--: Author's POV: --
The five minutes felt like five seconds. The sound of a heavy engine roaring up the gravel driveway signaled the arrival of the "circus." A moment later, the screech of brakes and the slamming of van doors echoed through the crisp Highland air.
Keiran practically tripped over his own feet as he ran to the foyer to unlock the front door, his face split into a grin of pure mischief. Keigan, meanwhile, leaned back against the kitchen counter, crossing his arms and checking his watch with a slow, knowing smirk.
Keifer didn't move. He stood right behind Jay Jay, his hand resting firmly on the back of her chair in a gesture that was half-protective, half-possessive. He looked completely at ease, though his eyes were sharp, watching the kitchen entrance with the focus of a hunter.
"JAY JAY! WE'RE HERE TO RESCUE YOU FROM THE BOREDOM!" Ci-N's voice boomed through the house before he even crossed the threshold.
The heavy thud of boots hit the floor as the entire group flooded in. David was the first to round the corner into the kitchen, carrying a brown paper bag of breakfast food, followed by Ci-N, who was balancing three massive boxes of donuts. Behind them, Percy and the rest of Section E piled into the room, filling the space with their overwhelming energy. All of them—crammed into the kitchen, turning the quiet estate into a crowded school lounge in seconds.
--: Jay Jay's POV: --
I tried to shrink into the hoodie, pulling the sleeves over my hands until only my fingertips were visible. My face was so hot I was sure I could feel the steam rising from my cheeks. Having all seventeen of them staring at me at once was terrifying.
The entire group skidded to a halt.
The silence that followed was absolute. David stopped mid-sentence, the bag in his hand crinkling. Kit and Mayo blinked in sync, their eyes darting from Keifer's hand on my chair to the unmistakable black fabric of the hoodie I was wearing. Percy stood near the front, his eyes wide as he processed the scene. Rory and Edrix peeked over the others' shoulders, while Blaster and Eren just stood there with their mouths open.
Ci-N was the last to react. He stood frozen, his jaw slowly dropping as his gaze landed on the oversized sleeves covering my hands.
"Wait..." Ci-N whispered, his eyes wide. "Is that... is she...?"
"Keifer's hoodie!!" Percy finished for him, his voice sounding like he had just seen a ghost.
David cleared his throat, looking at the two plates of eggs and sourdough sitting side-by-side at the breakfast bar. "Uh... guys? Did we skip a few chapters? Why does it look like we just walked into a domestic morning scene?"
--: Keifer's POV: --
I let the silence stretch, enjoying the look of pure, unadulterated shock on seventeen faces. I felt Jay Jay tremble slightly under my hand, her instinct still telling her to hide, but I didn't let her. I squeezed the back of her chair gently, a silent reminder that I wasn't going anywhere.
"You're early" I said, my voice cool and intentionally bored.
"Early?!" Ci-N finally exploded, nearly dropping the donuts. "Keifer! I am looking at your Boss's sister wearing your clothes! Your clothes! At eight in the morning! And you're standing there like you're waiting for us to congratulate you?!"
I stepped forward just enough to close the gap between me and Jay Jay, making my position clear. Calix, Drew, and Denzel were already whispering to each other, but they went quiet when I spoke.
"I don't need your congratulations," I said, my voice dropping into that low, dangerous tone. "But you might as well get used to it. We're official. I stayed with her last night because she needed me, and I'm staying from now on."
--: Author's POV: --
The reaction was like a firework going off in a small room.
"I KNEW IT!" Ci-N roared, slamming the donut boxes onto the countertop. Eman, Blaster, and Eren started whistling and cheering, slapping each other's backs. Josh and Felix were already raiding the cabinets for extra plates, acting like they lived there.
"So... Kuya Angelo knows? Or are we currently witnessing your final meal before he flies back to execute you?" Percy asked, leaning against the breakfast bar with a grin.
"He knows," Keigan chimed in from the side, looking entirely too entertained. "He called ten minutes ago. Kuya Keifer didn't blink. Told the Boss exactly how it is."
David walked closer, his expression softening as he looked at Jay Jay, who was still trying to disappear into the collar of the hoodie. "You okay, Jay? You look a little overwhelmed by these idiots."
Jay Jay finally peeked out, her eyes meeting David's before flickering up to Keifer. A small, shy smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. "I'm okay, David. I'm... really happy."
Ci-N let out a dramatic, heartbroken wail, clutching his chest while Calix and Rory started opening the donut boxes. "She's happy! Jay Jay's is happy guyss!! Kit, get the coffee! We're not leaving until I hear every single detail!"
Keifer rolled his eyes, but he didn't pull away. He just looked down at Jay Jay, his expression softening into something so tender it made the rest of the boys look away to give them a second of privacy.
The Highland Estate was no longer a fortress of shadows. Between the smell of fresh coffee, the sugar-coated donuts, and the loud, laughter of Section E, it finally felt like a home.