Jay was walking through the mansion's garden courtyard, her hands folded in front of her, trying to appear composed. She had learned long ago that composure was armor—but inside, her nerves hummed with unease.
"Enjoying the fresh air, Ms. Mariano?" a voice called from behind.
Jay turned sharply. Keifer Watson leaned casually against the stone railing, one hand in his pocket, the other holding a glass of water. The sunlight caught the golden flecks in his eyes, making her forget, for a fraction of a second, why she was annoyed.
"I… don't need your company, Mr. Watson," she said, her voice clipped, though a small part of her admitted that curiosity had drawn her attention to him.
Keifer straightened and smirked. "Ah, but I think you do," he replied, stepping closer, his tone teasing but soft. "You've been walking around like a statue all morning. Don't you want to… breathe a little?"
"I'm perfectly fine, thank you," she said, lifting her chin.
"Is that so?" he said, arching an eyebrow. Then, without warning, he grabbed a stray leaf from a nearby plant and flicked it at her shoulder.
Jay yelped, spinning around. "Keifer Watson! What—"
He laughed, that effortless laugh that somehow made her chest tighten. "Relax, it's just a leaf. You're too tense. Honestly, I've seen statues with more life than you right now."
Jay crossed her arms, trying to hide the small smile threatening to escape. "And you think you're so full of life, do you?"
"I know I am," he said confidently, leaning a little closer, lowering his voice. "And I think you're capable of it too… if you'd let yourself."
Jay's gaze flicked away, but her cheeks warmed. "I don't need lessons in life from someone I've barely met."
"Lessons?" he said, smiling wider. "No. Just… a gentle introduction to… happiness."
Jay froze, the words hitting her like a whisper she didn't know she'd been waiting for. She wanted to resist, to glare, to remind herself that she was cold, untouchable, obedient—but something in Keifer's gaze, playful yet sincere, made her heart skip.
"Keep your lessons to yourself, Mr. Watson," she muttered, stepping past him.
He let her go—but his voice followed her, soft, teasing: "I don't bite… unless you want me to."
Jay's hand trembled slightly as she straightened her dress. She had never felt this unsettled by anyone before. That brief encounter—playful, teasing, bold—had stirred something deep inside her. Something dangerous.
And for the first time, she wondered if maybe… happiness wasn't as unreachable as she had believed.