The mansion was unusually quiet when Jenn got home. She dropped her bag on the counter and sighed. The stillness pressed in around her, broken only by the hum of the refrigerator.
But her mind wasn't quiet. It kept replaying Jeff's voice over and over again —
"I want you to be my girlfriend."
The words rang like a song she couldn't switch off.
She turned on the gas, her hands moving without focus as she poured noodles into a pot. Steam rose, blurring her thoughts. She didn't even notice Alden leaning against the counter behind her, a glass of water in hand, silently watching her every move.
"You better stop thinking and focus," his voice cut through her thoughts, low and steady.
Jenn jumped, so startled that the knife slipped and nicked her finger. "Oh my—"
Alden didn't flinch. He just looked at her, his expression unreadable. "Next time," he said, setting the glass down, "try not to hurt yourself over whatever nonsense you're dreaming about."
Then he turned and walked away.
Jenn stared after him, her chest tightening with irritation and confusion. Was he worried? she wondered—but immediately shook the thought off. No. Not him.
When her noodles were finally done, she set the steaming bowl on the dining table and went back to the kitchen to get water. But when she returned, the table was empty. The bowl was gone.
Jenn froze. "What the—?"
Jovan and Jovi weren't home. Which meant—
Her eyes narrowed. "It can't be…"
She stomped upstairs, and when she pushed open Alden's door, there he was — sitting comfortably, casually eating her noodles.
"Alden!" she shouted. "That's my food!"
He looked up, completely unfazed. "And this is my house," he said lazily. "You live here. You cook here. You don't complain here. That's how it works."
Jenn's mouth fell open. "You—you can't just—"
"I can," he interrupted, his tone calm but sharp. "Because you're my nanny, not my guest."
The words hit harder than she expected. She wanted to yell, but instead, she marched forward, snatched the plate, and turned toward the door.
"Enjoy your authority," she snapped, slamming the door behind her.
Alden leaned back in his chair, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "Feisty," he murmured.
And down the hall, Jenn's anger burned bright — but somewhere under that anger, something else stirred. Something she didn't want to name.
⸻
The next morning came too soon. Jenn hadn't slept much; her mind replayed every detail of the previous night — the stolen noodles, Alden's smirk, and the way his words left a sting.
By the time she got downstairs, Rosario was already arranging breakfast, humming softly as sunlight spilled through the large windows.
"Good morning," Jenn said quietly.
Rosario smiled. "Morning, dear. You look tired."
Jenn forced a small laugh. "Didn't sleep well."
Before Rosario could respond, footsteps echoed down the stairs. Alden appeared — sharply dressed, confident as ever, his phone in one hand and a faint smirk in place.
Jenn stiffened automatically. He noticed.
"Morning, nanny," Alden greeted coolly, walking past her.
Jenn frowned. "Good morning," she muttered.
"What was that?" he teased, pretending not to hear.
"I said good morning," she repeated, louder this time.
He turned slightly, the corner of his lips curving. "You sound angry. Don't tell me you're still thinking about the noodles."
Jenn's jaw dropped. "You ate my dinner, Alden!"
He took a slow sip of coffee. "Correction — I had dinner. In my house."
Rosario looked between them nervously. "Maybe we should all just eat breakfast…"
Jenn crossed her arms. "You're impossible."
"And you're loud," he countered easily, walking toward the door. "Try not to burn the kitchen while I'm gone."
Jenn's cheeks flushed. "I didn't burn anything!"
But Alden was already gone, that faintly victorious smile still on his face.
Rosario sighed. "You two will make this house explode one day."
Jenn sank into a chair, groaning. "I swear, he does it on purpose."
But her heart was still pounding. Why does he always get under my skin like that?
And upstairs, Alden paused by the window, watching her reflection in the glass. His smirk softened.
Why do I even care?
⸻
At school, the morning sun was bright, but Jenn's thoughts were tangled. It wasn't until she saw Jeff standing by the courtyard pillars — hands in pockets, smile effortless — that she remembered.
She hadn't given him an answer.
Her heart skipped. Maybe if she turned around quietly—
"Jenn!"
Too late. His voice carried easily across the courtyard.
She stopped, bit her lip, then turned with an awkward smile. "Oh, Jeff! I didn't see you there."
Jeff laughed. "You walked right past me."
"Guess I was lost in thought," she mumbled.
He grinned. "Come on, there's someone I want you to meet."
He led her to a tall, friendly-looking guy with an easy smile. "Jenn, this is Carlos — my brother."
Carlos gave her a small nod. "So, you're the girl Jeff's been talking about."
Jenn blinked. "He… has?"
Carlos shot Jeff a teasing look. "All the time."
Jenn blushed, and Jeff quickly nudged his brother. "Okay, that's enough, Carlos."
Carlos chuckled. "Fine, fine. I'll leave you two lovebirds alone."
When he walked away, Jeff turned serious. His voice softened. "Jenn," he said, taking her hand, "I meant what I said before."
Jenn's breath caught.
"I want you to be my girlfriend."
Her mind went blank. She couldn't look up; her heart pounded too loud. Jeff gently tilted her chin until their eyes met. "You don't have to be scared," he whispered.
Jenn hesitated, then finally nodded. "Yes."
Jeff smiled — warm, genuine — and pulled her into a hug. Jenn felt her heart steady against his chest.
But deep inside, a darker thought stirred in Jeff's mind.
Alden… I'm coming for you.
Then, a gasp broke the moment.
Tessie stood nearby, frozen in shock. "Jenn? With Jeffrey?"
She turned and ran off to find Alden. "You have to see this!"
Moments later, Alden appeared — and when his eyes landed on them, something unreadable flashed across his face. Jeff's arm was around Jenn, her head against his chest.
A muscle in Alden's jaw twitched.
Jeff noticed. He smirked slightly and whispered near Jenn's ear, "Say it."
Jenn blinked. "Say what?"
"Tell me you love me."
Jenn hesitated, heat rising to her cheeks. But Jeff's gaze was patient, encouraging. "I… I love you," she said softly.
Alden turned away sharply, fury burning behind his calm expression.
Jenn didn't see him leave. But Jeff did.
And as he held Jenn closer, a victorious smile touched his lips.
⸻