--: Keifer's POV: --
The morning light was persistent, bleeding through the gaps in the heavy curtains and warming the skin of my shoulder. I felt a familiar, heavy warmth on my chest—the comforting presence of Jay-Jay, still tucked securely inside the black hoodie with me.
I opened my eyes slowly, my senses returning one by one. The first thing I noticed was the scent of her hair—vanilla and something uniquely her—followed by the soft, rhythmic sound of her breathing. I looked down and saw her peaceful face, her lips slightly parted in deep sleep. She looked so innocent, so completely at ease in my arms, that I couldn't bring myself to move.
I reached out, my thumb tracing the curve of her cheek. "Jay," I whispered, my voice thick with sleep. "Wake up baby. It's morning."
She didn't even flinch. Instead, she let out a tiny, soft hum and burrowed deeper into my chest, her arms tightening around my waist inside the fabric.
"Mmm... no," she mumbled against my skin, her eyes still tightly shut. "It's too cozy... and comfortable. Let's just stay like this for a little longer, Keifer. Don't move."
I felt my resolve melting instantly. I knew we had a schedule, and I knew her brother was probably already checking his watch, but the way she clung to me—like I was the only thing keeping her safe—was my ultimate weakness.
"Five more minutes," I murmured, pulling the duvet back over us. I closed my eyes, letting the darkness of the hoodie and the heat of her body pull me back into a deep, heavy sleep.
--: Author's POV: --
The atmosphere in the Fernandez dining hall was anything but cozy. Angelo stood by the window, his silhouette sharp against the morning sun. He was staring at his phone, his jaw set in a tight, dangerous line.
Across the table, Aries, Thyme,Ren, Kavin, and MJ were exchanging uneasy glances while Gorya and Kaning tried to eat their breakfast in silence. The tension was thick enough to cut with a knife.
"Still no answer?" Aries asked, breaking the silence.
"Neither of them," Angelo replied, his voice dropping to that icy 'Demon' register. He hit the redial button for the tenth time. When it went to voicemail again, he growled and dialed a different number.
After a few rings, Keigan picked up. "Hello?"
"Keigan, it's Angelo. Put Keifer on the phone. Now."
"Kuya Angelo?" Keigan's voice was full of groggy confusion. "I can't. I'm at my friend's house. Keiran and I stayed over for a gaming marathon. We haven't been home since yesterday. Why? What's going on?"
"They aren't picking up their phones," Angelo snapped, his eyes flashing. "Are you telling me no one else is at the Watson mansion to check on them?"
"I guess? Look, it's probably nothing, Kuya. They're probably just in a deep sleep or their phones are just on silent." Keigan said dismissively.
"Fine. Thanks," Angelo muttered and cut the call. Just as he turned back to the group, his personal phone rang with a business alert. He checked the screen and let out a sharp sigh of annoyance. "I have to go to Fernandez Corp. We have work there that requires my immediate attention."
He turned to Aries with a look that brooked no argument. "Finish your breakfast. Put all the luggage in the cars and head straight to the Watson mansion. Check on them. If they aren't ready, get them ready. And call me the second you find out the reason why they've been ignoring every single one of our calls all morning."
"I'm on it, Kuya," Aries nodded seriously.
Angelo walked out, the heavy doors thudding behind him. The F4 and the girls quickly finished their meal, loaded the convoy with their gear, and began the drive toward the Watson estate, sensing that they were about to walk into something interesting.
--: Keifer's POV: --
I woke up again, but this time, the sun was hitting the floor at an angle that made my heart drop. I reached out for my phone on the nightstand, squinting at the bright screen.
"Shit," I hissed, the adrenaline hitting me like a physical blow.
Jay-Jay stirred, opening her eyes and seeing the genuine tension in my jaw. "Keifer? What happened? Why are you making that face?"
"We're going to be late, Jay. And our packing is still left," I said, showing her the screen. "I have 32 missed calls from Angelo. About the same from Aries. Even Thyme tried calling twice."
Jay-Jay's eyes went wide as she fumbled for her own phone under the pillow. "Fuck!" her voice high with panic. "Oh no! I have almost the same! Keifer, my brother... he's going to skin us alive!"
She looked genuinely panicked, her hands shaking as she scrolled through the list of increasingly angry messages. But then she looked up and caught me. Despite the chaos, I was leaning back against the headboard, a slow, foolish smile stretching across my face.
"Why are you smiling?" she asked, her voice high with stress. "What is wrong with you? We are in so much trouble!"
I didn't answer with words. I just reached out and pulled her back into the center of the hoodie, closing the gap until our chests were pressed together and there was no air left between us. I leaned down, catching her lips in a deep, hungry kiss. I lightly bit her lower lip, a silent command, and when she did, I slid my tongue into her mouth, tasting the sweetness of her and the lingering heat of last night.
For a few minutes, the missed calls and the luggage didn't matter. We lost ourselves in the rhythm of the kiss, the world outside the hoodie completely forgotten.
Finally, Jay-Jay pulled back, her face a bright, beautiful shade of pink, her breath hitching. "Keifer!" she gasped, trying to look stern.
I smirked, my eyes locked on hers. "Profanity" I teased, my voice a low rumble.
"We are getting late! Did you forget that?" she scolded, trying to push me away. "I'm going to shower first. You pack your bags till then! Go!"
She made a move to scramble out of the hoodie, but suddenly she froze. Her eyes dropped to her own body, realizing that under the fabric, she was still only in her panties—bare and completely vulnerable. The blush on her face intensified, turning her entire neck and chest a deep crimson as the shyness took over.
"Get... get out! Turn around!" she stammered, clutching the fabric of the hoodie to her chest.
I let out a low, dark laugh, sensing her sudden shyness. "Jay, you don't have to be shy in front of me now. After last night, there's nothing I haven't seen. I know every inch of you."
I paused for a beat, a wicked glint flashing in my eyes as I added, "Ohh no, sorry! Not everything... but almost everything."
"Keifer!" She hit me lightly on my chest, her eyes sparkling with embarrassment. "Just go! Get out of here!"
Laughing, I finally pulled the hoodie off over my head and stepped out of bed, unapologetically bare in just my boxers. "Fine, fine. I'm going. But hurry up—I think I can hear the convoy at the gates!"
Jay-Jay didn't wait. She bolted for the bathroom like her life depended on it, slamming the door behind her, while I stood there shaking my head, still smiling as I began throwing my clothes into a suitcase.