they were poisonous snakes.
"You really want to see your funeral, don't you," Aries said, voice flat.
I sighed. "You should go home, Keifer. Keigan and Keiran will wait for you."
Keifer finally let go of Aries and nodded, walking toward the window like this was his normal exit route.
Before climbing out, he turned back, grabbed my face gently, and kissed me — quick but warm.
"Bye, wife," he said with that stupid smile.
Aries' jaw dropped. "KEIFER—"
But Keifer was already halfway out the window, waving like an idiot.
"GOODNIGHT, BROTHER‑IN‑LAW!"
Aries lunged for him, but Keifer slipped out and disappeared into the night like a chaotic ninja.
I covered my face with my hands.
Aries turned to me slowly. "Jay."
"Yes?"
"Why are you dating a clown?"
I laughed. "Because he's my clown."
Aries groaned. "I need therapy."
With that he left
I finished my food and slept
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I know this chapter as boring but trust me the upcoming chapter will be interesting