Chapter 33: Chaos, Contracts, and a Certain Watson
Jay's POV
The morning started… exactly like I didn't want it to. My alarm screaming like it had a personal vendetta against me, my coffee cold on the kitchen counter because I'd forgotten to drink it while rushing through emails, and my phone buzzing like it was trying to set the world on fire. Alex had already texted me three reminders about the meetings today, and honestly, I was not mentally prepared.
Braselton and Fer Corp. Back-to-back. Two completely different companies, two completely different sets of expectations, and one very bad feeling in my gut that someone was about to throw a wrench in my carefully organized day. And yes, I knew my heart would still try to make me lose my mind if Watson came near. Which, by the way, he probably would.
I grabbed my black blazer and straightened my white button-up. I'm CEO of Mariano Enterprises. I don't get nervous. I'm supposed to be in control. I can handle deals worth millions, contracts that could make or break companies, presentations that leave my clients speechless… But somehow, my heart rate just hit a hundred the moment I stepped into the lobby and saw that sleek, impossible black car pull up outside.
No. Not him. Don't think like that. He's not here. He couldn't be.
I walked into the conference room for Braselton first. Papers, laptops, presentations, pitches… all fine. All boring. Everything I've done a thousand times. I was signing the first contract when my assistant Alex nudged me.
Alex: "Boss… someone's here to see you. Watson."
I froze mid-pen stroke. My hand literally hovered over the signature like it was a bomb about to explode. My stomach flipped. My heart? Yeah, it decided to do backflips and pirouettes at the same time.
Jay: No. Not now. I can't. I am not ready.
I peeked over my shoulder… and there he was. Keifer Watson. My first love. My worst heartbreak. My chaos incarnate.
He didn't even walk. He glided. That smug, confident smirk plastered on his face like he owned the world — or at least owned me. And of course, his eyes locked on mine, sharp, calculating, like he could see through the entire building and straight into my soul.
Jay: Why today? Why now? I'm running a company! I have contracts! I have power! I cannot—
Keifer strode forward, ignoring the staff, ignoring the clients, ignoring everything except me. My hand on the pen trembled as he stopped beside me.
Keifer: "Jasper Jean Mariano… still in control, I see. Or at least trying to be."
Jay: Control? HA! You have no idea, Watson. None.
I looked away, trying to act professional, but my heart betrayed me, pounding against my ribs, reminding me that it's him. Always him.
Keifer leaned casually on the table beside me, smirk still in place.
Keifer: "Alex tells me you're busy. Big deals, contracts… boring stuff. But hey, I have an offer too."
Jay: He always has an offer. Always. Every stupid thing he does is an offer. But this… this is professional? Is it a deal? Is it him?
I didn't look at him. Didn't want to. My assistant cleared his throat awkwardly, papers in hand. I tried to focus. Contracts. Clients. Focus, Jay. Business first.
But the second I glanced at him — and by glance, I mean tried not to stare — he caught my eye. That dangerous, impossible, infuriating gaze that made me want to simultaneously punch him and beg him not to leave.
Jay: Stop. He's here for a deal. Not for… me.
Keifer: "You're still the same. Smart, stubborn, beautiful… CEO of your empire. And still pretending you don't care that I'm here."
Jay: Pretending. Exactly. Pretend. Focus.
I put my head down, shuffled papers, tried to act professional. The Braselton clients looked mildly confused, but honestly? I didn't care. Because there he was, leaning against the conference table, arms crossed, watching me like I was a puzzle he intended to solve.
Keifer: "Jasper… can we skip the boring introductions? I know who you are. I know what you've done. I know what you're capable of. And I… I need this. You."
Jay: What?! No. Not here. Not now. Business first.
But then he did it. The thing that made my brain completely malfunction. The thing that made every logical thought, every carefully structured plan, every business-focused strategy vanish. He leaned down, slow, deliberate… and kissed the side of my neck.
My pen dropped. Papers scattered. My chair squeaked as I nearly toppled over. And just like that, everything in the room — clients, assistants, contracts, deadlines — evaporated. Only him. Only Keifer. That impossible, infuriating, infuriating man.
Jay: Stop. I cannot. I will not. He cannot—
Keifer pulled back just enough to smirk, his lips brushing mine again.
Keifer: "I'm not going anywhere, Jay. Not today. Not ever."
Jay: I… I can't…
I shoved him. Hard. Professional distance. I had to. I had to act like a CEO. Like someone who didn't fall apart at the sight of him.
Jay: "Leave, Watson! Now! I… I cannot deal with you today! Not here! Not ever!"
Keifer's smirk didn't falter. His hand lingered, brushing mine on the table.
Keifer: "Fine. But just know… I'm coming back. And next time, you won't get rid of me."
Jay: I don't even care if he comes back. I cannot. I won't.
And just like that, he left. The elevator doors closed with a final ding, leaving me staring at the empty space, my chest heaving, my heart pounding, and my entire carefully controlled worldm — contracts, clients, deadlines, and all — in utter chaos.
Jay: He's insane. He's impossible. He's… him. And I… I hate that I still…
I sank into my chair, gripping the edge of the table. The meeting? Forgot. The contracts? Irrelevant. Keifer Watson had returned to my life, and for the first time in five years… I realized I might never be able to leave him behind.