--: Keifer's POV: --
The world was still spinning. My lungs were burning for air, and my heart was thumping against my ribs so hard I was sure Jay Jay could feel it through my chest. I didn't pull away immediately. I kept my forehead pressed against hers, our breaths mingling in the quiet, sun-drenched room.
I had dreamt of this. I had spent countless nights staring at the ceiling, wondering if she could ever see me as more than just a protector. And now, hearing her ask to be "official"—it felt like the final piece of my soul had clicked into place.
"You have no idea," I whispered, my voice thick with emotion. I squeezed her hand, my thumb tracing her knuckles. "How long I've waited to hear you say that."
I looked into her eyes. The terror of the nightmare was gone, replaced by a soft, glowing clarity. I felt a surge of protectiveness so strong it made my chest ache. Boss told me to stay in my room, but looking at her now, I knew I could never let her go through the dark alone again.
"Are you sure, Jay Jay?" I asked, my voice dropping to a serious, low tone. "Once we tell them... once we tell your brothers and the whole Section... there's no going back. I'm going to be everywhere. I'm going to be the one holding your hand in front of the whole world."
--: Jay Jay's POV: --
I looked at him, and for the first time in my life, I didn't feel like a victim. I felt like a girl who was loved. The warmth from his hands was spreading through my entire body, grounding me.
"I'm sure," I said, my voice firmer than I expected. "I don't want to hide anymore, Keifer. You were the one who stayed when it was dark. I want you to be the one who stays now that it's light."
He didn't say anything. He just leaned in and kissed my forehead, a long, lingering press of his lips that felt like a vow.
I leaned my head on his shoulder, watching the dust motes dance in the sunlight. "Do we have to go downstairs yet? I just... I want to stay like this for a little longer."
Keifer let out a soft chuckle, the vibration of his chest soothing me. "We can stay as long as you want. But I can hear them moving around downstairs. If I know Keigan, he's probably trying to take over the kitchen, and Keiran is probably hovering near the stairs waiting for us."
--: Author's POV: --
Outside the bedroom door, the mansion was starting to wake up. Keiran was indeed hovering near the landing. He had heard the scream last night—everyone had—and he had seen Keifer sprint into Jay Jay's room with a desperation that had shaken the house. He had stayed in the hall for a while, his heart heavy with worry, until the crying finally stopped.
He knew his brother hadn't come back out.
Keiran looked toward the stairs, seeing Keigan leaning against the banister. Keigan looked tired, his eyes dark with the stress of the previous night, but he was watching Jay Jay's door with a quiet, watchful intensity.
"He's still in there.." Keiran whispered, glancing at Keigan.
Keigan nodded slowly, crossing his arms over his chest. "I know. After that scream, I didn't expect Kuya to leave her side. But if Kuya Angelo calls..."
"Kuya Angelo isn't here" Keiran muttered, his voice trailing off as he looked at the door.
--: Keifer's POV: --
I eventually pulled back, looking at her with a smirk. "Okay, we should probably go get some breakfast. You need to keep your strength up after the night you had."
I stood up, but I didn't let go of her hand. I reached for the oversized hoodie I had left on the chair earlier and handed it to her. "Put this on. It's cold in the hallway."
Jay Jay took it, pulling the black fabric over her head. It was huge on her, the sleeves hanging past her hands, making her look incredibly small and precious. She looked like she belonged here. She looked like she belonged to me.
"Ready?" I asked, standing by the door.
She took a deep breath, straightened the hoodie, and nodded. "Ready."
I opened the door, and sure enough, Keiran and Keigan were standing right there in the hallway. They both froze, their eyes dropping immediately to our joined hands.
Keiran let out a little "Oh.." his eyes going wide with a mix of surprise and excitement. Keigan, however, just raised an eyebrow, a slow, knowing smirk spreading across his face as he looked from me to Jay Jay.
"So," Keigan said, leaning his back against the wall with his usual cool demeanor. "I guess the 'don't cross the line..' talk from Kuya Angelo went out the window about two minutes after he left?"
I didn't flinch. I squeezed Jay Jay's hand tighter and looked them both in the eye.
"She had a nightmare," I said, my voice leaving no room for argument. "I stayed. And I'm staying for good. We're official."
Keiran grinned, looking genuinely happy. "Finally!"
Keigan just chuckled, pushing off the wall. "Come on then, 'Official Couple.' Let's go eat before the coffee gets cold. But Kuya... you're the one telling Kuya Angelo when he calls. I'm not getting caught in that crossfire."
We walked down the stairs together, my hand never letting go of Jay Jay's, while the two younger brothers followed behind, exchanging looks of relief.
--: Author's POV: --
The kitchen of the Highland Estate was filled with soft morning light, but the atmosphere was a bit chaotic. Keigan was standing at the stove, squinting at a pan of eggs, while a piece of sourdough in the toaster was starting to smell a little too "well-done."
Keifer walked in, still holding Jay Jay's hand, and immediately crinkled his nose. He didn't even say good morning before he stepped into his role as the eldest.
"Move over, Keigan," Keifer grunted, gently nudging him aside with his shoulder. "I told you, you'd burn the house down if I left you in here alone. Go sit down before you ruin the breakfast."
Keigan rolled his eyes but happily surrendered the spatula. "Fine. I was only doing it because you were too busy being a hero upstairs. Don't blame me if I'm out of practice."
Keiran laughed from his stool, watching the transition. "Admit it, Kuya Keigan, you just wanted Kuya Keifer to take over so you wouldn't have to do the dishes."
--: Keifer's POV: --
I settled into the rhythm of the kitchen, finally letting go of Jay Jay's hand just long enough to flip the eggs and save the toast. I pulled out a chair for her at the breakfast bar, making sure she was comfortable before I got back to the stove.
I was halfway through plating the food when my phone, sitting on the countertop, began to vibrate.
[ BOSS ]
The kitchen went dead quiet. Keiran and Keigan both froze, their eyes darting to the screen. Even without a leak, everyone knew that Boss checked the security logs every morning. He knew exactly where everyone was in the house.
I didn't hesitate. I wiped my hands on a towel and hit the speaker button.
"Boss.." I said, my voice steady.
"Keifer!!" Kuya Angelo's voice was sharp. We could hear the muffled sound of London traffic behind him. "I'm looking at the security logs from the estate. The motion sensors show you entered Jay Jay's room at approximately 2:00 AM, and the door hasn't been opened from the inside since then. Care to explain why you've decided my protocols are optional?"
I looked at Jay Jay. She looked nervous, but I kept my voice firm. "She had a nightmare, Boss. A bad one. I stayed to pull her back. I wasn't going to leave her alone just to follow a protocol."
"You stayed for over six hours, Keifer?" Kuya Angelo countered, his voice dropping an octave. "That's a line you don't cross without a reason. Is she alright?"
I took a breath, knowing this was it. "She's fine now. And there's more. We're official, Boss. I'm staying by her side because that's where she wants me, and that's where I'm going to be."
The silence from London was absolute. I could almost hear the wheels turning in his head.
--: Jay Jay's POV: --
I could feel the weight of the silence over the phone. I leaned toward the countertop, my voice soft but certain.
"Kuya Angelo, It's true. I asked him to stay. I don't want to be alone anymore... and I want it to be him. I'm happy."
There was a long, heavy sigh from the speaker—one of exhaustion, but also a strange kind of relief. "Jay Jay... if this is what you truly want, I won't be the one to stop you. But Keifer? If you break her heart while I'm away, you better start running before my plane touches the ground. Am I clear?"
"Crystal clear, Boss" Keifer replied with a smirk.
"Good. Stay inside the gates. I'll be back in three days."
Click.
--: Jay Jay's POV: --
As soon as the line went dead, I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. Keiran was already cheering, and Keigan was laughing at how "lucky" Keifer was. But the peace only lasted for about thirty seconds.
Keifer's phone buzzed again. This time, it was a call from David.
Keifer answered it on speaker. "What is it, David?"
"Yo, Keifer!" David's voice was full of energy, and I could hear Ci-N shouting in the background. "Classes got canceled for the morning because of some faculty meeting, so we're skipping out early. We're about five minutes away from the estate. Ci-N insisted on buying three dozen donuts for Jay Jay to cheer her up after yesterday. See you in a bit!"
Click.
My eyes went wide. I looked down at the massive black hoodie I was wearing—it was clearly Keifer's. My hair was a mess from the nightmare, and I was sitting here looking like I hadn't left his side all night.
"Five minutes?" I whispered, starting to panic. "Keifer, I need to go change. If the guys see me like this, they're never going to stop teasing me!"
--: Keifer's POV: --
I watched her start to scramble out of the chair, but I reached out and caught her hand, pulling her back gently. A slow, mischievous smirk spread across my face.
"Stay.." I said, my voice low and teasing.
"Keifer, I'm wearing your clothes!" she hissed, though her face was turning bright pink.
"Exactly," I replied, leaning against the counter. "Let them talk. I told Boss, I told my brothers, and now it's time the rest of the Section knows exactly who you belong to."
Keiran cackled from his stool. "Oh, this is going to be good. I'm going to go unlock the front door. Kuya Keigan, get ready for the show!"
"Sit back down, Jay Jay," I said, sliding her plate of eggs back in front of her. "Eat your breakfast. Let the 'circus' come to us."