JAY JAY POV
I have to win this bet. No matter what. I just… can't seduce him.
Before I could spiral any further, the door swung open and Kuya Angelo walked in — with Tita, Mama, Ion, and little Aion trailing behind him like a parade.
"Sorry we're late," Aion said proudly, hands in his pockets. "The ladies needed some makeup time."
Freya gasped dramatically. "Wow. You're talking like you're already forty years old."
Aion shrugged. "Someone has to be mature in this family."
Ion smacked the back of his head. "You're four."
Aion crossed his arms. "Exactly. And I'm still more mature than all of you."
Freya choked on her own laughter. "This child needs to be studied."
Aion marched right up to me with all the confidence of a tiny CEO.
"Hello, beautiful lady," he said, giving me his most dramatic gentleman bow.
Keifer's head snapped toward him so fast I swear I heard his neck crack.
He looked at Aion like he was about to square up with a four‑year‑old.
I bit back a laugh and leaned down.
"Hello, cutie," I said, grabbing his cheeks and squishing them together.
Aion giggled, proud of himself.
Keifer crossed his arms, glaring.
"He's four," he muttered under his breath.
Aion turned to Keifer, cheeks still squished between my hands.
"And still more charming than you."
Keifer's jaw dropped. "Angelo, control your son."
Kuya Angelo didn't even look at Keifer.
Instead, he walked straight to Keira, scooping her up like she was a princess.
I smirked and turned to Ate Ion.
"Ate, maybe give him a daughter soon. He's clearly ready."
Ion choked on air.
Ate Ion smacked my arm. "Jay Jay!"
Before I could laugh, Tita stepped forward, hands on her hips.
"After this birthday party, we're taking the kids to our house for two days," she announced.
Mama nodded firmly. "Yes. We need to spend more time with our grandchildren. We already lost four years."
My chest tightened a little at that — the truth of it, the weight of it — but the warmth in their voices softened the sting.
Keira clapped her hands. "Sleepover with lola"
Kevin cheered. "No school!"
Kade raised his hand. "Can we bring snacks?"
Tita kissed his forehead. "We'll buy everything you want."
Keifer looked at me, eyebrows raised.
"Two days without the kids?"
I shrugged, trying not to smile.
"Don't get too excited."
He smirked.
"Too late," Keifer said, smirking.
"These two are already figuring out how to make use of the time," Felix added, shaking his head
Keifer didn't even try to hide it — he smirked wider, leaning closer to me, voice low enough that only I could hear.
"Two days, Jay," he murmured. "Do you know what I can do in two days?"
Before I could roast him, Mama clapped her hands loudly.
"Okay, kids! Go greet your lola properly."
The three birthday monsters sprinted toward Mama and Tita like they were giving away free candy.
Aion followed them, but not before turning back to Keifer and giving him the most smug, tiny smirk.
"Better luck next time, Uncle Keifer."
Keifer's eye twitched.
Ion burst out laughing. "My son is going to get punched by his own ninong one day."
Keifer pointed at Aion. "He started it."
Aion stuck his tongue out. "You're just jealous because I'm more handsome."
The entire room gasped.
Ate Ion: "OH MY GOD."
Freya: "This child is a menace."
Felix: "He's my new favorite."
Ci‑N: "He's braver than all of us combined."
Keifer looked personally attacked.
I patted his shoulder. "Don't fight a four‑year‑old"
"He challenged my looks," Keifer whispered, offended. "That's war."
I rolled my eyes. "Focus on the bet. You still need two more points from each of our kids."
Keifer straightened instantly, competitive mode activated.
"You're right. I'm winning this."
I crossed my arms. "We'll see."
Before Keifer could say something, Kevin came marching toward us with full 4 years old authority.
"Mama!" he called first, then spotted Keifer and switched instantly.
"Papa!"
Keifer straightened like he'd just been knighted.
He leaned toward me and whispered, smug, "Another point for me."
I glared at him. "Don't start."
"Papa, I need you to zip this pant up," Kevin said, walking right past me like I was invisible.
Keifer crouched down proudly. "Of course, buddy."
Kevin ran off to join Aion and the rest of the kids, already forgetting the entire pants‑zipping crisis.
Keifer leaned closer to me, smug written all over his face.
"I'm only a few points away," he said, like he was announcing a championship score.
Kevin ran back to play with Aion and the others again.
Keifer leaned in, smug.
"I'm only a few points away."
Before I could roll my eyes, Keira suddenly appeared out of nowhere, her tiny dress swishing as she ran straight toward us.
"Papa!" she squealed, launching herself at Keifer like a missile.
Keifer caught her easily, lifting her up with one arm.
He looked at me over her shoulder, smirking.
"Another point."
I glared. "Keira, I literally gave birth to you."
Keira hugged Keifer tighter. "Papa smells nice."
I threw my hands up. "WHAT DOES THAT EVEN MEAN?"
Before Keifer could gloat, Kade came sprinting in next — full speed, full chaos.
"MAMA—" he started, then saw Keifer holding Keira.
He changed direction mid‑run.
"PAPA!" he yelled, tackling Keifer's leg.
Keifer staggered but somehow stayed standing, now holding one child and being clung to by another.
He looked at me like he'd just won the lottery.
"That's two more points."
I stared at my children. "Traitors. All of you."
Kade looked up at me innocently. "Papa is taller."
"That's not a valid reason!"
And then — because the universe clearly hated me — Kevin came running back again.
"Mama, look!" he said, holding up a toy.
I smiled, relieved. "Finally! Someone who—"
Kevin ran right past me.
"Papa, look!" he said, shoving the toy into Keifer's face.
Keifer beamed. "Three points."
The kids peeled themselves off Keifer and ran back to play.
Keifer threw both arms in the air like he'd just won the Olympics.
"I WON!" he yelled.
My soul left my body.
I lunged at him immediately, slapping my hand over his mouth.
"KEIFER, SHUT UP!"
Too late.
Kuya Angelo spun around so fast his neck almost snapped.
"WHAT THE HELL, KEIFER?!"
Keifer tried to talk through my hand.
"Mmmph—what? I won! Now your sister will sed—"
I slapped my other hand over his mouth.
I'm not letting the whole family know I have to seduce this so called innocent person
Freya's eyes widened like she'd just smelled gossip.
"Sed what, Jay‑Jay?"
I laughed nervously.
"Sed… settle! SETTLE! He meant settle! Like settle the bet! Right, Keifer?"
Keifer tried to nod under my grip, but it looked more like he was choking.
Freya narrowed her eyes. "Jay. That didn't sound like 'settle.'"
Kuya Angelo crossed his arms. "Jay‑Jay. What bet?"
I smiled.
The kind of smile people give right before they faint.
"Oh look—Aion is climbing the table again!"
Everyone turned.
Aion wasn't climbing anything.
But I grabbed Keifer's wrist and hissed, "If you open your mouth again, I swear I will bury you alive."
He grinned behind my hand.
Of course he did.
Then Percy finally showed up, strolling in like he owned the place.
"Percy, you're late, you idiot," I snapped.
"Sorry, Jay, he was taking forever to get ready," Honey said, hugging me tight.
Percy flicked his hair dramatically.
"Sorry, baby sistah. It takes time to maintain this level of handsomeness."
I rolled my eyes so hard they nearly fell out.
"Also," Percy added casually, "we had to pick someone up from the airport."
"Who?" I asked—
But the second I turned, my breath caught.
Papa.
He stood there, suitcase in hand, eyes softening the moment he saw me.
"Papa…" I whispered, tears already blurring my vision.
"Jay‑Jay," he said, his voice warm and familiar in a way that hit straight in the chest.
I didn't waste a single second.
I ran to him and threw my arms around him, burying my face in his shoulder.
He hugged me back just as tightly, one hand on the back of my head like I was still kid
"Papa," I breathed.
"Jay‑Jay, my child… you're so grown up," Papa said, cupping my face and kissing my forehead.
I smiled, tears still clinging to my lashes.
Mama stepped closer. "Jay, I forgot to tell you something."
I turned to her, still holding Papa's hand.
"I'm back with your Papa again," Mama said gently.
My eyes widened. "Really?"
Papa nodded, a small smile tugging at his lips.
I grinned. "Good. That's… really good."
I wiped my eyes and walked over to Percy, tugging his sleeve.
"What about Reycee?" I asked quietly.
Percy sighed. "Mama and Papa Jaspfer got divorced. They weren't happy anymore. And Mama… she's with my Papa now."
I blinked, letting that sink in.
Percy continued, softer this time, "It wasn't anyone's fault, Jay. They just… grew apart. But Mama's happy now. And Papa Jaspfer is too."
I nodded slowly, my chest loosening a little.
"Okay," I whispered. "As long as they're happy."
Percy slung an arm around my shoulders. "They are, baby sistah. They really are."
"Where are my grandchildren?" Papa asked, looking around like he was ready to scoop all of them up at once.
"Kids!" I yelled.
Instant chaos.
Kevin, Keira, and Kade came running toward me, practically tripping over each other.
"Ma, can we open the presents now?" they asked in perfect unison.
I laughed and looked at Papa, who was already smiling like his heart was about to burst.
"These are my kids," I said proudly. "Kids, this is your Lolo."
The moment the word left my mouth, all three of them froze for half a second—
then launched themselves at Papa like tiny missiles.
"LOLOOOO!" they screamed.
Papa dropped to his knees, arms wide open, catching all three of them in the tightest hug.
He kissed their heads one by one, voice cracking just a little.
"My grandchildren… you're all so big now."
Keira wrapped her arms around his neck. "Lolo, you smell like airplane."
Kade nodded seriously. "And coffee."
Kevin added, "Can we open presents now?"
Papa laughed, the sound warm and full.
"Yes, yes—after I hug you all properly."
I stood there watching them, my chest tight in the best way.
For the first time in a long time, everything felt whole.
The kids tore into their presents like tiny tornadoes, wrapping paper flying everywhere.
Kevin shouted every time he opened something.
Keira gasped dramatically at everything.
Kade tried to assemble half his toys before even finishing unwrapping the rest.
Papa watched them with the softest smile, like he was trying to memorize every second.
After the chaos settled, we gathered around the cake.
The kids stood in front, cheeks puffed as they prepared to blow out the candles.
"One… two… THREE!" everyone shouted.
They blew so hard the candles nearly flew off the cake.
Everyone laughed, clapped, took pictures — the whole room glowing with that warm, messy, Mariano‑family love.
Slowly, people began to leave.
Hugs, goodbyes, promises to visit soon.
Then Mama and Tita called the kids.
"Come on, babies. Sleepover time."
Kevin, Keira, and Kade lit up instantly.
"LOLO! LOLA!" they screamed, running to them.
Papa lifted all three at once — somehow — and kissed their heads.
"We'll bring them back in two days," Mama said, winking at me.
"Behave," Tita added, pointing at Keifer.
Keifer put a hand on his chest. "I'm always behaved."
Everyone in the room laughed.
The kids waved wildly as they were led out the door, still buzzing with excitement.
And just like that…
the house went quiet.
Too quiet.
I exhaled, the silence settling around us.
Keifer looked at me with that familiar smirk.
"Two days without the kids," he said.
I crossed my arms. "Don't get ideas."
He grinned.
"Too late."
Keifer slid behind me, his hands wrapping around my waist like he owned the place — and me.
"So, wifey… you lost the bet," he murmured against my ear.
I poked his chest, trying to push him back even though my face was already heating up.
"Keifer, please."
He leaned in closer, brushing his nose against mine with that stupid, soft, dangerous smile.
"Rules are rules, baby."
I slipped out of his arms before he could trap me again, lifting my chin like I wasn't internally combusting.
"Fine," I said, walking toward the stairs. "But don't blame me if you faint."
His eyebrows shot up, that competitive spark lighting in his eyes.
"Oh? Is that a threat?"
I didn't answer.
I just smirked over my shoulder and headed upstairs to our room to change — leaving him standing there, stunned, confused, and absolutely hooked.