few days after that evening…
Keifer didn't wait anymore.
He found Jay in the garden, sunlight falling on her hair, soft and golden.
He stopped a few steps away, heart pounding.
"Jay…" His voice was low, steady, but there was an edge of something desperate.
She looked up, curious, a small smile teasing her lips.
"I can't… I can't keep doing this," he said, taking a careful step closer.
"Running in circles. Hiding how I feel. Pretending things are… okay when they're not."
Jay's heart skipped. She swallowed. "Keifer…"
"I love you," he said, cutting through everything, like the words had been stuck in his chest forever.
"I never stopped. I never chose anyone else. Not in my heart. Not in my mind. You've always been… the one. My choice. My girl."
Jay blinked. Her chest tightened. "Keifer…"
He reached for her hands, holding them firmly, his eyes locking with hers.
"I don't care about Rina. I don't care about what anyone thinks. I don't care about timing, or rules, or… anything else."
He took a small, nervous breath. "Jay Watson… will you be my official girlfriend again?"
For a heartbeat… silence.
Then Jay laughed softly, tears sparkling in her eyes.
"Yes," she whispered, voice shaking.
"Yes… I'll be your girl. Again. Only yours."
Keifer's shoulders relaxed, relief flooding him.
He leaned closer, brushing his forehead against hers, holding her like he never wanted to let go.
And the world around them—the house, the garden, the lingering judgment from before—faded.
Because at that moment…
Nothing else mattered.
Only them.
Only their choice.
Only their love.
They didn't notice at first.
Serina and Keizer had been walking past the garden, talking softly about something trivial, when they stopped.
And then they saw them.
Keifer holding Jay's hands.
Jay smiling up at him, eyes bright with tears and laughter.
Their foreheads pressed together.
The kind of closeness that spoke more than words ever could.
Serina's hand went to her mouth, a soft gasp escaping.
Keizer's eyes widened, a slow smile spreading across his face.
They watched quietly for a moment.
And then… happiness broke through.
Serina whispered, more to herself than anyone else, "They're meant for each other."
Keizer chuckled softly, shaking his head in disbelief, but his voice was full of warmth.
"I think… the house finally feels like home again."
Jay looked up, noticing them for the first time.
Keifer's hand tightened around hers protectively.
But there was no fear.
Just pride.
Because the people who mattered… the people whose hearts had guarded him, had finally seen the truth.
Serina stepped forward, her eyes shining. "Jay… I'm happy. Truly happy."
Keizer nodded, clapping a hand on Keifer's shoulder. "About time, son. You did the right thing."
Keifer felt a weight lift from his chest.
He squeezed Jay's hands, a soft smile tugging at his lips.
"See?" he whispered to her.
"They like you. They really do."
Jay laughed, a small, relieved sound, and leaned into him.
For the first time in months…
The house felt alive.
Warm.
Full of love.
And Keifer knew, deep down…
Nothing could take this away from them now.