The mansion had never felt so full of life. With Sofia finally settled, along with her daughter Kia, the east wing now truly felt like home for everyone.
Keifer had just finished helping Sofia arrange some of her things and was walking past her daughter's room when he noticed something that made him pause. Kia was sitting by the window, her gaze fixed on him—not the innocent curiosity of a young cousin, but something different.
There was intensity there, a sharpness that made Keifer's stomach tighten. It wasn't the look of a cousin welcoming him or excited to see him—it was something heavier, more calculating. Desire. Lust.
He blinked, trying to shake the thought from his mind. "I'm imagining things," he muttered under his breath.
But the feeling lingered. That gaze stayed with him even as he moved down the hall, heading toward Jay's room. He couldn't afford distractions—especially not from someone so young and unpredictable.
When he finally reached Jay, he let out a slow breath, closing the door behind him. Her warm smile instantly eased the tension coiling in his chest.
"Long day?" Jay asked, noticing the slight unease in his expression.
"Yeah… just… some things to sort out," Keifer replied, forcing a casual tone. He didn't tell her what he'd felt—he'd deal with that later. For now, Jay's presence was enough to ground him.
Jay tilted her head, concern flickering in her eyes. "You look tense. Want to talk?"
Keifer shook his head, letting a small smirk slip instead. "Nah… I've got you here now. That's all I need."
And as he sank beside her, the uneasy thoughts about Kia were pushed to the back of his mind—at least for now. But deep down, Keifer knew he couldn't ignore the feeling forever. Something about that gaze had been wrong, and he'd keep watch, quietly, while protecting Jay and the family.