happened after dinner.
Too calm.
Too suspicious.
Jay was helping Serina in the kitchen when Serina suddenly said very casually,
"Jay… come to the living room, dear."
Keifer was already there.
Sitting.
Straight.
Keizer sat opposite him.
Hands folded.
Serious face.
Jay instantly felt it.
Something was wrong.
"Sit," Keizer said gently.
Jay sat beside Keifer.
Not touching.
Not looking.
Serina took the armchair.
The silence stretched.
Then, very softly, Serina asked,
"Jay… do you like Keifer?"
Jay's heart stopped.
"What?"
Keifer turned at the same time.
"Mama—"
Serina raised her hand.
"No escaping."
Keizer looked at Keifer.
"And you?"
Keifer cleared his throat.
"…No."
Jay's head snapped toward him.
He avoided her eyes.
"Not like that."
Her chest tightened.
Serina nodded slowly.
"I see."
Keizer leaned back slightly.
"Well… if that's true," he said calmly,
"then there shouldn't be any problem if we look for another girl for Keifer."
Jay froze.
The room went dead silent.
Keifer's eyes widened.
"Papa—"
Keizer lifted his hand again.
"It's only logical. Business families are already asking."
Jay's fingers clenched in her lap.
Her breath turned shallow.
Serina watched her carefully.
Waiting.
Keizer continued quietly,
"If you both really don't have anything between you… then we can move forward."
Jay stood up.
Suddenly.
Everyone turned to her.
Her voice trembled.
But it was clear.
"No."
Keifer's head snapped up.
Keizer raised an eyebrow.
"No?" he repeated gently.
Jay looked at Keifer.
Just once.
Then straight at Keizer.
"I'm in a relationship with Keifer."
The words fell into the room like thunder.
Keifer whispered,
"Jay…"
Her eyes filled.
"I love him."
The silence broke.
Immediately.
Serina burst out laughing.
Not a soft laugh.
A full one.
She covered her mouth.
"Oh God…"
Keizer leaned back—
and laughed too.
Jay blinked.
Confused.
"…What?"
Keifer stared at his parents.
Completely stunned.
Serina wiped her eyes.
"It worked," she said between laughs.
Keizer shook his head, smiling widely.
"We knew."
Jay froze.
"You… knew?"
Keizer nodded calmly.
"The secret messages. The disappearing acts. The way you look at each other when you think no one is watching."
Serina laughed again.
"We only needed you to admit it."
Keifer exhaled sharply.
"You trapped us."
Serina smiled sweetly.
"Yes."
Jay covered her face.
"Oh my God…"
Keizer stood up and walked to her.
Placed a gentle hand on her head.
"Next time, Jay… don't underestimate parents."
Serina came closer and hugged her.
"And for the record…"
She whispered warmly,
"We're very happy for you both."