Yesss Ridz 😭💍✨ this setup is peak Jayfer energy — jealousy, hidden feelings, and all
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💞 Chapter 4: Tangled Truths and Stolen Glances 💞
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💗 Jay's POV 💗
The Watson mansion looked like something straight out of a luxury magazine — chandeliers that glittered like stars, tables lined with gold-trimmed cutlery, and a grand piano humming softly in the corner. Everyone was laughing, sipping wine, and chatting.
But me? I was dying inside.
Because across the hall, wearing a black suit that fit him way too perfectly, Keifer Watson was laughing with Valerie, one of his old friends from business school.
And let's just say... she was laughing a little too hard. 😤
"Jay, smile," Mom whispered, elbowing me gently. "You're the bride, not a witness at a crime scene."
I gave her a sweet, fake smile. "Sure, Mom. Just watching business partnerships bloom across the room."
She rolled her eyes. "You'll start loving him soon enough. You'll see."
Love. That word again. I sipped my drink, my throat burning slightly. I stopped believing in love a long time ago — not after James. Not after the way that ended.
"Jay!" a familiar voice called. It was Aries, my cousin, dragging me toward the living room. "They're starting a game of Truth or Dare! Come on, bride-to-be!"
Oh, perfect. 😒
I walked in, taking a seat beside Yuri and Ella — both grinning like hyenas. Across from me sat Keifer, his sleeves rolled up, smirking like he owned the room.
His eyes met mine for half a second — steady, teasing, and annoyingly unreadable.
Ella started the bottle spin, and of course, it landed on me.
"Truth or Dare, Jay?" she asked, grinning mischievously.
"Truth."
"Fine," Yuri said, leaning forward. "Do you think Keifer's hot?"
The whole group exploded. Even Keifer chuckled under his breath. I nearly choked on air.
"W-what kind of—?!" I glared at Yuri. "You need better questions!"
"Come on, answer," Keifer teased, his tone smooth and infuriating. "Honesty's part of the deal, isn't it, fiancée?"
I crossed my arms, smirking. "Hot? Maybe. Annoying? Absolutely."
He just grinned wider. "I'll take that as a yes." 😏
The room went wild.
Next, the bottle turned to Keifer.
"Dare," he said confidently.
"Okay, Watson," Aries said. "We dare you to whisper something in Jay's ear that'll make her blush."
"Aries!" I hissed, my face instantly heating.
Keifer tilted his head, pretending to think. "Hmm. That's too easy."
He leaned forward — close enough that I could feel his breath near my ear — and murmured something I couldn't even process before pulling back with a smirk.
Whatever he said, it made my cheeks catch fire. 🔥
Everyone screamed, "WHAT DID HE SAY?!"
And Keifer just replied coolly, "Trade secret."
I threw a pillow at him. "You're insufferable!"
He laughed — a deep, low sound that made my stomach flutter in the most annoying way possible.
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🖤 Keifer's POV 🖤
Jay Mariano looked like she'd stepped out of a dream — loose curls falling over her shoulder, her golden dress catching the light every time she moved.
And God, that glare she threw me across the room? Dangerous. Beautiful. Addicting.
This "get-together" was supposed to be casual — but when I saw her walk in, it was over. My heart actually paused.
Of course, Valerie had to show up. 🙄
Old classmate. Totally harmless.
But the way Jay's eyes narrowed every time Valerie touched my arm? Yeah, she was jealous — though she'd rather die than admit it.
The game had turned chaotic, but watching her blush after my whisper? That was the highlight of my evening.
She looked so adorably flustered, biting her lip and pretending she wasn't affected.
My phone buzzed. Valerie, again.
> Valerie: Missed our college days. You haven't changed. Still charming.
Before I could even reply, Jay's eyes flicked to my screen. The sharpness in her expression said everything.
Oh, she saw. And she did not like it.
"Who's that?" she asked casually, taking a sip of her drink. Her tone was calm, but her eyes? They were fire.
I smirked, leaning closer. "Someone jealous?"
She scoffed. "Please. Why would I be jealous? It's a deal marriage, remember?"
Deal. Right.
The word that stabbed deeper than I expected.
Before I could reply, Aries spun the bottle again. It landed on Jay.
"Dare!" Aries grinned. "Kiss someone in the room you think about most lately!"
Everyone gasped.
Jay froze. Her gaze flickered around — Yuri, Ella, Aries… then me.
I didn't breathe.
And then — she stood, walked over, grabbed my collar, and kissed my cheek.
The room erupted. 😭💥
I grinned, stunned for a second, then whispered just loud enough for her to hear, "Wrong place, Jay. You missed by an inch."
Her eyes widened, and she smacked my arm, trying to hide her smile.
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💗 Jay's POV 💗
What. Just. Happened. 😭💋
Why did I even do that?!
His stupid grin wouldn't leave his face. His stupid eyes were twinkling like he'd just won something.
And I? My heart was pounding like it forgot what logic was.
After the chaos, we all moved to the garden. Fairy lights hung above, soft music played, and the air felt lighter.
"Jay," Keifer called, walking over with two drinks. "You okay?"
"Fine," I said, crossing my arms. "You seem to be enjoying the game a little too much."
He chuckled softly. "You seemed to be enjoying making me jealous a little too much."
"I wasn't—" I started, but he interrupted with that smug, knowing look.
"Then why did you glare at Valerie like she was a corporate rival?"
I stared at him, flustered. "You're impossible."
He stepped closer — close enough that I could feel the warmth radiating between us. "And you're beautiful when you're mad."
For a second, time stopped.
His hand brushed against mine, almost unintentionally. My breath hitched, and I looked away before he could see how fast my heart was racing.
Maybe it was the lights, maybe the music, or maybe the unspoken tension we'd been dancing around for days — but for the first time, I didn't see him as just a deal.
I saw him as someone who made my heart believe again. 💞
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🖤 Keifer's POV 🖤
As the night went on, our parents chatted about wedding plans, but all I could think about was her — the way she laughed, how her eyes softened whenever she forgot to guard her heart.
She didn't believe in love anymore, I knew that. But watching her tonight, teasing, laughing, living — I wanted to change that.
Not because of business.
Not because of the deal.
But because somewhere between the sarcastic remarks and those shy smiles — I'd already fallen.
And maybe… just maybe, she was falling too.
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✨🌸 End of Chapter 4 🌸✨