After the kiss, Jay and Keifer sat in silence for a moment.
The room felt warmer now, not because of the temperature, but because of the feeling of being together.
Jay rested her head on Keifer's shoulder, her mind racing.
She knew what she had to do.
But she didn't know how to do it safely.
Keifer sensed her tension.
"Jay," he said softly, "we need to plan this carefully."
Jay nodded.
"I know," she whispered.
Keifer stood up and walked toward the large desk in the room. He opened one of the drawers and pulled out a folder. Inside were papers, documents, and photos.
Jay's eyes widened.
"You have plans?" she asked, surprised.
Keifer looked at her.
"I always plan," he said. "Especially when it comes to protecting someone."
Jay swallowed hard.
She stepped closer and looked at the folder.
There were photos of the mansion, maps, and notes. It looked like Keifer had already thought about many things.
Jay felt a strange mix of relief and fear.
"Where do we start?" she asked.
Keifer closed the folder and turned to her.
"First," he said, "we need to make sure Jax doesn't suspect anything."
Jay nodded.
"But he already suspects," she whispered.
Keifer's expression turned serious.
"How?" he asked.
Jay hesitated, then decided to tell him everything.
"He knows I left," she said quietly. "He saw me leave the mansion the day I ran into you."
Keifer's eyes narrowed.
"He saw you?" he repeated.
Jay nodded.
"He didn't say anything," she continued. "But I could feel it. He knew."
Keifer's face darkened.
"We need to make sure he doesn't find you," he said.
Jay's voice trembled.
"How?" she asked.
Keifer took a deep breath.
"We'll start by making a new identity for you," he said. "A new name, new documents, everything. So even if he looks for you, he won't find you."
Jay's eyes widened.
"That's impossible," she whispered.
Keifer shook his head.
"It's not impossible," he said. "It's just difficult. But we have time."
Jay's heart raced.
"Time for what?" she asked.
Keifer looked at her, his expression serious.
"Time for him to look somewhere else," he said. "Time for us to disappear."
Jay's voice shook.
"But he has power," she said. "He has people. He can find me."
Keifer nodded.
"I know," he said. "That's why we need to be smart."
Jay took a deep breath.
"What about my family?" she asked. "If they get involved… if he uses them…"
Keifer's eyes softened.
"We'll protect them too," he said. "I'll make sure they're safe."
Jay looked at him, tears forming in her eyes.
"Keifer," she whispered, "you're risking everything for me."
Keifer's gaze held hers.
"I'm not risking," he said quietly. "I'm doing what I should've done a long time ago."
Jay's heart ached.
She nodded slowly.
"What's the plan?" she asked.
Keifer walked to the window and looked out at the dark night.
"We'll start with a few things," he said. "First, we make sure you're not being watched. Second, we secure a safe place for you. Third, we create a new identity."
Jay's voice was quiet.
"And then?" she asked.
Keifer turned back to her.
"Then we leave," he said. "Far away."
Jay's eyes widened.
"Where?" she asked.
Keifer's expression was calm.
"Somewhere you can start over," he said. "Somewhere you can be free."
Jay's heart trembled.
She nodded.
"Okay," she whispered. "Let's do it."
Keifer walked closer and held her hand.
"We'll do it together," he said. "And I promise you… I won't let him hurt you again."
Jay squeezed his hand.
She felt a small spark of hope.
For the first time in a long time, she believed she could be free.