--: Jay-Jay's POV: --
The evening moved into a comfortable, slower rhythm. Now that I was back on my feet, the heavy tension of "playing injured" had eased into a relaxed hum. We gathered around the low table for dinner—a spread of grilled seafood, spicy noodles, and local tropical salads that tasted like summer.
Keifer stayed close to me the entire time, his thigh pressed against mine as we sat on the cushions. He'd occasionally put a choice piece of lechon on my plate or refill my drink, his movements quiet and protective.
"Alright, everyone! Move over!" Gorya announced, carrying out a large wooden platter. "Time for the final birthday treat."
Instead of a formal cake, she set down a massive bowl of rich, triple-chocolate ice cream, topped with warm fudge, crushed brownies, and a mountain of whipped cream. It was decadent and messy—exactly what I wanted. We passed the bowl around, everyone digging in with spoons and laughter, the Section E boys competing to see who could get the most fudge in one bite.
As the last of the chocolate disappeared, the fire began to burn down to a bed of glowing red embers. The high energy of the day was finally settling into a sleepy, content silence.
--: Keifer's POV: --
I watched as the group started to wind down. Thyme was yawning openly, and even Aries looked like he was ready to call it a night. The adrenaline of the volleyball game and the heavy dinner had done its work.
"I think I'm done for," Percy muttered, stretching his arms over his head. "If I stay here any longer, I'm going to fall asleep in the sand. And I need to complete my beauty sleep for my handsome face."
"Me too," Mica agreed, standing up and brushing the sand off her clothes. "Happy birthday again, Jay. I'm glad your legs are feeling better."
"Thanks, Mica," Jay said, offering a genuine smile.
Aries stood up, looking at the two of us. He still had that lingering "big brother" gaze, but he seemed satisfied that Jay was no longer in immediate pain. "Don't stay out here too late. You still need to rest that muscle if you want to be able to walk tomorrow."
One by one, they started to drift off toward the main mansion, their flashlights bobbing like fireflies in the dark as they followed the path back through the trees. Soon, it was just the two of us, the dying fire, and the sound of the tide coming in.
I stood up, reaching my hand out to Jay. She took it, letting me pull her to her feet. The beach was completely silent now, the air cooler and smelling of salt and extinguished wood.
"They're all gone," she whispered, looking toward the dark path.
"Finally," I rasped, pulling her closer so her back was against my chest. I wrapped my arms around her, my chin resting on her shoulder as we looked out at the black expanse of the ocean. "The party's over, Jay. Now the real celebration starts."
She leaned back into me, a soft shiver running through her that had nothing to do with the night breeze. "You've been saying that all day. Are you finally going to show me what's left in that bag of yours?"
"Every single thing," I promised, my lips brushing against the side of her neck. "Let's go."
————
The walk back to the cottage was slow, the only light coming from the moon reflecting off the surf. I didn't rush her. My arm was anchored around her waist, keeping her tucked against my side as the cool night air brushed against our skin. Jay was quiet, her head resting against my shoulder, but I could feel the tension of anticipation humming through her body.
We reached the wooden porch, the soft yellow light from the window spilling out onto the sand. I pushed the door open, we went inside.
The lock clicked into place, a sound more satisfying than any victory I'd ever had on a field or in a boardroom. Finally. No more Aries hovering like a protective shadow, no more Section E and F4 making loud jokes, and no more girls looking at Jay-Jay with those worried eyes.
I led her toward the bed, the golden lamp casting a glow that turned her skin into silk. She sat on the edge, looking up at me with that mix of defiance and curiosity that always drove me insane.
"Okay, Keifer," she whispered. "The party is over. Are you finally going to show me what else was in that bag? I'm getting very curious now.."
I didn't say a word. I walked to the closet and reached deep into the side pocket of my duffel bag. My fingers closed around the stash I'd carefully curated before we even left for this trip. I turned back, walking toward her with a slow, predatory stride, and then I let them fall.
Crinkle. Slide. Flutter.
Dozens of small, square packets rained down onto the white duvet. It wasn't just a handful; it was a deluge of color. Deep, cocoa browns; bright, neon reds; shimmering honey-golds; and even a few translucent, icy blues. They scattered between her knees and over her lap like some sort of illicit confetti.
Jay-Jay froze. She picked up a bright red one, squinting at the foil in the dim light.
"What are these?" she asked, her voice genuinely puzzled. "Are these... those fancy wet wipes they give you at the restaurants? Did you think I was going to be that messy with the chocolate ice cream?"
I felt a muscle in my jaw twitch as I tried to hold back a laugh. Wet wipes?
"No, Jay," I managed to say, my voice straining.
She dropped the red one and picked up a gold one, turning it over curiously. "Wait... is this like... gold-leaf face masks? Are we doing a spa night? I mean, it would explain why you were so focused on the massage earlier."
I stared at her. She was dead serious.
"Or..." she continued, her brow furrowing as she looked at the brown ones I had specifically chosen for her love of sweets. "Are these those high-end chocolate squares? The ones you have to melt in hot milk? Did you bring a portable kettle, Keifer? Is this a midnight hot chocolate party? I would love that let's do itt!!"
That was it. I lost it. I doubled over, a raw, deep laugh tearing out of my throat until my chest ached. I leaned my forehead against the bedpost, shaking my head.
"Hot chocolate?" I choked out, looking at her through narrowed, watering eyes. "You think I brought a portable kettle and a collection of 'hot chocolate' to a private cottage at midnight on your birthday?"
"Well, they're different colors!" she shot back, her face starting to turn a delicious shade of pink. "The blue one looks like peppermint! It's a reasonable guess!"
I stopped laughing, the humor instantly replaced by a heat that felt like it was charring my bones. I stepped between her knees, closing the distance until she had to tilt her head back to look at me. I took the "peppermint tea" from her hand and tossed it onto the nightstand.
"It's not peppermint, Jay," I rasped, my voice dropping into that low, dangerous territory. "And the brown ones aren't for drinking. But I can promise you... you can definitely taste the chocolate before the sun comes up, or scratch that, before we sleep."
The realization hit her like a physical blow. I watched her eyes widen, her mouth parting in a small 'o' as she looked back at the pile—the fifteen or twenty packets glinting under the lamp.
"Twenty?" she squeaked, her voice going up an octave. "You... you were planning for twenty?"
"I'm a tactician, Jay-Jay," I murmured, sliding my hands down to her waist and dragging her body flush against mine. "I don't like to run out of ammunition mid-battle. And believe me, I have enough energy to go through every single one of those if I didn't want you to actually enjoy the ocean tomorrow."
I saw the blush travel from her cheeks down to her collarbone, a deep, beautiful crimson.
"You're a pervert," she whispered into my chest, hiding her face.
"I'm a man who knows exactly what he wants," I corrected, my hands sliding lower to grip her thighs. I picked up three of the packets—the chocolate, the strawberry, and a classic silver—and swept the rest of the 'hot chocolate collection' onto the floor. "And right now, I want to make sure you forget all about hot chocolate, wet wipes, and face masks."
I pushed her back into the pillows, the sound of the colorful foil crinkling beneath us, and as I leaned down to claim her mouth, I knew I was going to make good on every single promise I'd made today.