Chapter: "Temporary Stay, Permanent Problem"
Jay's POV
I swear, if living under Kuya Angelo's roof was supposed to bring peace, then someone clearly forgot to inform the universe.
Because the moment I walked into the living room and saw Keifer sitting casually on the couch like he belonged there, my entire nervous system said: problem detected.
Aries was beside him, laughing at something on his phone.
My cousin.
My very annoying cousin.
And Keifer?
He looked way too comfortable in my future living space.
I stopped mid-step. "Why are you here?"
Aries looked up first. "Good afternoon to you too."
Keifer didn't answer immediately. He just looked at me slowly, like he was studying my reaction.
"I came to meet Aries," he said calmly.
"Outside exists," I replied. "You could've met him there."
Aries gasped dramatically. "This is my house too, drama queen."
"Our house," I corrected automatically.
Keifer's eyebrow lifted slightly at that word.
Our.
I ignored him and walked past them toward the kitchen, pretending like my heart wasn't beating faster than usual.
Living here was supposed to be temporary.
Just until things settled.
Kuya Angelo had insisted. Aries was already staying here. And now I was too.
But Keifer knowing that?
That irritated me.
Because if he knew, that meant he'd use it.
And I was right.
A few minutes later, footsteps followed me into the kitchen.
Of course.
"You look tense," Keifer said, leaning against the counter.
"I'm not."
"You are."
"I'm not," I repeated, grabbing a glass just so my hands had something to do.
"You don't like that I'm here."
"It's not that."
He waited.
I sighed. "You just… show up everywhere."
His lips curved slightly. "That's coincidence."
"No, that's stalking."
He chuckled quietly. "Relax. I didn't come for you."
That shouldn't have bothered me.
But it did.
"Good," I said quickly. "Because I didn't ask you to."
His eyes darkened slightly — not angry. Just sharper.
"I know," he replied calmly.
The silence stretched.
I hated how aware I was of him. The way he stood. The way his gaze didn't wander. The way he noticed every shift in my breathing.
"You're staying here now," he said after a moment.
It wasn't a question.
I stiffened. "And?"
"And nothing."
"Then why mention it?"
He shrugged lightly. "Just thinking."
"Dangerous activity for you."
That earned a low laugh.
"You don't like sharing space," he observed.
"I don't like being watched."
His gaze didn't move.
"Who said I was watching?"
I gave him a look.
He smiled faintly.
Before I could respond, Aries' voice echoed from the living room. "Jay! Kuya Angelo called. He said he'll be late tonight!"
"Okay!" I shouted back.
Keifer glanced toward the living room, then back at me.
"So it's just us for now."
My stomach flipped in the most annoying way possible.
"Aries is literally outside," I said dryly.
"Yes," he said. "But he's distracted."
As if on cue, Aries started laughing loudly at something on his phone.
I narrowed my eyes at Keifer. "What do you want?"
He pushed off the counter and took a step closer.
"I don't want anything."
"You never come without wanting something."
He tilted his head slightly. "You think that low of me?"
"I think realistically."
Another step closer.
The kitchen suddenly felt smaller.
"I came because Aries asked me to," he said calmly. "He said you've been… irritated lately."
My eyes widened. "He said what?"
"He's worried."
"I don't need him to be worried."
"And I don't need him to explain your mood to me."
"Then don't listen."
He stopped a short distance away — close enough that I could feel his presence, but not touching.
"You think I need someone else to tell me how you're feeling?" he asked quietly.
I swallowed.
"Then how am I feeling?" I challenged.
His eyes softened — just a fraction.
"Unsettled."
My chest tightened.
"You don't like change," he continued. "You don't like not being in control. And moving here… makes you feel like you're losing something."
I stared at him.
Because that was unfairly accurate.
"I'm fine," I whispered.
He didn't argue.
He just looked at me like he knew better.
And that irritated me more than if he had teased me.
Footsteps suddenly approached, and Aries walked into the kitchen.
"Why is it so quiet in here?" he asked suspiciously.
"Because you talk too much," I replied immediately.
Aries narrowed his eyes. "You two were fighting?"
"No," Keifer answered calmly.
"Yes," I answered at the same time.
We both looked at each other.
Aries grinned. "Ah. So yes."
I rolled my eyes and walked past them toward the hallway. "I'm going to my room."
As I reached the stairs, Keifer's voice followed me.
"Jay."
I paused but didn't turn around.
"You don't have to get used to this alone."
My fingers tightened around the stair railing.
"I'm not alone," I said quietly. "Aries is here."
"And?"
I glanced back at him.
He was standing in the kitchen doorway now, hands in his pockets, expression unreadable.
"And you're here too," he finished.
The air shifted again.
Dangerous.
Comforting.
Confusing.
I didn't answer.
I just walked upstairs before my heart betrayed me further.
But even in my room, even with the door closed, one thought refused to leave me alone—
Keifer didn't just come to meet Aries.
And the way he looked at me in that kitchen?
That wasn't coincidence.
Living under the same roof might be temporary.
But whatever this tension is between us?
It's not.