๐ค Jay's POV โ Friday Night, Prom
I stood in front of the mirrorโ
again.
โ
The room was silent.
Just me.
And this version of me I'm still getting used to.
โ
The dark blue satin dress hugged perfectly.
Soft shine under the light.
Flowing down like it belonged to me.
โ
I turned slightly.
Watched it move.
โ
Elegant.
Controlled.
Strong.
โ
Not the girl from before.
โ
"โฆYou'll survive this," I whispered.
โ
Because that's the goal tonight.
โ
Survive.
โ
But my chest didn't agree.
Because I knewโ
Tonight isn't simple.
โ
It's him.
And him.
And everything in between.
โ
I picked my clutch.
Walked out.
โ
๐ Outside
The cold breeze hit my face.
Calm.
But not enough.
โ
And thenโ
Jass.
โ
Leaning against the car.
Black suit.
Sharp.
Clean.
โ
My steps slowed for half a second.
โ
He lookedโฆ unfairly good.
โ
His eyes lifted to me.
Paused.
โ
Thenโ
A smirk.
โ
"Wow," he said softly. "You're trying to outshine everyone tonight?"
โ
I rolled my eyes.
"Relax. I'm just doing the bare minimum."
โ
He walked closer.
Slowly.
Eyes still on me.
โ
"Bare minimum?" he repeated. "Darling, this is illegal."
โ
I blinked.
โ
"Stop talking."
โ
"Can't. You look too good."
โ
I looked away quickly.
"โฆShut up and drive."
โ
But my heartbeat?
โ
Not normal.
โ
Because a part of me liked that.
โ
The car moved.
Lights passing by.
โ
Silence.
But not empty.
โ
He glanced at me.
"You're nervous."
โ
"I'm not."
โ
"You are."
โ
I crossed my arms.
"I'm not nervous."
โ
"You adjusted your dress three times in two minutes."
โ
I froze.
โ
"โฆShut up."
โ
He chuckled.
โ
Annoying.
โ
Why does he notice everything?
โ
๐ Prom Entrance
The venue glowed.
Lights everywhere.
Music soft but present.
โ
The moment we stepped outโ
โ
Eyes.
โ
On us.
โ
Whispers.
โ
I straightened.
โ
Jass stepped beside me.
Close.
โ
His hand brushed mine.
โ
"For the act," he murmured.
โ
I hesitatedโ
Then let him.
โ
Our fingers intertwined.
โ
Warm.
Firm.
โ
We walked in.
โ
Together.
โ
And thenโ
โ
I saw him.
โ
Keifer.
โ
Standing across the hall.
โ
Navy blue suit.
โ
Matching.
โ
My breath caught.
โ
He lookedโ
โ
Incredible.
โ
Sharp.
Controlled.
Dangerous.
โ
And for a secondโ
โ
I forgot everything.
โ
The room.
The people.
Jass.
โ
Just him.
โ
That version of himโ
The one I used to look at likeโ
โ
No.
โ
I looked away quickly.
โ
Don't.
โ
Don't go there.
โ
But my heart didn't listen.
โ
Because damnโ
โ
He looked good.
โ
Too good.
โ
Jass's voice cut in.
"Careful."
โ
I blinked.
"โฆWhat?"
โ
"You're staring."
โ
"I wasn't."
โ
He smirked.
"Sure."
โ
I looked away again.
โ
Why does he always catch everything?
โ
CI N rushed forward.
"Jay, pleaseโjust listenโ"
โ
Felix stepped in.
"We're sorryโ"
โ
Yuri.
"Can we just talk for a minuteโ"
โ
David, Edrix, Calixโ
โ
All of them.
โ
Trying.
โ
I walked past them.
โ
Didn't stop.
Didn't respond.
โ
Didn't even slow down.
โ
Because if I doโ
I'll remember everything.
โ
And I don't want to.
โ
Not tonight.
โ
Jass didn't interfere.
โ
Just walked with me.
โ
And somehowโ
That silence from himโ
โ
Felt like support.
โ
A girl host stepped up.
"Tonight is all about partners!"
โ
Cheers.
โ
"Let's play a couple game!"
โ
I sighed.
โ
Of course.
โ
We were called.
โ
Of course.
โ
I looked at Jass.
"โฆDon't mess this up."
โ
He smirked.
"No promises."
โ
We stepped forward.
โ
๐ฏ Game 1 โ Close Challenge
We had to stand close.
Balance.
Move together.
โ
His hand on my waist.
โ
My hand on his shoulder.
โ
Too close.
โ
"You okay?" he murmured.
โ
"I will push you."
โ
"Romantic."
โ
We moved.
โ
Almost slippedโ
Then laughed.
โ
Actually laughed.
โ
And for a secondโ
โ
It felt easy.
โ
Too easy.
โ
And that scared me.
โ
I glanced sideways.
โ
Keifer.
โ
Watching.
โ
Eyes dark.
โ
And beside himโ
โ
Luna.
โ
Holding his arm.
โ
Too close.
โ
My chest tightened.
โ
I looked away instantly.
โ
Why does that bother me?
โ
It shouldn't.
โ
But it does.
โ
And I hate that.
โ
The host smiled.
"Now, let's see how well you know your partner!"
โ
Great.
โ
Questions started.
โ
"What's their favorite memory?"
โ
I froze.
โ
Favorite memory?
โ
My mind didn't go to Jass.
โ
It wentโ
โ
To Keifer.
โ
Terrace.
โ
Late evening.
โ
Laughing over nothing.
โ
Wind in my hair.
โ
Him looking at me likeโ
โ
Like I mattered.
โ
I blinked.
โ
"โฆJay?" Jass nudged softly.
โ
I snapped back.
โ
"Uhโ" I forced a smile, "he likes annoying people."
โ
Laughter.
โ
Jass smirked.
"Correct."
โ
But insideโ
โ
I wasn't there.
โ
Because my mindโ
โ
Was somewhere else.
โ
Another question.
โ
"What moment made you trust them?"
โ
Againโ
โ
Not Jass.
โ
Keifer.
โ
Haunted house.
โ
Dark.
โ
His hand finding mine.
โ
Holding tight.
โ
Not letting go.
โ
That look in his eyesโ
โ
Real.
โ
Or at leastโ
I thought it was.
โ
"โฆJay?"
โ
I blinked again.
โ
"Uhโhe didn't burn pancakes today."
โ
More laughter.
โ
Jass chuckled.
โ
But I wasn't laughing.
โ
Because my chest felt heavy.
โ
Why am I remembering him now?
โ
Why does it still feel real?
โ
We stepped down.
โ
People clapping.
Laughing.
โ
Jass leaned closer.
"You disappeared there."
โ
"I didn't."
โ
"You did."
โ
I looked away.
"โฆDoesn't matter."
โ
He didn't push.
โ
Just stayed beside me.
โ
But across the roomโ
โ
I could still feel it.
โ
Keifer's gaze.
โ
Burning.
โ
Intense.
โ
Unavoidable.
โ
And somewhere inside meโ
โ
Something dangerous shifted.
โ
Because no matter how much I tryโ
โ
A part of me still reacts to him.
โ
Still remembers him.
โ
Stillโ
โ
Feels him.
โ
And that?
โ
That's exactly what will ruin everything.
The host kept going.
More couples.
More laughter.
More noise.
โ
I stood beside Jass, but my mind wasn't steady anymore.
โ
Thenโ
โ
"Next coupleโKeifer and Luna!"
โ
My body reacted before my mind did.
โ
I looked.
โ
Keifer walked up.
Calm.
Composed.
โ
Navy blue suit.
Matching.
โ
My breath hitched for a second.
โ
He lookedโ
โ
Incredible.
โ
Sharp jaw.
Perfect fit.
That quiet confidenceโ
โ
The same one that always got to me.
โ
I hated that I noticed.
โ
I hated that it still affected me.
โ
And beside himโ
โ
Luna.
โ
Clinging.
Smiling.
Too close.
โ
Something inside me tightened.
โ
I crossed my arms.
Looked away.
โ
Why does this bother me?
โ
It shouldn't.
โ
It doesn't.
โ
โฆliar.
โ
Same game.
โ
Close.
Too close.
โ
His hand on her waist.
โ
I looked backโ
โ
And instantly regretted it.
โ
They stood there.
Balanced.
โ
The host laughed.
"You two look good together!"
โ
Good together?
โ
My jaw tightened.
โ
He didn't react.
Didn't deny.
โ
That annoyed me more.
โ
Why isn't he moving away?
โ
Why is he letting her stand like that?
โ
Why do I care?
โ
I don't.
โ
But my fingers tightened around my clutch.
โ
Jass leaned closer.
"Easy."
โ
"I'm fine."
โ
"You're not."
โ
"โฆShut up."
โ
He chuckled softly.
โ
I hate that he can read me.
โ
Thenโ
Questions.
โ
"What's your partner's favorite thing?"
โ
Luna answered instantly.
Too confidently.
โ
Like she knew him.
โ
I almost laughed.
โ
She doesn't.
โ
Not likeโ
โ
Stop.
โ
He didn't correct her.
โ
That hurt.
โ
More than I expected.
โ
I looked away completely this time.
โ
I'm done watching.
โ
Because this?
โ
Isn't something I should feel anything about.
โ
Applause.
โ
They stepped down.
โ
I didn't look.
โ
Didn't care.
โ
At leastโ
That's what I forced myself to believe.
โ
"I'm getting a drink," I said.
โ
Jass nodded.
"Go."
โ
Quieter here.
โ
Less noise.
Less pressure.
โ
I picked up a glass.
Didn't even check what it was.
โ
Just needed something to hold.
โ
Something to steady myself.
โ
"Jay."
โ
I froze.
โ
CI N.
โ
Of course.
โ
"โฆWhat?" I said without turning.
โ
"Can we talk?"
โ
I closed my eyes for a second.
โ
I don't want this.
โ
But I didn't walk away.
โ
So I turned.
โ
He looked nervous.
Guilty.
โ
Good.
โ
"You have one minute."
โ
"I'm sorry," he said immediately.
โ
Silence.
โ
"That's not enough."
โ
"I know," he nodded quickly. "I should've told you everything."
โ
My grip tightened on the glass.
โ
"Told me what?"
โ
"That Keifer had a planโฆ to use youโฆ to take revenge for Aries."
โ
There it is.
โ
Out loud.
โ
Again.
โ
"And you didn't tell me."
โ
"I couldn't," he said. "I wasn't confident enoughโฆ and I owed him."
โ
I let out a dry laugh.
โ
"Owed him?" I repeated. "So that mattered more than me?"
โ
"NoโJay, it's not like thatโ"
โ
"Then what is it like?"
โ
He struggled.
โ
"I was scared," he admitted. "You know how he isโฆ I couldn't go against him."
โ
I looked at him.
โ
"You couldn't go against himโฆ but you could stand there and watch me fall for a lie?"
โ
"I hated it!" he said quickly. "Every second of itโI hated it."
โ
"Then why didn't you stop it?"
โ
"I triedโฆ just not enough."
โ
Silence.
โ
The music felt distant.
โ
Everything felt distant.
โ
"I trusted you," I said quietly.
โ
"I know."
โ
"And you broke that."
โ
"I know."
โ
No defense now.
โ
Just truth.
โ
I exhaled slowly.
โ
This still hurts.
โ
More than I want it to.
โ
Then he said something that made me pause.
โ
"โฆI don't even know why Keifer told you like that."
โ
I frowned slightly.
"What?"
โ
"The plan was stopped a long time ago," he said. "We all knew it wasn'tโฆ that anymore."
โ
My chest tightened.
โ
"He didn't have to say it like that," CI N continued softly. "We could all see itโฆ"
โ
"See what?" I asked, quieter now.
โ
He hesitated.
โ
Then said it.
โ
"โฆthat he really loves you."
โ
Silence.
โ
My breath stopped for a second.
โ
"โฆDon't," I said immediately.
โ
"I'm serious," he said. "I don't know what was wrong with him that day, but that wasn't the truth anymore."
โ
I looked away.
โ
No.
โ
I'm not doing this.
โ
Not now.
โ
Not again.
โ
Because if I believe thatโ
โ
I'll fall right back.
โ
And I can't afford that.
โ
"Enough," I said.
โ
He nodded quickly.
โ
"I'm just sayingโฆ I'm sorry, Jay. For everything."
โ
I looked at him.
โ
Really looked.
โ
He meant it.
โ
I can see that.
โ
And CI Nโ
โ
He was never like the others.
โ
More likeโฆ
โ
A younger brother.
โ
Annoying.
Stupid sometimes.
โ
But not cruel.
โ
I sighed softly.
โ
"I'm not forgiving everyone."
โ
"I know."
โ
"But youโฆ"
โ
I paused.
โ
"โฆyou get one chance."
โ
His eyes widened slightly.
โ
"I won't mess it up," he said immediately.
โ
"Don't."
โ
He nodded.
โ
That's it.
โ
That's all I can give.
โ
Because I can't carry this forever.
"Alright everyone!" the host called out. "Time for the couple dance!"
โ
Music shifted.
โ
Slow.
Soft.
โ
Lights dimmed.
โ
Couples moved to the floor.
โ
I looked at CI N.
"โฆGo."
โ
"Thank you, Jay."
โ
I didn't respond.
โ
Just turned.
โ
And walked back.
โ
To Jass.
โ
Because no matter what I just heardโ
โ
No matter what part of me reactedโ
โ
Tonight isn't over.
โ
And neither is this story.
Prom Night (Continue)
The music softened.
Lights dimmed just enough to blur everything else.
โ
"Partner dance," the host repeated.
โ
I stood in front of Jass.
โ
He extended his hand.
"Shall we, darling?"
โ
I rolled my eyesโฆ but placed my hand in his anyway.
โ
Because that's what we're doing tonight.
โ
Playing the part.
โ
๐ถ Dance Floor
His hand settled on my waist.
Firm.
Steady.
โ
Mine rested on his shoulder.
โ
We started moving slowly.
In rhythm.
โ
Close.
โ
Too close.
โ
Across the floorโ
I saw them.
โ
Keifer.
And Luna.
โ
Her arms wrapped around him.
Closer than necessary.
โ
Her head slightly tilted toward him.
โ
And heโ
โ
Was letting her.
โ
Something sharp twisted in my chest.
โ
I looked away instantly.
โ
Fine.
โ
If that's how he wants to playโ
โ
Then fine.
โ
I stepped closer to Jass.
โ
He noticed immediately.
A faint smirk.
โ
"Careful," he murmured. "You're getting bold."
โ
"Just doing the act," I replied.
โ
But I moved closer again.
โ
My hand slid slightly higher on his shoulder.
โ
His grip on my waist tightened just a little.
โ
We were closer now.
โ
Closer than before.
โ
And I knewโ
โ
Keifer could see.
โ
Good.
โ
Let him.
โ
"Jay," Jass said softly.
โ
"Hm?"
โ
"You're not just acting."
โ
I stilled for half a second.
โ
"โฆI am."
โ
"No," he said quietly. "You're trying to prove something."
โ
I looked at him.
โ
"โฆMaybe I am."
โ
A pause.
โ
Then I exhaled slowly.
โ
"I think I should move on."
โ
The words felt heavy.
โ
Real.
โ
"I can't stay like this forever," I continued. "Stuck on something that wasn't even real."
โ
Jass didn't interrupt.
โ
Just listened.
โ
"I need to stopโฆ whatever this is," I whispered.
โ
Silence.
โ
But I didn't knowโ
โ
That someone else heard it too.
โ
๐ Nearby
Keifer.
โ
Close enough.
โ
Every word.
โ
Every single one.
โ
๐ถ Back to Us
Jass's hand lifted slightly, tilting my chin up.
โ
Our faces were inches apart.
โ
"Are you sure?" he asked quietly.
โ
I hesitated.
โ
Because for a secondโ
โ
I wasn't.
โ
But thenโ
โ
"I have to be."
โ
His gaze softened.
โ
And for a momentโ
โ
Everything else faded.
โ
Just us.
โ
Close.
โ
Too close.
โ
My breath hitched.
โ
His gaze dropped to my lips.
โ
And I knewโ
โ
What was about to happen.
โ
And I didn't stop it.
โ
Didn't move away.
โ
Because maybeโ
โ
This is how I end it.
โ
How I move on.
โ
Our faces inched closerโ
โ
And thenโ
โ
Everything shattered.
โ
A strong forceโ
โ
Yanked Jass back.
โ
"WHAT THEโ"
โ
Before I could reactโ
โ
Keifer.
โ
His fist connected.
Hard.
โ
Jass stumbled back.
โ
"KeiferโSTOPโ"
โ
But he didn't listen.
โ
His eyesโ
โ
Wild.
Furious.
โ
And thenโ
โ
He turned to me.
โ
Before I could step backโ
โ
He lifted me.
โ
Over his shoulder.
โ
"What the hellโKEIFER PUT ME DOWNโ"
โ
I hit his back lightly.
Struggled.
โ
"LET ME GO!"
โ
He didn't stop.
Didn't slow down.
โ
People stared.
Whispers.
Shock.
โ
But he walked straight throughโ
โ
Like nothing else existed.
โ
Like nothing else mattered.
โ
๐ช Changing Room
Door opened.
โ
Then slammed shut.
โ
Lock clicked.
โ
He put me downโ
โ
Not gently.
โ
But not enough to hurt.
โ
I stumbled slightlyโ
โ
And before I could reactโ
โ
He stepped forward.
โ
Close.
Too close.
โ
"Keiferโwhat are youโ"
โ
He didn't let me finish.
โ
His hands cupped my faceโ
โ
And thenโ
โ
He kissed me.
โ
Not soft.
Not careful.
โ
It was intense.
Desperate.
โ
Like he was trying to prove something.
โ
Like he was trying to hold onto something slipping away.
โ
My breath caughtโ
โ
For a secondโ
โ
I froze.
โ
Because thisโ
โ
This felt real.
โ
Too real.
โ
But thenโ
โ
Reality hit.
โ
I pushed him back.
Hard.
โ
"STOPโ"
โ
He stepped back slightlyโ
โ
And I saw it.
โ
Tears.
โ
In his eyes.
โ
Actually there.
โ
"You can't move on," he said, voice breaking. "You can't move on from meโI won't let you."
โ
My chest tightened.
โ
"You're mine," he continued. "I love youโI can't watch you with someone else."
โ
Silence.
โ
And thenโ
โ
I slapped him.
โ
The sound echoed.
โ
He didn't stop me.
โ
"I deserve it," he said quietly. "Do it again if you want."
โ
I hit his chest instead.
โ
Again.
And again.
โ
"STOP IT!" I shouted, tears in my own eyes now. "Just stop!"
โ
My hands trembled.
โ
"You don't get to do this," I continued. "You don't get to say it was all fakeโuse meโand then suddenly say you love me when I'm trying to move on!"
โ
My voice broke.
โ
"What is wrong with you?"
โ
Silence.
โ
"I'm sorry," he said.
โ
I laughed bitterly.
โ
"Stop lying."
โ
"I'm not."
โ
"Then tell me," I demanded. "Tell me why you did all of this. Why you acted like I didn't matter."
โ
He stepped closer.
Hands gently holding my face againโ
โ
"I'm sorry," he whispered. "I can't tell you. Not yet."
โ
My expression hardened.
โ
"Of course you can't."
โ
"I'm going to London," he said. "For my inheritance. When I come backโI'll tell you everything."
โ
I didn't react.
โ
"I'll spend my whole life making it up to you," he continued. "If that's what it takes."
โ
Silence.
โ
I pushed his hands away.
โ
"No."
โ
He froze.
โ
"I'm done waiting," I said quietly.
โ
Then I turned.
โ
Walked to the door.
โ
Unlocked it.
โ
And left.
โ
TERRACE
The cold air hit harder this time.
Sharper.
Like it was trying to wake me up.
โ
My hands rested on the railing.
Tight.
โ
I could still feel it.
His touch.
His voice.
โ
I closed my eyes for a second.
Then opened them.
โ
"Okayโฆ" I whispered to myself.
โ
A breath in.
Slow.
Controlled.
โ
"Okay, so you can't tell me, right?"
โ
My voice wasn't shaking anymore.
โ
Not like before.
โ
"Fine."
โ
I straightened slightly.
โ
"Then I'll find out everything myself."
โ
The words felt different.
Stronger.
โ
Because this timeโ
I wasn't waiting for answers.
โ
I was taking them.
โ
"It's okay," I continued quietly. "You don't know a lot of things about me either."
โ
A pause.
โ
My fingers curled slightly over the railing.
โ
"But what I sawโฆ"
โ
My chest tightened just a little.
โ
"In your eyesโฆ in your actionsโฆ"
โ
I exhaled slowly.
โ
"And your biggest weaknessโ"
โ
A small, almost bitter smile formed.
โ
"Jealousy."
โ
Silence.
โ
"I know that what you saidโฆ wasn't fake."
โ
That part hurt to admit.
โ
"But that doesn't change anything."
โ
My voice hardened again.
โ
"You still planned to use me first."
โ
"You still hurt me."
โ
A pause.
โ
"And even if I want to know your reasonโฆ"
โ
My jaw tightened.
โ
"That doesn't mean I forgive you."
โ
Not now.
Maybe not ever.
โ
I stepped back from the railing.
โ
Eyes steady.
Colder now.
โ
"I will find out everything."
โ
"Very soon."
โ
Thenโ
A faint smirk.
โ
"Get ready, Mark Keifer Waston."
โ
The name didn't feel the same anymore.
โ
Because nowโ
โ
"I'm not just Jay."
โ
A pause.
โ
"I'm Jasper Jean Mariano."
โ
The truth settled in my chest like something powerful.
โ
"The secret Mariano Princess."
โ
"The heiress of Mariano Group."
โ
"And I want to knowโฆ"
โ
My gaze lifted slightly.
Sharper.
Focused.
โ
"Who is the reason."
โ
"Who has the powerโฆ"
โ
"To force a Waston to do something."
โ
A slow breath.
โ
"What kind of helplessnessโฆ can exist for someone like you?"
โ
Because that didn't make sense.
โ
Not for him.
โ
"Because as far as I knowโฆ"
โ
My lips curved slightly.
โ
"Only a Mariano holds that kind of power."
โ
A pause.
โ
"Or is it a Waston?"
โ
Another pause.
โ
"Or something else entirelyโฆ"
โ
Silence.
โ
Thenโ
A soft, dangerous smile.
โ
"I'll know very soon."
โ
My eyes shifted toward the dark sky.
โ
"London, huhโฆ"
โ
A smirk.
โ
"Interesting."
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