Jay's POV
The moment the gates opened, I exhaled a breath I didn't realize I had been holding.
Home.
The headlights swept across the familiar driveway, the walls, the quiet garden, the front door that had seen every version of us—our laughter, our arguments, our fears, our love.
Keifer parked the car, but neither of us moved immediately.
His hand was still holding mine.
Still warm.
Still grounding.
He looked at me, his eyes softer now than they had been all night. The tension that lived inside him—the constant alertness—eased slightly when we were here.
Safe.
Or at least, safer.
"We're home," he said quietly.
I nodded.
He stepped out first, walking around to my side. When he opened the door, he held his hand out to me.
Not because I needed help.
Because he wanted to.
I placed my hand in his, and he helped me out gently, his fingers lingering around mine a second longer than necessary.
Like he didn't want to let go.
He never did.
We walked inside together, the door closing behind us with a soft click.
The house was quiet. Everyone else was either asleep or in their rooms.
It was just us now.
Just Jay and Keifer.
Husband and wife.
He locked the door carefully, checking it twice. His movements were automatic, protective.
When he turned back to me, I was already watching him.
His tie was slightly loose. His hair was messy from the night. His eyes looked tired, but when they met mine, something else replaced the exhaustion.
Love.
Pure and overwhelming.
He stepped closer.
Slowly.
Like he was afraid to break the moment.
"You were beautiful tonight," he said softly.
My heart skipped.
"You kept looking at me like that all night," I teased quietly.
His jaw tightened slightly.
"They were looking at you too."
Ah.
There it was.
Jealousy.
Not possessive in a cruel way.
Protective.
Claiming.
He stepped closer until there was barely any space between us.
"I didn't like it," he admitted, his voice low.
I smiled faintly.
"They can look."
His hand moved to my waist.
"But only I get to touch," he murmured.
My breath caught.
His fingers tightened slightly, pulling me closer to him. My hands rested against his chest, feeling his heartbeat beneath my palms.
Strong.
Steady.
Mine.
His forehead rested gently against mine.
"I was scared," he whispered suddenly.
The words surprised me.
Keifer didn't admit fear easily.
"Of what?" I asked softly.
His hand moved up, cupping my cheek.
"Losing you."
My chest tightened painfully.
"You won't," I whispered.
His eyes searched mine, like he needed to believe it completely.
"I can't survive that," he said honestly.
My heart shattered and healed at the same time.
I wrapped my arms around him, hugging him tightly.
He froze for half a second.
Then his arms wrapped around me instantly, crushing me gently against him, like he needed the reassurance just as much as I did.
His face buried into my neck.
My fingers slid into his hair.
We stayed like that.
Silent.
Breathing each other in.
Alive.
Together.
After everything Kaizer had done…
After every threat…
After every fear…
We were still here.
Still standing.
Still loving.
He pulled back slightly, his hand brushing my cheek, his thumb tracing my skin.
"You're safe," he whispered.
Not a promise.
A vow.
I leaned into his touch.
"With you, I always am."
His eyes softened completely.
He leaned down slowly, giving me a soft, gentle kiss.
Not rushed.
Not desperate.
Just love.
Pure love.
And in his arms, in our home, in that quiet moment…
Jay didn't feel like she was surviving anymore.
She felt like she was living.
Third Person POV
Morning sunlight entered quietly, spreading warmth across the living room.
Jay stepped out of Keifer's room slowly.
She wore his hoodie.
Again.
It hung loosely on her small frame, the sleeves covering her hands. Her hair was slightly messy, and faint marks were visible on her neck if someone looked closely enough.
Behind her, Keifer followed, calm and unreadable as always.
Unfortunately for them—
They were not alone.
Keagan was sitting on the couch, scrolling through his phone lazily.
Eces sat in the armchair nearby, reading.
Both of them looked up.
Both of them froze.
Their eyes moved from Jay…
To the hoodie…
To Keifer…
Then to Jay's neck.
Keagan's eyebrow slowly raised.
Eces' lips pressed together tightly as she tried not to smile.
"Well," Keagan said casually, "someone likes stealing clothes."
Jay immediately looked down.
"It's comfortable," she said softly.
Keagan smirked.
"I'm sure it is."
Eces shook her head lightly, amused but calmer than Keagan.
Before anyone could say more—
Keiren walked in.
He stopped when he saw Jay.
He blinked.
Then walked closer.
"Ate," he asked innocently, "why are you wearing Kuya's hoodie again?"
Again.
Keagan immediately turned his face away, biting his lip.
Eces lowered her book slowly.
Jay froze.
Keifer answered calmly.
"She likes it."
Keiren nodded.
Then he noticed something else.
He frowned slightly.
"Kuya," he said, pointing at Keifer's neck. "Your neck is red."
Silence.
Jay stopped breathing.
Keagan looked up immediately.
Eces looked between them, already understanding.
Keifer answered without hesitation.
"Mosquito."
Keiren accepted the answer.
Then he looked at Jay.
"Ate," he said again. "Yours too."
Keagan covered his mouth.
Eces looked away, pretending to focus on her book again.
"Mosquito," Keifer repeated calmly.
Keiren frowned.
He thought for a long moment.
Then he said something that made Jay wish she could disappear.
"Since Kuya Keifer and Ate Jay's wedding," Keiren said slowly, "there have been many mosquitoes."
Keagan leaned back, trying not to laugh.
Eces closed her eyes briefly.
"But…" Keiren continued, confused, "…why do they only bite Kuya and Ate?"
He pointed at Keagan.
"They don't bite Kuya Keagan."
Keagan answered immediately, proud.
"Because I'm too strong."
Eces rolled her eyes.
Keiren then pointed at Eces.
"They don't bite Ate Eces either."
Eces shrugged calmly.
"Maybe I'm not their favorite."
Keiren looked back at Jay and Keifer.
"…Do mosquitoes love you both more?"
Jay's face turned completely red.
Keifer crouched in front of Keiren.
"Yes," he said calmly. "They're annoying."
Keiren frowned.
"I don't like them."
He hugged Jay suddenly.
"I'll protect you, Ate."
Jay smiled softly, her heart melting.
"Thank you."
Keagan finally spoke again.
"So tragic," he said dramatically. "Only two victims."
Eces gave him a look.
"Stop teasing them."
Keagan raised his hands.
"I didn't say anything."
Keifer stood beside Jay again.
His arm wrapped around her shoulders naturally.
Protectively.
Eces noticed it.
She smiled softly.
Not teasing.
Just happy.
Keagan noticed too, but this time, he didn't joke.
Because despite everything—
They were happy.
And that mattered more than anything.
Keiren looked up at them seriously.
"I will find the mosquitoes."
Keagan muttered, "Good luck."
Jay hid her face in Keifer's shoulder slightly.
Keifer rested his hand gently on her head.
Calm.
Protective.
Certain.
This was their home.
Their chaos.
Their family.
Jay's POV
I wanted the floor to swallow me alive.
Keagan and Eces were still smiling like they had just discovered the best entertainment of their lives.
Keiren was still staring at us with wide, curious eyes.
And Keifer…
Keifer looked calm.
Too calm.
Which meant he was absolutely not calm.
"Enough," he said finally, his voice low and controlled.
Keiren blinked. "I was just asking—"
"Yes," Keifer cut in smoothly. "And now you're done asking."
Keagan leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, a smirk playing on his lips.
"Oh, we're just getting started."
Eces elbowed him lightly, but she was smiling too.
I could feel the heat crawling up my neck.
I stood up quickly.
"I'll bring breakfast."
I didn't wait for a response. I escaped into the kitchen, trying to calm my racing heart.
Not from fear.
From embarrassment.
From him.
From last night.
From everything.
A few seconds later, I felt him behind me.
I didn't need to turn.
I knew it was Keifer.
His hand rested on my waist gently.
"You okay?" he asked quietly.
I nodded.
"They're never going to stop teasing us."
"They will."
I turned slightly. "When?"
His lips curved faintly.
"When they get tired."
I smiled despite myself.
We carried the plates together and walked back to the dining table.
Everyone was already seated.
Keagan immediately noticed.
"Oh look," he said casually. "They came back together."
Eces covered her mouth, trying not to laugh.
Keifer pulled out my chair and I sat down beside him.
His arm rested behind me on the chair.
Close.
Protective.
Comforting.
Keiren spoke again.
"Ate Jay."
I froze.
"Yes?"
"Why are you wearing Kuya Keifer's hoodie again?"
Keagan burst out laughing.
Eces turned away, shoulders shaking.
I couldn't answer.
Keifer did.
"She likes it."
Simple.
Calm.
Certain.
Keiren nodded seriously.
"Oh."
Then he added,
"It smells like you."
I stopped breathing.
Keagan slammed the table, laughing harder.
Eces buried her face in her hands.
Keifer didn't react.
He just took a sip of his coffee like nothing happened.
Like this was normal.
Like we were normal.
Keagan leaned forward.
"Good thing it's Sunday," he said. "Otherwise Ate Jay wouldn't even have time to recover from embarrassment before school."
Eces nodded. "And results aren't today either."
I exhaled softly.
Thank God.
Results day was tomorrow.
Monday.
The anxiety would come then.
Not today.
Today felt slower.
Softer.
Keiren spoke again.
"After results, we're going to India."
His eyes sparkled with excitement.
Keagan smiled faintly.
"Yeah."
Eces nodded. "We earned that trip."
I felt Keifer's hand find mine under the table.
His fingers intertwined with mine naturally.
Like they belonged there.
I looked at him.
He wasn't looking at me.
He was watching everyone.
Alert.
Calm.
Protective.
Even now.
Especially now.
Because even on peaceful mornings like this…
Kaizer still existed.
And Keifer never forgot that.
His thumb brushed gently over my hand.
A silent promise.
I'm here.
I'm not going anywhere.
And neither are you.
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Guys I am getting only 9 - 10 comments on the chapters and it's demotivating me and I really want to stop uploading now as it my 12 but still I am posting chapters , so if this chapter doesn't complete it's target, I am sorry but then this will be the last chapter.. 😔 😐
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