Jayjay's POV
The party was already in full swing. Laughter and music filled the air, lights sparkled across the living room, and everyone looked so happy — especially Yuri and Ciel. Seeing Yuri finally give Ciel a chance made me smile; she'd been waiting for that moment for so long. And Adrian and Valerie… official. I was so happy for them too.
But as I sat there, my smile slowly faded.
My heart felt heavy.
Keifer hadn't called again since last night.
I stirred my drink slowly, watching the ice melt into the glass. "Is he really not coming?" I whispered under my breath, forcing a small smile even though my chest hurt.
Then a voice beside me said, muffled through a mouth full of icing, "He'll surely come and make you the happiest birthday girl ever!"
I turned, blinking in surprise — it was Keiren, his lips and cheeks smeared with donut icing. I couldn't help but laugh softly as I wiped his mouth with a napkin.
"Really? And how are you so sure?" I asked with a teasing tone.
Keiren grinned proudly. "Because he's—"
Before he could finish, Keagan rushed in and clamped a hand over his little brother's mouth. "Okay, okay! Don't mind him!" he said quickly, whispering something into Keiren's ear. Then, dragging him away, Keagan added, "We'll be over there!"
I blinked, confused. "Weird…" I muttered to myself.
Just then, Yuri appeared in front of me. "Jayjay, come with me."
"Huh? Why? What's going on?" I asked.
He didn't answer — just smiled slightly and gestured for me to follow. My curiosity got the better of me, so I stood and followed him toward the big TV at the center of the room. Everyone turned to face it as the lights dimmed a little.
Then, the screen lit up.
The words appeared first:
"Happy Birthday Jasper Jean Marino Fernandez."
A small gasp escaped my lips. The crowd murmured softly, their eyes fixed on the screen.
Then the video switched — and my breath caught.
It was Keifer.
He was sitting somewhere that looked like a cozy room. Behind him were Snorlax plushies, a few posters, and fairy lights. He looked so good — calm, collected, and yet so full of warmth.
"Happy birthday, Jayjay," he said, smiling softly. "My Mutya."
The entire room erupted in soft "awws" and laughter, but I didn't hear them. My eyes were glued to the background.
That room… it looked too familiar.
I tilted my head. "Wait… that looks like—"
And then it hit me. My eyes widened.
"That's my room!" I gasped.
Everyone turned to look at me. I spun toward Aries. "Did you see Keifer enter the house!?"
He shook his head, pretending not to know.
I turned to Yuri — he looked away, grinning suspiciously.
From the TV, Keifer's voice came again:
"If you think you know where I am… come find me."
My heart skipped.
Without another thought, I ran — up the stairs, two steps at a time, my dress flowing behind me. My pulse was racing, and my hands trembled as I reached for my doorknob.
I pushed the door open—
And froze.
There he was.
Keifer, standing right there in my room, smiling at me. He looked incredible — dressed in a sky-blue blazer, matching pants, a crisp white shirt, and sleek sky-blue Jordans. His hair fell slightly over his eyes, and that same gentle smile that always made me feel safe curved on his lips.
"Keifer…" I whispered.
He didn't have time to speak — because the next second, I ran to him.
My arms wrapped around him tightly, and we both stumbled, falling onto the bed in laughter and tears.
I looked down at him, eyes glistening.
"You lied," I whispered, then kissed him softly.
Another kiss.
"You're here."
And again, one more — this time lingering — "You look very handsome."
He smiled beneath the kiss, his hands gently holding my waist as he whispered back, "I wouldn't miss your birthday for anything, my Mutya."
The music and laughter from downstairs faded away.
For a moment, it was just us — the heartbeat, the warmth, the feeling that this… this was exactly where I was meant to be.
I smiled softly and whispered to keifer ,
"This is the best birthday I've ever had… because you came back to me."