Keifer's POV
After:
"We still do."
…the room became quiet again.
Not awkward quiet.
Just heavy.
The kind where emotions sit between two people like an uninvited guest. 😐
Jay looked away first.
Of course she did.
Then suddenly she spoke:
"…Do you want noodles?"
I blinked once.
"That's your response?"
"Yes."
"You're impossible."
"And yet charming."
Debatable honestly. 😭
But somehow…
the tension eased slightly after that.
Jay walked toward the kitchen while I quietly looked around the house properly for the first time.
This place felt exactly like her.
Not flashy-rich.
Not cold.
Just… hidden.
Comfortable.
Private.
The large windows overlooked the city lights of Makati while rain rolled softly against the glass outside.
Near one wall sat racing helmets lined up carefully beside shelves of books.
A music corner stood near the balcony with old speakers and scattered vinyl records.
Outside, faint pool lights reflected blue against the rain.
And farther away through the glass…
I could see part of the private racing track.
Suddenly Aries' words replayed in my head:
"You know the school version of her."
Yeah.
I was starting to understand that now.
This place didn't feel like Jay Mariano from Class 3-E.
It felt quieter.
Lonelier.
From the kitchen Jay shouted:
"Warning."
"I cook using confidence, not talent."
"That explains a lot."
"Rude."
A few minutes later she returned carrying two bowls of instant noodles.
Okay.
So not technically cooking.
But still effort. 😌✨
She dropped onto the couch beside me holding her bowl carefully.
And for the first time all week…
she looked slightly calmer.
Not okay.
Just calmer.
Small difference.
Big meaning.
We ate quietly for a bit while rain continued outside.
Then suddenly Jay asked:
"…What's your family like?"
I looked up slightly.
The question caught me off guard.
Jay leaned back against the couch casually.
"Your parents."
"Your house."
"Stuff like that."
I stared down at the noodles quietly.
And immediately felt that familiar tightness in my chest.
Annoying feeling honestly.
Very annoying.
Because my family wasn't exactly… easy to explain.
Cold dinners.
Business conversations.
Perfection.
Appearances.
A house that looked expensive but never really felt warm.
Meanwhile this girl's family:
argued loudly
worried openly
annoyed each other constantly
actually felt alive
Completely different worlds.
So instead of answering properly…
I changed the subject.
"…Your noodles are terrible."
Jay gasped immediately.
"EXCUSE ME?"
Successful escape. 😌
She pointed chopsticks at me dramatically.
"Then starve."
"Worth it."
"You're banned from my kitchen."
"You made instant noodles."
"WITH PASSION."
I almost laughed.
Almost.
But Jay suddenly narrowed her eyes slightly.
Like she noticed what I did.
The topic change.
Oops.
Still…
she didn't push.
Which somehow made me grateful.
After a while she stood up to put the bowls away.
And while she moved around the kitchen…
I noticed something.
Every few minutes: she checked the security monitor.
Tiny glance.
Quick.
Automatic.
But constant.
Like she couldn't stop herself.
And suddenly…
I realized something uncomfortable.
Jay was scared.
Not visibly.
Not openly.
But enough to keep checking doors and cameras every few minutes.
That realization sat heavily in my chest.
When she returned to the couch again, I finally asked quietly:
"Why didn't you tell me?"
Jay paused slightly.
Long pause.
Then:
"…Because if something happened…"
Her voice softened a little.
"I didn't want you involved."
Silence.
Rain tapped softly against the windows.
And suddenly I understood something terrifyingly simple.
Jay pushed people away when she cared about them.
Not because she didn't trust them.
Because she was trying to protect them.
Which honestly…
felt both sweet and incredibly frustrating. 😐✨
Hours later the rain still hadn't stopped.
Jay sat beside me on the couch surrounded by papers and theories about possible enemies.
At some point during her explanation…
her voice slowly became quieter.
Then slower.
Then completely stopped.
I looked over.
And realized: she had fallen asleep.
Laptop still open beside her.
One hand loosely holding a pen.
Exhaustion finally winning the fight.
I quietly grabbed the blanket resting nearby and covered her carefully.
Jay shifted slightly in her sleep.
And that's when I noticed it.
Her hand trembling faintly against the couch cushion.
Even asleep…
she still looked tense.
Like her body forgot how to fully relax anymore.
And somehow…
that hurt more than seeing the bruises did. 🌧️
End of Chapter 📖✨
🌧️ "Some people smile through fear so often…
their exhaustion becomes invisible."