FIRST DAY OF THE INTERNSHIP
The Mariano-Watson headquarters was so huge it could've been declared its own country. Marble floors, glass walls, employees walking around like they were in a fashion show — everything screamed power.
Jay walked in beside Keifer, pretending she wasn't nervous.
Keifer walked in pretending he wasn't staring at her every five seconds.
They reached the registration desk, where an overly-enthusiastic coordinator smiled too brightly.
"Names?" she asked.
"Jay Mariano," Jay said politely.
"Keifer Watson," Keifer added.
The coordinator scanned her list.
"Oh! You two are in the same division!"
Jay blinked. "We're what?"
Keifer frowned. "That has to be a mistake."
She shook her head.
"Nope! Mariano heir, Watson heir — you two will be paired for every project. You'll be a team for the entire internship."
Jay felt her soul leave her body.
Keifer muttered, "This is karma for something I did in a past life."
They took their ID badges, walked around the corner…
Then both looked at each other with the exact same expression:
"We're doomed."
⸻
THE CONFERENCE ROOM
It was filled with interns from all over the world. Jay spotted her best friend Ryan waving.
"JAY!" Ryan called, rushing over to hug her.
Jay smiled, hugging him tightly.
Keifer's eye twitched.
Ryan grinned. "You excited? This is gonna be amazing!"
"Yeah," Jay said brightly. "Can't believe we made it."
Keifer stood behind her, arms crossed, glaring a hole into Ryan's skull.
Ryan smirked at him. "Hey, Keifer."
Keifer faked a smile. "Ryan."
Jay elbowed Keifer. "Behave."
He didn't. He stepped closer behind Jay, a little too close, just to make a point.
Ryan raised a brow.
"Oooh. Someone's jealous."
"I'm not," Keifer said instantly.
Jay rolled her eyes. "He's always like this."
Keifer glared. "I'm not jealous."
Jay and Ryan said in unison, "You totally are."
Keifer looked offended. "No. I'm… territorial."
Jay turned slowly.
"…That's worse!"
Keifer shut up.
⸻
THE NEW INTERN ENTERS
A girl walked in — tall, pretty, confident, the type who'd trend on Instagram without trying. Her name tag read Alexa Hart.
She smiled warmly at the room. "Hi everyone!"
Jay smiled back politely.
Keifer nodded.
Then Alexa walked straight toward them — or more accurately, straight toward Keifer.
"Hi," she said, voice soft. "You're Keifer Watson, right?"
Keifer blinked. "Yeah."
Alexa smiled. "I've… heard a lot about you."
Jay's jaw clenched.
Ryan smirked immediately.
Keifer seemed confused but polite.
Alexa continued, "Maybe you could show me around sometime?"
Jay nearly snapped her pen in half.
Ryan whispered, "Jealous?"
Jay whispered back, "I WILL kill you."
Keifer glanced at Jay — the tiniest smirk forming.
Was she… jealous?
He loved it.
"Oh," Keifer said casually, "I'm actually partnered with Jay. So I'll be with her the whole time."
Jay's heart skipped.
Alexa pouted slightly. "Oh. That's okay! Maybe another day."
Jay turned away, trying to pretend she wasn't secretly celebrating.
⸻
THE DIRECTOR ARRIVES
The room went quiet as the internship director entered.
He looked at the clipboard.
"Team 1: Jay Mariano and Keifer Watson."
Their classmates murmured.
Ryan nudged Jay. "Power duo."
Alexa sighed.
Keifer smirked. "See? Partners."
Jay whispered back, "Don't get cocky."
The director continued, "You two will lead the first presentation tomorrow. Be prepared."
Jay choked.
"Tomorrow?!"
Keifer grinned. "Relax. We've got this."
Jay glared. "No. I have this. You're going to make chaos."
He leaned close, voice dropping.
"Then keep me under control."
Jay's cheeks flushed.
Ryan muttered, "God, get a room."
Alexa muttered, "Unfair."
⸻
AFTER THE MEETING
Jay marched down the hallway with her notebook.
Keifer followed like an oversized golden retriever.
"So," he said, "when are we working on the presentation?"
Jay sighed. "Tonight. In the dorm."
Keifer smirked. "So… a work date?"
Jay stopped walking.
"It's not a date."
"It's totally a date."
"Keifer—"
"Yes, sweetheart?"
Jay's face turned tomato red.
He grinned.
"Thought so."