JAY'S POV — WHEN SILENCE BECOMES A WEAPON
The music swelled again the moment I stepped back into the hall.
Laughter. Glasses clinking. Applause still echoing in fragments like nothing had fractured at all.
I walked.
Straight-backed. Steady.
No one noticed the tear tracks I hadn't fully wiped away. No one noticed how my smile had changed shape—sharper now, intentional.
Yuri turned when he saw me.
Relief crossed his face.
Good.
Let him feel safe for one more minute.
I moved past him without stopping and reached the stage. Before anyone could question it, before anyone could intercept me, I picked up the microphone from its stand.
The sound cut through the hall—clean, sudden.
Every conversation paused.
I smiled into the crowd.
"Everyone," I said brightly, voice smooth, controlled. "If I could steal your attention for just a moment?"
Heads turned. Phones lifted again, expecting romance, celebration, spectacle.
"Since tonight is about new beginnings," I continued, pacing slowly across the stage, "we've arranged something special."
A ripple of interest passed through the room.
"The fireworks display will be best viewed from the skylight terrace," I said. "It'll be absolutely perfect in about an hour—right as the New Year begins."
Excited murmurs.
I gestured casually. "Please make your way there now. Drinks are already being served."
Applause broke out—light, eager.
People moved immediately.
They trusted the voice.
They trusted the smile.
They always did.
I stepped off the stage and watched as the hall emptied—guests flowing toward the elevators and glass corridors, buzzing with anticipation.
Within minutes, the room thinned.
Then—
Stillness.
Only a handful of people remained.
Yuri's family.
My family.
And us.
The air changed.
No music now. No chatter to hide behind.
Yuri turned toward me slowly.
Confused.
Concerned.
"Jay?" he said softly. "What was that?"
I didn't answer him.
I reached for a glass of champagne from a passing tray—ignored the server's startled look—and took a slow sip.
Then I turned to face everyone.
Angelo stiffened instantly.
Tita Gema's hands clasped together too tightly.
Lola looked worried.
Yuri's grandfather straightened, eyes narrowing.
Interesting.
"So," I said calmly, setting the glass down. "Now that we have some privacy."
Yuri laughed nervously. "You scared me for a second."
I met his eyes.
And didn't smile.
His laughter died.
"Jay," he said again, more cautiously now. "What's wrong?"
I looked around the room.
At the people who had decided my life without inviting me into the conversation.
"My entire evening," I said quietly, "has been a masterclass in surprise."
No one spoke.
"I found out," I continued, voice steady as glass, "that Fer Corp is bankrupt."
Yuri sucked in a breath.
Angelo went rigid.
Tita Gema's face drained of color.
"Oh," I added lightly. "And that the Hanamitchi Group just happened to offer a collaboration."
Yuri stepped toward me. "Jay, listen—"
"And," I went on, cutting him off smoothly, "that apparently I am part of the deal."
Silence.
Thick. Suffocating.
Yuri's mother looked between us, alarmed now. "Jay, this isn't—"
"Isn't what?" I asked, turning toward her. "A business arrangement? Because that's exactly how it was explained to me."
Yuri's jaw tightened. "That's not fair."
"Fair?" I repeated softly.
I laughed then.
Not hysterical.
Not broken.
Controlled.
"Did anyone here plan to tell me?" I asked, eyes sweeping the room. "Or was I supposed to find out by kneeling?"
Angelo stepped forward. "Jay, we were trying to protect—"
"Protect who?" I snapped, the first crack in my voice. "The company? The reputation? Or the image of a perfect alliance?"
Yuri took another step closer. "I love you," he said urgently. "This isn't just business."
I looked at him.
Really looked.
"You should have told me," I said quietly.
His mouth opened.
Then closed.
That hesitation said everything.
I nodded slowly. "Okay."
That single word seemed to unsettle everyone more than shouting would have.
I turned away from them and reached into my clutch.
Pulled out my phone.
Checked the time.
Seven minutes.
Damian would be arriving any moment.
"I said yes," I continued calmly, "because you're my friend, Yuri. And I wasn't going to humiliate you in front of the world."
Yuri swallowed. "Jay—"
"But don't mistake my kindness for consent," I said, meeting his eyes again. "Those are very different things."
His grandfather cleared his throat. "Young lady—"
I turned sharply. "With respect, sir—this conversation should have included me from the beginning."
The old man studied me.
Not offended.
Calculating.
"Very well," he said. "Then let's discuss this properly."
I smiled.
Oh.
We would.
Just then—
The doors to the hall opened.
Damian walked in.
Suit crisp. Tablet in hand. Expression unreadable.
Every head turned.
I exhaled slowly.
Right on time.
"Good," I said softly. "You're here."
Damian stopped beside me, nodding politely to the room. "Apologies for the interruption."
Yuri frowned. "Who is this?"
I didn't look at him.
"This," I said, "is my counteroffer."
The words landed heavy.
And for the first time that night—
I wasn't the one being cornered.
I was the one holding the leverage...
I didn't raise my voice.
I didn't need to.
I walked to the nearest chair instead.
The scrape of wood against marble echoed far louder than shouting ever could.
Every eye followed me.
Slowly, deliberately, I sat.
Then—without breaking eye contact with anyone—I reached down, gathered the fabric of my dress, and slit a clean line along the side seam.
Gasps rippled through the room.
The fabric parted just enough to reveal my leg as I crossed it over the other—elegant, controlled, unapologetic.
Not reckless.
Intentional.
I leaned back.
Comfortable.
In control.
If they wanted a spectacle, I'd give them one—on my terms.
Damian stepped forward then, as if on cue.
Behind him walked two men in sharp charcoal suits—one carrying a slim briefcase, the other already pulling documents from a leather folder.
"This," Damian said calmly, "is Mr. Rao, senior legal counsel for JJM Industries."
Silence.
I tilted my head slightly, watching the realization begin to ripple.
Yuri's mother frowned.
Angelo's eyes narrowed.
Tita Gema's breath caught.
Yuri's grandfather stiffened.
"JJM…?" he repeated slowly.
I smiled.
Small.
Dangerous.
"Yes," I said. "That JJM Industries."
The one whispered about in boardrooms.
The one that appeared out of nowhere.
The one that acquired quietly, efficiently, mercilessly.
The one run by a "mysterious young executive."
They had speculated.
They had underestimated.
They had never once considered me.
Damian placed the folder on the table in front of them and slid it forward.
"JJM Industries," he continued evenly, "is prepared to acquire a controlling stake in Fer Corp effective immediately."
Shock finally cracked the room open.
"That's impossible," Yuri's father said sharply. "JJM doesn't reveal—"
"—its leadership?" I finished for him sweetly. "No. It doesn't."
I leaned forward now, resting my elbow on my knee.
"But tonight," I added, eyes glinting, "I'm feeling transparent."
I tapped the folder with one manicured finger.
"The proposal includes capital infusion, debt restructuring, and a revised board composition."
I glanced at Yuri.
"And no," I added casually, "it does not include my hand in marriage."
Yuri's face drained of color.
Angelo finally found his voice. "Jay… you own JJM?"
I looked at him.
Really looked.
"You taught me to protect myself," I said quietly. "I just listened better than you thought."
Tita Gema sank into a chair.
Lola stared at me like she was seeing me for the first time.
Yuri's grandfather leaned forward, eyes sharp now—not angry.
Impressed.
"You planned this," he said slowly.
I smiled wider.
"No," I corrected. "I prepared for it."
Damian slid another document forward. "The offer stands for twenty-four hours."
I stood then.
Smooth. Unrushed.
I adjusted the slit in my dress, reclaimed my space, my height, my authority.
"This," I said softly, "is me choosing my future."
I turned toward Yuri.
"You should've trusted me enough to tell me the truth," I said. "But you didn't."
I stepped back.
Toward the door.
"And that," I finished, eyes sweeping the stunned room, "is the difference between partnership… and possession."
I paused.
Smirked.
"Happy New Year," I said lightly.
Then I walked out.
Behind me, silence shattered into chaos.
And inside me—
Something fierce, electric, unstoppable finally stretched awake...