--: Author's POV: --
The luxury cruiser finally slowed its engines, gliding into the shallow, crystalline waters of the island. The view was enough to take anyone's breath away; the sand was a blindingly pure white, and the palm trees and coconut trees swayed in a gentle breeze that carried the scent of salt and tropical flowers. It was a literal paradise—serene, quiet, and perfectly still.
That stillness lasted approximately three seconds.
The ramp hit the sand with a heavy thud, and the exodus began. While the helpers started unloading the mountain of coolers and suitcases, the main group filtered onto the beach. But as they stepped onto the shore, the conversation died down. Everyone stopped, blinking in confusion at the coastline.
Last time Section E had visited Ulupong, there was only the massive, imposing mansion perched on the hill—a fortress of glass and stone where everyone had to squeeze into guest rooms and sleep on extra mats. Now, the coastline looked completely different.
Stretching along the beach were several modern, stylish cottages. They were built from dark wood with floor-to-ceiling glass windows and private wrap-around decks. They looked like high-end resort villas, scattered perfectly among the trees to ensure privacy while still being close to the action.
"Wait... what the hell?" Yuri muttered, shielding his eyes from the sun. "Did we came at wrong place? and end up at a resort?"
"Look at those cottages!" Felix shouted, pointing. "Those weren't here last time!"
--: Jay-Jay's POV: --
I stood on the sand, my mouth slightly open as I took in the changes. It looked beautiful, but I was just as confused as everyone else. I turned to Keifer, who was walking down the ramp with a cool, unbothered expression, even as Aries trailed behind him like a dark cloud.
"Keifer?" I asked, gesturing to the beach. "What is all this? Since when did you turn the island into a vacation village?"
Keifer stopped beside me, his hands in his pockets. He looked out at the cottages with a small, satisfied smirk. "The mansion is great, but it wasn't designed for this many people. I remember last time we were here—it was a nightmare. Everyone was fighting over the bathrooms, Drew spent four hours in the hallway mirror, and by the second night, half of Section E was sleeping on the floor of the living room because there weren't enough beds."
He looked over at the group, who were all listening intently. "I didn't want a repeat of that. The mansion is still the 'hub'—we'll eat there, party there, and hang out in the game room. But these cottages are for sleeping and showering. Everyone gets their own space. No more sleeping on the floor, and no more bathroom schedules."
Section E was silent for exactly one heartbeat before the roar erupted.
"NO BATHROOM SCHEDULES?!" Ci-N screamed in joy. "I CAN TAKE A ONE-HOUR SHOWER!"
"I don't have to hear Blaster snoring in the next bed!" Kit cheered, throwing his hat in the air.
"I don't snore you idiot!! I play beats and make them ready for my next song" Blaster said proudly.
"Keifer, you beautiful man!" Rory laughed, high-fiving Edrix.
"Don't get used to it," Keifer teased, his eyes sparkling. "Just make sure you don't burn them down."
--: Author's POV: --
While Section E was celebrating, Aries was standing with his arms crossed, looking at the cottages like they were filled with snakes. He marched up to Keifer, pointing a finger at his chest.
"I see what you're doing, Watson," Aries hissed. "You think you're clever. You built these 'cottages' so you can hide Jay-Jay away in one of them where I can't see what's going on! This is a tactical move!"
Keifer sighed, but the smirk on his face didn't fade. "Aries, I built them because I'm a good host. If I wanted to hide her away, I wouldn't need a cottage; I have an entire island. Now, are you going to take a key, or are you going to stand here and argue with the sand?"
"I am not staying in a cottage!" Aries declared, his voice echoing. "I am staying in the mansion. Right across the hall from Jay-Jay. And you... you are staying in the cottage furthest to the north. Alone."
Before Keifer could retort with another "Brother-in-law" jab, Thyme stepped forward, looking bored as he adjusted his sunglasses.
"Actually," Thyme interrupted, his voice loud and commanding. "Let's just stay in the cottages. And let the couples stay together. It's a lot less complicated that way."
Gorya's face turned bright red instantly. "Thyme! What are you saying?!"
"I'm staying with you," Thyme answered firmly, leaving no room for argument.
Keifer didn't waste a single heartbeat. A flash of pure triumph crossed his face as he looked at Jay-Jay. "I'm with Thyme on this one. It's a great idea. Much more efficient for everyone."
Aries froze. He looked at Thyme, then at Keifer's smug face, and then finally at Ella, who was standing nearby. He realized that if he wanted to stay in a cottage with Ella, he couldn't exactly stop Jay-Jay from doing the same with Keifer. He stood there for a long moment, his jaw tightening. Finally, he let out a frustrated growl.
"Fine!" Aries barked, throwing his hands up. "If that's the plan, then fine! We're taking the cottages! But I'm picking the pairs! And Keifer—if I hear one single unappropriate noise coming from your cottage, I am coming over there with a harpoon!"
--: Author's POV: --
With the decision made, the group didn't even bother heading toward the mansion. They stayed right there on the sand, grabbing their bags as Keifer started handing out the keys to the specific units.
The Couple's Pairings:
* Jay-Jay and Keifer
* Aries and Ella
* Edrix and Freya
* Gorya and Thyme
* Kaning and Kavin
* Grace and Denzel
* Mica and Calix
* Ci-N and Rakki
* Mayo and Kit
The Singles' Squad:
* Ren and MJ
* Yuri and David
* Eman and Josh
* Percy and Felix
* Rory and Blaster
* Drew and Eren
--: Jay-Jay's POV: --
I walked into our cottage and heard the door click shut behind us. The room was breathtaking, but my heart was still thumping against my ribs. I couldn't believe Aries actually agreed.
"Finally," Keifer sighed, dropping our bags with a heavy thud. He didn't wait a second before walking over and wrapping his arms around my waist, pulling me back against him. "No mansion walls, no hallways, and no Aries sitting in a chair outside the door."
"He's still out there, Keifer," I whispered, leaning my head back against his shoulder. "I saw the way he looked at us. He looks like he's planning a raid."
Keifer let out a low, dark chuckle, his breath warm against my ear. "Let him plan. I already locked the door."
--: Author's POV: --
As the stars began to poke through the purple sky, the island felt alive. Down on the shore, the first "Ulupong Night" was officially starting. Mayo and Kit had successfully ignited a massive bonfire, and Blaster had the music pumping—a heavy beat that signaled the start of the party.
Aries was sitting on his porch with Ella, trying to look relaxed, but his head was on a swivel. Every time a light flickered in Jay-Jay's direction, he sat up straighter.
"Aries, stop it," Ella giggled, tugging his hand.
"I'm not doing anything!" Aries defended, though he was squinting into the darkness.
_________
--: Author's POV: --
The moon was a sharp silver sliver over Ulupong, but the beach was glowing with a much warmer light. The bonfire was a roaring beast, sending sparks dancing up toward the palm fronds. The scent of Eman's specialized BBQ—marinated pork belly, garlic butter lobsters, and seasoned corn—filled the air, making everyone's mouth water.
Section E was in their element. They were loud, they were hungry, and they were already several drinks into the evening. Josh and Blaster had curated the perfect playlist, transitioning from upbeat hip-hop to smooth island reggae.
Around the fire, the seating arrangement was a tactical masterpiece. Thyme and Gorya sat close to the heat, Kavin and Kaning were sharing a blanket, and Aries was sitting with Ella, though his eyes were still scanning the perimeter like a hawk.
Keifer sat on a large piece of driftwood, with Jay-Jay tucked safely between his knees. He looked every bit the king of the island—relaxed, powerful, and deeply amused by the chaos surrounding him.
--: Jay-Jay's POV: --
The food was incredible. Eman really outdid himself. But as the night went on and the coolers were opened, the vibe started to shift. I watched as Mayo popped open a cold beer, and Yuri started mixing something in a large plastic cup that smelled suspiciously strong.
I felt a bit left out. It was a vacation, right? I wanted to feel like part of the "grown-up" celebration.
As Kit walked by with a tray of drinks, I reached out. "Hey, Kit, pass me one of those?"
The reaction was instantaneous. It was like I had just asked for a grenade.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" Mayo shouted, nearly dropping his own drink.
"Absolutely not!" Ci-N added, pointing a chicken skewer at me.
I blinked, confused. "What? It's just one drink. We're on vacation!"
I felt Keifer's hands tighten slightly on my waist. I looked up at him, expecting him to defend me, but he had that look on his face—the one that said he was 100% in agreement with the boys.
"No way, Jay," Keifer said, his voice low and firm but laced with a hint of a laugh. "The last thing this island needs is a drunk Jay-Jay. I'm responsible for the property, and I don't want you accidentally burning down a cottage."
"I'm not going to burn anything!" I protested, turning to the rest of the group. "Yuri! Tell him I can have one!"
Yuri didn't even look up from his plate. "Listen to Keifer for once, Jay. You and alcohol are a combination that leads to international incidents. Drink your orange juice and be quiet."
"Orange juice?!" I fumed. "I am not a child!"
"It's for your own safety, Jay-Jay," David laughed, flipping a burger. "We still have trauma from the last time. We don't want a repeat of the Barracuda Incident."
The moment the word 'Barracuda' left his mouth, Section E went silent. Then, slowly, one by one, they started to snicker.
--: Author's POV: --
Thyme looked up, his interest piqued. "The Barracuda Incident? What the hell is that?"
"Oh, you don't know?" Felix cackled, leaning forward eagerly. "Man, you missed the greatest night in Section E history."
"Don't you dare," Jay-Jay hissed, her face turning a deep shade of scarlet. "Felix, if you say one word, I will throw you into the ocean!"
"She can't stop all of us!" Yuri shouted. "Tell them, Mayo!"
Mayo stood up on his log, clearing his throat dramatically as the bonfire light flickered across his face. Thyme, Ren, MJ, and the girls all leaned in, sensing a story that was clearly legendary.
"Okay, so check this out," Mayo began, gesturing wildly. "We were at the retreat, having a campfire night. Everyone's chilling, the vibes are good. Jay-Jay somehow manages to get a little 'spirited'—and I don't mean the holy ghost. Suddenly, she isn't just Jay-Jay anymore. She stands up in front of the whole campfire, and claims she's an Ancient Priestess."
"Wait, what?" MJ interrupted, already grinning. "A priestess?"
"Not just any priestess!" Yuri cackled. "She told us she had spoken to the'Ancient Spirits of the Woods' and they offered her a deal: Eternal Life and Infinite Beauty. But, according to her, the spirits were picky. They wouldn't just take a prayer. They demanded a sacrifice."
The girls—Gorya, Kaning, and others were already giggling, while Percy, Aries and Ella looked at Jay-Jay in disbelief.
"And who did she pick?" Mayo yelled, pointing a finger at a cowering Ci-N. "She looked at all of us, evaluated our souls, and pointed right at Ci-N! She screamed, 'The spirits demand a virgin! Ci-N, your soul is the purest! Give it to me for my immortality!'"
The beach exploded. Thyme roared with laughter, slapping his knee, while Ren hid his face in his hands, shaking with amusement.
"I was terrified!" Ci-N wailed, jumping up to reenact his trauma. "She chased me around the campfire! She was holding a plastic butter knife like it was a sacred dagger! She kept chanting, 'Don't run from your destiny, Ci-N! The spirits want your heart!'"
"She tried to tie him to a tree with shoelaces!" David added, nearly falling off his chair. "She told us that once she was immortal, she'd make sure we all got 'VIP passes' to the afterlife, but for now, Ci-N had to go!"
"And the best part," Mayo gasped, trying to catch his breath, "was Keifer. He tried to stop her, and she just turned to him with this crazy look in her eyes and said, 'Back off, Mortal! Unless you want to be the Buffet King in my new kingdom!'"
"Buffet King!" The Section E boys started chanting, "Buffet King! Buffet King!"
--: Jay-Jay's POV: --
I felt like my blood was turning into actual steam. My face was so hot I was surprised the sand beneath me wasn't melting. I looked at the F4—and they were looking at me like I was a mental patient. I looked at the girls, and even Gorya was wiped out from laughing so hard.
And then I looked at Keifer.
He wasn't stopping them. He wasn't defending me. He was sitting there, his arm still draped behind me, laughing so hard his shoulders were shaking. He was enjoying my humiliation more than anyone else.
"Stop it!" I yelled, but the chant of "Buffet King" and "Sacrifice" just got louder.
"I was helping you!" Ci-N teased, dodging an imaginary butter knife. "I saved us all from your dark ritual, Jay-Jay!"
"You guys are jerks!" I snapped, pushing Keifer's arm off me and standing up. "All of you! It was one time!"
"Yeah, and the spirits told you to take my shoelaces!" Ci-N retorted, causing another wave of howling laughter.
I looked around the circle one last time. Everyone was pointing, laughing, and whispering. I felt a stinging in my eyes that had nothing to do with the bonfire smoke. I wasn't just a friend to them right now; I was the joke. I was the entertainment.
"Fine!" I screamed over the music. "If I'm such a freak, then you can all just hang out with the spirits yourself! I'm done!"
"Jay, wait—" Keifer said, his laughter dying out as he reached for my hand.
"Don't touch me, Buffet King!" I hissed.
I turned and ran. I didn't care about the dark or the sand in my shoes. I sprinted toward the cottages, my chest tight with a mix of anger and pure embarrassment. I reached Cottage #1, ducked inside, and slammed the door with a bang that echoed across the beach. I turned the lock and leaned against the wood, the muffled sound of the party still audible in the distance.
I hated them. Especially Keifer. He was supposed to be the one person who didn't laugh at me.
--: Author's POV: --
The atmosphere at the bonfire shifted instantly. The chanting stopped. Mayo slowly sat back down, looking at the slammed door in the distance.
"Uh... did we go too far?" Felix asked quietly.
Keifer didn't respond. He sat in silence for a moment, the guilt washing over him like a cold tide. He had been so caught up in the fun of the memory that he'd forgotten how much Jay-Jay hated being the center of that particular joke.
He stood up, his face hardening. Without a word to the rest of Section E—who were all suddenly very interested in their plates—he walked up the path toward the cottage.
He reached the door and tried the handle. Locked.
"Jay?" he called, his voice soft. "Jay-Jay, open the door."
"Go away!" she yelled from inside, her voice thick with tears. "Go sacrifice someone else! I'm busy being a 'mortal' in private!"
Keifer sighed, leaning his forehead against the door. "I'm sorry, Jay. It was just a joke. We didn't mean anything by it."
"It's always a joke!" she sobbed. "And you just sat there! You let them tell Thyme and everyone! Now they think I'm some crazy person who wants to kill Ci-N!"
"To be fair," Keifer muttered under his breath, "Ci-N is an easy target."
"I HEARD THAT!"
Keifer winced. He reached into his pocket and pulled out his master key. He turned it slowly, the lock clicking open, and stepped inside the dimly lit room.
Jay-Jay was curled up in the center of the massive bed, a ball of blankets and misery.
"I said go away," she whispered into the pillow.
Keifer walked over and sat on the edge of the bed. He didn't try to pull the blanket away. He just placed his hand on the mound where her shoulder should be.
"I'm a jerk," he said. "I got carried away. I forget sometimes that even though you're the toughest person I know, you still have feelings. I shouldn't have let them tell that story to the others."
Jay-Jay shifted, turning just enough so one red, watery eye was visible. "You laughed. You laughed more than Mayo, Yuri and others."
"I laughed because I remembered how you looked that night," Keifer said softly, a genuine smile tugging at his lips. "You weren't scary, Jay. You were... you. You were so passionate about your 'eternal life' that it was actually kind of cute. In a terrifying, butter-knife-wielding way."
"It wasn't cute," she sniffled.
"It was to me," he countered, leaning down to rest his chin on his hand. "And for the record? If you ever really decide to sacrifice Ci-N for immortality... I'll help you hold his legs. Just don't tell the police."
Jay-Jay let out a tiny, involuntary hiccup of a laugh. She wiped her face and sat up, the blanket falling to her waist. "You're just saying that so I'll go back out there."
"I'm saying that because it's true," Keifer promised. He reached out, wiping a stray tear from her cheek with his thumb. "I'll make them all apologize. I'll make Mayo do the ritual himself—as the sacrifice—if that's what it takes to make you feel better."
Jay-Jay looked at him for a long time. "I want David to give me his portion of the steak tomorrow."
"Done," Keifer said immediately. "And Yuri has to do your laundry for the rest of the trip."
"Deal."
Keifer pulled her into a hug, tucking her head under his chin. "I'm sorry, Jay. Truly. No more 'Buffet King' jokes. Unless you're the one making them."
"I'm still a little mad," she whispered into his chest.
"I know. That's why I'm going to stay here and let you yell at me for the next hour while everyone else is out there eating dessert. Is that a fair sacrifice?"
Jay-Jay looked up at him, her eyes still a little puffy but the fire returning to them. She sniffled, wiping her nose with her sleeve. "It's a start. But don't think you're off the hook. You're going to be my personal slave for the rest of the night. If I want water, you run. If I want a snack, you sprint."
Keifer chuckled, a low, vibration in his chest that Jay-Jay could feel against her back. He pulled her a little closer, his hands resting comfortably on her waist as he leaned back against the headboard. "Anything for the High Priestess. I'll be the most loyal servant you've ever had."
The room was quiet for a moment, the distant sound of the bonfire music and Section E's muffled laughter still drifting through the walls. The moonlight was streaming in through the floor-to-ceiling windows, turning the white sheets into a glowing sea of silver.
Keifer tilted his head, his dark eyes scanning her face with an intensity that suddenly made the room feel a lot smaller—and a lot warmer. The playful "servant" tone in his voice dropped an octave, becoming something much deeper and more dangerous.
"But Jay," he whispered, his thumb tracing the line of her jaw.
"What?" she asked, her voice coming out a little breathy.
"Since the rest of the group is out there having dessert..." He leaned in, his lips inches from her ear, his breath hot against her skin. "Can I have mine?"
Jay-Jay's heart did a literal somersault. "W-what dessert? There's no cake or sweet in here, Keifer."
Keifer pulled back just enough to look her in the eyes, a slow, wicked smirk spreading across his face—the kind of look that usually meant he was about to get exactly what he wanted.
"I'm not looking for one," he murmured, his gaze dropping to her lips and staying there. "I'm looking for something much sweeter. And since I'm missing the BBQ for you, I think a little compensation is only fair. Don't you think?"
Jay-Jay felt her face heating up all over again, but this time it wasn't from embarrassment. "You... you're a real demon, Watson. You know that?"
"I'm a Buffet King, remember?" he teased, his voice husky as he started to lean in. "And the King is hungry."
Jay-Jay reached up, intending to push him away, but her hands ended up resting on his shoulders instead. She let out a small, defeated sigh. "Fine. But if Aries knocks on the door with a harpoon, I'm telling him it was all your idea."
"He can bring a tank for all I care," Keifer whispered against her lips. "I'm not going anywhere."
--: Author's POV: --
Outside on the beach, the party was still going strong, but there was a noticeable shift. Every few minutes, a member of Section E would glance up toward Cottage #1, seeing the lights dimmed and the door shut tight.
Mayo took a nervous bite of a chocolate-covered strawberry. "Hey, do you think Keifer is still alive? Or did she actually sacrifice him?"
"I don't know," Yuri muttered, looking over his shoulder. "But he looked pretty mad when he left. If he's not back in ten minutes, I'm blaming you, Mayo."
"Me?! It wasn't idea to mention the butter knife!"
Aries, sitting nearby, glared at the cottage with narrowed eyes. He stood up, clutching a skewer like a weapon. "That's it. It's been too quiet for too long. I'm going over there."
"Sit down, Aries!" Ella laughed, pulling him back by his shirt. "Let them be. They're just talking."
"Talking?" Aries hissed, looking back at the darkened window of Cottage #1. "With Keifer? That's like saying a wolf is just 'talking' to a lamb! I can feel the Fernandez dignity evaporating into the sea air!"
Thyme let out a loud, mocking laugh from across the fire. "Relax, Aries. If Keifer wanted to do something, he wouldn't need a cottage to do it. Just eat your dessert."
Aries grumbled, sinking back onto his log, but he didn't take his eyes off the door.
--: Keifer's POV: --
I didn't let her finish the sentence. I leaned in, my mouth finding hers in a kiss that started with a deceptive, slow sweetness, a lingering pressure that was meant to be an apology. But as her hands slid from my shoulders to the back of my neck, her fingers tangling in my hair to pull me closer, the apology died.
The kiss deepened, becoming slow and heavy, the kind of kiss that tastes like a promise you have no intention of breaking. I nipped at her lower lip, a sharp, playful bite that made her let out a tiny, surprised intake of breath. Her lips parted just a fraction, and I took immediate advantage, sliding my tongue into her mouth to claim the heat she'd offered.
It wasn't a joke anymore. It was intense, our tongues tangling in a frantic, heated rhythm that made my head swim and my heart hammer against my ribs. She was pulling at me, her body seeking mine with a desperate kind of hunger I'd never felt before.
The heat in the cottage was becoming unbearable. I pulled back for a second, my lungs burning for air, and ripped my T-shirt over my head, tossing it blindly into the darkness. When I pressed my bare chest back against her, the feeling of my skin meeting the soft fabric of her dress was electric. Jay-Jay didn't hesitate; her hands were all over me, her palms scorching as they roamed over the muscles of my shoulders and traced the hard lines of my chest.
I let out a low, guttural groan against her lips as my hands found the hem of her top. I eased it up and over her head, discarding it as easily as mine. I didn't waste a second, trailing a line of wet, searing kisses down the column of her neck to her collarbone, marking her skin with every press of my lips.
"Keifer..." she moaned, the sound low and broken, vibrating through my entire body.
I reached for the clasp of her bra, and a moment later, it followed our shirts to the floor. The sight of her in the silver moonlight was breathtaking—pale skin, dark shadows, and eyes that were wide and glazed with a need so raw it was terrifying. I leaned down, my tongue licking a slow, wet path from the center of her chest to the swell of her breast. I took one peaking nipple between my teeth, giving it a firm, deliberate bite before swirling my tongue around the tip.
She arched off the bed, her fingers digging into my upper arms, her moans muffled against the crown of my head. I moved to the other side, licking, nipping, and biting at her skin until she was a soft, trembling, breathless mess beneath me. She was pulling me closer and closer, her legs tangling with mine, her body seeking the very thing I was forcing myself to hold back.
I came back up to her mouth, capturing her lips in another soul-searing kiss, our tongues working together in a desperate, heated friction. I could feel her heart slamming against my bare chest, a frantic echo of my own.
I broke the kiss just an inch, resting my forehead against hers, our breaths coming in ragged, synchronized gasps. I looked deep into her eyes, my voice coming out as a low, gentlemanly rasp.
"Jay," I murmured, my thumb tracing the reddened, swollen line of her lip. "I'm not going to go to the extreme tonight. I promised I'd be your servant, and right now, you need to just be held."
I looked at her with an intensity that I knew she could feel in her bones. "But listen to me... when the time comes that I finally do go all the way... please don't stop me. Because I don't think I'll be able to let go once I start."
She didn't say anything; she just nodded, a small, trusting smile touching her lips as she reached up to cup my face.
I shifted, lying down on the large bed and pulling her firmly into my arms. I settled onto my back and guided her until she was draped over me, her head tucked securely under my chin, her body a warm, perfect weight against mine. I wrapped the duvet around us, sealing us into our own private world.
The island, the F4, the Section E, and her overprotective brother didn't exist anymore. There was only the steady thrum of her heart against my bare skin and the quiet, rhythmic sound of the waves. I kissed the top of her head, closing my eyes as we both finally drifted into a deep, dreamless sleep.