The room was quiet, the kind of quiet that felt like it was holding its breath.
Jay and Keifer lay side by side on the bed, their bodies close enough that they could feel each other's warmth through the sheets. The lamp beside them cast a soft glow, turning the room into a gentle cocoon.
Keifer's arm was draped over her, his hand resting lightly on her hip. Jay's fingers were tangled in his hair, pulling him closer without even realizing she was doing it.
They didn't speak at first. They didn't need to.
The silence was comfortable—like they were finally allowed to be themselves without pretending.
Jay turned her head and looked up at him. "Are you okay?" she asked softly.
Keifer's eyes softened. "Yeah," he said. "I'm… more than okay."
Jay smiled, a small, sleepy smile. "Me too."
Keifer leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. "I want you to know something."
Jay's eyes lifted, curious.
Keifer's voice was quiet, serious. "I'm not going to rush you. I'm not going to push you into anything. If you ever feel unsure, you tell me. I'll stop. Always."
Jay's heart squeezed.
"I know," she whispered. "And I trust you."
Keifer smiled, a soft, relieved smile. "Good."
Jay's fingers traced slow circles on his chest. "I don't want this to be just a one-time thing," she admitted.
Keifer's gaze locked onto hers. "It won't be."
Jay's breath caught. "Promise?"
Keifer nodded. "Promise."
Jay's eyes shone. She leaned in, pressing her lips to his again. The kiss was gentle, lingering, filled with everything they hadn't said all day.
When they pulled apart, Keifer rested his forehead against hers.
"I want you to feel safe," he murmured.
Jay's voice was soft. "I do."
Keifer's hand moved to her cheek, thumb brushing her skin tenderly. "Then let me hold you," he whispered.
Jay nodded, and Keifer wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close.
Jay snuggled into his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart beneath her ear. Keifer's hands moved slowly over her back, soothing, protective. There was no rush. No urgency.
Just two people who had found something real in the middle of their busy lives.
They stayed like that for a long time, breathing each other in, letting the quiet wrap around them like a blanket.
And as Jay drifted closer to sleep, she realized that this wasn't just a moment.
It was the start of something beautiful.
The morning light slipped through the curtains like a soft promise.
Jay woke first, still wrapped in the warmth of Keifer's arms. The hotel room was quiet, but she didn't feel the usual rush of panic or fear that came with mornings. Instead, she felt something gentle—like the world had slowed down just for them.
Keifer stirred beside her, his hand tightening around her waist instinctively. His face was relaxed, his eyes still half-closed, and for a moment Jay just watched him. She couldn't help but smile.
He opened his eyes slowly, and when he saw her watching him, his smile came naturally—soft, real, and full of something she couldn't quite name.
"Good morning," he murmured.
Jay leaned closer, her forehead resting against his. "Morning."
Keifer kissed her temple, then her forehead, then finally her lips—slow and tender, like he wanted to remember every moment.
When they finally pulled apart, Keifer's voice was quiet. "We should go."
Jay blinked. "Back to the house?"
Keifer nodded. "Yeah. We've got work."
Jay's heart tightened, but she didn't hesitate. She kissed him again, short and sweet. "Okay."
They got dressed, packing up the last of their things, and left the hotel. The ride back to the house was quiet, but the silence wasn't empty. It felt full—like they were both holding onto the morning and trying not to let it slip away.
When they arrived at the house, the door opened like it always did—familiar, comfortable, and somehow still exciting.
Jay stepped inside and immediately felt the difference. Their home always felt safe, but today it felt like it belonged to them even more.
Keifer walked in beside her, his hand finding hers without needing to look.
"You're quiet," he said softly.
Jay smiled. "I'm just… thinking."
Keifer turned to her, curiosity in his eyes. "About what?"
Jay looked around the house, the place that was theirs. "About how normal it feels," she said. "Like we're allowed to be happy."
Keifer's gaze softened. "We are."
Jay nodded, her eyes shining. "Yeah."
He wrapped his arms around her from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder. Jay leaned into him, feeling his warmth.
"I'm glad we did this," Keifer whispered.
Jay smiled. "Me too."
They shared a quiet moment, holding each other like they didn't want to let go.
Then, as if the world had remembered they had responsibilities, Keifer pulled back slightly and glanced at the clock.
"Alright," he said, voice turning professional. "Back to work."
Jay nodded and moved into her usual routine. She walked to the office area, pulled up her laptop, and began to prepare his schedule for the day. Keifer stood by the window for a moment, looking out at the city below.
They were both in their roles again—CEO and assistant—but now there was something else underneath it.
Something real.
The morning went on like it always did. Jay organized meetings, answered calls, and kept everything running smoothly. Keifer moved through his day with his usual confidence, leading calls, making decisions, and managing the company like he always did.
But between the tasks and the meetings, there were small moments.
A glance that lasted a second too long. A message on her phone.
Keifer: Coffee in 10?
Jay: I'll be there.
They didn't need to hide anything. Everyone already knew they lived together, so the relationship wasn't a secret. It just felt… more genuine now.
When lunchtime came, Keifer walked into the kitchen where Jay was making coffee.
He leaned against the counter beside her, watching her with a small smile.
"You look tired," he said.
Jay shrugged. "Long week."
Keifer reached for her hand and squeezed it gently. "Take a break."
Jay smiled. "I will."
He kissed her hand softly, then pulled her into a quick hug.
"Back to work after this," he whispered.
Jay nodded. "Okay."
They went back to their day, but now the routine felt different. Not because the work changed, but because they had each other to come home to.
And for the first time in a long time, Jay felt like she didn't have to carry everything alone.
Because she had Keifer.