Jays pov
I woke up to a sound I didn't recognize.
Not a notification.
Not a call.
Not the office.
Just… silence.
And it felt strange.
For a moment, I panicked—because silence usually meant something was wrong.
But then I realized—
Keifer was still asleep beside me.
And he looked peaceful.
Not tense.
Not controlled.
Just… quiet.
I stared at him for a moment, like I was afraid to disturb the peace.
Then I smiled.
It was a small smile, but it felt like my heart had been waiting for it.
I leaned closer and kissed his cheek.
His eyes opened slowly.
"Morning," he said, voice still sleepy.
"Morning," I replied.
He blinked, then smiled. "You're awake early."
"I'm not used to sleeping peacefully," I admitted.
Keifer sat up and looked at me.
His gaze was gentle.
"Good," he said. "Because today you're going to have fun."
I blinked. "Fun?"
He nodded.
"Today, you're not working."
I laughed softly. "That's impossible."
He shook his head. "It's not. You're allowed to take a day off."
I stared at him.
Then I realized—
He wasn't asking.
He was telling.
I swallowed. "Okay."
Keifer smiled. "Good."
We went out.
Not to the office. Not to a meeting.
Just… out.
We walked through the city like normal people.
I felt my body relax with every step.
Keifer walked beside me, hands in his pockets, looking like he belonged to the world and the world belonged to him.
But he didn't look at anyone with that cold CEO stare.
He looked at people like he was part of them.
It was strange.
It was… human.
We stopped at a small café.
Keifer didn't ask for my opinion.
He just ordered.
Then he turned to me and said, "Sit."
I sat.
And he smiled like he was proud of me.
He brought me my coffee.
Then he did something childish.
He took my cup and pretended to take a sip, then made a face.
"Too bitter," he said dramatically.
I laughed. "You don't even drink coffee."
He shrugged. "I do today."
He leaned closer, and his voice turned soft.
"You know," he said, "I like you when you're not trying to be strong."
My heart thudded.
I felt my cheeks heat up.
"I'm always strong," I replied, trying to sound confident.
He smiled. "Not today."
He reached into his bag and pulled out a small packet.
"Open it," he said.
I looked at him, confused.
When I opened it, I saw a little toy.
A small stuffed bear.
I stared at it.
Then at him.
He smiled. "You said you liked small things."
I swallowed.
"I didn't mean—"
"You did," he said gently. "You just didn't allow yourself to admit it."
I felt my eyes sting.
I hugged the bear.
"It's cute," I whispered.
He nodded like he was satisfied. "I knew you'd like it."
I looked at him.
"Why are you doing this?" I asked.
He shrugged. "Because you deserve it."
I didn't know what to say.
So I simply smiled.
Later, we walked through the park.
I was laughing at something he said, and suddenly I felt like a kid again.
I didn't care about appearances.
I didn't care about power.
I didn't care about being the perfect assistant.
I was just… Jay.
Keifer stopped and looked at me seriously.
"Come here," he said.
I walked toward him.
He held out his arms.
I hesitated.
Then I stepped into them.
He pulled me close, wrapping his arms around me like he was holding me in place.
Not because he was controlling.
Because he was protecting.
I rested my head against his chest.
And for the first time in a long time, I didn't feel like I had to prove anything.
"I'm scared," I whispered.
Keifer's arms tightened.
"Of what?" he asked.
"Of being happy," I admitted.
He chuckled softly. "You don't have to be scared."
I looked up at him.
He smiled.
"Because I'm not going anywhere."
I felt my eyes fill.
I hugged him tighter.
That night, we returned home.
The house felt warmer than usual.
Keifer didn't rush.
He didn't go to work.
He didn't open his laptop.
He just… stayed.
We cooked dinner together.
He let me choose the recipe.
He let me lead.
I felt like I was the one in control for once.
And it felt… good.
After dinner, we sat on the couch.
He wrapped a blanket around us.
Then he turned to me.
"Tell me something," he said.
"What?"
"Tell me something you want."
I hesitated.
Then I said, "I want to be happy."
Keifer nodded. "Good."
I looked at him.
"Is that too much to ask?"
He smiled. "No."
Then he kissed my forehead.
"You're allowed to ask for anything," he whispered. "And I'll give it to you."
I felt my heart explode.
I leaned into him and whispered, "You're my home."
Keifer smiled.
"Good," he said. "Because you're mine too."
I closed my eyes.
And for the first time, I felt safe enough to let myself be a child again.
Not because I was weak.
But because I was loved.