JAY'S POV —
The venue doesn't exist—it erupts.
The moment Chris's car glides to a stop, flashes detonate like lightning storms, cameras clicking so fast it sounds like gunfire.
Voices layering over each other—names, titles, money, power—and then the door opens and I step out into it like I was built for this chaos, emerald silk catching light, spine straight, face unreadable.
"ATTORNEY MARIANO—THIS WAY!"
"CHRISITIAN WILLOW—OVER HERE!"
"LOOK AT US—LOOK HERE!"
Chris appears beside me, smooth, effortless, and I slide my arm into his like it's instinct, like we've done this forever, and together we walk—no smiles, no hesitation, just controlled, lethal presence—and under his breath he murmurs,
"If I trip right now, just leave me here," and I reply without moving my lips,
"I will step over you in heels."
"You won't,you love me Jay Jay..."
"Not enough to not do that..."
We enter the hall—and it's massive, gold-lit, dripping in wealth and quiet power, conversations humming like strategy—and as I scan, I clock investors, old family associates, competitors disguised as allies, and then—
I see them Cin, Felix,Josh and Calix
All staring like I just walked out of a grave they buried me in.
For half a second—I freeze.
Then I didn't.
I turn back to the investor in front of me mid-conversation, voice smooth, controlled.
"As I was saying, diversification at this scale requires precision—" while Chris leans in slightly, whispering,
"Why does it feel like we're being hunted?" and I reply calmly, "Because we are."
Minutes later he gets pulled away for a call, muttering
"Don't start a war without me,"
and I almost scoff—but the second I turn—
I wish I hadn't because walking toward me—
Are Angelo Fernandez and Aries Fernandez.
My cousin and my brother well not anymore but once they were the two men who I loved the most and now every nerve in my body goes cold just seeing them here.
Angelo reaches me first, something soft—too soft—in his face. "Jay…"
"Excuse me, Mr. Fernandez," I cut in instantly, voice polite but slicing. "Please don't."
His expression drops—hard.
Aries steps forward, tension clear. "Jay, please don't do this—"
"Excuse me," I interrupt again, colder, sharper, "it's Miss Mariano. Only my family and friends call me Jay." I hold his gaze just long enough to make it hurt. "And I don't recall being familiar with you in any way..."
That lands exactly how I want it to..Yes feel the hatred Fernandez feel the burnnn....
I walk away before they can recover, straight to the bar, fingers wrapping around a champagne glass like control—and of course—
"Jay Jay?"
I close my eyes for half a second.
Of course.
It's Eman.Whyyyyy
I turn slowly, offering nothing but polished distance. "Mr. Andrada excuse me."
I leave him mid-thought and don't look back.
Chris returns like chaos reincarnated, sliding beside me.
"Miss me or did you emotionally destroy someone already?" he asks, and I take a sip before replying,
"Two, actually. You're late."i grinned.
"I knew you'd shine without me," he grins, then grabs my wrist lightly. "Come on—there's an auction as well tonight. Let's judge billionaires pretending to have morals and buy some pretty jewels for you...."
We sat and that's when everything—Shifts.
Because my eyes lift—and I stop breathing.
They're all there not scattered definitely not distant.
All together.Watching.
At the center— Keifer, still, unreadable, eyes locked on me like I'm the only variable that matters.I could see his eyes a bit red and his eyebrows twitching but who cared.
And around him—Yuri leaning back but too focused to be casual still with the red hair looking at my table with so much intensity.
Ci-n—tense, jaw tight.Calix, pretending not to stare and failing,Felix frozen in disbelief.
Eman—still recovering from earlier,Drew he had changed built up his body now but his gace unreadable but rigid.David watching like he's already dissecting my next move.
Kit and Mayo—uneasy, unsettled. And rest of them sitting with their eyes fixed on my arm interlock with Chris and jaws clenched.
Plus—Angelo and Aries siting next to Keifer almost shooting lasers with their brooding eyes.
Chris follows my gaze—and chokes.
"Ahhh…Jay," he whispers, "why does it look like you have an entire fanbase and a hit list in the same table?"
I take a slow sip, calm, lethal. "Because that's Section E."
He leans closer, voice dropping. "And the last two are the Fernandez??"
"Yeah,my cousin and my brother but we broke that bond so you can say ex brothers..."
He goes silent for exactly two seconds.
Then—
"Oh I know what I'm about to say will definitely sign my death waiver tonight," he breathes. "But before that? I'm want to make it iconic."
I turn my head slightly. "Chris—"
"No,Jay listen" he cuts in, eyes lighting up with pure, dangerous mischief. "Think about it. They all think you're in love with me, right?"
I don't answer.His grin widens.
"Then let's perform for them,let's show them that we are so in love and play with them a little...."
I exhale slowly, placing my glass down, leaning just enough toward him. "Do whatever you want but I'm won't be taking any kind off responsibility for what happens next with you..,.."
He beams and across the room—
Keifer's gaze doesn't move.
Not when Chris leans closer.
Not when I do.
Not when his hand brushes mine.
His jaw tightens slightly, something darker settling behind his eyes—but he doesn't break.
None of them do.
They just sit there.
Because tonight—I'm not the girl they planned around.I'm not the one they manipulated.I'm not the one they broke.
I'm the consequence.
And as Chris leans in, whispering, "Ready to ruin sixteen emotionally compromised men and two Fernandez disasters?"—
I smirk slightly, eyes still locked across the room.
"Chris,if we are doing this" I murmur.
"Let's make it unforgettable."