Chapter 7: "Whatever That Was"
The breakfast buffet was loud. Chaotic. Filled with clinking cutlery, bacon, fruit platters, and way too many Watsons and mariano siblings yelling across the table.
And yet, Jay could only hear one thing echoing in her head.
That kiss.
The way he kissed her — like he was angry, like he wanted to shut her up, like he had something to prove.
And worse — she kissed him back.
What the hell was that?
She sat at the long table across from Aries and next to Percy, her fork poking aimlessly at her pancakes.
"You look like someone told you there's no WiFi," Percy said, sipping his coffee with a smirk.
"Shut up."
He raised an eyebrow. "Something happen last night?"
Jay turned to glare at him.
"You're glowing."
"I will drown you."
"That's a yes."
Jay opened her mouth to snap back, but—
"Morning," Keifer said, sliding into the empty seat beside her. His hair was messy. His voice a little hoarse. And his hand definitely brushed her back as he sat.
Her whole spine stiffened.
He looked straight ahead, like nothing happened. Like he didn't kiss her senseless last night. Like they didn't wake up wrapped around each other like some damn Wattpad couple.
"Sleep well, Jay?" he asked casually, grabbing a croissant.
Jay stabbed her pancake. "Perfect. Once I kicked off the parasite beside me."
Keifer laughed softly. "Must've been someone else. I don't remember being kicked. Just held."
Aries choked on his juice. Percy dropped his spoon.
Jay turned crimson. "You—!"
"Joking," Keifer said quickly, eyes twinkling. "Relax. No one needs to know how clingy you are in your sleep."
"You're dead to me," she hissed under her breath.
"You kissed a dead man last night?" Percy whispered. "Damn, Jay. That's dark."
She elbowed him hard.
Later – Poolside
Jay tried to escape the noise. The sun. Him.
She sat by the pool, pretending to read, sunglasses on, music in, vibes off.
Unfortunately, fate wasn't done messing with her.
"Mind if I sit here?"
Jay looked up — and froze.
Ella.
Keifer's ex. Aries's current girlfriend. Technically.
Jay cleared her throat. "Sure."
Ella sat gracefully on the lounge beside her, long legs stretched, sunglasses perched like she belonged on a magazine cover.
"You and Keifer seem... close lately," she said smoothly.
Jay blinked. "Not really."
Ella's lips curved slightly. "You don't have to lie. I know how he is."
Jay stayed quiet.
Ella turned to face her. "Just be careful. He's charming when he wants something."
Jay clenched her jaw. "Thanks for the warning. But I don't need relationship advice from his ex."
Ella raised a perfectly shaped brow. "Touchy."
"I just don't like games."
Ella smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. "Neither do I."
That Evening – Family Volleyball Game
The sun was setting and someone — probably Percy — had convinced everyone to join a "friendly" beach volleyball match. It quickly turned into chaos.
Jay was teamed with Aries, Ella, and Keigan.
Keifer was with Percy, Keiren, and their cousin Theo.
Of course she had to be on the opposite team.
She saw him smirking from across the net, spinning the ball like he was born to annoy her.
"You good, Jayjay?" Aries asked gently.
Jay was not good.
Especially not when Keifer jumped up, spiked the ball, and grinned straight at her as it hit the sand.
"That's a point for us, sweetheart."
"Shut up."
"You're cute when you're losing."
She lunged for the ball next round just to hit it at him. Missed. Hit Percy in the head instead.
"Assault!" Percy yelled, laughing.
Jay groaned and ran a hand through her hair, muttering, "I'm going to actually kill him."
Ella came over during the water break, offering Jay a bottle with a too-sweet smile.
"So much tension between you two," she said casually. "It's like foreplay."
Jay's face went red. "Excuse me?"
Ella shrugged. "Just saying. It's obvious to everyone."
Jay glanced across the sand.
Keifer was laughing with Keiren, water bottle in hand, shirt damp with sweat, abs visible, and completely unaware of the mess he was leaving in her chest.
"Whatever this is," Ella added softly, "I hope it doesn't end the way we did."
Jay narrowed her eyes. "We're not even anything."
Ella smirked, then walked away.
That Night – Room 308
Jay paced the room, still in her hoodie and shorts, hair damp from the shower.
Keifer was lounging on the bed, scrolling on his phone.
She turned to him. "What happened last night—"
"Was a mistake?" he said without looking up.
Jay blinked. "What?"
He finally looked at her. His face unreadable. "If that's what you were gonna say. You looked ready to start the 'we-need-to-talk' breakup speech and we're not even dating."
Jay felt her throat tighten. "I wasn't going to say that."
"Oh."
She looked down. "I was gonna say... we should just forget it."
He nodded slowly. "Sure."
"Because it didn't mean anything."
Another nod. "Right."
"And it was just... stupid."
"Totally."
She sat on the bed beside him, close enough to feel the tension buzzing in the air.
He put his phone down.
They sat in silence.
Jay didn't move.
Keifer looked over.
"You keep telling me that," he said, voice softer now. "That it didn't mean anything."
Jay's breath hitched.
"But I don't think you'd kiss me like that if it didn't mean something."
Jay turned to him, defensive. "What, you're a kissing expert now?"
"No. Just the expert on you."
She blinked.
He leaned in a little. "You don't want this? Fine. Say it. Out loud."
Jay opened her mouth—
But nothing came out.
Just her heart pounding, and that look in his eyes.
She stood up instead.
"We're done talking."
Keifer smirked again. But it was quieter now. "Sure, Jayjay."
She turned off the lights.
But she couldn't sleep.
Not with him inches away.
Not when her lips still remembered his.
Not when she wasn't sure if her heart was about to break — or finally begin something real.