The moment Jayjay walked out of the boardroom, the air shifted. I couldn't focus on a single word the directors were saying. My eyes stayed glued to the empty space she left behind. I saw her but she didn't see me, and I really wanted her to.
The chair beside her father scraped softly as Mr. Mariano stood up.
"Mr. Watson," he said carefully, "perhaps we can step outside for a moment."
I nodded once. Fine. If he wanted to talk, I had plenty to say.
We stepped into his private office next door — polished mahogany desk, shelves full of awards, the smell of imported cologne. He closed the door gently, like he already knew I was barely holding it together.
"What is the meaning of this?" he asked quietly. "You're shutting down a deal worth billions because of my daughter?"
I didn't even blink.
"Yes."
His face paled. "Why? What did she do?"
I let out a short, humorless laugh. "You really don't know anything, do you?"
He hesitated. "Jay… she doesn't talk much about her past."
Of course she didn't.She never explained anything.She just left.
I stepped forward, lowering my voice.
"She disappeared," I said. "Left the whole country. Blocked everyone. Didn't answer calls. Didn't send a goodbye. Nothing."
He swallowed hard. "She… never told me that."
"I didn't come here for business, Mr. Mariano," I continued. "I came here because I want answers."
He blinked, stunned.And then I added the final blow:
"And I'm not making any deal until she's here."
He ran a hand over his face. "Keifer—"
"I'm not negotiating this."My jaw tightened."She either walks back into that room, or the Watson Corporation walks away."
He studied me for a long moment — like he suddenly understood this wasn't childish drama. This was years of unfinished pain and a bond neither of us ever managed to break.
Finally, he sighed.
"…I'll bring her."
"Good," I said. "Do it now."
I returned to my seat, but my hands wouldn't stay still. My brothers noticed.
Keiren leaned over. "You good?"
"No," I muttered. "Not even close."
Minutes passed. The room felt too quiet, too tense. Every second dragged like punishment.
Then the door opened.
And she walked back in.
Jayjay.
Her eyes flickered toward me — just a second, but it was enough. My chest tightened painfully.
She sat down across from me, pretending not to notice the way my gaze burned holes through her. She didn't look angry. She looked… scared. Nervous. Like she wished she were anywhere except here.
Good.She should feel something.Because I sure as hell did.
Her father cleared his throat. "Ahem… Jayjay will be joining the meeting officially."
I didn't look away from her as I replied:
"Perfect."
The room started their presentation again, but I didn't hear a single word. All my attention was on her—her fingers tapping anxiously, her eyes refusing to meet mine, her breathing uneven.
I couldn't take it anymore.
I leaned forward slightly.Not enough for anyone else to notice—just enough for her to hear.
"You really thought you could disappear," I whispered, "and I'd stop looking for you?"
She stiffened.Didn't reply.Didn't look up.
Typical Jayjay — always running, never talking.
But now she wasn't going anywhere.
Not this time.Not while I was here.
The second the meeting ended, I stood up so fast my chair almost tipped.
"We need to talk," I said quietly.
She finally looked at me.
And it hit me — every memory, every fight, every almost-kiss, every time she left and came back, every time she broke me but made me feel alive.
"Keifer…" she whispered, sounding unsure.
I swallowed hard.
After all this time, she still said my name the same way.Soft.Careful.Like it meant something.
"Don't run again," I said. "Not before I get the truth this time."