New York – Jay's House
Nine months passed.
Jay got used to life without Keifer. Not really. But she learned to live with it.
She woke up every day. Went to work at Mariano Group. Ran her secret company at night. Danced when she was sad. Smiled when she wasn't.
Mia and Ben visited often. They knew she missed him.
Her phone still had their old messages. She read them sometimes. Late at night when she couldn't sleep.
Keifer texted often at first. Then less. Then sometimes.
Life got busy. He had his company. She had hers.
They both missed each other. But they got used to it.
Manila – Keifer's Apartment
Keifer stared at his phone. Jay's last message was three days ago.
He wanted to call. But what would he say? I miss you? He said that already. Too many times.
He threw his phone on the bed.
Yuri walked in. "Still thinking about her?"
Keifer didn't answer.
Yuri sat down. "Dude. It's been nine months."
Keifer looked at him. "I know."
Yuri sighed. "Then do something. Visit her. Call her. Something."
Keifer shook his head. "She's busy. I'm busy. It's complicated."
Yuri stood up. "Love is always complicated. But it's worth it."
He left Keifer alone with his thoughts.
One Day – Jay's Family Dinner
Jay sat with her family. Mom, Dad, Percy, Jane.
Her dad, Jasfher, looked serious. "Princess. We need to talk."
Jay looked up. "What is it, Dad?"
Jasfher glanced at Jeana. Jeana nodded.
Jane squeezed Jay's hand. Percy looked away.
Jasfher spoke. "You remember the engagement we talked about? When you were little?"
Jay's heart stopped. "The... what?"
Jasfher continued. "With the Watson family. From the Philippines. It was decided long ago. You and their son. Engaged at eighteen. Then you can decide."
Jay's mouth went dry. "I... I remember."
Jeana spoke softly. "They're coming to New York. Next week. For a gala. To introduce you both."
Jay felt sick. "Next week?"
Jane hugged her. "It'll be okay, sugar."
Jay nodded slowly. But inside, her heart was breaking.
She was going to marry some stranger. Not Keifer.
She wanted Keifer.
Same Time – Manila – Keifer's Family Dinner
Keifer sat with his family. Dad, Mom, Keigan, Keiren.
His dad, Keizer, cleared his throat. "Son. We need to talk."
Keifer looked up. "About what?"
Keizer spoke. "The Mariano family. From New York. You remember the engagement?"
Keifer's blood ran cold. "What?"
Serina smiled gently. "It was arranged when you were little. You and their daughter. Engaged at eighteen. Then you decide."
Keifer shook his head. "I don't want—"
Keizer held up a hand. "We're going to New York next week. For a gala. You'll meet her. Just meet. That's all."
Keifer felt trapped. "I can't—"
Keigan patted his back. "It's just a meeting, bro."
Keiren nodded. "Maybe she's pretty."
Keifer wanted to scream. He didn't want some random girl. He wanted Jay.
But he couldn't say that. His family didn't know about her.
He nodded slowly. "Fine."
Inside, his heart was breaking.
The Week Passed
Jay couldn't eat. Couldn't sleep. She kept thinking about the engagement.
She texted Keifer. Many times. But she never sent them.
I'm getting engaged to someone else.
I miss you.
I wish it was you.
She deleted them all.
Keifer did the same. Stared at his phone. Typed. Deleted.
Both of them sad. Both of them missing each other.
Neither knowing the truth.
The Night Before the Gala
Jay lay in bed. Jane sat with her.
"Sugar," Jane said softly. "You okay?"
Jay shook her head. "No. I have to marry a stranger."
Jane held her hand. "Maybe he's nice. Maybe you'll like him."
Jay looked at her. "I don't want nice. I want Keifer."
Jane sighed. "I know. But sometimes life doesn't give us what we want."
Jay closed her eyes. "I know."
Manila – Same Night
Keifer packed his bag. Slowly. Without energy.
Percy video called him.
"Hey man," Percy said. "You okay?"
Keifer shook his head. "No. I have to meet some girl tomorrow. Get engaged."
Percy's eyes went wide. "What?!"
Keifer shrugged. "Family arrangement. From when I was little."
Percy was quiet for a moment. Then he said, "That's rough, man. I'm sorry."
Keifer nodded. "Yeah."
Percy wanted to tell him. Wanted to say my sister is going through the same thing. But he couldn't. It wasn't his place.
They said goodbye. Keifer went back to packing.
The Gala – Next Day – New York
The Mariano mansion was beautiful. Lights everywhere. Flowers. Music.
Jay wore a beautiful dress. Blue. Her favorite. But she didn't feel beautiful.
She stood with her family. Waiting.
Jane stood beside her. Kyle was there too. They were getting engaged too. But they were happy. They chose each other.
Jay felt so alone.
Jasfher smiled at her. "Nervous, princess?"
Jay nodded. "A little."
Jeana fixed her hair. "You look beautiful. He'll be lucky."
Jay wanted to cry. But I don't want him. I want Keifer.
A car pulled up. The Watson family got out.
Keizer led the way. Serina beside him. Keigan and Keiren behind.
And Keifer.
He wore a black suit. He looked handsome. Cold. Sad.
He didn't want to be here.
They walked into the mansion.
Jay's family waited inside.
Jasfher stepped forward. "Keizer! Old friend!"
Keizer smiled. "Jasfher! It's been too long!"
They shook hands. The families greeted each other.
Jay stood behind her parents. She didn't look up. She didn't want to see him.
Keifer stood behind his parents. He didn't look either. He didn't care.
Jeana spoke. "Shall we introduce the children?"
Serina nodded. "Yes. Let's."
Jasfher turned. "Jay, come here, princess."
Keizer turned. "Keifer, come here, son."
Jay walked forward. Eyes down.
Keifer walked forward. Eyes down.
They stopped in front of each other.
Jasfher smiled. "Jay, this is Mark Keifer Watson. Your fiancé."
Keizer nodded. "Keifer, this is Jasper Jean Mariano. Your fiancée."
Jay's heart pounded. She finally looked up.
Keifer finally looked up.
Their eyes met.
The world stopped.
Jay gasped. "Keifer?"
Keifer's jaw dropped. "Jay?"
Everyone stared.
Jane whispered, "What the—"
Percy started laughing. "OH MY GOD!"
Jasfher looked confused. "You two know each other?"
Keifer couldn't speak. He just stared at Jay. His Jay.
Jay couldn't breathe. She just stared at Keifer. Her Keifer.
Serina looked at Jeana. "Do they... know each other?"
Jeana shrugged, confused. "I... I think so?"
Keizer crossed his arms. "Someone explain."
Keifer finally found his voice. "Jay... you're... Mariano?"
Jay nodded slowly. "You're... Watson?"
Keifer nodded.
Then they both smiled. Huge smiles.
Jay laughed. Keifer laughed.
Percy was crying laughing. "THIS IS THE BEST DAY OF MY LIFE!"
Jane hugged Kyle. "They're in love! They're already in love!"
Jasfher looked at Jeana. "Did you know about this?"
Jeana shook her head. "No idea."
Keizer looked at Serina. "Did you?"
Serina shook her head. "No."
Jay grabbed Keifer's hands. "I thought I was marrying a stranger!"
Keifer squeezed her hands. "I thought the same! I was so sad!"
Jay laughed. "Me too! I couldn't eat!"
Keifer smiled. "I couldn't sleep!"
They just looked at each other. So happy.
Jay whispered, "It's you. It's always been you."
Keifer whispered back, "And it's always been you."
Jasfher cleared his throat. "So... you two are okay with this?"
Jay turned to her dad. "Dad, this is Keifer. The boy I've been talking about for nine months."
Jasfher's eyes went wide. "The one you're always smiling at your phone for?"
Jay nodded, blushing.
Keizer looked at Keifer. "The girl you never stopped talking about?"
Keifer nodded, ears red.
The parents looked at each other.
Then they all laughed.
Serina hugged Jeana. "Our children are in love!"
Jeana hugged back. "And they're getting engaged anyway!"
Keizer shook Jasfher's hand. "Looks like the arrangement worked out perfectly."
Jasfher nodded. "Better than perfect."
Later That Night
The party went on. But Jay and Keifer sat in a corner. Just talking. Just holding hands.
Jay leaned her head on his shoulder. "I can't believe it's you."
Keifer kissed her head. "I can't believe it either."
Jay looked up. "We're getting engaged. For real."
Keifer smiled. "For real."
Jay bit her lip. "I love you, Keifer."
Keifer's heart exploded. "I love you too, Jay. So much."
They kissed. Soft. Sweet. Perfect.
Percy watched from far away. "Finally."
Aries appeared next to him. "Took them long enough."
Yuri was on video call. "THEY KISSED! I SAW IT!"
Section E cheered from Manila.
Jay and Keifer didn't notice. They were too lost in each other.
Finally together.
Finally engaged.
Finally home.