--: Author's POV: --
The morning of the Prom arrived, bathed in a soft, golden sunlight that seemed to promise a fresh start. Jay Jay and Freya were officially discharged from the hospital, escorted back to the Watson Mansion like precious cargo by a very overprotective Keifer and Edrix.
By 3:00 PM, the mansion was a whirlwind of activity. The air was thick with the scent of expensive hairspray, floral perfumes, and the hum of excitement. In the grand foyer, a playful but firm line had been drawn. Mica, Ella, and Freya stood at the base of the staircase, arms crossed, blocking the path of the boys who were already hovering.
"Listen up, you guys!" Ella announced, waving a makeup sponge like a weapon. "The entire second floor is a restricted zone. From now until exactly 6:00 PM, you are banned. We are going to get ready in peace, and not a single one of you is allowed to see us until we are fully done!"
"Wait, not even for a snack run?" Calix whined, pouting.
"No!" Mica laughed. "First we get ready, then you can see us. Those are the rules. If you agree, we might actually come down on time."
Keifer looked at his watch, a smirk playing on his lips as he looked up the stairs toward Jay Jay, who was standing slightly behind the other girls. "Fine, we agree. But you better be ready on time. I've waited long enough to see my queen in that dress."
With the boys' reluctant agreement, the girls retreated. To ensure total peace of mind, Denzel had arranged for a specialized babysitter to watch baby Grazel in the sunroom wing. The little one was settled with her toys and bottles, safe from the chaos of curling irons and dress fittings.
--: Jay Jay's POV: --
The master suite was a sea of silk and glitter. I sat at the vanity, staring blankly at a shimmering eyeshadow palette like it was a complex mathematical equation.
"I have no idea what to do with this," Jay Jay muttered, staring blankly at a shimmering eyeshadow palette. She was a warrior on the streets, but in front of a makeup mirror, she was completely lost.
"Don't panic, Jay-Jay," Ella giggled, stepping up behind me. "We've got you."
I felt a soft hand on my shoulder and looked up. It was Freya. She held a precision eyeliner pen and smiled at me through the mirror. "Here, let me do this part. You have such sharp, beautiful features; we should make them the star of the show."
As she leaned in to work, I realized how much had changed. Just days ago, Freya, Ella and I were like enemies. Now, we were silent partners. I let them work, feeling a strange, warm sense of peace as Mica, Raki, and Grace all buzzed around, helping each other zip up dresses and pin back curls. For the first time, I felt like I was part of a sisterhood.
--: Author's POV: --
At exactly 6:00 PM, the boys were gathered in the grand hall. They looked like a different breed of men. Keifer was breathtaking in a custom midnight-black velvet tuxedo that caught the light with every move. Aries, Edrix, and the rest of Section E were in sharp, charcoal and black suits, looking like the elite graduates they now were.
Suddenly, the lights in the hall cut out completely.
"Hey! Who turned out the lights?" Mayo shouted.
(A/N: Check comment section for their dresses, they might me little bit over, But they are different from what I thought 😅)
Click. The grand crystal chandeliers flickered to life, casting a warm, theatrical glow over the staircase. One by one, the girls appeared.
Grace led the way in a soft peach gown that flowed like water. Denzel literally stopped breathing
Then came Raki, looking absolutely regal in a floor-length, Royal Violet satin gown. Ci-N broke into a wide, lovestruck grin, clapping his hands together. "There she is! Oh, my beautiful Raki! You look absolutely stunning!"
Mica followed in a deep emerald silk dress that made Calix lose his breath.
Ella looked like a rose-gold dream, and Aries actually stumbled back against the wall when he saw her.
Freya followed in a stunning lavender silk dress with a delicate slit; Edrix stood frozen, his eyes locked on her with a raw, undeniable adoration.
Then, there was Jay Jay.
She wore the "moonlight" gown—a floor-length, that looked like it had been spun from the stars themselves. The fabric clung to her elegantly before flowing out into a soft train. Her hair was swept up, revealing the delicate diamond necklace.
Keifer didn't say a word. He couldn't. He just stood there, his heart in his eyes. The F4, watching from the balcony, gave a silent nod of respect. They had seen many beautiful women, but Jay Jay possessed a fierce, radiant grace that was unmatched.
"You look... unbelievable," Keifer finally choked out, stepping forward to take her hand. He kissed her knuckles, his eyes never leaving hers.
--: Author's POV: --
The group left for the luxury hotel in a fleet of black cars. Since the mansion was empty, the F4 decided to head out to an exclusive private lounge, while Angelo remained tethered to his desk in the city, working through late-night security meetings.
The Prom was a whirlwind of music and laughter. Section E dominated the dance floor, and for a few hours, the trauma of the past week felt a million miles away.
"I'll be right back," Jay Jay whispered into Keifer's ear after a long, slow dance. "I just need to wash my face. This makeup is a bit heavy and it's getting hot."
"Don't take long time," Keifer smiled, watching her walk away with a look of pure contentment.
--: Jay Jay's POV: --
The hallway leading to the restrooms was quiet and dimly lit. I was adjusting my silver strap when a man in a waiter's uniform rounded the corner sharply, bumping into me.
"Oh, excuse me—" I started, but my heart stopped.
The man didn't move. He didn't apologize. He stood there, and the air around him suddenly felt cold and rancid. I caught the scent—cheap, biting tobacco and a smell like rotting wood. I looked up and saw eyes that had haunted every nightmare I'd had since I was a child. Cold, yellowed, and filled with a sick pleasure.
I scrambled into the restroom, my chest heaving. I locked myself in a stall, gasping for air that wouldn't come. It's not him. He's gone. You're just seeing ghosts.
I came out to the sink to splash cold water on my face, my hands shaking uncontrollably. Freya walked out of a cubicle and froze when she saw me.
"Jay-Jay? What happened? You look like you've seen a ghost!"
"Nothing... just a dizzy spell. The heat, I think," I lied, forcing a brittle smile. "Please, don't tell anyone. Especially not Keifer. I don't want to ruin the night after everything he's done."
Freya looked deeply worried but nodded. "Okay. Let's head back together."
Freya walked out first. I followed a few paces behind, trying to settle my nerves. But as I passed a recessed service alcove, a massive, calloused hand suddenly slammed over my mouth, cutting off my scream. I was yanked backward into the dark stairwell before I could even kick.
--: Author's POV: --
Pinned against the rough concrete wall of the service stairs, Jay Jay looked up into the face of her living demon. Her stepfather.
He leaned in, his face inches from hers, his devilish smile widening as he felt her trembling. He kept his hand crushed against her lips, muffling her terrified whimpers.
"I finally found you, my little bird," he hissed, his voice a low, guttural rasp. "Did you think you were safe in that big house? Did you think that boy could keep me away?"
He let out a sickening, quiet laugh. "I won't do it now. No... I want you to suffer first. I want you to look over your shoulder every time a door opens. I want you to wonder if tonight is the night."
He stroked a dirty, rough fingernail down the side of her face, trailing over the shimmering silver fabric of her dress. "Don't you dare tell a soul. If you do, I'll vanish into the shadows, andthen I'll find you when you are truly alone. I will do what was interrupted. I will fuck you until you beg for death, and once I am satisfied... I will kill you. No one will ever find the body.
Bye my child.. see you soon😏"
He shoved her away with a sneer, laughing like a madman as he vanished down the service exit and into the night.
--: Keifer's POV: --
It had been too long. My internal clock was screaming at me. I saw Freya walking back into the ballroom alone and I intercepted her immediately.
"Freya! Where's Jay Jay? She went after you!"
Freya looked around, her eyes wide. "Keifer, she was right behind me! We walked out together... wait, where did she go?"
The world turned red. I didn't wait. I sprinted toward the restroom corridor, the rest of Section E and the brothers following my lead. We searched the stalls, the closets, and the side rooms.
"JAY JAY!" I roared.
Finally, tucked in a dark corner behind a massive Prom floor-poster, I saw a shimmer of silver silk. She was curled into a tiny ball, her forehead pressed against her knees, her arms wrapped so tightly around herself it looked like she was trying to disappear.
"Jay Jay?" I whispered, my voice trembling as I reached out to touch her shoulder.
"DON'T TOUCH ME! PLEASE, DON'T DO THAT!" she screamed, a sound of such pure, raw agony that it stopped everyone in their tracks.
I recoiled, my heart shattering into a million pieces. But as she looked up, her eyes slowly focused on me. The moment she realized it was me – she let out a broken, choked sob and lunged into my chest, clinging to my velvet jacket like it was her only lifeline.
I gathered her into my arms, the moonlight-silver dress draping over my suit, and looked at the boys with a gaze that could kill.
"Get the cars," I commanded, my voice cold and lethal. "We're going home. Now."