Jay's POV
I woke up before my alarm.
The house felt different—quieter, heavier, like it was holding its breath with me.
Today was Pamamanhikan.
Mom had been moving around since early morning, the soft clink of dishes and the low murmur of prayers drifting down the hallway. Tita Gema's words from yesterday echoed in my head, and suddenly everything felt very real. Not dreamy. Not distant.
Real.
When I stepped into the living room, my heart skipped.
The table was already arranged—simple but intentional. Fruits laid neatly, gifts placed with care, everything looking like it belonged there. Mom noticed me immediately.
"Jay," she said softly. "Sit. Relax."
Relax. Right.
I barely had time to breathe before the doorbell rang.
My chest tightened.
Mom stood first. Angelo was already there. And then the door opened.
Keifer walked in—formal, nervous, trying so hard to look composed that it made my heart ache. Beside him were Tita Gema and Angelo, carrying the gifts. Keigan and Keiren followed quietly, respectful in a way I wasn't used to seeing.
And then—Eces.
She met my eyes for just a second.
A small nod. I'm here.
That was enough.
Everyone settled into their places. The air felt thick, sacred somehow. This wasn't loud. It wasn't dramatic.
It was meaningful.
Tita Gema spoke first.
She talked about intentions. About respect. About how marriage wasn't just between two people, but between families choosing each other. Her voice was calm, steady—like she had done this many times, yet still understood its weight.
Then Angelo spoke, his words careful and sincere.
And then… Keifer.
He stood up, hands clenched for just a moment before he relaxed them. His voice wasn't loud, but it didn't need to be.
He spoke about responsibility. About choosing me—every day. About not promising perfection, but honesty and effort.
I felt my eyes sting, but I didn't cry.
Not yet.
Mom responded next. Her voice trembled just slightly as she spoke about trust. About letting go. About believing that I was safe with him.
When she finally said yes—when she gave her blessing—my breath left me all at once.
It was done.
As everyone stood, as quiet smiles spread across the room, I felt a hand brush mine.
Eces.
She squeezed my fingers gently, grounding me.
I looked at Keifer then—really looked at him—and understood something deeply, calmly, without fear.
This wasn't just a wedding coming.
This was a life being chosen.
And for the first time, I felt completely ready.
Third Person POV
The pre-wedding shoot was meant to be calm, elegant—
and completely focused on Jay and Keifer.
Eces and Keigan were there only to help.
Jay stepped out first, wearing a soft ivory dress that flowed effortlessly with every step. Keifer was already waiting on set, dressed in a classic dark suit, trying to look composed and failing the moment he saw her.
He forgot to blink.
"Okay," the photographer said, amused. "Groom—breathe."
Keifer let out a slow breath and smiled, eyes never leaving Jay. She laughed softly and walked toward him, placing her hand in his like it belonged there.
From the side, Keigan leaned toward Eces. "They're already good," he whispered.
"They still need guidance," Eces replied calmly.
The photographer instructed, "Face each other. Not the camera. Pretend no one else is here."
Jay hesitated, suddenly shy.
Eces stepped forward just enough to be heard. "Don't pose," she said gently. "Just… look at him."
Jay did.
Keifer's expression softened instantly, like the world had narrowed to just her.
Click.
"That," the photographer said. "Perfect."
For the next set, the photographer asked Keifer to stand behind Jay, arms around her waist.
Keifer looked unsure. "Is this okay?"
Jay nodded. "It's us."
Keigan crossed his arms, watching. "Tilt your head slightly," he suggested. "Yeah—like that."
Eces adjusted the fall of Jay's dress quietly, then stepped back again.
"Now," the photographer said, smiling, "we'll do a kiss shot."
Jay froze.
Keifer glanced at her. "We don't have to if—"
She shook her head, then took his face gently in her hands. "We do."
The set went quiet.
Keifer leaned down slowly, giving her time to pull away if she wanted.
She didn't.
Their lips met—soft, unhurried, full of everything they weren't saying out loud. It wasn't dramatic or showy. Just real.
Click.
Click.
Eces looked away first, giving them privacy. Keigan followed her lead, staring pointedly at the sky.
When the photographer finally lowered the camera, he exhaled. "That's the shot."
Jay rested her forehead against Keifer's, smiling.
"You did great," Eces said when they stepped aside.
Keifer laughed quietly. "We couldn't have without you two."
Keigan shrugged. "We just told the truth."
As the shoot wrapped up, Jay and Keifer stayed close, fingers intertwined.
Eces watched them with a small, unreadable smile.
Some moments didn't need to include everyone.
They just needed the right people standing quietly behind the scenes.
Third Person POV
The very next morning.....
The bottle sat in the middle like it knew secrets.
Felix flicked it first.
Round 1
Bottle → Percy
"Truth or dare?" Honey asked.
"Truth," Percy said confidently.
Grace smirked. "Who do you love more—your girlfriend or your face?"
Percy didn't even hesitate. "My face. Honey knows."
Honey threw a cushion at him. Laughter exploded.
Round 2
Bottle → Rakki
"Dare," Rakki said.
Ci-n leaned forward. "Post an ugly selfie right now."
Rakki groaned. "You're evil."
He still did it.
Five seconds later, notifications exploded.
Round 3
Bottle → Keifer
"Truth," Keifer said calmly.
Aries smiled slowly. "When did you realize Jay wasn't just a crush?"
Keifer glanced at Jay once. "When I stopped imagining my future without her."
The room went quiet—then chaos.
"WHY IS HE LIKE THIS?"
"ROMANTIC ALERT!"
Jay hid her face, smiling.
Round 4
Bottle → Ella
"Dare," she said.
Freya grinned. "Text Aries: We need to talk. Then don't reply for five minutes."
Aries looked alarmed. "WAIT—"
Ella sent it.
Aries stared at his phone like it had personally betrayed him.
Round 5
Bottle → Keigan
"Truth," he said.
Mica asked carefully, "Do you like someone here?"
Keigan paused.
"Maybe," he said.
Eces focused very hard on the carpet.
Jay noticed.
Round 6
Bottle → Eces
"Truth or dare?" Jay asked softly.
"Truth."
Jay hesitated, then asked the question that mattered.
"What's the reason behind your IED?"
No jokes. No teasing.
"I don't talk about it much," she said.
Jay nodded. "You can stop anytime."
Eces finally lifted her gaze, eyes steady but distant. "I grew up in a place where anger… appeared without warning. One moment everything was fine, the next it wasn't. You learned to stay quiet. To read the room. To never react first."
A few people shifted uncomfortably.
She continued, voice calm. "And then—once—there was a moment where I didn't control it. I said things I can't take back. I hurt someone I cared about."
She paused.
"That was the last time I let myself lose control."
Keigan's fists clenched slightly at his sides.
"So now," Eces said, "I manage it. I monitor myself. I don't let it reach that point again."
She looked around the circle. "That's all."
No details.
No dramatics.
Just truth.
Jay reached out and squeezed her hand. "Thank you for telling us."
No one joked.
No one pushed.
Then Percy cleared his throat. "Okay," he said gently. "Next round before I start crying and ruin my image."
Round 7 (to lift the mood)
Bottle → Jay
"Dare," Jay said quickly.
Freya smiled. "Sit on Keifer's lap for the next round."
Jay froze.
Keifer didn't.
He pulled her onto his lap.
Jay's ears turned red instantly.
"Next round NOW," she said.
Laughter broke the tension completely.
Round 8
Bottle → Aries
"Truth."
Grace asked, "Who's more protective—Keifer or you?"
Aries smirked. "Keifer is aggressive-protective. I'm… calm-protective."
Keifer nodded. "Accurate."
Third Person POV — Transition to Bachelor & Bachelorette Night
By evening, the house split into two very clear energies.
Two plans.
Two locations.
Same chaos.
The Guys' Side — Section E, Keifer, Aries, Percy
They pulled up outside a music lounge club—bright lights, pulsing bass, neon sign glowing against the night.
Keifer stepped out first.
He wore a black shirt with rolled sleeves, clean and sharp, looking every bit like a groom who still had control over the night. No tie. No stiffness. Just quiet authority.
Aries followed, jacket slung over his shoulder, confident grin already in place.
Percy adjusted his hair in the car mirror. "Lighting here is good. Respectable."
Section E spilled out behind them like controlled chaos:
Ci-n in a dark hoodie and chains
Felix already filming
Blaster hyped for no reason
Calix effortlessly cool
Edrix, Rory, Josh, Eman, Drew, Denzel, Yuri — loud, laughing, matching energy
David shaking his head like he already regretted agreeing
Inside, the music hit them instantly.
Lights. Beats. Movement.
"This," Felix announced, "is where legends are made."
Keifer smirked. "And where I make sure no one embarrasses me."
Good luck with that.
The Girls' Side — Jay, Rakki, Mica, Ella, Honey, Grace, Freya
Across town, another club lit up the street—sleek, vibrant, louder laughter already echoing outside.
Jay stepped out, glowing.
She wore a deep-toned dress that hugged confidence more than curves, hair styled effortlessly, eyes bright with excitement. She didn't look like someone losing freedom—she looked like someone celebrating it.
Rakki came next, bold and playful, already pulling Jay toward the entrance.
Mica looked elegant, calm, sharp — the kind of beauty that didn't need to try.
Ella radiated confidence, chin up, smile dangerous.
Honey sparkled—literally—laughing as she linked arms with Grace, who looked soft but assured, strength in her posture.
Grazel was with Jay's mom and Tita .
Freya brought the edge — dark tones, fearless energy, already scanning the dance floor like she owned it.
Music thumped as they entered.
"This," Rakki said, "is our night."
Jay laughed. "Just don't get us kicked out."
"No promises," Honey replied.
Parallel Energy
Two clubs.
Two different kinds of chaos.
On one side — loud laughter, brotherhood, teasing the groom.
On the other — music, freedom, joy, celebrating the bride.
Phones buzzed almost simultaneously.
A message from Jay to Keifer:
Survive.
Keifer smirked and typed back:
You too.
The night had officially begun.
++++++++++++++
Just wait a little more for their wedding.
Spoilers for next chapters
~ Wedding ( chapter 41 and 42 )
~ First night ( chapter 43 )
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