The morning sun filtered softly through the gaps in the heavy curtains, casting a warm, golden glow across the quiet suite.
But as the world woke up outside, Keifer hadn't slept.
Not even for a single minute.
Through all those quiet, dark hours, he had remained completely still, anchoring her to the mattress as his large arm cradled her frame.
He had spent the entire night utterly busy-
memorizing every single line of her face, watching the peaceful rise and fall of her chest, and untangling the wild locks of her hair with infinite patience.
For him, watching over her safety was far more important than any rest.
Leaning down, he pressed a tender, lingering kiss against her smooth forehead, his lips resting there for a quiet moment.
"I promise, I'll always protect you... even if it costs my life,"
he whispered into the morning silence.
His long fingers gently stroked away the stray hair from her forehead, his eyes overflowing with a fierce, burning protectiveness.
His gaze naturally drifted downward, landing on her soft, slightly parted lips.
A rare, breathtakingly gentle smile broke across his face.
Unable to resist, he leaned down just a fraction more, stealing a quick, innocent peck from her lips so lightly that it didn't even disturb her deep slumber.
"I love you," he whispered against her skin.
Buzz.
Buzz.
The low, vibrating sound of his phone on the nightstand instantly cut through the peaceful quiet.
Keifer's eyes sharpened.
Without shifting his body or waking the sleeping girl in his arms, he carefully reached over with his free hand and picked up the device.
He glanced at the flashing screen, recognizing the caller, and slid it answer, pressing the phone to his ear.
"Yes," Keifer answered, his voice dropping into its usual low, commanding tone, the absolute authority of the CEO returning in an instant.
He listened quietly to the voice on the other end for a brief moment,
his expression growing serious as the business of the real world forced its way back in.
"Ok, I'm coming," he murmured flatly, before cutting the call.
Turning his full attention back to his sleeping bride, the stoic mask melted away into pure tenderness once more.
He carefully slid his arm out from under her, ensuring she remained deeply asleep, enveloped in the warm blankets.
Before stepping away from the bed, he leaned over her one last time.
He gently pressed his large, warm palm against her flushed cheek, his thumb giving a soft, reassuring brush against her skin.
Leaning down, he pressed a lingering, deeply affectionate kiss against her temple.
"I'll be back," he whispered against her skin, before finally turning to face few office.
.
.
.
Keifer..."
A soft, fragile whisper slipped past her lips like a quiet prayer, escaping her mouth even before her mind had fully woken up.
Jay stirred restlessly against the soft pillows,
her heavy eyelids fluttering as she slowly extended her arm, tapping her hand blindly across the mattress to search for his familiar, comforting warmth.
But her fingertips met only the cool, smooth fabric of the bedsheets.
There was nothing.
Her eyes snapped open.
"Keifer...?"
She instantly sat up, her gaze scanning every corner of the sunlit honeymoon suite, but the room was entirely empty.
A sudden wave of restlessness washed over her, and she immediately swung her legs over the edge of the mattress to stand up.
But the moment her feet touched the floor, the heavy, unzipped fabric of her wedding gown began to slip precariously from her chest.
"Ow!"
she gasped softly, quickly bringing her hands up to catch the satin material and hold it tightly against her front.
Standing there alone in the quiet room, the vivid memories of the previous night came rushing back in a sudden, breathless wave.
She remembered the gentle click of the zipper,
the heavy weight of the dress loosening,
and how, despite everything, he hadn't let her gown slip.
A deep, burning crimson heat crept rapidly up her face and neck.
But right on the heels of that warmth,
a crushing wave of embarrassment and guilt hit her hard.
She remembered the panic, the terrifying shadows, and the awful moment she had lashed out and bruised his mouth.
"I need to talk to him..."
she whispered to herself, her heart squeezing with anxiety.
Holding her dress securely, she walked over to the bathroom door and knocked softly before pushing it open.
Empty.
Where is he?
Frowning, Jay decided it would be best to get out of the heavy wedding gown first before heading downstairs to look for him.
She quickly freshened up, washing the lingering exhaustion from her face,
and changed into a beautiful, light floral dress that felt comfortable and bright.
Walking back into the bedroom, she stepped toward the nightstand to pick up her phone. But the moment she drew close, her eyes fell on the tabletop.
Food?
Arranged neatly on a tray was a fresh, warm breakfast-
consisting entirely of her absolute favorite items.
Sitting right beside the plate was a small, folded piece of paper.
Jay's breath hitched slightly as she reached out,
unfolding the note to reveal Keifer's handwriting.
Good morning, my beautiful wifey.
A massive, radiant smile instantly broke across Jay's face, the words wrapping around her heart like a warm embrace.
She felt a prickle of emotion behind her eyelids and gently wiped away a tiny, happy tear from the corner of her eye.
"But where are you?"
she whispered softly to the empty room, folding the note carefully and pressing it against her chest.
Anxious to hear his voice, she picked up her phone.
Should I call him?
She bit her lower lip nervously, scrolling to his name and pressing the dial button,
lifting the phone to her ear as her heart hammered against her ribs.
"The number you are trying to reach is currently unreachable..."
Jay frowned, cutting the call.
She tried dialing him again, staring intently at the screen.
But once more, the automated voice told her he was unreachable.
She lowered the phone, her gaze drifting back down to the beautifully prepared breakfast tray.
Even though the growing anxiety and the lingering guilt from last night made her stomach twist-leaving her not feeling like eating at all-
she looked at the food he had carefully arranged just for her.
She couldn't let his effort go to waste.
Sitting down on the edge of the bed, she began to eat,
forcing down every bite purely because she knew it was filled with his love.
Jay headed downstairs,
her eyes scanning the hallways until she heard voices coming from the kitchen.
Stepping inside, she saw Sophia and Mrs. Watson busy preparing something at the counter.
"Good morning, Mom.
Good morning, Soph,"
Jay greeted, trying to sound normal despite the butterflies in her stomach.
Soph instantly whirled around, a playful grin spreading across her face.
"Oh, see who's here!
Aren't you down a little too early?"
she teased, raising an eyebrow suggestively.
Jay blinked, genuinely confused by the loaded comment.
Seeing her expression, Mrs. Watson walked over, chuckling softly as she wrapped a comforting arm around Jay's shoulder.
"Don't tease her, Soph!"
she scolded, though the twinkle in her eyes gave her away. She then leaned closer, whispering right into Jay's ear,
"Though... I also thought you'd be late today.
You two must have done a lot of hard work last night."
The moment the implication hit Jay's brain, her eyes widened in absolute shock.
The realization of what they thought had happened crashed over her,
and her face instantly flushed a furious, burning red.
"Look at that!
She's blushing so hard!"
Soph laughed, pointing at her triumphantly.
"Sophhhh..."
Jay whisper-yelled, her embarrassment only making the two women laugh harder.
Desperate for a lifeline, she turned to her mother-in-law.
"Mom..."
"Yes, anak?"
Mrs. Watson smiled warmly.
"Mom, where is Keifer?"
"Oh, already missing your husband?"
Soph piped up again, relentless with the teasing, which only made Jay's cheeks burn hotter.
Mrs. Watson chuckled softly, patting Jay's shoulder.
"Actually, he had to leave for a site inspection.
It was a sudden emergency, so he had to leave very early this morning."
"Oh..."
Jay murmured, a small wave of disappointment settling in her chest.
"And he strictly ordered us to take absolute care of his beautiful wife,"
Soph added, laughing merrily.
"But... why is his phone unreachable?"
Jay asked, her brow furrowing with sudden worry.
"Because the project is located up in a remote, hilly area.
The reception out there is terrible,"
a deep voice answered from the doorway.
Jay turned to see Mr. Watson walking into the kitchen.
"Good morning, Dad."
"Good morning, anak," he replied warmly, walking past them to take a seat at the dining table.
Jay followed him closely, her anxiety slipping into her voice.
"When will he be back?"
Mr. Watson looked up, considering it for a moment.
"Umm... it depends.
It could take a few hours, maybe two days, or maybe a whole week."
"A week...?"
Jay whispered under her breath, her heart sinking as the heavy silence of the empty honeymoon suite suddenly echoed in her mind.
**
Four days had passed.
Four long, agonizing days of constant silence.
Jay had tried calling him dozens of times, but every single attempt ended with the same frustrating, automated message.
She kept missing him terribly, her heart aching more with each passing hour,
but the only updates she could get were brief, professional assurances from his office that the project was running smoothly.
On the outside, she forced herself to smile and help around the house,
but everyone in the Watson household could see right through it.
They could feel the quiet sadness lingering around her.
Mrs. Watson and Sophia tried their absolute best to distract her with movies,
baking,
and endless chatter,
but nothing seemed to work.
By the evening of the fourth day,
Jay was restlessly wandering around her room, pacing back and forth as she tried to fight the heavy ache in her chest.
"I don't miss him."
"Yes, I absolutely do not miss him,"
she muttered stubbornly to the empty room, crossing her arms over her chest.
But as she paced past the vanity, she caught her own reflection in the mirror.
Her eyes were glassy, and a small, stubborn tear was already welling up at the corner of her
eye, threatening to spill over.
"Ugh! Why the hell am I missing you this much?!"
she groaned out loud, completely defeated.
She flopped herself face-first onto the mattress, burying her face deep into the plush pillow.
"Ugh! Why don't you just come back?
Or at least find a way to call me once!
I swear, just come back once and I'll tell you..."
But despite her stubborn protests, she couldn't stop the dam from breaking.
The heavy tears finally spilled over, soaking into the pillowcase.
"I miss you... I miss you so much,"
she sobbed quietly, curling into herself.
"Jayyy-!"
The bedroom door suddenly swung open, and Mrs. Watson walked in with a bright, cheerful smile, holding a steaming plate of freshly made pasta in her hand.
But the moment her eyes landed on the bed, her smile vanished.
"Jay! Anak!"
Jay scrambled to sit up straight on the bed, hastily wiping her wet cheeks with the back of her hands and forcing a shaky smile.
"M-Mom..."
"Are you crying?"
Mrs. Watson asked, her voice instantly filling with deep motherly worry as she set the plate down on the nightstand and rushed over.
"N-No, Mom!
Why would I be crying?
I'm fine!"
"You can't lie to your mom, Jay.
I know you were crying,"
Mrs. Watson said softly.
Standing right by the edge of the bed, she leaned down and pulled
Jay into a warm, comforting hug.
The touch was all it took.
Jay immediately wrapped her arms tightly around Mrs. Watson's waist, burying her face against her and letting out a pathetic, pouting sob.
"I'm just... I'm just really missing Keifer,"
she cried, pouting like a little kid.
Mrs. Watson pulled back slightly to look at her tear-stained face, and a soft, amused chuckle escaped her lips.
"You are crying for that idiot?"
She wiped a tear from Jay's cheek.
"And why are you even missing him this much, hmm?
It's only been four days!"
Jay looked down, pouting deeply as she nervously played with her fingers.
"I... I don't know."
"But you see, I know,"
Mom said with a knowing smile.
Jay looked up at her, thoroughly confused.
"It's just..."
Mom began, picking up the plate of pasta and scooping up a perfect, steaming bite.
She held the spoon right in front of Jay's mouth.
"...that you are completely in love with that monkey."
She completed her sentence with a warm chuckle, gently sliding the spoon into Jay's mouth before she could even protest.
Jay blinked, her cheeks turning a light pink, but a soft, genuine smile finally broke through her tears as she chewed.
Mrs. Watson sat with her patiently, feeding her the entire plate of pasta bite by bite until it was completely gone.
Once the plate was empty, she patted Jay's cheek.
"Okay, now get ready."
"Why?" Jay blinked.
"You and Soph are going shopping!"
"Why?"
"What do you mean 'why'?"
Mrs. Watson laughed, shaking her head.
"You can't just lock yourself in your room forever!
Besides, Keifer is coming back tomorrow.
You need to look beautiful for him."
Jay's eyes instantly went wide, her entire face lighting up with a sudden, brilliant spark of excitement.
"He's... he's coming back tomorrow?!"
"Yes!"
Mom replied, laughing heartily at the instant change in her daughter-in-law's mood.
Squealing with pure, unadulterated joy, Jay threw her arms around Mrs. Watson, hugging her tightly in excitement as her heart finally soared.
**
The next day came fast for the rest of the world, but for Jay, every single second felt like an eternity.
By the time the sun finally dipped below the horizon, it was almost night, and the anticipation was practically clawing at her throat.
Dinner had already come and gone, and the plates were cleared away.
Jay was roaming around the living room impatiently, her fingers constantly pulling at the sleeves of her comfortable, fluffy night suit.
She paced from the couch to the window, then back to the couch, completely unable to sit still.
Meanwhile, Soph was sitting on the carpet, watching her with a highly amused, mischievous glint in her eyes.
Mrs. Watson sat nearby in an armchair, pretending to be deeply engrossed in a book, though her lips were constantly twitching upward as she listened to the girls.
"My goodness, Jay, if you pace any more,
you're going to burn a literal hole through the floorboards,"
Soph chuckled, resting her chin on her hands.
"Are you trying to wear out your slippers, or are you just practicing your 'welcome home' runway walk for the grand entrance?"
Jay stopped dead in her tracks, her cheeks instantly burning.
"I'm not practicing anything, Soph!
I'm just... walking."
"Right, just walking,"
Soph teased, raising an eyebrow suggestively.
"With your heart basically beating out of your chest.
Calm down, sister-in-law!
The monkey is just coming back from the hills, he hasn't been deployed to outer space.
Though, by the way you're looking at the door, anyone would think you're waiting for a prince returning from a ten-year war."
"Soph, stop it!"
Jay whisper-yelled, her face heating up even more as she crossed her arms tightly.
Noticing her daughter-in-law's mounting embarrassment, Mrs. Watson finally closed her book with a soft snap, deciding to rescue her from the relentless teasing.
"Jay, anak, could you please bring me a glass of water?"
"Yes, Mom! Right away,"
Jay said instantly, sending a playful glare at Soph before quickly escaping into the kitchen.
She let out a long breath, trying to calm her racing pulse as she grabbed a clean glass and filled it to the brim with cold water.
Turning around, she was just stepping past the kitchen doorway when the distinct, heavy sound of the front door unlocking echoed through the quiet house.
Jay froze instantly.
Her breath hitched sharply in her throat, and her heartbeat skyrocketed into a frantic, deafening thud against her ribs.
From her spot by the kitchen door, she had a clear view of the foyer.
There he was. Keifer stepped inside, carrying a small travel bag.
His hair was slightly messy, and his strong jawline carried a trace of dark stubble, making him look a bit tired from the long journey-but he was still endlessly, devastatingly handsome.
Jay felt entirely paralyzed.
Her brain completely short-circuited;
she couldn't think,
couldn't move,
and couldn't decide whether she should run straight into his arms or stay exactly where she was.
She just watched as he quietly greeted Mrs. Watson and Soph, his voice a low, gravelly rumble that sent a familiar shiver down her spine.
Then, as if sensing her gaze, Keifer shifted his posture.
His dark, intense eyes swept across the room and locked directly onto her.
Jay's breath caught completely.
She stood frozen under his gaze, unconsciously biting her lower lip.
But as she stared into his eyes, she found them entirely blank.
Unreadable.
Cold.
Suddenly, without a single word or even a nod of acknowledgment, Keifer just looked away from her.
"Mom, I'm going up to my room.
I'm really tired,"
he said flatly to Mrs. Watson, his voice devoid of any emotion.
Without waiting for a reply, he turned toward the staircase, his heavy footsteps echoing as he headed straight upstairs.
The silence in the living room became thick and suffocating. Everyone noticed it.
Soph's teasing grin instantly vanished, and Mrs. Watson looked toward the stairs with a deep, worried frown.
He had completely, undeniably ignored Jay.
Standing in the shadow of the kitchen doorway, the glass of water trembled slightly in Jay's grip.
In a fraction of a second, thousands of terrifying questions raised in her mind, threatening to drown her.
Is he upset?
No... no, he's just really tired from the drive.
Or... is he ignoring me because of what happened on our first night?
A cold dread settled deep in her stomach as the harsh reality hit her.
They hadn't talked after that traumatic incident.
Not even once.
And now, the terrifying silence between them felt louder than ever.
Slowly, she forced herself to steady her breathing.
Her hands felt ice-cold, a faint, uncontrollable tremor shaking her fingers as she gripped the glass.
Inhaling a sharp, stabilizing breath, she painted a bright, fragile smile onto her face and walked out into the lobby, carefully handing Mrs. Watson the glass of water.
The living room was dead silent.
Both Sophia and Mrs. Watson could feel the thick, suffocating tension hanging in the air.
"Jay!"
Mom called out softly, breaking the silence as she noticed the girl completely zoned out, her eyes staring blankly at the floor.
"Yes, Mom!"
Jay snapped out of it, her voice a little too loud, a little too strained.
"Anak... I think you should head up and rest now,"
Mrs. Watson said, her voice filled with a gentle, encouraging softness.
"Keifer is upstairs too."
Jay looked up toward the grand staircase leading to their bedroom.
She swallowed the growing lump in her throat and gave a small nod, trying her absolute best to force a reassuring smile before turning away.
She slowly covered the stairs, each step feeling heavier than the last.
Her heart was beating violently inside her chest, hammering a frantic rhythm against her ribs as she finally reached their door.
She stood there for a split second,
her hand hovering over the brass knob,
her fingers slightly shaking before she softly turned it and pushed the door open.
As she entered the quiet room, the scent of him instantly enveloped her.
She found Keifer standing in front of the vanity mirror.
He had already showered and changed, wearing a simple white undershirt-
paired with loose pajama pants.
He was casually rubbing a dark towel over his damp hair, drying it with slow, methodical movements.
Even in the casual attire, his broad, bare, powerful shoulders and the sharp lines of his back were completely visible,
making Jay's heart skip a nervous beat.
She slowly stepped forward, her bare feet sinking into the carpet, until she stopped right near the corner of the bed, keeping a careful distance between them.
"Keifer..." she called out slowly, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Hmm," he replied.
He didn't turn around.
He just gave a casual, detached grunt, continuing to rub the towel through his hair as if she were barely there.
Jay's heart instantly sank into her stomach, a cold ache spreading through her chest.
"H... How was your trip?"
she asked, her voice stuttering slightly.
She blinked rapidly, fighting a sudden, frustrating wave of warmth as tears, for absolutely no reason at all, began to collect at the corners of her eyes.
"It was good,"
he answered, his tone completely flat and casual.
While Jay was standing there, utterly consumed by the heartbreaking belief that he was intentionally ignoring her, Keifer's mind was a raging storm.
Only he knew the truth.
Only he knew how violently his heart was hammering against his ribs the exact moment he stole a quick, desperate glance at her through the reflection of the mirror.
And only he knew how deeply his chest ached,
how his heart completely sank into his stomach, the moment he noticed the fragile tears collecting at the corners of her eyes.
He wanted nothing more than to spin around, pull her into his
arms, and kiss those tears away.
But he couldn't.
Flashback...
"Ugh!" Keifer groaned out loud, his voice dripping with pure frustration as he violently threw his phone onto the mattress of his bleak hotel room.
That was it.
That was the seventy-ninth time he had tried dialing Jay's number, and every single time, the exact same automated voice told him she was unreachable.
There was absolutely no signal up in these wretched hills.
"It's been four days... a whole three days since I last got to hear her voice,"
he muttered, flopping his heavy frame onto the bed and staring blankly at the ceiling.
A dark scowl crossed his face as he thought about the sheer incompetence of his project manager.
"This is all because of that stupid manager, I didn't even get to say a proper goodbye to her"
Sighing heavily, he picked his phone back up and unlocked the screen.
The wallpaper lit up-
a beautiful, candid picture from their wedding day.
He stared at her radiant smile, his own features softening instantly as a rare, gentle expression crossed his face.
He traced the screen with his thumb.
"I miss you," he whispered to the empty room.
"But just one more day, sunshine."
**
The next day arrived in a blur of endless meetings and site inspections.
Keifer pushed through the workload with an intense, burning focus, desperate to finish.
The moment the final paperwork was signed, he threw his bags into the car, ready to drive straight back to her.
But as the car devoured the miles down the winding mountain roads, a sudden, heavy thought hit his mind, making his grip tighten on the steering wheel.
After a few hours of continuous driving, he pulled the car into the city, stopping in front of a quiet, professional medical building.
"Welcome, Mr. Watson. Please, have a seat."
"Thank you, Doctor,"
Keifer replied smoothly, his tone formal as he adjusted his posture and took a seat in the leather chair opposite the desk.
He hadn't gone straight home.
Instead, he had sought out one of the top psychiatrists in the country.
"How can I help you?"
the doctor asked, opening a notepad.
Keifer took a slow, deep breath, his knuckles whitening slightly.
"It's about my wife."
For the next hour, Keifer laid his guard down completely.
He explained everything-the nightmares, the lingering shadows of her past, the scars, and the violent panic attack from their first night together where she had completely mistaken his touch for the monster from her past.
The doctor listened to him with absolute, undivided attention, taking careful notes as Keifer spoke with a raw, protective desperation.
"Okay, Mr. Watson, I understand the situation,"
the doctor finally spoke, setting her pen down and looking at him seriously.
"Now, you need to do one specific thing moving forward."
"What?"
Keifer leaned forward instantly, his dark eyes blazing with determination.
"Just tell me. I'll do anything."
The doctor looked at him gently.
"Let her make the first move."
Keifer blinked, his brow furrowing in deep confusion.
"I mean, you need to step back slightly,"
the doctor explained thoroughly.
"Do not be the first one anymore.
Do not be the first to start a conversation,
the first to initiate a hug,
the first to lean in for a kiss,
or...even the first to ask for any form of physical contact.
She needs to realize that she is in complete control of her own space,
and that her boundaries are entirely safe with you.
By letting her initiate, you give her the power back."
Flashback ends...
Ugh! I'm sorry, my sweetheart, my darling, my sunshine... please,
I hope you'll forgive me,
Keifer pleaded silently in his mind,
the guilt eating him alive.
But also... can't you just kiss me once?
Your husband just came back from a long trip.
Or at least give me a hug?
he complained to himself, his heart aching for her touch.
Glancing at his own reflection in the vanity mirror,
he mentally facepalmed.
He suddenly realized he had been aggressively rubbing the same damp towel over his head for the last twenty-five minutes straight,
purely out of sheer,
uncharacteristic nervousness.
He was completely losing his mind.
He was still buried deep in his anxious thoughts when her voice broke the silence.
"Keifer..."
The fragile, trembling sound of her voice sliced straight through the tension in the room.
Don't... Keifer, do not move.
You cannot turn around,
he fiercely ordered himself, trying to lock his muscles in place.
Let her make the first move.
Stand your ground.
But the command was completely useless.
Before his brain could even process the warning, his body had already betrayed him.
He whirled around, turning to face her.
The moment his eyes landed on her, he was caught entirely off guard.
His heart did a violent flip-flop in his chest.
Jay was standing a few feet away, her lower lip slightly trembling, her beautiful eyes glassy with unshed tears,
and her small, fragile body looking so delicate in her fluffy night suit.
She looked like she was holding her breath, fighting a battle within herself.
Before he could even begin to understand what she was thinking,
Jay took a step forward.
Then another.
And another.
With quiet determination,
she closed the distance between them, stepping directly into his personal space.
Keifer stood entirely still, frozen like a statue,
his breath catching in his throat as her sweet scent enveloped him.
He didn't move a single muscle, he just couldn't.
All of a sudden, Jay threw herself forward and wrapped her arms tightly around his waist, burying her face deep into his chest.
Keifer froze, his mind momentarily blanking out at the sudden, overwhelming warmth of her body against his.
The sheer relief of having her back in his arms shattered his resolve into a million pieces.
Before he even realized what he was doing, his arms acted on pure instinct.
He brought them around her tiny figure, his large hands anchoring her lower back and pulling her flush against his chest,
holding her as if she were the most precious thing in the entire universe.
He let out a long, heavy sigh, the suffocating weight of the last five days finally melting away.
Closing his eyes, he rested his face against her hair,
pressing his cheek firmly onto the top of her head as he held her closer, yielding completely to her touch.
A single, hot tear finally escaped the corner of her eye, soaking straight through the fabric of his undershirt.
Keifer felt the damp warmth against his chest instantly.
His heart squeezed painfully.
"Jay...?" he asked, his voice dropping into a low, concerned murmur.
She didn't pull away.
Instead, she just pressed her face even deeper into the steady warmth of his chest, hiding from her own vulnerability.
"I missed you,"
she whispered softly.
She leaned in slightly, pressing a tender, lingering kiss right in the center of his chest, over his beating heart, before resting her cheek back against him.
The confession shattered the last of his restraint.
"I missed you too, sunshine," he whispered back, his voice thick with emotion as he pressed a deep, reverent kiss into the crown of her hair.
Slowly, Jay pulled back just a fraction.
She kept her arms wrapped securely around his waist, resting her chin right against his chest so she could look up at him.
Her eyes were still glassy with unshed tears, her lips pulled into a sweet, vulnerable pout.
"Then why did you ignore me earlier?"
she demanded softly, her voice carrying a hint of a gentle accusation.
Keifer let out a low, rumbling chuckle that vibrated right against her chin.
Bringing one large hand up, he cupped the soft curve of her face, his thumb gently wiping away the trace of her tear before he leaned down and rested his forehead firmly against hers.
"If I hadn't," he murmured, a teasing glint returning to his dark eyes,
"would I have gotten this hug?"
The realization hit her, making a bright, pretty pink flush spread rapidly across her cheeks.
"You...!" Jay gasped, playfully smacking his chest with her palm.
Keifer just chuckled, his chest heaving under her hand, thoroughly enjoying the spark back in her eyes.
But before he could tease her further, Jay shifted.
She placed her warm palm against the side of his face, anchoring herself as she pushed up onto her tiptoes.
Stretching upward, she pressed a soft, deliberate kiss right against his cheek.
Instantly, the tips of Keifer's ears turned a bright, furious red.
He looked down at her with wide, thoroughly shocked eyes, completely caught off guard by her sudden boldness.
Jay bit her lower lip, trying her absolute best to suppress a victorious smile at his flustered reaction.
"Jay-jay!"
he barked out in a slightly loud, warning voice, though his face was breaking into a massive grin.
Without warning, he leaned down and buried his face in the crook of her neck, his stubble tickling her sensitive skin as he nudged her playfully.
Jay burst into a loud, melodic giggle, her shoulders shaking as she tried to squirm away from the delicious friction.
Keifer wrapped his arms tighter around her waist, lifting her slightly off her feet as they swayed together, his own deep, rumbling laughter mingling with her bright giggles.
Her hands clutched at his broad shoulders for balance, her fingers digging into his undershirt as the sheer joy of the moment washed the last of the darkness away.
They finally stopped, both of them slightly breathless and flushed from the laughter.
Keifer pulled back just enough to look at her, and before she could predict his move, he leaned down and stole a quick, firm peck straight from her parted lips.
Jay's face turned completely red, her eyes widening in utter disbelief at his sneak attack.
"Are you just going to stare at me the whole night?
Your husband is very tired,"
he said with a smirk, turning toward the bed while naturally taking her smaller hand into his large palm to pull her along.
But Jay suddenly caught his wrist with her free hand, pulling back slightly.
Keifer stopped, turning to look at her in confusion.
With a mysterious smile, she gently freed her hand from his grip.
"Just wait," she said softly.
Leaving him standing there, she walked over to the side of the bed.
She climbed onto the mattress and lay down comfortably on her back against the pillows.
Looking up at him, a wide,
mischievous grin broke across her face as she extended both of her arms wide open toward him, inviting him in.
Keifer let out a breathless chuckle, bringing his hand up to pinch the bridge of his nose as he laughed quietly at her antics.
He took a few slow steps forward, crossing his arms over his chest as he stood right by the edge of the bed, looking down at her petite frame.
"Don't you think you are way too small for a monster like me?"
he teased, his voice dropping into a low, playful growl.
Jay just smiled brightly, pressing her lips together into a thin line and shaking her head in a definitive, stubborn 'no.'
"
Okay then... don't regret it,"
he murmured, his voice turning thick and heavy.
Placing his large palms firmly on the mattress on both sides of her head, he leaned down close, his shadow completely enveloping her as her heart did a wild, excited flip.
But instead of pushing further, Keifer gently lowered his heavy frame, resting the side of his face securely against her chest as he wrapped his powerful arms tightly around her waist, anchoring himself to her completely.
A soft, contented sigh left Jay's lips.
She immediately wrapped her own arms around his broad shoulders.
Reaching down with one hand, she grabbed the edge of the thick comforter and pulled the blanket all the way up over his broad shoulders, securely wrapping them both together in a warm, protective cocoon.
As the quiet of the room settled around them, Keifer closed his eyes, his ear pressed directly against her chest.
He listened intently to the steady, rhythmic thud of her heartbeat.
In that soft, comforting sound, he finally found the absolute peace he had been starving for after five long, grueling days away from her.
Feeling the tension completely leave his body as he relaxed against her, Jay smiled softly into the dim light.
She tangled her fingers gently into his short, damp hair, leaning her head down to press a tender, lingering kiss right at the top of his head.
.
..
...
After a few quiet minutes,
just as the soothing silence of the room was taking over and she had almost completely drifted off to sleep, she felt a sudden shift.
The heavy warmth pressing against her chest began to fade as Keifer gently moved away.
But before the coldness of the room could even settle in, she felt his presence returning.
With practiced, infinitely gentle care, Keifer carefully slid his powerful arms underneath her, shifting their positions on the mattress.
He lifted her fragile frame onto his own body, securely resting her head right against his broad, solid chest.
Wrapping his strong arms tightly around her waist, he pulled her flush against him once more, enveloping her in a warm,
unbreakable embrace that guaranteed she wouldn't encounter any more monsters in the dark.
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Hey buddies how are you?
I hope you guys like the chapter.
Let's just meet u in next one.
Till then bye bye
Love u ❤️