Jay's POV
I didn't remember when I fell asleep.
Everything had gone dark so suddenly at the office… one moment I was standing, and the next… nothing.
When I opened my eyes, the first thing I saw was a white ceiling.
For a second, I didn't understand where I was.
Then slowly… voices started reaching my ears.
"Is she okay?"
"Why is she not waking up?"
"Relax, she just fainted…"
Familiar voices.
My heart calmed down slightly.
I turned my head a little—
And saw them.
Kyla was sitting near me, her eyes red like she had been crying.
Kieran was pacing back and forth, clearly annoyed and worried at the same time.
Keegan stood near the window, calm but alert.
Then slowly… voices started reaching my ears.
"Is she okay?"
"Why is she not waking up?"
"Relax, she just fainted…"
Familiar voices.
My heart calmed down slightly.
I turned my head a little—
And saw them.
Kyla was sitting near me, her eyes red like she had been crying.
Kieran was pacing back and forth, clearly annoyed and worried at the same time.
Keegan stood near the window, calm but alert.
And then…
My eyes landed on him.
Kiefer.
He was sitting beside me, holding my hand tightly, his head slightly lowered.
"Keif…" I whispered softly.
His head snapped up instantly.
"Jay?"
Relief flooded his face.
"You're awake."
Before I could react, he pulled me into a careful hug.
"Don't ever scare me like that again," he murmured against my hair.
I smiled weakly.
"I'm fine…"
"No, you're not," he said immediately, pulling back and looking straight into my eyes.
"You fainted."
"I just felt a little dizzy," I said softly.
"A little?" Kieran interrupted. "You literally collapsed."
"Kieran…" Keegan warned calmly.
"What? I'm just saying," he muttered.
Kyla leaned closer to me.
"Are you feeling okay now?" she asked gently.
I nodded.
"Yeah… just tired."
That word again.
Tired.
But this wasn't normal tiredness.
Even I knew that.
⸻
Author's POV
The room was filled with concern.
Not just casual worry…
But something deeper.
Something protective.
Jay had become important to them.
Not just as Kiefer's partner—
But as someone they cared about.
Especially…
Kaiser.
Kaiser's POV
I stood slightly away from the bed.
Watching.
Observing.
Her breathing was stable.
But something felt off.
Too pale.
Too weak.
"She didn't eat properly," I said suddenly.
Everyone looked at me.
Kyla nodded immediately.
"Yeah! She skips meals sometimes!"
Jay frowned. "I don't—"
"You do," Kiefer said firmly.
I crossed my arms.
"She needs rest. And proper food."
Simple.
But necessary.
I don't know why…
But seeing her like that—
Didn't sit right with me.
⸻
Jay's POV
Everyone was making such a big deal out of it.
"I'm really okay," I said again.
"No, you're not," Kiefer repeated.
I sighed.
"Fine… maybe I'm just a little tired."
"Little?" Kieran scoffed.
"Kieran, stop," Kyla said, hitting his arm.
Keegan stepped forward.
"We'll take her home."
"No office today," Kiefer added immediately.
I wanted to argue…
But honestly?
I didn't have the energy.
⸻
Author's POV
And so, they took her home.
Not alone.
Never alone.
Because now…
She wasn't just Jay.