Keifer's POV
We were in the living room.
Technically sitting.
Emotionally? Suspended over a volcano.
Ciel and the doctor were chatting like it was brunch and not 6AM after my girlfriend got shot and arrived on a horse like some wounded warrior princess.
I crossed my arms.
"When did you two even meet?"
Ciel looked casual. Too casual.
The doctor smiled. Too calm.
"I'm Doctor Luke. Or Doc Luke," he said smoothly. "A friend of Ciel Chantelle and Jayjay."
Yuri blinked. "You're that doctor?"
Luke turned to him immediately. "And you're Yuri Hanamitcchi. Ciel's little rooster."
The room went silent.
Yuri narrowed his eyes.
Rooster.
I almost smiled.
Almost.
I stepped forward. "What kind of doctor are you?"
He tilted his head. "A normal one."
Pause.
"And… a bit more."
I didn't like that answer.
"How long have you known them?"
"Almost a month."
A month.
One month and he talks like he knows everything.
I was about to say something sharper when Ci-N rushed in.
"Jay's awake."
Everything else stopped.
We all moved instantly.
Jay was sitting up in bed when we entered.
Pale. Weak. But awake.
My chest finally loosened.
"How are you feeling?" I asked quickly, moving to her side. "Does your arm hurt? Do you need water?"
I grabbed the glass before she could even answer and helped her drink.
"Who shot you?" I asked immediately.
She smiled.
Just smiled.
That smile irritated me.
"Who helped you bandage your arm?"
Before I could continue—
"Hi, Jean."
Jay turned her head.
Half surprised.
"Hi… what a surprise."
Luke folded his arms. "I said rest. You went on an adventure."
I stared at her.
"When I ask you questions, you don't answer."
She frowned slightly. "You didn't let me talk. You kept asking question upon question."
"Well, I'm worried!"
"I know," she said softly. "Don't worry."
Don't worry.
She says that like she didn't remove a bullet from her own arm.
Luke stepped closer. "Get up. Let me check her."
I didn't move.
"Stand and treat her," I said flatly.
Suddenly, Luke placed his hand on my shoulder.
And lifted me.
Not violently.
Not aggressively.
Just… lifted.
My body moved.
Against my will.
I tried to resist.
I couldn't.
He set me aside like I weighed nothing.
Yuri blinked. "You let him move you?"
I adjusted my shirt calmly. "I didn't want to create a scene."
There's no way he can carry me.
No way.
But inside my head?
How did I not move?
What was that grip?
That wasn't normal.
Ci-N poked me. "He's talking to you."
"Huh?"
Adrian folded his arms. "He said you're weak. You need strength."
The entire room gasped.
My jaw tightened.
"What are you trying to say?" I asked, annoyed.
Luke smiled slightly.
"Move me," he said calmly. "Or I'll hug your girlfriend."
Felix corrected from the back. "Wife. His wife."
Luke nodded. "Yes. Your wife."
I stepped forward.
"You're getting on my nerves."
"Move me," he repeated.
I grabbed his arm.
Tried to shift him.
Nothing.
Tried again.
Nothing.
He didn't even tense.
It was like trying to push a wall.
Suddenly he stepped away on his own.
I almost stumbled forward.
The others were already whispering.
"This is going to end badly."
"He's dead."
"Prepare funeral music."
Luke spread his arms dramatically.
"Now I will hug your wife."
He walked toward Jay.
And Jay—
Started laughing.
Actually laughing.
"Ready?" Luke teased.
Before he could reach her—
THUD.
Jay hit him with a pillow.
"Keifer, come here!"
I didn't hesitate.
I sat beside her immediately.
She wrapped her arms around me.
I hugged her back tightly.
Luke stepped away, pretending to look offended.
"Well," he sighed, "it's almost 6:40 AM. I have to go."
He walked toward the door.
Yuri crossed his arms. "Who helped you with your wound?"
Jay looked at us.
Calm.
Casual.
"Me."
The room froze again.
I looked at her arm.
At her pale face.
At her small smile.
She removed a bullet.
Alone.
On a random bench somewhere.
My chest tightened.
She's insane.
Brave.
Stubborn.
Mine.
And whoever made her go through that—
I will not forgive them.
End of Chapter.